Dancing Is Forbidden: An Aqua Teen Hunger Force Exploration Ronnie Neeley

Matthew I. Jenkins designed our beloved Carl and Master Shake... which is kind of funny considering Carl hates Shake. Today on the podcast we're talking with Matt, the man behind so many of our favorite characters. Matt's telling us all about the early years of the Atlanta animation industry (AKA the birthing grounds of Adult Swim), working side-by-side with the late great C. Martin Croker, and designing characters for Dave Willis & Matt Maiellaro on Aqua Teen. Other topics discussed include getting addicted to Clash Royale, the business of art, the (newfound) never-ending nature of Star Wars, and not getting fired from The Venture Bros.
 
• Matt Jenkins on Instagram -- buy an original ATHF production cell OR commission him: https://www.instagram.com/matthewijenkins/
 
• Watch Pastacolypse for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100003771/pastacolypse
• Watch Yenor for FREE: https://www.adultswim.com/videos/specials/yenor-pilot
♫ The Beatles - Helter Skelter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk1hCSA89fc
♫ Phish - You Enjoy Myself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsvlZacyByQ
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links - Support The Podcast At No Extra Cost!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps: 
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:04:30] Working on Plantasm
[00:07:41] Matt's origin story
[00:15:35] Early years in Atlanta animation
[00:20:37] Working with C. Martin Croker
[00:31:28] The beginnings of Aqua Teen
[00:39:15] Designing for Aqua Teen
[00:48:49] Directing the Aqua Teen openings
[00:54:27] Which ATHF character was most difficult to design?
[00:57:50] Working on The Venture Bros.
[01:07:37] Matt's favorite things
[01:17:14] Outro
[01:23:47] Matt's advice
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Meatwad's a workin' man in this episode... and work sucks. Well, like, it's not the job itself, ya know, but really the bosses. He doesn't mind dancing on the side of the road, it's the whole "remove your friend's brain" thing that makes him wanna quit. We've all been there. It's the final episode of Season 4 and we're getting our car(l)s washed with all sorts of ATHF factoids! Bob Pettitt gives us the full-res vending machines so we can see what the hell they say, Dave Willis is cluing us in on the inspiration for Carl Brain's voice, and comments from forums past give us insight into the storied history of this great Aqua Teen episode. Other topics discussed include Fergie and Will. I. Am leaving the other (nameless) peas in the pod & making their own smash hit album, getting spammed with Indeed job notifications, and getting credit for Jim Fortier's work.
 
References:
• Six Things that Writers Can Learn from the Creators of Aqua Teen Hunger Force: https://medium.com/@rmthewriter/six-things-that-writers-can-learn-from-the-creators-of-aqua-teen-hunger-force-c4276cdb032d
♫ Daughtry - It's Not Over: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ92eyxnxmQ
♫ Fergie - Glamorous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0SyUgw98tE
♫ Three Days Grace - Pain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud4HuAzHEUc
♫ Hard Work Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKW2gW2hdDQ
♫ Chiller 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4-e8rTn2H0
♫ Drama Link 36: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRgb-pWRhvo
• Orson Welles Outtakes - Frozen Peas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol5RpDEzLzY
♫ Invaders From Space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWOdxjQqRZo
• 2007 Toonzone Thread on Carl Wash: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-carl-wash-3-23.4312681/
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon ATHF Affiliate Links - Buy ATHF Stuff, Take Money From Jeff Bezos and Give It To Me!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:05:10] March 25, 2007 Pop Culture
[00:24:53] Carl Wash Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: Ronnie@DancingIsForbidden.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

If you found out you suddenly had a son, how would you handle the situation? If you answered "force him to become the best athlete of all time or else kill myself," you're clearly in the Master Shake school of thought. In this iconic Aqua Teen episode Patton Oswalt returns as yet another memorable character, proving age has nothing to do with innocence. We dive into Carl's shiny new black shotgun, Shake's actually correct baby handling advice, and why Aqua Teen's grounded writing approach keeps the show relatable despite being crazy as hell. Other topics discussed include stupid liquor laws, Willy Smith being the best actor of all time forever (for real!), and Incubus' Xavier Renegade Angel-esque album naming conventions.
 
References:
• Matt Jenkins' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewijenkins
♫ Incubus - Anna Molly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA_xjBaXor0
♫ Native American Flute Main: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVjYarxm17s&ab_channel=Born2Beats
♫ Beyoncé - Irreplaceable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ&ab_channel=Beyonc%C3%A9VEVO
• Reddit Thread about Carl's Shotgun: https://www.reddit.com/r/HelpMeFind/comments/15b83vw/help_me_find_this_specific_stock_photo_of_a/
• AquaDonk Side Pieces: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQl8zBB7bPvJAB_ak87ztVoPiKUxZr47x
♫ Aqua Teen Hunger Force/SGC2C Production Music - Home Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ieo8CGsPFA&ab_channel=VideoKilledTheRadioStar
• Bob Pettitt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pettitt_art
• Bob Pettitt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pettitt_art
• 2006 RPG.net thread on Ezekiel: https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?threads/ezekial-possibly-the-best-aqua-teen-hunger-force-ever.301924/
• 2006 Toonzone Thread on Ezekiel: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-ezekial-12-15.4256391/
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon ATHF Affiliate Links - Buy ATHF Stuff, Take Money From Jeff Bezos and Give It To Me!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:06:56] December 17th, 2006 Pop Culture
[00:23:48] Ezekiel Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: Ronnie@DancingIsForbidden.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Would you put a giant tower over your house for 40 yorlocks? Cuz Carl sure did. In a return to the classic Aqua Teen formula, Frylock is solving the case of the menacing antenna... sort of. Kinda. Not really. We're diving into George Lowe's glorious 2 minutes in this episode, gushing over Mike Judge, and marvelling at the framing device on this episode. Other topics discussed include projection TVs, Jay-Z's short lived retirement, and the influence of Beavis and Butthead on Aqua Teen. 
 
