Celebrating 25 Years Of “Clerks: The Animated Series”

Grab your Squishees and get ready to exclaim “I’m not even supposed to be here today!” because it’s been a whopping 25 years since “Clerks: The Animated Series” first graced our screens. Debuting on May 31, 2000, this short-lived but beloved cartoon brought the slacker antics of Dante Hicks and Randal Graves from Kevin Smith’s cult classic film to a whole new, animated dimension.

For fans of the 1994 indie darling, the animated series was a dream come true. It captured the same cynical humor, pop culture references, and everyday existential crises that made the movie so iconic. Voiced by the original film cast – Brian O’Halloran as Dante, Jeff Anderson as Randal, Kevin Smith as Silent Bob, and Jason Mewes as Jay – the show seamlessly transitioned the Quick Stop universe into a vibrant cartoon world.

Clerks: The Animated Series wasn’t afraid to push boundaries and embrace the absurd. Episodes featured everything from Dante running for president to the duo encountering dinosaurs in the convenience store freezer. Its sharp wit and satirical edge, reminiscent of shows like The Simpsons and South Park, quickly garnered a dedicated following. The show also embraced celebrity guest voices, with the likes of Alec Baldwin, Charles Barkley, and James Woods lending their talents to the animated chaos of Leonardo, New Jersey.

Despite its critical acclaim and devoted fanbase, Clerks: The Animated Series suffered an untimely cancellation after just six episodes on ABC. However, its legacy lived on through DVD releases and reruns on Comedy Central, solidifying its status as a cult classic in its own right. Many credit the show with pioneering a more adult-oriented and humorously cynical style of animation that would later become more mainstream.

Even though 25 years have passed since its initial airing, the charm and humor of Clerks: The Animated Series  remain as fresh as a day-old hot dog (which, in Dante and Randal’s world, is probably still edible). The show perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the original film while embracing the limitless possibilities of animation.

So, whether you’re a longtime fan who remembers its original brief run or a newcomer eager to experience the animated misadventures of Dante and Randal, now is the perfect time to revisit (or discover) the brilliance of Clerks: The Animated Series. After all, as any true fan knows, “This job would be great if it weren’t for the customers!”

Happy 25th Anniversary, Clerks: The Animated Series!