Adult Swim sounds like a wild pool party but it’s not.
The block of time on the Cartoon Network is actually a group of cartoons set aside for a more mature audience. Unlike the name might imply, it’s notrife with nudity and dirty talk, but the themes and jokes are clearly meant for a more mature audience base.
This, combined with the nostalgia button being hit pretty hard, has lead to the block of shows earning cult followings. On top of that, the network has created a niche market campaign that includes watching parties at college campuses across the country.
One of the stalwarts from Adult Swim’s early days has been “Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law.”
This show revamped a B-list, Hanna/Barbara superhero, recasting him as a semi-competent attorney. Like the luchadores in Mexican cinema, Harvey has worn his mask throughout the show with no questions asked about his doing so. Former villians from the Hanna/Barbara stable have been brought in as opposing counsel, judges and clients. This was a show that put Fred Flinstone on trial for racketeering, got Secret Squirrel charged with indecent exposure and saw Apache Chief seek restitution after having scalding coffee spilled on his loin cloth.
Stupid, irreverent and outright hilarious, this is easily the best show on television featuring a purple hippopotamus. The peripheral characters are funny as all get out as well, but Potamus definitely is a standout. Just walk up to someone and say, “Did you get that thing I sent ya?” If they laugh, they’re in the purple hippo camp, and in the know. If they don’t, just run man run.
Adult Swim is bringing the run of the hero/attorney to an end on July 22, but the beginning of the end comes Sunday (July 15). This episode sets the wheels turning for the demise of Harvey Birdman. And trust me, you’ll want to see that.
