Hello and welcome to TV Rewind, a series that will explore the shows of yesteryear and dissect them one episode at a time. My goal is to explore lesser known programs that you may not be aware existed. For my first series, I have chosen Freakazoid!, a beloved cartoon that ran on the WB from 1995-1997 and made for some weird, Animaniacs-style parodies of the superhero genre. I will attempt to give you the goods every weekend, just like the actual show. While I may not do it every week, make sure to look out for double headers in which I review episodes on Saturday and Sunday.
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As that title card that leads in this episode would suggest, we are about to see an episode that is as classic as its source material. In fact, the opening sequence of this episode is an entire parody of Francis Ford Coppola's the Godfather. Even the opening shot in which Freakazoid (Paul Rugg) has Mr. Chubbikins (Frank Welker) on his lap and listening to a Shriner request him to put an egg down some guy's pants. The conversation is longer and more ridiculous, as it includes a rant about how the Hulk smells (thus continuing my belief that this show is anti-Marvel). I even love that the show attempts to do the zoom out effect from the Godfather.
The premise is simple. It is written in the superhero handbook that on a superhero's birthday, they have to grant people their requests. With the help of Cosgrove (Ed Asner), who serves as a bad cop in this scenario, often accuses people of being fibby boys and to "cut it out." Next up is the Huntsman (Jeff Bennett) who wants to fight crime, but keeps landing in barren cities. Freakazoid has no strong advice for him, even as he freaks out.
Suddenly, among Freakazoid and Cosgrove talking about wearing blue socks and how to make a miniature volcano (which is not important, but is interesting), the Lobe (David Warner) appears carrying a gift wrapped in Animaniacs wrapping paper. He gives the gift to Freakazoid, which is revealed to be a food dehydrator. Cosgrove loves it, though is upset that there isn't any meat to put into it. Before the Lobe leaves, he requests Freakazoid to stay out of his way so that he can commit crimes.
Suddenly, the Lobe is out in the yard in a big, lavish party setting playing the hokey pokey with some Sinatra-esque singer doing the lyrics. As he does this, he decides to rob the people and take their money. The Narrator (Joe Leahy) pops in to tell Freakazoid. However, The Narrator is told that he needs acting lessons and to deliver the scene better. He does so, but not without some nuances. Freakazoid rushes to the yard to see what the trouble is, but to the dismay, the Lobe reminds him that he cannot interfere. It is, after all, in the handbook.
An important thing to note during this time is that the other superheroes are in a convention on some far-off moon. Another thing that is never addressed is why the Huntsman, who is so adamant to fight crime, is only used as a joke at the beginning and end of this episode. The results are that the Lobe runs amok and suddenly Freakazoid is deemed useless. He reads passing newspapers that ask him to save the town, but he ignores them all.
One day, he is out mowing someone's lawn when he sees the Lobe running amok. This is following a montage of the Lobe committing crime over a lampooning of Boris Karloff's "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." The singer (Dorian Harewood) has an uninspired barrage of insults at the Lobe, which includes "If you invited me to the movies, I probably wouldn't go with you." You don't have to a fan of the Karloff original to get it, but it does seem more inspired with additional knowledge.
While Freakazoid is mowing a lawn, a man accuses him of being wacko. This causes Wakko (Jess Harnell) to get up and sing "The State Capitals Song," which he believes is okay because Steven Spielberg likes it when shows crossover and that Animaniacs was his favorite. The Brain (Maurice LaMarche) appears to detest this with advice that Pinky and the Brain is the actual favorite. They go to Spielberg to find the answers, to which he states that he doesn't know who they are. An odd statement if you believe in the chronology of the series from the segment "Next Time, Phone Ahead."
The plot continues as Freakazoid gets upset in the park and tears up the superhero handbook. He notices a piece of paper that upsets him. He runs into the Lobe's office and begins assaulting him. The handbook was printed by the Lobe, and it makes the Lobe feel stupid for copyrighting it the way he did. Right as Freakazoid thinks that he has him, the Narrator comes in an recites Shakespeare, which causes everyone to cry and the Lobe takes this opportunity to escape by car.
Freakazoid continues the chase on foot with his hands in the air. In a very clever gag, every time the car hits a bumper and makes sparks, Freakazoid does likewise. He is somehow as fast as a car, but that doesn't stop the Freakazoid writers, who appear in a car, to suggest using the Freakmobile to make the chase more exciting.
He does, and this results in a great scene that involves the Freakmobile cutting open the roof of the Lobe's car, grabbing him, and catapults him into a prison. To celebrate, the entire gets together and eats meat out of the food dehydrator. In awkward fashion, the Huntsman is helping to serve the food.
This episode ranks up there with "Hot Rods from Heck" in terms of how bizarre and realized this show can be. It manages to be a very meta commentary on how television works as well as analyzing superheroes in general. The Godfather parody is top notch, and the chase scene in the end is superb. This is the first episode that is free of any additional segments, and I feel that it is for the better of it. This is the show as it should be remembered, in all of its classic ways.
Rating: 5 out of 5
This is easily the best episode that the show has produced so far. We have seen some killer segments, but most fell victim to poor additional segments. The show has felt cluttered at times, but here, it manages to take every little gag and find a place for it. Whether it is the subtitles, which clue the viewer in on the events, or even Joe Leahy becoming an integral part of the show (and doing some hilariously bad line readings). The worst that you can say about this episode is that the Lobe seems to be the go-to villain. While I consider Longhorn to be far more interesting, I still find this an acceptable thing that doesn't take away from the episode.
Also, hurrah for more Cosgrove. If I remember right, this is the beginning of all of his catchphrases. The notable one is "Cut it out," which i am sure will pop up again. We also get "fibby boy" and some awkward endearments. He may only be used momentarily in the beginning, but as he grows as a character, the more fascinating that I find him. He may just be a joke, but Ed Asner really knows how to deliver the most ridiculous dialogue in a very stern manner.
While we don't have any more Justice League references, I can still attest that this show hates Marvel. First it badmouthed Stan Lee, and now the Hulk. This could be coincidental, but I beg to differ. Still, we're quickly running out of episodes and I need to account for a few, including Wonder Woman, the Flash, and the Green Lantern. I am sure that the show can pull out a surprise triple reference in the final stretch.
I love this episode and there is little that I can find troublesome. However, I must argue that in terms of logic, we have now seen two segments of the Huntsman complaining about no way to fight crime, and yet he is absent when the Lobe commits crimes. He pops up at the end, so he was clearly nearby. While it doesn't help the narrative, this is the one feature that annoys me the most, and only justifies my belief that he is one of the show's worst creations. Bring back Lord Bravery already.
Also, kudos on Freakazoid finally getting super mad. It is hard to believe that we never seen him get mad on this level. It is really effective and funny. The most notable feature? He lifts the secretary (Tress MacNeille) and moves her out of the way and places her on a desk. Another nice feature of this episode? Keeping a count on how many doors have been knocked over in the episode. The final count was five.
Such a great episode and I hope that the rest of this season proves to be just as good. All they have to do is get rid of the Huntsman and start mixing up the villains, and I believe that we should be set.
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