Lil' Bush: Resident of the United States

I hesitate to write a review after only one episode, but I think after watching it there is little chance of improvement- or change in course (a little political humor there). Clearly, this show seeks to capitalize on current distaste for the White House administration by using its people and events as material for comedy. Making fun of government and government officials has long been used in various forms of comedy- with a great deal of success when executed well. The problem I had with this show was that it just was not funny, instead of going after laughs it simply went after the characters. As a libertarian I do not "have a horse" so to speak, in this fight between left and right, but in many ways I think that allows me to laugh at comedy focused on both ends of the political spectrum. However, this show was not comedy. I remember chuckling a couple times throughout the 30 minutes, but honestly I cannot even remember the jokes- which is a bad sign for a comedy where people typically remember every punch line and recite them endlessly for far too long. Comedy Central has clearly chosen to put forth programming with a negative focus on the current administration, as well as conservative thought in general, over the past 5 years or so. That in itself is no big deal because comedy is funny to everyone when it is done right- lefties laughing at themselves and conservatives laughing at jokes about the right. The problem with the current crop of political comedy, Lil' Bush included, is that the goal is not comedy, but a forum to display a rather disturbing amount of anger- in this case cheaply veiled by young animated characters. Not knowing much about the people involved with this project I had high hopes for a new animated comedy on Comedy Central because I find tasteful political comedy quite enjoyable, but it seems like personal attitudes and the desire to "get them" has over-ridden any comedic elements that may have been present. I gave this 4 stars, even though I feel like it deserves maybe 2 or 3, because for the right- and in this case that means the angry part of the left, audience the show could be enjoyable. I just wonder from a demographic standpoint whether there are enough viewers who fit that profile to carry this show beyond a few more episodes- because the show is not funny enough to carry itself. I doubt there are, but with the direction Comedy Central has been moving with their programming I imagine they knew that going in, but felt like they could get a filler for the summer season that would slot in well with the themes on other shows. I really hope Comedy Central gets out of the political comedy spiral they are in and get back to a more balanced lineup where comedy is the main goal and does not take a back seat to the individual beliefs of those in charge of the projects. Maybe after this administration is out of office things will cool down and the station built on comedy will start focusing more on it.

Lil Bush is a 30 minute cartoon show comprised of 2 15 minutes episodes shown on Comedy Central. It takes place in a fictional, cartoonish Washington D.C., and centers around the satirical, childish representations of George W. Bush, Condoleeza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheyney. Other politicians are also satirized in the same manner, and act as minor characters.

The pilot of little Bush, much to this commentator's expectations, proved to be a rather shallow and esoteric production, which barely delivers on its featured promise: a satirical look at the current presidential administration. While one must admit that premise of the show does have SOME merit, even though it would be hard to imagine a show based almost completely of the denigration of a single political persona would survive to continue to produce episodes after his term of office expired, execution that can only be described as sloppy at best, and downright awful at worst, has marred what little potential the show had.

Lil Bush, which may be technically classified as "satire", tends to disregard its actual use of the particular tool of comedy in order to lambaste its targets in exceptionally vulgar (but not particularly original, entertaining, or funny) ways. The show's consistently weak writing often consists of little more than recording Bush/Cheney jokes heard elsewhere ad nauseam and placing them all in a single 30 minute block of television. As such, most of the jokes that presented by the writers were shameless clichés, some of which that been in public circulation for more than 6 years already. Comparing the Vice President to Darth Vader, for example, may have been funny in the first 300 times one has heard it on the Daily Show/Colbert Report/Letterman/Conan O'Brien/Leno monologue/any late-night-talk-show-ever, but it is not funny here. As if that were not enough, the show's plots seem to exist simply as a means to advance the same old, tiresome Bush jokes that the writers have made the center of the program.

In the show's defense, when the writers dare to write in a truly original joke (which seems to be a rarity) it is often somewhat humorous. If the show were to expand its depth somewhat, and place its characters into new situations, exotic situations, rather than the same old mistakes and "quagmires" perpetuated by the Bush administration, therefore not having to rely on the same old Bush jokes over and over again, the show might be considered somewhat tolerable, and possibly even innovative.

Ultimately, it is difficult to ascertain which shortcoming causes the Lil Bush series the most damage; its clear lack of originality and weak writing quality, or its painfully narrow minded ambitions. It is reasonable to expect that Lil Bush will be able to maintain a small base of left wing fans, that is, if they are able to endure the exceptionally poor writing; so long as the program continues to lampoon the Bush administration thoroughly. Even so, the majority of viewers will soon recognize the program for what it really is, a weak and pointlessly vulgar attempt at satire, and tune out in search of something more intellectually stimulation; The Price is Right, perhaps.

Honestly, my expectations for Little Bush were low. I was expecting a little cartoon series with lots of fun (but rehashed and overdone) Bush jokes. Apparently I should have lowered my expectations even more.

The writing was absolutely pathetic. Aside from the Cheney-Chicken-Eating joke, and some giggly-little swipes, it was really boring and unfunny.

The animation was about as sophisticated as a thirteen-year old's Flash Project. It's disgraceful that they used Macromedia's product for this, because it's capable of so much more.

I don't like Bush that much, and I enjoy a Bush-joke as much as the next guy, but this was just a half-hour swipe at the President with several painfully un-funny moments. Trey Parker and Matt Stone did so much more with That's My Bush.

Do yourself a favor, skip "Lil' Bush" and go buy a copy of the short-lived comedy "That's My Bush". You'll thank me.

When anti-bush jokes get really easy to do, a show like this had better make sure it has something extra. When that something extra is kid versions of political figures making jokes about the future they don't have yet, it's just plain nonsense. Dick Cheney and George Bush are done well but Dick Cheney mutters mostly. There's also Condoleeza Rice who has a crush on Bush for some reason and Donald Rumsfeld who isn't really that similar to Donald Rumsfeld at all. The democratic characters rarely give their names so it's a mystery as to who could be who aside from Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton.

The episodes have coherent stories but that's not nearly enough to keep this from sinking.

This show actually can be pretty funny. Even if you're one of the 30% of Americans that likes Bush. This show is funny because not only does it poke fun at Bush, but all most all of the other politicians that are frequently in the news. The uncensored version though, isn't very good. They add all this extra stuff so they can make seem all inappropriate. This show shouldn't be watched by kids under at least 12, though most won't understand it. The show has quite a bit of funny material, and then some things that are just stupid. All in all, this show is worth giving a try. If you don't like it, find something else. The Simpsons are always an excellent choice!