Dancing Is Forbidden: An Aqua Teen Hunger Force Exploration

Master Shake's got himself a chick magnet... but it doesn't work the way he expected. Like, in a big way. Voice of Master Shake, Dana Snyder, joins the podcast to talk about this great Season 6 episode! Dana is weighing in on why Shake is such a popular character, whether or not he was nervous to voice Shake for the very first time, and Dana gives Shake some advice on how to actually get chicks. Other topics discussed include Dana's craftiness, what ever happened to Matt Maiellaro's daughter, and adult swim banners fit for a king's castle. Dana also has...

She Creature reminds us of life's greatest truths: never clean your pool, never cross the mob, and definitely don't go messing around with no mermaids. Adult Swim legends John Brestan & Lear Bunda - the original spec writers behind this episode - join the pod to wade through Aqua Teen's most pool-centric adventure yet. Writing bumps, thrown scripts, pool-turned-hot-tub-guy-dads, caught wangers, mispronouncing conch all your life — this one is fun for the whole family! ...assuming your family is millions of mermaid eggs. Which, by the way, I know it totally is.

R E F E R E N C...

Shake Like Me was banned from DVD and TV, but not from the Dancing Is Forbidden podcast... but maybe it should have been. Ronnie attempts to cover the notorious episode, and it goes exactly as well as you’d expect. Craigslist guests derail the show, a Kentucky mayoral candidate demands beer money, British “musicians” try to take over the show, and somewhere in there we actually talk about Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Maybe. Sort of.

R E F E R E N C E S

• Meat Kingdom with Seth Green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRHKWJ...

If you had 12 (or 3, whatever) wishes, what would you use them on? Well it doesn't matter, either way you're turning invisible. In today's episode, we're joined by ATHF co-creator — and, unknown to him, voice of Gene Eugene — Matt Maiellaro to talk all about this animation-less episode where Shake tries to make a movie, Carl needs to see women use the restroom, Meatwad wants to be Zack and/or Cody, and Frylock attempts to make an invisibility vaccine. None of that stuff actually ends up happening, which is why this show rules. Matt and Ronnie (that's me btw) make an anno...

This week the heavens will open up and we shall drink from the silver cup for Dancing Is Forbidden's 4th anniversary! Ronnie reflects on the journey so far and unveileth a shift in format—moving from hyper-edited solo deep dives to a more conversational approach. He also answereth questions from the listening faithful, both written and spoken.

Topics covered:

• A new format for the episodes ahead

• Dancing Is Forbidden moving to a (hopefully temporarily) monthly format

• The end of the pop culture deep dive (thanks Spotify!)

• How opinions on Aqua Teen...

Next week marks the 4-year anniversary of the podcast, and to celebrate before covering Season 6 of ATHF, we’re doing a special listener Q&A episode! Got a question about the show, the pod, Aqua Teen, or anything else? I want to hear from you!

💬 Submit your questions here:

– Send a voice message: https://www.dancingisforbidden.com/voicemail/

– Shoot me an email: Hello@DancingIsForbidden.com

– Instagram Story (Monday the 21st only): https://www.instagram.com/aquateenpod/

Whether it’s silly, serious, or somewhere in between, I’d love to include it in t...

Hey, it’s Ronnie. I’m switching Dancing Is Forbidden to a new podcast host. Ideally, nothing changes on your end. You should keep getting new episodes like normal.

But if this ends up being the last episode you see from me in your feed... something went wrong. The podcast did not end!

If that happens, here’s what to do:

Search for "Dancing Is Forbidden" in your podcast app again. The new feed should show up—just resubscribe.

Or check dancingisforbidden.com for updates and the latest episodes.

Thanks f...

Matt Maiellaro (co-creator of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, 12 Oz Mouse, Perfect Hair Forever, and writer on Space Ghost Coast to Coast) and I are going LIVE on Instagram this Thursday, June 19th at 7PM Eastern!

Join us at @AquaTeenPod for fun, stories, and whatever else happens when Matt shows up— LIVE, over the internet!

