Fans of THE WALKING DEAD are legion. They show up at
conventions across the country decked out in cosplay costumes as their favorite
character hoping to have a picture taken with a cast member, purchasing tons of
items related to the show, watching in parties and following up the show with
TALKING DEAD, the show that follows each episode where guests chat with host
Chris Hardwick. These are hard core fans who treat the show with respect.
On the other hand ROBOT CHICKEN, the series found on Adult
Swim, is a series created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich that skewers all
things pop culture. Using stop animation of action figures and some other
animations styles the show has been a huge success and done tribute specials to
series like STAR WARS and DC COMICS. So it wasn’t a surprise to learn that they
were making a show dedicated to THE WALKING DEAD.
What makes it even more special is that the folks behind TWD
were on board to help and became involved in the special as well. Series and
comic book creator Robert Kirkman and series producer Scott Gimple were both in
the writing room before the show was shot. Actors from the series came in and
did the voice overs for the special.
Green and Senreich as fans of the show did what they normally do which
is take the serious subject matter and make it as funny as possible.
The special opens in the world of TWD with a future museum
offering up various artifacts of the time period that the show takes place, a
number of these items hilarious. As they move further into the museum they come
to the only zombie in the world left and caged which doesn’t sit well with one
guests. The old man upset turns out to be Carl Rimes from the series who begins
telling one young man about what really happened back then.
What follows is a series of snippets that offer humorous
takes on everything from zombies seeking human flesh to bad guy Negan
presenting his signature knee bending move as a dance video. Some hit and some
miss but the hits are more plentiful and will have fans of both shows laughing
as they hit the screen. With the exception of the opening and closing segments
there is no linear story going on here. It is a collection of incredibly short
skits based around single concepts for each for the most part that are
hilarious. Think Saturday Night Live if they would filter out the far too
lengthy sketches and just use the funny parts (few though that series has these
days).
In addition to the hour long special there are plenty of
extras to enjoy here as well. Those include INSIDE THE ROBOT CHICKEN WALKING
DEAD SPECIAL: LOOK WHO’S WALKING, cut sketches, a commentary track, SKETCHES TO
DIE FOR, BAWKWARD and a behind the scenes look at the making of the show.
If you’re a fan of either program this is one you’ll want to
add to your collection. Being one myself I found the program to offer some
funny takes on some otherwise serious moments from TWD show that should make it
easier on fans who were shaken to the core certain events. It helps to know the
series the special pays tribute to and things that have happened along the way.
As the latest season winds down this is coming out at just
the right time. Once it ends and fans go into hibernation waiting for the next
season to unwind or the release of the current season to come out on disc, they
can put this in and be reminded of some of their favorite moments while having
a laugh at the way things could have been if Green and Senreich were left in
charge of the series. For now just sit back, watch the special and have a
laugh.
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