Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
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| Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law | |
|---|---|
 Title |
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| Genre | Animated series |
| Running time | 12 minutes |
| Creator(s) | Michael Ouweleen Erik Richter (based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera) |
| Starring | Gary Cole Stephen Colbert Thomas Allen |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Original channel | Cartoon Network |
| Original run | December 30, 2000–present |
| No. of episodes | 37 |
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is a comedic American animated television series created by Williams Street that airs on Cartoon Network during its Adult Swim late night programming block. The series' pilot first aired in 2000, followed by an episodic series in 2001. The show revolves around the day-to-day activities of a law firm staffed mainly by superheroes and other characters featured in 1960s-era animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera, particularly Birdman and the Galaxy Trio.
The show itself is currently produced by Cartoon Network and Turner Studios. The third season began airing on Adult Swim on July 24, 2005. Season 4 premiered October 2, 2006 and contains 7 episodes to complete Volume 3[1]. It also coincided with the DVD release of Harvey Birdman Volume 2 which was released on October 10, 2006.
The series will come to an end sometime in 2007 ending with a total of 39 episodes.
Contents |
[edit] Premise
The show features ex-superhero Harvey Birdman as an attorney working for a prestigious law firm, along with other cartoon stars such as Blue Falcon and Peter Potamus. Although he is most often portrayed as a criminal defense attorney, Harvey also serves as a civil litigator, depending on the plot of a particular episode.
Harvey's clients are primarily composed of characters taken from Hanna-Barbera cartoon series of the 1960s and '70s; this roster includes some of the studio's most popular stars, including Fred Flintstone, Scooby-Doo, and the specially-created members of the Super Friends, as well as lesser-known characters such as Ding-a-Ling (sidekick of Hokey Wolf) and the Funky Phantom (from the short-lived series The Funky Phantom). Many of Birdman's nemeses featured in his former cartoon series have also become attorneys, and often represent the opposing side of a given case.
While the series remains faithful to its premise, it also uses an absurdist style of comedy, featuring characters, objects, and jokes that are briefly introduced and rarely (if ever) referenced thereafter. Also, because the series also relies heavily on pop culture references to classic television animation, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law constantly delves into parody, even featuring clips of these series, or specially-created scenes which mimic the distinctive style of the animation being referenced.
Because of this approach, continuity is largely disregarded, though occasionally hinted: it is strongly implied that Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law serves as a sequel to Birdman and the Galaxy Trio. Instead of rigid plot structure, much of the humor is derived from the fact that superheroes and supervillains are given more realistic and human qualities; for example, Birdman's former nemesis Reducto, a mad scientist who carries a shrink ray, becomes "Myron Reducto," an obsessive-compulsive and paranoid attorney who carries a shrink ray.
It is interesting to note that although the first season was animated using traditional cel animation, starting with the second season, the show is currently produced using Adobe Flash. The reason for the switch was that the Korean animation studio was having a hard time getting the fast pace of the show correct and thus the production of episodes slowed down due to constant re-takes. By animating the series in the U.S. with Flash, not only are problems corrected faster, but production costs are much lower. Animation has also been done for Birdman in Vancouver, Canada.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Sebben and Sebben
- Harvey Birdman starred in the Hanna-Barbera show Birdman and the Galaxy Trio in the sixties. He gets strength and power from sunlight, and grows weak if kept away from the sun for too long. His superpowers include flight, the ability to create a solid light shield, and the ability to shoot energy beams from his hands. These powers are thought to stem from the Crest on his helmet, though Harvey isn't entirely sure of the crest's true role in his powers. He has since retired from his superhero job and is now working for the law firm of Sebben and Sebben. His connections to the superhero community are extensive; it is implied that he and Batman go way back. Harvey is six and a half feet tall, and has large wings growing out of his back. The wings are actually part of his body, and were genetically inherited from his father. He wears a suit and his old superhero mask. His clients consist of other Hanna-Barbera characters of the past and present. After Phil's death, he briefly took over the firm from Peter Potamus in accordance to what he believed to be Phil's last wishes, until Phil's will revealed that the firm was to pass to his daughter Judy.
