Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
| Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law | |
|---|---|
| File:Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law title.jpg Title | |
| Created by | Michael Ouweleen Erik Richter (based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera) |
| Starring | Gary Cole Stephen Colbert Thomas Allen |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of episodes | 32 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 11-12 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Cartoon Network |
| Release | December 30 2000 – present |
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is a comedic American animated television series 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 cartoons produced by Hanna-Barbera, particularly Birdman and the Galaxy Trio.
The show itself is currently produced by Cartoon Network and Turner Studios. The newest season aired on Adult Swim on July 24 2005.
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 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, the Super Friends, and Scooby-Doo, as well as lesser-known characters such as Ding-a-Ling (sidekick of Hokey Wolf) and daredevil Ernie Devlin (from the short-lived series Devlin). 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. To save money, episodes sometimes include old footage from the shows they're spoofing (examples: Shaggy Busted and The Dabba Don).
(The Super Friends represent a special case. For legal reasons, they cannot show the face of the DC Comics characters such as Batman or Superman, but they do show original characters such as Apache Chief and Black Vulcan).
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 (this antecedent is expressly acknowledged in the third season episode Turner Classic Birdman). 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.
The heroes and villains' super-abilities are often interchangeable with sexuality. For example, in an episode that spoofs education films and very special episodes about puberty, Peanut gains special abilities and to his shame has problems controlling them when he has to stand in front of a class. In another episode, Apache Chief accidentally pours hot coffee on his lap which causes him to lose his special ability of growing large at will. In the episode there are jokes about his past of performing in pornographic movies such as "The Chief's Teepee" - thanks to his special ability.
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 Macromedia Flash. The reason for the switch was because 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.
Characters
Sebben and Sebben
- Harvey T. 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 stem from the Crest on his helmet. 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. Quotes
- 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. 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, and 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, and is otherwise spouting off nonsense while off in his own world. He has an ongoing rivalry with Avenger for Harvey's loyalty and recently acquired an archnemesis, Mettalo. He also speaks Japanese. Quotes
- Phil Ken Sebben is the president and founder of the law firm Sebben and Sebben. A former Laff-a-Lympic athlete, he took the Silver for Judo in 1962. Cofounded the firm with twin brother Bill when they were 26. Back when Birdman was a superhero, Phil was Harvey's boss. His code name, "Falcon Seven," sounds like his real name, "Phil Ken Sebben." He is recognizable by his blonde hair, an eyepatch (which may or may not be responsible for his numerous vision problems) and a dark suit. He is extremely rich, so much so that he can actually fill a room with money and swim around in it. He has a habit of laughing randomly whenever he says a double entendre or a non sequitur. He grew his mustache to cover up a scar caused by an accident involving a binder clip. The accident seemed to be about to explain why he wears an eye-patch, but it simply appeared at the same time for no apparent reason. He also has a habit of firing his employees on a whim, and has tried to exercise this on Birdman at times: "Birdman, you're fi- wait..." 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 phrase, and often his only line, is "Did you get that thing I sentcha?" Potamus successfully defended Harvey in a civil trial by getting Shado to admit under oath that Shado had received (but not responded to) a discovery motion sent by Potamus. Quotes
- Azul Falcone is a Spanish lawyer who is very charming and popular. Formerly the superhero Blue Falcon, Falcone was made partner in the Sebben & Sebben firm. Falcone 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 has since been demoted to being a men's room attendant in the Sebben & Sebben building. Azul is likely a Roman Catholic given that he summoned the pope to the witness stand (Episode 8)... however he was called by the name "Larry Stenchik" even though the pope at the time, Pope John Paul II, was born with the name "Karol Józef Wojtyła". Quotes.
- Judy Sebben is Phil's daughter, who seems to be very interested in Harvey's work as a lawyer. After earning a law degree by taking a three-hour course, she joins the firm as an associate and takes on the alter ego of Birdgirl. In her Birdgirl identity, she is frequently the victim of sexual harassment from her father, who doesn't recognize her (or possible knows and doesn't care) and thinks she's a new intern. Peanut seems to be the only person who can tell that Judy Sebben and Birdgirl are the same person.
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 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. Quotes
- Judge Hiram Mightor was a Hanna-Barbera super-hero of the sixties known as the Mighty Mightor, one who lived in prehistoric times with a beautiful wife and a 10-year-old son, 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 1980s rock guitarist (probably Ted Nugent because it was an episode about "guitar control" spoofing gun control), and even 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", "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. Since the Mafia tried to kill him, he makes relatively few appearances.
- Myron Reducto is an attorney at a rival law firm, and is one of Harvey's most common courtroom opponents, as well as one of Birdman's closest friends. He is a small man with green tinged skin, who brandishes 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 eat lunch together. Oddly, Reducto seems to have no problem with the fact that Birdman is uncommonly tall (6'6"). Reducto, unlike most of the former hero/villain characters, seems to have a great deal of trouble letting go of his past. He is 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. Works at Freezoid, Zarog and Skon. His catch phrase if it had to be anything is "back off!" 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, 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.
