Animation Cel-ery

Episode 30 - Jet Fuel Japes or Moose Over Miami

And now, here's something we hope you'll really like! Someone suggested, "Hey, maybe you should watch some Rocky and Bullwinkle." So we naturally decided to watch the entire first story arc. Come with us on the epic journey of Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose, along with Boris J. Bademov and Natasha J. Fatale, as they attempt to make rocket fuel out of cake and berries. The premise is so absurd that of course it takes them around the world, and sees them caught up in international espionage. Micah also talks about animation cels, which is pretty cool.

Cartoons in this episode:

The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends - "Jet Fuel Formula, Parts 1-40"

Episode 29 - The Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past

This week, us crazy Canadians are celebrating Thanksgiving in October with cartoons about Thanksgiving ghosts! First, we'll watch the REAL Ghostbusters fight a praying mantis that has the power of the gods, apparently, with a marshmallow who might be a god? Then Pac-Man sleeps so long that ghosts take over the Pac-world, before flashing back to when Pac-people took over the ghosts' world. And if that's not enough ghosts for ya, we'll also talk about Disney's spooky new series The Ghost and Molly McGee, and the latest evolution of My Little Pony. That last one isn't really about ghosts. Sorry.

Cartoons in this episode:

The Real Ghostbusters, "The Revenge of Murray the Mantis"

Pac-Man: "Pac Van Winkle / Happy Pacs-Giving"

Episode 28 - Kajolica

It's all about the kids this time. First, the Muppet Babies fill the Funny Freddy-shaped hole in their lives by cutting a hole in a cardboard box and producing their own content like it's 30 years later. Then, The Mighty B! does #JustScoutThings like selling candy and protecting the world from her accursed middle name. Micah will also tell us about some games and some Star, and Matsy will tell us about Steven Universe's future. Oh, and don't worry; we also talk about the thing. *Pff* Seth Rogen...

Cartoons in this episode:

Muppet Babies, "I Want My Muppet TV!"

The Mighty B!, "Something's Wrong With This Taffy / Name Shame"

Episode 27 - Furry History

Animal Treasure Island. Yep. The secret Hayao Miyazaki movie you didn't know about. We watch the last humans in a world ruled by animals risk life and limb to find pirate treasure, and if they have time, not lose a baby. Will they succeed? Will Captain Silver ever have enough coffee? Is this movie why we have The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker? We'll see! Matsy's also watching The Harper House, which is the latest cartoon from the guy who made Baby Cakes on YouTube and China, Il., and Micah's also subjecting himself to more Popee the Performer because he's crazy, and more Star vs. the Forces of Evil because he has good taste in cartoons. And... let's see here... I am contractually obligated to say "Arr."

Episode 26 - History Lessons

It's weird how somehow our separate ideas come together in a theme. This time, we're looking at how animation progressed from theatrical shorts to YouTube cartoons that anyone can make. First, Micah is traumatized by one of the first computer animated cartoons and its disturbing look at gluttony. Then Matsy is traumatized by an old Looney Tunes feature where a little boy daydreams about murdering numbers, Indians, and a shark. But we can cool down after that with some relaxing user-generated content from Homestar Runner and ToonCee. Plus, Micah wraps up Twelve Forever, and Matsy wraps up Steven Universe. Remember to turn off the internet when you're done!

Cartoons in this episode:

"Hunger"

"From A to Z-Z-Z-Z"

"Strong Bad Email #176 - Hygiene"

"ToonCee - WEIRD THINGS MY PARENTS DID TO ME"

Episode 25 - Furry Lessons

All right children, it's time to go back to school in the 80's and learn how to be furries. We'll start with Canadian classic The Raccoons and see how woodland creatures save the school from the evil, uh, government I guess. Then, for those who prefer their anthropomorphic animals more scaley, we'll watch Dinosaucers, and see what happens when you bring your pachycephalosaurus to school with you. We'll also check in one more time with Rick and Morty and see how that whole overarching storyline thing is going for them, as well as the latest last piece of Adventure Time before the next last piece, and wax philosophical about cartoon reboots. But not the cartoon ReBoot, or its reboot. Come download the podcast and help us find our pet lizard!

