Harvey Birdman started out with high hopes. Episodes like "Dabba Don", "Very Personal Injury" and "Deadomutt" (my personal favorite) were pure genius. Then, horrible things started to happen, which just ruined the whole show.Somewhere in the middle of the second season, they forgot all about the "Attorney at Law" part, and the writers started throwing in tons of non-sequiturs between scenes, like characters popping in randomly for cheap laughs, the Bear doing dumb stuff for no reason, Peter Potamus's libido jokes, all kinds of lame one-shot gags.It didn't bother me at first because the courtroom bits took a backseat to stuff that was actually FUNNY, like that one ep where Peanut starts to gain his superpowers and the adults treat the whole thing like puberty. But then that stupid Yakky Doodle episode with the efficiency guy comes along, and that's when I knew this show was officially done for.

This is one of the true gems of cartoons- right up there with Dilbert and Futurama. It revolves around the stories of one Harvey Birdman; a lawyer for the firm Sebben and Sebben who every week has to deal with cases of Hanna Barbara indiscretions- including Secret Squirrel flashing his 'gadget', Shaggy and Scooby being pulled for drug abuse and Quick Draw being arrested on the charge of carrying a concealed guitar. Suffice to say this ain't a kids show and its all the better for it with all the voice talents being wonderful but its comedian Stephen Colbert who really goes to town as "Benevolent...ish Dictator" Phil Ken Sebben and maniacal nemesis Reducto.It could be seen as Family Guy crossed with Boston Legal- and its better than both.

Harvey Birdman has long since had his day as a superhero but has now taken up a job as a lawyer at the firm of Sebben and Sebben. The move offers him a welcome change of pace but he still finds himself surrounded by all the same strange characters and goings-on.I have seen this series advertised when in the US in the past but never bothered to stay up and watch it, however on my last visit I gave it a try. The show is hard to describe because it is just very weird. The characters and basic plots spoof the world of the square-jawed superheroes and supervillians by placing them in the office environment and making their characters even more exaggerated. Birdman himself is the most obvious example as he is now a bit of a fool despite his massive chest, although I also really enjoy the eye-patch sporting, womanising boss Sebben. It is all a bit too silly at times and some of it just occasionally feel like it is being weird just for the sake of it but, for me, the majority of the superhero spoof aspect carried it well enough.The animation is true to the superhero genre and everything looks good with plenty of imaginative touches all round. The voice work is enjoyably silly with Gary Cole doing a great job in the lead role. Colbert is just as good as Phil, really getting into the feel of the character and the series. The support cast are generally good with some unusual guest voices in there.Overall this is an acquired taste and naturally some will love it while other hate it. For me it was enjoyable enough to take in small doses – too much at once would just get tiresome but in 15 minute bites it is weirdly funny and entertaining. Not for everyone but certainly worth a look if you get the chance.

I'll admit not everything on adult swim tickles my fancy. I first stumbled upon it with friends on a Friday night in a hazy state of mind half way through an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. We believed to be a genuine cartoon and laughed hysterically. Needless to say the next week, stone cold sober, meatwad didn't quite have the same appeal. Harvey Birdman Attorney At Law, however, is downright hilarious. It has underhanded satire similar to a 'Family Guy' flashback. I believe this type of camp, sarcastic, pop humor only appeals to a limited audience, however if you don't find at least portions of this show amusing or clever then you're an empty cold shell of a human being.The great appeal of the show is the cameo appearances of your favorite childhood cartoon stars. I guess I love to see Harvey Birdman ruin that childhood image. As I write this I picture the Jetsons overnight struggle to get to Harvey's desk without the aid of their futuristic travelators, half way through their plight Astro collapses and pleads with the rest of the family to go on without him. Besides, who doesn't want to see Shaggy and Scooby get busted? Hauled to jail because of the damning evidence in the Mystery Machine of empty pizza boxes and clips? Harvey Birdman Attorney at Law is definitely the best thing on adult swim, my only complaint is the episodes aren't long enough and it's not on DVD yet.