Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
Encyclopedia : H : HA : HAR : Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is a comedic American animated television series that airs on Cartoon Network during its Adult Swim late night programming block created by Williams Street. The series' pilot first aired in 2000, followed by an episodic series in 2001. The show revolves around the day-to-day activities of a law firm staffed mainly by superheroes and other characters featured in 1960s-era cartoons produced by Hanna-Barbera, particularly Birdman and the Galaxy Trio.
The show itself is currently produced by Cartoon Network and Turner Studios. The third season began airing on Adult Swim on July 24 2005. Season 4 will premiere September 4 2006 and will contain 7 episodes to complete Volume 3. It will also coincide with the DVD release of Harvey Birdman Volume 2 which will be released on October 10, 2006.
After those episodes air there will be 39 episodes in total and after that the future of the show is uncertain.
Contents
Premise
The show features ex-superhero Harvey Birdman as an attorney working for a prestigious law firm, along with other cartoon stars such as Blue Falcon and Peter Potamus. Although he is most often portrayed as a criminal defense attorney, Harvey also serves as a civil litigator, depending on the plot of a particular episode.Harvey's clients are primarily composed of characters taken from Hanna-Barbera cartoon series of the 1960s and '70s; this roster includes some of the studio's most popular stars, including Fred Flintstone, Scooby-Doo, and the specially-created members of the Super Friends, as well as lesser-known characters such as Ding-a-Ling (sidekick of Hokey Wolf) and daredevil Ernie Devlin (from the short-lived series Devlin). Many of Birdman's nemeses featured in his former cartoon series have also become attorneys, and often represent the opposing side of a given case.
While the series remains faithful to its premise, it also uses an absurdist style of comedy, featuring characters, objects, and jokes that are briefly introduced and rarely (if ever) referenced thereafter. Also, because the series also relies heavily on pop culture references to classic television animation, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law constantly delves into parody, even featuring clips of these series, or specially-created scenes which mimic the distinctive style of the animation being referenced.
Because of this approach, continuity is largely disregarded, though occasionally hinted: it is strongly implied that Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law serves as a sequel to Birdman and the Galaxy Trio. Instead of rigid plot structure, much of the humor is derived from the fact that superheroes and supervillains are given more realistic and human qualities; for example, Birdman's former nemesis Reducto, a mad scientist who carries a shrink ray, becomes "Myron Reducto," an obsessive-compulsive and paranoid attorney who carries a shrink ray.
It is interesting to note that although the first season was animated using traditional cel animation, starting with the second season, the show is currently produced using Macromedia Flash. The reason for the switch was that the Korean animation studio was having a hard time getting the fast pace of the show correct and thus the production of episodes slowed down due to constant re-takes. By animating the series in the U.S. with Flash, not only are problems corrected faster, but production costs are much lower - animation has also been done for Birdman in Vancouver, Canada as well.
Characters
Sebben and Sebben
- Harvey Birdman starred in the Hanna-Barbera show Birdman and the Galaxy Trio in the sixties. He gets strength and power from sunlight, and grows weak if kept away from the sun for too long. His superpowers include flight, the ability to create a solid light shield, and the ability to shoot energy beams from his hands. These powers are thought to stem from the Crest on his helmet, though Harvey isn't entirely sure of the crest's true role in his powers. He has since retired from his superhero job and is now working for the law firm of Sebben and Sebben. His connections to the superhero community are extensive; it is implied that he and Batman go way back. Harvey is six and a half feet tall, and has large wings growing out of his back. The wings are actually part of his body, and were genetically inherited from his father. He wears a suit and his old superhero mask. His clients consist of other Hanna-Barbera characters of the past and present.
- Avenger, a large purple eagle, is Harvey's old sidekick, now serving as his legal secretary. Avenger sits on a perch on Harvey's desk, and sleeps in a canary cage in the office at night. Avenger's tasks usually involve taking dictation or filing. Avenger is badly hindered by his inability to speak, even though it is clear that he can understand, or at least perceive, the meaning in the speech of other characters. Avenger can type and write English by claw, and Harvey seems to understand every "caw" he says. Harvey once remarked that he would have lost every case were it not for Avenger. He's often seen carrying Scrappy Doo or Jonny Quest's dog Bandit, and, while he obviously intends to eat the pups, mostly just seems to enjoy keeping the dead dogs around to play with rather than snack on.
