Robot Chicken is Twisted Toyfare Theater!

[bouv]

So I've seen ads on Adult Swim for a nwe show called Robot Chicken, and when i see them, the first thing I think is,

"Hey, that's Twisted Toyfare Theater!"

For those not in the nkow, there is a magazine called toyfare which is basically a magazine about toys, mostly action figures, for adults (well...maybe just the 16-30 crowd.) it's geared towards colelctors, and has price guides, reviews, ertc..., and one of the features they have is Twisted Toyfare Theater. It's basically a comic ctrip doen with action figures in silly, outrageous situations. Frequent players include SPiderman, Hulk, the Fantastic FOur and Doc Doom, but any toy can make an appearance, like transformers, smurfs, GI Joe, etc...

here is ap lace where you can read a sample.

Anyhoo, the ads for Robot Chicken are the same style, so I'm wondering if it was doen by the same people. Anyoen have any info on it?

[Max Carnage]

When does it start? There was an article on it in the latest Wizard mag and I have been trying to find out when I can tune in.

It's created by Seth Green who has been doing similar things on a Sony website for the past few years. He had a great short about a comic convention. I wish I could remember the name of the site...lets see...Google "Seth Green" and "Action Figures" and get.... www.screenblast.com . That wasn't so hard.

[Max Carnage]

Gah, that link doesn't show you anything good at all, but this article shows the Toyfare connection...

http://streamingmediaworld.com/video...etj/index.html

[Justin_Bailey]

I'm definitely going to watch this, but ya know, part of me is amazed that it took this long to get a show on the air that every kid thinks up when they're eight.

[Archergal]

I watched Robot Chicken last night on Adult Swim. I liked it! There were a couple of laugh-out-loud moments for me and several more just smiling moments.

I enjoyed the stop-action work with the action figures. The weird thing they do with the mouths to make them speak was a little odd, but it worked.

Anybody else see this? Whaddya think?

[Neurotik]

I saw it, and I thought it was pretty damn funny. I didn't think I was going to like it, but I'm happy I was proven wrong.

The panda eating the guy's head was a great moment. I mean, you knew something was gonna happen but I thought it was going to be a general mauling, which wouldn't have been as funny.

[Scott Plaid]

And then.....hahhahahahahaah! the cyclon steps towards the banana peel and...

hahhahahahahaah!

he gets creamed by a ball out of nowhere!

heheheheeheehehehee

Scott wanders off, still laughing.

[Archergal]

Scott_plaid, I liked that one too.

My favorite:

Char 1: I'm so happy!
Char 2: Hi, Mr. Happy! Can I call you So???






Ok, I have a dumb sense of humor. I know, and I'm ok with it.

[shy guy]

Seth Green has been collaborating with ToyFare almost since its inception, so I'm sure the magazine was a big influence.

I wanted to watch the show last night but totally forgot about it. Grr.

[Fern Forest]

Mmmm, violence. I can't wait for the sword cutting scene from the commercials. They look so cool as they move.

[Brainiac4]

I believe the co-creator with Seth Green is Matthew Senreich, editor for ToyFare. At least he was editor, he may have moved on -- but the connection is really strong.

[wolf in second hand clothing]

I thought the animation was excellent, but was a little disappointed. The only funny parts were when they had the auditions for Mulder's X-Files replacement with that guy who had Quasimodo's head and the "Most One-Sided Fistfights"

[Marley23]

I liked it, too. The pacing was uneven, with some bits too long and others too short, but when they got it right it was pretty damn funny. I think with time this could be something.

[Oslo Ostragoth]

Originally Posted by Archergal

I watched Robot Chicken last night on Adult Swim. I liked it! There were a couple of laugh-out-loud moments for me and several more just smiling moments.

I enjoyed the stop-action work with the action figures. The weird thing they do with the mouths to make them speak was a little odd, but it worked.

Anybody else see this? Whaddya think?

I loved it! It goes into Must-See-TV.

[Max Carnage]

Yeah, it is now in my DVR schedule. Loved the Transformers bit, especially Optimus' final transformation. And laughed out loud at Corky's audition and the Cylon-Wrecking ball confrontation

[E-Sabbath]

Is it bad if I mentally deconstruct the toys used into their component parts that they used to make the custom figures?