Support the podcast & get extra episodes: https://www.patreon.com/dancingisforbidden

My King of the Hill podcast, Yep: https://www.yeppodcast.com/

Meat Kingdom: http://meatkingdom.net/

It don't matter... none of this matters... except for this brand new Mail Order Bride commentary. This totally matters. Big time. For our final season 1 commentary we're joined—yet again—by Aqua Teen co-creator/co-writer Matt Maiellaro, original editor & producer Jay Wade Edwards, character designer & animation director Matthew I Jenkins, and Season 1 production assistant John Brestan getting the down low on this classic episode. We're hearing about the inspiration for Carl... and Shake's... bride Svetlana, a lost Aqua Teen treasure, and the late-great George Lowe. 

• Matt Maiellaro’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mattmaiellaro7460

• Matt Maiella...

I started a King of the Hill podcast with my favorite podcaster, Rob Couch, and I'm sharing our first episode with you! There are two more episodes up right now, find us over at https://www.yeppodcast.com/

Doing Yep has been a lot of fun and I'm super proud of how it's turning out! If you like King of the Hill—or if you've been meaning to start watching it—I hope you give this dang old podcast a chance, man. Yep.

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In the first ever episode of King of the Hill...

Commence the commentary! We're joined yet again by Aqua Teen co-creator/co-writer Matt Maiellaro, original editor & producer Jay Wade Edwards, character designer & animation director Matthew I Jenkins, and Season 1 production assistant John Brestan getting the down low on this classic episode. We're hearing about the rejected Space Ghost origins of this episode, discrepancies in Master Shake's sizing, Aqua Teen sound design, and David Cross stories!

📎 Jay Wade Edwards’ Baseball Newsletter – Tinker Taylor Soler Spiezio: https://tinkertaylorsolerspiezio.substack.com/

🎙️ David Cross Interview on Dancing Is Forbidden: https://www.dancingisforbidden.com/e/david-cross-interview/

🎧 Capturing Lawn Mower Audio – A...

If you want candy... well, you ain't getting any. But you ARE getting a brand-spankin'-new commentary track for MC Pee Pants! We're joined by Aqua Teen co-creator/co-writer/voice of Err Matt Maiellaro, original editor & producer Jay Wade Edwards, character designer & animation director Matthew I Jenkins, and Season 1 production assistant John Brestan getting the down low on this classic episode. We hear about Carl's flip-flop noises, Aqua Teen getting sued, and the origins of the Aqua Teens... and the fact it's not Dr. Weird!

• Buy ATHF production art OR original commissions from Matthew I Jenkins: http...

Revenge of the Mooninites went commentary-less for 23 years.... UNTIL NOW! Kicking off our (unofficial as hell) commentary series, we're joined by Aqua Teen co-creator/co-writer/voice of Err Matt Maiellaro, original editor & producer Jay Wade Edwards, character designer & animation director Matthew I Jenkins, and Season 1 production assistant John Brestan getting the down low on this classic episode. We hear about how the Mooninites got their names, Matt Maiellaro's first concert, and why Dr. Weird is hairless in the armpit region.

Video version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcPKPKamjdg

• Matt Maiellaro's Perso...

Season 5 of ATHF is a contentious one. Either you love it or you hate it. Or maybe you think it's okay. Or you just, like, sorta like it. Look, I don't know your life story -- but what I DO know is Season 5 is a hell of a lot better than I was expecting it to be. While the season got my panties in a bunch back in 2008, it put a big ol' smile on my face while covering it for the podcast. And also I don't wear panties anymore. Commando, baby!

Today we're talking about the...

From the very first ATHF intro, to the art direction on the latest season-- Todd Redner was there. Like the wind.... or God. The all knowing, all drawing Todd Redner graces the podcast to bestow upon us several ATHF tales that I had never once heard before. And that's saying something because I've heard lots of things. Todd's telling us about the many decisions that went into Aqua Teen's newest season (and the misguided hate mail it spawned), how characters like the Love Mummy and Wongburger were designed, and how 12 Oz Mouse got Radical Axis spammed with art of...

