Watch Moonbeam City

Moonbeam City was a criminally underwatched animated series that aired on Comedy Central in 2015. It was an absurdist parody of 80s cop shows that made no attempt to take itself seriously, and instead played fast and loose with visual gags, retro aesthetics, and ridiculous storylines. The show followed the exploits of a rogue police officer named Dazzle Novak, voiced by Rob Lowe, who worked for the titular Moonbeam City police department. Dazzle was a sex-obsessed, narcissistic, and frequently incompetent cop who tended to bungle investigations before miraculously solving them at the last minute.

The real stars of the show were the supporting characters, who were all bizarre and hilarious in their own right. Elizabeth Banks played Pizzaz Miller, the hard-nosed chief of police who frequently clashed with Dazzle but secretly harbored a crush on him. Kate Mara played Chrysalis Tate, Dazzle's rival and occasional love interest, who was a straight-laced detective with a penchant for martial arts and a hatred for everything Dazzle stood for.

The animation style of Moonbeam City was intentionally retro, with neon colors, geometric shapes, and exaggerated character designs that resembled airbrushed album covers from the 80s. The show was a visual feast, full of hilarious sight gags and references to cheesy action movies and TV shows. The show's creators clearly had a deep love for the aesthetics of the time period they were parodying, and it showed in every frame.

One of the best things about Moonbeam City was the way it embraced absurdity and leaned into the ridiculousness of its premise. The show was never afraid to go full-on bizarre, whether it was having a villain who was literally made of gold, or having Dazzle team up with a sentient motorcycle that was obsessed with Mötley Crüe. The humor was often crass and vulgar, but it was always delivered with a wink and a nod, as if the show was in on the joke.

Despite its many strengths, Moonbeam City struggled to find an audience during its brief run on Comedy Central. The show's irreverent humor and niche appeal didn't seem to click with the mainstream, and it was cancelled after just one season. However, the show has since developed a cult following, with fans appreciating its unique blend of irreverence, nostalgia, and absurdity. It's the kind of show that's perfect for binging on a lazy Sunday afternoon, when you just want to let your brain turn off and enjoy some mindless fun.

In conclusion, Moonbeam City was a hilarious and visually stunning animated series that deserved more attention than it ultimately received. Its loving parody of 80s cops shows, neon aesthetics, and absurd humor will likely delight fans of shows like Archer or Rick and Morty. And with a short 10-episode run, the show is the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon.

Moonbeam City is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between September 16, 2015 and on Comedy Central