Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
When discussing Adult Swim programming, it is impossible to take a lot of the same criticisms that you would have with the stupidity of a show like The Mysteries of Laura. These shows are not only briefer, but they're asked not to be taken seriously. In fact, many of their premises are simply knock-offs of old school programming. In the case of Mike Tyson Mysteries, it imitates a show that Mr. T did in the 80's of a similar nature. While I cannot attest to the actual quality of that series, it does feel like the absurdity and gimmicky nature is well warranted, even if Tyson is a weird lead for a show, notably because of his notorious past and inability to say basic words. If you thought that the Back to the Future parody Rick and Morty was out there, then you'll need to reassess your standards. It may not be nearly as good, but Mike Tyson Mysteries has all of the charm of a gag-a-second nature.
All that is needed is to dissect the team. There's Mike Tyson as himself in a blue track suit and his inability to pronounce words. There's Pigeon (Norm MacDonald), who used to be a man but was turned into a bird. Yung Hee (Rachel Ramras) is Tyson's adopted Asian daughter who was left on his doorstep. Marques of Queensbury (Jim Rash) is a ghost who provides Tyson with advice on class and etiquette. That's about as dartboard of a cast as things get. Add in an episode that revolves around helping Cormac McCarthy write his book and the first episode "The End" begins to take shape. There isn't much else to it without dissecting the 11 minutes of content. Still, it's a pretty crazy concept that surprisingly works.
The one benefit of Adult Swim is that their shows are usually shown in 15 minute chunks with their premiere programming getting double. This may have a very poor plot structure that ends abruptly and without too many conflicts, but it is enough time to introduce the characters, fake an actual story, and have some payoff. However, the fascinating part is that the show is very lowbrow, yet its central focus is on two highbrow cultural figures: McCarthy and John Updike, the latter of whom is praised by pigeon for his depiction of sex. It is a crazy concept and it kind of works.
There isn't much really else to say other than it's another novelty show on the network. Speaking as Tyson has lived a notorious life, there is a chance that many will be distracted by his past to get behind a cartoon version talking about punching things. However, for those that love absurd humor, it is possible that it might just work. Considering that they just wrapped up the first season of the admirable yet confusing Black Jesus, the network isn't ashamed of taking pot shots and doing whatever they want. It's the kind of comedy that works late at night. This show belongs on the network. It really moves at their pace.
The only question is if there's incentive to keep watching. There's some, considering that the Saturday morning cartoon feel of it does have its charm. However, the novelty may wear off and this will go down as another series on the network that was so bizarre that it couldn't exist anywhere else. Nonetheless, it has a few chuckles and its ability to mix high and low brow worked for at least one episode. I don't feel like the cast is particularly going to stay fresh as the series progresses, but they will bring something of value. What that is, I am not entirely sure. Watch at your own risk, but do know that it's about a boxer, a ghost, a pigeon, and a young girl. If that wasn't enough of a sell, then the episode won't actually improve your opinions.
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