Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy

Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy is Adult Swim's bizarre and psychedelic take on both the fairytale and reality TV genres. This brainchild of Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro, who brought us shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Squidbillies, debuted as a pilot episode in 2010. The series features an uncanny, pastel-colored world that combines elements of outrageous humor, adventure, and spells of melodrama. Although it never got past the pilot episode, it has cultivated quite a strong cult following.

Cheyenne Cinnamon, the show's central character, is a pop star who resides in Sugar Town Candy, a magical kingdom that is devoted to all things sweet and saccharine. The pink-haired, sparkly dressed, and always merry Cheyenne is reminiscent of Barbie but with a twist. This isn't your typical animated subject; she is an unashamed diva, and her prim-and-proper exterior conceals a dark satirical sting.

The other residents of Sugar Town Candy include the generally bemused but energetic anthropomorphic candies that colorfully bounce through their idyllic landscape. But the ceaseless joy and cheerleader-level enthusiasm run the risk of overwhelming the audience, and it's into this almost unbearable general happiness that the creators throw in some biting satire. The comical juxtaposition of the kingdom's overt sweetness against real-world problems creates a deliciously ironic narrative.

The centerpiece of the show is a unicorn named Steve, or the ‘Fantabulous Unicorn'. Given the target demographic of Adult Swim, jokes surrounding Steve quickly head into adult territory. The complexities behind Steve's character provide the audience with a unique pairing of adult humor and kookiness.

The animation style itself is an essential part of the show's appeal. It combines an over-saturation of pastels and glitter with slight undercurrents of anime (typical of Adult Swim cartoons) and novelty-shop kitsch. The overly sober character design creates a stark contrast with the offbeat humor and satirical pokes that distinguish this show from other animated series.

The absurdist humor of the series relies on the idea of charming, beautiful fantasy characters living in an 'R-rated' universe, dealing with adult situations, often in a Childish, over-the-top way. The humor is derived from the friction between the sugary world of Sugar Town Candy and the grittier metaphysical underbelly that comes from planting these characters in the real world of suburban Atlanta.

The music, composed by Brendan Small, complements the show's panoptical, pastel kaleidoscope of humor and bizarre happenings. The catchy tunes add an extra layer to the vibrant visuals, creating beautifully warped fairytale imagery that’s both infectious and disconcerting.

Cheyenne Cinnamon, being a pop star, naturally gets to belt out a few songs of her own. The songs, performed by Neko Case, feature light-hearted, catchy pop tunes that beautifully contrast with the darker undertones of the series.

Unmistakably an Adult Swim product, Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy is like being sucked into a saccharine vortex with a dark underbelly. Those who have a penchant for the network's brand of offbeat, risque humor or are fanatics of surreal animation will undoubtedly find some joy in the show. Although the series remains unfortunately limited to just the one episode, it offers a rollercoaster ride of psychedelic animation, overdosed sweetness, saucy humor, and wacky characters, promising a bizarre viewing experience that leaves you entertained and craving more.