I’ve always rather liked the work of comedian Jon Lovitz. While I don’t feel he really has the ability to carry a film on his own, he can be extremely funny when taken in small doses. The one exception to that rule comes in the area of animated voiceover work. Lovitz found the perfect role as Jay Sherman, Movie Critic in the 1994 animated series “The Critic.” In it he was able to mix his style of self-deprecating humor with sharp tongued sarcasm. Pudgy and balding, Jay Sherman was the embodiment of the term inferiority complex. But when he turned his attention to a movie, his cynical approach to reviewing is unmatched. A simple cry of “It Stinks” could stop a movie cold. “The Critic” is yet another example of how many network executives are unable to recognize quality TV when they see it. The series first aired on ABC back in 1994 and they had so much faith in it that it was summarily cancelled after only 13 episodes. Fortunately, there were already 10 more episodes in the can so it was picked up by the Fox Network. Foxed aired them and even did a crossover with “The Simpsons”, then in a similar show of faith… cancelled the show.

I was so ticked off when the show stopped airing. I really enjoyed watching it, and made sure to catch as many episodes as I could while it was on. As someone who loves movies, I loved the way it would mock Hollywood as well as the world of movie critics. Even in the opening credits of each episode you see little scenes that are obvious send-ups of different famous films, like “Alien” or “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” These are always followed by a shot of Jay sitting in his critic’s chair, proclaiming “It Stinks!”

The series would often go on to make fun of big stars and some of the ridiculous projects they take on. In the Pilot, we see Arnold Schwarzenegger in scenes from a movie where he plays a cop going undercover in the world of Hasidic Jews. (“Hava Nagilah, Baby”). Jay’s best friend is an Australian actor by the name of Jeremy Hawke. Seemingly modeled after Paul Hogan, we see again and again clips from his films, including one where he plays Ghandi. Even the rich and powerful are made fun of in the form of Duke Phillips. As an animated version of Ted Turner, Phillips ego is matched only by his lust for power.

My favorite running gag in the series has Jay constantly showing off all of the absurd marketing materials that the studios send to promote their movies. At any given time he is wearing “My Left Foot” and “Tootsie” socks. This reminded me of the time I used to write for a local newsletter many moons ago. The couple who ran the newsletter were constantly getting in T-shirts, hats and posters. Sometimes the items they would get were creative, but more often they were kind of bizarre. I kept waiting to see if anyone would come up with the “Waterworld” play set. You know… the one that sinks when you put it in the tub. (Think about it…)

Along with Lovitz, “The Critic” utilized some great voiceover artists form the world of animated films and shows. Christine Cavanaugh was the voice of Jay’s son, Marty. Cavanaugh has quite the resume, including Dexter from “Dexter’s Laboratory” and Babe from…well… “Babe.” The great Maurice LaMarche (who probably had the most extensive list of voiceover credits anywhere) was the voice of Jeremy Hawke, while Gerrit Graham and Judith Ivey portrayed Jay’s addle-brained adoptive parents, Franklin and Eleanor Sherman.

Even though the series was so short-lived, the cancellation was not the end. In 2001, it was brought back in short segments that were ‘broadcast’ on the Internet. They were all every bit as funny as the original series. Unfortunately, only ten episodes of this version were produced.

But, just when I thought “The Critic” was doomed to obscurity, Sony / Columbia Tristar made the decision to release all 23 episodes on a 3-disc DVD set. As I watched them, I started remembering particular episodes. Sure, I had heard the jokes already and some of them were a bit dated, but they were still as funny as they were back in 1994. The humor is fairly fast-paced, and often involves quickly edited flashbacks similar to “Family Guy”, but doesn’t have the tendency to push the envelope quite as far.

If you’ve seen the show, then you already know you have to have this set. If you haven’t seen it, I challenge you to give it a try.

Episodes:
Pilot
Marty's First Date
Dial "M" for Mother
Miserable
A Little Deb Will Do You
Eyes On the Prize
Every Doris Has Her Day
Marathon Mensch
LA Jay
Dr. Jay
A Day at the Races and a Night at the Opera
Uneasy Rider
A Pig-Boy and His Dog
Sherman, Woman and Child
Siskel & Ebert & Jay & Alice
Lady Hawke
A Song For Margo
From Chunk To Hunk
All the Duke's Men
Sherman of Arabia
Frankie and Ellie Get Lost
Dukerella
I Can't Believe It's a Clip Show

Starring (the voices of): Jon Lovitz, Nancy Cartwright, Christine Cavanaugh, Gerrit Graham, Doris Grau, Judith Ivey, Nick Jameson, Charles Napier, Maurice LaMarche
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 1/27//2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Critic: The Complete Series an A.