Kevin Coughlin

FULL WATCHALONG - DEATH TO SMOOCHY

Added 2024-12-30 07:00:35 +0000 UTC

Death to Smoochy (2002) is the deliciously dark comedy where the squeaky-clean world of children’s television meets organized crime—and everyone’s got a vendetta. Directed by Danny DeVito, the film follows Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams), a corrupt and now-fired kids’ show host, who sets out to destroy his wholesome, rhino-suited replacement, Smoochy (Edward Norton). Randolph’s downfall isn’t just spectacular; it’s drenched in envy, bribery, and the kind of hysterical meltdown only Robin Williams could deliver.

Meanwhile, Norton’s Sheldon Mopes (a.k.a. Smoochy) is so painfully earnest—handing out tofu and singing about kindness—that you can practically feel your teeth rot from the sweetness. Naturally, the mob, the network, and anyone with a hidden agenda are all circling, eager to exploit or eliminate the rhino in their midst. Because nothing says “kids’ entertainment” like a shady ice show run by gangsters.

With Catherine Keener as a jaded TV exec and Danny DeVito popping up both behind and in front of the camera, Death to Smoochy stuffs more sarcastic barbs, sleazy backdoor deals, and comedic meltdowns into one story than you’d think possible in a film about children’s programming. It’s a wild ride that skewers the TV industry so hard you’ll never look at a singing mascot the same way again. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you cross a Barney-esque rhino with a bunch of mobsters and a deeply bitter ex-host, here’s your answer—and it’s as unhinged as you’d hope.