Toony T(wo)sday 2015: Say Uncle (The Crossover of Steven Universe & Uncle Grandpa) (#MaroonMay)

(This post was under the "A Surprise Review" banner, but is now under the "Toony Tuesday" banner because it's not a surprise anymore.)

Hi, everyone. Welcome to a special review that no one saw coming.
Literally, I just posted it without telling you guys.
It’s a review on the crossover everyone has been taking about, even before it premiered, for better or worse. A special that puts together a future classic animated series and a cartoon not many people would find even worthy of a hit.
It’s “Say Uncle”, the crossover episode of Steven Universe and Uncle Grandpa.

Before I get to the review, here are my thoughts on both series
(which air on Cartoon Network).

Uncle Grandpa is a bright, colorful, wacky (maybe even super wacky) and may induce vomiting and/or seizures. But...I don’t think it’s a bad show. I think it’s a good show. I enjoy the off-the-wall humor, the characters are pretty good; and the plots may be out-there, but it’s a Cartoon Network show, out-there should be part of its motto. Also, the theme song is really nice; the beat is wonderful and gives off a killer 80s vibe, so nice, it will stay in your head for a while, but I wouldn’t mind, because it’s really nice. It’s not for everyone, but if you are interested in it and do give a few episodes a try, I think it’ll be something you’ll enjoy every once in a while.
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As for Steven Universe, it’s a not-so-bright, not-so colorful-, not-so-wacky, and will induce tears and give you intense feels. And it’s a damn good show. The storylines are spectacular, the characters are awesome and the atmosphere is mind-blowing. There are moments that will make you either laugh, cry, be sad or feel good. And there will be at least one of any of these moments in every episode; even filler episodes can churn out a great moment. The writing is fantastic, the voice acting is crazy good (for both main and guest casts), and just amazes me every time. Again, it’s not for everyone, but here, at least it should be. It’s a show everyone should watch; kids, teenagers, adults, even the elderly should watch this.
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Both of these shows are great examples of Cartoon Network’s Great Rebound of the 2010’s. After the CN Real incident of 2008-2009, Cartoon Network execs of the time finally realized what "Cartoon" of Cartoon Network meant, and gave quite the turnaround that everyone was shocked and amazed would happen, with shows that are funny, shocking, astounding and memorable, like the aforementioned Steven Universe and Uncle Grandpa.
Both shows are very unique, very enjoyable, and are amazing in their own ways. Their humor, stories and characters are very different, and couldn’t be any further apart.

So why am I mentioning these two “Good” ”Gems”? [heh heh] Because both had a crossover episode that aired on April 2, of course! Making them closer together. At least, not in canon. The crossover is non-canon, so none of this exists; it’s fourth-wall breaking, so many jokes about the whole thing and the absurdity of it are abound; there’s a plot hole (LITERALLY); and it’s funny, very funny.

This review will be different from the usual format I've used on the blog before (story, then thoughts, then story again), so it will be just thoughts on the scenes and the episode itself. So let's take a look-see, shall we?

I just love the entrance UG makes in the first scene, which is not only very funny, but cool as well. And to be honest, UG looks...nice...as a fake Rose Quartz. I know, creepy. Plus from the dialogue we get of these two at this part, especially UG’s “Don’t worry, bro; None of this is canon”, it’s clear that the episode we’re about to see is an April Fools prank made by the writers of Steven Universe and that all they did is make up a good laugh, especially at the expense of SU fans who openly hated the special after announcement. I don’t watch both shows very often, and even I knew this isn’t going to be one to get crazy over for the wrong reasons. I can just hear the tears of stupid ultra joy and this review came out over a month after it first aired. And the use of an actual cannon after the fact is hilarious, with a “ship” joke, and Lars and Sadie slipping down for dear life was thrown in for extra funny.

--Also, I think, since this is non-canon, this won’t be the official debut episode in which Steven unlocks his Gem’s power. It could happen, I’m not 100% percent sure.

There are a lot of things I noticed or enjoyed once the Gems come in.
Than usual, Pearl acts more anxious, neurotic and overprotective (I think), Garnet is more angry and powerful, and Amethyst is sloppy and goofy, which tells you the behavior is different from what’s usually seen in the show, and it makes that scene heartwarming and funny. You know it’s sweet when the Gems do anything to keep Steve safe--even when the threat is a strange old man whom bends and screws over cartoon physics every time he moves.

Also, the head thing.
When they get their heads back, it’s like they’re really lost their heads, and not some animation thing. This is realized and they don’t like the feeling.
That's really funny!
Another thing that cracks me up was when the “Crystal Gems” and “Run Away” signs that appear: First the latter telling Steven and UG to run

and then Amethyst tripping over it,

showing that it’s actually there. Hilarious. And then there’s “plot hole”. They’re just throwing in everything that makes a Breaking the Fourth Wall- making episode possible. Lastly, The Three Way Sub. I really freaking want one.

The jokes in the UG-RV (meaning the Uncle Grandpa Recreational Vehicle) are Uncle Grandpa’s usual stuff, but it’s got a nice pleasant good feeling going on, and I don’t mind it all as much as everyone would make it out to be..Plus, the scene where Mr. Gus draws his own fanart of a gemsona, which is something SU fans draw as Gem versions of themselves and post onto Tumblr. His drawing is named Mr. Gusite, which also exists on Tumblr. And it’s really cool.

The thing I love most about this special is that sweet tender feeling you get when you see Uncle Grandpa and Steven bonding. It’s just like him and the kids he helps, but a little more special, because it’s a kid from a different Cartoon Network series that is even more popular and critically acclaimed. Plus the cameo appearances by Lars, Sadie and Lion just sweetens the pot here. The “ship” joke was genius, and watching Lion and…Giant Realistic Flying Tiger getting close together was sweet (especially when you realize that GRFT is a girl).

Another thing I love is this:
This special includes cameo appearances of characters from both series:

Lars, Sadie, and Lion from Steven Universe
and Hot Dog Person from Uncle Grandpa.
Thia was really nice and sweetened the episode for me even more.

The writers put everything on the wall and it stuck well. The writing is fantastic , the characters are amazing (even Pizza Steve; yeah, he’s a self-centered douchebag, but he can be cool too.), the plot is amazing and execution was phenomenal. This special is delightful and it’s something everyone should watch. Even if you’ve never seen either of these two cartoons, it’s something you should see and enjoy. It was genius idea that had a lot of interest and hatred by SU fans thanks their uninterest/hatred of Uncle Grandpa. Because of that, and the staff’s relentless jokes and trolling that the special WAS canon, this has become a wonderful, hilarious, fun and warmhearted special that everyone is now aware of, and will never forget.

Favorite Line:
“Okay, I’m ready for this this episode to end.” -Garnet

Favorite Gag: A TIE between
The ship sinking (“Our ship!” -Lars) and
Lion and Tiger’s Shack-up (Oh my!)


Thanks for joining me for this surprise review of “Say Uncle” the now-divisively-remembered crossover of Steven Universe and Uncle Grandpa. I've enjoyed this special very much, and I hope you enjoyed the review...well, I hope you

Oh, and this bit.




It featured names of child characters from Cartoon Network’s other beloved series. That was a genius use of the concept of helping out kids everywhere, and a genius use of the non-canon nature of the episode. Excuse me.

Favorite Gag: A TIE between
The ship sinking (“Our ship!” - Lars) and
The List of Cartoon Cartoon Kids
and Lion and Tiger’s Shack-up (Oh my!)

Good Mornin’--I mean, Good night!