Christian Jacobs (who served in Japan) is really excited about his new television show, The Aquabats! Super Show! (the double exclamation marks give it away). Come to think of it, the enthusiastic punctuation is a microcosm for the entire show — enthusiastic silliness on parade. The show, which airs on the Hub Television Network is for children but it’s almost more for the adults (that is if you watched a healthy…um, unhealthy amount of cartoons as a child).
If you’re unfamiliar with the Aquabats (which would be a real shame) you should know that they are a band that started in Orange County, California in the 1990s. They play rock music (but early on they were big in the ska and punk scene). Besides good fun music, the identifying feature of the Aquabats is that they dress as superheroes during their concerts and each band member has his own superhero name and backstory.
The Aquabats! Super Show! takes their stage persona to the television screen, making them part superhero, part band, and really hilarious to watch. Since, the Aquabats are a band, music is an important part of the show — definitely the best music you will find on a kids show. The show’s humor is quirky and consists mostly of puns and slapstick.
But what makes the show, is the never ending thread of ironic homages to the Saturday morning cartoons of the last 30 years. Children will enjoy the show but it’s the adults who will love the show for its nostalgic feel.
To give you a flavor of the show, the third episode featured John Heder (who served a mission to Japan) as the evil brother of Aquabats member, EagleBones Falconhawk (Ian Fowles, who served in Ohio). At one point during the episode, they have an electric guitar duel (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World style) with sparks flying. Not to give too much away, but Eaglebones is unable to defeat his brother until he is visited by a mystic power giving him the power of The Dude, an invisible bird.
Watch the show Saturdays on The Hub at 11am ET, 8am PT.
Image Attribution: The Hub
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