Thanks to its groundbreaking combination of comedy, emotional depth, and bold commentary, BoJack Horseman, the brainchild of visionary Raphael Bob-Waksberg, has cemented its place in television history.
This animated masterpiece has consistently shown its mettle by tackling serious and sometimes controversial topics throughout its seasons. The show’s fifth season was a tour de force, incorporating real-world controversy into its narrative tapestry in a way that has shocked and delighted viewers.
From Outrage to Art: The Mel Gibson Conundrum
The first episode of BoJack Horseman immediately established the show’s commitment to exploring deep ideas. The fifth season continued the show’s tradition of high quality by tackling topics important to viewers on both an individual and a societal level.
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But this season explored the inner lives of two of Hollywood’s most infamous figures: Harvey Weinstein and Mel Gibson. Bob-Waksberg used its contentious legacies to create an entertaining and thought-provoking story.
In in-depth interviews, creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg explains the thinking behind the bold decisions made in the show’s fifth season. The showrunner talked frankly about how Weinstein and Gibson influenced his choice to model Vance Waggoner and Philbert after them.
“It’s not like he was an old client and they kept him on. They just signed him a year ago. And I was outraged! I couldn’t believe it… At the time I complained to my agent and I had a couple of meetings with some people there and I said, ‘I have a real problem with this,” and they very respectfully listened to me and that’s the last I heard of it. [Laughs.] He’s still represented there as far as I know! I definitely got the vibe of, ‘You should feel like you’ve been heard at this meeting,’ which I understand was all they were going to do for me, so I can’t be too frustrated by it. They asked, ‘Would you like to meet Mel?’ and I said, “No, I don’t want to hear from him directly…'”
Bob-Waksberg’s story about his visceral reaction to hearing that CAA had signed Mel Gibson is one of the most interesting anecdotes he’s told. As the creator struggled with the moral implications of signing Gibson, his outrage resounded throughout the business.
The Impact of BoJack Horseman
Bob-Waksberg’s moral outrage is cleverly woven into the show’s plot, creating an unexpected turn of events that mirrors his moral predicament. The brilliance of BoJack Horseman is found not only in its realistic depiction of the world but also in the way it subtly modifies that world through satire and humor.
The story takes a dramatic turn when Bob-Waksberg mentions that Gibson enjoys the show. The writer spins a web of irony and subversion that is as audacious as it is shocking, and the result is awestruck viewers.
As the fifth season of BoJack Horseman progresses, it becomes apparent that the show is more than just entertainment; it is a force for positive change. The show provokes thought and growth in its audience through its carefully crafted narrative and unflinching examination of controversial topics.
I loved that show so much. It was so funny and irreverent, but then I’d find myself crying every few episodes because some of them were so poignant and heartbreaking. The characters are all so relatable to me and people in my life that it’s a little frightening.
— spicylawyer (@spicylawyer) August 16, 2023
the creator is so cool honestly. i remember him being one of the only people to support amber heard during the trial and i’m not surprised
— martha (@blanketcryer) August 15, 2023
Bojack should have died at the end and not doing that made the last two seasons and that amazing death episode so much lesser that it’s not even fun to watch anymore
— Windows Peak (@WindowsPeak) August 16, 2023
like it makes sense cause he just gets worse and worse but it was markedly less sympathetic to him after that. still a little but way less
— paul (also ken) (@paulswhtn) August 15, 2023
The shift in how Bojack is was presented morally in the last two seasons is still so interesting to me. Especially since it’s partly because the creator of the show found out w*instein was a fan and acted accordingly https://t.co/xGaXOFEBlh
— paul (also ken) (@paulswhtn) August 15, 2023
Thanks to Raphael Bob-Waksberg‘s bold vision, BoJack Horseman becomes a phenomenon that subverts television conventions and leaves an indelible imprint on popular culture.
Source: AV Club
