Watch Bloodfeast
- 2017
- 2 Seasons
Bloodfeast is an innovative and experimental show from Adult Swim that premiered in 2017. The series is created by Dave Bonawits and Maxime Simonet and is part of Adult Swim’s late-night lineup, known for its distinctive and unconventional programming. The show prides itself on its absurdity and unusual format, offering a unique blend of live comedy, puzzle-solving, and interactive elements that are rarely seen in conventional television shows.
Simulating a blend of talk show, game show, and interactive virtual community, Bloodfeast dives deep into the surreal. The premise of the show centers on a live conversational setting where Dave and Maxime, the show’s hosts, engage in off-beat and often hilarious dialogues. Beyond simple chats, though, the hosts dive into reading and solving crossword puzzles from the New York Times. This simplistic concept gives the show a relaxed, almost casual vibe, allowing discussions to occasionally veer into profound or philosophical territories.
The show's setup and presentation are experimental and unique. Each episode's unfolding is highly dependent on the interaction between the hosts and their audience. Not just a spectator sport, viewers are encouraged to call into the show, not only to participate in the ongoing puzzle solving but also to join the hosts in their free-ranging chats. The interactive component of the show is further amplified through simultaneous live streams on the internet, enabling a broader audience participation.
Interactivity is a key component of Bloodfeast, and it’s what sets the show apart. The narratives unfold in real time, shaped by the hosts and their callers who navigate through the crosswords and their myriad conversations. There’s an unpredictable nature to the show, inherent with the use of live calls and internet interaction, providing an element of surprise and spontaneity. Humour is an integral part of Bloodfeast, which relies heavily on the hosts’ clever rapport and witty commentary.
The hosts themselves are an entertaining duo. They maintain a fluid dialogue throughout each episode, filled with randomness, offbeat humor, and many times, stepping into the realm of the abstract. Their dynamic is engaging and their knack for improvisation vital to keep the show energetic and unpredictable. Regardless of these random events, one element remains constant – the daily crossword puzzle from the New York Times, which the hosts typically work through over the hour-long episode.
While it adheres to a loose structure, each installment of Bloodfeast is a fresh experience. The diversity of callers, the complexity of the crossword puzzles, the hosts' reactions, and the free-form conversation, all come together to create a viewing experience that defies traditional classification.
A visual treat in itself, the show also incorporates unique and surreal animations. These segments both punctuate and provide a break from the conversational nature of the show. Largely symbolic and highly abstract, these animations add another layer to the already nonconformist nature of the series, often reflecting the bizarre and unconventional themes discussed in the conversations.
At its core, Bloodfeast ventures well beyond the normative constraints of regular TV programming. It’s about exploring new meanings in the mundane, making the ordinary seem extraordinary, and reshaping the common into something intriguing. It’s about highlighting the enjoyment of simple conversations and puzzles, masked by a blanket of absurdity and humor.
Through this unique blend of humor, crosswords, improvisation, and audience interaction, Bloodfeast shifts the paradigm of what can be considered television entertainment. It combines elements from various genres, yet remains distinctively separate.
For fans of the unusual and experimental, Bloodfeast offers a stimulating ride into the avant-garde. There's no neat way to box and label the show as it truly embodies the principles of experimental entertainment, rooted in the unpredictable. It’s an interactive thrill ride that leaves audiences amused, baffled, intrigued, or all of the above. Removing conventional television boundaries, Adult Swim's Bloodfeast proves to be an enjoyable exploration of the peculiar and the unexpected.
Bloodfeast is a series that ran for 2 seasons (391 episodes) between November 13, 2017 and on Adult Swim