I don't even think I can rationalize my enjoyment of this show. It was so crazy, so wacky, so off-the-wall that I loved it. Shake was just a loose cannon, scheming, lying, motor mouth I couldn't get enough of him. Meatwad was just a simple being. And Frylock was the voice of reason in it all and had eye lasers for sticky situations. But, I can't forget about their hairy loser neighbor Carl. He was just as ridiculous as the meal he lived next door to.
91 Reviews
Deliciously Funny
Moved_To_TMDB_Org30 August 2004
ATHF has become the favorite late night entertainment snack for my family. The DVD set does introduce each segment with the now infectious rap song that describes each of the Superheroes. The humor is all over the map and comes in the form of dialog and visual pratfalls. The art is done in a quirky style on the cheap but the humor is still rich. All heroes HAVE to have a great bad guy. My favorites are the Mooninites along with Oglethorpe and Emory. MC P Pants and Sir Loin are also very good.
Each of the opening bits with Steve and Dr. Weird stand alone as comic tidbits that get each segment going. Master Shake as the leader of the group garners most of the laughs in his desire to boss everyone around and ALWAYS remain the center of attention. Problem is that Master Shake has a very lame "power".
Each of the opening bits with Steve and Dr. Weird stand alone as comic tidbits that get each segment going. Master Shake as the leader of the group garners most of the laughs in his desire to boss everyone around and ALWAYS remain the center of attention. Problem is that Master Shake has a very lame "power".
They need to bring this show back
treschannagreen9 June 2022
Just the laughs, ma'am
esandor20 December 2004
If you just want to laugh and laugh at some of the most joke-packed dialogue on TV today--and you don't care whether any of it makes sense--then you'll love ATHF.
The writers don't waste time explaining why the characters are food or what "Aqua Teen" even means. They don't try to tie up plot threads, illuminate the backstory, or even have the characters leave their neighborhood to fight crimes as depicted in the opening and closing credits. None of that is necessary. Instead, they just bring us a stripped-down, personality-driven yukfest that shows encumbered with the usual baggage simply can't match.
ATHF meets---nay, far exceeds!---my personal gold standard for comedy: that the jokes should not only be funny, but be ones I couldn't possibly have thought up for myself, and that there not be a moment's lag time between them.
Watching it is like eating potato chips (um, guess I mean fries) of pure, mindless laughter. ENJOY!
The writers don't waste time explaining why the characters are food or what "Aqua Teen" even means. They don't try to tie up plot threads, illuminate the backstory, or even have the characters leave their neighborhood to fight crimes as depicted in the opening and closing credits. None of that is necessary. Instead, they just bring us a stripped-down, personality-driven yukfest that shows encumbered with the usual baggage simply can't match.
ATHF meets---nay, far exceeds!---my personal gold standard for comedy: that the jokes should not only be funny, but be ones I couldn't possibly have thought up for myself, and that there not be a moment's lag time between them.
Watching it is like eating potato chips (um, guess I mean fries) of pure, mindless laughter. ENJOY!
One of the funniest shows ever made
Rectangular_businessman18 November 2021
This is perhaps the funniest show Adult Swim has ever made.
It remained consistently hilarious during its entirety, and even during its weakest moments was quite fun to watch.
Its a sad thing how Adult Swim doesn't seem able to produce any shows like this anymore, focusing instead in rather insufferable self-indulgent drivel. (Such as The Shivering Truth, or all these godawful, totally unfunny live-action series that infest the block as a plague)
Absurd comedies like this, The Brak Show, Harvey Birdman and Sealab 2021 were the soul of Adult Swim. Without them, the block is just not the same.
It remained consistently hilarious during its entirety, and even during its weakest moments was quite fun to watch.
Its a sad thing how Adult Swim doesn't seem able to produce any shows like this anymore, focusing instead in rather insufferable self-indulgent drivel. (Such as The Shivering Truth, or all these godawful, totally unfunny live-action series that infest the block as a plague)
Absurd comedies like this, The Brak Show, Harvey Birdman and Sealab 2021 were the soul of Adult Swim. Without them, the block is just not the same.
Crazy
briancham199413 October 2020
Absolutely nothing makes sense here, nothing is explained and nothing is consistent. It eschews traditional storytelling in favour of a surreal humour that throws all conventions out the window. This style makes it very unique and amusing. The sheer insanity is impressive.
One of the best.
CebuLips9-371-94262125 December 2012
This show has been out for almost 12 years. While I love it, I do have to admit that it's later episodes aren't even close to being as good as the originals.
Seasons 1-2: Hysterical. Did not stop laughing.
Season 3: Still amazing. I miss Dr. Weird but Spacecataz is still funny.
Season 4: Where most people think it started going downhill. I like it, although I do admit it isn't as good as the first three. They now have more freedom in the maturity factor, and boy do they abuse it throughout the rest of the series.
Season 5: Bleh. Don't even bother watching the first three episodes of it. This season does get better as it goes on, and I have to admit that "Bible Fruit" is one of my favorite episodes. This is where they really start relying on sex jokes and shock humor, but it's still funnier than other shows that attempt to do this.
Season 6: Better than season 5, but still suffers from the same laziness as last time where many of the jokes are just mindless sex jokes rather than actual creative writing. Just not as bad as before.
Season 7: Better than season 6. Has a couple of my favorite episodes and is a step in the right direction, as "A PE Christmas" and "Rabbot Redux" are two of my favorite episodes.
