‘smiling Friends’ Creators Plan Limited Run, Critique Hollywood‘s formula for Gen Z Appeal
The creators of Adult Swim’s critically acclaimed animated series smiling Friends, Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, are intentionally planning a concise run for their show, aiming to conclude around season five. This decision, revealed in a recent interview, stands in stark contrast to the decades-long trajectories of animated staples like The Simpsons, which the show itself recently satirized. The duo’s approach also offers a pointed critique of the current Hollywood landscape and its attempts to capture the Gen Z audience.
Cusack and Hadel attribute their success to eschewing customary hollywood production methods. ”We don’t follow the pipeline of a Hollywood show,” Cusack stated. “We don’t have table reads.We don’t have a big writer’s room. We’re just being ourselves.” They beleive many shows are created by networks partnering with comedians or artists, but “nothing is being made for a passion,” with studios prioritizing “How do we make a hit show?” over artistic vision.
The pair acknowledge pressure from their representatives and Adult Swim to extend the series, but remain committed to ending Smiling Friends while it’s creatively strong. “Even if we had a thousand ideas at the end of season five,we’re not going to go on long,” hadel affirmed. Cusack likened their strategy to The Beatles‘ decision to conclude their recording career with Abbey Road, stating, “Leaving the audience wanting more is the best.”
Looking beyond Smiling Friends,Cusack suggested the possibility of future projects,viewing them as opportunities for creative reinvention,referencing the band Wings as an example of Paul McCartney ”start[ing] again.”