TripTank
TripTank is an American adult animated anthology series that aired on Comedy Central from April 2, 2014, to July 26, 2016, consisting of short, independent animated sketches in diverse styles produced by various creators.[1] The program featured fast-paced, irreverent content often involving graphic violence, explicit sexual themes, and shock-oriented humor, drawing comparisons to predecessors like Liquid Television for its boundary-pushing animation.[2][3] While praised by some for its creative variety and occasional wit, TripTank garnered mixed critical reception, with reviewers noting inconsistent sketch quality and heavy reliance on crude elements over sustained comedy.[3][4] One notable segment, "Jeff & Some Aliens," was expanded into a standalone Comedy Central series in 2017, highlighting the anthology's role in incubating concepts amid its otherwise short run of two seasons comprising 20 episodes.[5]Development and Production
Conception and Announcement
Comedy Central greenlit TripTank on October 18, 2012, ordering an eight-episode animated series from ShadowMachine, the production company behind Robot Chicken.[6] The concept originated from ShadowMachine co-founders Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico, who envisioned a half-hour block compiling diverse animated shorts in styles such as 2D, stop-motion, and computer-generated imagery.[7] This format drew direct inspiration from the 1990s MTV anthology Liquid Television, which similarly aggregated independent, experimental animations into episodic segments without overarching narrative continuity.[6] The series was designed to spotlight boundary-pushing content from independent animators and creators, prioritizing irreverent, adult-oriented humor through fast-paced, self-contained sketches—both one-off and recurring—unconstrained by serialized storytelling.[8] Early development emphasized recruiting high-profile comedic talent for voice work and contributions, with the pilot featuring sketches involving Larry David alongside figures like Bob Odenkirk and Zach Galifianakis.[9] This approach aimed to foster a platform for unfiltered, provocative animation, distinguishing it from more conventional narrative-driven adult cartoons.[6] Initial planning focused on curating submissions from global animators to ensure stylistic variety and thematic edginess, with ShadowMachine handling executive production to streamline the integration of disparate shorts into cohesive episodes.[7] The announcement highlighted the potential for TripTank to revive the spirit of anthology programming by providing a showcase for innovative, often risqué content that mainstream outlets might otherwise overlook.[8]Creative Team and Production Process
TripTank was executive produced by Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico of ShadowMachine, the animation studio founded by the duo known for prior work on Robot Chicken.[7][6] Additional executive producers included Tom Gianas, with producers such as Jed Hathaway and Scout Raskin handling operational aspects.[10] The writing and directing teams varied per sketch, drawing from a pool of independent creators solicited through open calls for submissions, allowing animators to pitch and develop their own concepts.[11] The production workflow emphasized curation over in-house creation, with ShadowMachine commissioning short animated segments from global talent pools to ensure stylistic diversity.[12] Animators submitted storyboards, scripts, or rough cuts, which were refined through processes like lip-sync animation by specialized studios before final assembly.[13] These disparate pieces—spanning 2D, stop-motion, and CGI techniques—were edited into 11- to 15-minute episodes, prioritizing rapid comedic delivery over narrative continuity.[6] Voice recording occurred post-animation for many shorts, featuring a rotating cast of performers, though specific assignments depended on sketch requirements.[14] Development for the initial eight-episode order began following the October 2012 announcement, with full production ramping up in 2013 ahead of the 2014 premiere; the expanded second season of 20 episodes extended workflows through 2015.[7] This anthology approach facilitated quick turnaround but demanded precise editorial oversight to synchronize timing across varying animation lengths and paces, ensuring punchlines landed uniformly despite stylistic variances.[12] Live-action elements were minimal, reserved for transitional segments or hybrid sketches rather than core content.[7]Animation Techniques and Contributors
TripTank featured a diverse range of animation techniques, including 2D, stop-motion, and computer-generated imagery (CGI), enabling stylistic variation across its sketches. Executive producers Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico of ShadowMachine orchestrated this approach to highlight contributions from independent animators, rather than relying on a single studio's uniform output.[7][15] The production model emphasized rapid development of short-form content, with animators directing and animating individual segments based on submitted ideas, scripts, or finished shorts. This included stop-motion examples, such as segments by Gusto Rules, integrated alongside 2D and CGI formats to accommodate experimental and fast-paced humor delivery.[11][16][17] Key contributors encompassed emerging independent talents who provided animation services or full sketches, fostering innovation through diverse influences outside mainstream polished production. ShadowMachine's oversight ensured technical feasibility while prioritizing the animators' original visions, as seen in open calls for submissions during Season 2 production.[11][18]Format and Content
