Final Space

Final Space is an American animated space opera comedy-drama television series created by Olan Rogers for TBS. The series involves a prisoner named Gary Goodspeed and his alien friend, Mooncake, and focuses on their intergalactic adventures as they try to solve the mystery of the titular "Final Space".

Final Space
Genre
Created byOlan Rogers
Developed byOlan Rogers
David Sacks
Directed by
  • Mike Roberts (also supervising; S1)
  • Ben Bjelajac (also supervising; S2)
  • Dan O'Connor
  • Chris Paluszek
  • Yoriaki Mochizuki
  • Anne Walker Farrell
Voices of
Composers
  • Shelby Merry
  • Jake Sidwell (S1 & S3)
  • Andrew Goodwin (S2 & S3)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes23 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Conan O’Brien
  • Olan Rogers
  • David Sacks
  • David Kissinger
  • Larry Sullivan
  • Jeff Ross
  • Kathleen Grace
  • Melissa Schneider
  • Matt Hoklotubbe
  • Dan O'Keefe (S2–)
  • Corey Campodonico
  • Alex Bulkley
  • Rosa Tran (co; S2–)
  • Brent Torrester (co; S2–)
Producers
  • Caitlin Alexander (line; S1)
  • Tobias Conan Trost (line)
  • Rosa Tran (supervising)
  • Adam Stein (co)
Running time21 minutes
Production companies
DistributorWarner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkTBS (2018-19)
Adult Swim (2019-)
[1]
Picture formatHDTV 1080p
Audio formatDolby Digital 5.1
Original releaseFebruary 26, 2018 (2018-02-26) –
present (present)
External links
Website

The series premiered on TBS on February 26, 2018[2] and was renewed for a second season on May 7, 2018. Season 2 premiered on June 24, 2019 on Adult Swim, with TBS airing an encore the following week.[3] The show was renewed for a third season a week after the second finished airing.[4] It was announced that season 3 is set to be released in early 2021.

Plot

Gary Goodspeed is a boisterous yet inept astronaut who, in the midst of working off the last few days of his five-year sentence aboard the prison spacecraft Galaxy One, encounters a mysterious planet-destroying alien. He befriends the alien, naming him Mooncake, and then discovers that Mooncake is wanted by the forces of a powerful telekinetic creature known as the Lord Commander. Gary and Mooncake embark on a quest to save the universe, together with the ship's computer HUE, an army of similar but unfalteringly loyal robots, and a growing crew of new shipmates—all while trying to uncover the mystery of what "Final Space" really is.

Episodes
Main article: List of Final Space episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
PilotApril 6, 2016 (2016-04-06)YouTube
110February 26, 2018 (2018-02-26)May 7, 2018 (2018-05-07)TBS
213June 24, 2019 (2019-06-24)September 23, 2019 (2019-09-23)Adult Swim

