Adult Swim shows are very hit or miss for me, but one show that has and will continue to be in my good graces is most definitely “Smiling Friends.” This side-splitting animated show has had insane momentum among chronically online individuals and neurodivergent college students – I should know, as a chronically online college student!
“Smiling Friends” follows four employees of Smiling Friends Inc., whose job it is to make people happy. Our main duo, Charlie and Pim, are tasked with making clients smile but are often caught in the precarious situations of this vibrant yet turbulent world.
Seems simple enough until you get absorbed into the asinine and surreal misadventures of this animated sitcom. You start with a bang (pun intended) in the series’ first episode, “Desmond’s Big Day Out,” as Charlie and Pim are sent to cheer up a depressed man named Desmond with very minimal success. Wherever the duo takes Desmond, whether it be a house party or a rollercoaster ride, he is holding a gun to his head – a dark but admittedly hilarious gag that sets the tone for the rest of the series.
What is “Smiling Friends” without our colorful cast of characters? I mentioned our main characters, Charlie and Pim, who are distinct in their own right. Charlie is a slightly cynical yet well-meaning employee, often countering the sunny, optimistic disposition of our positively pink Smiling Friend, Pim.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Allan, my favorite character with the most hilarious deadpan deliveries and odd pronunciations, Glep, and the enigmatic Mr. Boss. This foursome has quirky dynamics and interactions that can occasionally be really wholesome. I love me a show that can make me laugh until my stomach hurts one minute and smile the next!
Episodes like “The Smiling Friends Go To Brazil!” or “Pim Finally Turns Green” slightly diverge from the wacky hilarity to give us painfully realistic dialogue or just endearing moments.
The cast of side characters isn’t anything to sneeze at either; Mr. Frog and Gwimbly are some of my favorites, and overall, these characters contribute to much of the zaniness in the “Smiling Friends” cinematic universe.
“Smiling Friends” is exceptional in the comedy department with its mix of niche internet humor and random skits that are out of left field but somehow work in context. I appreciate that it doesn’t depend on cynical, shock-factor humor to get jokes across; all it needs to do is let the main characters do their own thing and … maybe slip in an internet meme for good measure, too! I never liked the in-your-face, cruel overtones of adult animated shows, so this series is quite the breath of fresh air.
References to the Burger King foot lettuce meme and that one fan who posts about their life-sized Allan figure on Instagram or cameos from voice acting legend Gilbert Gottfried and famed YouTuber Nostalgic Critic just tickle my funny bone in the best ways possible. I should also mention the insane amount of quotables like “I just wanted my cheese” or “Guess I’m oogly goo” (if you know, you know).
In February 2026, the creators of the show, Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, announced that the show would end with its final two episodes in April. Many fans, myself included, were saddened by the unexpected news that such an iconic animated series was coming to an end; no more absurd new adventures or surreal dialogue.
While I’m still sad about the show ending, I’m glad it’s going out on an extremely high note. So many shows needlessly continue and lose their charm that attracted fans in the first place, and I’m glad we had three high-quality, rewatchable seasons of “Smiling Friends.”
Thank you, “Smiling Friends,” for now being my favorite show set in Pennsylvania!
