Watch Free for All

Free for All was a half-hour animated television series that aired on Showtime in 2003. The show was created by Brett Merhar and financed by Film Roman, the same studio responsible for shows such as The Simpsons and King of the Hill. The series enjoyed a brief run, with only six episodes being released before it was cancelled. Despite its short run, Free for All was well-received for its sharp writing, humor, and bold animation style.

The show followed the misadventures of Johnny Giamopolous, an underemployed slacker who lives in a rundown apartment complex. Johnny spends most of his time smoking pot, playing video games, and hanging out with his two slacker friends, Sal and Bill. However, Johnny's life takes a turn for the worse when he is laid off from his job as a parking meter attendant. Without steady income to pay his rent, Johnny struggles to find work and avoid eviction. As he navigates the ups and downs of his situation, Johnny encounters a range of eccentric and often absurd characters, including his slumlord landlord, a psychotic cable installer, and an unhinged motel clerk.

Although the show was animated, it tackled mature themes and featured explicit language. Free for All was aimed at an adult audience and took full advantage of its creative freedoms to explore a range of taboo subjects. From sex and violence to drug use and profanity, the show pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable for a mainstream animated series. Despite its edginess, Free for All was also highly satirical, often aiming its wit at pop culture and current events.

One of the standout aspects of the show was its animation style. Free for All used a technique called Squigglevision, which involved drawing characters and backgrounds in a constantly wobbling and vibrating style. The effect gave the show a distinct visual flavor and added to its irreverent tone. The animation style also allowed for rapid-fire cuts and sight gags as well as surrealist visual humor.

The show's writing was another strong point. The scripts were packed with sharp one-liners, visual gags, and absurdist humor. The show's satire was often biting, with the writers skewering everything from corporate culture to government incompetence. Despite the show's often crass subject matter, however, it also had a strong emotional core. At its heart, Free for All was a show about friendship and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in an absurd world.

The voice acting on Free for All was also top-notch. The cast included a mix of established voiceover actors and well-known comedians. Johnny was voiced by comedian Brett Merhar, the show's creator and writer. Other notable voices included comedian Eddie Pepitone as Sal, character actor Phil LaMarr as Bill, and cult film actor Jeffrey Combs as Johnny's landlord, Mr. Lavalle. The show also featured guest appearances from celebrities such as Ron Jeremy, Martin Starr, and David Alan Grier.

Despite its strong critical reception, Free for All was ultimately cancelled due to poor ratings. The show's irreverent content and edgy animation style may have been too much for some viewers, while others may simply not have known about it. Nevertheless, the show has developed a cult following in the years since its release. Fans of the show applaud its irreverent humor, inventive animation, and biting satire. For those who missed this raunchy gem during its initial run, Free for All is undoubtedly worth checking out.

Free for All is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between July 11, 2003 and on Showtime