Not only did David Cross teach me it was okay to be named Ronnie, but he put Aqua Teen Hunger Force on the map. Big time. Fresh off his successful stint on Broadway (yes-- THAT Broadway), David takes the next logical step in his career and spends some time on a podcast about a cartoon he was on a few times. I don't know why he did, I advised him not to do it. Touching briefly on his time on Aqua Teen, David gives us the down low on having two versions of his standup sets, the origin of...

The highlander was a documentary and the events happened in real time... not unlike this AquaDonk. 18 (well, really 20) years later, Happy Time Harry is BACK -- not for vengeance, but for his own demise. He wants it, don't worry. It feels good to him. We see what (or rather, what little) Harry has been up to since 2004 (well, 2002). Harry ain't the only one going out in a blaze of glory, when Frylock and Meatwad combine forces to give Shake a taste of his own explosive medicine. The only thing that can kill a Highlander is an Aqua Teen.

Grab your Bible and your crystal meth because we're in for a good time! Bible Fruit (totally not a VeggieTales ripoff) is one of the strongest Aqua Teen episodes, and has a heck of a history around it. We're covering the first mention of this idea back in 2004 & the (short lived) legacy it left behind in Soul Quest OverDrive. Other topics discussed include playing the vocoder for Alan Jackson, the good ol' days of MySpace, and Nick Gibbons tells us about working on Horton Hears A Who.

References:

• How I've Read Podcast: https://sit...

Support the show & get exclusive episodes (including 2 more episodes on The Room): https://www.patreon.com/dancingisforbidden

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ATHF co-creator Dave Willis joins in on The Room coverage, wrapping up this trilogy of episodes on the best worst movie ever made! While we're getting in on the many weird aspects of The Room, we're also tying it back to Aqua Teen. Dave tells us about grappling with creating something imperfect, working with less-than-ideal budgets, and C Martin Croker making art that is too good. We're also joined by Tomm... Ronnie Wiseau and his annoying maraca.<...

Listen up devildog, drop down and give me ONE listen to today's podcast diving into The Marines! If you were thinking of going AWOL from today's episode, well do I have a game for you... in Canada. Involving bread ties and Rush records. Today on the pod we're oorah'ing into the inspiration behind Warrior Gum's insane 3D ad, getting all Sherlock Holmes in the search for the elusive voice actor Michael E. Smith, listening to some of the DVD commentary, and MORE while we discuss this excellent Aqua Teen focused episode. I mean, Meatwad enlists Shake in the Marines...

Some people turn lemons into lemonade, and others turn... immortal dummies into magic shows. Optimism is the point here, and optimism will land your ass right in jail. Today we've got ATHF co-creator Dave Willis chiming in on Dummy Love, a fun exploration by the Aqua Teen guys into horror tropes. We're learning how T-Pain and Josh Homme got involved in this episode, we're finding out the original plan for the Skulldilocks book, and marveling at a non-proscenium shot in ATHF. Other topics discussed include T-Pain's autotune mastery (and why he doesn't need it), being upset that 10,000 BC isn't...

If you don't want someone to steal your contact lenses and torture you with their new-found abilities, you'd better get LASIK! If only Frylock had read this warning, then he could have saved himself, Carl, and Meatwad! ...Hmm, but then this episode of Aqua Teen wouldn't exist.... and then what would this podcast episode have been about???? THEN WHAT WOULD YOU BE READING RIGHT NOW??!!!!???!!??!!!?? Maybe a question for M. Night Shyamalan. Anyways, back to the podcast thing: today we're diving into the incredibly loved Laser Lenses! We're touching (with our plastic bat extensions) on the origins of the...

In a late-night quest to get chicks, Carl ends up succumbing to the power of the recorder, becoming a musical slave for Hoppy Bunny and his religious covenant of furries. Today we're packing this podcast out with input from FOUR of the critical figures behind this critter-full episode-- Aqua Teen co-creator Dave Willis tells us about turning Frylock's room into a parking garage, Matt Maiellaro gives the low-down on performing as the live-action Recorder Wizard, producer/editor Jay Wade Edwards fills us in on his costume origin, and this episode's original writer Ted Murphy shares with us the power...

