Just Some TV: Clerks Uncensored

Hey gang. Back again for Just Some TV. This concept is to point out shows, concepts and ideas that did not last due to poor ratings, bad time slots and no faith in the source material. So today we are heading over to the View Askew Productions. Now for those of you that don't know this production company, LEAVE MY BLOG AND DIE!!! DIE LIKE A ROTTEN PIG CARCASS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OF LIFE!!!! Ahem, I could just tell you though. Yeah, that might be better. View Askew Productions is the brain trust of Kevin Smith and Scott Moser. Yes the f**king Clerks guy. Anywho, today I wanted to gab about the ABC cartoon creation that had to compete with CBS ever engrossing series Survivor and the NBA Finals via NBC. This is Clerks; The Animated Series.

Lemme guess, Randal said something offensive.

Similar artwork and paneling like the Critic, we join Randal (Jeff Anderson of Clerks, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back, Clerks II, Zach and Miri Make a Porno, Randal's Monday, Stealing Time and Vulgar) a quippy, pop culture enthused video store clerk, his buddy and butt of many of his jokes, Dante (Brian O' Halloranof Clerks, Mallrats, How Do You Know, Mr. Hush, Hooking Up, Pokemon, The Happening and Clerks II) a directionless but intelligent guy that has no idea what he wants out of life but it's definitely not work the convenience store Quik Stop and our favorite drug peddling mischief makers Jay (Jason Mewes of Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back, Vigilante Diaries, Devil's Tower, The Night Crew, The Last House, Clerks II and Yoga Hosers) and his hetro lifemate Silent Bob (Writer/director Kevin Smith of Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Zach and Miri Make a Porno, Red State, Tusk, Yoga Hosers and Holidays)

Kneel before Zod!!

No we're are not in black & white but glorious animated colors as our hapless heroes journey through this crazy thing called life on adventures, excitement and really cool things. Oh wait, no they don't. So being released on ABC, the vulgarities are toned waaaaay down as we can't go warping the minds of younguns with the "dirty words". So instead point out that kids play doctor, hang out with NBA all-stars like Charles Barkley and find entertainment on rainy days.

Jay and Silent Bob still smoke but there is no weed peddling. More on the lines of Mexican fireworks, slacking off and in general just looking for some fun. Dante and Randal have to contend with the show's main antagonist, the crafty and methodical Lex Luthor/Mr. Burns hybrid Leonardo Leonardo (Alec Baldwin of Beetlejuice, Heaven's Prisoners, Miami Blues, The Shadow, 30 Rock, The Departed, SNL, Boss Baby and Rules Don't Apply) and his manservant Plug (Producer Dan Etheridge of Veronica Mars, Izombie, The Nines, The Carrie Diaries and The Good Doctor) who may or may not be a robot/cyborg or cybernetic organism.

Kind of says it all, doesn't it?

With veteran voice actors like Phil LaMarr, Lauren Tom, Kevin Michael Richardson, Jeff Bennett, Tara Strong and April Winchell added to the shenanigans, we also have comedians, Dana Gould, Michael McKean, Al Franken and Gilbert Gottfried rounding out some general PG-13 silly. Still love the addition of NBA all-stars Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller and Grant Hill. So why only six episodes?

Our stories link up to past events from Clerks but again a bit neutered due to the ratings board. ABC see didn't see the potential golden goose so they killed it, cooked and ate it. I hear the executives stuffed their pillows with its feathers. A better venue for this would have been Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, HBO or even the Comedy Network. Again not sure if they could ever regain a foot hold for mainstream but I was thinking Netflix, HULU are always a good source right there. In spite of having to keep it cleaner and more wholesome, the jokes worked, the timing was digital and pop culture minutiae were secured. 

Hell the gag after the episode is similar to the Superfriends and G.I. Joe Learn as You Go and Grow was celebrity voices added to it. Who knows? Maybe they will pursue this further down the road. 

Well will be accepting donations of Cthulu, our lord and master.