Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show!

You know, one of the screaming tragedy of Bob Monkhouse's death?

Was that he never got to work on a second series of the gleefully wicked 'Arrrgh, It's Mr Hell.'

If anyone could do a wise cracking devil?

It was him.

Combine all that with some riotously funny, but very adult, sketches? You have a cult show that should've got more airtime than it did.

And a screaming loss for anyone how would've gone for the sort of humour best represented by a cartoon devil who's very voice had THE knowing smirk!

Here's a show about various kinds of evil. Of course, you've got the lead character, Mr. Hell, who delights in bringing suffering to others (provided he can do it with a certain flair). But you've also got the evil that arises from just plain life. The character Josh keeps trying to tell us about reincarnation but, well, always goes on to his next life before he can finish the first sentence. A psychopathic harp seal kills people when he experiences flashbacks of an earlier time. A Victorian lady can't accomplish anything because of her time and place.

In other words, the show doesn't portray evil just to be shocking. Rather, it strips away our blindness to bad things and lets us laugh at them.

Take, for example, the parody of "The Lion King". While the father is telling his son about "The Circle of Life", the other animals (a.k.a. prey) start complaining that the circle seems pretty lopsided. The father tries to justify his explanation, but one animal (who is the process of being eaten) dismisses his argument with a pithy (and necessarily brief) remark.

I liked that parody because it attacked a very silly Disney movie that made snuggly little cuties out of carnivorous beasts. Case in point: note how the son in "The Lion King" eats grubs for most of the movie so the kids don't have to see how lions REALLY eat. The Mr. Hell Show is an antidote to that kind of "let's not think or talk about it" attitude.

The fact is, there are some sucky things in the world, and turning a blind eye for the sake of our comfort doesn't make them go away. However, if we can laugh at the absurdity of it all, maybe we can find the strength to actually DO something.

I think that is a sub-text of this cartoon. One reason I say that is that occasionally something pleasant DOES happen on the show, for no particular reason (e.g. the "Golden Baby" bits). In other words, the show isn't just wallowing in nastiness, but examining it with great deftness.

I was first exposed to this brilliant comedy by a friend,unfortunately the season was almost at an end.it has not aired in Australia since its first airing...much to a lot of peoples dismay.The comedy writing is absolutely brilliant and typically British too boot.being a huge fan of the British comedy scene since the days of the goon show,the goodies,not only but also,dave allen etc etc..I instantly feel in love with all the characters,but the favourite would have to Serge The Sealpup..He could have a place in modern politics if he just immigrated to America,especially with his firearm ability.in ending I would like to say I cant wait for this stuff to be a bit more available in the local DVD rental store so I can catch up on unseen episodes..Keep on laughing..

This show does something few adult comedies actually do. It keeps using the same plotlines but making every episode feel fresh. Its actually very well made and often breaks the 4th wall. Its a shame it was cut so short.

Back In 2000, I Used To Watch This Cartoon Every Sunday Night Before School.

I Just Have To Say This Is One Of The Funniest Cartoons Ever. Brilliantly Animated, Great Voice Acting And Hilarious Jokes And Characters. One Such Character Is Surge The Seal (And Always At His Side, Lucky. A Rabbit Foot Keyring). His Parents Were Killed And Every Time He Sees A Human With A "Weapon" He Shouts Out His Line "IT WAS YOU!" And Goes On A Killing Rampage.

After The Series Ended, I Thought They Would Bring Out Another Series. But Now With The Passing Of Bob Monkhouse, I Doubt It Will Be Possible.