[Kaspar Hauser]

I thought it was hit or miss, but I loved the Scarecrow/Oz clip -- the straw pouring out, and the whimpered "call a guard!"

[cbawlmer]

Tom Root of Toyfare is also one of the writers. It IS TTT on TV!

[Hail Ants]

Meh... Color me unimpressed.

It wasn't horrible, but I have high standards for the Adult Swim lineup and this didn't measure up. It reminded me too much of MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch. Mildly amusing but only on one level, and only mildly. Best I can say is it wasn't as bad as Turner & Hooch (that belonged on Comedy Central!) but its no Space Ghost or Aqua Teen.

More Venture Brothers!!!

[mobo85]

Originally Posted by Neurotik

The panda eating the guy's head was a great moment. I mean, you knew something was gonna happen but I thought it was going to be a general mauling, which wouldn't have been as funny.

[Cheesy blooper-show host]And that's why you can't trust the Chinese![/cbsh]

I caught this last night and found it very funny. The Transformers prostate cancer episode was pretty funny. And the title is good too. It makes no sense, but that's the point- crazy cartoons have titles that make absolutely no sense, like Sweet Cuppin' Cakes. Besides, Robot Chicken is fun to say.

"He must be French, because he's a-peein'."
"I think the joke goes you're a-peein'."
"But I'm not."
"[sigh] You are such a Retardicon..."

[Max Carnage]

Originally Posted by mobo85

I caught this last night and found it very funny. The Transformers prostate cancer episode was pretty funny. And the title is good too. It makes no sense, but that's the point- crazy cartoons have titles that make absolutely no sense, like Sweet Cuppin' Cakes. Besides, Robot Chicken is fun to say.

Seth Green says he got the title of the show from a dish served at a local Chinese restaurant.

At least it's not called Pu Pu Platter....but you know, I'd watch that too.

[spiralscratch]

Originally Posted by Scott_plaid

And then.....hahhahahahahaah! the cyclon steps towards the banana peel and...

hahhahahahahaah!

he gets creamed by a ball out of nowhere!

heheheheeheehehehee

Scott wanders off, still laughing.

I never thought I'd laugh so hard at Cylon bloopers.

I liked the show. What's not funny about a hockey player checking a small child into a men's-room urinal?

[Astroboy14]

I caught this last night at work... round about 3AM, and it was slow, so I figured I'd fire up the DVR and see if any of my co-workers had recorded any South Park episodes.

"Robot Chicken? What the...?"

I loved it! Several laugh-out-loud moments for me. I think my favorite bit was after Prime's PSA about getting your prostate checked, they cut to a scene in a doctor's office and there was a guy (the Human Torch? Who was that?) saying 'It burns when I pee.' Prime pops in and asks, 'WHAT DID I JUST TELL YOU?'

I'll be watching again.

[Weirddave]

I enjoyed it. When are new episodes on?

[mobo85]

The show airs Sundays, I believe.

"Mah name is George Dubya Bush and I approve this message...tacos rule!"

[Incubus]

The show is hysterical. The Transformers Prostate Cancer Special was a riot.

I loved how Starscream is trying to run away, trips over a rock, then gets dogpiled by autobots who beat the everloving shit out of him. And Optimus having a picture of Spike on his deathbed...priceless

I also liked the "This is your brain on drugs" sketch.

And the scene where Scarecrow gets shanked in prison and starts bleeding hay

[Marley23]

Did anybody else see the episode last night? Much less rapid-fire, but I think this show is becoming what I hoped it would.

[cbawlmer]

Yes, I think the show is getiing stronger with every episode. I totally called the Kite-Eating Tree Strategy before it happened though.

[bouv]

I'm a little worried, because I have heard rumors that the episode that we all want to see so badly (the one that features Jesus killing Jews a la Kill Bill) might not air. Damn you, censors and people who feel a need to ruin my fun!

[Stonebow]

Caught part of last night's ep...very cool.

I especially liked the Star Wars sketch- end of ESB, Vader vs Luke in cloud city.

Vader: Luke...I am your father! There's also something else I have to tell you...

*fills Luke in on SW backstory as established in prequels*

...and the Force isn't a mystical power...it's actually some sort of alien parasite.

Luke: (smoking cigarette) Look, if you're not going to take this seriously, I give up.

And Luke was voiced by Mark Hamill!

[Revtim]

The Benny Hill thing cracked me up BAD.

