Duckman - Seasons 1 and 2 (part III of III)

Disc three, season two, like I said:

Papa Oom M.O.W. M.O.W.: (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Norton Virgien) While trying to cop a feel from some comely ladies, Duckman ends up averting a Presidential assassination...and, in the process, becomes a celebrity. Markowitz’s script sings from beginning to end, with some killer lines, razor-sharp commentary about the media and a truly-inspired ‘USA Original Movie’. Definitely an all-time favorite.

Married Alive: (w: Bernie Keating; d: Raymie Muzquiz) Bernice’s impending marriage to mogul billionaire Baron von Dillweed has Duckman in a good mood, until he learns that the boys are going with. Surprisingly, this leads to Duckman solving a case that may have to do with his potential new brother-in-law. Pretty good, with a fine mystery and some funny lines (mainly in Baron von Dillweed’s office/car).

Days of Whining and Neurosis: (w: Gary Glasberg; d: John Eng) The head of a prominent celebrity rehab center is found dead, so Duckman and Cornfed go undercover to investigate. The verbal jabs at celebrities and their addictions fly fast and furious in this episode. No classic, but incredibly hilarious.

Inherit the Judgment: the Dope’s Trial: (w: Michael Markowitz; d; Jeff McGrath) Which came first - the chicken or the egg? Duckman’s answer to this question lands him in a world of trouble in the small backwoods town where he’s stranded...which happens to be King Chicken’s hometown. The titular trial is amusing, particularly when Duckman assumes his own defense...even after he’s cleared.

America the Beautiful: (w: Bill Canterbury and Gene Laufenberg; d Paul Demeyer) Duckman goes in search of a supermodel named America. As it turns out, she’s lost her way. Well, it’s a good thing that we were warned about the "heavy-handed allegory" ahead of time, but, to be honest, this episode is pretty funny, mainly with America’s ex-boyfriends. The ending musical number does overegg the pudding, somewhat.

The Germ Turns: (w: Jim Pond & Bill Fuller; d: Bob Hathcock) At a new-age fair, Duckman gets to see his mother, who, for her negligent parenting, has been reincarnated as a germ. Wishing to avoid this fate, Duckman sets out to spend as much time with his boys as possible. Duckman’s half-assed over-parenting (especially with Ajax) is a riot and Katey Sagal is quite good as Duckman’s mom.

In the Nam of the Father: (w: Jeff Astrov & Mike Sikowitz; d: Norton Virgien) A young pig comes into the office claiming to be Cornfed’s son. This prompts memories of Vietnam, leading Cornfed to find the man’s mother. Duckman and his family tag along, as he promised them a vacation. The episode divides its time between Cornfed’s interesting introspection, Nam humor that may not be to every taste and some side-splitting film references as Duckman suffers flashbacks.

Research and Destroy: (w: Jay Moriarty; story: Jeff Astrov & Mike Sikowitz; d: John Eng) Ajax’s stream-of-consciousness poetry becomes a sensation, gaining the attention of a greeting card magnate. It’s not hard to draw parallels between the originality and creativity being drained from Ajax’s work and...well, anything. This episode speaks to me in a way I didn’t remember in my younger days. It’s also quite funny, with Bernice chewing out a bouncer and the shared reactions to people talking about the soul of creativity.

Clip Job: (w: David Misch; d: Jeff McGrath) In what has to be the strangest and most original framing device for a clip show, Duckman is kidnapped by a fanatical TV critic (a hilarious Ben Stiller) who believes that the show "Duckman" is responsible for the nation’s moral decay. Quite good, even if I don't recognize some of the characters toward the end.

No special features on this disc (probably wasn’t enough room), but I look forward to picking up where I left off in January.