Toons After Dark: Stripperella (2003)

Shortly after changing its name from The Nashville Network (or TNN, for short), Spike TV decided they wanted to cut in on [adult swim]'s action with adult cartoons. Unfortunately, that noble experiment ended in abject failure. Oh, did it ever.

But it wasn't for a lack of trying, oh, no sirree. Spike struck a deal with comics legend Stan Lee to develop a totally new animated series, and since Stan wasn't as actively involved at Marvel anymore, well..........!

Stripperella led off Spike's Thursday night 90-minute block, and, admittedly, had some of the best animation of the group. After all, it boasted Kevin Altieri, formerly of Warner Bros. Animation (i.e. Batman: The Animated Series) as a producer-director. Pamela Anderson (ex-Baywatch) not only was cast in the title role, she doubled as creative consultant on the series, and then-beau Kid Rock composed the show's closing theme. Unfortunately, that isn't available right at the moment.

So, where did Stripperella go wrong? Hard to say, really. You have to applaud Lee & Spike TV for thinking outside the box. Erotica Jones (Anderson) was a typical Stan Lee heroine, after a sort. Like, who'd ever think a stripper could moonlight as a costumed heroine? While there were the predictable teases of Erotica/Stripperella baring more than necessary, which would've raised red flags with the usual cast of namby-pamby zealots, there were no nip slips to be had. The show actually lacked in star power, as in guest stars. WWE honcho Vince McMahon, who'd made his toon debut on MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch a few years earlier, guested in one episode as a lecherous--and corrupt--businessman who tried to buy the club where Erotica worked. Too bad that episode isn't available.

Edit, 4/26/22: The video has been declared age-restricted by YouTube. In its place is this poster:

Rating: B-.