- Avenger, a large purple eagle, is Harvey's old sidekick, now serving as his legal secretary. Avenger sits on a perch on Harvey's desk, and sleeps in a canary cage in the office at night. Avenger's tasks usually involve taking dictation or filing. Avenger is badly hindered by his inability to speak, even though it is clear that he can understand, or at least perceive, the meaning in the speech of other characters. However, in the season premiere Avenger somehow gains the ability to speak and sounds like a parrot as well using a lot of slurs. Avenger can type and write English by claw, and Harvey seems to understand every "caw" he says. Harvey once remarked that he would have lost every case were it not for Avenger. He's often seen carrying Scrappy Doo or Jonny Quest's dog Bandit, and, while he obviously intends to eat the pups, mostly just seems to enjoy keeping the dead dogs around to play with rather than snack on.
- Peanut looks exactly like Birdman's old sometime-sidekick Birdboy, only with a pink vest on. Unlike Birdman, Peanut's powers are not natural. His wings are metal or wooden, and it's strongly implied that he got them to get hired by Birdman. His shield and energy beams come from "power bands" on his wrists, though in episode 17, Peanut Puberty, his super powers start to "develop", and the entire episode acts as a metaphor for puberty. Peanut was introduced when hired by Harvey as a legal clerk. Peanut, however, has never really been seen doing any actual work. He is often working behind the scenes towards uncertain or explicitly seedy ends (it is sometimes intimated that he has connections with organized crime), and is otherwise spouting off nonsense while off in his own world. In most cases, he is unnervingly cool and calculated, often in extreme contrast to the goings-on around him. He has an ongoing rivalry with Avenger for Harvey's loyalty and recently acquired an archnemesis, Metallo. He also speaks Japanese and Spanish. Quotes
- Phil Ken Sebben was the president and founder of the law firm Sebben and Sebben. Back when Birdman was a superhero, Phil was Harvey's boss, whom he called by his code name, "Falcon Seven." He was recognizable by his blonde hair, an eyepatch (which may or may not have been responsible for his numerous vision problems) and a dark suit. He cofounded the firm with twin brother Bill when they were 26 (they were distinguishable by the fact their eyepatches are on opposite eyes). He had a habit of laughing randomly whenever he said a double entendre or a non sequitur. He also had a habit of firing his employees on a whim, and had tried to exercise this on Birdman at times.
'Quotes'
- Peter Potamus works at the law firm of Sebben and Sebben as a fellow lawyer. The former star of Peter Potamus and His Magic Flying Balloon, he has taken the role of annoying co-worker, as well as an accomplished lecher and glutton. His catch phrases, and often his only lines, are "Did you get that thing I sentcha?" or, when he is unexpectedly caught having sex, a quick "What the-?" Quotes
- Antonio de Ribera Garcia Azul Falcón ('Blue' to his friends) is a Spanish lawyer who is very charming and popular. Formerly the superhero Blue Falcon, Falcón was made partner in the Sebben & Sebben firm. Falcón often relies on his sidekick Dyno-Mutt. Has a penchant for giving away "expensive and beautiful" silk clothing, which is often a cue for throwing an impromptu party ("Now, we make PARTY!"). An incompetent lawyer, he was demoted to being a men's room attendant in the Sebben & Sebben building, until being promoted back to being a lawyer by Harvey whilst he was in charge of the law firm. Quotes
- Judy Sebben is Phil's daughter, who seems to be very interested in Harvey's work as a lawyer. She takes on the alter ego of Birdgirl and attempts to ingratiate herself with the "bird team". However, her over-eagerness and clumsiness grates on Harvey, and he only begrudgingly accepts her role as his "sidekick". Birdgirl seems to be a living harkening back to the action TV shows of the 60's and 70's, often using full-screen sound effects like "Punch!" and "Wham!" as on the original Batman series; she also gave Harvey's inconspicuous sedan a complete overhaul, changing it into the Birdmobile (akin to the Batmobile, complete with "recirc rocket"). Despite her habit of speaking her inner monologue regarding her secret identity out loud (and often into an amplifying device of some sort), Peanut appears to be the only one who recognizes her as Judy under her Birdgirl outfit.
