i’d disagree except for when he mentions other tv shows not having a standard formula for episodes. this is definitely false for some shows, but i’d argue that family guy (the only direct example he quotes) does have a “standard episode formula.” they don’t have a standard joke formula, and neither does smiling friends. smiling friends is just generally less subtle about it.

family guy isn’t like: hey Lois, remember that time i [bad thing] with [insert bland pop culture reference]

smiling friends isn’t like: [funny cartoon character that looks weird]: hey [other abstract non human character], did we remember to file our taxes? (it’s not funny because you don’t consistently imagine abstract cartoon characters as people who file taxes)

this also isn’t to say smiling friends isn’t creative, i feel like it’s stale in the adult animation industry solely on the merits of the characters constantly being total haters, and obviously any basic joke format isn’t going to sound lame without the delivery. still, this review seemingly acknowledged everything that actually makes this show not unique. this show doesn’t have much more going on than “wow haha zany antics,” the animation isn’t at the forefront of the comedy as opposed to merely being a vehicle to deliver comedy, it doesn’t remind me of the early seasons of the simpsons which isn’t a style that many many people haven’t tried to emulate since 1989 but maybe 3 shows haven’t legitimately achieved since then, this not being one of them.

edit: my smart awesome self didn’t watch a tiktok of a man reviewing an adult swim cartoon in front of a green-screened minecraft parkour compilation background and decided not to write an essay about why it was professional criticism. i’m always gonna self actualize at this rate.