Ep 1. Shovels Are for Digging (Pilot)

TripTank is an adult animated sketch comedy series that premiered on Comedy Central in 2014. Each episode features a collection of short, often crude and absurdly hilarious skits, presented in a variety of animation styles.

The first episode of TripTank season 1 is titled "Shovels Are for Digging (Pilot)." It begins with a brief introduction from the show's creators, Matt Mariska and Andy Sipes, who explain that TripTank aims to push the boundaries of what's acceptable on television and offer viewers a glimpse into the wild world of their twisted imagination.

The first skit, titled "Breaking News," pokes fun at sensationalist news media. A bumbling reporter named Bobby Singh (voiced by Kumail Nanjiani) covers a story about a man who has apparently turned into a tree. As Singh attempts to interview the man/tree (voiced by Rob Huebel), the skit takes several unexpected turns, eventually culminating in a violent confrontation with the cops.

The next skit, titled "Randy Gets Tested," follows a man named Randy (voiced by Tom Kenny) as he visits a doctor to get tested for STDs. However, things quickly spiral out of control when Randy's imagination runs wild, leading to a bizarre and hilarious series of hallucinations.

The third skit, titled "Stone Quackers," takes place in a pond where two anthropomorphic ducks, Stoney (voiced by John C. Reilly) and Stonewall (voiced by Nick Rutherford), engage in a surreal conversation about love, death, and the nature of existence. The skit features a unique animation style that is reminiscent of old-school cartoons.

The fourth skit, titled "Amnesty PSA," is a public service announcement that aims to educate viewers about the perils of undocumented immigrants. However, as the skit progresses, it becomes clear that the "PSA" is actually a thinly veiled attempt to promote xenophobic and racist ideologies.

The fifth skit, titled "Party Tom," follows the misadventures of a drunk and disorderly man named Tom (voiced by Larry Wilmore) as he attends a house party full of eccentric characters. The skit features a mixture of crude humor and surreal visuals, culminating in a bizarre and unexpected twist ending.

The sixth and final skit of the episode, titled "Jeff & Some Aliens," follows a man named Jeff (voiced by Matt Mariska) as he is abducted by a group of aliens who want to probe him. However, Jeff proves to be more of a handful than the aliens anticipated, leading to a hilarious series of hijinks and misunderstandings.

Overall, the pilot episode of TripTank sets the tone for what audiences can expect from the series: a wild, irreverent and often surreal collection of animated skits that are not suitable for younger viewers. The show's creators demonstrate a willingness to tackle taboo topics and push the boundaries of what's acceptable on television, making for a raunchy and offbeat viewing experience.