Cast
  • Olan Rogers as Gary Goodspeed, Mooncake, Tribore Menendez, David Dewinter, Jeff, Fraskenhaur, Digital Gary, Additional voices[5]
  • Fred Armisen as KVN, Eduardo, Overlord, Groom, Evil KVNs, Mega KVN, Queen, Key Guardian, Additional voices[6]
  • Tom Kenny as HUE, SAMES (Carl, Hank, Orson, Noodles, Rob, Boobs), Dewinter Son, Helper Stevil, Septim, Molelito, Thud, Time Swap Sammy, Phil, Ziznack, Additional voices[7]
  • David Tennant as The Lord Commander/Jack[8]
  • Tika Sumpter as Quinn Ergon, Nightfall, Fake Nightfall, Cookie Wife, Harp Graven, Melanie Dewinter, Additional voices
  • Steven Yeun[6] as Little Cato, Meat Street Vendor, Infinity Guard Captain, Helper Assistant, Death Cookies, Mr. Graven, The Blade, Officer, Grateful Alien, Additional voices
  • Coty Galloway as Avocato, Viro, Lord Commander's Officer, Additional voices[9]
  • Caleb McLaughlin as Young Gary[6]
  • Ron Perlman[10] as John Goodspeed, Burner Tribe Leader
  • John DiMaggio[6] as Terk, Dr. Bluestein, Superior Stone, Lord Commander's Soldier, Mooncake's Voice Box, Arachnitects, Sal the Bartender, Super Molelito, Additional voices
  • Gina Torres as Helper Hula (season 1), Infinity Guard AI, Infinity Guard Announcer, Additional voices
  • Shannon Purser[6] as Shannon Thunder
  • Keith David[6] as Bolo
  • Andy Richter[6] as Gatekeeper
  • Conan O'Brien as Clarence Polkawitz, Chuck[6]
  • Ashly Burch as Ash Graven
  • Ron Funches as Fox
  • Jane Lynch as AVA, Dartricio, Mrs. Graven, Bride
  • Alan Tudyk as Hushfluffles/Todd H. Watson, Frostbears, Additional voices
  • Claudia Black as Sheryl Goodspeed
  • Christopher Judge as Oreskis
  • Vanessa Marshall as Invictus, Helper Hula (season 2)
  • Tobias Conan Trost as Nightfall's Ship AI, Werthrent, Richard, Catoloupe, Henry, Additional voices

Production

Development

The idea for the show originated in mid-2010. Olan Rogers uploaded the first episode of a planned ten-part animated web-series titled Gary Space to his personal YouTube channel.[11] The project went on hiatus three episodes in, and Rogers eventually explained on Facebook that both he and the series' artist, Dan Brown, were tending to separate projects at the time, but were in talks of continuing.[12] On April 30, 2013, Rogers confirmed that he was rebooting and producing a season of Gary Space episodes to release at once.[13] Over two years later, Rogers revealed that a new short for the reboot for Gary Space was planned to be pitched to Cartoon Network, in addition to premiering the episode at Buffer Festival if nothing came from the pitch.[14]

In early 2016, Rogers announced that his project had been retitled Final Space – he cited it due to avoid similarities with Steven Universe[15] – and revealed screenshots of the short via a vlog on his YouTube channel.[16] The pilot for Final Space was posted on Rogers' YouTube channel[17] with voices by himself and a friend of his, Coty Galloway; Galloway had collaborated with Rogers in a Star Wars fan film called The Scarlet Lance.[18] The video caught the attention of Conan O'Brien, who invited him to Los Angeles to pitch Final Space to TBS as a full series and also joined production as an executive producer alongside Rogers and 3rd Rock from the Sun writer and producer David Sacks. Other members of O'Brien's company, Conaco (David Kissinger, Larry Sullivan and Jeff Ross), and members of New Form who executive produced the pilot short (Kathleen Grace, Melissa Schneider and Matt Hoklotubbe) joined as executive producers as well. To balance out Rogers' inexperience in the industry, Conaco brought in Sacks to also serve as the showrunner for the series.[19][20] After two weeks of working with Sacks and Jake Sidwell (co-composer of the series alongside Shelby Merry)[21] on the pitch, Rogers and Sacks pitched the show to TBS; as well as Comedy Central, Fox, FX, YouTube, and Fullscreen; all six companies wanted the series and resulted in a bidding war between the studios over the series, with TBS acquiring the series.[22][23]

Casting

Olan Rogers announced in December 2016 that he voices the main characters, Gary and Mooncake. In July 2017, an additional cast list of Fred Armisen, Conan O'Brien, Keith David, Coty Galloway (reprising from the pilot), Tom Kenny, Caleb McLaughlin, John DiMaggio, Ron Perlman, Shannon Purser, Andy Richter, David Tennant, and Steven Yeun was revealed.

