Julio Torres’ new HBO series “Fantasmas” has swiftly gained attention not just for its unique narrative but also for its bizarre and otherworldly elements, such as a discussion in the opening scene about creating a clear crayon at the Crayola factory. However, the strangeness escalates further with the inclusion of a parody that few could have anticipated—an “ALF” parody starring Paul Dano, called “MELF.”
In “Fantasmas,” which premiered recently on a Friday night, Torres plays a fictionalized version of himself. The show follows him as he embarks on a whimsical quest to find his lost oyster-shaped earring, all while his life’s more mundane problems seem to crumble around him. Amid this personal chaos, the series dives into an unexpected nostalgic throwback to the 1980s with its “ALF” parody, soon after the opening scene.
The parody titled “MELF” is introduced when Julio, using an Uber-like service called Chester (named after its driver), finds that the driver insists on playing only “MELF” in the background. Initially, it appears to be the show’s first episode, but it quickly becomes a rapid, montage-driven portrayal of the show’s entire narrative arc. “MELF” features a lilac-colored alien with pink paws and face from the planet MELF, who crash-lands in the home of a suburban family of four. The family patriarch, played by Paul Dano, and his wife, portrayed by Sunita Mani, a “GLOW” alum, become central to the unfolding drama. As the montage progresses, MELF becomes entangled in increasingly inappropriate antics with Dano’s character, leading to familial disruptions but eventually reconciling by the end of the sequence.
I absolutely adored the first episode of Fantasmas!!
Everything Julio Torres has done in in the past few years (this, Problemista, Los Espookys, My Favorite Shapes) has really made the case for giving gay weirdos money and time and creative freedom to make stuff. pic.twitter.com/sl3za8SpCc
— Mel Woods (@intothemelwoods) June 10, 2024
Once the MELF sequence concludes, the scene returns to Julio in the car, and the show continues its journey through an array of absurd and surreal moments. “Fantasmas” features a series of seemingly disconnected sketches that build upon one another, similar to “Saturday Night Live,” where Torres formerly wrote. The show includes oddities like Bowen Yang playing a Christmas elf suing Santa Claus and brief appearances by Princess Nokia and Kim Petras as mermaids.
The inclusion of the “ALF” parody, “MELF,” in “Fantasmas” is both a humorous nod to past decades and a critique of American culture and capitalism, particularly evident in the show’s portrayal of a dystopian New York. The city in “Fantasmas” is depicted as undergoing extreme corporatization, with Julio’s own building being transformed into a “General Mills Café and Residencies.”
Julio Torres talks all about his new @HBO series “Fantasmas,” shares how there are parallels to his real life, reacts to the change in the font for “Avatar” after he wrote a sketch on “Saturday Night Live” about it being Papyrus and more! pic.twitter.com/tVncYPcQlx
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) June 5, 2024
The use of “MELF” as a media element within “Fantasmas” adds to the show’s thematic richness, blending nostalgia with satire and a critique of modern-day consumerism. The show’s surreal and disjointed approach, combined with its deep dives into bizarre scenarios, positions “Fantasmas” as a standout addition to contemporary television, pushing the boundaries of traditional sitcoms and narrative storytelling.
Carsten reviews #Problemista, with Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, and Rza. Millennials, meet Kafka and Filemaker Pro:https://t.co/fGBmrYzGNe#film #review #nowstreaming @FlawInTheIris pic.twitter.com/Ufszq7lhvp
— Halifax Bloggers (@halifaxbloggers) June 10, 2024
In essence, “Fantasmas” is more than just a series about a man looking for his lost earring; it is an exploration of nostalgia, absurdity, and the peculiarities of modern life, all wrapped in the quirky, imaginative vision of Julio Torres. The show promises a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts, challenging viewers to rethink their perceptions of comedy and television.
Key Points:
i. Julio Torres’ new HBO series “Fantasmas” features bizarre and surreal elements, opening with a discussion about creating a clear crayon at Crayola and quickly delving into an unexpected “ALF” parody called “MELF.”
ii. The show follows Torres as a fictionalized version of himself on a quest to find his lost oyster-shaped earring, set against the backdrop of his disintegrating personal life.
iii. “MELF” is introduced during a ride in an Uber-like service called Chester, where an alien from the planet MELF becomes entangled in the family life of a suburban family, leading to comedic and inappropriate scenarios.
iv. The series is noted for its absurd and disjointed narrative style, similar to a series of interconnected “Saturday Night Live” sketches, featuring a variety of quirky characters and scenarios.
v. “Fantasmas” not only entertains with its whimsical and surreal content but also critiques modern consumerism and American culture, using the parody and the show’s dystopian portrayal of New York to highlight broader societal issues.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