- Francis X. Shado is another lawyer who looks like a leprechaun and is also a known brain thief, he is known for his persuasive power over juries. According to his business card, he has an LL.M. Works at Freezoid, Zarog and Skon. Prefers to communicate almost entirely telepathically, without opening his mouth, broadcasting his thoughts extremely loudly and annoyingly. He is in an ongoing rivalry with Judge Mentok with the pair attempting to outperform the other in feats of mind taking/brain thievery.
Others
- X the Eliminator is a former villain of Birdman's who is far more pathetic than threatening. He was 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. He did obtain the Crest once, but Harvey tricked him into returning it. He has a flair for the dramatic, although this only comes through when he is near victory. Despite his claim of being an early adopter, X's tool of choice is an ungainly silver death console that uses obsolete technology (vacuum tubes). 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. His power is enlarging himself to immense size. After being fired, he used that power in several pornographic movies, a career move he later regretted. He also worked essentially as a roadside attraction. Later, he teamed up with a number of other small-time superheroes to form The Multiculture Pals. 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.
- Elliott, the Deadly Duplicator is an embittered former rival of Birdman's, who wears glasses that shoot duplicating rays. He has two of everything: two cats, two cars, two mailboxes, two bathrooms, two beds... Runs a copy shop that promises "all copies done in an hour." When asked about the amount of time, he doubles it: "Wow, you can really get all this done in an hour?" "Two hours." "Okay... see you in two-" "Four Hours.", etc. He is in charge of office supplies at Sebben & Sebben, characteristically giving employees two of almost everything – two shredders, two staplers, two staples, etc.
- 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. Despite his blatant presence in many scenes, the other characters in the series rarely acknowledge his existence. The most involved role he has ever played was during an episode where it was strongly implied, though never actually proven, that Bear was travelling throughout the firm at high speeds, stealing furniture and office supplies.
- Gigi is a recurring character, first appearing in the second 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. In the Adult Swim show Space Ghost Coast to Coast, she appeared as a distraught and scruffy Harvey Birdman's ex-wife when he took over the show for a night because Space Ghost was in jail.
- 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 is much better off than X, and lives in a well-furnished apartment or condominium. There have been hints that Zardo may be interested in more than just friendship with X, who is entirely oblivious to any such hints. Zardo also has characteristics of fanboyism, but much toned down compared to X.
- The Bartender is the unnamed 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's at once apathetic and irresponsible, and has no qualms about serving alcohol to children. He seems to have the same twisted sense of humor as Peanut. Curiously, he charges his customers in Euros rather than U.S. Dollars.
- Dvd is Sebben and Sebben's efficiency expert. Formerly named David, he eliminated the vowels from his own name to save time. Dvd briefly instituted a battery of oppressive office efficiency measures, including replacing Birdman's secretary Debbie with a PDA, replacing the office elevator with an energy-saving firepole, and imposing a maximum usage of one sheet of bathroom tissue per restroom visit.
- 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 "Supervolt," but has since accepted "Black Vulcan" (which he insists was a racist joke made by Aquaman) as his super-moniker. Every time he appears, he or another character says some variation on "In my pants", similar in concept to the "in bed" game played with fortune cookie fortunes. Quotes
- Debbie is Birdman's secretary and receptionist. Most often her appearances are only as an impatient, annoyed voice over the intercom. She has also mistaken X several times, such as interior decorator and bug exterminator. She sexually harassed Black Vulcan once (apparently only as an example in an Employee Orientation Film) and was made redundant by a PDA called the Supercalifragalisticexpiefficaceous by Dvd.
- Jesse Jackson is a member of the Multiculture Pals, apparently acting as a superhero. He helped Harvey beat his tanning cream addiction, and once layed an egg. Somehow.
- N!!!butu (see click consonant) is a chief who looks just like one of the natives in the closing credits of Jonny Quest. He is a member of the Laff-a-Lympics committee and makes random appearances in many episodes. He has a son who looks exactly like him, N!!!butu, Jr.