Animation

Animation for the series is handled by ShadowMachine in Los Angeles and outsourced to Canadian studio Jam Filled using the Toon Boom Harmony software. The show uses NASA space imagery for the space backgrounds.[24]

Future

When asked on Twitter about the series' longevity, Olan Rogers had stated that he had at least six seasons worth of material thought up for the show including an ending for Final Space in case the series gets cancelled in the future.[25]

Promotion and release

When responding to a question on Twitter, Olan Rogers revealed that Final Space would be showcased by TBS at San Diego Comic-Con and VidCon in 2017.[26]

Final Space premiered on Reddit on February 15, 2018, followed by an AMA with Rogers.[27] This would mark a first for a TV network to premiere a series on the site.[27] Later that day, the first two episodes became available on TBS's website and app. TBS's sister network TNT aired a sneak peek premiere of the show on February 17, 2018, after the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend.[28] After airing on TBS, the pilot aired two hours later on TBS' sister channel Adult Swim; the rest of the season also aired on the network in a similar fashion. On February 20, 2018, the first two episodes were released on iTunes.[29] Netflix handles the international distribution to the show and released it on its platform on July 20.[30]

On May 7, 2018, Final Space was renewed for a second season, which was later confirmed by Rogers to consist of 13 episodes and for a third season on September 30, 2019.

On April 7, 2019, Rogers revealed that the show would move first-run airings to Adult Swim while being simulcast on TBS, a reversal of the airing pattern from the first season.[31]

A three-disc Blu-ray containing the entire seasons 1 and 2 was released on August 11, 2020 by Warner Archive Collection. A soundtrack album was released digitally by WaterTower Music on the same day.

Reception

The first season of Final Space received mixed reviews,[32] with critics praising the show's cast (especially David Tennant's voice performance as the Lord Commander).[33][34] On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 70% based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The site's critics' consensus reads: "Final Space doesn't always hit its mark, but for those looking for a bite-sized intergalactic comedy it may prove an amusing diversion."[35] On Metacritic season 1 has a score of 60 of 100 based on reviews from 5 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[32]

Impressions about the first episodes were also mixed, with criticism focused on Gary's humor. Collider's Dave Trumbore gave the series four out of five stars, praising the cast, the series' uniqueness and its originality.[36] The Hollywood Reporter said "the new animated series from TBS misses the mark, and will likely will float off into space".[37] The A.V. Club gave the series a C+ grade.[38] Reviewing the first two episodes, Den of Geek gave them a score of 3.5 out of 5 stars.[34] IndieWire gave a B+ grade.[33] The Daily Beast received the series favorably, comparing its potential with Adventure Time and BoJack Horseman.[39] Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times praised the show for the space backgrounds and Gary's relationship with Mooncake, but criticized for being "not as clever as Futurama or The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or Galaxy Quest, series with which it shares certain features" and for the comedy which "leans toward things adolescent boys find funny."[40] Screen Rant was favorable for the series, praising TBS' decision to release the first two episodes 11 days before the series premiere, and describing it as a "very silly comedy," comparing protagonist Gary to Homer Simpson and Philip J. Fry.[41]

