Smiling Friends is an American-Australian animated television series created by and starring internet personalities Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack. The pilot episode “Desmond’s Big Day Out” aired on Adult Swim on April 1, 2020, and the rest of the first season premiered on January 9, 2022.
Assumption
Smiling FriendsSmiling Friends follows employees of Smiling Friends Inc. Charlie, Pim, Alan, Glep, and also their boss, Mr. Boss, as they face misfortune while trying to make people laugh or otherwise bring happiness to their clients.
Production information
On April 1, 2020, a pilot titled “Desmond’s Big Day Out” premiered as part of Adult Swim’s annual April Fool’s Day event alongside Cusack’s other work, YOLO: Crystal Fantasy.
On May 19, 2021, Adult Swim and the show’s creators announced that the series had been greenlit along with Royal Crackers and was set to premiere later in 2021.
On July 22, 2021, co-creator Zach Hadel announced that season one would consist of eight episodes, including the pilot, “Desmond’s Big Day Out”, which would be considered the first episode of season 1[2].
On November 12, 2021, during the Adult Swim Festival panel featuring Smiling Friends, co-creator Zach Hadel mentioned that the show would premiere “in a few months”, pushing the release schedule to 2022.
After an overwhelmingly positive reception from viewers on February 9, 2022, Adult Swim renewed the series for a second season along with Birdgirl, which first premiered on April 1, 2024. The remainder of the season is set to air on May 12, 2024.
Main Cast
Zach Hadel as Charlie, Glep, Boss Baby, Desmond’s Mom, Bliblies, Screaming Bird, Meep Society Lady, Mr. Frog Fanboy, Salt, Century Egg, Mip, Gnarly, DJ Spit, Mr. Peanut, Ronald Reagan, Satan, Charlie’s grandmother, Glep’s grandson, Duncan, Gwimbly
Michael Cusack as Pim, Alan, Amy, Pim’s Mom, Steven, Bliblies, Lucas The Magnificent, Mr. Frog, Rex, Ketchup, Pepper, Witch, Fairies, Grim, Warren Buffett, Demon, Jeremy, MeepEats Deliveryman, James
Marc M. as the boss, the guy at the airport.
Recurring/Guest
- Mike Stoklasa as Desmond, himself
- Finn Wolfhard as the man living in the wall, Bliblies
- Nick Wolfhard as Graham Nelly, Bliblies
- David Dore as Party Bro, Forest Demon, Alien
- Tom Fulp as Alpha
- Perry Caravello as Simon S. Salty
- Chris O’Neill as audition father, Smormu[3]
- Erica Lindbeck as Assistant, Mustard, Princess
- Hans van Harken as Jimmy Fallon, Priest, Hell Faces, Frozen Head, Bill
- Jane Badler as Celebrity Show Host
- Mick Lauer as Bug, Guy in Gym, Crazy Cup, Elf
- Rodrigo Huerta as Jacob, Guy in Line
- Frost as patron
- David Firth as Shrimp, Fillmore
- Harry Partridge as Smorm Announcer, Grease, 3D Squelton, William Worm
- Clyde Boraine as Policeman
- Jim Knobeloch as Mystery Show host
- Monica Franco as Charlie’s girlfriend, the waitress, Wendy Worm
- Joshua Tomar as Cop, Centaur, Narrator, Elder Glep, Count Groxia, Troglor
- Lyle Rath as Mr. Man, Warren Buffett, CEO of Insane Groundbreaking Games
- Gilbert Gottfried as God
- James Rolfe as himself
- Joel Haver
- Chris Niosi