- Peanut looks exactly like Birdman's old sometime-sidekick Birdboy, only with a pink vest on. Unlike Birdman, Peanut's powers are not natural. His wings are metal or wooden, and it's strongly implied that he got them to get hired by Birdman. His shield and energy beams come from "power bands" on his wrists, though in episode 17, Peanut Puberty, his super powers start to "develop", and the entire episode acts as a metaphor for puberty. Peanut was introduced when hired by Harvey as a legal clerk. Peanut, however, has never really been seen doing any actual work. He is often working behind the scenes towards uncertain or explicitly seedy ends, and is otherwise spouting off nonsense while off in his own world. He has an ongoing rivalry with Avenger for Harvey's loyalty and recently acquired an archnemesis, Metallo. He also speaks Japanese.
- Phil Ken Sebben is the president and founder of the law firm Sebben and Sebben. A former Laff-a-Lympic athlete, he took the Silver for Judo in 1962. Cofounded the firm with twin brother Bill when they were 26. Back when Birdman was a superhero, Phil was Harvey's boss. His code name, "Falcon Seven," sounds like his real name, "Phil Ken Sebben." He is recognizable by his blonde hair, an eyepatch (which may or may not be responsible for his numerous vision problems) and a dark suit. He is extremely rich, so much so that he can actually fill a room with money and swim around in it. He has a habit of laughing randomly whenever he says a double entendre or a non sequitur. He grew his mustache to cover up a scar caused by an accident involving a binder clip. The accident seemed to be about to explain why he wears an eye-patch, but it simply appeared at the same time for no apparent reason. He also has a habit of firing his employees on a whim, and has tried to exercise this on Birdman at times: "Birdman, you're fi- wait..."
- Peter Potamus works at the law firm of Sebben and Sebben as a fellow lawyer. The former star of Peter Potamus and His Magic Flying Balloon, he has taken the role of annoying co-worker, as well as an accomplished lecher and glutton. His catch phrase, and often his only line, is "Did you get that thing I sentcha?" Potamus successfully defended Harvey in a civil trial by getting Shado to admit under oath that Shado had received (but not responded to) a discovery motion sent by Potamus. The number in the commercials (1-877-MANBIRD) is a real number, and you get an automated answering service provided by Potamus.
- Antonio de Ribera Garcia Azul Falcón ('Blue' to his friends) is a Spanish lawyer who is very charming and popular. Formerly the superhero Blue Falcon, Falcón was made partner in the Sebben & Sebben firm. Falcón often relies on his sidekick Dyno-Mutt. Has a penchant for giving away "expensive and beautiful" silk clothing, which is often a cue for throwing an impromptu party ("Now, we make PARTY!"). An incompetent lawyer, he has since been demoted to being a men's room attendant in the Sebben & Sebben building.
- Judy Sebben is Phil's daughter, who seems to be very interested in Harvey's work as a lawyer. She takes on the alter ego of Birdgirl and attempts to ingratiate herself with the "bird team". However, her over-eagerness and clumsiness annoys Harvey and he drives her home, telling her not to come back until she's been to law school. She soon returns with a law degree earned by taking a three-hour correspondence course and joins the firm as an associate. In her Birdgirl outfit, she is soon the target of attention from her father, who doesn't recognize her and thinks she's a new intern. Judy is extremely reluctant to reveal her secret identity and is forced to accept her father's requests for dates. Peanut initially seems to be the only person who recognizes Birdgirl as Phil's daughter, although Harvey objects to their wedding at the end of the second Birdgirl episode. It is not clear exactly when he realised her secret identity.
- Bear is a recurring pantomime character who appears randomly throughout each episode, often at the end and joining in with the laughter of the rest of the cast. The most involved role he has ever played was during an episode where it was strongly implied, though never actually proven, that Bear was travelling throughout the firm at high speeds, stealing furniture and office supplies.
- Dvd was featured as Sebben and Sebben's efficiency expert in one episode. Formerly named David, he eliminated the vowels from his own name to save time. Dvd briefly instituted a battery of oppressive office efficiency measures, including replacing Birdman's secretary Debbie with a PDA, replacing the office elevator with an energy-saving firepole, and imposing a maximum usage of one sheet of bathroom tissue per restroom visit. Dvd routinely gets around by tying himself to Birdman with rollerblades on. In Harvey's rush, he is often slammed into doors, walls, and floors.
