The beloved black comedy series is back for a second season, and, as reported by ComicBook.com, it’s taken the number one spot on Max’s top TV shows. Smiling Friends returned to Adult Swim and Max on May 13th after the first episode was surprise released on April 1st.
According to ComicBook.com, the animated series bested the Max original documentary series The Jinx – Part Two as the most streamed series on the platform worldwide. The second season of Smiling Friends sees Michael Cusack’s (YOLO, Koala Man) Pim Pimling and Zach Haden’s (Tig n’ Seek, SpongeBob SquarePants)Charlie Dompler, the series’ fan-favorite protagonists, back at their titular business aimed to cheer up a variety of depressed clients. After last season saw their boss assigning them helpless cases such as a celebrity frog who ate a TMZ reporter in a career-ending gaffe and a nerdy, hermetic shrimp, season two already features an equally wide array of revolving guest stars from an unpopular incumbent President of the United States, portrayed in live action by Mike Bocchetti (Cremaster 3, Faraway Eyes) to a has-been video game mascot in just its first four episodes.
As ComicBook.com reported, on April Fools Day fans were treated to Adult Swim’s annual April Fools prank. This year, Adult Swim trolled viewers when it aired three previous episodes of the series rather than the season two premiere, only this time with the central characters appearing as puppets in three unique animation styles, contrasting the show’s signature 2D kooky cartoon look. Immediately after this charming tradition, Adult Swim finally rewarded its fans earnestly, gifting them the premiere episode to conclude their lighthearted prank.
ComicBook.com reports of the show taking the top slot on its home streaming service further cements its increasing popularity, possibly attributed to its endearing, minimalist animation and hilariously absurdist humor. Fans can catch new episodes of Smiling Friends on Adult Swim on Sundays at midnight or streaming on Max the following day.