#49 Whatever Happened to Robot Jones? - A funny, new 'toon from Cartoon Network

Popular entertainment needs more robots and giant monsters. Whatever Happened to Robot Jones? adds three hilarious mechanized creatures to the pop culture pantheon. The title character, Robot Jones, is a 6th grade 'bot, whose voice is supplied by speech simulation software not unlike Steven Hawkings. Mom is pink gas pump, and Dad is a factory robot arm with a tie draped around his base.

Much of the humor in the show revolves around robot mayhem. When the mailman comes to the door, Dad barks in a frightening robot monotone, "STATE THE NATURE OF YOUR BUSINESS." When the mailman falters, Dad uses his mechanical arm to lift the postman by the feet and shake the mail out of him while blaring, "INEFFICIENT! INEFFICIENT!"

Like most middle school kids, Robot Jones just wants to fit in with the other kids. So far, his peers include Socks (a pre-stoner who pronounces his buddy's name "robut") and the love interest, Shannon (a girl with an over-the-top orthodontic grill and a metal leg).

Now that the Cal Arts look of Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory and Samurai Jack is becoming the industry standard for US animation, it’s nice to see a show with a different visual vibe (think Schoolhouse Rock with an ‘80s retro fetish). Cartoon Network has only ordered six episodes of this show, so tune in on Fridays at 9:30 before its too late.