View source for Sealab 2021

{{short description|American adult animated television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Sealab 2021 - Logotype.png
| image_size           = 250
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Adult animation]]
* [[Comic science fiction]]
* [[Surreal humor]]
* [[Parody]]
* [[Satire]]
}}
| runtime              = 12 minutes
| creator              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Adam Reed]]
* [[Matt Thompson (animator)|Matt Thompson]]
}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
* Adam Reed
* Matt Thompson
}}
| based_on             = {{based on|''[[Sealab 2020]]''|[[Alex Toth]]<br>[[William Hanna]] and [[Joseph Barbera]]}}
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
* Adam Reed
* Matt Thompson
* [[Mike Lazzo]]{{efn|name=EPWS|Executive Producers for Cartoon Network (seasons 1–3), Williams Street (season 4).}}
* [[Keith Crofford]]{{efn|name=EPWS}}
}}
| voices               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Harry Goz]] (2000–03)
* Michael Goz (2003–05)
* [[Kate Miller (actor)|Kate Miller]]
* [[Erik Estrada]]
* Brett Butler
* [[Ellis Henican]]
* [[Bill Lobley]]
* [[MC Chris]]
}}
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Williams Street]]
* 70/30 Productions
}}
| theme_music_composer = Julie Stepanek
| open_theme           = "Sealab" performed by Calamine
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| network              = [[Cartoon Network]]
| network2             = [[Adult Swim]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2000|12|21}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2000|12|30}}
| first_aired2         = {{Start date|2001|09|02}}
| last_aired2          = {{End date|2005|04|24}}
| num_seasons          = 4
| num_episodes         = 52 (and 1 unaired pilot)
| list_episodes        = List of Sealab 2021 episodes
| related              = ''[[Sealab 2020]]''
}}

'''''Sealab 2021''''' is an American adult animated television series created by [[Adam Reed]] and [[Matt Thompson (animator)|Matt Thompson]] for [[Cartoon Network]]'s late-night programming block, [[Adult Swim]]. [[Cartoon Network]] aired the show's first three episodes in December 2000 before the official inception of the Adult Swim block on September 2, 2001, with the final episode airing on April 24, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sealab 2021 Episode Guide|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/sealab-2021/episodes/|work=TV.com|access-date=2012-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=C&C - Sealab 2021 - "Legacy of Laughter" [4/24]|url=https://www.toonzone.net/forums/threads/c-c-sealab-2021-legacy-of-laughter-4-24.3870531/|work=Toon Zone|date=April 24, 2005|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-date=February 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075507/https://www.toonzone.net/forums/threads/c-c-sealab-2021-legacy-of-laughter-4-24.3870531/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Sealab 2021'' is one of the only four original [[Williams Street]] series that premiered in 2000 before Adult Swim officially launched, with the others being ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]'', ''[[The Brak Show]]'', and ''[[Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law]]''.

Much like Adult Swim's ''[[Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]'', the animation used stock footage from [[Hanna-Barbera]]'s short-lived, [[Natural environment|environmentally]] themed animated series ''[[Sealab 2020]]'', along with original animation; Hanna-Barbera was not involved in the production. The show was a satirical parody of both the original ''Sealab'' series and the general conventions of the 1970s animated children's series. While there was initial resistance from several of the original series' creators to the reuse of their characters, production moved forward on the series.<ref name="ref2">Holman, Curt and Kuldell, Heather. [https://creativeloafing.com/content-184924-Cover-Story:-Midnight-Munchies-with-Adult-Swim <nowiki>"Midnight Munchies with [Adult Swim]"</nowiki>] (2005-03-09). Accessed: 2009-12-29. "Do the original creators of Birdman or Sealab ever come up to you and say, 'What the hell did you do to my character?' Crofford: Actually, yes. Ouweleen: Yes, they're mad about it."</ref>

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Sealab 2021 episodes}}
{{:List of Sealab 2021 episodes}}

==Production==
[[Adam Reed]] and [[Matt Thompson (animator)|Matt Thompson]], the creators and writers of ''Sealab 2021'', came up with the idea for the show in 1995 while they were [[production assistant]]s for Cartoon Network. They stumbled on a tape of the show ''[[Sealab 2020]]'', and wrote replacement dialogue. Cartoon Network passed on the show because it did not believe it was funny. Five years after quitting Cartoon Network, the two went back to the original tape, this time making the characters do what they wanted. Cartoon Network bought the show, coincidentally around the same time that Adult Swim was created.<ref name="morphizm">{{cite web | title = Predictability is a Disease: Adam Reed and Matt Thompson, Sealab 2021 | url = http://www.morphizm.com/features/adult_mattandy.html | date = 2003-03-13 | access-date = 2007-03-24}}</ref> The original "pitch pilot" is available on the Season 1 DVD as a special feature. The series is produced at 70/30 Productions, a studio founded by Reed and Thompson located at [[Atlanta]].

