“Clerks: The Animated Series” (2000-01, ABC) goes through a lifetime of identities in six episodes that aired over nine months. Going by the intended viewing order, it starts with an almost unwatchable pilot and ends with a witty finale that comments on why the series wasn’t successful (up to that point).
All over the place
A lot of Kevin Smith fans celebrate the animated “Clerks,” but it didn’t do it for me. It’s not painful to watch, and there’s no quibbling with the drawing style or voice work. But it’s never brilliantly laugh-out-loud funny. The comedy stylings are like “The Simpsons,” with plots that can go any wild way, and like “Family Guy” with the non sequiturs.
“The Animated Series” soothes the ADD soul, as it can’t focus on anything. It’s never serious for a moment, openly mocking the idea of TV writing and story continuity. When the clerks lock themselves in the freezer, they note that it has happened twice before. Unfortunately, they can’t remember how they got out the two previous times.
To celebrate Kevin Smith’s birthday, from Aug. 1-9 we’re spotlighting some of his work that we haven’t previously reviewed at Reviews from My Couch.
“Clerks: The Animated Series” (2000-01)
ABC, 6 episodes
Creators: David Mandel, Scott Mosier, Kevin Smith
Stars: Brian O’Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Jason Mewes
The show is not at all like “Clerks” (1994), something the finale puts a funny spotlight on. Dante (Brian O’Halloran) can’t make it to his date with the off-screen Caitlin Bree. The focus stays inside the Quick Stop even though insane things (a reference to the cartoon to this point) are happening at the fair across the street.
The performances by O’Halloran and Randal actor Jeff Anderson help a lot. Almost every exchange finds Randal saying something ridiculous and Dante giving an exasperated reply.
Clerking in a different medium
Dante and Randal are parodies of their movie characters, and the series is such a heightened version of Smithian humor that it makes “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” seem measured. This is certainly purposeful by creators Smith, David Mandel (“Seinfeld,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Scott Mosier (many Smith projects).
The writing team is limited at first by the fact that cartoons can’t swear. But by episode six, that doesn’t matter anymore. Rapid-fire gay-panic jokes keep the momentum going – while also time-capsuling the show in the late 20th century.
The writers slather on so many pop-culture references that Brodie from “Mallrats” couldn’t keep up. Everything under the sun is fair game. Charles Barkley repeatedly gets his feelings hurt in non sequiturs. President Clinton uses the toilet on Air Force One.
The last U.S. team to win the Little League World Series gets caught in the plot of “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.” Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Smith, rarely talking, natch) befriend a simian – previewing an element of “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”
Geeking out
You can set your watch by the “Star Wars” references, though. Why is Leia a princess and not a queen? How do lightsabers stop at a certain length? These aren’t questions that keep Dante and Randal up late at night, but they do arise on their shifts.
“Clerks” also gets in a (friendly – I think) jab directly at George Lucas, as Randal briefly puts him on trial for making “The Phantom Menace” (the newest “Star Wars” film at the time of the show’s airing).
If you’re looking for a bridging story between “Clerks” and “Clerks II,” this isn’t it (even though there is the occasional bit of continuity, such as the 10-year high school reunion, where we learn all of Randal’s exes are now lesbians).
“Clerks: The Animated Series” exists entirely in a goofy cartoon universe. Not a hilarious one, in my opinion. But the whole series is only two minutes longer than “Dogma,” so give it a shot and find out if it’s your brand of goofiness.