Season 8 (also known as "Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1"): A MASSIVE improvement. I thought at this point there was no hope for improvement, but I was completely wrong. Has a nice balance between mature humor and good writing.
Season 9 (also known as "Aqua Something You Know Whatever): Recoil. Their efforts are going entirely the wrong way. With all the other seasons I complained about, I at least still enjoyed all of them. Not the case here. VERY hit and miss. Literally half the episodes in this series have no redeeming qualities about them, but that does mean that the other half is pretty damn good. Just make sure to skip "Shirt Herpes", "Rocket Horse Jet Chicken", "The Granite Family", "Fightan Titan", and "Totem Pole". I was bored out of my mind through those.
Overall, a very good show. They just need to refocus their efforts a bit. I hope Season 10 will be better than the last one, though.
Seasons 1-2: Hysterical. Did not stop laughing.
Season 3: Still amazing. I miss Dr. Weird but Spacecataz is still funny.
Season 4: Where most people think it started going downhill. I like it, although I do admit it isn't as good as the first three. They now have more freedom in the maturity factor, and boy do they abuse it throughout the rest of the series.
Season 5: Bleh. Don't even bother watching the first three episodes of it. This season does get better as it goes on, and I have to admit that "Bible Fruit" is one of my favorite episodes. This is where they really start relying on sex jokes and shock humor, but it's still funnier than other shows that attempt to do this.
Season 6: Better than season 5, but still suffers from the same laziness as last time where many of the jokes are just mindless sex jokes rather than actual creative writing. Just not as bad as before.
Season 7: Better than season 6. Has a couple of my favorite episodes and is a step in the right direction, as "A PE Christmas" and "Rabbot Redux" are two of my favorite episodes.
Season 8 (also known as "Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1"): A MASSIVE improvement. I thought at this point there was no hope for improvement, but I was completely wrong. Has a nice balance between mature humor and good writing.
Season 9 (also known as "Aqua Something You Know Whatever): Recoil. Their efforts are going entirely the wrong way. With all the other seasons I complained about, I at least still enjoyed all of them. Not the case here. VERY hit and miss. Literally half the episodes in this series have no redeeming qualities about them, but that does mean that the other half is pretty damn good. Just make sure to skip "Shirt Herpes", "Rocket Horse Jet Chicken", "The Granite Family", "Fightan Titan", and "Totem Pole". I was bored out of my mind through those.
Overall, a very good show. They just need to refocus their efforts a bit. I hope Season 10 will be better than the last one, though.
One of the greatest shows of all time
ben-798-60475824 July 2014
Aqua teen hunger force is an amazing comedy. Yes, this is true. But this is not the only reason they are the one of the greatest shows of all time. They were the first ever to do anything remotely like this. Their brand of offbeat, surreal comedy inspired much of the future programming that would become adult swims signature style. Its nonsensical, non canonical story lines and overly absurd characters to the point of parody (if only we could figure out what it was supposed to parody) earned it a cult following and many if not all of the "villains" are instantly memorable for their own individual quirks. Its without a doubt one of the greatest cartoons of all time, and it hasn't grown soft in its later years. 10 seasons in, and its still going strong. Thats probably because there is a practically infinite potential for their extremely absurdist format, a show that can feature a talking watermelon one episode and a closet to a narnia like fantasy land the next.
One of my favorite things about this show is how ultimately useless everyone in the entire show is. Everyone. Its really painted very well in "the last one" where the mooninites host whats basically a punch social for everyone who's ever mingled with the aqua teens, the cybernetic ghost of Christmas past from the future, the brownie monsters, major shake, MC P pants, etc. And you get to see how each of their weird personality traits clash amongst one another and they fail to come up with a single plan that isn't completely ridiculous or batshît crazy. And then there's the main characters, meatwad is stupid and overly trusting, master shake is stupid and narcissistic, and Frylock is the only smart one but no one even listens to him. And then there's their next door neighbor carl, who could practically have the entire show be based around him and it still be hilarious. He's the one all the crazy shît happens to, inconveniently, frequently and completely non-consensually. And he's balding foul mouth pervert who likes beer football and strippers and rock and roll. Episodes with a lot of Carl usually make for good episodes, like the recent episode "Robots Everywhere" where a group of terrible mannered hyperactive robots rent the aqua teens house while they're away and torment Carl with various nonsensical tests. Its hard not to think about that episode and laugh and i've seen it like 3 times. Carl is also home to various wisdoms and man-isms, such as "Friendship isn't about trust. Friendship is about nunchucks." and "Yeah we'll iron this out. Let me go get my iron. My tire iron. To iron out your face". The other main reason to watch this show is meatwad, the lovable but idiotic ball of meat that transforms into basically nothing useful ever. Its especially fun to see him on an ego trip, which ironically isn't out of character for his generally good natured and happy go lucky self. memorable lines include: "Look outside bitçh. I'm EVERYWHERE." and "BITÇH WHERE IS MY POPSICLE?"
