Discussion:
Perfect Hair and 12 Ouns Mouse
(too old to reply)
TheMetaMuce
2005-12-09 09:47:37 UTC
Permalink
Is it just me, or are these about the worst shows that AS has put on TV? I
mean it's like it's hit or miss lately. ATHF was/is great, The Venture
Bros. was one of my favorite shows, and Harvey Birdman totally kicks ass!
Do you think they're losing they're touch or out of material?
--
FUNDA


----== Posted via Newsgroups.com - Usenet Access to over 100,000 Newsgroups ==----
Get Anonymous, Uncensored, Access to West and East Coast Server Farms!
----== Highest Retention and Completion Rates! HTTP://WWW.NEWSGROUPS.COM ==----
parv
2005-12-09 21:30:19 UTC
Permalink
in message <***@spool6-east.superfeed.net>,
wrote TheMetaMuce ...
Post by TheMetaMuce
Is it just me, or are these about the worst shows that AS has put
on TV? I mean it's like it's hit or miss lately. ATHF was/is
great,
I don't care for Aqua Teen either way.
Post by TheMetaMuce
The Venture Bros. was one of my favorite shows, and Harvey
Birdman totally kicks ass!
Oh yes, i agree. I can live w/o Harvey Birdman, but really like to
see new episodes of Venture Brothers. Has it ended, or are there
new episodes planned?
Post by TheMetaMuce
Do you think they're losing they're touch or out of material?
Seems like both, but more of the latter to me.


- parv
--
As nice it is to receive personal mail, too much sweetness causes
tooth decay. Unless you have burning desire to contact me, do not do
away w/ WhereElse in the address for private communication.
v***@yahoo.com
2005-12-09 23:32:56 UTC
Permalink
Venture Bros. 2nd season is due in Spring 2006, can't wait.

I've tried watching this new crop of shows and have no use for the lot.
If I don't "get" them, I don't care.

VMacek


in message <***@spool6-east.superfeed.net>,
wrote TheMetaMuce ...
Post by TheMetaMuce
Is it just me, or are these about the worst shows that AS has put
on TV? I mean it's like it's hit or miss lately. ATHF was/is
great,
I don't care for Aqua Teen either way.
Post by TheMetaMuce
The Venture Bros. was one of my favorite shows, and Harvey
Birdman totally kicks ass!
Oh yes, i agree. I can live w/o Harvey Birdman, but really like to
see new episodes of Venture Brothers. Has it ended, or are there
new episodes planned?
George Johnson
2005-12-10 16:50:30 UTC
Permalink
<***@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:***@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Venture Bros. 2nd season is due in Spring 2006, can't wait.
|
| I've tried watching this new crop of shows and have no use for the lot.
| If I don't "get" them, I don't care.
|
| VMacek
|
|
| in message <***@spool6-east.superfeed.net>,
| wrote TheMetaMuce ...
|
| > Is it just me, or are these about the worst shows that AS has put
| > on TV? I mean it's like it's hit or miss lately. ATHF was/is
| > great,
|
| I don't care for Aqua Teen either way.
|
| > The Venture Bros. was one of my favorite shows, and Harvey
| > Birdman totally kicks ass!
|
| Oh yes, i agree. I can live w/o Harvey Birdman, but really like to
| see new episodes of Venture Brothers. Has it ended, or are there
| new episodes planned?

Great news.
Frankly if I get no more chuckles from "Perfect Hair Forever", then it's
going to be blocked like "20 Oz. Mouse" (a show that has failed on
animation, failed on character voices, failed on script, failed on dialog,
failed on presentation, and has lacked all merit regarding every sort of
thing that is entertaining and thusly I feed Cartoon Network should demand a
refund for all monies spent on that worthless "show").

"American Dad" has had some amusing humor, but for the most part it also
is just as boring as a person that can barf on cue. I'm blocking that show
as I type this.

Cartoon Network can spend as much money on crap as they desire, but I'm
not going to watch it (or the ads that play during these crap-shows). Once
their shows are blocked off my cable box, they are never ever watched again
by myself.