- Debbie is Birdman's secretary and receptionist. Most often her appearances are only as an impatient, annoyed voice over the intercom. She has also mistaken X several times, for an interior decorator or bug exterminator. She sexually harassed Black Vulcan once (apparently only as an example in an Employee Orientation Film) and was made redundant by a PDA called the Supercalifragalisticexpiefficacious by Dvd.
Freezoid, Zarog & Skon
- Stan Freezoid is another villain/lawyer, with freezing ability. His personality and demeanor as a lawyer is that of a stereotypical ambulance chaser, though Reducto says he is "The best criminal defense attorney around." He gets most of his clients when they slip and fall on the ice that he carelessly creates while walking down the street. His business suit appears to be painted onto his robotic form. Seems like a nice guy, but he has an explosive temper when ignored, often threatening, "I'll freeze your ass!" Senior Partner (and presumably co-founder) at Freezoid, Zarog and Skon.
- Myron Reducto is an attorney at Freezoid, Zarog & Skon, and is one of Harvey's most common courtroom opponents, as well as one of Birdman's closest friends. He is a small man with green tinged skin, who brandishes a shrink-ray. He and Birdman were bitter enemies back during the old days, but seem to have put aside their differences, clashing only on a professional level. They often eat lunch together. Oddly, Reducto seems to have no problem with the fact that Birdman is uncommonly tall (6'6"). Reducto, unlike most of the former hero/villain characters, seems to have a great deal of trouble letting go of his past. He is also obsessed with booty as well as things that are smaller than him, like Inch High, Private Eye. Highly obsessive compulsive and prone to occasional paranoid and/or conspiracy theorist monologues. Oddly enough, they seem to be correct. His catch phrase if it had to be anything is "Back off!"
- Francis X. Shado is another lawyer who looks like a leprechaun and is also a known brain thief. He is known for his persuasive power over juries. According to his business card, he has an LL.M. Works at Freezoid, Zarog and Skon. Prefers to communicate almost entirely telepathically, without opening his mouth, broadcasting his thoughts extremely loudly and annoyingly. He is in an ongoing rivalry with Judge Mentok with the pair attempting to outperform the other in feats of mind taking/brain thievery.
Other Attorneys
- Vulturo is another of Harvey's rival lawyers. He was a villain in Birdman's old show. Harvey seems to fear his litigation prowess. His primary set-back is a speech impediment that he seems entirely unaware of. He has a thick, pompous "Shakespearean" voice, and though he will often start talking in a normal voice, he soon trails off into incomprehensible gibberish. This seems to have little effect on his success rate as a lawyer. He lives in an underground lair, somewhat similar to the Batcave. His original assistant, Dirth, was a robotic vulture. Vulturo fired him because he had "trouble with dictation," though this appears to have been because of Vulturo's speech pattern. Avenger briefly worked as Vulturo's assistant.
- Evelyn Spyro Throckmorton is another villain/lawyer with Shakespearean tendencies. He acts very theatrically and stages theater in the courtroom as arguments, both spoken word plays and opera. He attended Choate Rosemary Hall and Yale Law School, where he was frequently beaten. Often talks above witnesses, questioning them in foreign languages. Usually appears in criminal trials for the state, making it a very strong possibility that he is a district attorney.
Court
- Judge Mentok the Mindtaker was a former enemy of Birdman. It seems that the two have dropped the grudge and are friends. Mentok has helped Harvey out in some episodes, while in others he seems to antagonize Harvey. He has various(near godlike) psychic powers including the ability to teleport, read minds, hypnotize, predict the future and move things with telekinesis - all referred to as "mind taking". He has been given the personality of a flamboyant stage magician; because of this, he often predicts the outcome of the cases he presides over before they have even started. He has a flair for the dramatic and often makes a grand entrance, such as appearing in a cloud of smoke or from a bolt of lightning. He also has a habit of imitating a theremin when carrying on with great vanity about his powers. Judge Mentok was apparently sent to Earth as an infant in a scene based on the 1978 Superman movie. As his rocket took off, Momtok, his mother, told him not to go into law. Mentok's gavel is a brain that squeaks when struck.