One of my favorite things about this show is how ultimately useless everyone in the entire show is. Everyone. Its really painted very well in "the last one" where the mooninites host whats basically a punch social for everyone who's ever mingled with the aqua teens, the cybernetic ghost of Christmas past from the future, the brownie monsters, major shake, MC P pants, etc. And you get to see how each of their weird personality traits clash amongst one another and they fail to come up with a single plan that isn't completely ridiculous or batshît crazy. And then there's the main characters, meatwad is stupid and overly trusting, master shake is stupid and narcissistic, and Frylock is the only smart one but no one even listens to him. And then there's their next door neighbor carl, who could practically have the entire show be based around him and it still be hilarious. He's the one all the crazy shît happens to, inconveniently, frequently and completely non-consensually. And he's balding foul mouth pervert who likes beer football and strippers and rock and roll. Episodes with a lot of Carl usually make for good episodes, like the recent episode "Robots Everywhere" where a group of terrible mannered hyperactive robots rent the aqua teens house while they're away and torment Carl with various nonsensical tests. Its hard not to think about that episode and laugh and i've seen it like 3 times. Carl is also home to various wisdoms and man-isms, such as "Friendship isn't about trust. Friendship is about nunchucks." and "Yeah we'll iron this out. Let me go get my iron. My tire iron. To iron out your face". The other main reason to watch this show is meatwad, the lovable but idiotic ball of meat that transforms into basically nothing useful ever. Its especially fun to see him on an ego trip, which ironically isn't out of character for his generally good natured and happy go lucky self. memorable lines include: "Look outside bitçh. I'm EVERYWHERE." and "BITÇH WHERE IS MY POPSICLE?"
Good with the potential to be great
J-bot618 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I would have given this series an 8 instead of a 7 if it was able to stay on track and not veer off into fart joke land.
Seriously, this show contained moments of sheer brilliance in seasons 2 and 3. Then, quite suddenly, it started to go off the rails in season 4 (volume 5). Writing that was once clever and genuinely funny became a string of gross-out humor (without the humor). It became tougher to find even small bits of content that were either inspired or genuinely entertaining. I think "Dickesode" was the point at which I started to feel like the writers were wasting my time.
It's unfortunate that this sort of thing happens so frequently with animated comedies: Family Guy, Robot Chicken, ATHF, Metalocalypse, etc.... I see the same pattern over and over again. First, the writers have a ton of cool ideas and actually show a level of sophistication (albeit the first season production values are typically a bit lacking). Then they figure out how to increase production values as their well of good ideas begins to run dry up. Next, in what appears to be either a fit of desperation (or just an attempt to please themselves) they engage in a form of unfiltered script-writing diarrhea. And at that point, the show in question really starts to stink.
Speaking of Aqua Teen Hunger Force specifically: when it's good, it's really good. The "Broodwich" is an example of a truly inspired and well-executed episode. And the various insane robots from the future are a total blast (complete with pop-culture film references). Then there are the various space aliens that grace the show; all of them are awesome in their own right. And of course, the main characters. Each character is unique and well-defined. If someone handed you a script with no names on it, you'd still know who was saying what.
This show was one of my favorites. It just irks me that the writers couldn't save the really gonzo unfunny potty jokes for a side-project and keep ATHF in the realm of hilarious and clever entertainment. I guess what it shows is the potential for greatness, but an unfortunate lack of consistency. Perhaps it's the pressure of always wanting to 'raise the bar' when writing scenes that are supposed to get the audience's attention. Maybe raising the bar isn't the secret to success. Instead, a look at Chuck Jones' approach to maintaining the look and feel of a show is worthwhile. He wrote a guide for his staff to follow, in order to keep the show consistent. It worked. The guy's a legend for a reason and so is his work. It seems that even modern shows could learn a lot from him.
In summary, ATHF is pretty awesome. That is, if you delete out the episodes that do nothing more than detract from it's merits.
Seriously, this show contained moments of sheer brilliance in seasons 2 and 3. Then, quite suddenly, it started to go off the rails in season 4 (volume 5). Writing that was once clever and genuinely funny became a string of gross-out humor (without the humor). It became tougher to find even small bits of content that were either inspired or genuinely entertaining. I think "Dickesode" was the point at which I started to feel like the writers were wasting my time.
It's unfortunate that this sort of thing happens so frequently with animated comedies: Family Guy, Robot Chicken, ATHF, Metalocalypse, etc.... I see the same pattern over and over again. First, the writers have a ton of cool ideas and actually show a level of sophistication (albeit the first season production values are typically a bit lacking). Then they figure out how to increase production values as their well of good ideas begins to run dry up. Next, in what appears to be either a fit of desperation (or just an attempt to please themselves) they engage in a form of unfiltered script-writing diarrhea. And at that point, the show in question really starts to stink.
Speaking of Aqua Teen Hunger Force specifically: when it's good, it's really good. The "Broodwich" is an example of a truly inspired and well-executed episode. And the various insane robots from the future are a total blast (complete with pop-culture film references). Then there are the various space aliens that grace the show; all of them are awesome in their own right. And of course, the main characters. Each character is unique and well-defined. If someone handed you a script with no names on it, you'd still know who was saying what.
This show was one of my favorites. It just irks me that the writers couldn't save the really gonzo unfunny potty jokes for a side-project and keep ATHF in the realm of hilarious and clever entertainment. I guess what it shows is the potential for greatness, but an unfortunate lack of consistency. Perhaps it's the pressure of always wanting to 'raise the bar' when writing scenes that are supposed to get the audience's attention. Maybe raising the bar isn't the secret to success. Instead, a look at Chuck Jones' approach to maintaining the look and feel of a show is worthwhile. He wrote a guide for his staff to follow, in order to keep the show consistent. It worked. The guy's a legend for a reason and so is his work. It seems that even modern shows could learn a lot from him.