--
Postscript: In a June, 1992 exclusive and published interview granted by
President George H. W. Bush to Sarah McClendon, the grand dame of the White
House press corps at the time:
"George Bush, what will the people do if they ever find out the truth about
Iraq-gate and Iran contra?"
"Sarah, if the American people ever find out what we have done, they will
chase us down the streets and lynch us."
Don Del Grande
2005-12-10 18:03:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by George Johnson
Think about the "Ripped Pants Spongebob" (piece of crap) that they're
heavily advertising. Even $ 0.02 would be too much for that useless
dust-collecter. I mean, it's a one-trick pony with a limited number of
lame phrases from a character depicting embarrassment whom lacks the concept
of shame. What is their target audience? Catatonic retarded infants?
And their SpongeBob-stuff-buying parents (as well as a notable
college-age audience, although I am starting to agree with Richard
Roeper that most of them may be on drugs when they watch it). It
worked with "Rugrats" as well.
Quick, when was the last time a Cartoon Network show was in the top 15
of the cable ratings? It's very rare for at least one Nickelodeon
show not to show up, and this has been true since at least 1997.
Nickelodeon knows this, so they program for younger kids. The Grim
Adventures of Billy & Mandy wouldn't be given a second look by
Nickelodeon today; even "kid-friendly" shows like Camp Lazlo or Hi Hi
Puffy Ami Yumi would be on their "maybe" list.
Post by George Johnson
If they could approach the level of delightful cynical humor in
"The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy" plus the proper weirdness
factor (to give it the Adult Swim branding), then I'd give it a
chance.
So would I - but that's not the show that aired, is it? (See my
earlier comment about "Party Wagon" for a similar situation.)
Post by George Johnson
"American Dad" has had some amusing humor, but for the most part it also
is just as boring as a person that can barf on cue. I'm blocking that
show as I type this.
I see it as "Family Guy for people who think FG's humor is far too
crude", not realizing that it's FG's crude humor that got it brought
back. The one episode that people seem to like is the one episode
where they "cross the line" FG-style (Stan's daughter starts having
sex with Stan's CIA boss).

-- Don
TheMetaMuce
2005-12-11 04:34:35 UTC
Permalink
New Venture Bros? Sweet. I'll be waiting with baited breath for that one.
That show is so underrated...not enough people have even heard of it!

I have to agree that the Boondocks was a nice surprise. I thought it was
going to be one-sided but it's got a lot of humor from both sides of a coin,
which is nice to see. Charlie Murphy and Samuel L. Jackson were definately
a nice touch--especially as crazy, thugged out, trigger-happy white guys.

American Dad, to me at least, just seems like it's trying too hard. Forced
humor is never humorous. I also always feel somehow "indoctrinated" at the
end of each episode, as if they wanted me to learn some policitally charged
lesson from it. Now that show is pretty one-sided. Stan Smith _always_
ends up being the whack-job, trigger-happy, power-abusing, uber-conservative
bafoon. Seth McFarlane should stick with the hit show and dump this one.

I'm fairly pleased with the anime selection on CN, but there are some shows
that I could do without (One Piece for starters, and Bobo bo bobobo or
whatever the hell it's called). GITS has got to be my favorite anime show.
It's just so enthralling. Evangelion is turning out to be pretty good too,
but it's moving too slowly. It's probably been trimmed pretty heavily for
American TV. Sad.

