Assy McGee and How [adult swim] Sold Themselves Short

Last night was the premiere of [adult swim]'s new "shockfest," Assy McGee. You've likely heard about it, as it apparently caused a stir across the Web (maybe I've just been too busy to notice?), and I mentioned it in a post a while back.

Assy McGee is about a walking ass with a badge and a gun. Pretty funny premise and reminiscent of something either National Lampoon or Heavy Metal would run after the other one had turned it down. It wasn't completely bad, but it wasn't good. McGee is barely understandable and the only truly funny part of the whole episode was the telephone scene.

But the worst thing about it is that it just cemented [as]'s demise for me.

As an artist and writer myself, I completely understand the short runs of good shows. We're a mercurial bunch whose inspiration is often ephemeral. We also tend to consume large amounts of mind-altering substances in times when our Muse is away, which require long periods of recovery and readjustment once our Muse has returned. We're loathe to release control of our pet projects and usually have 40 more projects than we can handle going at once.

Further, [as] is starved for content. Well, not really starved so much as... well, I'm not sure what the model is they're working on there. I mean, if they started replaying some of the better shows they've had and canceled (SGC2C, Boondocks) -- even some of the bad ones (The Brak Show, 2021) -- they'd have more than enough material for one night a week. Hell, even Tom Goes was pretty good, there at the end. 

At any rate, [as] has become more filler than actual content -- and most of that is under 10 minutes - something like I imagine most Britney Spears albums are. In fact, Assy McGee had a 1-minute commercial for Metalocalypse three minutes in and the entire episode was only ten minutes long!

But here's what it comes down to: 

At some point, even I understand that we simply have to grow the hell up. If the artists need more time on a project, and it's good, then push it back a bit and fans will understand -- so long as the finished product is worth it -- hell, this has been Image Comics' working model since its inception and Sopranos does it every 2-3 years! 

But, if they're working on 50 different things at once, and effing-off on the guitar poorly every time you walk by the office that reeks of pot after the daily two-hour lunch, and constantly fighting with censors over whether or not they can say "dick" 52 or 53 times, then it's time to call it a day.

There are always going to be the 12-Oz. Mouse shows -- that's filler; they're easy to crank out and give the audience time to use the bathroom and change the bongwater before Frisky Dingo and The Venture Brothers. 

But, if you think that the current run of ATHF and shows like Assy McGee are just what [as] has to do to pay the bills, then you're wrong. Look at Moral Orel or Billy & Mandy -- look at South Park! Those shows manage to be new, fresh, and of at least moderate quality even when they're duds.

[as] just decided to chuck quality for shock and it isn't new, it isn't fresh, and everybody knows it. Worst of all, the ratings prove it.