In summary, ATHF is pretty awesome. That is, if you delete out the episodes that do nothing more than detract from it's merits.
As weird as it gets, and I mean that in the best way
runamokprods9 March 2011
While the series has worn off a bit for me from when I was first enthralled by it's sheer dada- esque insanity, the best episodes still transcend to inspired levels of bizarre, gross, tweaked humor.
When your starting premise is a giant talking shake, fries, and wad of meat living in New Jersey, how wrong can you go?
It can be hit or miss, but the best episodes ('MC Pee Pants', 'Love Mummy', 'Dumber Dolls' from season 1, 'The Clowning', 'Total Recarl' and 'The Last One' from season 3, 'Video Ouija', 'Dusty Gazongas' and 'Hypno Germ' from season 4) rise to a sublime level of hysterical absurdity, where you're both laughing and shaking your head at the audacity and bravery of the storytelling.
If you like strange, gonzo humor (Monty Python would be my generation's touchstone) and/or out-there adult animation, you owe it to yourself to give this a try -- and give it a couple of episodes to let your head get into what the creators are doing.
When your starting premise is a giant talking shake, fries, and wad of meat living in New Jersey, how wrong can you go?
It can be hit or miss, but the best episodes ('MC Pee Pants', 'Love Mummy', 'Dumber Dolls' from season 1, 'The Clowning', 'Total Recarl' and 'The Last One' from season 3, 'Video Ouija', 'Dusty Gazongas' and 'Hypno Germ' from season 4) rise to a sublime level of hysterical absurdity, where you're both laughing and shaking your head at the audacity and bravery of the storytelling.
If you like strange, gonzo humor (Monty Python would be my generation's touchstone) and/or out-there adult animation, you owe it to yourself to give this a try -- and give it a couple of episodes to let your head get into what the creators are doing.
season one DVD
steeledanton4 May 2016
this show is better than average.i really enjoyed the season 1 DVD. Doctor Weird and his Laboratory in South Jersey kind of went away as the seasons renewed...and I was totally fine with that. I couldn't believe that this was the first season though. I totally remember when the boys, FryLock and Meatwad plus Shake would end up inside the show 24 hrs....and I totally thought that that was the first season and at that time I hated this show. It was nice to see that the pool behind the house and some of the character development albeit temporary were incorporated. I guess my favorite episodes were the one with the balding action figure that almost got blow torched by shake, like I could totally see that happening and his face turning into like melted wax, but instead they go onto a HIGHLANDER like fairy tale...and the other episode I really enjoyed was the one where Shake is renting a room, and the moonite microfilom chips take over Meatwads room plus get him hookt on cigarettes.
Truly They Were An Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Number 1 in the Hood G!
thescholar229 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I remember watching this show when Adult Swim first came out in 2001. Watching this as a kid I didn't quite get the humor but now I understand the humor better and feel like this show has aged gracefully like a fine wine now. While some or most adult cartoons feel like they are just dick and fart joke after dick and fart joke. Just doesn't FEEL like an ADULT cartoon also might just use dick and fart jokes or bad slapstick because they just want you watch them and not listen to them. Or mention things around their era that will probably be real dated in the future after the show ends.
This show is about a box of fries called Frylock, a milkshake called Master Shake, and a meatball called Meatwad. At first this show makes you think it's a detective show but that was just a way to trick you a little into watching it. There's also their next door neighbor Carl, who's kind of funny and sometimes tags along in the show since he doesn't have much to do at his home. Also there's these Mooninites that mess with the Aqua Teens and Carl every now and then, and the Plutonians as well.
This shows opening song was made by a rapper, Schooly-D, and he later makes cameos in the later seasons in the show. The jokes feel legitimately funny and the acting is done well. They even made a movie out of this show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters, but it was okay. Though Adult Swim made a movie out of a 11 minute stoner cartoon so what were you expecting?
This show also has a heart and soul, doesn't just have one note characters like some cartoons now. For example there was this one episode where Frylock gets skin cancer and Master Shake, Meatwad, and Carl, try to cheer him up, help him, and are scared he might die. That feels like they're real people. I feel like if some other show that tries to be mean and not really have a reason for it would go to someone who had that would go, "HA HA, You Have Cancer!". Just feels like those shows try too hard to be South Park even after an episode of South Park was over, I'm just noticing a pattern with the cartoon shows that were on Comedy Central after South Park.
There's also an episode called "The Dickesode" and there was all these dicks that were censored with colored bars and after seeing the uncensored version. I am glad when that was on tv it was colored bars and not black bars. They even made a video game called Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am where it's basically based off on some kind of older game where you golf and there's ninjas.
Also they made a live action episode where Master Shake was played by H. Jon Benjamin, Frylock was played by rapper T-Pain, Meatwad was played by a yoga ball, and Carl was played by some guy that won a contest for who could play Carl the best. Then after the 100th episode the show reinvented itself as Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1, Aqua Something You Know Whatever, Aqua TV Show Show, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force Forever.
There was also this time Adult Swim did this gurella marketing tactic where they put all these light brights of one of the moonenites in Boston. People thought they were bombs and the bomb squads destroyed them all. The artists had to do community service and I'm glad they didn't go to jail since they weren't hurting anyone. Though when that happened I was in high school and me and my friends were talking about it. I told them that those people who did the art might not go to jail, I said might since I heard at my high school about a year after 9-11 someone saw anthrax in the school but it was actually baking soda for a dumb prank, the prakers went to jail for that.