Cartoons in this episode: The Raccoons, "Making the Grade!" and Dinosaucers, "Teacher's Pest"

Episode 24 - Mediocre Heroes

The intended theme this time was "our favorite episodes," but we also stumbled upon a theme of questionable superheroes, so hey. Matsy's favorite episode of The Tick features The City's savior fighting for his very name while an evil bomber what bombs at very specific times tries to make a name for himself. And Micah quite appropriately fused two Steven Universe segments into a more powerful episode, in which Steven learns the sexy origins of giant women and fights back against the ironic use of his intellectual property. Plus, a few more details about Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea (including spoiling the ending!), and a brief look at more of those weird Czechoslovakian Tom and Jerry cartoons (including Micah's secret cartoon fear!). We came to entertain you, and if you think we can't, we'll always find a way.

Cartoons in this episode: The Tick, "The Tick vs. The Tick"; Steven Universe, "Giant Woman" and "Shirt Club"

Episode 23 - The Spartakus Fiasco

We had a simple goal in mind: watch the first four episodes of the 80's French cartoon Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea. But the internet had several different ideas of what constitutes "first four." So you're getting recaps of the first FIVE episodes, some of which some of us are going into blind. It's quite a ride. Meanwhile, Matsy will reassess Rick and Morty in light of the last few years' developments, while Micah will pitch his million dollar cartoon idea. Stay to the end and enjoy what's going to be stuck in your head for the next three days!

Cartoons in this episode: Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea, "The City of Arkadia" "Between Two Worlds" "Arcana and the Beast" "The Pirate Klub" "The Living Crystal"

Episode 22 - The Great Outdoors

We backdoored our way into a nature theme this week. Micah is viewing some Hanna-Barbera cartoons about the woods, featuring Yogi Bear being subjected to aversion therapy to cure his addiction to pic-a-nic baskets and Auggie Doggie and Doggie Daddy vying to see who knows more about roughing it. Meanwhile, Matsy heads out to sea with two cartoon parodies of Moby-Dick, in which Woody Woodpecker helps Captain Dooley hunt Dopey Dick before switching allegiances to help Dopey Dick thwart Captain Dooley, and in which Tom contends with his usual murine nemesis along with a sea captain determined to eliminate Dicky Moe. We'll also catch up with Marvel's What If...? and JoJo's bizarre placebo, we'll see how Micah being anchored to Centaurworld via the not-cartoon horse turned out, and we'll look at what they've done to Yogi Bear and Auggie Doggy in the genderswapped haven of Jellystone! Get your internet petitions ready, because Choo-Choo being turned into a girl simply cannot stand.

Cartoons in this episode: "Booby Trapped Bear"; "Dopey Dick the Pink Whale"; "Pop's Nature Pup"; "Dicky Moe"

Episode 21 - TOYS 4 BOYS

Believe it or not, toy companies once commissioned cartoons to sell their products. I know, right? So this week, we're looking at two cartoons made to whet young boys' appetites for TOYS. Transformers: The Headmasters shows how you can make your Transformers more or less powerful by giving them head transplants, while also directing your attention to little battling beasts with the power of water, wood and fire. Meanwhile, Mighty Max takes the previously female concept of putting a playset in a compact and reimagines it for men, by giving it a story about a kid who can make portals with his baseball cap. Plus, Matsy raves about his new favorite cartoon about centaurs and their world, while Micah reflects on the worst cartoon theme songs. Come on in here, girls, and see what the other half was doing when you were kids!

Cartoons in this episode: Transformers: The Headmasters, "Rebellion on Planet Beast"; Mighty Max, "A Bellwether in One's Cap"