It's sad that ABC didn't have much faith in Clerks, based on the 1994 movie of the same name, because, for what it was, it was a very clever and hilarious animated series. If you've seen the movie you know the central characters--Dante, Randal, Jay, and Silent Bob. Unlike the movie however the series expands beyond the Quick Stop store and allows the characters to interact in different environments and deal with new situations that result in hilarity. I suppose Clerks is probably best left done and buried though because as with most animated sitcoms they usually drag out and start becoming stale( ex. Simpsons and Family Guy) so as it is you have a very underrated and well-written cartoon that you can re-watch all six episodes on DVD.Highly recommended.

The animated version of the mega-hit cult breakthrough from director Kevin Smith had a VERY short run on one of the "other"networks(UPN? WB? Cable?)and,from watching the re-runs on both Comedy Central and Cartoon Network/Adult Swim(where else?),got some very unjust treatment,because the speed and pace of this show,coupled with the fertile character through-lines and backgrounds made this a show that could've VERY easily rivaled shows like "The Simpsons" or "Family Guy". Who knows? Maybe Mr.Smith and/or someone else out there could actually try to make another show from this. Or not. Still,if you haven't caught these shows,do. I figure between Adult swim and various Entertainment stores,on-line and off,there's plenty of chance to sample this and see if you agree.

The idea of turning Clerks into an animated TV series was fertile ground for some potentially subversive humour. The end results...well...it could have turned out somewhat better. This series was sold to ABC TV, with six episodes as a trial. ABC, predictably fumbled the ball,big time by only airing two of the six episodes (and worse yet,in the wrong sequence,as the jokes have a thematic thread to them (plus,most of the humour was somewhat surreal). Bottom line:Clerks was canceled by ABC after only two episodes. I guess the few viewers who did catch one or both of the episodes would be confused. The jokes tend to be a satire on pop culture references. What I appreciated was that the original cast of the film supplied their own voice characters. The animation is somewhat decent. It's obvious that the crude sexual jokes would be a no no on network television,but still manages to get a few corkers across. All six episodes are currently available on a double DVD,with commentary by Jason Mewes (Jay),and sometimes even Kevin Smith,himself (as Silent Bob). Good for a video get together party.

I enjoyed the six episodes of "Clerks" and wish they would have made more episodes. I personally think it was foolish of Kevin Smith to reject offers from HBO, as I think his 'toon would have thrived on that channel. ABC mutilated this toon by only showing a third of the episodes, and that's a shame. The wit and humor is impeccable, and Smith understands that cartoon humor is more plastic and unbelievable than the world he portrays in his real-life movies. The actors, for people who don't do voice over work for a living, are fantastic, and really give it their all to bring life to their cartoon counterparts. The parodies of 1980s movies are usually funny, and Smith's sense of nostalgia and bawdy sense of humor greatly work in this cartoons' favor. I like this cartoon much more than "Family Guy," and, had it lived on premium cable, it would have no doubt won Emmys. Do rent or purchase the six-episode, two DVD set. This is one of the cartoons following in the wake of the "Family Guy" boom that was actually good.