Only six episodes were produced, and they eventually aired, but I did not find this out until years later. The internet ended a longstanding era where you could be aware of and interested in something, but know fuck-all about it, and have no sensible way of learning more. So I’d heard of Kevin Smith movies - but never seen any. Watching the Clerks movie would have taken a trip to a physical video-rental store, with my parents, and then convincing them (and myself) to rent a vulgar black-and-white movie for all of us to watch together. Wasn’t happening. I was more likely to rent and watch any of the R-rated films that somehow got cartoon adaptations - which were part of that same impotent awareness. Robocop and Ghostbusters and fuckin’ Starship Troopers were advertised anywhere and everywhere, and kids liked the shallow cool parts in the trailers, so executives said “fuck it” and licensed no-budget G-rated spinoffs to sell toys.
Anyway. The Clerks animated series exists because Disney wanted an adult-ish show to compete with The Simpsons. Everyone did. Disney knew they had a gap in their demographics for twenty-something dorks with disposable income. Aaand then they handed the finished episodes to ABC, who used a focus group of old farts and children. Of course it bombed. The first episode aired was a fake clip show full of flashbacks to episodes that did not exist. No, sorry, just checked Wikipedia: that was the second and final episode aired. The premiere ended with a wacky consequence-free style change, where the outsourced animators rebelled and delivered a lolrandom dance party.
Disney knew they had a gap in their demographics for twenty-something dorks with disposable income.
Hey, that reminds me, did you watch Mission Hill? I’m kind of split on it, but I feel like it may fall into the too soon territory. However I could also see it having outstayed its welcome if it had been more successful.
I saw the entire broadcast run of Clerks.
All both episodes.
Only six episodes were produced, and they eventually aired, but I did not find this out until years later. The internet ended a longstanding era where you could be aware of and interested in something, but know fuck-all about it, and have no sensible way of learning more. So I’d heard of Kevin Smith movies - but never seen any. Watching the Clerks movie would have taken a trip to a physical video-rental store, with my parents, and then convincing them (and myself) to rent a vulgar black-and-white movie for all of us to watch together. Wasn’t happening. I was more likely to rent and watch any of the R-rated films that somehow got cartoon adaptations - which were part of that same impotent awareness. Robocop and Ghostbusters and fuckin’ Starship Troopers were advertised anywhere and everywhere, and kids liked the shallow cool parts in the trailers, so executives said “fuck it” and licensed no-budget G-rated spinoffs to sell toys.
Anyway. The Clerks animated series exists because Disney wanted an adult-ish show to compete with The Simpsons. Everyone did. Disney knew they had a gap in their demographics for twenty-something dorks with disposable income. Aaand then they handed the finished episodes to ABC, who used a focus group of old farts and children. Of course it bombed. The first episode aired was a fake clip show full of flashbacks to episodes that did not exist. No, sorry, just checked Wikipedia: that was the second and final episode aired. The premiere ended with a wacky consequence-free style change, where the outsourced animators rebelled and delivered a lolrandom dance party.
At least Clone High got an entire season.
Hey, that reminds me, did you watch Mission Hill? I’m kind of split on it, but I feel like it may fall into the too soon territory. However I could also see it having outstayed its welcome if it had been more successful.
I did not and have not. I’ve heard good things but never felt much interest.
It does sound like it could’ve fit the same niche as Bob’s Burgers.