I heard the Aqua Teen Hunger Force people tried to make an episode of that bomb scare but Ted Turner demand they stop and said if it's ever leaked he'll cancel the show. Though people leaked the unfinished episode online and I guess the show had to end in 2015. With Aqua Teen Hunger Force Forever, there was this episode I liked to think WAS the final episode and felt like the show moved on. THEN, the actual last episode was on and it felt kinda mean as a way to end the series but it probably just took advantage of how timeless Aqua Teen Hunger Force is. People still today want this show brought back since it was so good and had a sense they were actually trying. They truly were an Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
This show is about a box of fries called Frylock, a milkshake called Master Shake, and a meatball called Meatwad. At first this show makes you think it's a detective show but that was just a way to trick you a little into watching it. There's also their next door neighbor Carl, who's kind of funny and sometimes tags along in the show since he doesn't have much to do at his home. Also there's these Mooninites that mess with the Aqua Teens and Carl every now and then, and the Plutonians as well.
This shows opening song was made by a rapper, Schooly-D, and he later makes cameos in the later seasons in the show. The jokes feel legitimately funny and the acting is done well. They even made a movie out of this show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters, but it was okay. Though Adult Swim made a movie out of a 11 minute stoner cartoon so what were you expecting?
This show also has a heart and soul, doesn't just have one note characters like some cartoons now. For example there was this one episode where Frylock gets skin cancer and Master Shake, Meatwad, and Carl, try to cheer him up, help him, and are scared he might die. That feels like they're real people. I feel like if some other show that tries to be mean and not really have a reason for it would go to someone who had that would go, "HA HA, You Have Cancer!". Just feels like those shows try too hard to be South Park even after an episode of South Park was over, I'm just noticing a pattern with the cartoon shows that were on Comedy Central after South Park.
There's also an episode called "The Dickesode" and there was all these dicks that were censored with colored bars and after seeing the uncensored version. I am glad when that was on tv it was colored bars and not black bars. They even made a video game called Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am where it's basically based off on some kind of older game where you golf and there's ninjas.
Also they made a live action episode where Master Shake was played by H. Jon Benjamin, Frylock was played by rapper T-Pain, Meatwad was played by a yoga ball, and Carl was played by some guy that won a contest for who could play Carl the best. Then after the 100th episode the show reinvented itself as Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1, Aqua Something You Know Whatever, Aqua TV Show Show, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force Forever.
There was also this time Adult Swim did this gurella marketing tactic where they put all these light brights of one of the moonenites in Boston. People thought they were bombs and the bomb squads destroyed them all. The artists had to do community service and I'm glad they didn't go to jail since they weren't hurting anyone. Though when that happened I was in high school and me and my friends were talking about it. I told them that those people who did the art might not go to jail, I said might since I heard at my high school about a year after 9-11 someone saw anthrax in the school but it was actually baking soda for a dumb prank, the prakers went to jail for that.
I heard the Aqua Teen Hunger Force people tried to make an episode of that bomb scare but Ted Turner demand they stop and said if it's ever leaked he'll cancel the show. Though people leaked the unfinished episode online and I guess the show had to end in 2015. With Aqua Teen Hunger Force Forever, there was this episode I liked to think WAS the final episode and felt like the show moved on. THEN, the actual last episode was on and it felt kinda mean as a way to end the series but it probably just took advantage of how timeless Aqua Teen Hunger Force is. People still today want this show brought back since it was so good and had a sense they were actually trying. They truly were an Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
Not really that funny
buddhadan-110 September 2006
I can see from the votes on this show that I am in the minority in my dislike for the series, but here goes.
Let me start with a positive, as I wouldn't have ever even watched it if I didn't find something in it that I liked.
I do find that on occasion, when the television is on in the background and this show comes on, I do find a scene or two that makes me laugh despite my dislike for the overall show.
The absurdity of the situation in general or an off color comment will sometimes cause me to laugh, and I do appreciate the strangeness (read - unique nature of the characters) of the show itself.
But overall, it goes nowhere, it appeals to only one real group of people (thus it doesn't really carry a broad appeal like other shows have done) and it's so strange that it really only covers a niche concept area.
The show typically carries no plot, no story, very little in the way of witty dialogue, and the characters are rarely redeeming in any way. If at least a learning experience or gain could be had, the show might have something to offer, but regretfully it falls short on this end as well...unless your learning experience is to avoid living anywhere near a talking shake, meatball, and box of fries.
Let me start with a positive, as I wouldn't have ever even watched it if I didn't find something in it that I liked.
I do find that on occasion, when the television is on in the background and this show comes on, I do find a scene or two that makes me laugh despite my dislike for the overall show.
The absurdity of the situation in general or an off color comment will sometimes cause me to laugh, and I do appreciate the strangeness (read - unique nature of the characters) of the show itself.
But overall, it goes nowhere, it appeals to only one real group of people (thus it doesn't really carry a broad appeal like other shows have done) and it's so strange that it really only covers a niche concept area.
The show typically carries no plot, no story, very little in the way of witty dialogue, and the characters are rarely redeeming in any way. If at least a learning experience or gain could be had, the show might have something to offer, but regretfully it falls short on this end as well...unless your learning experience is to avoid living anywhere near a talking shake, meatball, and box of fries.
