Ep 5. Tell My Mom

After a brief hiatus, Robot Chicken is back with a brand new episode for its fourth season. Episode five, entitled "Tell My Mom," is an exhilarating and side-splitting half-hour of sketches that lampoon everything from pop culture icons to everyday life scenarios. The episode features the show's signature stop-motion animation style and off-the-wall humor, making it a must-see for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

The episode kicks off with a timely parody of conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly's infamous "We'll do it live!" outburst. In the sketch, we see O'Reilly (voiced by Robot Chicken regular Seth Green) struggling to read his teleprompter while the producers frantically try to get the segment back on track. The chaos escalates until the entire studio descends into a Mad Max-style battle royale, complete with post-apocalyptic costumes and weapons.

From there, the episode launches into a slew of pop culture references, including jabs at 80s action heroes, classic video games, and even the recent spate of live-action Disney remakes. One of the standout sketches features a group of Transformers trying to navigate a busy highway, with hilarious consequences. Another highlights the absurdity of the Mario universe, as the titular plumber battles off a horde of Goombas armed only with a plunger.

But the episode isn't all just silly jokes and one-liners. There are moments of genuine heart and emotion as well. One particularly touching sketch sees a young boy trying to impress his mother with a talent show performance, only to realize that his mother is too busy working to attend. The melancholic tone is a departure from the usual Robot Chicken fare, but it's a welcome one that adds depth to an otherwise irreverent show.

Of course, it wouldn't be Robot Chicken without a healthy dose of adult humor and boundary-pushing jokes. One sketch, for example, features a twisted take on the classic kids' show Sesame Street, with Bert and Ernie engaging in some seriously R-rated activities. Another features a domestic dispute between Barbie and Ken, complete with references to BDSM and Fifty Shades of Grey.

Overall, "Tell My Mom" is a strong entry in Robot Chicken's already impressive library of episodes. It strikes a balance between irreverent humor and genuine emotion, without ever taking itself too seriously. The animation is top-notch, the voice acting is superb, and the sketches are some of the funniest and most creative yet. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the series or a newcomer looking for a few laughs, this episode is sure to deliver.