Well, my opinion gland is empty.....so there.
--
FUNDA


----== Posted via Newsgroups.com - Usenet Access to over 100,000 Newsgroups ==----
Get Anonymous, Uncensored, Access to West and East Coast Server Farms!
----== Highest Retention and Completion Rates! HTTP://WWW.NEWSGROUPS.COM ==----
Quiet Desperation
2005-12-23 06:11:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by TheMetaMuce
American Dad, to me at least, just seems like it's trying too hard. Forced
humor is never humorous. I also always feel somehow "indoctrinated" at the
end of each episode, as if they wanted me to learn some policitally charged
lesson from it. Now that show is pretty one-sided. Stan Smith _always_
ends up being the whack-job, trigger-happy, power-abusing, uber-conservative
bafoon. Seth McFarlane should stick with the hit show and dump this one.
I felt the same way at first, but I think it has settled in and become
just as fun as Family Guy. I dig it. With the rumors for Futurama
reviving, I have this vision of a Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad,
Futurama block on Sunday nights. Woot!
Post by TheMetaMuce
I'm fairly pleased with the anime selection on CN, but there are some shows
that I could do without (One Piece for starters, and Bobo bo bobobo or
whatever the hell it's called). GITS has got to be my favorite anime show.
It's just so enthralling.
The GITS/Champloo pair is a great contrasting hour of anime.
Post by TheMetaMuce
Evangelion is turning out to be pretty good too,
but it's moving too slowly.
Oh, don't worry. Everything get wrapped up nice and neatly in the final
two episodes.

Trust me. :)
Antonio E. Gonzalez
2005-12-24 04:12:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Quiet Desperation
Post by TheMetaMuce
Evangelion is turning out to be pretty good too,
but it's moving too slowly.
Oh, don't worry. Everything get wrapped up nice and neatly in the final
two episodes.
Trust me. :)
Oh, that is *so* wrong! There was no way to make that smiley evil
enough!




- ReFlex76

- "Let's beat the terrorists with our most powerful weapon . . . hot
girl-on-girl action!"

- "The difference between young and old is the difference between
looking forward to your next birthday, and dreading it!"

Dave-tx
2005-12-12 13:08:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by parv
Oh yes, i agree. I can live w/o Harvey Birdman, but really like to
see new episodes of Venture Brothers. Has it ended, or are there
new episodes planned?
My understanding is that new episodes will air in 2006.
Geno Centofanti
2005-12-13 01:22:36 UTC
Permalink
Even Milk Chan has more appeal than these two.
Milk Chan is like watching "Eraser Head".
( hard to stop watching a terrible show )

Mouse and Hair I always fall asleep on. I would rather watch a MC
marathon mixed with the split pants SB.

I get the feeling the writers/(artists?) are sitting around ,drawing
with their left hands...... nose picking and laughing about how AS
viewers would watch ANYTHING.....

and getting paid for it.
Frank J. Lhota
2005-12-10 00:32:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by TheMetaMuce
Is it just me, or are these about the worst shows that AS has put on TV?
I
mean it's like it's hit or miss lately. ATHF was/is great, The Venture
Bros. was one of my favorite shows, and Harvey Birdman totally kicks ass!
Do you think they're losing they're touch or out of material?
I do agree that the latest crop of Adult swim is more than a little
disappointing. "Perfect Hair" has a few laughs, but the writing on 12 Oz.
Mouse is mind-numbingly stupid. "Squidbillies" has got to be the worst
concept for a TV since "My Mother the Car". OTOH, "The Boondocks" was a
pleasant surprise. The episode "Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner" was especially
funny, and had sort of a sweet ending (quite unexpected for such an edgy
show).

What is especially frustrating is that pilots for the shows that they did
*not* pick up, such as "Welcome to Eltingville" and "Lucy, the Daughter of
the Devil", look far more promising than these new shows. So we may get some
relief in the next batch of shows. To quote many generations of Boston and
Chicago baseball fans, "Just wait until next season!"
--
"All things extant in this world,
Gods of Heaven, gods of Earth,
Let everything be as it should be;
Thus shall it be!"
- Magical chant from "Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi"