Very few of the episodes of the series share any continuity or ongoing plot. For instance, the entire installation is destroyed at the end of many episodes, and crew members are often killed in various ways, only to return in the following episode. There are occasional running gags, such as the "Grizzlebee's" restaurant chain, a parody of [[Applebee's]] and [[Bennigan's]], the character of Sharko, and Prescott, the half-man, half-tentacle monster "from the network". It contains many references to the pop culture of the 1980s–2000s and makes use of other cartoons from the 1970s besides that on which it is based, such as 1973's ''[[Butch Cassidy (TV series)|Butch Cassidy]]'' for the on-screen appearances of the Sealab writers, and various one-off appearances of other characters.

==Characters==
* Captain Hazel "Hank" Murphy ([[Harry Goz]]) is the ostensible leader of the crew, though his qualifications, and even his grasp on reality, are questionable. He is generally found loitering on the bridge, neglecting his duties. Murphy spends his time participating in scams and juvenile antics, generally causing problems that the crew has to solve. The only episode which features Murphy acting responsibly throughout is "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#7211|7211]]", which is a faithful reenactment of the original ''[[Sealab 2020]]'' show. Captain Murphy is a parody of Captain Mike Murphy from ''Sealab 2020''. Generally, Murphy is incapable to the point of incompetence. On more than one occasion, it has been implied that Murphy has gone insane due to the amount of time he has spent underwater. However, the crew either does not notice this or does not care and usually follows his orders, even when they will directly lead to the crew's deaths. Murphy is a practicing Alvian and has a deep-seated fear of [[doppelgänger]]s and especially flashlights, the latter a fear for which there is no name. After the death of Harry Goz, Murphy was written out of the show by having him leave Sealab to fight in the "Great Spice Wars". It is implied that Murphy is the leader of the Rebel forces in this war, though the reasoning behind this is or its effect on the war is never explored. A recap montage of Murphy's moments were played in the final episode in memory of his voice actor. He later appeared in the Reed and Thompson-created series ''[[Archer (2009 TV series)|Archer]]'', where he was voiced by [[Jon Hamm]] and debuted in the two-part episode "Sea Tunt".
* Captain Bellerophon "Tornado" Shanks (Michael Goz) is a retired [[American football|football]] coach and health and hygiene teacher who lost his job for slapping (or throat punching) a student. He answered Sealab's help wanted ad and became the new captain, despite having no experience whatsoever. Shanks is from Texas and is the youngest of several brothers all named after characters in Greek mythology, and all of whom met their death on or around a bridge in Shanks's hometown. Dropping his Southern accent late in the series (citing that some viewers thought he was [[homosexuality|gay]]), Shanks' personality bears a resemblance to Captain Murphy, being voiced by Harry Goz's son. Shanks is much more self-aware than Murphy, openly commenting on the odd goings-on aboard Sealab and even the fact that he is on a television program. Since Shanks has no experience or idea what he is doing, he goes along with whatever the rest of the crew suggests, usually with disastrous results. Captain Shanks debuted in the season 3 episode "Tornado Shanks".
* Lieutenant Jodene Sparks ([[Bill Lobley]]) is the station's radio operator who is always seen sitting with his headsets on. Sparks is a parody of Lieutenant Sparks from ''Sealab 2020''. Sparks mostly uses the radio for his own personal purposes, even going so far as to disconnect vital transmissions that interrupt him. He generally travels around in his office chair, mostly because he is lazy, even though it was suggested that he is crippled. Sparks is a convict serving time at Sealab while still operating a black market distillery and takes part in a wide variety of other illegal activities. He occasionally serves as a voice of reason to the crew, particularly to Murphy. He is just as often the catalyst of problems aboard Sealab, including Sealab's destruction. He is [[claustrophobia|claustrophobic]] and a Malkin, the show's version of [[Wiccan]]. Sparks's quest for money has been in several plots, such as the murdering of the crew to collect on life insurance policies, the creation of Stimutacs to "make an assload of money", and his numerous underhand deals with Paddy O'Reilly, and the various Daves. An early episode revealed that he acts as a criminal mastermind called "Overlord" with a hollowed-out volcano base and an army of minions. Episode 46 reveals he enjoys [[hentai]] with themes of forced submission and humiliation. Rank: Commander.