- Bear is a recurring pantomime character who appears randomly throughout each episode, often at the end and joining in with the laughter of the rest of the cast. Bear's actual role at the lawfirm is unclear, and his presence among the employees seems to often go unnoticed or uncommented by the others. He is often seen randomly assisting the others in various bizarre tasks, including skeet shooting and digging a large hole with Peanut in the middle of Harvey's office.
[edit] Rival lawyers
- Myron Reducto was an attorney at Freezoid, Zarog & Skon, and was one of Harvey's most common courtroom opponents, as well as one of Birdman's closest friends. He was a small man with green tinged skin, who brandished a shrink-ray. He and Birdman were bitter enemies back during the old days, but seem to have put aside their differences, clashing only on a professional level. They often ate lunch together. Oddly, Reducto seemed to have no problem with the fact that Birdman is uncommonly tall (6'6"). Reducto, unlike most of the former hero/villain characters, seemed to have a great deal of trouble letting go of his past. He was also obsessed with booty as well as things that are smaller than him, like Inch High, Private Eye. Highly obsessive compulsive and prone to occasional paranoid and/or conspiracy theorist monologues. Oddly enough, they seem to be correct. He was killed when run over by a miniature car. Two of Reducto's catch phrases seem to be "Back off!" and "I will shrink you!" Quotes
- Vulturo is another of Harvey's rival lawyers. He was a villain in Birdman's old show. Harvey seems to fear his litigation prowess. His primary set-back is a speech impediment that he seems entirely unaware of. He has a thick, pompous "Shakespearean" voice (sounding more than a little like James Mason), and though he will often start talking in a normal voice, he soon trails off into incomprehensible gibberish. This seems to have little effect on his success rate as a lawyer. He lives in an underground lair, somewhat similar to the Batcave. His original assistant, Dirth, was a robotic vulture. Vulturo fired him because he had "trouble with dictation," though this appears to have been because of Vulturo's speech pattern. Avenger briefly worked as Vulturo's assistant.
- Evelyn Spyro Throckmorton is another villain/lawyer with Shakespearean tendencies. He acts very theatrically and stages theater in the courtroom as arguments, both spoken word plays and opera. He attended Choate Rosemary Hall and Yale Law School, where he was frequently beaten. Often talks above witnesses, questioning them in foreign languages. Usually appears in criminal trials for the state, making it a very strong possibility that he is a district attorney.
- Stan Freezoid is another villain/lawyer, with freezing ability. His personality and demeanor as a lawyer is that of a stereotypical ambulance chaser, though Reducto says he is "The best criminal defense attorney around." He gets most of his clients when they slip and fall on the ice that he carelessly creates while walking down the street. His business suit appears to be painted onto his robotic form. Seems like a nice guy, but he has an explosive temper when ignored, often threatening, "I'll freeze your ass!" Senior Partner (and presumably co-founder) at Freezoid, Zarog and Skon.
[edit] Court
- Judge Mentok the Mindtaker was a former enemy of Birdman. It seems that the two have dropped the grudge and are friends. Mentok has helped Harvey out in some episodes, while in others he seems to antagonize Harvey. He has various, near godlike, psychic powers including the ability to teleport, read minds, hypnotize, predict the future and move things with telekinesis - all referred to as "mind taking". He has been given the personality of a flamboyant stage magician; because of this, he often predicts the outcome of the cases he presides over before they have even started. He has a flair for the dramatic and often makes a grand entrance, such as appearing in a cloud of smoke or from a bolt of lightning. He also has a habit of imitating a theremin when carrying on with great vanity about his powers. Judge Mentok was apparently sent to Earth as an infant in a scene based on the 1978 Superman movie. As his rocket took off, Momtok, his mother, told him not to go into law. For a time he worked as a genie. Mentok's gavel is a brain that squeaks when struck. He also seems to enjoy annoying the courtroom's Bailiff, while the bailiff just ignores him and stares forward with blank expression. Quotes.
