John Kricfalusi

Michael John Kricfalusi was born on September 9, 1955, in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada to Michael Kricfalusi,{{Cite web |title=Michael "Mike" Kricfalusi {{!}} Obituary {{!}} Sharing Memories |url=https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/capital/obituaries/michael-mike-kricfalusi/51691 |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=www.arbormemorial.ca |language=en}} who was of Ukrainian descent, and Mary Lou Kricfalusi (née MacDonell), who was of Scottish and English descent.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDddNnP4sQE|title=John K talks Ren & Stimpy, Mighty Mouse, Ralph Bakshi|work=TORn Tuesday|date=August 1, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518143745/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDddNnP4sQE|archive-date=May 18, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Rp|at=32m}} He has one sister named Elizabeth. He spent his early childhood in Germany and Belgium while his father was serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He would watch weekend screenings of European feature-length cartoons such as The Snow Queen at Air Force cinemas. At age seven he returned with his family to Canada. After their return they moved from Montreal to Ottawa in the middle of a school season, and Kricfalusi spent much of his time that year at home, watching Hanna-Barbera cartoons and drawing them. Kricfalusi's interest in golden-age animation crystallized during his stay at Sheridan College, where he attended weekly screenings of old films and cartoons at Innis College held by film archivist Reg Hartt, among them the cartoons of Bob Clampett and Tex Avery, which left a deep impression on Kricfalusi.{{cite web| first=Justin| last=Smallbridge| url=http://justinsmallbridge.com/clips/19940401SNrenandstimpy.html| title=Ren and Stimpy's big corporate takeover| date=April 1994| work=Saturday Night| access-date=December 25, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226081200/http://justinsmallbridge.com/clips/19940401SNrenandstimpy.html| archive-date=December 26, 2015| url-status=live}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321050726/http://reghartt.ca/cineforum/?p=6994|archive-date=March 21, 2014|url=http://reghartt.ca/cineforum/?p=6994|title=Reg Hartt, John Kricfalusi & A Revolution in Animation|editor-first=Reg|editor-last=Hartt|date=January 4, 2013|access-date=March 21, 2014}} After he was expelled from Sheridan College at the end of 1978, Kricfalusi moved to Los Angeles, California, intending to become an animator.{{Cite book|title=Sick Little Monkeys: The Unauthorized Ren & Stimpy Story|last=Komorowski|first=Thad|publisher=BearManor Media|year=2013|isbn=978-1593932343|location=U.S.|pages=2}}{{Cite book | first1 = Tim | last1 = Lawson | first2 = Alisa | last2 = Persons | title = The magic behind the voices: a who's who of cartoon voice actors | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=0cEAOsLJad8C&pg=PA198 | publisher = University Press of Mississippi | location = Jackson, Mississippi | date = 2004 | pages = 197–204 | isbn = 978-1-57806-696-4 | access-date = September 24, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170802235616/https://books.google.com/books?id=0cEAOsLJad8C&lpg=PA198&pg=PA198 | archive-date = August 2, 2017 | url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|first=Joey|last=Anuff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lgxVa5s7idEC&pg=PA105|title=The Nearly Invisible Animation Genius|magazine=Spin|publisher=SpinMedia|location=Los Angeles, California|volume=14|number=11|pages=99–106|date=November 1998|access-date=September 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701030742/http://books.google.com/books?id=lgxVa5s7idEC&pg=PA105&lpg=PA105|archive-date=July 1, 2014|url-status=live}}

After moving to Los Angeles, Kricfalusi was introduced to Milt Gray by Bob Clampett, suggesting he should join Gray's classical animation class. Gray was working for Filmation at the time, and soon Kricfalusi found work there as well,{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/articles/drtoon/tell-story-interview-john-kricfalusi/page/4|author=Martin Goodman|date=January 23, 2003|access-date=January 8, 2011|work=Animation World Magazine|title=An Interview with John Kricfalusi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014142529/http://www.awn.com/articles/drtoon/tell-story-interview-john-kricfalusi/page/4|archive-date=October 14, 2012|df=mdy-all}} getting his start on shows like Super Friends and The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show.{{cite book|first1=Lou |last1=Scheimer |first2=Andy |last2=Mangels|date=2012 |title=Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |location=Raleigh, North Carolina |pages=165 |isbn= 978-1-60549-044-1}} His first independent cartoon was a short called Ted Bakes One, which he produced with Bill Wray in 1981 for a cable channel.{{cite web|url=http://unofficialspumco.com/html/view01.html |title=An interview with John |author=Jason Rivera |date=c. 2000 |access-date=September 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130225012920/http://web.archive.org/web/20060406230803/http://unofficialspumco.com/html/view01.html |archive-date=February 25, 2013 |url-status=dead}} From 1979 to the mid-1980s, Kricfalusi worked for Filmation and later Hanna-Barbera and DIC Entertainment on various shows that he once described as "the worst animation of all time".{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0471136/ |title=John Kricfalusi |publisher=IMDB.com |access-date=January 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223141237/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0471136/ |archive-date=February 23, 2007 |url-status=live }} However, he did enjoy his work as a layout artist on the 1985 series of The Jetsons as he was able to train a team of Taiwanese animators to draw characters more emotive and wild, which at the time was considered radical.{{cite web|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/2008/11/1985-jetsons-layouts.html|title=L.O. 11: Layouts Spumco History: 1985 Jetsons Layouts|author=John Kricfalusi|date=November 11, 2008|access-date=May 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093226/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/2008/11/1985-jetsons-layouts.html|archive-date=May 18, 2015|url-status=live}} He recalls being "saved" from having to work on these cartoons by director Ralph Bakshi, who had worked with him before in 1980 and 1982.{{cite interview |last=Kricfalusi |first=John |interviewer=Nick Digilio |title=An Interview with John K |work=WGN Radio |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lR35X1W1tQ |location=Chicago, Illinois |date=2003 |access-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312130914/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lR35X1W1tQ |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|first=Tasha|last=Robinson|url=https://www.avclub.com/john-kricfalusi-1798208170|title=John Kricfalusi, interview|website=The A.V. Club|publisher=Onion Inc|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=March 4, 2001|access-date=January 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125234046/http://www.avclub.com/articles/john-kricfalusi,13702/|archive-date=January 25, 2009|url-status=live}} They began working on the designs for the film Bobby's Girl, which was sold to TriStar Pictures but was later cancelled.{{cite news|first=Lewis|last=Beale|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vNATAAAAIBAJ&pg=6858,5173905&dq=ocala+star-banner+dec+31+1987+bakshi&hl=en|title=Animator Bakshi Enjoys Film Satire|newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner|publisher=New Media Investment Group|location=Ocala, Florida|date=December 31, 1987|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001133609/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vNATAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jgYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6858,5173905&dq=ocala+star-banner+dec+31+1987+bakshi&hl=en|archive-date=October 1, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Ralph|last=Bakshi|author-link=Ralph Bakshi|url=http://www.ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3649#3649|title=Your Project with John K.|work=The Official Ralph Bakshi Website|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927071045/http://www.ralphbakshi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3649#3649|archive-date=September 27, 2011|url-status=live}} Under Bakshi, Kricfalusi directed the animation for The Rolling Stones' 1986 music video "Harlem Shuffle".{{Cite web|url=http://agentpalmer.com/13885/media/rotospective-the-rolling-stones-and-ralph-bakshi-harlem-shuffle-video-is-the-kind-of-magic-that-happens-when-bad-boys-collide/|title=Rotospective: The Rolling Stones' and Ralph Bakshi 'Harlem Shuffle' Video is the kind of magic that happens when Bad Boys Collide|website=agentpalmer.com|language=en-US|date=February 18, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223010/http://agentpalmer.com/13885/media/rotospective-the-rolling-stones-and-ralph-bakshi-harlem-shuffle-video-is-the-kind-of-magic-that-happens-when-bad-boys-collide/|archive-date=February 28, 2018|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures}}

