I always dread having to review the DVD releases of the animated shows that come out of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Not because I don’t like them mind you… oh no. I love them. BUT… trying to describe any of them to readers who have never seen them is like trying to describe he color blue to a blind person. I already tried it earlier this week with my review of "Sealab 2021: Season 4" and while some may applaud my efforts, I doubt non-watchers will understand anything I wrote. This time, I'm taking a shot at the 2nd season DVD review of "The Brak Show" and am at a loss for how to begin. I guess I could start at the beginning. There might be a few of you who remember an old cartoon series called "Space Ghost." It was a fairly popular series back in the late 70's, even I watched it. Then a few years back, a rather inventive animator brought the character of Space Ghost back, but this time he was the host of his own talk show called "Space Ghost Coast to Coast."

In this show, he would interview all manner of stars, babble endlessly as if he had Alzheimer's, and share banter with Zorak (his giant preying mantis of a band leader), which usually ended with Zorak's being blasted by a ray. Confused? You don’t know the half of it. Maybe I should try to describe the color blue to you instead.

Anyhow, "The Brak Show" was kind of a spin-off. It starred Brak, who was a… a… well I don’t know what he was exactly. I think he might have been a villain in the earlier "Space Ghost" series, bit don’t quote me. He is humanoid in shape, but has a face that looks like a read and black African Zuni Mask, sharp teeth and all. But in this series, he takes on the role of an adolescent boy. His best friend is Zorak (yes… the same Zorak) and together they get into all sorts of messes, generally involving the annihilation of the neighborhood. Brak's parents consisted of a June Cleaveresque mom, from whom he obviously got his looks, and a rather… uhhh…. short father who looks and talks like Desi Arnez. Brak also has a neighbor who is a giant robot. If this kind of sounds like your household, you get the picture. If not, I'm sure you're even more confused than you were by the end of the previous paragraph.

Basically the point I'm trying to get across to you is that the only way you can truly understand what "The Brak Show" is… is to watch it for yourself. As far as my take on it, after the initial first couple of episodes I saw, I began to get the humor. I then figured out that some of the episodes were actually extremely clever and well-written. The show is very silly, but once you’re on the same wave-length as the writers, you'll find that it can be hysterically funny.

Warner Brothers is releasing the 2nd and final season of "The Brak Show" this month. Its two discs offer up the last 14 episodes that were produced, most of which were every bit as funny and original as those from the first season. The only big change was that the voiceover work that was done for Brak's mom was done by Marsha Crenshaw, whose line delivery was perfect for the tone of the show. In the 2nd season, she was replaced by another actress, this one sporting a British accent. I think the creators were trying to throw everybody a weird curveball, but admittedly it wasn't quite as funny.

I was also a little disappointed to see there were no special features on this set. Most of the Cartoon Network Adult Swim show DVD releases have a ton of extras, most of which had to be thought up while under the influence of many drugs. But somehow they missed the boat with this release. It's a small nitpick, but one that needs to be pointed out.

There are only so many people I can recommend "The Brak Show" to. Watching it an enjoying it requires a strong imagination (which is sadly lacking in this country), so before you go out and buy this 2nd season set ask yourself, "Would I dance the funky chicken, in the rain, wearing a glowing sombrero, knee pads and mismatching socks… for free?" If you answered yes, you might want to check the show out (just stay away from my house when it's raining…)

Episodes:
New Brak
Feud
Runaway
Brak Street
Dinner Party
We Ski in Peace
Braklet, Prince of Spaceland
Coma
Shadows of Heat
Enter the Hump
Splat
Sexy New Brak Show Go
All That I Desire You
Cardburkey

Extras: None
Specifications:
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 8/8/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Brak Show: Season 2 a B-.