Every now and again, each television show deals with social issues like racism. In the case of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, the issue is not really addressed so much as it is presented to the audience in hilarious form and then dismissed.
Over the top Humor One Expects From Adult Swim's Aqua Teen Hunger Force - AKA The Good
When the Aqua Teens learn that their neighbor is (for no discernible reason) dumping toxic waste all over his home and lawn and Frylock is unable to convince him to stop, Master Shake goes over to demand that he put in a pool with a high dive. After taunting glowing man, Shake is promptly bitten and responds by having Frylock write an angry letter.
As soon as the lights are turned off for the night, Shake becomes a walking stereotype. His straw gets several times longer, his lips twice as big; he gains an afro, a diamond likeness of himself on a chain, and gold teeth with the letters ATHF imprinted in diamond.
As Frylock races to create a "blaccine" to cure him, Shake enjoys the ability to freestyle rap, jump very high, and covers the house in spinnin tire rims. Meatwad and Frylock attempt to return Shake to normal by chopping off most of his straw, combing his hair and painting him white, but to no avail.
Taken under the wing of Meatwad's imaginary black cardboard box friend Boxy Brown, Shake gives up school and work to practice his basketball dunking skills, only to be finally thwarted by Frylock's blaccine, which he has injected into Shake's orange soda.
What does this teach the viewer about racism? Nothing. Now go watch it.
Lack of Plot or General Coherence in Cartoon Network's Aqua Teen Hunger Force - AKA More Good
There really isn't anything bad to say about this episode. Sure, there are lots of plot holes; one being the original problem of a radioactive waste-dumping neighbor, which is completely ignored after Shake is bitten. But that's how the show's writers, Matt Maiellaro and Dave Willis,like to do things. They realize that the viewer will completely forget the original problem in leau of the ridiculous humor that follows. The fact that some, if not all, of the show's cast dies or ends up malformed at the end of each episode is a testament to how little the audience really cares about continuity or proper narrative so long as the material is funny.
The Last Word on the Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode Shake Like Me
Television shows have been doing episodes about stereotypes for years. Some try to take a high road and explain away the negative images, while some take a low road and try to shock the viewer with its portrayal of race.
Finally, some shows, like Aqua Teen Hunger Force, just don't care. So long as they get a good amount of laughs, they're happy; something the show's fans are quite content with.
As of the publishing date of this article, the episode can be viewed here.
