I read in a bathroom reader once ( I mean several leather encyclopedias) that Ugly American has two historical meanings- one being favorable- as in a hardworking modest labor-type that all Americans should apparently be like, and the second being unfavorable- as in an ignorant American abroad.
Now I suppose I tie in something about my feelings for the show having a similar dichotomy- except luckily I graduated from IB English and I never have to do that crap again. :)
Then again, come to think of it, a lot of good animation has a similar scheme as a literary essay where one touches on three or so points, first stating some sort of discovery and then reiterating how it pertains to the overall thesis. South Park for instance uses a really serious essay format complete with the big IN CONCLUSION at the end of every episode and the startling hook at every beginning.
But back to Ugly Americans!
Things I love: In an episode of the first season, Calli spots an Orangina in a limo and calls out how weird it is. Orangina has had it far too good for far too long for such an inferior beverage. For all those Italians suffering out there- Chinotto is also a shitty beverage (Made from myrtle leaves? What the hell?) (It's just like coke- except it tastes like crap and is also bone dry) - but that is far too many softdrinks to take down in just one show.
For all those safe from Chinotto- let me endanger you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinotto_(soft_drink)
Other thing I love: STYLE!
They usually start an episode in one colour (which changes from episode to episode) and black- which makes every opening super dramatic and memorable. Also I love this lightly lined style for mythical creatures because it somehow makes them look so common and matter-of-fact.
Things that are weird: I'm starting to notice a pretty severe phallic theme- which is cool if they're trying to establish that the world they live in has a weird schlong culture, but kind of lame if they're just continually going back there for instant humor.
Examples: Treegasm- a whole episode devoted to two trees finally getting close enough for their sticklike tree genitals to touch and thus have sex- double schlong epsiode because we find out Randall's is some kind of detachable living creature that frequently takes off after repeated abuse.
The Manbirds- a whole episode about an underground cockfighting circuit where cocks fight cock with cock. Grimes gets back in the game and slays a slew of manbirds with his schlong.
Mark Likes Dick- This one is ok because the source of schlongflict is voiced by Jon Benjamin. Essentially Callie gets a sex change for a job in Atlantis that is apparently entirely populated by mermen.
Mark is schlongflicted.
Not that these all weren't fabulous episodes- just getting possibly a little bit heavy.
Jon Benjamin Episode
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