Sealab 2021

Original Air Date: 2000-2005

Network: Cartoon Network

Using stock footage from the abysmal 1970s environmental cartoon Sealab 2020, the lazy mavericks over at Adult Swim were able to create magic. Sheer inane magic. Sure, it still dealt with the crew of a deep sea substation, but it stripped them of all humanity and left us with a band of lunatics that usually wound up self-destructing every other show. Sealab 2021 was one of those terrific shows from early on in the evolution of late night cartoons that made you actually feel like you might be losing your mind. Take for example the entire episode that rested solely on the establishing shot of Sealab, "Fusebox." For 15 minutes you only hear the characters' voices from inside the station as they deal with a blackout. Or how about the time Captain Murphy spent years trapped under the Beebop Soda machine, or his treks through the corridors of Sealab in his cart while simultaneously searching for, and cursing the existence of, Pod 6? The supporting voice cast was great, but it was Harry Goz as Murphy who brought a touch of fatherly good humor and made us all fall in love with a madman. Grizzlebee's!