Dancing Is Forbidden: An Aqua Teen Hunger Force Exploration

Season 5 of ATHF is a contentious one. Either you love it or you hate it. Or maybe you think it's okay. Or you just, like, sorta like it. Look, I don't know your life story -- but what I DO know is Season 5 is a hell of a lot better than I was expecting it to be. While the season got my panties in a bunch back in 2008, it put a big ol' smile on my face while covering it for the podcast. And also I don't wear panties anymore. Commando, baby!
Today we're talking about the season as a whole & spending some time dwelling on what it brought to the world of Aqua Teen. I'll also tell you my favorite episodes & villains from the season, because that's certainly something that you ever wanted to know and will help your life even one bit.
We're also looking at the year the season was birthed out during - 2008 - figuring out what the heck happened back then. Believe it or not, nobody actually knows except for me, because I was there, man. From my hot movie takes that will most definitely get me at least one hate mail (I'm sort of like a modern day Joker, maybe. Probably not. I'm more of an Alfred type.), to the tunes of the time (and how Chris Martin ruled the world), to the video games (you ever heard of a Wii?)-- this podcast episode has it all! Well, if "it all" means these very specific things that I'm talking about on the podcast.
 
Music Played:
♫ Coldplay - Viva La Vida: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE
♫ Taylor Swift - Love Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xg3vE8Ie_E
♫ Lady Gaga - Poker Face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bESGLojNYSo
♫ M83 - Kim & Jessie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5cgzcjqOtE
♫ Why? - Good Friday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRf3EMSb8oI
♫ The Radio Dept. - Closing Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZEWpChchdo
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

From the very first ATHF intro, to the art direction on the latest season-- Todd Redner was there. Like the wind.... or God. The all knowing, all drawing Todd Redner graces the podcast to bestow upon us several ATHF tales that I had never once heard before. And that's saying something because I've heard lots of things. Todd's telling us about the many decisions that went into Aqua Teen's newest season (and the misguided hate mail it spawned), how characters like the Love Mummy and Wongburger were designed, and how 12 Oz Mouse got Radical Axis spammed with art of questionable quality. Other topics discussed include Jon Bon Jovi flying around an auditorium, catching gigantic fish, David Cross putting his hairy chest in Todd's face, The Office, and Todd being invited back to his college job to sign autographs.
 
• Todd on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddredart/
• Todd's Website: https://toddredner.com/
 
• Meat Kingdom with Todd Redner and Dana Snyder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmLU5GyNF_o
• Watch Yenor FREE: https://www.adultswim.com/videos/specials/yenor-pilot
• Watch Stomp! Shout! Scream! FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/490010/stomp-shout-scream?start=true&tracking=google-feed
• Buy Stomp! Shout! Scream! DVD & CD signed by Jay Wade Edwards: https://www.etsy.com/in-en/listing/958609746/stomp-shout-scream-dvd-soundtrack-cd
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Not only did David Cross teach me it was okay to be named Ronnie, but he put Aqua Teen Hunger Force on the map. Big time. Fresh off his successful stint on Broadway (yes-- THAT Broadway), David takes the next logical step in his career and spends some time on a podcast about a cartoon he was on a few times. I don't know why he did, I advised him not to do it. Touching briefly on his time on Aqua Teen, David gives us the down low on having two versions of his standup sets, the origin of his nom de plume Sir Willups Brightslymoore, and his love for insane Hallmark movies.
 
References:
• David's new special WORST DADDY IN THE WORLD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnw65BBrlY4
• David on VH1 Goes Inside Adult Swim (2003): https://youtu.be/rTC-pDN3Rn0?t=795
• David and Bob Odenkirk on Space Ghost Coast to Coast: https://www.adultswim.com/videos/space-ghost-coast-to-coast/gallagher
• Love, Lights, Hanukkah Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBY_DSb-FJk
• Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Wild God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAgsn7la3jg
• The Dark Divide: https://tubitv.com/movies/599303/the-dark-divide
 
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

The highlander was a documentary and the events happened in real time... not unlike this AquaDonk. 18 (well, really 20) years later, Happy Time Harry is BACK -- not for vengeance, but for his own demise. He wants it, don't worry. It feels good to him. We see what (or rather, what little) Harry has been up to since 2004 (well, 2002). Harry ain't the only one going out in a blaze of glory, when Frylock and Meatwad combine forces to give Shake a taste of his own explosive medicine. The only thing that can kill a Highlander is an Aqua Teen.
 
