Let's face it, shows like this are a dime a dozen these days. From Space Ghost: Coast To Coast, Drawn Together, VHI Illustrated, Family Guy, American Dad to other animated adult comedies such as Robot Chicken, STARveillence or Celebrity Death Match - there are very few taboo topics that can be touched on anymore. In fact, now that I think of it, nothing is taboo anymore! Heck, if I had of tuned into a show like South Park
(in particular the episode in which Paris Hilton shoves a fully grown
man up her own arse) five years ago - the world would have cried
"Demonic!". But these days, it barely registers as a blip on the
offensive radar. And one can't help but think that in pushing the
limits so far, programs such as Harvey Birdman are digging their own grave. I
must admit, I've regularly tuned into the show, which airs on Cartoon
Network on Foxtel, and have always found it's quirkiness quite
appealing. It's just so completely random - which for a lot of comedies
- works an absolute treat! "What separates this from the rest?" I hear many of you ask. Well, admittedly, a lot of the humour and laughs are lost due to the fact that taboos no longer exist - but Birdman has several clever tricks up it's sleeve that most animated series don't. Character rights! Yep, some genius has worked his way around Copyright issues to the point where Harvey Birdman is
able to use original animated footage and cartoon character likeness'
from the Hanna Barberra catalouge. Meaning, we aren't simply getting Family Guy-esque
humour in which a wry line is thrown in suggesting "George Jetson was a
rapist" - but we actually get to see these famous characters ridiculed. Following Ex-superhero manbird
(Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, defender of cartoons in legal
trouble) the set up for each episode is simple enough. But it's where
the show's writers take it that puts Harvey Birdman ahead of the rest. From Fred Flinstone on trial for being a Sopranos-esque Mob
Boss, Magilla Gorilla being portrayed as someones "Feminine Bitch" in
prison, Shaggy and Scooby Doo up on drug charges - or Yogi Bear's
lovable assistant Boo Boo being portrayed as a homosexual-bestiality
victimized-terrorist who lives in a cave. Nothing is left unscathed.
Classic characters from our childhood torn to shreds....and it's
brilliant! While it may not be everyone's cup of tea (most scenes
are downright non-sensical and absurd) the jokes come thick and fast,
there is aforementioned added novelty of the famous cartoons on trial
(a highlight is an episode which finds Apache Chief, from Super Friends,
lose his ability to "Grow" after spilling hot coffee in his crotch) and
the show also features an array of celebrity voices including Garry
Cole (Office Space) and Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report, The Daily Show). The
DVD dishes up all the first episodes on two discs, and while the
wackiness can get tiresome if you watch more than a few in a row, there
are more than a few laughs to be had. Case Closed! DVD
Extras As always the Australian distributors for these cult show, Madman, certainly know how to look after the needs of their fans. Harvey Birdman is just one in a series of recent releases of the Adult [Swim] Cartoon Network back catalouge (including Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Space Ghost and Robot Chicken) - and they have really gone all out on these Season Box Sets. I've
always said I'm a sucker for a good cover (no iTunes for me!!) and this
is one cool looking digi-packaged box. So, theres tick one! There are several commentaries, including a bizzarely accurate Standards & Practices/Legal Commentary. So there's tick two! And
of course, there's a bounty of deleted and unseen footage, Casting What
If's (with Colbert as Birdman), movie trailers and some very cool
Animation shorts. So there's the third tick. Extremely worthwhile and good looking package which will please even the most avid of fans. Conclusion:
Movie 75% Extras: 80% 
| 
