Space Ghost Coast to Coast

     Space Ghost Coast to Coast works well as a snapshot in time. A comedy that started a genre, Space Ghost Coast to Coast relied on its editors and writers to craft an absurdist story in post. 

     After Ted Turner purchased the rights to the Hannah-Barbara collection he asked a young writer, Mike Lazzo, to make him a cartoon for adults. However, Lazzo could only use the materials provided to him, namely a collection of old cartoons. Lazzo took Space Ghost from the show Space Ghost and Dino Boy and repurposed almost all the animation to make Space Ghost host a talk show. 

Lazzo wanted a show "people would pause on" and Space Ghost was the absurd, sometimes anti-comedy, that he wanted. The interviews with real 90's celebrities were recorded and then taken completely out of context. The writers would craft the show completely in post, changing the questions and moving around answers until the interview barely made sense or made the celebrity look bad. All this surround edby a B plot of Space Ghost's employee's; former villains Brak, Zorack, and Moltar all actively despise Space Ghost. 

The show's influence is widespread. It's popularity was at the height of late night talk shows, with the Tonight show being past to either Letterman or Leno and Conan doing more alternative comedy on the Late show. Coast to Coast didn't really fit into traditional programming and thus paved the way for Cartoon Network's late night half Adult Swim. From there shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Harvey Birdman were born. Space Ghost is also a huge influence on The Eric Andre Show another surrealist late night show now on Adult Swim with live actors and comedians.

Lazzo himself has said he's done with Space Ghost Coast to Coast and is now an Executive VP at Adult Swim. But the show has lived on in the alternative comedy community for being such a creative idea that changed so much. Space Ghost was ahead of it's time in terms of content manipulation, especially for animation. While the show is not always clear and direct, it is always entertaining watching a giant generic superhero talk to celebrities who don't really know what's going on.

The Eric André Show and Public Access TV

This week, after it being recommended by a friend, I watched The Eric André Show for the first time. This friend had no idea of my plans to produce a public access cooking show, nor did I have a clue that The Eric André Show was a sketch-riddled comedy program parodying public access talk shows. Though when it comes to this style I prefer the tastes of Tim and Eric, I found The Eric André Show funny. I especially liked how genuinely uncomfortable the guests felt during their interviews, which seems to have been part genuine, part editing magic.

Tonight I visited Pegasys, the public access studio mecca in Fall Creek in which we plan on shooting/editing together Baking and Entering. They have one studio that is as wonderfully archaic (i.e. analog-based) as we had hoped. There are generic set pieces, curtains (one chroma), a big chunky TV monitor, plenty of lights, and a tall ladder to shoot from. We set up two cameras, plugged in a mic, and fooled around in the control room. I had fun adapting to this much-older version of boards I learned to operate two years ago.

I can see why Eric André wanted to use analog cameras and film in the style of public access television; there's something thrilling about being "limited" in that sense. It's also fun to borrow/imitate a style that is frequently jabbed at feeling uncreative or boring. I'm excited to make the most of public access television this semester.

Rick and Morty For A Hundred Years Rick And Morty Dot Com.

There are two kinds of people in this world (Earth C-137): those who absolutely love Rick and Morty, and those who I pretend exist in a parallel universe where they love Rick and Morty, which I can do because that’s exactly the power of the show. Because it is a sci-fi cartoon with a backbone built around multi-verse theory, Rick and Morty is a show that can do whatever it wants.

The adultswim show that aired on December 2, 2013 is just over halfway into it’s second season and was renewed in August for its third. No surprise there. After one season, the show had already become adultswims’ trinket necklace left to it by it’s late grandmother that actually turned out to be worth way more you ever could ha

ve gotten for it on ebay. That’s because it has the most value element in the world in it. Collaboration. (Aww)

Rick and Morty actually started as a sketch

meant only get a shock factor reaction from the audience by one of the show’s creators, Justin Roiland. Originally a grotesque spoof on Back To The Future, the animated sketch called “The Real Animated Adventures of Doc and Mharti” was noticed by Community creator, Dan Harmon. With Justin’s art and vocal stuttering’s- I mean stylings and Dan’s unmatched wit and storytelling ability, the duo took the sketch from over the top gross to stellar comedy.