- Judge Hiram Mightor was a Hanna-Barbera super-hero of the sixties known as the Mighty Mightor, one who lived in prehistoric times with a beautiful wife and a 10-year-old son, and got his powers from a magic club. He uses such a club as a gavel of sorts and speaks with a southern accent (as opposed to the cartoon from which he is derived). He dresses in traditional judge's robes and wig, the effect of which is slightly marred by the large horns that protrude from the top of his mask. Mightor is always coughing up various objects, including a squirrel, a clown car, a miniature Yngwie J. Malmsteen in an episode about "guitar control" (spoofing gun control), and a much smaller version of himself and his judge's bench (which also coughs up another judge's bench). He also seems to have a problem remembering people's names. On more than one occasion he has called Harvey "Mister Birdbath", "Mr Bumnuts", "Beanbag" and "Bootylicious". He has a history of corruption; he took bribes from the "guitar lobby" and used to accept kickbacks from organized crime as well. The creators of the show said in a season 1 audio commentary that they were getting sick of the character and that's why he was seemingly killed off in the episode "The Dabba Don". His body is seen lying under a rock with his trademark thorny hat on top, though he can be heard muttering "Hello?" He has appeared in several episodes since, though he is only seen briefly.
Others
- X the Eliminator is a former villain of Birdman's who is far more pathetic than threatening. He was commissioned by the organization F.E.A.R. to obtain the Crest on Birdman's helmet; his failure to do so has over several decades turned him into a stalking fanboy. He did obtain the Crest once, but Harvey tricked him into returning it. He has a flair for the dramatic, although this only comes through when he is near victory. Despite his claim of being an early adopter, X's tool of choice is an ungainly silver death console that uses obsolete technology (vacuum tubes). X is never seen outside his hooded costume, and still lives with his mother in a room filled with Birdman memorabilia. He also has a wife, as seen in the credits of the episode X the exterminator.
- Apache Chief is a small-time superhero who was once a member of the Super Friends. His power is enlarging himself to immense size. After being fired, he used that power in several pornographic movies, a career move he later regretted. He also worked essentially as a roadside attraction. Later, he teamed up with a number of other small-time superheroes of varying race (including Black Vulcan) to form The Multiculture Pals. Chief once lost his powers after spilling hot coffee on his lap. They have since returned, but he is still very wary around hot liquids. As a fellow third-string superhero, Harvey often comes to Apache for advice.
- Elliott, the Deadly Duplicator is an embittered former rival of Birdman's, who wears glasses that shoot duplicating rays. He has two of everything: two cats, two cars, two mailboxes, two bathrooms, two beds... Runs a copy shop that promises "all copies done in an hour." When asked about the amount of time, he doubles it: "Wow, you can really get all this done in an hour?" "Two hours." "Okay... see you in two-" "Four Hours.", etc. He is in charge of office supplies at Sebben & Sebben, characteristically giving employees two of almost everything – two shredders, two folders, two staples (but only one stapler), etc. Voiced by comedian Lewis Black.
- Gigi is a recurring character, first appearing in the second season episode Trio's Company. She is a flighty, easily distracted woman. She has at least ten husbands and philanders with every male on the show except Harvey (despite his being one of her husbands). She also calls him "Harry". She is based on the character "Gravity Girl" (hence the name: G.G.= Gigi) from the original Birdman and the Galaxy Trio. In the Adult Swim show Space Ghost Coast to Coast, she appeared as a distraught and scruffy Harvey Birdman's ex-wife when he took over the show for a night because Space Ghost was in jail.
- Zardo is X's best friend, given up his life of crime/villainy apparently to be a homemaker and best friend of X. He has a mace in place of a left hand, is never seen without his bullet-shaped helmet, through which only his eyes can be seen, and speaks with a vaguely foreign-sounding accent. Zardo is much better off than X, and lives in a well-furnished apartment or condominium. There have been hints that Zardo may be interested in more than just friendship with X, who is entirely oblivious to any such hints. Zardo also has characteristics of fanboyism, but much toned down compared to X.
- Alexander The Bartender is the man behind the counter at the Birdcage, a bar Harvey frequents with his friends. Oddly, he appears to be a former agent of F.E.A.R., an organization that was determined to destroy Birdman in his superhero days. He's at once apathetic and irresponsible, and has no qualms about serving alcohol to children. He seems to have the same twisted sense of humor as Peanut.