The team's most successful project was Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures for CBS, based on the classic Terrytoons character. The series was well-received, and it is considered the forerunner of creator-driven cartoons.{{cite news|first=Warren|last=Clements|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-trail-blazing-rodent/article794315/|title=A trail-blazing rodent|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|publisher=The Woodbridge Company|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|date=December 31, 2009|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827135647/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-trail-blazing-rodent/article794315/|archive-date=August 27, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=How Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures Amped Up Animation|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/01/mighty-mouse-new-adventures/|magazine=Wired|publisher=Condé Nast|location=New York City|date=January 5, 2010|access-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711211401/http://www.wired.com/2010/01/mighty-mouse-new-adventures|archive-date=July 11, 2016|url-status=live}} Kricfalusi directed eight of the twenty-six episodes and supervised the series. At the beginning of the second season, Kricfalusi left the show. The production of Mighty Mouse was very different from other cartoons at the time, gaining creative and artistic leeway thanks to the success of the irreverent Pee-wee's Playhouse on CBS a year before. The animators had much more creative input, driven by Kricfalusi's production system that emphasizes artistic contribution in every step of the process, from outline to storyboard to layout to the animation.{{cite book |first = Eric |last = Nolen-Weathington |title = Modern Masters Volume 3: Bruce Timm |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=EMwn_4llWK0C&pg=PA26 |publisher = TwoMorrows Publishing |location = Raleigh, North Carolina |date = 2004 |isbn = 1-893905-30-6 |pages = 26–32 |access-date = June 29, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170307024700/https://books.google.com/books?id=EMwn_4llWK0C&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26 |archive-date = March 7, 2017 |url-status=live }}

Mighty Mouse was cancelled amidst controversy for allegedly depicting the main character snorting cocaine. Bakshi maintained that neither he nor Kricfalusi had the character sniffing cocaine, and that the character was sniffing the crushed petals of a flower, which were handed to him in a previous scene in the cartoon.{{cite web |first=Craig |last=Wolff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/26/nyregion/mighty-mouse-flying-high-on-flowers.html |title=Mighty Mouse Flying High on Flowers? |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |date=July 26, 1988 |access-date=June 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425112035/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/26/nyregion/mighty-mouse-flying-high-on-flowers.html |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3889356.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103102340/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-3889356.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 3, 2012 |title=Mighty Mouse accused of sniffing cocaine |newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times |publisher=Sun Times Media Group|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=June 10, 1988 |access-date=June 29, 2016|url-access=}}{{cite web |first=Tasha |last=Robinson |url=https://www.avclub.com/ralph-bakshi-1798208128 |title=Ralph Bakshi, Interview |website=The A.V. Club |publisher=Onion Inc |location=Chicago, Illinois |date=December 6, 2000 |access-date=June 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630092451/http://www.avclub.com/articles/ralph-bakshi,13690/ |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |url-status=live }} In 1994, Kricfalusi pitched a revival series of Mighty Mouse to Paramount, which would have featured other Terrytoons characters such as Deputy Dawg, but they rejected the idea.{{Cite web|last=Johnk|date=2011-03-20|title=John K Stuff: Mighty Mouse Pitch circa 1994?|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2011/03/mighty-mouse-pitch-circa-1994.html|access-date=2020-07-30|website=John K Stuff}}

{{Main|The New Adventures of Beany and Cecil}}

Kricfalusi left Bakshi's studio to work on The New Adventures of Beany and Cecil for ABC, where he teamed up with many of the people who would later work with him on many of his Spümcø projects.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028626/fullcredits |title=Beany and Cecil (1988) full credits |publisher=IMDB.com |access-date=January 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307235206/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028626/fullcredits |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |url-status=live }} ABC had been negotiating for the production of the show with the Clampett family, who insisted that Kricfalusi be part of the production as he was a strong proponent of Bob Clampett's cartoon style. The long negotiations delayed the start of production to mid-July, causing much of the animation to be rushed in order to meet the September deadline. Tensions rose between Kricfalusi and ABC over the tone of the show, leading to an uncomfortable atmosphere for the show's crew. The more ABC strove to soften the show, the more Kricfalusi pushed for shocking and offensive material. The Clampett family were ultimately not very happy with the cartoon, but remained supportive of Kricfalusi. ABC canceled the show after six episodes, finding the humor not suitable for children's programming.

