Spicy City

Spicy City is an animated television series which was created by Ralph Bakshi for HBO. The series lasted for one season in 1997, which consisted of six episodes.

Plot
The plot was described as a science fiction anthology series set in a futuristic city with a seamy side. Each episode is introduced by Raven, a nightclub hostess who also makes brief appearances in the tales.

Production

Discussions involving a series based upon Trey Parker and Matt Stone's video Christmas card Jesus vs. Santa led HBO to contact Ralph Bakshi in order to produce the first animated series targeted specifically toward adults. Bakshi enlisted a team of writers, including his son Preston, to develop Spicy Detective, later renamed Spicy City.

Cast
Michelle Phillips – Raven
James Keane (credited as James Kean) – Lem
Barry Stigler – Boxer
Mary Mara – Alice Kerchief/Geisha
John Hostetter – Jake
Vince Melocchi – Shark 
Alex Fernandez – Armando "Mano" Mantio
Cecilia Noel – Red Beans
James Hanes – Big Vinnie
Ralph Bakshi – Stevie/Connelly/Goldblum
Pamala Tyson – Bruja/Ebony and Venus Sartori 
Tuesday Knight – Prostitute/Virus
James Keane – Flaxson
Darrell Kunitomi – Loh
Grace Zandarski – Driver
James Asher – Harry 
Tasia Valenza – Margo
Tony Amendola – Skankmeyer
Julie DeMita – Frenchy
Rick Naiera – Vic Guapo
Lewis Arquette – Farfelson/Corbin
Jennifer Darling – Elvira
E.G. Daily – Nisa Lolita
Joey Carmen – Max
Michael Yama – Otaku 
Brock Peters – Bird
Charlie Adler – Additional Voices
Matthew Flint – Additional Voices
Letitia Hicks – Additional Voices
Matt K. Miller – Additional Voices
Andy Philpot – Additional Voices
Marnie Mosiman – Additional Voices
Brendan O'Brien – Additional Voices
David Fennoy – Additional Voices
Danny Mann – Additional Voices

Reception
The series premiered on 11 July 1997, beating South Park to television by over a month and becoming the first "adults only" cartoon series.

Although critical reaction was mixed and largely unfavorable, Spicy City received acceptable ratings.  The Los Angeles Times called the series "Adolescent Humor for Adults" The Dallas Morning News said the series "exploits the female form".

A second season was approved, but the network wanted to fire Bakshi's writing team and hire professional Los Angeles screenwriters. When Bakshi refused to cooperate with the network, the series was cancelled.

Episodes

References

External links

Gary's "Spicy City" Page with  screencaps of each episode.
Spicy City - Review

Category:American adult animation anthology series
Category:Ralph Bakshi
Category:Television series created by Ralph Bakshi
Category:HBO original programming
Category:Cyberpunk television series
Category:1990s American science fiction television series
Category:1990s American adult animated television series
Category:1997 American television series debuts
Category:1997 American television series endings
Category:English-language television programs