Yesterday, our esteemed editor zetacoes posted info regarding this year’s Upfront Presentation programming. For those not in the loop, the Upfronts are basically the yearly network presentations where all networks (and even internet streaming like Netflix, Hulu, etc. now) feature what will be coming soon and also what will be picked up this coming year and most of next.
Rather than blabber on with a crappy telephone-sounding mic connection on a live feed, I figured this year I would write out and analyze the Upfronts. Essentially giving my personal opinion on different shows announced:
Rick and Morty: The brainchild of “Community” creator, Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. Originally it was titled “Doc and Marty” for Channel 101 in NY. It’s definitely got potential of being a hit show… especially considering it’s Dan Freaking Harmon. Who knows? Maybe we’ll hear guest voice spots from some of the “Community” crew. You have to expect Dino will have some hand in it.
Mr. Pickles:Â I don’t know much about the showrunners, Will and Dave… but apparently they’ve written/directed stuff for Funny or Die. It’s a “famly” oriented show, so I suspect it won’t be too different from The Oblongs or Neighbors from Hell.
Mike Tyson Mysteries:Â What’s the next logical step for a former boxer turned wack-job celebrity? If you guessed Celebrity Apprentice, you were wrong this time. A show about Iron Mike solving crimes? As someone on Twitter put it, this show may bring Swim back to its former glory. Then again I could be wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time.
King Star King:Â Definitely sounds like another Mongo Wrestling Alliance… which, I kinda liked but felt it fell short. Would explain why there was no second season. I’ve only seen bits on pieces of Monsters vs Aliens (which was directed by the creator of this show,) So I’m still hopeful.
Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell:Â Obviously by now, you know how I feel about this show. Dave Willis and Casper Kelly’s brand new live-action show about Hell. It’s airing right now (Thursdays @ midnight) and is a blast! P.S.: Check out our new Swimcast interview with Dave and Casper about the show.
Hot Package:Â This one was actually announced at last year’s Upfronts, but never surfaced (not that that’s a new thing, there’s plenty of stuff from last year that has yet to air… I’ll get to that later.) If you remember Derrick Beckles, he hosted the pilot “Totally 4 Teens” which aired during the Burger King pilot voting on AdultSwim.com. If the show’s anything like that, it should be pretty interesting… at least for the people who like Tim & Eric/Steve Brule/Eric Andre (P.S.: The show’s being produced by T&E’s Abso Lutely Studios.)
Metalocalypse – The Doomstar Requiem: Â Brendon Small actually hinted at this late last year. The idea of a 1 hour Dethklok special sounds great… I just worry that this may be more of a wrap up similar to the way Delocated’s “The FRRT Identity” ended that series. Again, I hope I’m wrong.
Aaron McGruder Pilots: I can’t say too much about these (especially not knowing what either is about.) All I can say is, McGruder is a genius, and I’m sure these pilots will kick-ass. I just hope they see the light of day on Swim (online or otherwise.)
Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories: First and foremost, I’m sure the T&E/Live-Action haters will be hating all the live-long day about this. Sounds like it’s just a one-shot special (for now.) I love Halloween and I love Galifianakis… so it should be pretty good.
Ghostbags/Hole to Hole: I’m putting these two in the same spot mainly because I feel these are the two shows that are going to be the pilots we have a slim-to-none chance of seeing… unless of course BK wants to have another voting contest where the winner pilot airs on TV and NEVER GETS A SERIES. Poor Cheyenne Cinnamon.
Filthy Sexy Teen$:Â If I’m not mistaken, this was one of the numerous “fake” TV programs “Coming to Adult Swim” at the end of each ep of NTSF:SD:SUV::. But I mean it’s Paul Scheer, Curtis Gwinn (Fat Guy Stuck in Internet, NTSF,) and Jonathan Stern (Children’s Hospital) so I only expect the best out of this show. PLUS it’s a spinoff of a spinoff. Trippy.
Team Unicorn: Clare Grant (a.k.a.: Mrs. Seth Green) and friends get their own TV show based on Saturday Morning Cartoons. Could be great… just hope Clare doesn’t have the same taste in repetitive fart, crap, and nutshot jokes like her husband does.
Ubermansion:Â It’s already been proven with Titan Maximum, that a show co-created by Matt Senreich and NOT Seth Green kicks ass. One can only hope this show is no different. Also, Bryan Cranston producing? THE Bryan Cranston? I guess we’ll find out.
Untitled Cruise Ship Project: Matt Harrigan (Assy McGee, Space Ghost) created show already sounds awesome. But the “Untitled” party worries me, considering those are the shows that never see the light of day.
Shows Coming Back: Way too many I’m hopeful for… few I’m not. Let’s just say the ones I could care less about feature repetitive jokes, rappers running around hitting each other, and Cleveland from Family Guy.
Bob’s Burgers: It’s a fantastic show, great cast, excellent comedy. But I don’t always get the chance to watch it… now I do. THANKS ADULT SWIM!!!! I do however wonder what this means for the block. They obviously can’t double up on MacFarlane Domination anymore. Or… is Swim making a play to take over 8pm?
Hey, What Ever Happened To…?:Â I eluded to this earlier. Where are the shows mentioned on previous Upfronts? I think it’s safe to assume Tight Bros. will never see the light of day… unless they decide to pull a “That Crook’d Sipp/Freaknik” and retool it into a 1 hour special. I can name about 10 other shows that have been announced but have yet to air on either Swim TV or online. Will they? No idea… but when we know, you will.
So that’s pretty much my analysis. If I had to pick one break-out show out of these to come out of the Upfronts, I’d have to go with Mike Tyson Mysteries. Rick and Morty and Filthy Sexy Teen$ will also be good, considering who’s behind them. But of course, this is all opinion so I could very well be wrong. Regardless, keep it locked and loaded here to find out more about these show and much more!