Space Ghost Coast to Coast is an animated late-night talk show that aired on Cartoon Network from 1994 to 2008. The show starred the 1960s Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Space Ghost as a late-night talk show host who interviewed various celebrity guests. However, in the 90s, the original Space Ghost cartoon was reworked into an absurdist, surreal parody talk show format for adult audiences.
Space Ghost Coast to Coast featured Space Ghost hosting his talk show with his imprisoned arch enemies Zorak and Moltar forced to work on the show. Space Ghost interacted with his celebrity guests through a video screen since they were not actually present in his studio.
The show was known for its very dry, ironic and even awkward sense of humor as Space Ghost often had random nonsensical conversations with his guests. Popular guests included Weird Al Yankovic, Judy Tenuta and William Shatner.
Now, with the 30th anniversary on April 14, millions of fans celebrated with Adult Swim; however, many pointed out the fate of the writer/actor for the show, Andy Meriell, was not as hopeful.
Meriell began his career in programming, and in 1993, he co-created the first animated late-night talk show, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, alongside then-head of programming Mike Lazzo. In the first of the show’s two unaired pilots, he provided the voice of Space Ghost.
Over the years, Merrill had contributed to the show’s writing and production as well as providing the voices of “Council of Doom” members Brak and Lokar, who would occasionally appear on the show—mostly Brak. Over the years, the iconic Space Ghost franchise Meriell birthed has spawned new shows and characters on Adult Swim.
The show helped launch Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim late-night block of adult-oriented cartoons. Space Ghost Coast to Coast, along with Merril-produced Cartoon Planet and The Brak Show, used obscure 1960s cartoon characters in an entirely new postmodern format featuring improvised performances to create a bizarre, stilted, and absurdist style of anti-comedy that became cultishly popular in the late 1990s.
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However, Adult Swim took Space Ghost Coast to Coast and other legacy series off their MAX streaming platform. Meanwhile, Meriell has faced difficulty finding writing and acting work in Hollywood.
The reality that talented multi-hyphenate creators in entertainment are relegated to gig economy jobs is all too common. Decades after creating the beloved Space Ghost Coast to Coast franchise and birthing multiple iconic Adult Swim characters, Andy Meriell struggles to find writing and acting jobs today. He currently works as an Amazon delivery driver to scrape by and pay his bills while fighting to revive his entertainment career.
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Sadly, Meriell’s story is all too common in Hollywood. Scores of talented multi-hyphenate creators who made their mark on pop culture and brought beloved characters to life face difficulty sustaining careers in the fickle industry.
Show business notoriously chews up talent and spits them out once hot trends go cold. Ageism runs rampant as well, making it harder for veteran writers and actors to book new gigs later in their careers. And residuals only stretch so far when networks cancel or take legacy shows off streaming platforms.
So entertainment pioneers often turn to gig economy jobs between sporadic writing, acting or production jobs to pay the rent. Iconic creators find themselves driving for Uber or Lyft, delivering for Postmates or DoorDash, or selling arts and crafts on Etsy just to keep the lights on.
It’s a sobering reality check highlighting the financial instability of chasing big Hollywood dreams. The entertainment industry too rarely rewards visionaries who take bold creative risks that pay off in spades. And it frequently neglects to support them fully on the backend of smash hits.
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So we find influential writers, actors and directors working side hustles more commonly associated with those just starting out in show biz. It’s easy to assume only struggling up-and-comers need driving, delivery or craft selling gigs to get by. In truth, many entertainment veterans well-established in their prime turn to piecemeal jobs as well. It’s the only way to keep chasing their dreams while covering basic living expenses in an industry offering little job security.
The reality is sobering for aspiring Hollywood talent. But Andy Meriell’s story also underscores the resilience of veteran creatives. They never lose their passion despite the painful career valleys.
While Adult Swim seems to have forgotten Meriell after building their brand on his postmodern innovation, the fans remember. Devoted viewers continue to shower him with praise and hopes for new opportunities.
The bittersweet story illustrates the fickle nature of show business. But it also highlights the power of fans to uplift creative visionaries who sparked their imagination. Andy Meriell brought Space Ghost Coast to Coast to fruition and without him, there would likely be no Adult Swim today. His contribution changed animation history and inspired new generations of weird, absurd comedy.
No matter what the future holds, Meriell can rest assured his avant-garde innovation has left an indelible mark on pop culture. Diehard fans will undoubtedly continue cheering him on and celebrating his seminal series for years to come, and perhaps soon, Hollywood will come calling once again for this influential creator.
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so is his name Merrill or Meriell??