- Black Vulcan is a small-time superhero who was once a member of the Super Friends. His power is that of lightning, which he sums up as, "Pure electricity. In my pants." He used to insist upon being called "Supervolt," but has since accepted "Black Vulcan" (which he insists was a racist joke made by Aquaman) as his super-moniker. Every time he appears, he or another character says some variation on "In my pants", similar in concept to the "in bed" game played with fortune cookie fortunes. For some reason he is often seen in the Sebben & Sebben building and is featured on their orientation video, despite not actually working there.
- Jesse Jackson is a member of the Multiculture Pals, apparently acting as a superhero. He helped Harvey beat his tanning cream addiction, and once laid an egg; exactly how is never elaborated.
- N!!!butu (see click consonant) is a chief who looks just like one of the natives in the closing credits of Jonny Quest. He is a member of the Laff-a-Lympics committee and makes random appearances in many episodes. He has a son who looks exactly like him, N!!!butu, Jr.
Cast
Crew
| Guest Appearances
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Episodes
''See also: List of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law episodesIn production order. Repeats on Adult Swim show the episodes in this order, as do the DVDs. The premiere date, on the right, may be out of order.
Volume 1: 2000-2004
Pilot - Bannon Custody Battle - December 30, 2000EP02 - Very Personal Injury - September 23, 2001
EP03 - Shaggy Busted - July 7, 2002
EP04 - Death By Chocolate - July 14, 2002
EP05 - Shoyu Weenie - July 21, 2002
EP06 - The Dabba Don - July 28, 2002
EP07 - Deadomutt, Part 1 - May 25, 2003
EP08 - Deadomutt, Part 2 - June 1, 2003
EP09 - X, The Exterminator - June 8, 2003
EP10 - SPF - May 9, 2004
EP11 - The Devlin Made Me Do It - April 25, 2004
EP12 - Trio's Company - April 18, 2004
EP13 - High Speed Buggy Chase - May 2, 2004
Volume 2: 2004-2005
EP14 - Back to the Present - May 16, 2004EP15 - Blackwatch Plaid - January 1, 2004
EP16 - Grape Juiced - May 30, 2004
EP17 - Peanut Puberty - June 6, 2004
EP18 - Gone Efficien...t - June 13, 2004
EP19 - Droopy Botox - July 18, 2004
EP20 - Guitar Control - November 2, 2004
EP21 - Booty Noir - July 24, 2005
EP22 - Harvey's Civvy - July 31, 2005
EP23 - X Gets the Crest - August 7, 2005
EP24 - Birdgirl of Guantanamole - August 14, 2005
EP25 - Beyond the Valley of the Dinosaurs - August 28, 2005
EP26 - Evolutionary War - September 4, 2005
Volume 3: 2005-2006
EP27 - Turner Classic Birdman - August 21, 2005EP28 - Free Magilla - September 11, 2005
EP29 - Return of Birdgirl - September 18, 2005
EP30 - Mindless - September 25, 2005
EP31 - Identity Theft - October 23, 2005
EP32 - Sebben and Sebben Employee Orientation - October 16, 2005
EP33 - (currently in production)-September 4, 2006
EP34 - (currently in production)-September 11, 2006
EP35 - (currently in production)-September 18, 2006
EP36 - (currently in production)-September 25, 2006
EP37 - (currently in production)-October 2, 2006
EP38 - (currently in production)-October 9, 2006
EP39 - (currently in production)-October 16, 2006
This may be the last episode depending on the creators' decision to continue with the show) [link]
New episodes will begin airing September 4th, according to Adult Swim.
DVD Boxsets
Volume Releases| DVD Name | Release Date | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Volume One | April 12 2005 | This 2 disc boxset contains the first 13 episodes of the show ("Bannon Custody Battle" through "High Speed Buggy Chase") in production order, along with commentaries on selected episodes, deleted scenes, and other special features. |
| Volume Two | October 10 2006 | This 2 disc boxset will contain the next 13 episodes of the show ("Back to the Present" through "Evolutionary War") in production order. Bonus features will include commentaries on 9 episodes, additional footage and other special features. |
See also
External links
- [Official Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law Website]
- [IGN's 10 Questions: Harvey Birdman]
- [IGN's review of the DVD set, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, Volume 1]
- [] at TV.com
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