Writing is finished for the Venture Brothers Season 3

[Mandark]

According to Jackson Publick.  Some tidbits:

* More standalone episodes, but there is an arc, which the finale will focus on

* They've made good on their promise from the DVD commentary not to use Star Wars references

* HD!

* No Baron Ünderbheit (who I think gets a bum rap)

* They "dug deeper than we have before, told richer stories, took some chances," which I take to mean more OMG and WTF in the future



I'm already building my expectations up to completely unattainable levels.

[Vizzys]

more of the same would be fine for me

HD is good to hear

[TVC15]

The arc thing is good.  Keep in mind that there will be twice as many episodes this time, so making them all arc-y would make it kind of soap opera-ish.  Also worth noting that most of the previous seasons only had a few flat arc episodes, and probably only 2-3 total that relied on the viewer having previously seen shit.  I just hope this means there will still be tons of callbacks and shit.

Baron Underbheit as a character probably does get a bad rap, but facts is facts, and both of "his" episodes were some of the worst in the series.  And Catclops and Girl Hitler are better characters.

[Mandark]

Actually, S3 will still be 13 episodes.  They got approved for two seasons instead of one, and Publick says he's sort of geared up to start writing S4, but it sounds like there will still be a small break between them.

As for Ünderbheit, I totally want a followup for the end of the Ünderland episode where he asks the Monarch if he can crash at the Cocoon.  The show thrives on the Icons of Adventure vs. Petty Reality dynamic, and they never really found that hook with Ünderbheit.

[Cyanista]

Thank god no more star wars references.

[Vizzys]

As for Ünderbheit, I totally want a followup for the end of the Ünderland episode where he asks the Monarch if he can crash at the Cocoon.

I was wondering where this went as well.

[TVC15]

I kind of wish there would be a general moratorium on Star Wars references across all television and film.

[etiolate]

Family Guy and Adult Swim kind of overkilled referencing anything pop culture.

[TVC15]

Family Guy and Adult Swim kind of overkilled referencing anything pop culture.

Yeah, I'll agree, Adult Swim in particular should check that shit.  Family Guy is beyond saving, but Adult Swim still has sway over some of my attention.  Constant pop cultural references, even when done well, date very quickly.  Yeah, Star Wars references, we know they won't date at this point, but they are so fucking played out after, oh, you know, 30 fucking years.

[bluemax]

I thought VB S2 did some good pop culture stuff ("I met her on the LIVE JOURNAL!") and while I like SW I think that they're fine not using SW references.

Can't wait for S3 and I'm liking what I'm hearing.

[FlameOfCallandor]

I kind of wish there would be a general moratorium on Star Wars references across all television and film.

Amen. It's getting completely out of hand.

[Himu]

FUCK yes

[MrAngryFace]

30 rock has star wars references too but I find them kinda funny in the context

[Van Cruncheon]

30 rock's star wars gags aren't played for "lol star wars" effect, though; they're played to make liz lemon seem like an out-of-touch nerdlinger, which actually *is* funny

[Mandark]

Word.

Good pop culture references should reinforce what's funny about the characters and situations in the show.

When the Monarch recites the Lois Lane internal monologue while he's flying with Dr. Girlfriend, that's kind of lame, because the entire joke is "hey, this is a bit from a movie you've seen, but in a different context!"

The stuff with 21 and 24 is all good, though, as is the Monarch razzing Brock over his unfinished Led Zep tattoo.  It's funny cause 21 and 24 are nerds, and Brock is a big lunkhead.

[MrAngryFace]