- Judge Hiram Mightor was a Hanna-Barbera super-hero of the sixties known as the Mighty Mightor, one who lived in prehistoric times and got his powers from a magic club. He uses such a club as a gavel of sorts and speaks with a southern accent (as opposed to the cartoon from which he is derived). He dresses in traditional judge's robes and wig, the effect of which is slightly marred by the large horns that protrude from the top of his mask. Mightor is always coughing up various objects, including a squirrel, a clown car, a miniature Yngwie J. Malmsteen in an episode about "guitar control" (spoofing gun control), and a much smaller version of himself and his judge's bench (which also coughs up another judge's bench). He also seems to have a problem remembering people's names. On more than one occasion he has called Harvey "Mister Birdbath", "Mr Bumnuts", "Mr. Ben Folds Five", "Beanbag", and "Bootylicious". He has a history of corruption; he took bribes from the "guitar lobby" and used to accept kickbacks from organized crime as well. On a few occasions, when a double entendre is made in a court case about something related to male genitalia, the scene will briefly cut to Mightor in a setting holding a long object upwards, while swirling it around slightly and saying, "Deedle-deedle-dee." The creators of the show said in a season 1 audio commentary that they were getting sick of the character and that's why he was seemingly killed off in the episode "The Dabba Don". His body is seen lying under a rock with his trademark horned hat on top, though he can be heard muttering "Hello?", and later he appears to be gunned down by the Ant Hill Mob at some tollbooths (in yet another Godfather reference, seen as part of the montage that accompanies Spyro Thockmorton's operatic closing 'remarks'). He has appeared in several episodes since, though he is only seen briefly.
[edit] Others
- X the Eliminator is an enemy of Birdman's who was originally commissioned by the organization F.E.A.R. to obtain the Crest on Birdman's helmet; his failure to do so has over several decades turned him into a stalking fanboy with a love/hate relationship with Birdman. He has a flair for the dramatic, although this only comes through when he is near victory. X's tool of choice is an ungainly silver death console with a telescoping laser emitter that uses obsolete vacuum tube technology. X often misses opportunities to attack Birdman with his death console because it takes a long time to recharge after he fires it. X is never seen outside his hooded costume, and still lives with his mother in a room filled with Birdman memorabilia.
- Apache Chief is a small-time superhero who was once a member of the Super Friends, whose power is enlarging himself to immense size. Chief once lost his powers after spilling hot coffee on his lap—they have since returned, but he is still very wary around hot liquids. As a fellow third-string superhero, Harvey often comes to Apache for advice.
- Gigi is a recurring character, first appearing in the first season episode Trio's Company. She is a flighty, easily distracted woman. She has at least ten husbands and philanders with every male on the show except Harvey (despite his being one of her husbands). She also calls him "Harry". She is based on the character "Gravity Girl" (hence the name: G.G.= Gigi) from the original Birdman and the Galaxy Trio.
- Zardo is X's best friend, given up his life of crime/villainy apparently to be a homemaker and best friend of X. He has a mace in place of a left hand, is never seen without his bullet-shaped helmet, through which only his eyes can be seen, and speaks with a vaguely foreign-sounding accent. Zardo also has characteristics of fanboyism, but much toned down compared to X.
- Alexander The Bartender is the man behind the counter at the Birdcage, a bar Harvey frequents with his friends. Oddly, he appears to be a former agent of F.E.A.R., an organization that was determined to destroy Birdman in his superhero days. He first appears on the 2nd episode. He seems to have the same twisted sense of humor as Peanut.