If you're looking to expand the size of your Johnson... and/or make love to zombie animals.... this is the episode for you! Carl's new male enhancement device leads to the Aqua Teens being haunted by the pets of Meatwad's past... and Shake's sexual future. We're diving into the original song Meatwad was supposed to sing to Terrance (and a joke that only makes sense knowing this hot info), why Shake's microwaving of a cat is funny, and how Carl's golden poo is a reused asset. Other topics discussed include the non-effects of the film Juno on teenage pregnancy...

The Aqua Teens are BACK in the third and final chapter of the Carl Trilogy! Carl has had enough of the revolving door of neighbors, and heroically saves the Aqua Teens from Markula... only for them to quickly abandon him. In this episode ATHF editor John Brestan gives us some intel on the IRL Tree Wizard, art director Bob Pettitt clues us in on the creation of his mall-informed art assets, and we're getting to the bottom of the ATHF's chair color. Of course being the last episode of this trilogy, we're also reflecting on the three episodes as...

The ancient Greeks often told of the Sirens, who with their beautiful songs of... 69'ing... would cause you to cut your nipples off. And they were right! In our first truly Aqua Teen-less episode, Carl spends some time with his new kinky mythological neighbors. What they're into isn't Carl's cup of tea... but his credit card is maxed out so he has no other option. Dave Willis briefly joins us to talk about getting John Kruk, Kelly Hogan, and Neko Case on this nipple-centric episode. We're also getting into this episode's Hellraiser influence, Carl's spinoff series "I'm Pissed," and...

Better the food you know than the... robots... you don't..? The Aqua Teens are held captive over in the MoDe (that's slang for Mojave Desert) and it's up to Carl to... sell their house. Well, it's not really up to him, but he's doing it anyways-- until vampire landlord Markula shows up. We're kicking off our Season 5 coverage, getting some insight from ATHF creators Matt Maiellaro and Dave Willis. They're telling us about the creation of new character Markula, their initial ideas for this season, and where the episode name comes from (and NO it's not as obvious as...

If you wondered why the Season 12 intro swapped up "Make the homies say ho and the girlies wanna scream," well, gosh dangit, this is the episode for you! ATHF Renaissance Man Nick Ingkatanuwat fills us in on his thought process on swapping these iconic lines around. I'm also throwing down some dirt details... if you have what it takes to receive these deets in your ear holes. I'm surprised I even had what it took to say it out of my mouth hole!

Ronnie on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/ronnieneeley

Patreon / Colon M...

What started in hell will end on this podcast... maybe. Matt Maiellaro (Aqua Teen's co-creator, Hellraiser 3's first assistant director of the second [aka "love"] unit) is back with a vengeance... for blood... or at least I assume that's what he was drinking from his cup while we talked. Matt's filling us in on the future of Aqua Teen, while also filling us in on the past of Aqua Teen answering all sorts of Season 12 questions-- from who they originally wanted to voice Vanessa the apple, to if they wanted to change the show's name again, to how storyboarding...

Season 4 of Aqua Teen is certainly the most interesting season. While the season has its share of classic-formula episodes, it also sees Matt and Dave pushing the envelope of what Aqua Teen even is. From fourth-wall breaking episodes (Boost Mobile), to dramatic episodes (Party All The Time), to clip-show episodes (Deleted Scenes, partially Grim Reaper Gutters), to some of the show's most shocking (Dickesode, Handbanana)-- this ain't your grandma's Aqua Teen. Well, unless you're Dave Willis, cuz his grandma was literally in an episode. Today on the podcast we're diving into this unique season, diving into its highs...

Matthew I. Jenkins designed our beloved Carl and Master Shake... which is kind of funny considering Carl hates Shake. Today on the podcast we're talking with Matt, the man behind so many of our favorite characters. Matt's telling us all about the early years of the Atlanta animation industry (AKA the birthing grounds of Adult Swim), working side-by-side with the late great C. Martin Croker, and designing characters for Dave Willis & Matt Maiellaro on Aqua Teen. Other topics discussed include getting addicted to Clash Royale, the business of art, the (newfound) never-ending nature of Star Wars, and not getting...

