The Heart, She Holler

This show is all at once avant garde,transgressive, satirical, but also a spoof of avant garde transgressive satire. Its blue and smart and dumb and raises questions that make you thing as well as making you think ", did a show this poorly constructed actually make me think so deeply". If you're strapped for time but want to watch something of quality but need it to be easy and make help you wind down at the end of the day then you need to plug this show in once or twice a week. I wrote this review drunk, but as a final last pitch, I would describe it as basically what it would be like if George Saunders huffed gasoline and was dropped off in Eastern Tennessee and had a savant/autistic kid with Steve King. Sold yet? Glad I could sell you on it.

Let me begin by stating that this show leaves a very distinct impression the first time you see it. If you have any reservations about... well, just about anything at all, you should probably not bother. This is for the truly uninhibited imagination and for that reason, it will never be very popular.

However, for those of us who are up at that time of night and require a little bit more mental stimulation beyond the standard "Family Guy"/"Robot Chicken" pop-culture-reference dreck, this shines out like a filthy golden dildo of truth through the cracks in the mummified vagina of late night television.

Watch if you dare.

UPDATE (1-7-14): I recently purchased the DVD set of PFFR's first Adult Swim contribution, Xavier Renegade Angel. If you've already given into the sweaty, meat-flavored temptation of The Heart, She Holler, save yourself a flavor and get the Xavier Renegade Angel DVD set on Amazon (right now only $4.99!). Try not to watch any of it on the internet first, as it should be seen/heard in the best possible quality (plus, anything this freakishly brilliant deserves your financial support). Then thank me when you realize that you're watching the best thing Adult Swim or PFFR have ever produced.

I was all set to write a "legit" review of "The Heart, She Holler," but after reading the jaw-dropping first entry, then many of the subsequent offerings, I feel that I only have one unique thing to contribute:

Although this show is meant to be comedy, albeit of the creepy, weird voodoo variety, I find Patton Oswald's performance of the character Hurlan, the man-child raised in complete isolation, punctuated with moments of true and genuine heartbreak, as he tries time and time again, to connect with somebody... anybody. The show is interesting, but when either Hurlan or the witch Mother are on the screen, it simply jumps,erupting into new life. It is then that the show leaps to a completely new and higher level.

ADDENDUM: After viewing the third season, I just have to say that this trippy, hypnotic project is a thing of beauty and true genius.

This magnificent epic is a landmark in America's ongoing struggle to define, and comprehend, it's own sexual identity. Patton Oswalt makes Brando look like a piker with his portrayal of the man that every woman wants to be, and every man is in love with; truly the greatest masterwork of the Twentieth Century. Also, I have a thing for Kris Schaal.... like America. So slaughter the fatted Gemberling, light the comic candles; prepare for a New Season.... Sure, this kind of comedy isn't for everyone, but to say that there's no overarching plot; that is pushing it a bit. Acquired taste, anyone?

It's true that while Pat Oswalt ( "Big Fan" ) is a Liberal, an overripe pudding of a man, an empty hole of nihilistic nothing; it is also true that the character he has created has changed the culture forever. We will never be able to look at ourselves, our neighbors, their surprisingly hot wives and girlfriends, or their dogs in the same way ever again.

America; "Uncle Sam", That delicious Brunette "Lady Liberty" from old-time recruiting posters, or just a big, green, suspiciously mannish copper strumpet fro France? Watch with an open mind, perhaps learn to ask the right questions.

This show is at least, unconfortable and cruel. Is a piece of hell on your screen, a trip to the horror of our human condition, guided by the hands of the worst god even imagined by the craziest beign. Is not a fun ride, is a torture to be suffer and delighted.