{{Main|The Ren & Stimpy Show}}

Kricfalusi formed Spümcø animation studio with partners Jim Smith, Bob Camp and Lynne Naylor. They began working on a pilot for The Ren & Stimpy Show on behalf of Nickelodeon, after the eponymous characters were favored by Nickelodeon producer Vanessa Coffey in a presentation by Kricfalusi. The show came to garner high ratings for Nickelodeon,{{cite web|first=Andy|last=Meisler|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/16/arts/television-ren-and-stimpy-s-triumphant-return.html?pagewanted=2|title=Ren and Stimpy's Triumphant Return|work=The New York Times|location=New York City|date=August 16, 1992|access-date=December 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524023356/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/16/arts/television-ren-and-stimpy-s-triumphant-return.html?pagewanted=2|archive-date=May 24, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Jonathan|last=Valania|url=https://www.mcall.com/1992/12/18/ren-stimpy-creator-isnt-laughing-at-comic-book/|title=Ren & Stimpy Creator Isn't Laughing at Comic Book|newspaper=The Morning Call|publisher=Tribune Media|date=December 18, 1992|access-date=August 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142535/http://articles.mcall.com/1992-12-18/features/2881277_1_ren-stimpy-comic-book-john-kricfalusi|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|first=Stefan|last=Kanfer|title=Loonier Toon Tales|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975286,00.html|magazine=Time|publisher=Meredith Corporation|location=New York City|date=April 13, 1992|access-date=October 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920032119/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,975286,00.html|archive-date=September 20, 2010|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|first=Paula|last=Parisi|url=http://www.whataboutthad.com/2014/11/25/chugging-on/|title=Nick ticked by late Stimpys|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Eldridge Industries|location=Los Angeles, California|date=September 23, 1992|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111160353/http://www.whataboutthad.com/2014/11/25/chugging-on/|archive-date=January 11, 2015|url-status=live}} and at the time was the most popular cable TV show in the United States,{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Thompson|title=Farewell Bambi, hello Butt-head|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/television-farewell-bambi-hello-butt-head-forget-disney-and-his-cuddly-animals-the-new-wave-of-1430343.html|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Ltd.|location=London, England|date=March 20, 1994|access-date=August 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620010019/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/television-farewell-bambi-hello-butt-head-forget-disney-and-his-cuddly-animals-the-new-wave-of-1430343.html|archive-date=June 20, 2018|url-status=live}} but the network disagreed with Kricfalusi's direction of the show, and disapproved of his missed production deadlines.{{cite web |first=John |last=Staton |url=http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.ren-n-stimpy/msg/badaa89c3232fa8b |title=New 'Ren & Stimpy' director ready to take control |work=The Daily Tar Heel |publisher=DTH Media Corp |location=Chapel Hill, North Carolina |date=November 12, 1992 |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018201923/http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.ren-n-stimpy/msg/badaa89c3232fa8b |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |url-status=live }} Kricfalusi points specifically to the episode "Man's Best Friend", which depicts the character George Liquor as an abusive father figure, as the turning point in his relationship with Nickelodeon.{{cite magazine |first=Martin|last=Goodman |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/when-cartoons-were-cartoony-john-kricfalusi-presents |title=When Cartoons Were Cartoony |magazine=Animation World Magazine|publisher=Animation World Network|date=September 1, 2004 |access-date=April 3, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428122820/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/when-cartoons-were-cartoony-john-kricfalusi-presents |archive-date=April 28, 2017 |df=mdy-all }} One of the episodes, "Nurse Stimpy", did not meet Kricfalusi's approval{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Drukman |url=http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.ren-n-stimpy/browse_thread/thread/af02f6fb42b681af/c6f96c3e0d800adb?lnk=st&rnum=111#c6f96c3e0d800adb |title=Interview with Chris Savino |work=X MAGAZINE |issue=10 |date=May 8, 1992 |access-date=August 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109081516/http://groups.google.com/group/alt.tv.ren-n-stimpy/browse_thread/thread/af02f6fb42b681af/c6f96c3e0d800adb?lnk=st&rnum=111#c6f96c3e0d800adb |archive-date=November 9, 2012 |url-status=live }} because of the low quality of the rough cut of the episode that they received from the overseas studio, leading him to use the alias Raymond Spum in its credits.{{cite web|url=http://www.nerdist.com/2012/08/nerdist-podcast-john-k/|title=Nerdist Podcast: John K.|date=August 2012|access-date=August 31, 2012|at=(approximately 59 minutes 55 seconds into the interview)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005073106/http://www.nerdist.com/2012/08/nerdist-podcast-john-k/|archive-date=October 5, 2012|url-status=dead}} Nickelodeon terminated Kricfalusi's contract late September 1992,{{cite news|title='Ren & Stimpy' go on without their creator|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|location=Mclean, Virginia|date=September 25, 1992}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-28-ca-180-story.html|title='Ren & Stimpy' and Its Creator: A Parting of Ways : Animation: John Kricfalusi fought with Nickelodeon over deadlines, finances and the ribald nature of his cartoon.|last=Cerone|first=Daniel|date=September 28, 1992|website=Los Angeles Times|location=Los Angeles, CA|access-date=November 16, 2018|quote=Nickelodeon is expected to formally announce today the removal of director and producer John Kricfalusi from his own creation, "The Ren & Stimpy Show," Nickelodeon's most successful original cable program, because the program's delivery deadlines were not being met. Nickelodeon confirmed Friday that it was firing the animator.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003203854/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-28/entertainment/ca-180_1_producer-john-kricfalusi|archive-date=October 3, 2018|url-status=live}} leaving it to Nickelodeon's Games Animation studio, which continued producing it for three more seasons before its cancellation.{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Mackenzie |url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=57648 |title=The Ren & Stimpy Show: Seasons Three and a Half-ish |access-date=May 19, 2007 |work=DVDTimes.co.uk |date=July 3, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012142006/http://dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=57648 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|The Ripping Friends}}

