Robot Chicken Creators on Making Fun of Reality TV Shows, Franchise’s Future | Interview

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In an upcoming interview, Brandon Schreur (Senior Editor at ComingSoon) chatted with creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich about their latest project – the Self-Discovery Special. During their conversation, they shared insights on making fun of popular reality shows like 90 Day Fiancé in this new edition, future plans for Robot Chicken, and other fascinating details.

This special, hailing from creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, is the beloved spoof series that brings you a 30-minute burst of quick wit sketches featuring Discovery, Food Network, and TLC. In Robot Chicken: Self-Discovery Special, our bashful Robot Chicken Nerd takes off on a voyage of self-discovery, the quintessential American way – by venturing into reality TV. Will he unearth a 90 Day Fiancé… or become Shark Week’s next meal?

On the 20th of July, 2025, I can’t wait to tune in to the premiere of the Robot Chicken: Self-Discovery Special airing on Adult Swim! And if you miss it, fear not, because starting the very next day, you’ll be able to stream it on HBO Max. Can’t wait!

Brandon Schreur: To begin, I’d like to ask both of you about the origin of this project. How much time has been invested in creating and refining the Self-Discovery special? Could you please describe the journey that led to its creation?

Seth Green: It took quite some time to reach a consensus about it. The duration where everyone was on board with the idea extended for the longest period. Once we had figured out our plan of action, we promptly dived into production as usual – hiring writers, gathering staff, starting recording, sketching, animating, constructing everything, and editing.

Matthew Senreich: The typical procedure, indeed. However, as Seth mentioned, we’re slightly tweaking things for our audience, making it all the more enjoyable.

Wow, did you catch the news? Discovery Media Global has just acquired Warner Bros. Global Media! This conglomerate now owns a variety of subsidiaries, including Turner assets such as Cartoon Network and late-night network, Adult Swim.

It’s always enjoyable to collaborate with familiar faces, and that was the case with Star Wars and DC – we’ve been acquainted with these individuals. So, the excitement comes from working with people we already know.

Green: We were essentially inviting our new corporate parent to join in on the fun and games, asking them if they’re up for some good times together, and it turned out that they were game for it!

Absolutely, and it’s great to see their enthusiasm! It’s really entertaining when banter like that happens. I’d like to delve into some of the particular aspects you’re focusing on here – truth be told, I’ve been following 90 Day Fiancé for quite a while now.

Oh, you’re really going to enjoy it! The entire storyline is fantastic, and guess what? Even Big Ed makes an appearance in the show!

Absolutely fantastic! The concept for this project really catches my interest. I’m just curious, when you initially thought of this idea, was there a considerable amount of research involved? Were you already enthusiasts of this topic, or did you find yourself delving into all seasons of 90 Day Fiancé to get prepared?

Green: It’s the latter. Well, I mean…

Senreich: It’s a mix.

Absolutely, there were a few concepts that reminded us of shows we’ve previously watched. However, when it came to planning this project, we decided to revisit all the content. We did this to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the scope we could work within.

It seems like you’re discussing how various types of shows were recognized and united by something, and there was one particularly dedicated fan in the group who greatly assisted in this process. This was very beneficial, making the entire experience enjoyable.

What an amazing discovery! It’s as if we’ve stepped into a fresh, exciting phase; Robot Chicken has been a long-standing presence, but taking aim at reality TV shows – I find that concept delightful since it appears there’s a wealth of material to explore. The breadth of the undertaking truly appeals to me.

As a gamer, I get you! Real life, just like gaming, has its own categories or genres. But these genres don’t cover every aspect of real life, much like how ‘real life’ as a genre wouldn’t accurately categorize all the different types of experiences we have daily.

Senreich: Finding unique and versatile themes for shows, such as competitions, cooking, or medical dramas, can be a challenge, ensuring they appeal to a wide audience yet still cater to specific niches.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice the surge in interest surrounding shows like 90 Day Fiancé. It seems everyone is talking about it and watching it, which got me thinking: wouldn’t a Robot Chicken episode dedicated to this phenomenon be just what we need when we’re at a loss for other entertainment options? The quirky, humorous take on such a popular show would certainly fit perfectly with the Robot Chicken format.

Senreich: I love it.

It’s impressive that you’re marking the 20th anniversary of Robot Chicken! It’s had quite a run. I wonder how reflective this milestone makes you feel about its impact. Does it seem like two decades, or does time fly by so quickly that you’re caught off guard by the realization?

Green: Kind of, yeah.

