 |
| College University | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Mike & Andy Parker |
| Starring | Mike Parker, Andy Parker, Michael William, Scott Patterson, Hollie Bertram, and Nancy Parker |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of episodes | 11 normal episodes, 16 shorts and 12 KFKs illustated adventures |
| Production | |
| Running time | varies (From 5 mins - 15 mins approx |
College University, often abbreviated as "CU," is a Flash cartoon series revolving around the comedic exploits of two high school friends attending the less than prestigious College University. The flash was created by the brothers Mike and Andy Parker. There are currently eleven episodes in the series, ranging from just a few minutes in length near the beginning of the series to over fifteen minutes long near the end. As a comedy, College University relies heavily upon the stupidity of the main characters, and various pop culture references (especially from the 1980s and the early 1990s) for its humor.
The series takes place on the fictional "College University," a massive yet sub-par school that has gained notoriety as being the first college to accept all forms of primates as both students and faculty. The college mascot is "Punchy the Kangaroo" after an unfortunate mauling incident that forced their previous mascot, a Tiger, into early retirement. The core curriculum of the school appears to be very limited and without any form of practicality (as Witch Hunting appears to be one of the most popular majors). The courses themselves are fairly easy as well, as "Monkey Physics" is reported as one of the hardest classes on campus.
In the later episodes of the series, College University has shown an ability to attract celebrities to lend their voice acting skills for their episodes. Among those to appear in the series are "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Cynthia Rothrock, and the band O.A.R. Each of the eleven episodes of College University are available online at their official website. In addition, the creators of the series have released a DVD containing the first seven episodes. Before new episodes of CU are released for DVD sale, they are simultaneously available on their main website and at Newgrounds.
As of late, College University has turned away from its longer episodic format and has entirely focused on releasing shorter holiday specials instead. CU has had specials for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and the 4th of July in addition to a number of more random clips.
College University also has a weekly (now bi-monthly) Podcast, generally consisting of random banter and fan mail responses.
They have currently signed a deal with Thunder Squid to make 10 exclusive CU shorts. Also, they are making 10 other shorts for "Nature Show", Mike's old comic strip.
With the making of the Groundhog Day short in 2007, it prolifically made "KFK's Illustrated Adventure". Made with skills of KFK's drawing and visuals colored by a two year old, KFK narrates random rantings that were inspired from previous podcasts. They have also been uploaded to Newgrounds with the other CU material.
Prominent Characters edit
- Parks - One of the two main characters of the series, Parks is widely considered to be the "dumb one" despite the fact that just about everyone on campus is a complete moron. Despite being somewhat mean and very shallow, Parks is usually quite at ease when it comes to meeting new people and making new friends. That being said, he is somewhat whipped by his girlfriend. He appears to have a drinking problem of sorts, though the issue is never really mentioned in a serious tone. He is a huge Mase fan and considers him to be "the most talented musician in the world. Ever." While he has not been shown in class since the first episode, Parks has been seen on numerous occasions playing videogames, most notably "Harlem World," which is named after Mase's first album and is one of College University's most beloved running gags. Like his roommate, Mike, he is a freshman.
- Mike - One of the two main characters of the series, Mike is considered the "smart one" despite the fact that he is a pretty average guy and only looks good academically in comparison to his roommate, Parks. When spending time with Parks, Mike is always the one that gets in trouble for his roommate's stupidity and is usually the one that has to solve their collective problems. In the course of just about every episode, one can expect to see Mike being humiliated by Parks and forced to think of a plan to save their hides from a Parks-related problem. He regularly attends classes (though he does not appear to be doing very well) and tends to be a hypochondriac of sorts when it comes to studying and girl troubles. He has a severe crush on a fellow College University freshman, though he has never been able to convey his feelings to her in a way that didn't piss her off.