References:
• Watch The Dumbest Doll of All: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PCeVo0Hf8o
• Watch ALL AquaDonk Side Pieces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVPXbl6lDIs&list=PLQl8zBB7bPvJAB_ak87ztVoPiKUxZr47x&ab_channel=AdultSwim
• Bernardo Velasco's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3978595/?ref_=tt_cst_t_4
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:00:00] The Dumbest Doll of All Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Grab your Bible and your crystal meth because we're in for a good time! Bible Fruit (totally not a VeggieTales ripoff) is one of the strongest Aqua Teen episodes, and has a heck of a history around it. We're covering the first mention of this idea back in 2004 & the (short lived) legacy it left behind in Soul Quest OverDrive. Other topics discussed include playing the vocoder for Alan Jackson, the good ol' days of MySpace, and Nick Gibbons tells us about working on Horton Hears A Who.
 
References:
• How I've Read Podcast: https://sites.libsyn.com/530777
• Bob Pettitt on Meat Kingdom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ9GE8jleM4
• Nick Gibbons on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicknickgibbons/
• GOAT Dads Podcast: https://www.goatdadspod.com/
♫ Alan Jackson - Good Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSROm-vgVRk
• 2008 Forum Thread on Bible Fruit: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-bible-fruit-3-23.4510371/
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon ATHF Affiliate Links - Buy ATHF Stuff, Take Money From Jeff Bezos and Give It To Me!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:10:38] March 23rd, 2008 Pop Culture
[00:26:41] Bible Fruit Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: Hello@DancingIsForbidden.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Support the show & get exclusive episodes (including 2 more episodes on The Room): https://www.patreon.com/dancingisforbidden

Listen up devildog, drop down and give me ONE listen to today's podcast diving into The Marines! If you were thinking of going AWOL from today's episode, well do I have a game for you... in Canada. Involving bread ties and Rush records. Today on the pod we're oorah'ing into the inspiration behind Warrior Gum's insane 3D ad, getting all Sherlock Holmes in the search for the elusive voice actor Michael E. Smith, listening to some of the DVD commentary, and MORE while we discuss this excellent Aqua Teen focused episode. I mean, Meatwad enlists Shake in the Marines, what's not to love! Other topics discussed include lame Canada jokes (and how ATHF subverts this), Janet Jackson NOT covering her brother's hit song, and archival podcast recordings from Vietnam in 1966.
 
• AQUA TEEN EPISODE RANKING FORM: https://forms.gle/1qAH58xekfDHaV1r6
 
References:
• Matt Maiellaro's MEAT KINGDOM w/ Scott Luallen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEGT_9IoEhE
♫ Janet Jackson - Feedback: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU0ucfoBcXM
♫ Why? - Fatalist Palmistry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYRRHZSI4MA
• ATHF Fandom Wiki for The Marines: https://aqua-teen-hunger-force.fandom.com/wiki/The_Marines
• K-Fee - Screamers (2004, Germany): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jddbSWPbHoA
• 1998 Marine Corps Commercial "Rite of Passage": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mw1SB5P_FM
• 1987 Marine Corps Commercial "Knight": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyYTK_hYeEo
• Bob Pettitt's 'The Marines' Concept Art: https://www.instagram.com/pettitt_art/p/C2QXjq-vXyf/
♫ 9LB Hammer - Carl's Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgEj9CgP37k
♫ 9LB Hammer - 12 Oz Mouse Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLW--c60lxI
• 2008 Forum Thread on The Marines: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-the-marines-3-16.4507441/#post-69255181
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon ATHF Affiliate Links - Buy ATHF Stuff, Take Money From Jeff Bezos and Give It To Me!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:08:35] March 16th, 2008 Pop Culture
[00:24:50] The Marines Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: Hello@DancingIsForbidden.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Some people turn lemons into lemonade, and others turn... immortal dummies into magic shows. Optimism is the point here, and optimism will land your ass right in jail. Today we've got ATHF co-creator Dave Willis chiming in on Dummy Love, a fun exploration by the Aqua Teen guys into horror tropes. We're learning how T-Pain and Josh Homme got involved in this episode, we're finding out the original plan for the Skulldilocks book, and marveling at a non-proscenium shot in ATHF. Other topics discussed include T-Pain's autotune mastery (and why he doesn't need it), being upset that 10,000 BC isn't about man-on-mammoth love, a brand new and highly affordable Meatwad ringtone, and we're hearing from an old... well, not so old friend.
 
