Awesome Show Season Two, Episode Six continues the story of Carol and Mr. Henderson, we get a visit from auteur Glen Tennis, and Cinco introduces a new line of sweets to appeal to all types of children--including boys and athletes!
Theme:
Season 1, Episode Five “Chunky,” first introduced the sadistic relationship between Carol and Mr. Henderson. The theme of this previous episode was the instability of reality, and this idea was explored through both the Carol and Mr. Henderson segments as well as the “Spider Web Attack” (one of my personal favorites). “Carol” serves as a sister episode to “Chunky,” both using deconstructed prank videos to explore a similar theme. In “Carol,” the idea of cruelty and sadism is further explored, and the prank featured “Tim’s Asleep So It’s Time to Wake Tim Up.” Here, the difference between “Chunky” and “Carol” is highlighted. “Chunky” is more concerned with destabilizing our concept of the real, whereas “Carol” delights in the Artaudian, ever-shifting concept of The Theater of Cruelty. The vast majority of the sketches in “Carol” show sadistic partners (whether they are potential lovers, bosses, friends, or relatives), treating a subordinate with horrific abusiveness, only for the submissive partner to forgive, condone or otherwise encourage repeated mistreatment. Season Two will continue to look at the darker side of human relationships, exploring the horror of innate power dynamics, vicious competition, and purposeless, whimsical cruelty.
Hi-Lights:
Cinco Sweets--Candy Tails
Don’t worry, as the commercial promises, “you can barely taste the horse.” These candy-coated hair extensions are deliciously disgusting, and the sticky, wet sound of kids open-mouthed chewing their own hair is stomach-churning all on its own. Made from real horse tails, Candy Tails follows in the bold tradition of “B’Owl” by being awkwardly marketed to boys and girls alike.
Shopping Indoors with Glen Tennis
Following his breakthrough appearance in Season One’s sister episode “Chunky,” Glen Tennis is back with a brand new gig on “Shopping Indoors.” While pitching merchandise from his trashterpiece “Crystal Shyps,” When a verbally abusive caller phones in to taunt Glen, he goes on a screaming rampage, destroying most of the products he was selling before realizing that the caller is his older brother.
Tim’s Asleep So It’s Time to Wake Tim Up
The companion piece to “Spider Web Attack,” this sketch goes for complete nonchalance. Whereas “Spider Web Attack” was all hysterical fear, here both Tim and Eric seem narcotized, barely able to emote. Eric piles layers of whipped cream and food on Tim’s face only to sluggishly wake Tim, who, instead of disgust or anger, seems happy to endure the prank. This earns them both the freeze frame and “Great Job!”.
Anatomy of an Episode:
Brule’s Rules: Body Odor
Dr. Brule gives some unusual personal hygiene tips.
Carol (Part 1)
Carol gives Mr. Henderson a sexy videotape. So, he immediately hosts a public viewing party in the conference room. (And you thought Micheal Scott was a bad boss)
Cinco Sweets: Candy Tails
See Hi-Lights. Cinco’s newest candy-coated hair extensions are all the rage.
Shopping Indoors with Glen Tennis
See Hi-Lights. Glen reacts poorly to his brother’s mean comments. When he discovers the “prank,” Glen’s exasperated sigh of “oh boy” segues us to--
Oh-Boy Interlude
Glen flies through space, animated like a marionette from hell. He lands on the back of a horse traveling through an intergalactic golf course.
Carol (Part 2)
Mr. Henderson and Larry mercilessly mock Carol. We get a freeze-frame on Carol’s face and a “You Blew It.”
David Liebe Hart: “Father and Son”
After finding out that David Liebe Hart has had one of his children stolen from his box at a store, he introduces us to his new son.
Tim’s Asleep So It’s Time to Wake Tim Up
See Hi-Lights. Eric works harder than necessary to wake a slumbering Tim.
Candy Tails--An Animated Adventure
Animated horses laugh for way to long about the joyous experience of having their tails removed to make Cinco Sweets Candy Tails.
Carol (Part 3)
Carol decides to resign but reconsiders when she sees Mr. Henderson enjoying her video a little too much.
Winner:
I snubbed Eric before when I gave Season One, Episode Five’s Winner’s Title to Bob Odenkirk, so now, it’s time to make things right. For the utter commitment to the character of Carol, everyone’s favorite hapless masochist, I hereby award the victory for Season Two, Episode Six to Eric Wareheim.
Pennie Sublime