Back in the 90s, he was in a very famous TV show. And as of Sept. 14, 2018, Netflix original series “Bojack Horseman” has returned to the service for a fifth season.
The show premiered in Aug. 2014 on the streaming service and was created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. Cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt worked with Bob-Waksberg to craft the design of the show.
The story follows the titular character, an actor in his 50s whose stardom peaked after starring in a popular 90s sitcom “Horsin’ Around,” a spoof of shows like “Full House.”
However, since the end of that show, he became jaded and depressed at the Hollywood cycle and engages in self destructive behavior regularly.
Some examples include excessive drinking and drug use, lashing out at anyone who shows affection for him and running away from his problems. The show follows his journey of trying to better himself and mostly falling flat on his face. Bojack is played by Will Arnett.
Other characters include Todd, a slacker in his 20s that lives in Bojack’s house and gets himself into crazy antics. He’s voiced by Aaron Paul.
Diane is a Vietnamese-American writer who is a third-wave feminist trusted to ghostwrite Bojack’s memoirs. She holds the world to a high standard and isn’t afraid to call out injustice, even when it’s being perpetrated by her boyfriend Mr. Peanutbutter. She’s played by Allison Brie.
Mr. Peanutbutter is a dog-actor that starred in “Mr. Peanutbutter’s House,” a show inspired by “Horsin’ Around” (or it completely stole the premise of “Horsin’ Around,” according to Bojack)
He’s achieved a level of fame similar to Bojack but is beloved by people due to his carefree, positive outlook. He annoys Bojack immensely, but is either oblivious to it or doesn’t care. He becomes intertwined with the antics of the rest of the cast, mainly Todd and Diane. He is voiced by Paul F. Tompkins.
Rounding out the main cast is Princess Carolyn, a pink cat who works as a talent agent and is an on again, off again girlfriend of Bojack. She’s a workaholic that has several personal struggles, including trying to start a family. She’s played by Amy Sedaris.
The show’s world is unique, as it is full of anthropomorphic animals that dress like humans and have human features, but also live alongside humans. This allows the show plenty of opportunities to make jokes about the animals using their natural instincts and a number of sight gags and wordplay in the background.
The setting of the show is in a fictional Los Angeles, in “Hollywoo.” The setting allows the creators to mock and satirize many current events going on in the world of entertainment today.
Some of these issues include the confusing nature of mainstream TV shows, sexual assault in the workplace, the way the media manipulates the public into thinking via celebrities and the politics required to win awards, among several others.
Quite a few famous sites and celebrities are highlighted in the background or they may get the spotlight for an episode or two. However, throughout the whole season several recurring locations, jokes and characters are found scattered about.
Along with the rapid fire delivery of jokes is the depiction of several mental and cultural issues, like depression, the struggle of being asexual, emotional baggage from childhood, not feeling like you belong in your own home country and the many ways these characters block or numb their pain. Mainly through drugs and alcohol.
The show occasionally offers its take on current events, with previous seasons tackling gun control, abortion and the MeToo movement.
Several critics and fans alike have stated that “Bojack Horseman” has one of the most realistic portrayals of depression and what people that deal with it go through on a daily basis. Some say it does a much better job at portraying mental health issues than “13 Reasons Why,” another Netflix original.
On Wednesday Sept. 26, the show will begin airing on Comedy Central. It is the first Netflix original series to be syndicated on U.S. TV.
“Bojack Horseman” has been nominated for and won several awards through its run, including honors at the Annie Awards, Writers Guild of America Awards and the Gold Derby Awards.
The first reviews of season 5 are on par with the rest of the series following season 1. Each subsequent season holds a 97 percent or higher on Rotten Tomatoes and an 87 out of 100 or higher on Metacritic.
Due to its unique art style, talented vocal cast and the critically acclaimed writing of the characters, “Bojack Horseman” will continue to be one of the biggest Netflix original series.
Henry Wolski
Executive Editor