References:
• Dave, Dana, Carey, and mc chris panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac_bO-y_bK0&ab_channel=GalaxyCon
• Jay Wade Edwards on Effectively Wild Podcast: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2133-eternal-rest-day/
♫ JAY-Z - Show Me What You Got: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS4U-HAHwps&ab_channel=JayZVEVO
♫ Touring Ammos/Kane Music: https://touring-aimlessly-nowhere94.bandcamp.com/album/soulful-homunculus-blues-beat-tape
• HeadOn Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_SwD7RveNE&ab_channel=KyleLC
• Mike Judge on Space Ghost Coast to Coast: https://www.adultswim.com/videos/space-ghost-coast-to-coast/sphinx
• George Lowe 2007 Folk Art FOX NEWS piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f16q_jVj6O0&ab_channel=ClydeMcCain
• George Lowe 2021 Folk Art FOX NEWS piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPJfyXXSnm4&ab_channel=FOX13TampaBay
• Projection Screen TV: https://i.redd.it/lvn1mqgerdi61.jpg
• 2006 Forum Thread on Antenna: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-antenna-12-8.4252481/
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links - Support The Podcast At No Extra Cost!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:05:53] December 10th, 2006 Pop Culture
[00:22:15] Antenna Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Huddle up, running crew! We’re going long and deep into the end zone this week with a full-on blitz about Bart Oates, the gridiron great… and the Aqua Teen episode, too! Dave Willis, Bob Pettitt, and Jay Wade Edwards are bringing their A-game (via e-mail) to the podcast, tackling this story-heavy episode of ATHF like a quarterback sack.
We’re going to break down the play-by-play of the working title of this episode, an audible that’s easy to miss if you’re not listening for the snap count-- and don’t forget about the background artwork that didn’t quite make it past the goal line.
Other topics on the scrimmage line include how other games are pulling an offsides by ripping off Garry’s Mod, some Hail Mary attempts to deal with your rap set being cut 15 minutes short, and in a matchup as mismatched as a linebacker versus a kicker, we’re comparing Carl and Maya Angelou. 
So strap on your helmets and cinch up your chinstraps, because we’re about to kick off this discussion. Hut, hut, hike!
 
References:
♫ (Carey Means Cameo) DrxQuinnx - Initial 頭​文​字 Q: https://bittaperecords.bandcamp.com/album/initial-q
♫ The Game - It's Okay (One Blood) ft. Junior Reid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0ZUbFVgZpc
♫ Akon - I Wanna Love You (ft. Snoop Dogg): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_g8yLOMpG4&ab_channel=SuperrRickie
• Adult Swim commercials from December 3rd, 2006: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxigO08eY2o&ab_channel=CBZVHS
• Bob Pettitt on Instagram: https://instagram.com/pettitt_art
• Bob Pettitt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pettitt_Art
♫ Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A3HZvGN0qs
♫ The Paladins - Daddy Yar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jWhQTOFmQA• 2006 Forum Thread on Bart Oates: https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/c-c-aqua-teen-hunger-force-bart-oates-12-1.4248051/
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links - Support The Podcast At No Extra Cost!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps: (coming soon)
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:07:03] December 3rd, 2006 Pop Culture
[00:28:21] Bart Oates Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Open your lungs and inhale the most premium moonajuana money can buy... from the dump. It was free, but you can't put a price tag on the unbeatable high you will attain. Better yet, while you're floating away on a consciousness of bliss, 2D aliens from space will rid you of your worldly possessions. You just can't beat that convenience. We're diving into Moonajuana, the last proper Mooninites episode. Is this yet another successful entry in the Mooninites saga? Man, I'm too high on moony jane, I couldn't tell ya. Other topics discussed include Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, Now That's What I Call Music's dwindling variety, and how Assy McGee gets a bad wrap. 
 
References (well, Reference):
• Bob Pettitt Cable Spool Table Post: https://twitter.com/Pettitt_Art/status/1645585020550086657?t=Oewim-VzwPYa2rhM3fZVqg&s=19
 
★ Support The Show + Get Extra Episodes
• Patreon: patreon.com/dancingisforbidden
 
★ Amazon Affiliate Links - Support The Podcast At No Extra Cost!
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm 4K: https://amzn.to/3Svy2ea
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm BluRay: https://amzn.to/3dLcKKS
• Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm Digital: https://amzn.to/3t8cqtv
• Baffler Meal 20 Disc DVD Box Set: https://amzn.to/3fmznWf
 
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:07:39] November 26th, 2006 Pop Culture
[00:23:22] Moonajuana Deep Dive
 
Contacts: 
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/dancingisforbidden
Discord: https://discord.gg/NpjSXPECw6
Instagram: @AquaTeenPod
Email: DancingIsForbiddenPod@gmail.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9yseLj27npIZlEnM8ooBaQ
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5gFb5eAYH3nyF3DZ5jwhQ
Website: dancingisforbidden.com
Twitch: twitch.tv/ronnieneeley