Regular Show:
The Complete Series review by Bobby Blakey
During the height of Cartoon Network they had a slew of popular shows including Dexter’s Laboratory, Ed, Edd, and Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Cow and Chicken and so many more including later series like the insanely popular Adventure Time. In 2010 a new series stepped up to the plate with Regular Show that was another massive hit spawning not only the show and a movie, but products ranging from collectibles, apparel, accessories, and games available at major retailers nationwide as well as possible new seasons coming soon.
Ther Regular Show follows the lives of best friends Mordecai and Rigby, whose lazy afternoon adventures always seem to be interrupted by zombies and misadventures with their gang of friends Benson, Pops, Muscle Man, Hi-Five Ghost, Skips, Thomas, Margaret and Eileen or sometimes even dealing with Death himself.
Some of the best cartoon series go all out and make very little sense. You just enjoy the chaos of it all and the fun characters that are partaking in the shenanigans. What I love about this show is it does that as well, but the tone
of all the characters is more laid back in their voice performances and the entire band of misfits that populate this series makes zero sense. This isn’t something that hasn’t been done before, but there is zero explanation to why a bird, a raccoon, a yeti, a ghost, a gumball machine, and green muscle man work together in a world that seemingly resides with normal people, and it makes it all the better.
Sure, there are episodes that dive into more depth about each character and their families and even the back story, but none of it matters. They make zero sense and work, nonetheless. They have a normal job and get into normal situations that are then amped up through magic, fantasy, chaos and everything in between like it is just part of their day. From the first episode you dive right in like you have known these characters forever and are expected to just join them for the insanity and you do just that.
The old school animation is refreshing and knowing that it was all done old school on paper just makes me love it all the more. The seemingly simple designs are unique and fun with each character standing out and could easily each carry their own series. The running gags like Muscle Man’s “ My Mom” never get old thanks to the brilliant writing of the series and attention to detail. Most of the episodes are stand alone allowing you to jump in anytime you want, but obviously its better to watch them in order to keep up with characters that are in and out of the series.
The show ran for eight seasons as well as spawned the film aptly titled Regular Show: The Movie (that takes place between the first two episodes of season seven) , crossovers with other shows such as Adventure Time, Uncle Grandpa and The Amazing World of Gumball to name a few. I love this show and keeping my fingers crossed that we get the two new seasons that have been announced in development ASAP.
Until then what better time to revisit this most excellent show in the new Regular Show: The Complete Series collection that offers up all 245 episodes created over the years, including specials, and a movie all packaged together for the first time on DVD available now from Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment.