May 22, 2009, - 11:46 am

Can’t Wait for This: New Animated ABC Mike Judge Series Mocks Liberal Enviro-Crazies

By Debbie Schlussel
Yeah, you’re probably thinking about the long holiday weekend and don’t want to focus on next week.
But I recommend you keep your calendar open for Wednesday Night, when at 9:00 p.m., ABC debuts “The Goode Family.” It’s an animated TV series directed by the genius behind the great, must-see “Idiocracy,” Mike Judge, and it sounds hilarious. If you’re like me and sick of the eco-hypocrites and enviro-crazies, this is for you, complete with a vegan dog and an adopted kid from South Africa (who they’re upset turned out to be White).

Director Mike Judge’s new animated television series “The Goode Family” is a send-up of a clan of environmentalists who live by the words “What would Al Gore do?” Gerald and Helen Goode want nothing more than to minimize their carbon footprint. They feed their dog, Che, only veggies (much to the pet‚Äôs dismay) and Mr. Goode dutifully separates sheets of toilet paper when his wife accidentally buys two-ply. And, of course, the family drives a hybrid.

goodefamily.jpg

On Wednesday at 9 p.m., “The Goode Family” will have its premiere on ABC and become the first animated series on the network’s prime-time lineup since 1995. . . .
“Goode” lampoons a liberal Midwestern household. In “Goode,” the characters are often mocked for being green just to fit in with their friends and neighbors. They are a perfect target for the 46-year-old Mr. Judge and his two longtime co-writers, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, who have made careers out of finding humor in the follies and pretensions of everyday people. . . .
“The Goode Family” came from an idea that Mr. Altschuler had while on vacation. Mr. Altschuler’s wife observed how difficult it was to “be good”‚Äîi.e., environmentally responsible. That became the central premise for the Goode Family. Mr. Judge, who says he was inspired by the mellow tones of National Public Radio hosts, provides the voice of the bicycle-riding college administrator Mr. Goode.

Can’t wait for this. So in the meantime, here’s a clip of the guys hilariously describing the Goode’s. It’s a must watch:

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8 Responses

LOLOLOL this looks to be very funny

mindy1 on May 22, 2009 at 12:39 pm

I’m going to have a field day with this one! Gerald reminds me of the teacher from Beavis and Butthead, Mr. Van Driessen.
*cue “Lesbian Seagull”*

cirrus1701 on May 22, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Perhaps Mike Judge is a fan of the “Diversity Lane,” “Day by Day” and “Political Bastards” web cartoons.

chsw on May 22, 2009 at 4:40 pm

I suspect that ABC doesn’t get the irony & assumes that the joke is on fly over red state denizens.

adagioforstrings on May 22, 2009 at 4:57 pm

While I was teaching (adult education/trade school)in AZ my son was in a class doing the whole “black history/africa month” of PC study, led by a “dr” in full on african garb. He was assigned to do a report about South Africa. Luckily I had a student in my class that was from South Africa and he agreed to be interviewed for the project.
This guy was almost albino white and his family had lived in South Africa for over 300 years. The report went great, but you could of heard a pin drop as my son passed around photos he took during the interview. He still got an “A” because he answered every thing that was required in the report.
One of the proudest days in my son’s public school education.
Still laugh about it today.

ender on May 22, 2009 at 9:28 pm

“The Goode Family” came from an idea that Mr. Altschuler had while on vacation. Mr. Altschuler’s wife observed how difficult it was to “be good” environmentally responsible.
Seriously. Is she sure she didn’t see a rather world-famous Brit sitcom called “The Good Life” (Good Neighbors in the US)? 1975-1978.
It’s based around the Goods who give up their ratrace life in London to go “self-sufficient” in their own London suburbia backyard.
This is how far we have come. The Goods are thought oddballs by their neigbors BECAUSE of their faux green lifestyle.
It’s very funny. Stars Felicity Kendall and Richard Briers.

Jack Bauer on May 24, 2009 at 7:27 am

The concept is great, but the timing is off. Some stuff is too slow, and some too fast. If they don’t fix it, their going to flop, and that would be a shame.

yonason on May 24, 2009 at 1:12 pm

It just occurred to me, if you want a good laugh at at the fanatics’ expense, get Calvin Trillin’s audio book, “Piece By Piece”…
http://www.amazon.com/Calvin-Trillin-Piece/dp/1565111427
…and listen to the one about a Canadian family he calls “the retentives,” who had recycling down to an obsession. (the rest of his material is hilarious, as well).
I first noticed the tapes at a library when I saw his picture on the cover, which looked exactly like a friend from one of the Shuls I used to attend. I checked it out, and listened to it with my kids, who laughed themselves silly. I’ve since purchased a copy for them.
Note – Calvin Trillin is what I would call a “Conservative Liberal.” At least he was then. Whether he’s recovered, or gotten worse, I don’t know. But, politics aside, he’s amazingly funny.

yonason on May 24, 2009 at 1:25 pm

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