Watch The Freak Brothers

The Freak Brothers is a 2021 animated series available on Tubi that brings the beloved underground comic strip of the same name to life for a new generation. The show is based on "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers," a comic strip created by Gilbert Shelton that first appeared in underground newspapers in 1968. Shelton is credited as an executive producer on the show, ensuring it maintains the countercultural spirit and humor of the original series.

Time-travel and cultural clash sit at the heart of The Freak Brothers. The show starts with the three titular brothers - Fat Freddy, Freewheelin’ Franklin, and Phineas - and their cat, Fat Freddy's Cat. In 1969, during the height of San Francisco's counterculture movement, the trio stumbles upon some unusually potent marijuana. After smoking it, they fall into a deep sleep and awake 50 years later in the present day. With their '60s mindset and values, they find themselves having to navigate a world that has changed immensely, leading to a series of comically absurd misadventures.

The Freak Brothers embraces the period of free love, peace movements, and psychedelic exploration that defined the '60s, and pairs it with the technological advancements and evolving social dynamics of the present day. The contrast between these two eras is beautifully woven throughout the show, not only providing humor but also commentary on social, political, and cultural shifts. It ushers the viewer through half a century of history, highlighting both the progress we’ve made and the ways in which we’re still grappling with the same issues.

The show boasts a stellar voice cast featuring Woody Harrelson as Freewheelin' Franklin, John Goodman as Fat Freddy, Pete Davidson as Phineas, and Tiffany Haddish as Fat Freddy's Cat. Their performances bring a unique spark and energy to the characters, capturing their distinctive personalities while bringing fresh humor to the script. Each character is fleshed out, with their own quirks and philosophies that fuel the chemistry between the group, contributing to the blend of hilarity, psychedelia and heart.

The animation style of The Freak Brothers is rich and colorful, harkening back to the groovy aesthetic of the late ’60s and early '70s. The show successfully translates Shelton’s original illustrative style into a vibrant and energetic cartoon world that pops off the screen. It makes dedicated use of its visual medium to showcase the psychedelic trips and oddball antics of its main characters, resulting in a truly entertaining and visually distinct series.

Underlying the humor and wild sequences is a substantial dose of satirical commentary - a hallmark of the original comics. The Freak Brothers is more than just an animated time-travel comedy; it's a thought-provoking piece that encourages viewers to question societal norms and the world around them. It touches on themes of drug culture, civil rights, the technology boom, and the evolving political landscape, making it a show with surprising depth.

The Freak Brothers manages to strike a balance between honoring the original comic strip with preserving its spirit of counter-culture commentary, and updating the material for modern sensibilities. Despite the decades that separate the heroes from their original timeline, the series feels relevant and timely. It is a show that delights in its own absurdity, employing its humor to tackle big themes in between the laughs.

Intricately crafted, The Freak Brothers is a celebration of a bygone era intertwined with a light-hearted critique of the present. It is a show for those who are unafraid to question the status quo, as well as for fans of animated series that mesh humor, depth, and a sense of adventure. With its excellent voice cast, unique storyline, and captivating animation, The Freak Brothers promises a psychedelic journey mixed with laughter and thoughtful reflection.

The Freak Brothers is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between November 14, 2021 and on Tubi