* Debbie "White Debbie" DuPree ([[Kate Miller (actor)|Kate Miller]]) is a marine biologist and one of only two adult women on the base. Serving as a parody of Gail from ''Sealab 2020'', she is a blonde and is often the object of the sexual interest of the males on Sealab. She has an ongoing sexual relationship with Doctor Quinn, and their relationship, its ups and downs, and its effect on the rest of the crew play out in several stories. This does not stop the other males, particularly Stormy, from attempting to get on her good side. Debbie's mood swings are a constant issue to the crew, as she changes wildly from the sole voice of reason to a shrieking lunatic. Debbie picked up the "White Debbie" appellation at the behest of Doctor Quinn, who thought it was unfair that Debbie Love went by "Black Debbie" while Debbie Dupree was simply Debbie. Nevertheless, few of the crew actually call her that. Rank: Lieutenant Commander.
* Derek "Stormy" Waters ([[Ellis Henican]]) is a pretty boy lacking in intelligence or seemingly any qualifications to be working on a government research lab, and a parody of Hal from ''Sealab 2020''. Stormy's job is never clearly defined and he usually walks around Sealab doing whatever he wants or acts as a henchman or assistant to whomever he is nearest. Stormy usually works alongside Quinn, who is frequently the victim of Stormy's ignorance, but ironically is the crew member who's most tolerant of him. The two frequently find themselves in ''Odd Couple''-like situations. Stormy has shown skill in the operation of the submersible Deep Diver, both as a pilot and gunner, as well as operating other technological gadgets, though he is just as irresponsible in those positions as anywhere else. The crew has been shown to dislike or mistreat Stormy on multiple occasions, such as putting a sign outside the mess hall saying "No Stormies" when they held a pizza party or forgetting that he was trapped outside of the closet with Murphy's carnivorous dogs. Stormy is a proudly practicing Alvian, like Murphy. Of all characters, Stormy is the most different in the episode "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#7211|7211]]". In the episode, he directs the rest of the crew effectively in the salvage of the damaged sub. He is allergic to shellfish. Rank: Lieutenant Commander.
* Dr. Quentin Q. Quinn (Brett Butler) is the science officer. Parodying Ed from ''Sealab 2020'', he is an extremely intelligent African-American with an IQ of 260 and Ph.D.s in several scientific disciplines, of which he is not shy about reminding the other characters. Quinn grew up in unbelievably over-the-top poverty and got to where he is through hard work, unlike the majority of the other characters. He is regarded as an uptight killjoy by most of the crew. Quinn is often the only responsible crew member and the sole voice of reason. This has caused the other crew to neglect their duties even further, as they believe "Quinn will handle it." Despite his intelligence, Quinn is extremely vain and prone to outbursts of anger when he is not appreciated. Quinn often attempts to prevent Murphy's questionable plans from being enacted, leading Murphy to distrust Quinn. However, Murphy is aware that he and the station completely depend on Quinn, going so far as to snake his vacation to ensure that he does not leave the station. Quinn has an ongoing sexual relationship with Debbie Dupree. In the first episode, he revealed that he inhabits a robot body of his own design. Rank: Lieutenant Commander.
