Amid a Back-to-the-Future Moment for Animation, Could ‘The Critic’ Make a Comeback?

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In today’s world, where adult cartoons are highly sought after and enduring, is there a chance that yet another beloved, albeit brief-lived, ’90s animated comedy series could resurface?

Jon Lovitz thinks so.

On Friday, it was announced that the comedian, along with creator Al Jean, is working on a reboot of “The Critic,” the show where Lovitz portrayed Jay Sherman, the film critic and TV host of “Coming Attractions.

Lovitz posted, indicating that he’s been striving for it for years because you’ve repeatedly said you want it returned. Now, the good news is that the creator, Al Jean, has agreed!

Spawned by a number of veterans from ‘The Simpsons’, such as Jean, Mike Reiss, and James L. Brooks (who produced the series through his Gracie Films), the show didn’t reach the same level of success as ‘The Simpsons’. It was aired for just 13 episodes over two seasons on both ABC and later Fox.

Or,

Although it boasted a team of veterans from ‘The Simpsons’, including Jean, Mike Reiss, and James L. Brooks (who produced the series through his Gracie Films), the show didn’t manage to achieve the same level of success as ‘The Simpsons’. It was only broadcast for 13 episodes across two seasons on both ABC and Fox.

Often, it satirically targeted the world of entertainment. Sherman would mock fabricated movies (his signature line was “It’s foul!”), while his boss, Duke Phillips, bore a resemblance to Ted Turner in more ways than one. The opening credits, showcasing iconic New York City sites like the Central Park Zoo, Rockefeller Center ice rink, Guggenheim Museum, and World Trade Center, were some of the best during that time period.

By the year 2025, adult animation is experiencing a sort of time travel revival, with previously canceled series returning to our screens, while timeless classics such as “The Simpsons” (first airing in 1989), “South Park” (debuting in 1997) and “Family Guy” (first broadcast in 1999) continue to dominate their respective lineups.

The animated television series “King of the Hill,” which aired from 1997 to 2010 on Fox, is coming back with fresh episodes this year on Hulu. Additionally, “American Dad!”, the long-running series by Seth MacFarlane (which has been airing for 20 years!), that was previously shown on TBS, will be returning to Fox after spending several years in relative cable anonymity.

Shows such as Futurama and Beavis and Butt-Head, along with those catering to a slightly younger audience like Clone High and the original X-Men Animated Series (renamed X-Men ’97), have been brought back to life.

However, the possible comeback of the “King of the Hill” series might instill hope among fans of “The Critic”. Unlike other adult animations that often delved into the absurd, “The Critic” and “King of the Hill” stood out with their relatable and grounded quality, a trait that set them apart from others in their genre.

Absolutely, “The Critic” had its share of absurdity, such as one character being from Easter Island and resembling a moai statue, yet the depicted New York City seemed authentic, unlike Springfield or Quahog, which have always felt somewhat unrealistic.

When streaming platforms are eagerly seeking unique yet familiar content (by the way, you can stream The Critic on Tubi), and with the entertainment industry ripe for satire in this era of TikTok and YouTube domination, it could be just right to revive Jay Sherman and his band of eccentrics.

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2025-03-29 18:24