After all of that zesty intensity covering Season 1 Episode 1, I had to stop and think that there had to be a better way to give you, the ever-patient CineDump reader, your comprehensive celebration of Awesome Show in an easily digestible, elegantly packaged method. Thankfully, I happened to discover the Cinco patented THAW system, the one-stop, all-inclusive, one-size-fits-all, wham-bam-thank-you-man approach to all things encyclopedic.
Each entry in this Awesome Show Cincopedia (if you will), will be structured according to this infallibly precise system: namely, theme, hi-lights, the anatomy of an episode, and winner because, don’t forget, we still haven’t crowned the undisputed champion of the Awesome Show kingdom. Thanks, Cinco!!
Theme:
It’s no surprise that with a title like “Friends,” a large portion of the episode is devoted to the concept of friendship. The “Limp Lip” saga (which comprises three parts of the episode) shows how the idea of friendship in the world of Awesome Show is something continually fraught with conflict, deceit, and ultimately, loss.
The theme of loss is probably a more accurate descriptor for Season 1 Episode 2 than the given title “Friends.” When looking at the list of episodes (see Anatomy of an Episode below), most of the sketches of any length, deal with loss, grief, or mourning. From Cinco Balls Insurance that rewards men who can’t seem to avoid being punched in the testicles, to the three-part “Here’s Tim and Eric” that shows our hosts being cut-off mid-sentence, Eric being sidelined next to a trophy holding Tim, before he is climatically smacked in the balls. The idea of loss intermingled with friendship is carried to grotesque extremes in the sketch “Channel 5’s Only Married News Team: Congratulations on 10 Years, Dr. Brule.” Dr. Brule is led to believe that Wayne Skylar has died as part of a prank, and his on-air reaction travels the spectrum from sad, to hysterical, to deeply uncomfortable to watch, all within the span of a minute.
Loss and death will continue to be major parts of Awesome Show’s world and later episodes (indeed, whole seasons) will come to focus almost monomaniacally on this darker side of human experience.
Hi-Lights:
“Doo Dah Doo Doo” (Parts 1 and 2)
This episode is significant for introducing the world to Pierre (who won’t officially get a name until later in the season). Framed as an instructional video, this sketch features a gold suited Pierre instructing Tim and Eric on essential dance moves. What starts out as silly demands (spread those wings, feather your bangs) quickly takes a turn for the sexual and surreal. Featuring more great dad-centric humor, this introduction to Pierre is an Awesome Show essential.
Channel 5’s Only Married News Team: Congratulations on 10 Years Dr. Brule
The true wonders of this sketch are Dr. Brule himself and the constant intrusion of late 90’s animation. Accompanied by bursts of hilariously upbeat music, Dr. Brule’s televised nervous breakdown is constantly undercut by the spasmic, poorly animated late 90’s clip art bordering the screen. The sketch ends with a moment of grand grotesquerie: Brule screaming on the ground while a rhinestone crown is photoshopped onto his head along with a birthday party banner reading, “Get Well Soon.”
Rolos Ad Pitch
This is the first of several sketches that will show Tim and Eric trying to diversify their skill sets. Here, they work their way through a cliched list of brainstorming strategies before settling on two deliciously strange phrases “Rolo Tony” and “Brown Town.” This segues into a triumphantly delusional jingle that I just can’t get out of my head. Unfortunately, the Rolos execs don’t share my opinion of the jingle and reject it, giving us our second freeze-frame “Great Job!” of the series.
Anatomy of an Episode:
Cinco Balls Insurance
Cinco provides insurance for men who can’t seem to avoid being hit in the testicles. Our first use of the trademark “someone looking soul destroyed/incomprehensibly/unfathomably sad after using a Cinco product” is seen here.
Here’s Tim and Eric (Part 1)
Tim and Eric in black turtlenecks sit on stools and smile eerily as they are endlessly announced to the strains of swelling music.
Doo Dah Doo Doo (Part 1)
Pierre’s first appearance (see Hi-Lights).
Limp Lip (Part 1)
Eric receives a Christmas card that reveals Tim has contracted the fatal limp lip.
Channel 5’s Only Married News Team; Congratulations on 10 Years Dr. Brule
Dr. Brule suffers a nervous breakdown on air (see Hi-Lights).
Whore’s Milk
Chippy is used as the spokes-thing (?) for salted, less hairy whore’s milk.
Limp Lip (Part 2)
Eric makes an ornamental hot dog as a farewell gift for his ailing friend.
Balls
Meatballs. That’s it.
Where’s my Chippy?
Eric’s disembodied voice searches for Chippy among a herd of water buffalo.
Rolos Ad Pitch
Tim and Eric try to impress Rolos executives (see Hi-Lights).
Brule’s Rules: Leaves in your driveway
Dr. Brule (apparently recovered from his breakdown) gives us some helpful lawn care tips.
Here’s Tim and Eric (Part 2)
Tim holds a trophy while the announcer consistently lowers his voice and the camera pulls away anytime Eric is mentioned.
Doo Dah Doo Doo (Part 2)
Pierre chides his child charges for bringing rotten meat into the studio.
Bloody Balls
Meatballs with sauce. That’s it.
Limp Lip (part 3)
Tim betrays Eric’s friendship and learns a dire lesson (cameo by Pierre!). Also, this sketch features a “Tom Goes to the Mayor” reference--Gibbons begging for a Ceasar salad (a must-see for all “Tom Goes to the Mayor” completionists).
Hot Dog Boys
Sad-eyed men fit as many hot dogs into their mouths as humanly possible.
Here’s Tim and Eric (Part 3)
The announcer welcomes both Tim and Eric before Eric is punched in the balls by a performer from the Cinco Balls commercial.
Winner:
This one’s a close call. In the spirit of friendship, I guess I should just declare both boys the winner here, but I think that would be antithetical to the show’s devotion to one-upmanship and rivalry. I have to give it to Eric Wareheim for episode 2: not only does he coin the immortal phrase “brown town,” he spends precious time crafting a symbolic, ornamental hot dog. If that doesn’t say friendship, then I don’t know what would.
It’s all tied up now, folks. Who will win? And what will be the terrible cost of victory?
Pennie Sublime