The Ripping Friends

[SwimMod_Luuv]

I just wanted to post about the show, because it's always been one of my favorites.

It's basically just a stupid fun show, heavy on the superhero absurdity.  Drenched in - like how that genre seems to often take itself so super seriously in spite of the way out nature of the material.  The dire and over-the-top seriousness with which the Ripping Friends seem to approach every situation is hilarious to me.

And then there's the gayness, which has generally been thoroughly woven (sometimes possibly without the conscious intent of the people making it) since Batman picked up Robin in some carnival tent back alley, and probably even before that.

The animation is just as over the top, spectacularly so.  The ultra-stupidness collides with the "taking myself too serious" vibe to create this tsunami of really fun animation, which acts as a crazy palet for some of the most fantastic animated violence ever prepared for human consumption, as well as acting as a petrie dish for just how much you can contort a cartoon character.

I loved this show, I miss this show, I fully expect to be trolled/flamed for that, because it's one of those shows that people just don't get (which I don't really get exactly, I mean, for what it is, is practically perfect).

If you ever get a chance, especially if you just need a total break from reality/your problems/etc, seek it out and watch it.

It might still be available on Hulu, check there.  There were some DVDs I think (not complete series or anything, just a few eps if I'm remembering correctly).  But it's a super funny, super fun show to watch.  I highly recommend it.

[VodkaJellyShot]

 sooo..your saying

Spoiler

we shall be entertained by the wisdom of the donut  

[GreatestMeatus]

Eh, I didn't care for it. But I watched the whole thing, because I'm not a racist.

Not saying that anyone who doesn't watch it is a racist.

[misterz]

Excellent show! There were 2 VHS tapes released, each had 2 episodes. During 2001 a DVD was released, the title being "Volume 1 & 2" and totaling 4 episodes. The same four from the two videos.  LionsGateHomeEntertainment released them. The eps released were, The Indigestible Wad, The Infernal Wedding, Flathead's Revenge, and Frictor.  All are excellent. There were 12 or 13 episodes made and I hope at some point they all get an official DVD release. 

[SwimMod_Luuv]

I thought there was a DVD release out there somewhere.

John K needs to bust out something new so people start releasing more of his old stuff like this show.

[misterz]

 I'd love to see John put out some new cartoons. I'd like to see all of The Ripping Friends get a propr dvd release too.

If it is up to John, I'm thinking that it is pretty unlikely. Here is something he wrote about The Ripping Friends back in 2007 > >

" I watered the "CARTOONS FOR MEN" concept down to what I thought would sell on TV. It took ten years to get it on TV and then it got watered down even more, to the point where I shudder watching it. I shudder even more seeing all the rippoffs which are also watered down - in weirder and weirder ways. "

[SwimMod_Luuv]

It's tough writing for kids tv.

But I found a super old (barely watchable) tape recently that had some Ripping Friends episodes on it, which I watched, and holy crap that's a great show.  It basically just comes across to me as pure stupid fun.  And watered down as he says it was, it still has a air of purity to it for me.  It's just so much fun to watch his stuff.

And then beyond that, just John Ks struggle in general.  It's such an odd dynamic that the very medium he had a huge part in advancing can't seem to find a place for him.  I think he went just about everywhere with George Liquor and other stuff.  And it's great stuff.  But he just doesn't seem to get anywhere with it.

AS announced a few years back that they were developing a John K pilot but it never materialized, not sure why.  I would have loved to see it.

I still watch his Ranger Smith Cartoons a lot, which I was lucky enough to DVR the last time they ran.  Those are insanely good cartoons.

[misterz]

Yep. I totally agree. Great post. Thanks.

As far as 'kid's tv" goes this is on a related note? DId you like Space Goofs? Needless to mention the John K. connection. I thought that was also a fun show.

[SwimMod_Luuv]

nope.  but will try to look for it.  don't remember hearing much about that show.  I may have heard the title before but that's about it I think.

[KnightStar]

Who's going to troll and flame, I actually liked The Ripping Friends.
The way the show was animated reminded me of Ren and Stimpy.

[viperxmns]

I have to say, I didn't really like what he did with the Ren and Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon; a lot of it just felt forced and unnecessary. Plus he kinda got himself on Billy West's bad side in the process, which was one reason why Billy didn't do it, which was another reason why I didn't enjoy it. I'd be up for rewatching some Ripping Friends though, been forever since I've seen it.