Even for long time Ren & Stimpy fans “The Lost Episodes” will be a challenge to sit through. While the shows have the look of John Kricfalusi’s classic episodes the storylines and humor are another matter. Originally produced when the show started reruns on Spike-TV in 2002 “Ren & Stimpy: The Lost Episodes” lacks the vitality and, let’s face it, the humor of the best episodes produced for Nickelodeon. Kricfalusi’s new episodes are rougher and tackier but not necessarily funnier (or as funny) as the ones he produced when working under the thumb of Nickelodeon. I can honestly say that these episodes of the series could be down right repulsive at times and while much of the humor of the best episodes dealt with a certain gross out factor these go over the long line. Most of these didn’t even air on Spike-TV as they were deemed unacceptable and while I won’t make a judgment call on the gross out factor of the humor or how crude these episodes can be I will state that they just aren’t funny overall. ***

Consisting of the six episodes produced during that time frame (three of which aired) this two disc set pulls all six together and provides us with introductions by John K. (Weird Al Yankovic appears with John K. for the introduction to the set) and the other writers/directors that he worked with to produce these. We also get a number of interviews with the creative team about these new cartoons. We get two animatics one for “Naked Beach Frenzy” and “Ren Seeks help” as well as galleries and pencil tests. I’m surprised given the number of commentaries that John K. did for the other sets that he chose not to do so here as well. ---

"2 Animatics, galleries, storyboards, pencil tests, interviews, introduction to the set by John K. and Weird Al Yankovic and introductions for each episode by John K.

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