"Drizzle, Drazzle, Drozzle, Drome,
Time for the this one to come home!"
- Mr. Lizard from "Tutor Turtle"
Don Del Grande
2005-12-10 02:03:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank J. Lhota
I do agree that the latest crop of Adult swim is more than a little
disappointing. "Perfect Hair" has a few laughs, but the writing on 12 Oz.
Mouse is mind-numbingly stupid. "Squidbillies" has got to be the worst
concept for a TV since "My Mother the Car". OTOH, "The Boondocks" was a
pleasant surprise. The episode "Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner" was especially
funny, and had sort of a sweet ending (quite unexpected for such an edgy
show).
Has anybody else noticed that "Stroker & Hoop" has lost something in
the new episodes? I think it's one too many "Stroker & Hoop solve the
case, but because of some stupid twist, Stroker ends up on the short
end again, everybody point at him and laugh, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
endings.
Post by Frank J. Lhota
What is especially frustrating is that pilots for the shows that they did
*not* pick up, such as "Welcome to Eltingville" and "Lucy, the Daughter of
the Devil", look far more promising than these new shows.
"Lucy" could do well as a series, but "Eltingville" seemed to me to be
a one-story show; they used up all of their material in the pilot.

I can only wonder what would have happened had they let Craig Bartlett
make "Party Wagon" as an Adult Swim show instead of having to water it
down (and then probably realize that they've got a show set in the Old
West, with guns and alcohol all over the place, meant to be shown in
time slots where guns and alcohol aren't supposed to appear in
cartoons any more).

-- Don
parv
2005-12-10 04:15:19 UTC
Permalink
in message <***@4ax.com>,
wrote Don Del Grande ...
Post by Don Del Grande
Has anybody else noticed that "Stroker & Hoop" has lost something
in the new episodes? I think it's one too many "Stroker & Hoop
solve the case, but because of some stupid twist, Stroker ends up
on the short end again, everybody point at him and laugh,
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" endings.
I missed the S-H episodes when it had earlier & start watching it
only this season; i find it to be ok. And there is nothing else on
Sunday after Boondocks (on basic cable).


- parv
--
As nice it is to receive personal mail, too much sweetness causes
tooth decay. Unless you have burning desire to contact me, do not do
away w/ WhereElse in the address for private communication.
George Johnson
2005-12-10 16:40:31 UTC
Permalink
"Don Del Grande" <***@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
| Frank J. Lhota wrote:
|
| >I do agree that the latest crop of Adult swim is more than a little
| >disappointing. "Perfect Hair" has a few laughs, but the writing on 12 Oz.
| >Mouse is mind-numbingly stupid. "Squidbillies" has got to be the worst
| >concept for a TV since "My Mother the Car". OTOH, "The Boondocks" was a
| >pleasant surprise. The episode "Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner" was
especially
| >funny, and had sort of a sweet ending (quite unexpected for such an edgy
| >show).
|
| Has anybody else noticed that "Stroker & Hoop" has lost something in
| the new episodes? I think it's one too many "Stroker & Hoop solve the
| case, but because of some stupid twist, Stroker ends up on the short
| end again, everybody point at him and laugh, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
| endings.
|
| >What is especially frustrating is that pilots for the shows that they did
| >*not* pick up, such as "Welcome to Eltingville" and "Lucy, the Daughter
of
| >the Devil", look far more promising than these new shows.
|
| "Lucy" could do well as a series, but "Eltingville" seemed to me to be
| a one-story show; they used up all of their material in the pilot.
|
| I can only wonder what would have happened had they let Craig Bartlett
| make "Party Wagon" as an Adult Swim show instead of having to water it
| down (and then probably realize that they've got a show set in the Old
| West, with guns and alcohol all over the place, meant to be shown in
| time slots where guns and alcohol aren't supposed to appear in
| cartoons any more).
|
| -- Don

"Welcome to Eltingville" has potential in that it would be a perfect
vehicle for hammer-smash at our "Purchase Our Over-Hyped Crap To Gain
Temporary Illusionary Happiness!"

Think about the "Ripped Pants Spongebob" (piece of crap) that they're
heavily advertising. Even $ 0.02 would be too much for that useless
dust-collecter. I mean, it's a one-trick pony with a limited number of lame
phrases from a character depicting embarrassment whom lacks the concept of
shame. What is their target audience? Catatonic retarded infants? What
other audience would even find more than 30-seconds amusement off this
Spongebob Ripped-Pants instant-landfill junk.

