Ep 17. A Day at the Circus

A Day at the Circus is the seventeenth episode in the second season of Robot Chicken. This episode is a 22-minute animated sketch comedy that features a series of hilarious parodies, satirical spoofs, and pop culture references bound to leave viewers in stitches. True to the show's signature style, the episode is a mash-up of random pop culture and historical references, ridiculous characterizations, and absurd scenarios, all brought to life by a mix of stop-motion animation and CGI.

The episode is aptly titled A Day at the Circus, and it revolves around various sketches that take place in the context of a fictional circus. In the first sketch, an overweight boy is thrilled to join a sideshow act as the "boy with the growing head," only to find himself the victim of endless pranks and jokes. In the second sketch, a group of animals in the circus revolt against their human handlers. The animals include a giraffe, a camel, a horse, and an elephant, all of whom have had enough of their captivity and decide to take matters into their own hands.

In yet another sketch, a clown named Binky tries to perform his usual stunts, only to find them constantly sabotaged by a rival clown named Blimpo, who seems to excel at making Binky look bad. In another sketch, the episode parodies the popular superhero movie genre, with Batman and Robin joining the circus to catch a villain who is hiding there. The sketch features hilarious one-liners, ridiculous costumes, and over-the-top fight scenes that poke fun at the superhero genre.

As the episode progresses, viewers are treated to various other sketches that feature everything from a magical genie who grants wishes with a catch, to a game show where the contestants have to guess which creature is their own mother. The show also takes jabs at popular TV personalities like Jerry Springer and Oprah Winfrey, who are portrayed in absurd and comedic scenarios.

One of the standout sketches in the episode is a parody of the classic horror movie, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. In this sketch, a family of rednecks are portrayed as murderous psychopaths who terrorize their circus guests with a chainsaw. The sketch is not for the faint of heart, but it is bound to leave audiences howling with laughter thanks to its dark humor and brilliant execution.

The episode wraps up with a final sketch that brings all the various storylines together in one coherent and hilarious scene. In true Robot Chicken fashion, the sketch ends with a twist that nobody sees coming, leaving viewers surprised and delighted.

Overall, A Day at the Circus is a classic Robot Chicken episode that combines absurd humor, pop culture references, and creative animation to deliver a non-stop stream of laughs. Whether you are a hardcore fan of the show or a casual viewer, you are bound to find something to appreciate in this episode. From its clever parodies to its irreverent humor, the show is a masterclass in comedic writing and animation, and a must-watch for anyone looking for a good laugh.