Sketch Structure and Themes
Each episode of TripTank comprises a compilation of standalone animated sketches, presented in a variety of animation styles without an overarching plot or narrative continuity.[1][2] The format emphasizes rapid delivery of short, self-contained segments that shift abruptly between scenarios, enabling high volatility in content and tone.[2] The predominant themes revolve around absurd, violent, and satirical depictions, often relying on shock value through graphic elements such as dismemberment and explicit scenarios rather than structured setups or punchlines.[1] Dark comedy and raunchy humor predominate, incorporating sexual innuendo, strong language, and taboo subjects like explicit sexuality and extreme violence, presented in an unapologetic, amoral style that prioritizes visceral reaction over didactic messaging.[4][19] This approach contrasts with more narrative-oriented adult animations by focusing on immediate, consequence-laden absurdities that unfold through direct causal chains, eschewing serialized development for isolated, boundary-pushing gags.[1]Recurring Sketches and Series
"Jeff & Some Aliens" depicts an ordinary human named Jeff sharing an apartment with three extraterrestrial beings—Sammy, Jimmy, and Ted—from the planet Azuria, who conduct experiments on human customs through increasingly bizarre and disruptive scenarios, such as forcing Jeff to impersonate his ex-girlfriend or dealing with personal crises like illness.[20] [21] This segment, developed from animator submissions, appeared multiple times starting in season 1 and evolved by layering interpersonal conflicts among the aliens and Jeff's exasperation, culminating in its selection for expansion into a standalone Comedy Central series that premiered on January 11, 2017.[22] Ricky the Rocketship features an anthropomorphic rocket voiced by Tom Kenny, designed as an educational aid for children, whose missions—ranging from lunar excursions to school pageants—devolve into violent mishaps, often resulting in the accidental demise of participants due to Ricky's oblivious enthusiasm and technical malfunctions.[23] [24] The sketch recurred across both seasons, with episodes building on Ricky's pattern of failure, such as escalating dangers in group activities, drawn from independent creator contributions that emphasized raw, unpolished animation styles.[25] Other ongoing series included "Dick Genie," where a crude genie grants wishes to young Billy in literal and disastrous interpretations, appearing in early episodes to parody magical tropes through escalating perversion and unintended consequences. These recurring elements, sourced from a pool of unsolicited animator pitches without editorial sanitization for broader appeal, contrasted the show's standalone shorts by fostering character continuity and fan interest in serialized absurdity, as evidenced by the spin-off success of select segments.[26]Broadcast and Episodes
Premiere and Airing Schedule
TripTank premiered on Comedy Central in the United States on April 2, 2014, airing weekly on Wednesdays at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT in a late-night slot designed for adult animated content, akin to competitor Adult Swim's block but within Comedy Central's expanding roster of irreverent animation during the 2010s.[27] [1] The first season consisted of 10 episodes broadcast from April 2 to June 4, 2014, featuring a rotating anthology of shorts without extended breaks.[28] Season 2 launched on September 25, 2015, with 18 episodes airing irregularly through August 23, 2016, maintaining the weekly late-night format amid Comedy Central's ongoing emphasis on sketch-based animated series.[29] [28] Internationally, the series was distributed by Viacom Media Networks (now Paramount Global) across Comedy Central channels in regions including Europe and Latin America, with broadcasts following similar late-night scheduling on local affiliates like Comedy Central Netherlands, though specific premiere dates varied by market.[30] No significant production delays or network preemptions disrupted the U.S. airing schedule, allowing consistent delivery of the 28 total episodes over its two-season run.[10]Season 1 (2014)
The first season of TripTank consisted of eight half-hour episodes, broadcast weekly on Wednesdays from April 2 to May 21, 2014.[31] The premiere episode, titled "Shovels Are for Digging," attracted 740,000 total viewers according to Nielsen measurements, reflecting initial audience curiosity for the new animated anthology series on Comedy Central.[32] This debut season established the core structure of rapid-fire, independent animated sketches from multiple contributors, linked by introductory framing segments depicting the operations of the fictional TripTank broadcast facility and its staff, such as the hapless receptionist Steve and janitor Roy.[26] Sketches in early episodes, including those in the pilot, emphasized the show's signature shock-value approach through absurd scenarios involving violence, dark satire, and surreal elements, setting the tonal foundation for subsequent content. The season's limited run allowed for experimentation with diverse animation styles and short-form narratives, with episodes like "Crossing the Line" (April 9) and "Game Over" (April 16) continuing to showcase standalone bits without extended serialization.[33]| Episode | Title | Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shovels Are for Digging | April 2, 2014 |
| 2 | Crossing the Line | April 9, 2014 |
| 3 | Game Over | April 16, 2014 |
| 4 | The Green | April 23, 2014 |
| 5 | Ahhh, Serenity | April 30, 2014 |
| 6 | Candy Van Finger Bang | May 7, 2014 |
| 7 | Roy & Ben's Day Off | May 14, 2014 |
| 8 | XXX Overload | May 21, 2014 |