Oh, this is freakin' great!
bobbyknightmare24 June 2002
This is the reason I watch "Adult Swim" every week, on the chance that ATHF are in the line-up. An incompetent but egotistical shake, a super intelligent box of fries and a happy-go-lucky meatball spend the day outwitting the most incompetent gang of villains this side of the Amoeba Boys and tormenting their loser neighbor to the point where you can actually feel sorry for the poor, no class, unemployable, grouchy slob.
Shake is similar to at least one person who works with all of us. He's a bully, he's lazy, he's selfish, he's pathetic at what he does, but he feels he's the leader just because he says he is. Frylock is the guy at the office or the plant who actually DOES know what he's doing and saves the day without any desire for the responsibility or glory of leadership. Meatwad is the guy who tries his best, usually doesn't hit the mark perfectly and is just fun to have around.
Full-length movie anyone? Or at least a marathon?
Shake is similar to at least one person who works with all of us. He's a bully, he's lazy, he's selfish, he's pathetic at what he does, but he feels he's the leader just because he says he is. Frylock is the guy at the office or the plant who actually DOES know what he's doing and saves the day without any desire for the responsibility or glory of leadership. Meatwad is the guy who tries his best, usually doesn't hit the mark perfectly and is just fun to have around.
Full-length movie anyone? Or at least a marathon?
An Adult Swim Classic, With Some Frustratingly Lazy Writing
Better_TV12 April 2018
It's hard to quibble with a show that's only 11-12 minutes length per episode, but Aqua Teen Hunger Force really can be very funny - plenty of surreal situations, witty one-liners, and marvelous voice acting.
But when the writers get lazy, they get lazy.
For every episode like season 2's "The Shaving," which is a master-class in tight, short-form animated comedy writing, there's an episode like season 3's atrocious "Hypno Germ" or season 5's dull, dumb "Sirens." The problem is that the wittiness of the writing too often crosses into pothead territory, where awkward pauses and the fact that the characters are talking pieces of food are meant to supplant the lack of a substantial script.
It's frustrating precisely because episodes like season 7's "Rubberman" and season 5's "Bible Fruit" show just how great the writers can be when they put their minds to it. This show at its best is satirical and, yes, smart; at its worst it relies on Carl's sleaziness or even outright sadism in the treatment of its characters, all of which leaves about as much of a comedic impression as a series of fart jokes. It is woefully apparent when you're watching an episode of ATHF that its producers just didn't care about either.
Still, this is a series I'm quite fond of; it is compulsively re-watchable and because it's an animated sitcom full of one-and-done episodes, I can just pick the episodes I want to revisit and leave the rest behind. The voice acting in this show is, for the most part, unimpeachable, with fantastic guest voices (Filmmaker Todd Field as a lump of sentient mold named "Ol' Drippy" in season 1 is still one of my favorites in the whole series), and the regular cast is practically iconic at this point.
So many shows have since cribbed (some would say "ripped off") the low-fi back-and-forth awkward pause-filled comedic dialogue that this show pioneered; all the ridiculous animated characters speak so casually and matter-of-factly, which is both hilariously surreal and refreshingly frank.
This show's place in comedy history is practically confirmed at this point. When it was firing on all cylinders it was brilliant and original, with a distinct style all its own.
But when the writers get lazy, they get lazy.
For every episode like season 2's "The Shaving," which is a master-class in tight, short-form animated comedy writing, there's an episode like season 3's atrocious "Hypno Germ" or season 5's dull, dumb "Sirens." The problem is that the wittiness of the writing too often crosses into pothead territory, where awkward pauses and the fact that the characters are talking pieces of food are meant to supplant the lack of a substantial script.
It's frustrating precisely because episodes like season 7's "Rubberman" and season 5's "Bible Fruit" show just how great the writers can be when they put their minds to it. This show at its best is satirical and, yes, smart; at its worst it relies on Carl's sleaziness or even outright sadism in the treatment of its characters, all of which leaves about as much of a comedic impression as a series of fart jokes. It is woefully apparent when you're watching an episode of ATHF that its producers just didn't care about either.
Still, this is a series I'm quite fond of; it is compulsively re-watchable and because it's an animated sitcom full of one-and-done episodes, I can just pick the episodes I want to revisit and leave the rest behind. The voice acting in this show is, for the most part, unimpeachable, with fantastic guest voices (Filmmaker Todd Field as a lump of sentient mold named "Ol' Drippy" in season 1 is still one of my favorites in the whole series), and the regular cast is practically iconic at this point.
So many shows have since cribbed (some would say "ripped off") the low-fi back-and-forth awkward pause-filled comedic dialogue that this show pioneered; all the ridiculous animated characters speak so casually and matter-of-factly, which is both hilariously surreal and refreshingly frank.
This show's place in comedy history is practically confirmed at this point. When it was firing on all cylinders it was brilliant and original, with a distinct style all its own.
how the Italian censorship has ruined a cartoon
gesupig1 June 2021
I love this show but in Italy it is extremely censored, there are deleted scenes and some dialogues are modified so as to remove the bad words that are in the original, this in Italy is the most censored cartoon after the first four seasons of south park.
verdict is in...Its stupid but it works.
ThunderKing610 June 2020
Best anime of all time
ryanowens-825181 May 2021
One of the funnier shows on adult swim.
