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| Available at Amazon.com |
I’ll start of with this, I’m not a HUGE video game fan, and I don’t really remember the ’80s. So considering those are the two things this show is based on, you wouldn’t think it’d be something I’d enjoy. But you’d be wrong. This show is hilarious. I’m pretty sure quite a few jokes flew right over my head, and I still greatly enjoyed this.
The show is based around 2 video game programmers, Dave and Jerry who work for a company called Gameavision. They are both really good programmers, but they’re classic odd couple. Dave is a slacker, stoner, jackass and Jerry is the work obsessed freak. In the first episode the duo is greeted by the fact their friend/boss (Steve Wozniak) is selling the company. Dave tries to talk “The Woz” out of selling the company going so far as to say “Personal Computers are a fad.” And with that you see the majority of the jokes made throughout the show. They take things that we know now are hugely successful, and say it will never work. In a few episodes they have game developers pitch their ideas and Larrity, the new owner of the company, quickly turns them down. He turns down the rights to God of War, DOOM 1,2 and 3, and Oddworld.
That’s not all the humor though, there’s also quite a bit of potty humor. From Dave microwaving his poop to see if it’s explosive, to people peeing their pants when they meet their idols. “Did you just piss your pants because Neil Diamond is your idol?” “No, I’m still really drunk.”
While Dave and Jerry are the main characters, the other characters are funny as well. There is the D&D nerd Todd, who is voiced by Dana Snyder. Snyder also does the voice for Master Shake in Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He usually pitches good games, but gets shot down at every turn.
Another programmer is Mary. She has boobs. That’s the basis of most of the humor around her. All of her games are feminist type games, where girls are put on equal footing with men. Larrity, as an old fashioned Texan shoots down all of her ideas too.
The other girl in the show is Clare. She’s the much for free-spirited woman. She’s the secretary.
Black Steve is the company accountant and he’s never more than 5 seconds away from pulling a gun and shooting someone. Very stereotypical, and very funny.
Larrity buys the company in the first episode and is the typical money hungry “evil” boss. His son Dean is strong, but stupid. very, very stupid. And Larrity owns a small Korean boy named Benny who tests video games and eats sugar.
The show is entirely done in 8 bit. And they get more jokes from that. None of the characters have fingers, but that doesn’t stop them from playing Rock, paper, Scissors. This show is not afraid to make fun of itself, and uses the 8-bit animation to push the limits of sensibility.
Episodes
Wizard of Woz – Larrity buys the company. Featuring Steve Wozniak…yes, that Steve Wozniak.
E.T. – The company makes a terrible video game based on the “New” movie.
Stonervision – Dave and Jerry start their own company, featuring Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell.
Super Prison Breakout – Larrity sends the employees to prison to determine who stole his money, featuring your friends from Red vs Blue.
Just One of the Gamers – Mary goes to work in drag to prove she’s a good programmer, featuring God of War creator David Jaffe.
The Take Over – Larrity tries to sell the company to Protendo.
Larrity’s Got Back – Larrity gets a butt transplant.
IPO – The employees take out a loan against their stock.
Todd Loses his Mind – That’s actually pretty self explained. Featuring Gary Gygax.
Third Reich’s the Charm – Dave and Black Steve unfreeze Adolf Hilter. Featuring Oddworld creator Lorne Lanning.
Wrassle Mania – Larrity hires ringers for a wrestling competition. Featuring Doom creator John Romero.
Vegas, Baby – The company goes to Vegas for an Award show.
The Revenge of Matsui – Benny gets kidnapped by Protendo.
Code Monkeys is brought to you in brilliant 8 bit color. The video is, well, as good as something in 8 bit can be animated. The sounds are fantastic. It sounds just like a video game from the era and that is the goal. The sounds of picking up items and the points tallying up are all perfect.
A Look Behind the Scenes of Code Monkeys, Code Monkeys Daily Pranks, Original Barfight and Crosswalk Game Promos, Camera Tests, Gaming Tips From G4 s Kristin Holt, Original GameAvision Games that are playable on your computer, Downloadable Wallpapers and Posters.
All of it is utterly useless. If not stupidly funny.
The man, Dana Snyder, does a voice for this show, which raises the level for me. It is a fabulous show. It’s not high brow humor, but it’s very funny low brow, potty humor. If you’re looking for sophisticated shows with deep meaning, this is not for you, if you’re stoned or want 100 poop jokes an episode with a ton of ’80s pop culture jokes, step right up.
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Shout! Factory Presents Code Monkeys Season 1. Created by Adam de la Pena. Starring Adam de la Pena, Andrew Spies, Dana Snyder and Matt Mariska. Running time: 300 minutes. Rated TV14. Released on DVD: August 5th, 2008. Available at Amazon.com.
About Chad Jorgenson