- Big Jim, Bunny, Jay, and Fudge - These four [sophomore year|[sophomores]] appear to be Parks' and Mike's best friends on campus, though they have been demoted from main characters to stock characters in recent episodes. One of the four usually appears in each episode as a simple character device to allow College University to have a complicated storyline without introducing new characters. In some way or another though, each of these four have been screwed over in some way by their freshman buddies.
- Kung Fu Karl - An ex-international ninja movie star who has opened up a Coffee/Tobacco Shop on the College University campus. He appears to be a stoner and is used as a plot device whenever there is a need for someone to be kicked in the face or for someone to be paranoid. He also is involved in a spin-off episode that mocks the public safety ads of the 1970s, where he tries to teach two children about how to safely use a toaster. One child repeatedly threatens (some would say promises) to cut Kung Fu Karl with the knife in his hand. "I'll put my knife in you... put my knife deep inside you... I'm gonna gut you like a pig."
- Gorp - A green alien who works for Kung Fu Karl. Very few people seem to notice or care that Gorp is an alien despite the obvious fact that he isn't a human and that he communicates via telepathic means. He also speaks in Ebonics, perhaps in an attempt to seem natural. Gorp was mistaken as being a mormon by Bunny, but Parks tried to prove him wrong by saying that he floats and is "freakin' green". In spite of his attempts, Bunny didn't get the picture.
- Dark Ninja - A black masked and clad ninja who accompanies Kung Fu Karl, Dark Ninja is from the same series of martial arts movies as the washed up Karl. Dark Ninja actually appears to be among the smarter adult figures at College University, but that's only in comparison to Karl and the faculty. Dark Ninja's role seems to be a punching bag, as he has been struck in the head multiple times in the past due to Karl's stupidity. He also seems to lack knowledge of certain modern traditions, such as Groundhog's Day. Dark Ninja is often referred to as "DK", likes cookie-dough ice cream, and plays a keytar in a band with Parks, Mike, Bunny, and Bigfoot. He is also an ex-mercenary.
- Pushpa - The 10-year old child prodigy on campus who is constantly picked on and beaten up by the staff and his fellow students. In everyone else's defense, he is an easy target.
- Dean Kregger - The party animal dean of College University who spends much more time partying with the undergrads rather than administering the school. He is not qualified at all for his position and appears to have only become the dean due to his family relation to the founder of the college.
- Optimus Prime - Times have apparently been hard for the one-time superhero, as he has been lessened in his heroic capacity from the savior of the world to the chief of campus security and a part-time bouncer. He is generally hated by the undergraduate population as being an "ID Nazi" while on duty as a bouncer.
- Primates - Due to CU's unique application leniency, primates are allowed to attend and are catered for with unique subjects (such as Monkey Physics). Prominent characters include Ed the "traditional" monkey, Bigfoot, Lemur and Monkey Professor.
- BD Wong - Although not seen in the cartoon BD Wong is a prominently spoofed character on the College University Podcast.
Kush Lash edit
Originated from a wager between Tad Birmingham and Mike from a cartoon in the College University flash series. The Kush Lash tournament was won by Mike through a 'Kush Lash' on his final throw. This resulted in the car dealership of Tad's being handed over to Mike.
Kush Lash is a simple backyard sport that includes a Nerf football and a hammock. It has grown into a favorite pastime for many college students. The goal is to throw the football at the hammock from 30 yards (27 m) away to collect points. Hitting the hammock is one point, bouncing the football into the hammock is three points, and landing the football in the hammock - called a "kush lash" - is five points. Players can take turns alternating throws or have multiple sets with multiple throws so long as each player has had an equal number of throws. The standard is three rounds with three throws each. Also, whoever gets the announcer his or her first beer, goes first. It has become acceptable to shout the phrase Kush Lash as a celebration for any sport or event. Another rule, not usually inforced but makes the game a lot better, is to play Kush Lash with a personal character with their own back story.
See also edit
- Clock Suckers - another series created by Mike and Andy Parker.
External links edit
- Official College University Website
- College University at Newgrounds
- Clock Suckers and Kush Lash Interview from Dangerous Ink Magazine