• AQUA TEEN EPISODE RANKING FORM: https://forms.gle/1qAH58xekfDHaV1r6
 
References:
♫ Usher - Love in This Club (ft. Young Jeezy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB5e0zHRzHc
• Skulldilocks Concept Art: https://x.com/Pettitt_Art/status/1620800206198702081
♫ Rob Zombie - Dragula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQuihD0hoI
♫ Queens of the Stone Age - No One Knows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s88r_q7oufE
• Chunklet Magazine: https://www.chunklet.com/
♫ T-Pain - Buy U A Drank: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBrRBZy8OTs
♫ T-Pain: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIjXUg1s5gc
• 2008 Forum Thread on Dummy Love: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-dummy-love-3-9.4504331/
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon ATHF Affiliate Links - Buy ATHF Stuff, Take Money From Jeff Bezos and Give It To Me!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:7:17] March 9th, 2008 Pop Culture
[00:22:39] Dummy Love Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: Hello@DancingIsForbidden.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

If you don't want someone to steal your contact lenses and torture you with their new-found abilities, you'd better get LASIK! If only Frylock had read this warning, then he could have saved himself, Carl, and Meatwad! ...Hmm, but then this episode of Aqua Teen wouldn't exist.... and then what would this podcast episode have been about???? THEN WHAT WOULD YOU BE READING RIGHT NOW??!!!!???!!??!!!?? Maybe a question for M. Night Shyamalan. Anyways, back to the podcast thing: today we're diving into the incredibly loved Laser Lenses! We're touching (with our plastic bat extensions) on the origins of the episode, gossiping about Carl's randomly new blue-tinted pool, and giving props to Terry's uncredited voice actor Vincent Pastore. I'm also telling you about a video I was in with ATHF badboys Matt Maiellaro and John Brestan! Other topics discussed include the 2000-era ATHF adultswim.com game Head Games, Davey Grohl's masterful PR team, and how reading about The Sims DLC turned me into a perv.
 
• AQUA TEEN EPISODE RANKING FORM: https://forms.gle/1qAH58xekfDHaV1r6
 
References:
• Meat Kingdom 3: Five Sausage Finger Death Punch Chili: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnSwub5IDHc
• Head Games (Carl & Meatwad Adult Swim Game): https://flashmuseum.org/aqua-teen-hunger-force-head-games/
♫ Jack Johnson - If I Had Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZcOJgdC9R0
♫ Foo Fighters - Long Road To Ruin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=308KpFZ4cT8
• Nathan Churney & Joshua Mullinax Interview: https://www.dancingisforbidden.com/e/nathan-churney-joshua-mullinax-interview/
• 2008 Forum Thread on Laser Lenses: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-laser-lenses-3-02.4501011/
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon ATHF Affiliate Links - Buy ATHF Stuff, Take Money From Jeff Bezos and Give It To Me!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:10:09] March 2nd, 2008 Pop Culture
[00:28:11] Laser Lenses Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: Hello@DancingIsForbidden.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

In a late-night quest to get chicks, Carl ends up succumbing to the power of the recorder, becoming a musical slave for Hoppy Bunny and his religious covenant of furries. Today we're packing this podcast out with input from FOUR of the critical figures behind this critter-full episode-- Aqua Teen co-creator Dave Willis tells us about turning Frylock's room into a parking garage, Matt Maiellaro gives the low-down on performing as the live-action Recorder Wizard, producer/editor Jay Wade Edwards fills us in on his costume origin, and this episode's original writer Ted Murphy shares with us the power of Apple computer discounts. We're also learning about the surprising medieval-based origin of this episode, Matt gives us his preference on playing the guitar instructor vs recorder instructor, and I'm figuring out what my fursona is. Other topics discussed include how expensive furry suits are, the lingering effects of Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and Communist Manifesto sheet music. I also toot my 'corder along the way!
 
• AQUA TEEN EPISODE RANKING FORM: https://forms.gle/1qAH58xekfDHaV1r6
 
References:
• Matt Maiellaro's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mattmaiellaro7460
♫ Aqua Teen Hunger Force Production Music - Chirpy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSVGpAX_J9c
♫ Aqua Teen Hunger Force Production Music - Re-Percussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eToXKMJT20o
• Bob Pettitt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettitt_art/
• 2008 Forum Thread on Hoppy Bunny: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-hoppy-bunny-2-17.4493951/
• Ted Murphy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spookytoons
• Jay Wade Edwards on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaywadeedwards/
• Matt Maiellaro on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattMaiellaro
• Dave Willis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davewillisshaketable
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon ATHF Affiliate Links - Buy ATHF Stuff, Take Money From Jeff Bezos and Give It To Me!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:07:30] February 17th, 2008 Pop Culture
[00:23:04] Hoppy Bunny Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: Hello@DancingIsForbidden.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley