CakeBlast

Thank you thank you thank you Dave Willis. It is no secret that I am a huge cartoon geek. My evolution as a cartoon geek has been constant, starting in the days when I used to sit in my Underroos watching Saturday Morning Cartoons while eating a bowl of Sugar Smacks on the living room floor.

Cartoons that I have loved throughout the years include Tom & Jerry, Muppet Babies, Animaniacs, Dungeons and Dragons, The Smurfs, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), Duck Tales, Garfield & Friends, The Simpsons, Powerpuff Girls, South Park, Sheep in the Big City, Family Guy, Grimm Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Moral Orel, Squidbillies, Aqua Teen Hunger Force (ATHF), & Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends.

Several of my favorite recent cartoons were introduced on Adult Swim. Squidbillies and ATHF would not exist without the contributions of producer/writer/director/actor Dave Willis. Willis, along with his associate Matt Maiellaro, have been creating some of the funniest characters on television since the year 2000.

The Aqua Teens are perhaps the most widely known of these creations. I remember seeing ATHF for the first time, during their second season. I laughed at the name alone because they are not teenagers and they do not live underwater. The “Aqua Teens” are a giant smartmouthed milkshake, super intelligent french fries with eye lasers, and a low IQ, shape-shifting ball of meat.

Most people that I have discussed the show with, choose Meatwad as their favorite character. I agree that meatwad is the funniest, but his act only works so well because he is constantly being antagonized by Master Shake. If Meatwad was one of The Three Stooges, he would be Curly. Instead, the voice of Meatwad is brilliantly performed by the aforementioned Dave Willis.

Willis also does the voice of the Aqua Teens next-door nemesis Carl Brutananadilewski, and is narrator of the hilarious Squidbillies. He has also worked on the hit series Sealab 2021 and is the voice of Rhoda on the ridiculously funny 12 oz. Mouse.

I am so glad that the Cartoon Network and Adult Swim have introduced so many cartoons that are made for adults, but are not “adult” cartoons (ex. Fritz the Cat). I imagine Willis grew up with a love of cartoons similar to mine. As he grew older, his taste evolved into what it is today. Now he creates cartoons for people like me, who know what Willis is talkin’ bout!