* Marco Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar Gabriel Garcia Marquez ([[Erik Estrada]]) is the station's engineer. Spoofing Dr. Paul Williams from ''Sealab 2020'', he is very strong and muscular, unlike the rest of the crew. He speaks with a Spanish accent and often exclaims random things in Spanish, although not actually speaking the language. Quinn even remarks that his Spanish is terrible. His name comes from both the Spaniard epic 11th-century poem ''[[Cantar del Mio Cid]]'', which featured the character [[El Cid|Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar]], and from the 1982 Literary Nobel Prize winner journalist and novelist [[Gabriel García Márquez]]. Marco's exact heritage is unknown, though he is fiercely not a Spaniard. Marco is prone to violence, both in the defense of the crew and against them. Marco often argues with Murphy about his methods and seems to be the only one to whom Murphy actually listens. Despite this, Murphy often calls Marco "mailbox head" and included a segment on his radio show where listeners could call in to tell him why they hated Marco. Marco gets along with most of the crew, especially Sparks and Quinn. Marco also interacts with the orphans on Sealab and has been shown to have a soft side. Rank: Lieutenant Commander.
* Hesh Hepplewhite ([[MC Chris]]) is the station's reactor operator and, more often than not, their whipping boy. Hesh has a habit of continually referring to himself in the third person. It was revealed that he is [[Jew]]ish. Nasal-voiced, smart-mouthed, and whiny, Hesh is not well-liked by most of the crew and thus works in the part of the station farthest away from them. He has no real understanding of how the reactor works and generally has to have guidance from Quinn when there is a problem. Hesh's own interactions with the machinery are generally useless or actively destructive, such as the "hammer game", which involves smashing the computers with a hammer. Hesh generally does not participate in the crew's activities unless he interrupts on the radio. Hesh performs the birthday song at Quinn's birthday and acts as Murphy's caddie. Hesh's safety is not a concern to any of the characters, as Murphy sent him into the reactor core to recover a ball. As a result of being isolated in the reactor, Hesh has developed odd tendencies, such as dressing as a woman on multiple occasions. Rank: Lieutenant.
* Debbie "Black Debbie" Allison Love (Angela Gibbs) is both the only other adult female and the only black female on the station. She is the parody of the ''Sealab 2020'' character Mrs. Thomas (Ed Thomas's mother). She teaches school to the Sealab's orphans and is very proud of her race. She has a relationship with Marco at the beginning of the show and briefly dates Sparks and Tornado in the later seasons. In one episode, her name is displayed on a monitor as Debbie Allison; but in another, her nameplate is shown as Debbie Love. She is a former [[Heisman Trophy]] winner. Rank: Lieutenant.
* Dr. Ilad Virjay ([[Adam Reed]]) is the station's official doctor and in-house surgeon noted for his thick Indian accent and relatively normal personality. He graduated third in his class from The Medical College of Mescutabuti. He practices Manduism, the Sealab universe's version of [[Hinduism]]. Dr. Virjay is shown to be jealous of Dr. Quinn as the latter has multiple Ph.Ds and a higher IQ. Dr. Virjay delivers all his lines in a deadpan, whether informing crew members of medical issues or confronting an invisible monster shortly before his death. It is later revealed that he is also janitor for Sealab's restaurant section. Rank: Unknown.
* Dolphin Boy is a little chubby boy that speaks in [[dolphin]] noises. One of the orphans that inhabit Sealab for some reason, he is a member of Black Debbie's class. Dolphin Boy often wanders around the station and, as a result, is often embroiled in whatever is going on. When translated, Dolphin Boy generally says inoffensive, naively childish statements, universally resulting in derision and hatred from the rest of the crew. He is the target of endless fat jokes and is often killed by the Sealab crew members for no reason whatsoever. He is the [[persona non grata]] of Sealab. Rank: Lieutenant Jr. Grade.
* Sharko ([[Matt Thompson (animator)|Matt Thompson]]) is a half-human, half-shark freak of nature who is the result of Marco having sexual relations with a female [[shark]].
* The Five Jew Bankers are a lampoon of Jewish conspiracy theories. They are introduced in "Neptunati" (Season 3 Episode 13).

