The trailer for a Beavis and Butt-Head.
Because it was so fresh and at times downright chaotic, Ren & Stimpy quickly grew in stature. The often tumultuous relationship between the series’ two pals – a highly volatile Chihuahua called Ren and a simple-minded cat called Stimpy – provided viewers with numerous moments and scenarios never seen before in an animated series. Unfortunately, The Ren & Stimpy Show did not last long. After ongoing internal struggles between Kricfalusi and Nickelodeon led to Kricfalusi’s departure in 1992, the series came to an official end in 1996, with the last two episodes airing on MTV.
Though the finale of The Ren & Stimpy Show didn’t immediately signify an end of the characters – a 2003 spinoff attempt briefly aired on Spike TV – the series is still revered by animators and fans alike today. Now, the first trailer has arrived courtesy of Movieclips Indie for the documentary Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story. The trailer offers a glimpse at the controversy that was taking place outside of the show itself. Kricfalusi’s involvements with Nickelodeon, as well as his subsequent downfall, are all touched upon in the trailer, which can be seen in full below:
Long-time fans of Ren & Stimpy are likely familiar with the details surrounding Kricfalusi’s career, but for those who casually enjoyed the series, it might come as a surprise to learn about what was going on behind the scenes. Not only was the relationship between Kricfalusi and Nickelodeon executives fraught with tension as well as regularly missed deadlines on Kricfalusi’s part, but the Ren & Stimpy creator has also been accused of sexual abuse. Originally hailed by some as the next Walt Disney, Kricfalusi’s ambitions as an animator didn’t always hit their mark, either. The aforementioned spinoff, Ren & Stimpy: Adult Party Cartoon is one such example, as its amplified vulgarity was one of the main factors for its cancellation during its first season on Spike TV.
Because Ren & Stimpy played such a big role in getting animated programming recognized beyond children’s entertainment, its history likely appeals to a wide assortment of people. The issues surrounding Kricfalusi might prove unpleasant, but audiences are typically drawn to controversial material. In that way, hopefully Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story isn’t simply out to cash in on the controversies that Kricfalusi is now involved with. Judging by the trailer, however, the documentary offers a great deal for Ren & Stimpy fans as well as casual viewers.
Source: Movieclips Indie