Fox Kids started airing the television series The Ripping Friends in 2001, created by Kricfalusi and Jim Smith. Kricfalusi had previously tried pitching the show in the late 1980s, but networks considered it "too extreme" so did not pick it up.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/fly/tvfreak/feature/johnk_1.htm|author=Scott Goodins|year=2001|title=The Strange World of John K|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121235929/http://www.abc.net.au/fly/tvfreak/feature/johnk_1.htm|archive-date=January 21, 2013|url-status=dead}} Kricfalusi felt the show's supervisors were doing away with the Spümcø style and was displeased with the direction of the show.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} He considers the episodes he was involved in to be experimental. One of his contributions to the show was directing the voice-actors, which he "really worked-out" so much that he was afraid he'd give one of them a heart attack.{{Citation |title=John Kricfalusi Interview - WGN Chicago Radio (2003) | date=May 7, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-DMK-SUQ2E |access-date=2023-09-20 |language=en}}

{{Main|Ren & Stimpy "Adult Party Cartoon"}}

In 2003, Spike TV produced a new show featuring Ren & Stimpy, which was written and directed by Kricfalusi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/ren-stimpy-adult-party-cartoon/cast/204004/|title=Ren & Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon|website=TVGuide.com|language=en|access-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228163431/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/ren-stimpy-adult-party-cartoon/cast/204004/|archive-date=February 28, 2018|url-status=live}} The first three episodes were based on fan ideas and scripts that were rejected by Nickelodeon during the original show's run. According to Kricfalusi, Spike pushed for more South Park-like themes in the new show. While he was initially pleased with the added freedom afforded to him by Spike, he later expressed disappointment in the series due to its slow pacing and overuse of toilet humor.{{cite web |url=http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Feedback/feedback_johnk.htm |title=An Exchange with John K. |publisher=michaelbarrier.com |date=September 23, 2004 |author=Michael Barrier |access-date=January 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217103300/http://michaelbarrier.com/Feedback/feedback_johnk.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2009 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://fnewsmagazine.com/wp/2009/03/10-questions-with-john-kricfalusi/|date=March 22, 2009|title=10 Questions with John Kricfalusi|publisher=fnewsmagazine.com|author=Brandon Kosters|access-date=December 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805164912/http://fnewsmagazine.com/wp/2009/03/10-questions-with-john-kricfalusi/|archive-date=August 5, 2009|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Daniel Robert Epstein|date=October 12, 2004|title=John Kricfalusi, interview|url=http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/John%20Kricfalusi/|publisher=SuicideGirls|access-date=March 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231136/http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/John%20Kricfalusi/|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=live}} Only three episodes aired before Spike's entire animation block was "put on hold",{{cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/topstorys/11303spike.html|title=Spike Retooling Its Toon Strategy |author=James Hibberd |date=November 2003|access-date=December 21, 2010|work=TelevisionWeek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603133953/http://www.tvweek.com/topstorys/11303spike.html|archive-date=June 3, 2004}} and the complete series was ultimately released in 2006 on DVD including three additional episodes that never aired. Kricfalusi also wanted to release an episode titled "Life Sucks" straight to DVD, but the episode remains unproduced.{{cite web|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/search/label/Life%20Sucks|title=John K Stuff: Life Sucks|access-date=November 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603224358/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/search/label/Life%20Sucks|archive-date=June 3, 2014|url-status=live}}

After leaving The Ren & Stimpy Show, Kricfalusi consulted, and other Spümcø animators worked for Donovan Cook's 2 Stupid Dogs, which was put into production by Hanna-Barbera president Fred Seibert. The cartoon's credits read "Tidbits of Poor Taste Supplied by John Kricfalusi" for the three "Little Red Riding Hood" episodes: "Red", "Red Strikes Back", and "Return of Red".{{cite AV media|title="Red!", "The Return of Red", "Red Strikes Back"|series=2 Stupid Dogs|author=Donovan Cook|publisher=Hanna-Barbera|date=1995}} In 1994, Hanna-Barbera and Seibert started production on What a Cartoon!, also known as World Premiere Toons for Cartoon Network. Seibert approached Kricfalusi for advice and for recommendations for personnel to head the shorts, among them David Feiss, Tom Minton, Pat Ventura, and Eddie Fitzgerald.{{cite web|first=Joe|last=Strike|url=http://www.awn.com/articles/people/fred-seibert-interview-part-1|title=The Fred Seibert Interview – Part 1|publisher=Animation World Network|date=July 15, 2003|access-date=January 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806012907/http://www.awn.com/articles/people/fred-seibert-interview-part-1|archive-date=August 6, 2010|url-status=live}}{{Cite book | first=Jason | last=Mittell | title=Genre and Television: From Cop Shows to Cartoons in American Culture | url=https://archive.org/details/genretelevisionf0000mitt | url-access=registration | date=2004 | publisher=Routledge | location=London, England | isbn=978-0-415-96903-1 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/genretelevisionf0000mitt/page/82 82]–83 | access-date=September 24, 2016 }}{{Cite web|title='Pat' Ventura's George + Jr. by Frederator-Studios on DeviantArt|url=https://www.deviantart.com/frederator-studios/art/Pat-Ventura-s-George-Jr-24737093|access-date=2021-08-18|website=www.deviantart.com|date=November 2, 2005 |language=en}}

