Robot Chicken Unveils Two New Specials Satirizing Adult Swim

Since its debut on Adult Swim in 2005, Robot Chicken, created by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, has been known for its sharp satire of pop culture icons. The stop-motion sketch comedy series has previously taken jabs at franchises like The Walking Dead, Star Wars, and DC Comics. Now, it’s turning the spotlight on itself with two new specials announced at the Annecy Festival.

Adult Swim first launched on September 2, 2001, as a programming block on Cartoon Network dedicated to adult animation, featuring early hits like Cowboy Bebop, Sealab 2021, and Space Ghost Coast to Coast. A new Robot Chicken special set to release in August will commemorate the block’s 25th anniversary by humorously revisiting the many shows that have graced its lineup, including Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Rick and Morty, and My Adventures with Superman. As Cartoon Network gears up for its 35th anniversary in 2027, Robot Chicken will also create a special dedicated to the network itself.

The upcoming Robot Chicken Adult Swim Special will unite beloved characters from the network’s history, such as Assy McGee and Brock Sampson from The Venture Bros., alongside figures from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Black Jesus, and Metalocalypse, all aboard a (chaotic) cruise ship celebrating the past 25 years of Adult Swim. This special is set to premiere on August 30 on Adult Swim, with streaming available on HBO Max starting August 31.

Additionally, Cartoon Network is developing a five-part documentary that will delve into the creators behind both Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, likely to be released next year in honor of the anniversary.

‘I didn’t even think that we were making a show’