[Marley23]

Originally Posted by Revtim

The Benny Hill thing cracked me up BAD.

Yeah, that was among the highlights for me. And who knew they made toys of all these things?

[saramamalana]

I'm so so happy I got to catch the show again last night. I'd seen the first two episodes and managed to miss every one since.

My favorite moment was when they freakin mentioned "Sleepaway Camp"!!! And that toy popped up and said "OMG someone remembered this movie!" I was absolutely dying. I was tempted to be a big dork and post on Cartoon Network's message board and say "I know what they're talking about!" but I'm sure there's several hundred people who've done so already, heh.

I need to set up the recorder to get every new episode!

[Morbo]

Originally Posted by Stonebow

Caught part of last night's ep...very cool.

I especially liked the Star Wars sketch- end of ESB, Vader vs Luke in cloud city.

Vader: Luke...I am your father! There's also something else I have to tell you...

*fills Luke in on SW backstory as established in prequels*

...and the Force isn't a mystical power...it's actually some sort of alien parasite.

Luke: (smoking cigarette) Look, if you're not going to take this seriously, I give up.

And Luke was voiced by Mark Hamill!

That was the best part.

"I am your father!"

"That's not true! That's IMPOSSIBLE!!"

"And Princess Leia is your sister."

"That's......HIGHLY IMPROBABLE!!!"

"And the Empire was destroyed by Ewoks!"

"Um....I don't..."

<cut to them smoking cigarettes>

"So the Force is really these tiny creatures called 'Midichlorians' that live in your blood cells...."

I tried to find a link to that scene - does anyone know where I can find it?

[pulykamell]

Originally Posted by Revtim

The Benny Hill thing cracked me up BAD.

The Benny Hill gag was hilarious, but I feel the show's actually been getting worse with every episode. I only found the pilot consistently funny. Since then, it's been one or two good gags with a lot of fluff in between.

[Tentacle Monster]

I'm a big fan of rapid-fire comedy, so Robot Chicken is definitely my bag.

My one complaint: During the big race sketch, they totally screwed up Wario's voice.

[Tuckerfan]

Originally Posted by Dooku

I tried to find a link to that scene - does anyone know where I can find it?

I don't know of any fansites that have sprung up for the show yet, and google isn't much help, but um, if one avail's oneself of certain sources of exchanging things which cannot be discussed here, then one can find the eps.


So far, the guest voices for the show that I know of have included Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Mark Hamill, and Seth Macfarlane.

[Ranchoth]

"I THINK YOU SHOULD LET THE GREAT PUMPKIN EAT YOU!"

[spiralscratch]

Originally Posted by Tuckerfan

So far, the guest voices for the show that I know of have included Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Mark Hamill, and Seth Macfarlane.

I remember that most of the cast of That 70's Show appeared.

I wish they could have gotten Mike Judge to do Beavis and Butthead.

[Skott]

Do they get permission for skits like the "Great Pumpkin" one, or do they generally go on "parody does not violate copyrights"?

[Scott Plaid]

With great power to parody comes great responsability. The disclaimer stating that it is a parody protects against all most all threats they will face on their long journey. Godspeed, you kings of the ocean.

[bouv]

Well, it's a parady so it's protected, but Schultz's estate is sue happy I wouldn't be suprised if they try to sue. It will certainly get thrown out, since as said parody and satire are protected, but that doen't mean they won't try.

[shy guy]

So far, the guest voices for the show that I know of have included Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Mark Hamill, and Seth Macfarlane.

IIRC, Sarah Michelle Gellar voiced herself in the "... and that's how Buffy season 8 would have gone," which was hilarious.

[Scott Plaid]

Heck, the very first episode had the "this is your brain on drug commercial" voiced by the same girl as the original, Rachel Leigh Cook.

[mobo85]

Originally Posted by bouv

Well, it's a parady so it's protected, but Schultz's estate is sue happy I wouldn't be suprised if they try to sue.

Although Jean Schulz did complain about a Saturday Night Live parody of A Charlie Brown Christmas, nothing was really done about it.

As for "Schulz's estate," they do not own the characters- United Feature does. And as far as I know, they really haven't sued anyone over a bona fide TV or magazine parody (MAD magazine parodied the strip so many times that the Schulz Museum recently had an exibit about them), but if you misuse Snoopy or Dilbert on your website, the letters will come a-flyin'.