Kricfalusi directed Icelandic singer Björk's animated music video for the song "I Miss You" in 1997,{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266010/fullcredits |title=Björk: Volumen, full cast and crew |work=IMDB.com |access-date=January 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206132239/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266010/fullcredits |archive-date=February 6, 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://bjork.com/videos/ |title=music videos: Björk |work=bjork.com |access-date=January 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090714083232/http://bjork.com/videos/ |archive-date=July 14, 2009 |df=mdy-all }} which features Björk and the character Jimmy the Idiot Boy.{{Cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/Bjork+Miss+From+genius+another+Bjork+recruited+Stimpy+creator+John+Kricfalusi+direct+animate+this+1995+video+Those+turn+this+video+Miss+does+feature+Kricfalusi+character+Jimmy+Idiot+Bjork+dreamlover+heart+wants+what+heart+wants/6056982/story.html|title=Bjork, "I Miss You" - From one mad genius to another, Bjork recruited Ren & Stimpy creator John Kricfalusi to direct and animate this 1995 video. Those two don't turn up in this video, but "I Miss You" does feature Kricfalusi character Jimmy the Idiot Boy as Bjork's dreamlover. The heart wants what the heart wants.|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en-ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223201/http://www.montrealgazette.com/Bjork+Miss+From+genius+another+Bjork+recruited+Stimpy+creator+John+Kricfalusi+direct+animate+this+1995+video+Those+turn+this+video+Miss+does+feature+Kricfalusi+character+Jimmy+Idiot+Bjork+dreamlover+heart+wants+what+heart+wants/6056982/story.html|archive-date=February 28, 2018|url-status=live}} Jack Black of Tenacious D approached Kricfalusi to produce a music video for the song "Fuck Her Gently" from their debut album, released in 2001.{{cite magazine | first=Chris | last=Willman | title=Black Lash | url=http://www.ew.com/article/2001/09/11/jack-blacks-tenacious-d-unveils-racy-video | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | publisher=Meredith Corporation | location=New York City | date=September 6, 2001 | access-date=April 19, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724151833/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,173414,00.html | archive-date=July 24, 2008 | url-status=live }} Black browsed Kricfalusi's website and, since both he and his bandmate Kyle Gass held Ren & Stimpy in high regard, he asked Kricfalusi to produce the video. The costs amounted to $40,000.{{cite news | first=Chay | last=Woodman | title=Tenacious D Interview | date=February 7, 2003 | url=http://www.virtualfestivals.com/latest/interviews/411 | work=Virtual Festivals | access-date=July 7, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207061820/http://www.virtualfestivals.com/latest/interviews/411 | archive-date=December 7, 2008 | df=mdy-all }} Initially, Sony Music did not allow the video to be placed on Tenacious D's website and instead placed it on the record label Grand Royal's website, but later relented. In 2006, Kricfalusi directed two music videos, and served as art director for an animated musical segment. The first music video, for Close but No Cigar by "Weird Al" Yankovic, was released in September,{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1541761/track-by-track-in-weird-als-lynwood-green-days-idiot-is-canadian/|title=Track By Track: In Weird Al's Lynwood, Green Day's 'Idiot' Is Canadian|work=MTV News|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117174855/http://www.mtv.com/news/1541761/track-by-track-in-weird-als-lynwood-green-days-idiot-is-canadian/|archive-date=November 17, 2017|url-status=dead}} on the DVD side of the DualDisc album Straight Outta Lynwood, which features Kricfalusi's character Cigarettes the Cat.{{cite news | url = https://www.aintitcool.com/node/30010 | title = "Weird Al" unleashes his new album | work = Ain't It Cool News | date = September 11, 2006 | access-date = January 18, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090206153729/http://aintitcool.com/node/30010 | archive-date = February 6, 2009 | url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Straight-Outta-Lynwood/Weird-Al-Yankovic/e/828768995129 |title=Straight Outta Lynwood |work=Barnes & Noble, barnesandnoble.com |access-date=January 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112065455/http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Straight-Outta-Lynwood/Weird-Al-Yankovic/e/828768995129/ |archive-date=November 12, 2008 |url-status=live }} The second music video was for Classico by Tenacious D, starring the band members as cartoon characters. He animated them again in a THX logo parody for the band's feature film, The Pick of Destiny.{{cite web |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=5759 |title=John K. Gets Cartoony at L.A. Gallery |work=Animation Magazine Inc |author=Ryan Ball |date=August 9, 2006 |access-date=January 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011191445/http://animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=5759 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365830/fullcredits |title=Pick of Destiny full credits |work=IMDB.com |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803040119/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365830/fullcredits |archive-date=August 3, 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.tenaciousd.com/classico/ |title=Tenacious D "Classico" |work=tenaciousd.com |access-date=January 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216014302/http://www.tenaciousd.com/classico/ |archive-date=February 16, 2010 |df=mdy-all }} Kricfalusi served as art director for a musical segment in the show Class of 3000 entitled Life Without Music, which first aired on November 3, 2006.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884419/fullcredits |title=Class of 3000, "Home", full credits |work=IMDB.com |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021134016/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884419/fullcredits |archive-date=October 21, 2009 |url-status=live }} In 2014, he produced art for Miley Cyrus' Bangerz Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/cartoon-culture/miley-cyrus-and-john-kricfalusi-working-together-94879.html|title=Miley Cyrus and John Kricfalusi Working Together|author=Amid Amidi|date=January 16, 2014|access-date=January 18, 2014|work=Cartoon Brew|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119202920/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/cartoon-culture/miley-cyrus-and-john-kricfalusi-working-together-94879.html|archive-date=January 19, 2014|url-status=live}}