Aaron13753 November 2010
I enjoy this show that comes on cartoon network's adult swims. It has been a mainstay during this period of time for cartoon network for a long time, but it really shows no signs of weakening even to this day. The show centers around Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad. Master shake is a milkshake, frylock a box of fries and Meatwad, he is self explanatory. During the first couple of episodes they were like this crime fighting mystery solving team, but that did not last long as they have since mainly stayed around the house occasionally bothering their neighbor Carl who loathes the sight of them for the most part. The show is funny, took me the longest to finally realize Master Shake was the actual leader of the team, though one can understand my confusion as no one really listens to him and he is rather self serving for the most part. During the course of their adventures they have had to endure their fair share of villains, though most of these 'villains' are harmless to the rest of the world for the most part. They are also way to numerous to list here. My favorite character in the show has to be Carl though. Do not get me wrong, I like the main three, but there is just something so funny about Carl as he has to put up with the strange threesome next door. Though I saw some episode where a family of robots moved in next door as the Aqua Team got taken away by some vampire dude and I do believe he would prefer them to this very annoying family of robots, though I loved it when he pulled out the mini-gun. The show usually hits the mark there are a few shows that are not as good, but usually every episode has its fair share of laughs.
The Best Comedy on Adult Swim
CrassActionHero6 February 2007
Aqua Teen Hunger Force(2000)
Review: This is about three food products solving mysteries....at first. Now it is total chaos and damn fun if you ask me.
This show is just damn funny. We have the arrogant and the leader of the crew Master Shake, we have the geek and intelligent dork Frylock and a wad of meat in Meatwad. All three of them are hilarious together. We also have the unemployed drunk neighbor in Carl who is equally funny too.
The show's greatest strength is the many characters to offer. From a creepy monster from Jupiter, a alien spore named Travis that speaks Japanese, a kind hearted pile of garbage named Ol'Drippy, a group of Leprachans, a moth man, a reincarnating rapper, two dumb aliens, one has a German accent and the other one is laid back.
Of course we can't forget the best. The Mooninites: Ignignot and Err. These two are incredible. These have to be the best thing to cartoons in almost....ever. Really. This show has so many things for our heroes and Carl to deal with. From drunken alien frat boys, to mail order brides.
The Last Word: ATHF delivers. Nothing more. THE MOON RULZ!!
Review: This is about three food products solving mysteries....at first. Now it is total chaos and damn fun if you ask me.
This show is just damn funny. We have the arrogant and the leader of the crew Master Shake, we have the geek and intelligent dork Frylock and a wad of meat in Meatwad. All three of them are hilarious together. We also have the unemployed drunk neighbor in Carl who is equally funny too.
The show's greatest strength is the many characters to offer. From a creepy monster from Jupiter, a alien spore named Travis that speaks Japanese, a kind hearted pile of garbage named Ol'Drippy, a group of Leprachans, a moth man, a reincarnating rapper, two dumb aliens, one has a German accent and the other one is laid back.
Of course we can't forget the best. The Mooninites: Ignignot and Err. These two are incredible. These have to be the best thing to cartoons in almost....ever. Really. This show has so many things for our heroes and Carl to deal with. From drunken alien frat boys, to mail order brides.
The Last Word: ATHF delivers. Nothing more. THE MOON RULZ!!
Weird does not equate to good.
arc_a200718 December 2008
I've watched this show dozens of times by now (for a lack of anything else to watch) and not once have I laughed. Hell, not once have I been entertained! The show has no plot or direction, but that's the point, isn't it? What you're left with then, are low-brau, intelligence-insulting jokes and random one-shot characters. This show is a lot like experimental music, in a way. You feel clever for liking it just because it defies convention. It could be a work of art, but it could just as well be a lazily thrown-together piece of crap. The latter seems to be the case here. But the bottom line is: this is one of the driest shows I've ever seen. I watch it again and again just trying to "get" what's so great about this show. Nope.
I was not put on this earth to listen to meat!
film-critic1 October 2004
Whether it is the opening segments with Dr. Weird or the strange ending credit sequence with Abe Lincoln, Aqua Teen Hunger Force will make your mind boggle as you try to wrap your mind around about twenty minutes of some of the most brilliant animation EVER! I first found this while visiting a friend in Oregon. Let's say that we were not thinking clearly when we put it in, but as the opening rap sequence began, all I could do was laugh. The next morning, I thought perhaps it was just a fluke. Nothing could be as funny as characters like Master Shake, Meatwad, Frylock, and my personal favorite Carl! Boy, was I mistaken.
This series is hysterical. Every episode is full of random events that will make you laugh so hard that you will pee your pants. This show goes beyond the normal cartoon and takes humor to a whole new level. I loved the fact that after the first two episodes the structure changed completely. I don't think they ever solved any crimes, they just argued and dealt with random 'enemies' that just happened to appear. I even thought that just maybe they would loose their momentum after the first season, but yet again I was wrong. The DVD was spectacular and gave a bit more information about the birth of these anti-heroes.
I come from a household without cable, even regular channels are snowed out, so when series like these are released on DVD it is the only opportunity I have to see them. I will say that discovering this series was a high-point in my television on DVD career. I love random chaos, and this is exactly what this show provided.
I would suggest this series to anyone that is a huge fan of social commentary coupled with fast food. While it may not make you hungry, it surely will quench your desire for humor. I still wonder where the writers found the idea for the 'cult' characters the Mooninites. Only on ATHF could this random thought become a reality.
