#101 Ren & Stimpy

John Krikfalusi's now classic cartoon is enjoying a revival on Spike (the first network for really stupid men.) Spumco has produced several new, half-hour episodes under the moniker "Ren and Stimpy's Adult Party Cartoon. The new episodes stand apart from the originals thanks to their more "adult" sensibility. Let's put it this way; Ren is the pitcher and Stimpy's the catcher. Rumor has it that a recent episode that Krikfalusi and the gang delivered was too hot for Spike's network execs.

Spike is also re-running the old episodes, including the long lost, unaired classic "Man's Best Friend." The ultra-violent episode is a shining example of the Spumco team at their peak. I just saw the "Son of Stimpy," the show's stab at a Christmas special. Seeing the film-noir influnced expressionism of Spumco's backgrounds and hearing the vocal genius of John Krikfalusi and Billy West reminded my why I loved the cartoon in the first place. It was, and still is, an example of pure anarchic genius.