Freak factor

Newsday ^ | March 4, 2004 | NOEL HOLSTON

[outfield]

No one will accuse the creators of "Tripping the Rift" (10:30 tonight, Sci Fi) of being fainthearted. In the opening episode of this new computer-animated series, Chode (Stephen Root, "Newsradio"), the bulbous, Barney-colored commander of the Jupiter 42 space vessel, and his much more refined robot Gus (Maurice La- Marche, current voice of Yosemite Sam and other Looney Tunes characters) sign up for a time-travel excursion that promises to take them back to the beginning, the Big Bang, where they hope to see God. Instead, they accidentally run him down.

When they return to their own time, the universe is vastly different. For instance, a baseball star who has just won the World Series declares on intergalactic TV that he's "going to the happiest place on earth - Jerusalem."

Created by Chuck Austen and Chris Moeller, "Tripping the Rift" originated as a downloadable short on the Internet. Now a full-fledged Sci Fi series, it's reminiscent of Matt Groening's "Futurama," but bolder and more creatively animated.

The array of sentient beings is amazing, both in color and locomotion. The humor is irreverent, smart and raunchy. Everything from religious fanaticism to airport security gets satirized.

Don't be surprised if it becomes the biggest cult-hit 'toon since "South Park."

[outfield]

Great, just what we need. More garbage like south park. Has anyone seen this show? It sounds absolutely over the line and I hope the FCC does something about it.

[perfect stranger]

I'll find out for you.

I'm not big on the premise that they killed god, but I like Stephen Root's work.

[MD_Willington_1976]

Yeah I watched it...

[augggh]

I saw it, and thought it was pretty funny.

Of course, I also like South Park and think that calling in the FedGov to regulate TV shows should be the absolute last resort.

Your mileage may vary.

[musical_airman]

I saw the tail end of that one, and yes, they kill God (by accident)and everyone is pretty happy because they know nothing of good and evil. So, the ship's captain and crew are having fun being evil (unbeknownst to everyone else) then the idea of evil gets out and the universe goes to hell. Then, they go back to save God- and they do- but God gets his payback. I laughed. It was funny. IT'S CALLED SATIRE PEOPLE! Relax. The right to freedom of speech can be a real bitch sometimes, I know.

[Warlord David]

I have seen comercials for this show "Tripping the Rift" when kids are home after school. Believe it or not. And what I have seen, it enough to make one sick. This will make garbage TV look like upper class or upper crust in garbage. And there nothing smart about it either. Just more stupid garbage on TV. Haven't seen or heard of South Park. I hope I never do. I wish SciFi channel would stick to a more action or mystery scifi shows instead of garbage. I guess the shows writer are losing their mental ability to write anything but garbage now days. Due to a dummy down public education system.

[perfect stranger]

Yes, I know it's called satire.

I expect to watch it tonight, but I'm just so used to surfing right past Sci-Fi channel just from force of habit.

[Long Cut]

I saw the show and laughed heartily. God DOES get even in the end, and some good points were made. Raunchiness doesn't offend me at all; I've been a Navy Sailor for ten years.

The FCC should stick to regulating broadcast frequencies. NO government agency should have the ability to regulate content; else ANYTHING can eventually be banned.

Besides, "Tripping The Rift" is on cable, which is thankfully outside the FCC's tentacles, at least for now.

SPIKE-TV is now airing an animated show called "This Just IN", whose main character is a CONSERVATIVE who absolutely destroys liberals. In the opener, Ted The Swimmer got demolished perfectly. After causing a car to go off a bridge, a drunken Kennedy looks at the conservative whose car he passed out in and says, "You were a lot prettier last time". Mr Kennedy is also shown falling out of an airplane drunk on a toilet.

I'm sure we wouldn't want the FCC or anyone else banning THAT.

[gcruse]

Damn, I missed the opener. I'll catch the next on TIVO tonight, though. The world needs all the South Park it can get.

[musical_airman]

Quite frankly, I'm not at all surprised. The last thing I watched on Sci-fi was "Children of Dune". It was fine, but I haven't read that one, so I have no basis for comparison. Sci-Fi has been pretty lame as of late. I miss "mystery Science Theater"......ahhhh the good old days.......

[musical_airman]

When is that on? Sounds good...........

[perfect stranger]

I found them easy enough when they had the "Twilight Zone" marathon, I'm just not big on sci-fi.

It's good to see another musician around here. I'm sure there are more, but they just don't say it in their FR name(sorta like me).

I play bass guitar, drums and can handle a regular guitar OK. Got my Fender Jazz bass right here next to me as we speak.

[Long Cut]

There's a thread on it HERE. It's got the times, I think. if not, check out SPIKE TV's website.

Believe me, you'll love it if they keep up the way they're going. I hear they even have plans to introduce Ann Coulter as a character.