Cue a world in which a couple’s breakup coincides with the dissolution of their favorite band, there’s friction/jealousy over a workplace promotion and someone is reassessing their life after turning 25 — and is deflated by its seeming lack of motivation.
They’re just like us — if we were beings that resemble blue light bulbs (with eyes and a mouth) and we spoke in a pared-down, generic everyday language (“mild poison” for alcohol, “group roll machine” for a shuttle bus, “jitter juice” for coffee).
Welcome to the pink-and-blue-hued world of “Strange Planet,” a quirky parallel universe of sorts where, save for three-eyed birds and dogs, everything is relatable to what we consider normal, everyday problems and issues here on Earth — including interpersonal relationships and emotions.
The animated Apple TV+ series, premiering Aug. 9, is based on Nathan W. Pyle’s titular Instagram posts and comic book and, thankfully, he’s a writer/executive producer here (along with “Community”/”Rick and Morty” mastermind Dan Harmon), so the 10-episode series retains its forerunner’s flair for offbeat situations neatly wrapped in gentle life lessons targeted to all ages.
In the series opener, three beings who work as “Air Comforters” on a “flying machine” (a modern airliner) deal with the everyday frustrations of their passengers, cheerfully dispensing “tiny snacks” (‘nuf said) or “comfort cubes” (pillows) to anyone pushing the craft’s “Discomfort” button. They like to hang out and gossip after work, but when one of their group is promoted to the “Air Comfort Supervisor’s Supervisor” the other two express their discomfort in to-the-point terms (there’s no other way, really) that convey how they feel. Think of it as a honest verbiage that says a whole lot without the emotional baggage or awkwardness.
Meanwhile, the lead singer of rock group 4 Sensations (Lonely, Fragile, Hung Up On Their Ex and Drummer) suddenly leaves the group, not only affecting the other band members but leading to the breakup of two beings whose relationship is founded on their mutual love of their favorite group.
Hey — it happens … and, when all is said and done, issues are resolved, the flying machine colleagues are all friends again and even the now-3 Sensations rediscover their joy in making music.
In Episode 2, a being is unhappy when its 25th “emergence day” (birthday) rolls around, and it doesn’t help matters much when its “life givers” (parents) sow self-doubt in their expectations for their offspring. But you can be assured that, by episode’s end — as the being’s best friends tries to get the emergency-day celebrant to a surprise party — that it realizes its life, and the friends with which it’s surrounded, is rich and fulfilling. It’s kind of like one of those ’70s-era ABC Afterschool Specials with an otherworldly animated twist.
Kudos to the “Strange Planet” cast for handling its vocal duties with aplomb; Tunde Adebimpe, Demi Adejuyigbe and Lori Tan Chinn get top billing with able assists from Hannah Einbinder (“Hacks”), Danny Pudi (“Community”) and several others.
My one minor quibble is that, once the “Strange Planet” premise is established and the verbal cleverness takes hold, the 24-minute episodes tend to drag a bit — but I admire and applaud the series’ family-friendly intentions and sharp-edged humor that pokes fun at everyday irritants, while positing that people are people (or beings) — in whatever galaxy one resides.
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