The series revolves around 4 socially isolated "nerds" (whom in the
introductory episode were greedy self-absorbed annoying compassionless
bastards with not an iota of respect for other people's worthless property).
If they could approach the level of delightful cynical humor in "The Grim
Adventures of Billy & Mandy" plus the proper weirdness factor (to give it
the Adult Swim branding), then I'd give it a chance. Imagine an animated
forum to not only knock "nerdly obsessions" and the often pointless shouting
matches defending those mass-marketed obsessions, but also a forum to
rightfully knock down illusions of worth in NASCAR, soap opera stardom,
movie action "heroes", the latest idiotic worthless toy on the shelves, the
popular "Stupid Spoiled Sad Whore" look for the girls today, etc...

Part of making the show worthwhile would be on one hand defending &
explaining the reasons these "four nerds" have to find joy & self-worth in
manic fandom. Explaining the various reasons these kids became socially
isolated when so many other people near them are not. Teaching viewers how
not to become socially isolated would be a perfect selling hook to increase
the resale value of this series (even at the basest levels of the
informational school shorts "Basic Grooming & Body Care", "How to Become
Socially Active", "How to Chat with a Person You're Attracted To", etc...
would be very welcome in this aloof-parenting culture of today). Heck, even
some sort of moderator character would make this "Welcome to Eltingville"
show watchable when the moderator explains or points out that one of the
four has crossed the line from "Obsessive" to "Arrogant Asshole".

There are a ton of options to make "Welcome to Eltingville" a viable
series, but in this introductory episode it needs serious changes to make
the show sellable with main characters so very dislikable.

Heck, even the classic "Future Shock" angle would be workable.
Dad says, "When I was your age, the coach told me to lift weights to
keep my mind off sex."
Kid says, "Well, now I have an Internet box full of porn to help me out.
I get my muscles exercised rather regularly thanks to it."


--
Postscript: In a June, 1992 exclusive and published interview granted by
President George H. W. Bush to Sarah McClendon, the grand dame of the White
House press corps at the time:
"George Bush, what will the people do if they ever find out the truth about
Iraq-gate and Iran contra?"
"Sarah, if the American people ever find out what we have done, they will
chase us down the streets and lynch us."
Quiet Desperation
2005-12-23 06:05:46 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank J. Lhota
I do agree that the latest crop of Adult swim is more than a little
disappointing. "Perfect Hair" has a few laughs, but the writing on 12 Oz.
Mouse is mind-numbingly stupid. "Squidbillies" has got to be the worst
concept for a TV since "My Mother the Car".
Someone there has lost their grip on the concept of *animation*. It
needs to be visually appealing. That's half the package. As simple as
Birdman and ATHF are, they have a style that's visually appealing, IMHO.
Even South Park, which is extremely simple, has a unique style that's
easy on the eyes and doesn't distract.

This mouse thing and squid thing... I dunno... the visuals *distract*
me. Same thing with Tom Goes To The Mayor. I actually enjoyed the
writing on the one episode I saw, but the animation (such as it was)
actually gave me eye strain.