Cast
- Gary Cole as Harvey Birdman, Hiram Mightor
- Stephen Colbert as Myron Reducto, Phil Ken Sebben
- Thomas Allen as Peanut
- John Michael Higgins as Mentok
- Peter MacNicol as X the Eliminator
- Frank Welker as Avenger, Fred Jones, Jabberjaw, Biff
- Joe Alaskey as Peter Potamus (1st Voice)
- Chris Edgerly as Peter Potamus (2nd Voice), Mr. Finkerton, The Funky Phantom, Augie Doggie, Captain Caveman, Fancy Fancy
- Debi Mae West as Gigi
- Maurice LaMarche as Apache Chief, Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear, Inch High, Speed Buggy, Stan Freezoid, Azul Falcone, Doggy Daddy, Droopy, Quick Draw McGraw, Wally Gator, Morocco Mole, Cavey Jr., Mr. Peebles, Magilla Gorilla, Benny the Ball, Dum Dum
- Michael McKean as Spyro
- Neil Ross as Vulturo, Dr. Benton Quest, Ding-A-Ling Wolf
- Phil LaMarr as Black Vulcan
- Matt Peccini as The Bear
- Paget Brewster as Birdgirl
Guest Appearances
- Jack Angel as various voices (in "Very Personal Injury")
- Dee Bradley Baker as Jonny Quest (in "Bannon Custody Case")
- Michael Bell as Zan (in "Very Personal Injury")
- Lewis Black as Elliott, The Deadly Duplicator (in "Sebben & Sebben Employee Orientation" and "Identity Theft")
- Steven Blum as Yakky Doodle (in "Gone Efficien...t" and "Identity Theft"), Clamhead (in "Identity Theft")
- Grey DeLisle as Daphne (in "Shaggy Busted")
- Bill Farmer as Secret Squirrel (in "Birdgirl of Guatanamole")
- Mark Hamill as Ricochet Rabbit (in "X Gets The Crest")
- Toby Huss as Ernie Devlin (in "The Devlin Made Me Do It") and Shado (in "Harvey's Civvy")
- Scott Innes as Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, Scrappy Doo ("Shaggy Busted")
- Tom Kenny as Boo-Boo Bear (in "Death By Chocolate"), Elroy Jetson, Orbity (in "Back to the Present"), Top Cat and Choo Choo (in "Mindless")
- Steve Landesberg as Dr. Quincy ("Death by Chocolate") and Bailiff ("The Dabba Don")
- Tress MacNeille as Wilma Flintstone, Pebbles Flintstone (in "The Dabba Don")
- Larry Morris as Birdman in live action segments (numerous episodes).
- Laraine Newman as Sybil Schussler (in "Very Personal Injury")
- Rob Paulsen as Baba Louie ("Guitar Control")
- Thom Pinto as Race Bannon (in "Bannon Custody Case" and "Return of Birdgirl")
- Doug Preis as Thundarr (in "The Dabba Don"), Beegle Beagle (in "Grape Juiced")
- Kevin Michael Richardson as Barney Rubble ("The Dabba Don")
- André Sogliuzzo as Dynomutt (in "Deadomutt Part 1")
- B.J. Ward as Velma ("Shaggy Busted")
- Billy West as Dr. Zin (in "Bannon Custody Case")
- Wally Wingert as Hadji (in "Bannon Custody Case"), Mr. Harry Twiddles, Moby Dick (in "SPF"), George Jetson, Astro ("Back to the Present")
Crew
- Michael Ouweleen, Erik Richter -- Creators/Writers
- Evan W. Adler -- Producer
- Richard Ferguson-Hull -- Director (Second and Third Seasons)
- Ben Jones -- Director (First Season)
- Vincent Waller -- Director (First Season)
- JJ Sedelmaier -- Director (Pilot)
- Kevin Desmarais -- Line Producer
- Lisa Jones -- Associate Producer
- Dan Sousa -- Storyboards, Animation
- Sean Lattrell -- Storyboards
- Les Harper -- Lead Animator (Episodes 10-22)
- Steve Vitale -- Lead Animator (Episodes 23-33)
- Brian DeTagyos -- Animator
- Jon Henshaw -- Animator
- Bryan Capik -- Animator
- Adam Fuchs -- Animator
- Mario Orlando -- Animator
- Victor Beitzel -- Ink and Paint, Special Systems
- Jeff Brody -- Composite
- Daniel Golden -- Backgrounds
- David DiMatteo -- Backgrounds
Episodes
In production order. Repeats on Adult Swim show the episodes in this order, as do the DVDs. The premiere date, on the right, may be out of order.
Volume 1
Pilot - 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
Volume 2
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
Volume 3
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 - (currently in production)
EP34 - (currently in production)
EP35 - (currently in production)
EP36 - (currently in production)
EP37 - (currently in production)
EP38 - (currently in production)
EP39 - (currently in production)
DVD Boxsets
Volume Releases
| DVD Name | Release Date | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Volume One | April 12 2005 | The boxset contains the first 13 episodes of the show (Bannon Custody Battle though High Speed Buggy Chase) on 2 discs (presented in production order), along with commentaries on selected episodes, deleted scenes, and other special features. |
| Volume Two | [[]] 2006 | Will contain the next 26 episodes of the series (Episode 14, "Back to the Present", through the as yet unnamed Episode 39) in production order. |