Duckman - Seasons 3 and 4 (part IV of VII)

Been away from this, I know.

Dammit, Hollywood (w: Michael Markowitz and Jeff Reno; d: Peter Shin): At the same time a deposed Hollywood hotshot (a delightfully hammy Brendan Fraser) signs over control to the first idiot who happens along, Duckman demands a refund for the swill that the studio released. Achingly funny (and still quite pointed) satire of Tinseltown. The rampage of the (barely-disguised) mega-stars is a highlight.

Coolio Runnings (w: Bill Canterbury and Gene Laufenberg and David Misch; d: Jeff McGrath): There's a father-son relay race coming up and Duckman would rather adopt Coolio and run the race with him than klutzy Ajax. Nice title, but the story's sitcommier than one would expect from the show. Not bad, but no classic, either.

Aged Heat 2: Women in Heat (w: Eva Almos & Ed Scharlach; d: Peter Avanzino): Duckman's periodic destruction of Fluffy and Uranus has finally caught up with him, getting him shipped to jail...for ladies. (!) Part women in prison movie, part dance movie and part Lifetime original movie, this has something for everyone.

All About Elliott (w: Gene Laufenberg; d: Peter Shin): Duckman takes on an intern, Elliott (Chris Elliott...har har), who indulges his every vice, leading Cornfed to find out the truth. Elliott definitely gets under one's skin, but perhaps that was the point. Seeing Cornfed on the receiving end of the kind of angry mobs that his partner usually attracts made for an interesting change.

From Brad to Worse (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Peter Avanzino): Duckman recognizes a homeless man as an old classmate and feels compelled to help him...especially since the man's terrible state is Duckman's fault. Pretty good, helped by some hilarious flashbacks and Peter Scolari's fine voice work as Brad.

Bonfire of the Panties (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Anthony Bell): Duckman's been feeling edgy about his dateless streak, so Cornfed and the boys whip up a love potion for him, thus turning the living room "into an episode of 'Weird Science'!", as Bernice colorfully puts it. Starts out as a cartoony romp (don't miss the Wizard of Oz reference), then turns surprisingly sweet when Duckman runs into Courtney Thorne-Smith.

Role With It (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Anthony Bell): A trip to Las Vegas leads to group therapy for the family. Quite amusing (I'm a sucker for a good live-action in animation gag) and insightful (Duckman's deconstruction of friends and family). The ending number is a catchy one.