The Australian Michael Cusack is regarded as one of the best animators of his generation. Thus, it’s not rare to see that “Smiling Friends,” his beloved comedy project that began airing its second season on April 1, is now the fourth most-watched series on Max in the United States.
Cusack has been praised since his very beginnings for his unique animation style that blends crude and surreal humor. Also, he utilizes a wide range of techniques to bring his stories to life, from traditional animation to rotoscoping.
It has been four years since the pilot episode of the series aired, and, step by step, it has qualified among the top animated shows on “Adult Swim,” alongside “Rick and Morty” and “Bob’s Burgers”.
‘Smiling Friends’ ranks Top 4 series on Max US
For many critics, “Smiling Friends” is Michael Cusack’s best creation to date. Plus, the high fanbase that the show has gained, particularly since becoming famous on TikTok in recent months, propelled the series to rank No. 4 on Max in the United States.
Surprisingly, the animated production managed to surpass “Hacks,” one of the biggest Emmy front-runners for this year. It may even outshine “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” despite this show always being on trend due to its highly controversial content.
The series revolves around the ups and downs of a small company dedicated to bringing happiness to the world. Since the people who call their hotlines tend to have eccentric and urgent problems, employees Pim, Charlie, Allan, and Glep are always facing a challenge.
Many members of the directing, writing, and production team also lend their voices to the characters. Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, the main directors and writers of the show, play the four protagonists, among many others.
So far, there hasn’t been any news about a third season of “Smiling Friends,” but we will keep you updated. Until then, you can enjoy the remaining six episodes, which will be released on the platform each Sunday.