Venturing into Internet cartoons, Kricfalusi created Weekend Pussy Hunt in 1996 for MSN, which was billed as "the world's first interactive web-based cartoon".{{cite web |url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.12/2.12pages/2.12predmoreflash.html |title=How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love RealFlash |author=Bill Predmore |date=March 1998 |work=Animation World Magazine, Issue 2.12 |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719153045/http://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.12/2.12pages/2.12predmoreflash.html |archive-date=July 19, 2009 |url-status=live }} The cartoon, which was released in segments, was scheduled to be completed in June 1997,{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.12/articles/gardner1.12.html|title=Spumco's Latest Idiot|date=March 1997|work=Animation World Magazine, Issue 1|author=Marcy Gardner|access-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807040110/http://www.awn.com/mag/issue1.12/articles/gardner1.12.html|archive-date=August 7, 2016|url-status=live}} but production under MSN stopped before it was finished. Production later resumed under Icebox.com after the release of Spümcø's own web-based Flash cartoon, The Goddamn George Liquor Program.{{cite web |url=http://coldhardflash.com/2007/04/john-ks-guide-to-surviving-end-of.html |title=John K's Guide to Surviving the End of Television |date=April 23, 2007 |author=Aaron Simpson |work=Cold Hard Flash |access-date=January 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612084007/http://coldhardflash.com/2007/04/john-ks-guide-to-surviving-end-of.html |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2006/03/beautiful-people-9-yeesh-and-spumcos.html?showComment=1142461500000#c114246154433252313 |title=Untold Spumco history |author=Stephen Worth |date=March 17, 2006 |work=John K Stuff |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723081752/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2006/03/beautiful-people-9-yeesh-and-spumcos.html?showComment=1142461500000#c114246154433252313 |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=live }} Between 1998 and 2001, Kricfalusi worked on several Hanna-Barbera cartoons for Cartoon Network: three Yogi Bear parody cartoons he directed and animated, Boo Boo and the Man, A Day in the Life of Ranger Smith and Boo Boo Runs Wild, and two Jetsons parody cartoons he produced, The Jetsons: Father & Son Day and The Jetsons: The Best Son.

Kricfalusi contributed several articles in 1993 and 1994 for the magazines Film Threat and Wild Cartoon Kingdom under various aliases.{{cite magazine |first=Pat|last=Wechsler|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OeQCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA14|title=Ren & Stimpy Man Needles Nickelodeon|magazine=New York|publisher=New York Media|location=New York City|volume=27|issue=18|date=May 2, 1994|access-date=September 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626183904/http://books.google.com/books?id=OeQCAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA14&pg=PA14|archive-date=June 26, 2014|url-status=live}} Kricfalusi appears in several bonus featurettes and provides audio commentaries for the Looney Tunes Golden Collection volumes 2, 3 and 5,{{cite web|url=http://www.tower.com/looney-tunes-golden-collection-volume-two-tex-avery-dvd/wapi/106976302|title=Looney Tunes – Golden Collection, Volume Two|publisher=Tower.com|author=Charles Solomon|access-date=August 30, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923192009/http://www.tower.com/looney-tunes-golden-collection-volume-two-tex-avery-dvd/wapi/106976302|archive-date=September 23, 2010|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/Looney-Tunes-Golden-Collection-Vol-3/e/12569688902|title=Looney Tunes Golden Collection – Vol. 3|publisher=Barnesandnoble.com llc|author=Donald Liebenson|access-date=August 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903110017/http://video.barnesandnoble.com/DVD/Looney-Tunes-Golden-Collection-Vol-3/e/12569688902|archive-date=September 3, 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdfanatic.com/review.php?id=loongold5|title=Review: Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 5|publisher=DVDFanatic.com|author=Ken Shallcross|access-date=August 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104180717/http://dvdfanatic.com/review.php?id=loongold5|archive-date=January 4, 2010|url-status=usurped}} for cartoons directed by Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones. On February 13, 2006, Kricfalusi started his own weblog, John K Stuff, posting about cartoons and the animation industry. The site was originally intended for other artists and entertainers, and specifically other cartoonists.{{cite web |url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2007/02/its-been-whole-year.html |title=it's been a whole year so thanks! |author=John Kricfalusi |date=February 13, 2007 |access-date=January 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105170717/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2007/02/its-been-whole-year.html |archive-date=January 5, 2010 |url-status=live }}

