In 2005, Adult Swim premiered an animated series about the Cuyler family, an impoverished family of anthropomorphic hillbilly mud squids living in the Georgia region of the Blueridge Mountains. That sounds like quite the pitch on paper if you ask me. Well, that’s what makes Adult Swim on Cartoon Network so great. They are will to go out on a limb, tow the line of the obscure, and take the ultimate risks. In this case, with Squidbillies entering its 10th season, its safe to say that risk on said animated family has paid off and then some.
The series revolves around the exploits of an alcoholic father who is often abusive in a comedic way towards his family. His teenage son, Rusty, is desperate for his approval; his mother and grandmother, known in the show as Granny, is often the center of his aggression; and Lil, his sister, is mostly unconscious in a pool of her own vomit. Their interactions with the local populace, which usually results in a fair amount of destruction, mutilation, and death, is common place in the series. The Cuylers are essentially given free rein and protected from the consequences of their actions whenever possible by their friend, the Sheriff (whose name is “Sharif”), as they are said to be the last twisted remnants of a federally protected endangered species, the “Appalachian Mud Squid”. Their home in Dougal County, encapsulates crippling gambling addictions, a murderous corporation, sexual deviants, and the authentic southern mountain squid.
The main cast is nothing short of a sensational one. Stuart Daniel Baker, a.k.a. Unknown Hinson, voices Early Cuyler. He’s also a comedic country musician and songwriter. Dana Snyder voices Granny with other roles including Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Dr. Colosso in The Thundermans. Patricia French plays Aunt Lil with her other credits including Let’s Be Cops, Wanderlust, and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Bobby Ellerbee voices The Sheriff. He was once on Hill Street Blues, Knots Landing, and Three’s Company. Mary Kraft plays Krystal. She boasts plenty of comedy credits to the tune of Magic Mike XXL and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. And finally Todd Hanson who plays Dan Halen on Squidbillies. He may be best known for his work as a writer and editor at The Onion.
The guest appearances over the first nine seasons of Squidbillies has been quite bountiful. Let’s drop some names shall we? Fred Armisen (Portlandia), Rachel Dratch (Saturday Night Live), Mick Foley (WWE), Chad Ochocinco (NFL), Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille), the band .38 Special, and T-Pain.
As for the upcoming 10th season of Squidbillies, get ready to watch as the Cuyler’s tackle life’s deepest philosophical quandaries with all the subtlety of a sawed-off. This season’s unwanted life advice covers everything from the futility of following your dreams to the advantages of aggressive dating habits. It’s good, clean fun for the whole family, just like taking a body shot from your sister’s belly button. This season features all-new covers of the theme song each week from a variety of musical artists including Father John Misty, Kurt Vile, The B-52s, Sharon Van Etten, Jimmy Cliff, and Rebecca Schiffman.
Squidbillies is written and produced by Dave Willis and Jim Fortier and returns to Adult Swim for their 10th season Sunday, July 10th at 11:30pm ET. Enjoy this Father John Misty theme song cover to help get you ready.