Senreich expresses that time passes quickly on this show, giving a sense of continuity as if working with the same friends since the beginning. Each day feels like playtime with colleagues, using toys to create projects, which keeps things exciting and fun. After 20 years, it’s strange to think about this duration, as it doesn’t feel like work, but rather a continuous play session with friends.

Green: Yeah, it doesn’t track.

It’s intriguing, and I share your curiosity. From your point of view, has the nature or role of the job transformed or shifted since its inception? For instance, 90 Day Fiancé was non-existent twenty years ago, just as the Star Wars saga bore a different form back then compared to today. Does this rapid cultural evolution make it more challenging or less so when working on the show?

Our connection with popular culture has remained consistent throughout the years, regardless of what the ‘pop’ is. What has changed is the audience’s relationship with pop culture, particularly because more people are open to appreciating various aspects of it. Back when we started this show, not many people attended Comic-Cons unless they were really into it. We didn’t meet at Comic-Con, but we did connect with each other there in around 1995.

Senreich: 1996, yeah.

Green: It’s a remarkable transformation. Things have grown tremendously in a way that was unimaginable before. For instance, liking Spider-Man was once an unpopular choice, potentially leading to bullying. Now, not liking Spider-Man might be the unusual stance, making it almost rebellious. This change in popular culture is significant, as what we used to fight for, to love freely, has now become mainstream. It’s almost countercultural to dislike it today.

As a gamer, I remember the thrill back when we first started creating Robot Chicken. We were poking fun at things that everyone thought were off-limits. The fact that we dared to push those buttons was downright chilling. Nowadays, it seems like people are doing it every day on YouTube. It’s almost a relief when others are making fun of your work, as it means you’ve made an impact.

Were there any instances during those 20 years that stand out to you as moments when you thought, ‘We’ve cracked it?’ I’m curious if this feeling came during the early stages of developing the show, while pitching it for the first time, or later on, when the audience started strongly connecting with a particular season. Was there ever a moment where you felt confident that you had something truly special?

Sure thing!

Absolutely, it all began during the initial season. As the ratings rolled in, they were astounding, given the numbers we were receiving. The Cartoon Network aired our show from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Sundays back then. That’s quite an odd hour to air programming in 2002, almost comical you might say. Yet, the fact that our show managed to attract a million viewers during this time slot was remarkable. And when we attended Comic Con and saw a packed room filled with people who reminisced about the show, saying “I remember! I watched that! That sketch reminded me of that same commercial!” – well, that’s when we realized, ‘Okay, folks, we’ve got something here. This is special.’

For myself, I concur with everything you’ve said, but what truly made me realize the scope was larger than anticipated was receiving the Star Wars special. This validation from the brand creator felt like an invitation to satirize his creation even more. It was at that moment that I thought, “Wow, this is something I didn’t foresee having.” So, yes, that shift was a significant one for me.

It must be quite satisfying to know that Robot Chicken has grown in popularity over time. It’s thrilling to see fans showing their enthusiasm for the show and demanding more content. Regarding the upcoming special, is there any particular aspect you’re especially eager for Robot Chicken fans to experience? Whether it’s the Food Network segment or the TLC segment, did you ever think, ‘This is pure gold, people are going to adore this?’

In this version, I’ve aimed to maintain the original meaning and tone while making the sentence structure more varied and easier to read.

I adore this project; it’s absolutely brilliant! Ever since we received our initial script draft, my enthusiasm has been sky-high. I’d say something like, ‘This is going to be a smashing success!’ It all comes down to the same magical formula: an idea is born in the booth, someone records it, and what you initially thought was terrible suddenly becomes fantastic. Conversely, what you believed was fantastic turns out to be not so great. We go through this entire cycle. At this stage, I have faith in the process. Initially, we had a vague concept; then we assembled the perfect team of writers to help us shape it. By the time the writing is complete, we’ll have a solid idea. That’s what it boils down to – trust in the development process.

Of course! I have just one more query for both of you. I’m curious if you could give us a little hint about what lies ahead for Robot Chicken. We all know it’s been around for quite some time, and we’ve recently had this special. Is there anything else in the pipeline that fans should be looking forward to?

Sure thing!

Absolutely, we’re moving forward with this plan. This approach aligns quite well with everyone’s interests. The traditional model of 20 quarter-hour seasons no longer seems as effective. With the evolving landscape of television and streaming services, it’s more strategic for us to invest our top resources into half-hour episodes centered around a single theme. This way, we can market them effectively in a three-month period. That’s our new strategy. We’re seeking out major brands that are interested in collaborating on this kind of project.

I’m incredibly grateful that Seth Green and Matthew Senreich graciously shared their insights about the Robot Chicken: Self-Discovery Special. What a treat for fans like me!

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2025-07-19 00:41