The best way I could describe The Venture Brothers for the newest Cultelevision article was that it was a show by geeks, for geeks. I mean, the show crams in more references to comic books, music, sci-fi, television, 80’s culture, and pop culture than I could possibly list in 10,000 words. Instead of even trying, I’ll just post a video detailing Hank Venture’s obsession with Batman.
This is why I love that show. It’s insane in the best way possible. I AM the Bat!
I kind of want to say George Lucas raped my childhood with his CGI animated version of The Clone Wars, but he didn’t. He just… disappointed my childhood, like he couldn’t even properly brutalize my good memories of Star Wars. It’s a little like expecting to be molested by your drunken stepfather, but then realizing he likes your brother better. You’re kind of glad you didn’t get what you thought you were going to get, but you still feel a little rejected and confused.
Of course, I’ll probably still watch the TV series, because I’m still hopelessly a Star Wars fan, but the love in my heart for Luke and Leia and Chewie isn’t what it once was.
Do you ever watch a show like Kingdom Hospital, General Hospital, E.R., or any of those other doctor shows and say, “Man, this is good, but I wish it was funnier or had more sci fi twists?”
Conversely, do you ever watch a madcap comedy like Airplane!, Police Squad, Kentucky Fried Movie, or Scary Movie and say, “Man, this is good, but I wish it was set in a 1980’s hospital and starred British people, and also had some random explosions and gunfire?”
Well, boys and girls, if you haven’t caught any episodes of Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace on the Sci Fi Channel or in its current run on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim every Sunday, then you really need to set your TiVo before I send the Scotch over to your house. You’re missing one of the most brilliant series EVER in the history of television. It’s FLCL-level goodness.
But don’t take my word for it, just read this review Ron Hogan did over at Den of Geek. He totally agrees with me.
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Subtle Bluntness 