China, IL

China, IL, is an animated television series that aired from 2008 to 2015. The creator of this series, Brad Neely, is also known for his popular online videos and his work on South Park. The series is an irreverent and humor-filled take on the lives of individuals at a fictional university, aptly titled, the "University of China, IL." With a unique combination of absurd humor, occasional musical numbers, and gripping storylines, the series garnered a cult following during its runtime.

The show is set in the least successful university in America - where the staff is far from being role models and the students are far from being diligent. At the heart of the faculty are the misadventures of Professor Frank and Professor Steve. They are brothers and history professors, but the similarity ends there. While Professor Frank is portrayed as a timid individual always trying to fit in, Professor Steve is shown as a brash, egoistic character who significantly lacks in teaching skills.

Apart from these two main characters, China, IL is filled with a host of other eccentric characters who lend texture and nuance to this offbeat show. Notable among them are Crystal Peppers, the unenthusiastic university staff, Baby Cakes, a giant childlike character who straddles the fine line between innocent and annoying, and the Dean, a bizarre character who often displays questionable ethics.

While all these characters navigate through the comedic chaos of the university, the show also treats its viewers to some dose of bizarre fantasy mixed with historical strangeness. It often resurrects historical figures for punch lines or even major plot points. However, it is not a history lesson, instead, the series sprinkles these historical references with fantastical elements which add another level of hilarity and absurdity.

Each episode of China, IL usually revolves around the personal and professional lives of its main characters. The storylines often take unexpected turns, leading to unconventional and humorous situations. The show is particularly lauded for its attention to detail and its ability to weave intricate narratives seamlessly moulded with bizarre plots.

One of the major highlights of the show is its musical numbers. Often, these songs are hilarious commentary on the show’s storyline or the state of affairs at the university. The music elevates the absurd humor of the series, breaking the monotony of dialogue-driven comedy with a touch of eccentric vibrancy. The creator Brad Neely himself lends his voice for some of these compositions, adding a layer of distinctiveness and personal touch to the series.

China, IL's humor can understandably be seen as very niche and may not appeal to everyone. However, the kind of humor it showcases is very much in line with other contemporary animated adult comedies. It’s brash, it’s irreverent, but it is also unexpectedly nuanced. It's the kind of show where the humor comes from the unexpected - where a seemingly normal academic situation can spiral into an outrageous adventure at any moment.

Coming from Adult Swim programming network, a late-night programming block of the Cartoon Network, known for its adult-themed shows, China, IL easily aligns with other shows from this network. Like most other Adult Swim shows, China, IL is not for the faint-hearted. Most of the humor is mature and may include some explicit content, which is another reason why it’s best suited for adult audiences.

The animation style of the series is notable, considering it comes from a time when CGI had taken over traditional 2D animation. The Hand-drawn animation paired with vibrant color schemes gives the series both a vintage and modern feel, enhancing the comedic and absurd elements of the series.

Overall, China, IL presents itself as a unique and intriguing addition to the late-night animation scene. It’s a show that relies heavily on the absurd, and yet somehow manages to create a world that is believable within its own rules. Despite its sometimes chaotic narrative and humor, the show had a distinctive charm that effectively draws the audience into its wacky universe, leaving them in anticipation of the next hilarious twist.