Static Prevails - Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Yes, it's lowbrow. Yes, it's confusing. Yes, it's nonsensical. But that's what makes Aqua Teen Hunger Force great. It's a show about a bunch of mutated (?) food products who live day to day lives in a poor neighbourhood and try to deal with whatever insane plot device comes their way. Now, when I say insane... Well, I mean it.

The show got it's origins on the masterpiece of insanity itself, Space Ghost Coast To Coast (possibly a future Static Prevails) on an episode entitled Baffler Meal (The characters were totally different, though) which did not enter production until after the show had already premiered.

Now, the genius of this show is in it's controlled insanity. It's perfectly constructed plots with insane dialogue and non-sequitors filling random pockets of conversation throughout. You see, what separates this show from most of the drek Adult Swim produces nowadays, is the fact that the writers never forget the story (as insane as it may be) and the characters rarely ever act out of character for the service of a joke. Hell, the show may be more coherent than Family Guy is nowadays.

Adult Swim shows today (outside of a small selection... You probably know the ones) do not let their characters develop, throw random plots at the canvas to see what sticks, and are random to an extreme fault.

Non-sequitors do not make up for shoddy writing, guys. Unfortunately, ATHF is showing it's age this season with "extreme" plots and character turns. I was probably one of the few who enjoyed the previous season for it's risk taking and creative plot ideas, unfortunately, it seems they've thrown that away to be like almost every other Adult Swim show out there.

It's a pity, but Aqua Teen Hunger force remains a favorite of mine for almost 80 episodes, with a 15 minute run time, it really did show Adult Swim as something more than an 'experiment' and as something fresh and creative for the airwaves.

I hope you enjoyed this look at ATHF, as we'll probably be looking at other Adult Swim classics in the future.

(Note: Image taken from wikipedia.)