Kricfalusi directed commercials for Comcast{{cite web|url=http://www.coldhardflash.com/2007/07/comcast-and-john-k-got-game.html|title=Comcast and John K Got Game|author=Aaron Simpson|date=July 16, 2007|access-date=November 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110144358/http://www.coldhardflash.com/2007/07/comcast-and-john-k-got-game.html|archive-date=November 10, 2013|url-status=live}} and Voice over IP company Raketu{{cite web|url=http://animatedviews.com/2007/ceo-and-founder-greg-parker-on-raketu/|title=Raketu CEO Greg Parker on John K. collaboration|author=Josh Armstrong|date=March 21, 2007|access-date=November 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110150047/http://animatedviews.com/2007/ceo-and-founder-greg-parker-on-raketu/|archive-date=November 10, 2013|url-status=live}} in 2007. He was developing a series of cartoon commercials in 2008 for Pontiac Vibe starring George Liquor and Jimmy The Idiot Boy,{{cite web |url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2008/03/george-liquor-pilot-sketches.html |title=George Liquor Pilot Sketches |author=John Kricfalusi |date=March 20, 2008 |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105171445/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2008/03/george-liquor-pilot-sketches.html |archive-date=January 5, 2010 |url-status=live }} but the series remained unreleased after General Motors discontinued the Pontiac Vibe auto line in 2009.{{cite web|first=Frank|last=Williams|date=June 18, 2009|title=Bye-Bye, Vibe|url=http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/bye-bye-vibe/|publisher=The Truth About Cars|access-date=June 18, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620051545/http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/bye-bye-vibe/|archive-date=June 20, 2009|url-status=live}} He developed and animated a series of bumpers using Toon Boom Harmony for Adult Swim in 2011 and again in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/quick-peek.html|title=Quick Peek|author=John Kricfalusi|work=John K Suff|date=April 27, 2011|access-date=April 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901120026/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/quick-peek.html|archive-date=September 1, 2011|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/advertising/john-kricfalusi-makes-squidbillies-promo-for-adult-swim-111586.html|title=John Kricfalusi Makes 'Squidbillies' Promo For Adult Swim|author=Amid Amidi|work=Cartoon Brew|date=April 8, 2015|access-date=May 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417124612/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/advertising/john-kricfalusi-makes-squidbillies-promo-for-adult-swim-111586.html|archive-date=April 17, 2015|url-status=live}} He animated the opening couch gags of two episodes of The Simpsons, "Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts", which aired in October 2011 and "Treehouse of Horror XXVI", which aired in October 2015. He collaborated with streetwear brand Stüssy to create a short series of apparel based on his designs in 2012, which he promoted with a commercial featuring some of his characters.

The advertising agency Muhtayzik-Hoffer hired Kricfalusi in 2013 for an ad campaign for F'real milkshakes.{{Citation|title=Milkshake Marketer Boasts Thousands of Locations, Low Awareness|work=Ad Age|author=Sonya Chudgar|date=June 18, 2013}} He was involved in the early development of many Reel FX projects such as the 2013 film Free Birds, a pitch for a film adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book Happy Birthday to You! and a pitch for a film he created with Jim Smith. He posted the concepts for these projects on his blog.{{cite news|last=Kricfalusi|first=John|title=Free Birds AKA Time Turkeys|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2013/10/free-birds-aka-time-turkeys.html|access-date=November 4, 2013|date=October 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106205551/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2013/10/free-birds-aka-time-turkeys.html|archive-date=November 6, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Kricfalusi|first=John|title=Turkey Action|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2013/10/turkey-action.html|access-date=November 4, 2013|date=October 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106205550/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2013/10/turkey-action.html|archive-date=November 6, 2013|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Kricfalusi|first=John|title=Gallery Show in Laguna of My Collection|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/2013/11/gallery-show-in-laguna-of-my-collection.html|access-date=May 11, 2015|date=November 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093148/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/2013/11/gallery-show-in-laguna-of-my-collection.html|archive-date=May 18, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Kricfalusi|first=John|title=Happy Birthday Jim Smith!|url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/2013/10/happy-birthday-jim-smith.html|access-date=May 11, 2015|date=October 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093152/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.ie/2013/10/happy-birthday-jim-smith.html|archive-date=May 18, 2015|url-status=live}} He partnered with animator Mike Judge to produce a series of shorts for UFC that aired on Adult Swim throughout 2016.{{cite news|last=Lynch|first=Jason|title=King of the Hill's Hank Returns to Promote UFC 200 in New Adult Swim Branded Spot|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/television/king-hill-s-hank-returns-promote-ufc-200-new-adult-swim-branded-spot-172298|work=Adweek|access-date=June 29, 2016|date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629231049/http://www.adweek.com/news/television/king-hill-s-hank-returns-promote-ufc-200-new-adult-swim-branded-spot-172298|archive-date=June 29, 2016|url-status=live}}

In 2012, Kricfalusi funded through Kickstarter a cartoon short entitled Cans Without Labels, starring the character George Liquor (with Michael Pataki reprising the role for the final time before his death in 2010, having recorded his lines beforehand), with the initial delivery date of February 2013. The cartoon was due to be screened at the 2016 Annecy International Animated Film Festival for the first time; however, at the last minute it was announced that it was not ready.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/annecyfestival/status/741632173049057280|title=Last minute: J. Kricfalusi has just informed us that Cans Without Labels won't be ready in time for #annecyfestival|author=Annecy Festival|date=June 11, 2016|access-date=June 21, 2016}}{{citation|url=http://www.rotoscopers.com/2016/06/13/the-2016-annecy-international-animated-film-festival-what-you-need-to-know/|title=The 2016 Annecy International Animated Film Festival: What You Need to Know!|author=Brandon Smith|work=Rotoscopers|date=June 13, 2016|access-date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619215039/http://www.rotoscopers.com/2016/06/13/the-2016-annecy-international-animated-film-festival-what-you-need-to-know/|archive-date=June 19, 2016|url-status=live}} However, on August 6, 2017, the Kickstarter was updated, announcing the film's completion.{{Cite web |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1056985656/john-ks-cans-without-labels/posts/1956205?ref=backer_project_update |title=Update 55: Update and Preview of StinkTime Theater · John K's "Cans Without Labels" |access-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809040224/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1056985656/john-ks-cans-without-labels/posts/1956205?ref=backer_project_update |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |url-status=live }} On May 27, 2019, Kricfalusi announced the DVD masterings' completion and released it on his MyShopify store within a week or two, with backers receiving first priority.{{Cite web|url=https://johnkstuff.com/products/cans-without-labels-dvd-1|title=Cans Without Labels - DVD}}

The short received negative reviews for its animation, humor, sound design, storyline and repeatedly delayed production, as well as Kricfalusi's decision to release it following the sexual abuse allegations made against him the previous year. However, some praised Pataki's voice acting performance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedytowatch.com/2019/06/26/review-john-ks-cans-without-labels/amp/|title = Review: John K's Cans Without Labels|date = June 26, 2019}}

In the 2020 documentary Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren and Stimpy Story, Kricfalusi stated in an interview that he was "officially retired" from the animation industry, "though not by choice".

