I seldom post my opinions on social media. Not necessarily from fear of public backlash, but a lack of interest in quibbling over semantics that only serve to burn bridges at the end of the day. So I figured posting a lighthearted review of a new Adult Swim show and a weird fast food experience I had in between would be a fair way to kill some time.

At the stroke of midnight, Joe Pera Talks With You premiered on TV last Monday in the form of two back to back 11 minute episodes. I watched the trailer on YouTube and was immediately impressed with the main character Joe’s unorthodox disposition. He was essentially a quirky old man trapped inside a 20 some year old body. To best describe it, he’s that Asperger’s like old man you’ve probably bumped into at an Aldi’s at least once. The one who awkwardly introduces himself and gives you a fun fact about a new product the store recently brought in. You either dismiss him as a weirdo or you think, “Hm, interesting character. Cool dude.” That’s Joe Pera in a nutshell. After watching the trailer, I knew I had to check the premiere out.

The big night had arrived. And a spontaneous thought popped in my head.

“Food.”

Yes. I was not going to make this viewing an experience, but a goddamned event. Time to go out and grab some grub. At some point while waiting in the drive-thru line, I calmly looked at my car clock, which read 11:50 pm. I realized I only had 10 minutes to get home. I quickly gave the dude my card, but it wouldn’t scan. “Is there something wrong with my card?” The overweight and acne laden cashier replied with “Uh huh huh, card.” Not sure what I would wind up watching, Joe Pera or a real life episode of Beavis & Butthead. Luckily another employee came up and handed me my food. “Something’s wrong with our card machine, so it’s on us man.” Thank god. It was time to haul ass out of there. After my shitty 12 am Arby’s run, I scrambled to the tube. Phew, somehow I had a minute to spare. Got my mozz sticks laid out on my fold up tray and the remote on deck. Fuck yeah.

The episodes were riveting, to say the least. We see the world in the eyes of a man who has an extensive knowledge on the history of Michigan’s “geological splendor” yet wonders if he has to honor a For Sale sign that is either mistakenly or mischievously put on his lawn after a family shows up to discuss buying his house. Because of this and other scenarios, I noticed contrast was a pretty big theme in these episodes. Joe readily talks about complex and obscure subject matter, yet his fervent passion also extends to the simple art of daily breakfast choices, which prompts him to film an episode at his local breakfast eatery. He discusses the fine options of everyday breakfast items to his viewers and patrons inside the restaurant. Oddly enough, he bumps into the family that expressed interest in buying his house, but backed out later in the episode. It was nice seeing this normal family being so friendly and warm to our awkward host. The dad demonstrates how to get the perfect “egg bite” from a concoction he made up, consisting off a sunny side up egg, hashbrowns, ketchup and likewise condiments on a toast. As he bites into the toast, it is apparent the bite was not to his liking. Dad flies into a rage, shouting and pounding the table with his fist. His clearly embarrassed wife attempts to calm him down and tells their kids “This isn’t funny, you know how important this is to him.” This seemingly normal family, along with other seemingly normal characters in the show, have turned out to be just as weird as Joe, if not weirder, bringing a sudden and very apparent contrast to the forefront.

It may be a stretch to say this early in the game, but I feel like this show has already proven itself to be a work of art. I’m not sure whether its the certain aesthetic it has or what, but there is something fundamentally complex and rich about these 11 minute episodes. I also believe Pera’s soft spoken, educational, and grounded manner may very well earn him the title of this generation’s Mister Rogers. Just watch an episode and you’ll see what I mean.