Meatwad's a workin' man in this episode... and work sucks. Well, like, it's not the job itself, ya know, but really the bosses. He doesn't mind dancing on the side of the road, it's the whole "remove your friend's brain" thing that makes him wanna quit. We've all been there. It's the final episode of Season 4 and we're getting our car(l)s washed with all sorts of ATHF factoids! Bob Pettitt gives us the full-res vending machines so we can see what the hell they say, Dave Willis is cluing us in on the inspiration for Carl Brain's...

If you found out you suddenly had a son, how would you handle the situation? If you answered "force him to become the best athlete of all time or else kill myself," you're clearly in the Master Shake school of thought. In this iconic Aqua Teen episode Patton Oswalt returns as yet another memorable character, proving age has nothing to do with innocence. We dive into Carl's shiny new black shotgun, Shake's actually correct baby handling advice, and why Aqua Teen's grounded writing approach keeps the show relatable despite being crazy as hell. Other topics discussed include stupid liquor...

Would you put a giant tower over your house for 40 yorlocks? Cuz Carl sure did. In a return to the classic Aqua Teen formula, Frylock is solving the case of the menacing antenna... sort of. Kinda. Not really. We're diving into George Lowe's glorious 2 minutes in this episode, gushing over Mike Judge, and marvelling at the framing device on this episode. Other topics discussed include projection TVs, Jay-Z's short lived retirement, and the influence of Beavis and Butthead on Aqua Teen. 

References:

• Dave, Dana, Carey, and mc chris panel: https://www.youtube.com/watc...

Huddle up, running crew! We’re going long and deep into the end zone this week with a full-on blitz about Bart Oates, the gridiron great… and the Aqua Teen episode, too! Dave Willis, Bob Pettitt, and Jay Wade Edwards are bringing their A-game (via e-mail) to the podcast, tackling this story-heavy episode of ATHF like a quarterback sack.

We’re going to break down the play-by-play of the working title of this episode, an audible that’s easy to miss if you’re not listening for the snap count-- and don’t forget about the background artwork that...

Open your lungs and inhale the most premium moonajuana money can buy... from the dump. It was free, but you can't put a price tag on the unbeatable high you will attain. Better yet, while you're floating away on a consciousness of bliss, 2D aliens from space will rid you of your worldly possessions. You just can't beat that convenience. We're diving into Moonajuana, the last proper Mooninites episode. Is this yet another successful entry in the Mooninites saga? Man, I'm too high on moony jane, I couldn't tell ya. Other topics discussed include Tenacious D in the Pick...

Dan at Grim Reaper Gutters won't leave until he makes a sale... just like I can't leave til I tell you all about this episode. The ATHF clip-show parody turned dadaist nonsense, this is a supremely unique episode. Meatwad and Shake reminisce... Frylock made a movie... Tera Patrick enjoys hanging out with the Aqua Teens... and Carl dies but I mean, that always happens. Are you surprised? We're also critiquing Frylock's film to see how much he actually saved Shake and Meatwad's asses. Other topics discussed include the Wii coming out in 2006, how Tera Patrick can save you from...

There's only one way to combat global warming... eating your boogers. If you ain't eatin' them sticky things, don't dare listen to this podcast. Today we're covering the VFX overloaded Global Grilling, getting tons of great behind-the-scenes info from ATHF animators Joshua Mullinax and Nathan Churney! We're also getting spoiled by art director Bob Pettitt with a belated XXXmas gift-- the asset list provided to Bob back in 2006 detailing the items he needed to make for the episode! Eat some cheese, lick that door knob, and grab that dirty toilet seat cuz this is a hot one! Other topics...

If you don't know who Carey Means is, you're listening to the wrong podcast! We're joined by none other than Frylock's voice actor-- Aqua Teen's voice of reason as well as leading man of Aqua Teen Forever Plantasm. Carey regales us with one great story after another, including why Aqua Teen has endured for over 20 years, working conventions as a voice actor, and what it was like playing Thundercleese on Brak Show. Other topics discussed include the two times Carey was asked to be a pimp, country grammar, the Adult Swim Booze Cruise, and voicing on a softcore hentai.