References
  1. The second season was first broadcast on Adult Swim and then TBS a week later.
  2. Otterson, Joe (January 11, 2018). "TBS Renews 'American Dad' For Two More Seasons, Sets Monday Night Animation Block". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  3. Petski, Denise (May 7, 2018). "'Final Space' Animated Comedy Renewed For Season 2 By TBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  4. Rogers, Olan. "Season 3 Tease". Twitter. Olan Rogers. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  5. Rogers, Olan (December 20, 2016). "[Olan Roger voicing Gary Space & Mooncake]". Twitter. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  6. Rogers, Olan (July 21, 2017). "Fred Armisen announced as KVN in new TV series Final Space". Twitter.
  7. Rogers, Olan (July 22, 2017). "Tom Kenny announced as HUE in new TV series Final Space". Twitter.
  8. Fullerton, Huw (July 21, 2017). "Doctor Who's David Tennant has been cast in an animated space sitcom". Radio Times.
  9. Fanal Space • Coty Galloway • New York Comic Con 2017 • interview.
  10. Rogers, Olan (July 22, 2017). "Ron Perlman Voicing Garry's Dad". Twitter.
  11. Rogers, Olan (May 4, 2010). "[First Gary Space episode]". Facebook. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  12. Rogers, Olan (October 13, 2012). "[Olan in talks with artist Dan Brown]". Facebook. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  13. Rogers, Olan (April 30, 2013). "Update on rebooting Gary Godspeed". Facebook. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  14. Rogers, Olan (May 19, 2015). "[New Gary Space planned to be pitched a Cartoon Network]". Facebook. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  15. from Roger's thread in a Q&A on Twitter –
  16. Olan Rogers (February 29, 2016). SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW IN THIS MOMENT IN TIME & THIS IS A LONG TITLE. YouTube. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
  17. Olan Rogers (April 5, 2016). FINAL SPACE [ Cartoon Pilot ]. YouTube. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  18. Star Wars: The Scarlet Lance – via Youtube.
  19. Peters, Megan (December 2, 2016). "TBS Orders Animated Series From Youtube Star Olan Rogers, Conan O'Brien". Comicbook. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  20. Olan Rogers (December 2, 2016). FINAL SPACE IS A TV SHOW!!!!!!!! [David Sacks]. YouTube. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  21. Sidwell, Jake (December 22, 2016). "[Jake Sidwell co-composing with Shelby Merry]". Twitter. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  22. Olan Rogers (December 2, 2016). FINAL SPACE IS A TV SHOW!!!!!!!! [Pitch and Bidding War]. YouTube. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  23. Andreeva, Nellie (December 2, 2016). "TBS Orders 'Final Space' Animated Series From Olan Rogers & Conan O'Brien". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  24. "Animated People: Olan Rogers Blasts Off into 'Final Space'". Animation Magazine. March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  25. Rogers, Olan (May 31, 2018). "[Possible Six Seasons of Final Space]". Twitter. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  26. Rogers, Olan (December 20, 2016). "[Final Space at SDCC & VidCon 2017]". Twitter. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  27. Roettgers, Janko (February 15, 2018). "TBS Premieres 'Final Space' on the Front Page of Reddit (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  28. Coleman, Jill (February 15, 2018). "USA: Season Premiere Sneak Peek Of Final Space On TNT Tonight". Blogger. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  29. Rogers, Olan (February 20, 2018). "[Final Space Chapter Two on iTunes]". Twitter. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  30. Moore, Kasey (July 20, 2018). "Netflix Picks Up 'Final Space' as Netflix Original Internationally". Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  31. Rogers, Olan [@OlanRogers] (April 7, 2019). "It's still going to air on TBS. They are just flipping what that did for S1. S1 premiered on TBS then Adult Swim. S2 will be Adult Swim then TBS. I think they like the show as well and it does well over there. I'm down with it" (Tweet). Retrieved August 19, 2019 – via Twitter.
  32. "Final Space". Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  33. "'Final Space' Review: An Impossibly Cute Green Squishy Alien is TV's New Best Friend in Delightful TBS Animated Series". Indiewire. February 26, 2018.
  34. "Final Space Episode 1 and 2 Review". Den of Geek. February 27, 2018.
  35. "Final Space: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  36. "Final Space' Review: A Dark and Tragic Space Odyssey Disguised as a Comedy Series". Collider. February 26, 2018.
  37. "Final Space': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. February 15, 2018.
  38. "Final Space is animated sci-fi comedy with trouble entering warp speed". The A.V. Club. February 26, 2018.
  39. Han, Karen (February 26, 2018). "Is Final Space the Next Great Animated Series?". The Daily Beast.
  40. "'Final Space' mixes insults, melancholy and a weapons-grade-cute alien named Mooncake". The Los Angeles Times. February 25, 2018.
  41. "Final Space Premiere Review: An Enjoyably Silly Space-Faring Comedy". Screen Rant. February 26, 2018.
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