I love this series and cannot wait for the third season!
Grade: ***** out of *****
This series is hysterical. Every episode is full of random events that will make you laugh so hard that you will pee your pants. This show goes beyond the normal cartoon and takes humor to a whole new level. I loved the fact that after the first two episodes the structure changed completely. I don't think they ever solved any crimes, they just argued and dealt with random 'enemies' that just happened to appear. I even thought that just maybe they would loose their momentum after the first season, but yet again I was wrong. The DVD was spectacular and gave a bit more information about the birth of these anti-heroes.
I come from a household without cable, even regular channels are snowed out, so when series like these are released on DVD it is the only opportunity I have to see them. I will say that discovering this series was a high-point in my television on DVD career. I love random chaos, and this is exactly what this show provided.
I would suggest this series to anyone that is a huge fan of social commentary coupled with fast food. While it may not make you hungry, it surely will quench your desire for humor. I still wonder where the writers found the idea for the 'cult' characters the Mooninites. Only on ATHF could this random thought become a reality.
I love this series and cannot wait for the third season!
Grade: ***** out of *****
"I want Carl in charge of me.."
robertbischoff4205 June 2014
I discovered "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" by accident late one evening, and after watching it, I decided to buy Volume 1 on DVD. Well, now I want more of ATHF, mostly because of the neighbor / landlord Carl. I find that I identify with Carl to some extent: heavyset, 50-something, frequently frustrated by other people, a tendency toward sarcasm, and often wearing sweatpants and flip-flops. (Differences, though: I still have my hair, and I don't wear a gold chain. Also, I live in Illinois, not New Jersey.) I'd like to find mostly the Carl-centered episodes, as you've probably guessed. (PS - My middle name is Carl, as well. Coincidence?)
Consistently insanely funny
stargunner21 January 2005
Aquateen Hunger Force - a low budget cartoon sporting a talking shake, meatball, and flying cart of french fries. And don't forget Carl, Dr. Weird and every other uniquely strange character that come around.
Master Shake, Meatwad and Frylock live in 'da hood. Supposedly they are detectives that solve crimes around town, but that only lasted about two episodes. Most of the time they're dealing with Shake's made up problems. Shake believes the world revolves around himself, probably the most self-centered person on the planet - especially towards the naive Meatwad. Frylock can shoot fireballs out of his eyes, can fly and is the most sane of the three.
Aquateens never fails to introduce hilarious characters throughout. Most of them appear in more than one episode, and it's always a treat to see them again. Most notable of these are the Mooninites, a pair of two-dimensional inhabitants of the moon who believe the Earth is primitive and wish to spread their advanced ways, namely stealing Earth merchandise, throughout the planet.
This show is too weird for some because, well, the main characters are food, but if you're used to strange humor this show won't fail to keep you laughing hysterically. A lot of people's first impression is that this show is all about fart jokes and stupid, dry humor; but that is an unfortunate misconception. The dialog is smart and timed well, while full of funny references to today's and tomorrow's culture.
Some of the episodes are hit-or-miss, but for the most part Aquateens doesn't fail to deliver on any level.
If you watch Sealab 2021 or Tom Goes to the Mayor, you'll definitely enjoy Aquateen Hunger Force.
Master Shake, Meatwad and Frylock live in 'da hood. Supposedly they are detectives that solve crimes around town, but that only lasted about two episodes. Most of the time they're dealing with Shake's made up problems. Shake believes the world revolves around himself, probably the most self-centered person on the planet - especially towards the naive Meatwad. Frylock can shoot fireballs out of his eyes, can fly and is the most sane of the three.
Aquateens never fails to introduce hilarious characters throughout. Most of them appear in more than one episode, and it's always a treat to see them again. Most notable of these are the Mooninites, a pair of two-dimensional inhabitants of the moon who believe the Earth is primitive and wish to spread their advanced ways, namely stealing Earth merchandise, throughout the planet.
This show is too weird for some because, well, the main characters are food, but if you're used to strange humor this show won't fail to keep you laughing hysterically. A lot of people's first impression is that this show is all about fart jokes and stupid, dry humor; but that is an unfortunate misconception. The dialog is smart and timed well, while full of funny references to today's and tomorrow's culture.
Some of the episodes are hit-or-miss, but for the most part Aquateens doesn't fail to deliver on any level.
If you watch Sealab 2021 or Tom Goes to the Mayor, you'll definitely enjoy Aquateen Hunger Force.
Brilliant, Absolutely Brilliant
sparta8910 June 2008
Aqua Teen Hunger Force is without a doubt THE best animated show i have ever seen. It is well drawn, well acted and best of all, it's hilarious. The central plot can sometimes be obscure or even missing but the overall degree of humor and antics make up for it. The shows main plot revolves around a handful of characters. Meatwad is the simple minded, child-like one of the few who is constantly abused by Master Shake, much to the dismay of frylock. Shake is the Manipulating, self-centered one who own personal goal is for himself. He is constantly seen abusing meatwad and throwing things such as chairs or phones which for some reason always bursts into flames. Frylock is the intelligent one of the few who always figures out a way to get the latter out of trouble. Carl is the lazy next door neighbor of the ATHF who hates them. If you are a fan of adult swim shows, this one will have you hooked, 10/10.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
