Robot Chicken, the stop-motion sketch comedy series known for its pop culture parodies, is set to release two new specials that will poke fun at its home network, Adult Swim. The specials were announced at the Annecy Festival, celebrating Adult Swim's 25th anniversary.
Since its debut on Adult Swim in 2005, Robot Chicken has consistently parodied major franchises. Now, creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich are turning their satirical eye toward the programming block itself. The first special, scheduled for August, will commemorate Adult Swim's 25th anniversary by targeting the diverse array of shows that have aired on the network since its inception in 2001. These include prominent titles such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Rick and Morty, and My Adventures with Superman.
The Robot Chicken Adult Swim Special is planned to feature a reunion of characters from various Adult Swim series, including Assy McGee and Brock Sampson from The Venture Bros., alongside figures from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Black Jesus, and Metalocalypse. These characters will convene on a cruise ship for what is described as a "disastrous" celebration of the network's quarter-century.
This special is slated to premiere on Adult Swim on August 30 and will be available for streaming on HBO Max beginning August 31. In addition to the Robot Chicken specials, Cartoon Network is developing a five-part documentary series. This documentary aims to chronicle the individuals responsible for building both Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, and is anticipated to be released next year to coincide with the anniversaries.
Adult Swim first launched on September 2, 2001, as a late-night programming block on Cartoon Network dedicated to adult animation. Its initial lineup featured shows like Cowboy Bebop, Sealab 2021, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast. The network's parent, Cartoon Network, will celebrate its own 35th anniversary in 2027, an event that Robot Chicken is also expected to parody in a separate special.