Smiling Friends

This was actually funny, unlike a large portion of the shows from that block during the last few years.

More bizarre cartoons like this and less Tim and Eric garbage, please.

Smiling Friends is a testament to the creative landscape of what personal content creation can lead to and how it focuses on artist to consumer interactions that allow the creators of animation or anything of the sort to be more grounded and appreciative of the craft and their impact on it. The animation is not too large a departure from other familiar styles. The characters and personalities are by far the most driving factors of the show itself. The dry and absurdist humor as well as the range of which the show can strike your funny-bone is incredibly enjoyable. Coming from the platforms of Newgrounds and Youtube has allowed for some truly interesting and hilarious comedy from the likes of Zach Hadel and his constituents. I have no doubt in my mind that there is more to come from the minds behind Smiling Friends and I am left eagerly awaiting.

Following the production of the "Hellbenders" pilot and the brief history of Sleepy Cabin, its great to finally see some of the best internet funny bois get their vision on TV. It fully retains the spontaneity of Zach and Michael's unique internet animation styles and wastes no time at all with the jokes. The structure of the 12-min short is split into 2 plots which are equally fascinating and bizarre but not in the way a lot of "edgy" or subversive adult animated shows tend to be. The looseness of the drawing style helps the craziness never seem like its on rails, it truly feels like you're in the mind of 2 nutbag internet artists and I love it.

Mike Stoklasa's performance will be one for the history books.

I've been a fan of Zach Hadel for years, since psychicpebbles started. While Hellbenders never got off the ground, I'm glad he finally got a show on tv. Being 11 minutes an episode and on adult swim none of his idiosyncrasies have been smoothed out for a network, it's clearly his and Michael's humor.

But what makes this stand out besides for it just being extremely creative and funny is that it isn't mean spirited like so many adult animated cartoons.

Sure the jokes can be messed up or grotesque at times, but the universe it takes place in seems to be legitmately optimistic. Many shows can do those things well but it's nice to see something unique and creator driven that is also upbeat.

All I have to say is that Adult Swim needs to continue this. It was a shame that Hellbenders was never picked up, but now I see this as a great opportunity to make up for it. Both Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack are masterful animators and comedians. They both have a gift to implement moments in their craft that are eternally quotable. Denying this show a series would be a disservice to the world. I know that sounds weird, considering the absurdity of the content, but I honestly see this as a beacon of hope in these dark times.The creators deserve so much recognition and support.