Rick and Morty follows the story of Rick Sanchez, an alcoholic scientist who happens to be the smartest man in the universe and his dim-witted grandson, Morty, as well as the rest of the family. As they travel through the universe, their stories incite more than a little laughter but kick you in the heart just as often. The power of the show is that even though it’s jokes per minute count is off the charts, it weaves in very real issues as well, like suicide, failing marriages, molestation, insecurity, etc. However, all of this together means that even the fourth or fifth time you watch an episode, you pick on new jokes and subtle plants, making it easy to introduce and watch with friends who have never seen it, at least not in this universe. For a dumb looking show, it’s one of the smartest sci-fi series on TV at the moment and from the looks of it, it’s here to stay. Just like you, in that chair as you watch the pilot for yourself right now: http://www.adultswim.com/videos/rick-and-morty/pilot/ 

Syndication at its finest

The Simpsons, one of the greatest shows of all time is at it again with its debut on FXX cable network. With a whopping 530 episodes, the Simpsons can be played for 52 weeks without repeating one show.  As a conglomerate trying to air a syndicated show, the Simpsons is definitely one worth looking into, but how much is it worth it? The financial terms with FXX were not disclosed yet it is estimated that anywhere from 800 million to 1 billion dollars was spent on its purchase. Not bad for a animated T.V. series don't you think? The show has never before screened on a cable network so it is bound to grow an even larger audience than it already has. Other media conglomerates like Time Warner Cable Adult Swim, and Viacom bid for the show but ultimately left empty handed. To have a syndicated show is a cash cow for everyone involved. The owners of the show make millions off the 200+ channels who purchase rights to air the show, the affiliates make money off advertisement money, companies make money off the advertisements selling products, and the viewers are happy they get to view a popular T.V. series. It's not always as perfect as it may seem though. Many times in hopes of reaching syndication many shows are dragged out with poor scripts just so they can reach that 100 episode mark. Many could argue that the newer Simpsons episodes are not as good as they use to be but that comes down to personal opinion. Overall FXX made a very large purchase and I hope it works out the way they planned. 

Why I Also Wish DeeVee Was My Son

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! is probably the most inexplicable guilty pleasure of mine. It is the weirdest, weirdest, weirdest (there are literally no more adjectives at my disposal to describe it) show that I have ever seen. Its bizarre (hey! here's another adjective) parodies of public access television have garnered it an immense cult following.

Allow me to break down exactly why I have been singing "A Song for Dee Vee" everywhere I go, and what exactly makes their Chrimbus Special so special:

1. 0:05 - Right off the bat, the first funny thing is that they are singing a song for someone named "Dee Vee", and that someone happens to be a bizarre yeti-baby monster. Also: hilarious costumes. In context of the whole Chrimbus Special, they are celebrating a fictional holiday called "Chrimbus". One celebrates this holiday by keeping their "Chrimbus Bush" "trimmed and wet".
2. 0:10 - The song is about them wishing "Dee Vee" was their son. That in itself, is a joke, but Tim and Eric are above just making a joke. That's too obvious: they need to also make a hilarious face while singing. 
3. 0:13 - They dissolve to a shot of Dee Vee (a DVD monster), standing nobly as he is serenaded. Throughout this sketch (and all of their shows), they so perfectly parody the stupid, archaic whiz-bang tricks done while covering an in-studio performance. Dissolve to Camera 3, the shot of the strange munchkin ape-demon Dee Vee.
4. 0:16 - Tim has an incredible singing voice, and also makes a funny face. Funny faces = comedy. Write that down.
5. 0:20 - "You hairy boy, you need a trim. I'll get you wet for Chrimbus swim." I think at this point, it really sinks in that what you are viewing is absolutely absurd. Also, their harmonies are just as tight as their Chrimbus jumpsuits.
6. 0:32 - Tim sings "Oh, Dee Vee! I love you more than him." This in itself is a joke, but again, Tim and Eric are better than that. The real reason this is hilarious, Mom, is that Tim makes a gesture during the line. Realize how perfect that gesture is, and how completely it parodies beautiful time-honored singing events.
7. 0:40 -- the end - Watch this video. I cannot stop singing this song. I think any television student or hardcore enthusiast could at least see the value of how well the parody the stupidity of television events, programming, and commercials. If you do not fall into those categories, watch it anyways. Tim and Eric are the kings of surreal satirical humor (and anti-humor).

