Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law reviewpick

‘The Death Of Harvey’ means the death of the world’s greatest super-lawyer ever

By Paul Semel, Special to Metromix

July 19, 2007

 
Critic's Rating:
4

Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law review
Back in the '60s, Birdman was a superhero. But when he wasn't able to fight crime with his fists anymore (and his audition to host a talk show didn't really pan out), he decided to go where no superhero had gone before: Law school. A surreal, silly and supremely funny Adult Swim 'toon, “Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law” recasts the Hanna-Barbera superhero as a legal eagle who uses the power of attorney to fight interesting cases—like when Scooby and Shaggy got busted for possession. But like any good ex-superhero, he has his archenemies: Opposing counsel, judges and the head of the law firm Sebben & Sebben, naturally.

Sadly, after four solid seasons, the show is coming to an end with “The Death Of Harvey,” a super-sized episode in which all his former cases have been thrown out and he has to re-try them before the judge, Mentok the Mindtaker, goes on vacation.

Who's that?:
Besides regular cast members Gary Cole (Harvey), Thomas Allen (Peanut), Paget Brewster (Birdgirl), Chris Edgerly (Peter Potamus) and Matt Peccini (the bear), this episode also features such guest voices as Phil LaMarr (Black Vulcan), Maurice LaMarche (Apache Chief), Peter MacNicol (X, The Eliminator), John Michael Higgins (Mentok the Mindtaker), Lewis Black (The Deadly Duplicator) and a certain someone whose mention here would spoil the surprise…

Buzzed about:
As smart as it was surreal, “Harvey” was one of the best shows of the Adult Swim block, which is saying a lot.

The “ooh” factor: Like a cross between the finales of “Seinfeld” and “Cheers,” “The Death Of Harvey” brings everyone back for a big, funny reunion before tying up all the loose ends.

The “eh” factor:
While this episode is a great—albeit very final—way to end this series, it also illustrates why the show's death is really premature.

The verdict:
As your lawyer, we advise you to watch this show.

The series finale of “Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law” airs July 22 at 11:45 p.m./10:45c on Cartoon Network.

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