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‘Smiling Friends’ Shocks Fans as “Burnt Out” Creators End Show After Season 3 Despite Previous Renewal
#Smiling Friends#Adult Swim#Michael Cusack#Zach Hadel#Animation#TV Cancellation#Burnout#Series Finale
📌 Key Takeaways
Smiling Friends creators ended show after season 3 despite previous renewal
Creators cited burnout after years of working on the project
Final two episodes of season 3 to air April 12 on Adult Swim
Creators left door open for future returns to the series
Adult Swim supported the creators' decision to end the show
📖 Full Retelling
Adult Swim creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel announced Wednesday that their animated series 'Smiling Friends' will end after season three, despite the network having previously renewed it for two additional seasons, citing burnout after years of working on the project. The announcement came as a surprise to fans who had learned just last June that the animated series had been picked up for seasons four and five. In a recording posted to Adult Swim's social media, Hadel emphasized that 'this is not a bit' or 'a joke,' explaining that both creators had come to the same conclusion after completing season three. 'After we finished season three, Zach and I just both had the same feeling where we felt pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this, but also pretty accomplished,' Cusack added, noting that they simply felt 'like 'I think that could just be it after season three.''
The final two episodes of season three will air on April 12 on Adult Swim, though the creators clarified these are 'not big finales' but rather 'little rogue planets out there' created as part of the current season that launched in October. Cusack explained that they wouldn't want to hand the project off to other creatives due to their 'control freak-y' nature over it, though they did leave the door open for future returns. 'We could come back in the future and make more episodes if we want,' he said, adding that they would be open to working together on other projects.
Adult Swim released a statement supporting the creators' decision, noting that they were 'incredibly proud of what Michael and Zach built' and 'grateful for the bold, boundary-pushing vision behind Smiling Friends.' The network emphasized that 'Smiling Friends simply wouldn't exist without the singular vision and ambitious creativity of its co-creators' and expressed sadness to see the series end while looking forward to future collaborations. Interestingly, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in October timed to the season three premiere, the duo had already written two new episodes for a potential new season and had envisioned possibly ending after season five, comparing their approach to The Beatles ending on a high note with 'Abbey Road.'
🏷️ Themes
Creator Autonomy, Burnout in Creative Industries, Series Finales
Smiling Friends is an adult animated sitcom created by Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack for Cartoon Network's nighttime programming block Adult Swim. The show revolves around the surreal misadventures of a small charity and its four employees dedicated to spreading happiness. It utilizes a wide variety...
Adult Swim (stylized as [adult swim] and [as]) is an American adult-oriented television programming block on Cartoon Network which broadcasts during the evening, prime time, and late-night dayparts. The channel features stylistically varied animated and live-action series targeting an adult audience...
Animation is a filmmaking technique whereby pictures are generated or manipulated to create moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Animation has been recognized as an artistic medium, spec...
Michael Cusack may refer to:
Michael Cusack (Gaelic Athletic Association), Irish teacher and founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Michael Cusack (animator), Australian animator, writer, director and producer
Michael Cusack (rugby union) (born 1984), rugby union footballer.
Zach Hadel ( HAY-dəl;) (born March 4, 1993), known by his pseudonym psychicpebbles, is an American YouTuber, animator, writer, director, and voice actor. He and Michael Cusack are the co-creators and co-stars of the Adult Swim animated series Smiling Friends (2020–present). He is also known for his ...
Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Logo text Smiling Friends fans have fewer reasons to smile as the Adult Swim show comes to an abrupt end. Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel co-created the project that debuted in 2022 and centers on co-workers Charlie (voiced by Hadel) and Pim attempting to bring positivity into the lives of others. Although The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported in June that the animated series had been picked up for two additional seasons, Cusack and Hadel announced late Wednesday that they had decided to end it with season three. “This is not a bit,” Hadel explained in a recording posted to Adult Swim’s social media. “This is not a joke. Michael and I are here to announce that Smiling Friends will be ending after season three is done.” Related Stories Movies Tom Hanks to Play Abraham Lincoln in 'Lincoln in the Bardo,' Adapting the Best-Selling Book Movies 'KPop Demon Hunters' Sweeps Annie Awards Added Cusack, “To be perfectly honest, after we finished season three, Zach and I just both had the same feeling where we felt pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this, but also pretty accomplished. We just came to this feeling where we’re like, ‘I think that could just be it after season three.’ We both felt like it was right.” Hadel revealed that the final two episodes of season three will air April 12 on Adult Swim. He emphasized that they are “not big finales” but just “little rogue planets out there” that were created as part of the season that launched in October. The pair explained that they would not want to hand the project off to other creatives, with Cusack noting, “We’re so control freak-y over it.” According to Cusack, Adult Swim supported the decision to end the show and would allow the pair to revive the project down the road: “We ...