- Black Vulcan is a small-time superhero who was once a member of the Super Friends. His power is that of lightning, which he sums up as, "Pure electricity. In my pants." He used to insist upon being called "Superbolt," but has since accepted "Black Vulcan" as his super-moniker, although he insists he got the name because of racism. Every time he appears, he or another character says some variation on "In my pants". Quotes
[edit] Cast
[edit] Crew
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[edit] Guest appearances
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[edit] Episodes
See also: List of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law episodes
In production order. Repeats on Adult Swim show the episodes in this order, as do the DVDs. Because of this the premiere dates, on the right, are out of order.
[edit] Volume 1: 2000-2004
Pilot - Birdman Coast To Coast - Precise date unknown, 2000
EP01 - Bannon Custody Battle - December 30, 2000
EP02 - Very Personal Injury - September 23, 2001
EP03 - Shaggy Busted - July 7, 2002
EP04 - Death By Chocolate - July 14, 2002
EP05 - Shoyu Weenie - July 21, 2002
EP06 - The Dabba Don - July 28, 2002
EP07 - Deadomutt, Part 1 - May 25, 2003
EP08 - Deadomutt, Part 2 - June 1, 2003
EP09 - X, The Exterminator - June 8, 2003
EP10 - SPF - May 9, 2004
EP11 - The Devlin Made Me Do It - April 25, 2004
EP12 - Trio's Company - April 18, 2004
EP13 - High Speed Buggy Chase - May 2, 2004
[edit] Volume 2: 2004-2005
EP14 - Back to the Present - May 16, 2004
EP15 - Blackwatch Plaid - January 1, 2004
EP16 - Grape Juiced - May 30, 2004
EP17 - Peanut Puberty - June 6, 2004
EP18 - Gone Efficien...t - June 13, 2004
EP19 - Droopy Botox - July 18, 2004
EP20 - Guitar Control - November 2, 2004
EP21 - Booty Noir - July 24, 2005
EP22 - Harvey's Civvy - July 31, 2005
EP23 - X Gets the Crest - August 7, 2005
EP24 - Birdgirl of Guantanamole - August 14, 2005
EP25 - Beyond the Valley of the Dinosaurs - August 28, 2005
EP26 - Evolutionary War - September 4, 2005
[edit] Volume 3: 2005-2007
EP27 - Turner Classic Birdman - August 21, 2005
EP28 - Free Magilla - September 11, 2005
EP29 - Return of Birdgirl - September 18, 2005
EP30 - Mindless - September 25, 2005
EP31 - Identity Theft - October 23, 2005
EP32 - Sebben and Sebben Employee Orientation - October 16, 2005
EP33 - Mufti Trouble - October 2, 2006
EP34 - Incredible Hippo - October 9, 2006
EP35 - Babysitter - October 16, 2006
EP36 - Birdnapped - October 23, 2006
EP37 - Grodin - October 30, 2006
EP38 - TBA-TBA, 2007
EP39 - TBA-TBA, 2007
[edit] DVD Boxsets
Volume releases
| DVD Name | Release Date | Ep # | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume One | April 12, 2005 | 13 | This two disc boxset contains the first 13 episodes of the show ("Bannon Custody Battle" through "High Speed Buggy Chase") in production order, along with commentaries on selected episodes, deleted scenes, and other special features. |
| Volume Two | October 10, 2006 | 13 | This two disc boxset contains the next 13 episodes of the show ("Back to the Present" through "Evolutionary War") in production order, along with commentaries on 9 episodes, additional footage and other special features. |
| Volume Three | TBA 2007 | 13 | This two disc boxset will contain the final 13 episodes of the show ("Turner Classic Birdman" through TBA) in production order. |
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Official Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law Website
- AdultSwim.co.uk - Watch Harvey Birdman on Adult Swim UK
- IGN's 10 Questions: Harvey Birdman
- IGN's review of the DVD set, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Volume 1
- Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law at the Internet Movie Database
- Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law at TV.com
Categories: Cleanup from November 2006 | All pages needing cleanup | 2000 television program debuts | 2000s TV shows in the United States | Animated television series | Crossover fiction | Fictional lawyers | Shows on Adult Swim | Television spin-offs | Williams Street Studios series and characters | Flash cartoons | Legal television series | Teletoon shows
