Regular Show fans have been waiting for J.G. Quintel's adult-oriented follow-up series Close Enough for three years now. TBS released a trailer in 2017 (which didn't actually contain any footage from the show), but after that there was complete radio silence on any release plans even though the show already got picked up for a second season.The series is now set to premiere on HBO Max on July 9, and those attending the online Annecy International Animated Film Festival from June 15-30 can stream an episode in advance, "100% No Stress Day."
This is not a review for the series as a whole, but rather a reaction to this single episode. One episode is not enough to pass wider judgments on the series as a whole, especially without further context. That being said, "100% No Stress Day" certainly doesn't feel like a typical pilot, given no time is spent on character introductions, but it's easy enough to pick up on who everyone is: Josh is a 30-something game designer whose brain's not always functioning, Emily is his stressed-out wife struggling to balance child-rearing and self-care, Candice is their daughter, Alex is the nerdy friend and Bridgette's the cool friend.
The episode follows two main plot threads: Bridgette trying to help Emily relax, and Josh, Alex and Candice going shopping. The two stories intersect through the testing of a new virtual reality game. As one would expect from the creator of Regular Show, these seemingly simple premises go in some downright wild directions.
The surreal parts of Emily and Bridgette's journey are mostly chemically-induced (did anyone expect an "adult Regular Show" not to involve drugs?). Josh, Alex and Candice's sober adventure gets even weirder, involving conflicts with homicidal ham thieves and muscular clowns who make balloon animals with their junk.
It all moves along at a super fast pace. Considering Close Enough was originally announced as 22 minute episodes before changing gears to 11 minute episodes, one wonders if the relentlessness is a result of cutting a longer episode down to a shorter one or if the episode was planned like this from the get-go. Whatever the case, "100% No Stress Day" is an entertaining piece of animation with just enough relatable character work to ground its insanity, even if it's not the clearest possible introduction to this series. It's been a long wait for this show to finally get released, but Close Enough might just have been worth it.
Created by and starring J.G. Quintel, Close Enough also features the voices of Gabrielle Walsh, Jason Mantzoukas, Kimiko Glenn and Jessica DiCicco. It premieres on HBO Max July 9.