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Soooo….
if you told me years ago that I would one
day be reviewing a show about racist inbred
hillbilly squids, I would have probably
checked your drink to see what is was spiked
with. Yet, the incomprehensible happened.
And what better folks to bring you a series
about racist inbred hillbilly squids than
Cartoon Network's Adult Swim division? These
are the same guys who have given us deeply
distorted versions of old cartoons of the
60's as well as deeply disturbed newer ones.
Yet, as far over the edge of good taste
as these folks go, the result is usually
hysterical beyond belief.
"Squidbillies" was introduced
to me a few months ago by a friend and he
sat by as I watched two episodes with an
incredulous stare on my face and the occasional
belly laugh spewing forth.
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It wasn't hard to imagine some form of reality
to seeing the animated racist inbred hillbilly
squids as they reminded me so much of my neighbors.
So much in fact, that I'm considering checking
one of my neighbors for tentacles the next time
he's outside… if I can do so without getting
too close.
The series follows the adventures of a family
of squids living in the mountains of North Georgia.
You might wonder just how a family of squids got
there and I'll simply say that it was the product
of a great flood that happened millions of years
ago. The squids that were left stranded after
the water receded adapted themselves to their
surroundings and became multiple-armed versions
of the hillbillies we all know and love. Describing
the show beyond that really takes a lot of thought,
after all what is there to tell about a family
of racist inbred hillbilly squids. That description
alone should give you an idea of what goes on.
However, I will say that over the 20 episodes
I watched on Warner's new DVD release gave me
insight unlike I had ever expected.
The main characters include Early and Rusty Cuyler,
who are father and son. Well, I say that now,
but over the course of the first season questions
arise as to Rusty's maternity…. and then
eventually his paternity. We also learn whether
or not a squid can truly love a human woman (or
even should), how easy it is to mistake a legless
fat man for Patrick Swayze (which I have done
at least once), the perils of wearing a giant
foam penis hat, and why taking Santa hostage ain't
really a good idea. If that doesn’t give
you an idea of the levels to which this show dives
for comedy… nothing will.
Of the vocal talent associated with the series,
I'm really only familiar with Unknown Hinson.
That's right Unknown Hinson. His real name is
Danny Baker, but he performs concerts around the
country as Unknown Hinson, claiming to be a very
old vampire troubadour. I have several of his
CDs, and highly recommend his somewhat politically
incorrect country music. "Let's Talk American"
is a personal favorite. In the show, Hinson delivers
the voice of Early and is absolutely hilarious
in the role. Don’t know what he sounds like
in real life, but his hillbilly delivery is dead-on
perfect (again to which I can attest to having
had conversations with my neighbor).
The 2-disc DVD set for "Squidbillies"
offers up 20 episodes as well as a nice collection
of special features. Warner was nice enough to
include the original show pilots which are fun
to compare against the finished product. There
are also some deleted scenes, behind the scenes
footage, and a very funny featurette on how the
show is made.
"Squidbillies" is by far not going to
be everyone's cup of tea. It is highly offensive
in some areas, though only to those with a low
enough I.Q. to be offended.
Extras: The Original Pilots, Deleted Scenes,
Behind-the-Scenes Footage, Featurette: "How
I Make The Damn Show!", Comic Con 2004, Unknown
Hinson - Animation Master / Cartoon Craftsman
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Warner Home Video
Release Date: 10/16/2007
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
We'll give Squidbillies: Volume 1 a B.
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