3 Things: Animated Series My Friends Aren't Watching But Should
There is a bit of a hidden agenda in my post for this week. And by “hidden,” I actually mean not hidden at all. My friends and I share a lot of similar fandoms, but there are times when I am DYING to talk about a show and then I am shocked to discover that none of my friends are watching it. It kills me because deep down in my heart I feel like they should love them too. No really, we have so much in commom, why not these too? So this week, I am using my blog time to not only try to convince the other ladies to check these shows out, but also try to find some like-minded blog readers who would like to chat about how awesome these shows are. Phineas and Ferb
Hey you! Stop the eye rolling, I mean it! This show is hilarious and has an amazing sense of self awareness that can be hard to find in shows that are aimed for kids. Yes, it's Disney. Yes, it is well established that I have been brain-washed by the Mouse. But hear me out.
Phineas and Ferb are two brothers who happen to be super geniuses. Each episode, they come up with some sort of crazy project to do that day and the hijinks begin. So far they have invented the best ice cream in the world by sending cows into space, turned their entire downtown into a giant board game, and even had a special where they team up with the Avengers. They have a pet platypus who is a secret agent assigned to fighting the worst evil villain in the world. Oh, and they have an older sister who spends way too much time chasing them down in hopes of ratting them out to their mother.
Where this shows really shines is that you can tell it has been created and written by people who spend a lot of time thinking of ways to reference things that both the children and the parents will enjoy. In fact, there are times that I even suspect that many of the references are going right over the kids' heads. This feels especially true when things happen like the kids finding out that their mother was an 80s pop icon known as Lydana (whose song strongly states that she is a girl who wants to have fun, not unlike a certain other 80s Pop icon we know).
The continuity is great, the characters call themselves out on their various traits and taglines, and every episode features a song! Ok, I realize that the song might not be a selling point for everyone, but seriously, if you can stand the cute, the show might really be worth your time. And really, any series that will take the time to write a song about having squirrels in your pants is a-ok with me.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nKG_O0Ei_o]
Rick and Morty
Ok, this show is certainly not for kids, and some of the jokes might make me squirm in a rather uncomfortable way, but I am shocked that I am not hearing more people talk about this show. I know its received a decent amount of critical acclaim and I might just be living under a rock with this one, but in the case that you have not seen this show on Adult Swim or online...seriously, go watch it. Would it help if I told you that this is what Dan Harmon was doing with Justin Roiland (the voice of the Earl of Lemon Grab) during that dark year he was not heading up Community? Ok, well, probably before that as well.
Rick and Morty is a show about a man and his grandson. Rick,a gifted scientist with a drinking problem, is constantly dragging his much put-upon grandson Morty on his various adventures through time and space. Think Back to the Future only filled with a lot of crass jokes and even more outlandish circumstances.
While it took me a couple of episodes to really get into this one, it won me over and now I can't help but giggle when I think about Mr. MeeSeeks.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eucjv2XOa98]
Bob's Burgers
This is another show that is popular enough have made it beyond its first season (4th actually), but when I dressed up as youngest Belcher child, Louise, for Halloween I was surprised by how many people asked me who I was. Those who did recognize the costume were extremely enthusiastic though. And I have found that is exactly how fans of this show are.
Created by Loren Bouchard (Dr. Katz, Science Court, co-creator of Home Movies), Bob's Burgers is a show about the daily lives of the odd and charming Belcher family who run a burger restaurant. There are hilarious songs, clever parodies, and a gazillion spot-on pop culture references and shout-outs. Once again, the trouble is making it through the first few episodes. I had watched the season premiere and quickly gave up on it because there was something about it that felt forced. I wanted it to be Home Movies, but it wasn't...even if the cast is filled with familiar voices. Worst of all, it also felt a bit too crude. Thankfully, a few months later I read an article that both praised the show and gave some rather specific instructions: skip right to the "Sexy Dance Fighting" episode. Not only does it get better, but it finally hits the mark with the quick and witty dialogue we have come to expect from a Loren Bouchard show.
Now if only Fox wasn't so good at preventing other people from posting clips on youtube...
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc5inf0T3AY&w=560&h=315]
So my friends, what else are you all watching? And maybe wish that more people where watching too? Let us know about it in the comments below and you might just find some more people who love your show too!