Comic-Con@Home: Close Enough Q&A

Close Enough is the latest, greatest thing to hit adult animation. And I mean that quite literally as the show premiered just two weeks ago on July 9 on HBO Max.

With the new series still fresh in our minds, Comic-Con@Home has brought the cast back together for a special table reading of the pilot episode, as well as a bit of Q&A. 

Considering it took years for Close Enough to air after being originally produced for TBS, it is great to see the majority of the main cast return to talk about the project.

Close Enough is the creative progression from Regular Show creator J.G. Quintel. The series follows a struggling young family sharing boarding with a divorced 30-something couple. The premise perfectly encapsulating what life is like during the transitional 30s and navigating having young children.

During the panel, Quintel admits that his goal for this latest endeavour into animation was appealing to a more adult crowd than Regular Show, with a focus on capturing those that wouldn’t normally watch cartoons.

He seems to have been successful as reviews of Close Enough have been almost unanimously positive. The first season scored high points on Bubbleblabber for maintaining the beloved humour of J.G. Quintel while maturing naturally.

As moderator for the Comic-Con@Home panel, former voice actor of Rigby from Regular Show reunites with Quintel. They are joined by producer Calvin Wong and Close Enough cast members Gabrielle Walsh (The Vampire Diaries), Jessica DiCicco (Ballmastrz: 9009, Adventure Time), Kimiko Glenn (Orange Is the New Black), and the always hilarious Jason Mantzoukas (Big Mouth).

Unfortunately, the virtual panel does not share any insight on the potential for a second season of the new hit show. Nor is there any news on the two unreleased episodes of the first season. However, the talents are open about the creative process, the direction of the series, and their appreciation of the individual characters.

Regardless of the show’s newfound success, it is hard not to associate and compare Close Enough to the beloved Regular Show. Much of the panel is Quintel sharing how the progression of the two shows mirrors the stages in his own life.  Close Enough being a reflection of where he is and how his humour has adapted.

To cap the panel off, the cast members join in for a table reading of season one, episode one. Despite the actors not having read the script for quite some time, it does give fans a chance to see how the show comes to life through voices. Additionally, as Mantzoukas points out, there is a natural charisma that comes out when the actors can interact.

Close Enough may be new to the adult animation scene, but it has quickly made an impact. 

Seeing these talents come together again can give fans hope that a second season is not out of the picture just yet.

Season one of Close Enough is available to watch now on HBO Max.

The Close Enough virtual panel is free to watch now on the Comic-Con@Home website or on YouTube.