There must be thousands of struggling artists who'd love a break and get
a gig on a high rated prime time block. I don't understand why they are
doing this preschool style animation. I know it's just a goof, but,
eh... I'd be scouting the art schools for the next Ren & Stimpy.
Post by Frank J. Lhota
What is especially frustrating is that pilots for the shows that they did
*not* pick up, such as "Welcome to Eltingville" and "Lucy, the Daughter of
the Devil", look far more promising than these new shows.
Lucy was so so for me, but I did like Eltingville. I thought they *had*
picked that one up?
Sandy Wilson
2005-12-17 19:40:57 UTC
Permalink
Post by TheMetaMuce
Is it just me, or are these about the worst shows that AS has put on TV?
I
Post by TheMetaMuce
mean it's like it's hit or miss lately. ATHF was/is great, The Venture
Bros. was one of my favorite shows, and Harvey Birdman totally kicks ass!
Do you think they're losing they're touch or out of material?
FUNDA
They spend so much money paying for Japanese Anime they are
trying to keep some by showing CRAP like Milk Chan, Perfect Hair,
12 ounce mouse & Aqua Teen that cost almost nothing to throw
together or throw up.
Sandy
Frank J. Lhota
2005-12-17 22:31:08 UTC
Permalink
Post by Sandy Wilson
They spend so much money paying for Japanese Anime they are
trying to keep some by showing CRAP like Milk Chan, Perfect Hair,
12 ounce mouse & Aqua Teen that cost almost nothing to throw
together or throw up.
Sandy
Adult Swim is CN's most successful block of shows right now. It would make
no business sense to scrimp on these shows to free up capital for something
else. IFAIK "12 Ounce Mouse" and "Perfect Hair Forever" do have lower
budgets than other AS fare.

In short, the problem is not a lack of money. The problem is a lack of
imagination.
--
"All things extant in this world,
Gods of Heaven, gods of Earth,
Let everything be as it should be;
Thus shall it be!"
- Magical chant from "Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi"

"Drizzle, Drazzle, Drozzle, Drome,
Time for the this one to come home!"
- Mr. Lizard from "Tutor Turtle"
Frank J. Lhota
2005-12-17 23:32:08 UTC
Permalink
... IFAIK "12 Ounce Mouse" and "Perfect Hair Forever" do have lower
budgets than other AS fare.
Sorry, I meant to write "... do *not* have lower budgets than other AS
fare". I reiterate: imagination, not money, is the problem with the current
shows. And that goes double for "Squidbillies".
--
"All things extant in this world,
Gods of Heaven, gods of Earth,
Let everything be as it should be;
Thus shall it be!"
- Magical chant from "Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi"

"Drizzle, Drazzle, Drozzle, Drome,
Time for the this one to come home!"
- Mr. Lizard from "Tutor Turtle"
Sandy Wilson
2005-12-18 18:04:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by Frank J. Lhota
I reiterate: imagination, not money, is the problem with the current
shows. And that goes double for "Squidbillies".
If imagination is the problem they need to do something!!!!
I haven't renewed my subscription and might not with all the
crap that's on now!!!
Sandy
.
Stroker & Hoop is full of POOP!!!
BOONDOCKS copies real life to much...
Squidbillies is created by someone who needs therapy...
Milk Chan tries to see how stupid and gross it can be...
Robot Chicken copies Japanese TV and tries to see how stupid and gross it
can be...
Perfect Hair Forever was created by someone who shouldn't be allowed near
children...
.
.
WreckGar
2005-12-22 02:32:21 UTC
Permalink
The 12 ounce mouse show (no offense to anybody else) in my own opinion is
not done well. I know they're trying to do the internet silly type humor
that people love in the Strong Bad type cartoons , or the other goofy humord
cartoons. But they just don't do it right. Even the internet cartoons with
this sort of stupid humor seem better produced compared to 12 ounce mouse.

By the way, there was an internet cartoon that was picked up by some snack
food company. . . it was the cartoon/group of people that made that one
cartoon with all the goofy ads . . and in one cartoon their world started to
get destroyed . . in one clip you see one of the cartoons pounding on the
animation cell to get out. Man I can't remember the name of it at all . .
Rejected Cartoons I think. . .
George Johnson
2005-12-22 16:02:07 UTC
Permalink
"WreckGar" <***@comcast.net> wrote in message news:VcudnadgKIKujTfeRVn-***@comcast.com...
| The 12 ounce mouse show (no offense to anybody else) in my own opinion is
| not done well. I know they're trying to do the internet silly type humor
| that people love in the Strong Bad type cartoons , or the other goofy
humord
| cartoons. But they just don't do it right. Even the internet cartoons
with
| this sort of stupid humor seem better produced compared to 12 ounce mouse.
|
| By the way, there was an internet cartoon that was picked up by some snack
| food company. . . it was the cartoon/group of people that made that one
| cartoon with all the goofy ads . . and in one cartoon their world started
to
| get destroyed . . in one clip you see one of the cartoons pounding on the
| animation cell to get out. Man I can't remember the name of it at all . .
| Rejected Cartoons I think. . .


