7 Reasons We’re Excited ‘Tuca & Bertie’ Was Saved by Adult Swim
Avid fans (like ourselves) were devastated when Netflix announced it was canceling Tuca & Bertie, the animated series from Lisa Hanawalt (the production designer of BoJack Horseman).
The Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong-led vehicle about two avian besties living in a colorful and wacky world received critical acclaim, with an impressive score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. So it was a shock when we learned there wouldn’t be a second season.
But there’s hope after all: Adult Swim saved it, adding the title to its robust slate of adult cartoons. With a new home secured, there’s a great deal viewers can be sure to look forward to in the show’s next chapter.
Scroll down to find out why we’re excited Tuca & Bertie got a second chance to spread its wings.
Tuca and Bertie's Friendship
When paired together, Tuca’s (Haddish) laid back impulsiveness and Bertie’s (Wong) neuroticism and tendency for deep rumination make for breathtaking laughs as their personalities clash. But it’s this same oddball dynamic that makes their friendship so refreshing and heart-warming. While it was strained after Tuca overheard Bertie complaining about the former’s neediness, the kindred spirits couldn’t help but find their way back to one another by the end of the first season.
Speckle
There has never been a sweeter, more passionate architect than Speckle (Steven Yeun), Bertie’s boyfriend who moved in at the beginning of the series. Speckle is everything anyone could ask for in a partner and embraces Tuca, knowing how much she means to Bertie. He even went out of his way to decorate the apartment and cosplay in the style of Bertie’s favorite TV show, The Nests of Netherfield, as a way to surprise and romance his girlfriend. Speckle’s jovial spirit is a pleasure to watch, and we’re excited for this rockin’ robin’s return to our screens.
Tiffany Haddish as Tuca
Tuca’s wackiness calls for a voice actress who can pull off an equally slapstick performance. No one is more perfectly suited for the task in the current cohort of comedic talent than Haddish, whose vivacious personality and hilarious voice really bring this character to life. She does get her chance at more sentimental performances, like when Tuca clashed with her aunt and main financial support system Tallulah in the fifth episode. But it’s really the comedic moments where Haddish is able to shine, like when Tuca hilariously contracted sex bugs that grew to human size.
The Animation
Not since the days of Nickelodeon’s programming in the 1990s has there been animation as colorful, psychedelic, and imaginative as the work done on Tuca & Bertie. The series takes place in a rainbow of a world, where animals and plants lead the lives of human beings and the laws of physical reality are completely thrown out of the window. The approach to animation, paired with the show’s adult themes and surreal perspective, makes for an exciting visual spectacle that is a large share of its appeal.
Its Relatable Storylines
Those of us who have worked in the magazine biz can relate to Bertie’s struggles in her cubicle job at Condé Nest (a spoof of the similarly named real world media company). Similarly, all of us have felt the pressures of feeling needy, broke, and inadequate just as Tuca did throughout the first season. Tuca & Bertie has such a refreshing and organic way of getting down to the deeper facts of all of our lives and has a great deal of fun while doing so.
Ali Wong as Bertie
The voice acting performances in Tuca & Bertie are among its strong suits, and Wong’s turn as Bertie is absolutely no exception. Wong is usually known for her comedy chops, which she brings with ample effort to her role. But she arguably shines most here when things aren’t so funny or lighthearted and she allows her voice acting to become vulnerable and meek. Her best moment came in the penultimate episode of Season 1 as Bertie reflected on her childhood trauma in a gut wrenching flashback.
Exploring Powerful and Timely Issues
Tuca & Bertie is not afraid to jump into more difficult subject matter, leaving its viewers with important and timely messages given the conversation surrounding the #MeToo movement. While visiting her former swimming instructor Coach Maple, Bertie revealed she was sexually assaulted as a young girl by a lifeguard, effectively ruining her passion for the sport. She eventually set out to overcome her trauma by swimming to Peanut Island. Though she began to sink along the way, Bertie eventually rose to the surface and made it to shore, a metaphor for her ascendancy. It was a beautiful coming to terms that speaks to the heart and beauty that this show truly has.
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