DVD review: "Sealab 2021 - Season One"

Aussies with Foxtel may have flipped onto this odd show late at night, when the Cartoon Network morphs into the mature-viewer madness of [adult swim]. It's based on Hanna-Barbera's unsuccessful 70s animation "Sealab 2020", but with the original enviro-friendly message forgotten, some new footage and all-new voice-overs.

This double-disc set contains the entire 13-episode first season as well as the "pitch pilot" (used to sell the concept to TV execs), deleted and uncensored scenes, and alternate endings. The eps are only 12 minutes long and heaps easier to watch on DVD, where you're not interrupted by thousands of annoying adverts for other toons.

As the name suggests, the action takes place in a futuristic underwater facility. The humour derives from the fact that each crew member is an idiot in their own way, especially Captain Hazel "Hank" Murphy, who bakes cupcakes in a toy oven, constantly assaults people, and longs to have his brain transplated into a female robot body.

One recurring gag is that Sealab itself keeps getting destroyed, only to reappear unscathed in the next episode. It's kinda like Kenny being repeatedly killed on "South Park", except this band of incompetent loonies deserve their fate.

Final word: The opening theme, by US indie popsters Calamine, is catchier than chicken pox. "If you're looking for me, you better check under the sea..."

[Australian release date: August 15]