Every year, films and series are being produced in greater quantities and at faster rates. The supply is arguably so overwhelming that many an original show gets lost in the current, only to find itself buried deep below the muck of the modern entertainment industry. In the past, these shows would have been lost forever. Thanks to the internet, however, we can excavate them, watch them, and give them the recognition they deserve but, for reasons unbeknownst to us, never received. Here are four of them.
Major Lazer
Co-created by Diplo himself, Major Lazer was originally produced for FXX in 2015. Although the show was renewed for a second season, that offer was eventually rescinded after one of the producers left to work on another project. The first one, which counts 11 ten-minute episodes, threatened to fall into oblivion until it was picked up by Hulu, where it can be watched till this day.
Haunted by memories of cringe-worthy children’s shows like Hanna Montana and Big Time Rush, you’d think that a series based on a mainstream and fairly inoffensive EDM group would be a recipe for disaster. Thanks to its refreshingly crisp look and smartly simplistic writing, however, Major Laser manages to become more than just a glorified series of music videos.
Arguably the most impressive element of this show is its world-building. Set in the future, it follows a cyborg disco-owner and superhero that protects the people of Jamaica from the evil schemes of President Whitewall, an imperialist prick voiced by J.K. Simmons in what is easily one of the best performances he’s ever delivered. During his many adventures, he is assisted by Penny, Whitewall’s rebellious teenage daughter, and an Asian child-hacker named Blkmrkt.
Most episodes feature covers of popular Major Lazer songs, while some even contain original hits that were either developed specifically for the show, or conjured up in Diplo’s studio, only to die in the music industry’s equivalent of development hell. On top of that, the show also sports terrific cameos from numerous bands and musicians, including Vampire Weekend, Tiësto, Charli XCX and Riff Raff.
As mentioned, Major Lazer can be watched on Hulu, but you may also find the show on YouTube.
Mr. Sprinkles
Most people think Rick and Morty was the first time that writer Dan Harmon and animator Justin Roiland collaborated on a project, but that’s not the case. Back in the day, long before Harmon had made a name for himself with the NBC sitcom Community, he ran an online film festival called Channel 101. Here, animators could submit cheaply-produced short films and audiences would vote which of them ought to be continued.
An energetic mind with little to no sense of self-judgement and a knack for crudely zany animation, Roiland was one of the festival’s most frequent contributors. Over the years, he submitted pilots for close to a dozen shorts. Some, like The Unmarketables, were kind of abysmal. Others, like House of Cosbys, which follows a scientist’s attempt to clone his favorite comedian, may just be more hilarious than even the funniest Rick and Morty or Solar Opposites bits.
That said, the all-around best short that Roiland produced for the festival has to be Mr. Sprinkles. Produced in several short segments over the course of maybe a year, it followed a Cat in the Hat-like imaginary character whose well-meaning but uncontrollable actions were no longer appreciated in the modern world. Mixing elements of Dr. Seuss stories, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and even The Shawshank Redemption, this fifteen minute long-short forms a heartwarming tale about tolerance and friendship that will—no matter how crazy this sounds—make you shed a tear or two before the end credits roll.
Mr. Sprinkles used to be on YouTube, but it isn’t anymore. Luckily, you can still find the complete short for free on Vimeo.
The Legend of Korra
When Avatar: The Last Airbender arrived on Netflix, the animated series from the mid-2000s once again took the world by storm as older audiences relished in feelings of nostalgia and younger audiences experienced the magic of this perfect story for the first time. Once again, though, the sheer popularity of the family friendly juggernaut is taking away the spotlight from its younger, much more adult-oriented sister—one whose central message is arguably more salient to the current state of the world.
The Legend of Korra first aired on Nickelodeon in 2012, and fans hated it because it wasn’t a carbon copy of its predecessor. For their follow-up, series creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko wanted to do a complete overhaul of their previous work, and boy did they succeed. Whereas Aang was a young boy who had to master all four elements to save the world from an imminent thread, Korra is an adolescent woman who already mastered all fire, water and earth (but not air) in her youth, and grew up in times of peace.
Unlike the Fire Lord, a Hitler-like dictator who is presented as a through and through evil man with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, Korra faces off against enemies who constantly challenge the black and white worldview which The Last Airbender installed in us. One antagonist argues all benders should be killed, as their God-given abilities grant them an unfair advantage over non-benders. Another believes humanity has spread across the planet like a plague, and tries to give it back to the spirits.
While these interesting plot points, by all means admirable illustrations of complex political philosophies, are without a doubt the show’s greatest strength, they were not appreciated at the time. With each incoming fan-letter pleading for the return of Aang, Nickelodeon shrunk Korra’s budget, until her show was forced to leave the network before its final season could be aired.
Considered a burden rather than an asset by many networks, The Legend of Korra is currently streaming on CBS All Access.
Doraleous and Associates
The past two decades were a golden age for fantasy. First, we were treated with several sprawling blockbusters including The Lord of the Rings as well as Game of Thrones. When the genre’s dramatic prowess began to tire out, it fell to the comedic writers to swoop in to take over the job. Tropes and traditions Aragorn and Eddard had taught us were now mocked and deconstructed by shows like Disenchanted, Harmonquest and Crossing Swords.
Great as these shows are, however, none of them can hope to hold a candle to a little YouTube show called Doraleous and Associates. Essentially a polished animated adaptation of a group of guys’ prolonged Dungeons and Dragons session, this series manages to mock the fantasy genre while simultaneously relish in all that it does best. Some episodes offer slapstick comedy gold, others are nail-bitingly thrilling and exciting, but most offer a precarious but potent mix of both.
The characters are the best part of any fantasy story, and Doraleous and Associates is no exception. The show’s titular character is a straight man who must keep together his band of unhinged mercenaries if they are to do good deeds and, more importantly, make money. Both goals are often offset by the annoyingly disobedient elf-archer, Neebs, and the perverted old wizard, Merdok. Only Drak, a high-pitched, overweight dwarf, sticks by his boss’ side, but his slow wits don’t make him much of a help. Other members of the band include Broof, a hulking barbarian who can make short work of any opponent, and Sir Walken, a knight whose manner of speech is modeled closely after that of actor Christopher Walken.
Comprised of about half a hundred five-to-ten minute episodes that were released sporadically over the previous years, you can find each and every one of them for free on YouTube. Since the show appears to have gone on a permanent hiatus due its small following, your views may just help it get back on track, so definitely check it out.