Correct!
And the "My Anus Is Bleeding!" was cut from the broadcast showing on
Cartoon Network.

Watch a Video
Rejected
http://www.blogtelevision.net/p/Videos-Watch-a-Video___1,2,,12449.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_anus_is_bleeding
Rejected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from My anus is bleeding)
Jump to: navigation, search
An awkward moment from Rejected.
An awkward moment from Rejected.

Rejected is a 2000 animated short comedy film by animator Don Hertzfeldt,
which was nominated for a 2001 Academy Award for Best Short Film, Animated.
It has won awards from several film festivals, including a 2001 Jury Award
for Best Short at the Newport International Film Festival and a 2001
Festival Award for Best Animation at the New York Underground Film Festival.
The film is also recognized on a mural in front of Mead Hall at Pitzer
College in Claremont, CA.

Synopsis
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The film purports to tell the story of the progressive breakdown of its
animator, Don Hertzfeldt. The frame narrative is told in short text passages
printed on the screen, starting with Hertzfeldt being commissioned by the
"Family Learning Channel" (a fictional cable channel) to produce animated
program bumpers and commercial spots. All of the spots he produced, the text
informs us, were reviewed by the client and promptly rejected, and as we
watch the spots themselves, we quickly see why: the antics of the
balloon-figures and stick figures range from mere head-scratching
non-sequiturs to exaggerated sequences of violence and mutilation—contrasted
not only with the cartoony style of the animation, but with the cheery music
that accompanies each spot's reminder that "You're watching the Family
Learning Channel!"

The text screens then inform us that Hertzfeldt received another commission,
from the (fictional) "Johnson & Mills", to produce animated commercials for
their products, and like the previous spots, these were all reviewed and
immediately rejected. The reasons why are even clearer in these spots; the
bizarre illogic, the tastelessness, and the themes of mutilation and
violence are even more pronounced, culminating in a sequence where a
"puffball" figure, after exhorting his fellow cheering puffballs
"Every-body... dance!!", notices that his anus is bleeding, announces this
fact repeatedly, growing louder and shriller, and by the end of the sequence
is literally drowning in his own blood.

The text screens return and begin the build-up to the final sequences of the
film; we are told that Hertzfeldt began to break down, either from the
repeated rejection or from the loss of individuality in the corporate world,
and shortly we see the characters who have appeared in Hertzfeldt's spots
and commercials panicking as their world, the paper world of the animator's
page, suffers an apocalypse: the puffball figures run in terror as the
"Family Learning Channel" logo crashes down from the sky and the crushing
letters rain down on them; howling winds sweep a talking banana through a
hole in the page into the void; the page dents outward towards the camera as
stick figures pound on the fourth wall trying to get out. The camera finally
freezes on a balloon figure staring as the page crumples around him,
screaming as his world comes to an end.
Spoilers end here.

The film was a popular target for bootlegs, much to Hertzfeldt's dismay. A
DVD was created to fix that problem, which is now available for purchase at
the Bitter Films website.
[edit]

Inspiration

Although Hertzfeldt did not actually do any commercial work, he received a
lot of offers to do commercials after his short Billy's Balloon garnered
international attention and acclaim. In public appearances, he usually tells
the story that he wished he could just make a cheap, nonsensical animation
to hand to the people intending to hire him, and run away with the money.
Eventually this became the germ for Rejected's theme of a collection of
cartoons so bad they were rejected by advertising agencies, leading to their
creator's breakdown and, presumably, his demise.
[edit]

External links

* Rejected at the Internet Movie Database
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234588/

* Bitter Films Home Page
http://www.bitterfilms.com/

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rejected"

Category: Short films
Loading...