Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is an American animated television series that aired on the nighttime Adult Swim block of the channel Cartoon Network from 2000 to 2007. The series is an adult spin-off parody of the more kid-friendly Hanna-Barbera series from the 1950s-80s, with Birdman from Birdman and the Galaxy Trio.
Plot
This clever animated comedy revolves around the law firm of Sebben & Sebben and primarily the activities of Harvey T. Birdman, described as a third-rate lawyer who takes the cases nobody else wants. Birdman, an ex-superhero from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Birdman and the Galaxy Trio, works alongside other Hanna-Barbera cartoon stars from the 1960s and '70s, and many of his enemies from "Galaxy Trio" also became attorneys and are often seen representing the opposing side of a particular case.
Why It's The Attorney At Law
- Much like Space Ghost Coast to Coast, the fifth season of Samurai Jack and Sealab 2021, this show has done the adult version of the original kids show concept correctly, unlike some of the others.
- Lots of memorable and likable characters such as Harvey Birdman, Birdgirl, Phil Ken Sebben, Peanut, Avenger, Judy Ken Sebben, Myron Reducto, Mentok the Mind-Taker, The Squirrel and X the Eliminator.
- Great voice acting, especially from Gary Cole, Stephen Colbert, Thomas Allen, Paget Brewster, the late Joe Alaskey, Grey DeLisle (Kitty Katswell from T.U.F.F. Puppy), Tom Kenny (The titular character of Spongebob Squarepants), Dee Bradley Baker (Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb), Jeff Bergman, Steven Blum, Bill Farmer, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker from the prequel Star Wars Trilogy), Frank Welker (Fred Jones from the Scooby Doo series), Kevin Michael Richardson, Billy West (Stimpy from The Ren and Stimpy Show), and more.
- The animation is very decent, and they even used flash animation, even for 2000's standards, which still looks good to this day.
- Most of the characters from other Hanna-Barbera shows have also appeared in this show either guest appearance or cameos like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo gang, Yogi Bear, Jonny Quest, Top Cat, The Quick Draw McGraw Show, Magilla Gorilla, Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy, Secret Squirrel, Peter Potamus, and more.
- The intro itself is very catchy.
- "The Death of Harvey" was a great way to end this show and it was truly satisfying.
- Some funny moments for every episode which was great.
- In 2018, they managed to bring back the TV special called Harvey Birdman: Attorney General, which aired for 10 years, after the series finale of this show.
- It's one of Adult Swim's best shows that they aired during the 2000s and it's very nostalgic by most people who grew up in that era, along with the first season of Clone High.
- It spawned a 2008 game for PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Nintendo Wii that is just as great as the show, as it plays similar to the Ace Attorney games.
The Only Bad Quality
- Its spin-off series "Birdgirl" isn't as good, due to lack of Hanna-Barbera characters and humor.
Trivia
- The show is one of four spin-offs of Space Ghost Coast to Coast, along with Cartoon Planet, The Brak Show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Sealab 2021.