Off the Air

Last night, or morning rather, I stayed up until 5:00 am. Why you may ask? I wanted to watch the adult swim series called Off the Air that airs at 4:00am on Adult Swim. Off the Air, produced by editor David Hughes, is a 15 minute show that features online viral videos, various animations, archival footage, strange transitions, and psychedelic imagery. It premiered in early 2011 and has been on at 4:00 am since. Each episode has a theme that each short animation or video highlights. For example, last night the episodes were about color and falling down. My friend is a fan of the show and when I asked what it was about, he said I just had to watch it. After watching it, I don't exactly know how to explain the show; just watch it. The editing draws different videos and shorts together in a flawless and smooth way. The show puts you in a trance with the mix of the psychedelic images and spacey music. Adult Swim has always been one of my favorite programs but I'm usually in deep sleep by the time it airs. Some of my other favorite Adult Swim programs include Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Family Guy, and now Off the Air. If you're contemplating staying up all night, watch Adult Swim and you will either leave 1.) Extremely satisfied 2.) Confused with a headache or 3.) You will hate it. You don't know what you will get when you watch Adult Swim.

Watch an episode of Off the Air below. The theme in this episode is food.

Comic Con

I've been having a great time at NYCC! Yesterday I interviewed a representative from an LA-based company called Visionborne. The company uses technology developed in Italy to create motion comics, which are digital comics with animated panels. These motion comics can be read with an app, and Visionborne is working with many artists to add comics to their library. I find this technology fascinating, as I ordinarily don't read comic books on my laptop or iPod; Visionborne's technology will certainly change how some people read and enjoy comic books! Their website can be found here: http://www.visionborne.com/index.php

Today I had a fantastic interview with Arty Gibree, director and co-founder of Sanshee. Sanshee is a company that makes wonderfully detailed and designed products just for geeks; they have made replicas of the badges from the Pokemon games, as well as graphic t-shirts, posters, pins and other jewelry. Arty and Team Sanshee were so enthusiastic and kind, and it was wonderful to get the opportunity to meet with him and talk about his company. Sanshee's website and store can be found here: http://sanshee.com/

Tomorrow I have an interview with Brad Neely, creator of the Adult Swim show China, IL. I've been a fan of his since I started reading his web comics and watching his youtube videos, so this interview is a real treat!

The Boondocks

I’m usually not a big fan of anime shows with their explicit scenes of violence and fighting. However, there is one show that is considered in the anime category that I can’t stop watching. This show is called The Boondocks. The show began in 2005 on Adult Swim and continued to make 3 seasons. Currently, season 4 is in the making.

This show consists of two 8 year old’s name Huey and Riley who are polar opposites of each other politically and morally.  Huey is the voice of reason, extremely liberal socially and underestimated by his family and ridiculed for having such radical views and having goals higher then from which he came. He is a strong believer for “Afrocentrism” and is wiser then most 8 year olds. Riley is completely opposite, interested in gangster related activities and committing crimes; he's into modern mainstream hip-hop and living the life of rappers on TV. They are both raised by their Grandad, who is very outspoken and moved his grandchildren to a suburban neighborhood called Woodcrest to have a better life. 

The first thing I love about this show is the social issues that they cover. Because they are one of the only African American families in Woodcrest, the show deals with such issues as African American vs. White Culture (exaggerates each races culture in order to juxtapose them), racial struggle with law enforcement, racism, and current events and pop culture. Obviously because of these issues the show is deemed as controversial. They push the limits with the heavy use of the word “ni***” and was voted as 5th most controversial cartoon of all time in Time Magazine. 

Other then it’s controversial topics, the show is known for it’s music. A lot of the extensive fight scenes in the show are played with hip-hop music over it. These occur in almost every episode and the it is usually underground rap. This music plays a large role in the show and the songs usually have a political theme and were written for the show specifically. There are also many celebrities that voice the characters.

I highly recommend this show to anyone who loves animated shows that push the limits of what is acceptable on TV. You do not need to have watched past episodes to understand what is going on in the show, so you can start by watching Season 4 this year when it comes out!