==International broadcast==
In [[Canada]], ''Sealab 2021'' currently airs on the local version of [[Adult Swim (Canadian TV channel)|Adult Swim]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Adult Swim Canada schedule (Update: No 5AM for you.)|url=https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/adult-swim-canada-schedule-update-no-5am-for-you.5241051/|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=October 6, 2020}}</ref> It previously aired on the former [[Teletoon at Night]] program block on [[Teletoon]] in English Canada.<ref>{{cite news|title=Teletoon skeds 13 new shows for fall|url=https://mediaincanada.com/2007/08/01/teltoon-20070801/|date=August 1, 2007|access-date=October 6, 2020}}</ref>

==Home media and streaming==
The series has been available on [[HBO Max]] since September 1, 2020.<ref>{{cite web | first= Jacob | last=Siegal | url=https://ca.bgr.com/2020/08/21/hbo-max-in-september-everything-coming-and-going/ | title=HBO Max in September: Everything coming and going | work=Boy Genius Report | date=August 21, 2020 | access-date=January 3, 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! |DVD Name
! |Release Date
! |Episodes
! |Additional Information
|-
|[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Three episode pilot: 2000|Season One]]||July 20, 2004||style="text-align:center"|13||This two-disc boxset contains the first 13 episodes ("[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Radio Free Sealab|Radio Free Sealab]]" through "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Swimming in Oblivion|Swimming in Oblivion]]"). Bonus features include alternate endings for the episode "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#I Robot|I, Robot]]", deleted scenes, the original pitch pilot, and uncensored scenes for "Radio Free Sealab". Music during the main menu is the original recording of the theme song.
|-
|[[Bizarro (Sealab 2021 episode)|Season Two]]||style="white-space: nowrap;"|February 1, 2005||style="text-align:center"|13||This two-disc boxset contains the second set of 13 episodes ("[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Der Dieb|Der Dieb]]" through "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Return to Oblivion|Return to Oblivion]]"). Bonus features include commentaries for all thirteen episodes, an animatic for the unseen episode "Ronnie", and other assorted bonus features – many of which involve women in bikinis. The DVD cover, used for the "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Bizarro|Bizarro]]" episode, is a homage to the cover of ''[[Uncanny X-Men]]'' #100, by artist [[Dave Cockrum]]. Music during the main menu is the theme song played backwards. This season two DVD is included on ''[[Adult Swim in a Box]]'', which was released on October 27, 2009.
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap;"|[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Season 3: 2003–2004|Season Three]]||July 12, 2005||style="text-align:center"|13||This two-disc boxset contains the third set of 13 episodes ("[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Splitsville|Splitsville]]" through "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Neptunati|Neptunati]]"). Bonus features include two unseen episodes and the animatic of a third unseen episode, commentary for four episodes, and other features. Music during the main menu is the music used in the "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Red Dawn|Red Dawn]]" episode.
|-
|[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Season 4: 2004–2005|Season Four]]||August 8, 2006||style="text-align:center"|13||This two-disc boxset contains the final 13 episodes ("[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Isla de las Chupacabras|Isla de las Chupacabras]]" through "[[List of Sealab 2021 episodes#Legacy of Laughter|Legacy of Laughter]]"). Bonus features include alternate endings and deleted scenes. For this release, Cartoon Network abandoned their usual [[digipak]] packaging design in favor of a more traditional Amaray style [[keep case]]. During the main menu, underwater sound effects are used.
|}

==Reception==
In January 2009, [[IGN]] listed ''Sealab 2021'' as the 79th best in the "Top 100 Animated Series".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-animated-series/79|title=Top 100 Animated Series - IGN.com|website=IGN}}</ref> In 2013 IGN placed ''Sealab 2021'' as number 22 on their list of top 25 animated series for adults.<ref name=Top25IGN>{{cite web|last=Fowler|first=Matt|title=The Top 25 Animated Series for Adults From caped crusaders to web-slingers to danger zones, here are the best animated shows to enjoy as a grown up.|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/25/top-25-animated-shows-for-adults?page=1|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=26 March 2019|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>

Paul Di Filippo of the website ''Sci Fi Weekly'', in his review of the Season 3 DVD, felt that general fan opinion of the show declined sharply following the death of [[Harry Goz]] (the voice of Captain Hazel Murphy) during Season 3.<ref>{{cite web | title = SCI FI Weekly: Review of Sealab 2021 Season-Three DVD | url = http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw1956.html | date = 2005-11-21 | access-date=2007-03-08 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070126064402/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/screen/sfw1956.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-01-26}}</ref>

In 2021, upon the 20-year anniversary of Adult Swim, Nerdist stated of the series, "It's one thing to imagine ''Sealab 2021''. It's another getting it on the airwaves."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Walsh|first=Michael|date=2021-09-01|title=Why Adult Swim's Strange Early Days Can Never Be Replicated|url=https://nerdist.com/article/adult-swim-20th-anniversary-weird-early-days/|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Nerdist|language=en-US}}</ref> Boston's Rock 92.9 published an article calling it "Another masterful reworking of old cartoon footage."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-03|title=Celebrating 20 Years of 'Adult Swim' with Their 20 Best Shows|url=https://rock929rocks.com/listicle/celebrating-20-years-of-adult-swim-with-their-20-best-shows/|access-date=2021-09-10|website=ROCK 92.9 Rocks|language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of underwater science fiction works]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|https://www.adultswim.com/videos/sealab-2021/}}
* {{IMDb title|0278877}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071013205203/http://ugo.com/channels/dvd/features/sealab2021_season2/mattthompson.asp Interview with Sealab 2021 Creator]

{{Adult Swim original programming}}
{{Williams Street}}
{{Radical Axis}}
{{Portal bar|Animation|Television}}

[[Category:2000 American animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:2005 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2000s American adult animated television series]]
[[Category:2000s American animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:2000s American comic science fiction television series]]
[[Category:2000s American parody television series]]
[[Category:2000s American satirical television series]]
[[Category:2000s American surreal comedy television series]]
[[Category:American adult animated comic science fiction television series]]
[[Category:American adult animated television spinoffs]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Adult Swim animated television series]]
[[Category:Cartoon Network original programming]]
[[Category:Space Ghost Coast to Coast]]
[[Category:Underwater civilizations in fiction]]
[[Category:Television series by Williams Street]]
[[Category:Television series created by Adam Reed]]
[[Category:Television series created by Matt Thompson (animator)]]