Kricfalusi says he is mostly self-taught, having only spent a year in Sheridan College, barely attending class. He acquired his skills largely by copying cartoons from newspapers and comic books as a child, and by studying cartoons and their production systems from the 1940s and 1950s.

His main influence is Bob Clampett,{{cite book|first=Wheeler W.|last=Dixon|title=Creating Ren and Stimpy. Collected Interviews: Voices from Twentieth-Century Cinema|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JWywnr1dNucC|year=2001|publisher=SIU Press|location=Carbondale, Illinois|pages=82–94|isbn=9780809324170|access-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705041353/http://books.google.com/books?id=JWywnr1dNucC|archive-date=July 5, 2014|url-status=live}} and he also names Chuck Jones, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas,{{cite web |url=http://www.harrymccracken.com/animato/johnk.htm |title=An Interview With Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures' John Kricfalusi |author=Harry McCracken |date=Spring 1988 |work=Animato #16 |access-date=September 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912163839/http://www.harrymccracken.com/animato/johnk.htm |archive-date=September 12, 2010 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2007/09/kirk-greatest-hollywood-actor.html |title=Kirk Douglas, The Greatest Hollywood Actor |author=John Kricfalusi |date=September 20, 2007 |work=John K Stuff |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113041410/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2007/09/kirk-greatest-hollywood-actor.html |archive-date=January 13, 2010 |url-status=live }} Milt Gross, Tex Avery, Peter Lorre, The Three Stooges, Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Don Martin and Robert Ryan.{{cite web |url=https://www.myspace.com/jkricfalusi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081104175510/http://www.myspace.com/jkricfalusi|archive-date=November 4, 2008|title=John Kricfalusi, MySpace |access-date=December 27, 2009}}

Michael Barrier, an animation historian, said that Kricfalusi's works "testify to his intense admiration for Bob Clampett's Warner Bros. cartoons" and that no cartoonist since Clampett created cartoons in which the emotions of the characters "distort their bodies so powerfully".{{cite book |last = Barrier |first = Michael |title = Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in Its Golden Age |publisher = Oxford University Press US |year = 2003 |isbn = 0-19-516729-5 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zDJXnzMh7bkC&pg=PA571 |access-date = January 17, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130619040919/http://books.google.com/books?id=zDJXnzMh7bkC&lpg=PA571&pg=PA571 |archive-date = June 19, 2013 |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Weinstein effect}}

In March 2018, former Spümcø employees Robyn Byrd and Katie Rice told BuzzFeed News that Kricfalusi sexually harassed and groomed them while they were underage.{{cite news|first=Ariane|last=Lange|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/arianelange/john-kricfalusi-ren-stimpy-underage-sexual-abuse|title=Creator Of "Ren & Stimpy" Accused Of Preying On Underage Girls Who Wanted Animation Careers|website=BuzzFeed|publisher=Buzzfeed Media Group|location=New York City|date=March 29, 2018|access-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329234601/https://www.buzzfeed.com/arianelange/john-kricfalusi-ren-stimpy-underage-sexual-abuse|archive-date=March 29, 2018|url-status=live}} Byrd told the website that she was in a sexual relationship with Kricfalusi in 1997 at age 16, and flew to California to live with him when she was 17. Rice said that Kricfalusi had flirted with her and made overt sexual comments towards her starting when she was 14, and sexually harassed her when she turned 18 and began working at his animation studio, Spümcø.

Documents Rice and Byrd had saved from those years corroborate their stories, and several people who worked with Kricfalusi referred to his sexual harassment as an open secret in the animation industry. Kricfalusi was also reported to possess child pornography on his computer. Though the allegations were eventually reported to the police, they could neither arrest nor investigate Kricfalusi because the statute of limitations had passed.

In response, Kricfalusi's lawyer confirmed that "for a brief time, 25 years ago, he had a 16-year-old girlfriend", but denied that Kricfalusi's "avid pursuit" of Rice was sexual harassment or that he had ever possessed child pornography. Kricfalusi released an apology to the women and his fans for his behavior, which he said was motivated by then-undiagnosed bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as "poor impulse control". Byrd and Rice criticized Kricfalusi's statement as a non-apology and an attempt to deflect the blame.{{cite news|first=Gene|last=Maddeus|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/john-kricfalusi-apology-slammed-ren-and-stimpy-1202809703/|title='Ren & Stimpy' Creator Slammed for 'Apology' to Underage Girls|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|location=New York City|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=June 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528022552/http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/john-kricfalusi-apology-slammed-ren-and-stimpy-1202809703/|archive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}

Due to the allegations, Kricfalusi will not be involved in Comedy Central's upcoming revival of The Ren & Stimpy Show, nor will he receive any financial compensation from it.{{cite web |last1=Holloway |first1=Daniel |title='Ren & Stimpy' Revival Set at Comedy Central; Adult Animation Veteran Grant Gish Joins ViacomCBS |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/ren-stimpy-revival-set-at-comedy-central-adult-animation-veteran-grant-gish-joins-viacomcbs-1234726073/ |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=5 August 2020|access-date=6 August 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Amidi |first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |date=January 1, 2021 |title=Billy West Says 'Ren & Stimpy' Reboot Still On At Comedy Central |language=en-US |url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/billy-west-says-ren-stimpy-reboot-still-on-at-comedy-central-200451.html |website=cartoonbrew.com|access-date=October 27, 2021}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Cite book |last=Komorowski |first=Thad |year=2013 |title=Sick Little Monkeys: The Unauthorized Ren & Stimpy Story |publisher=BearManor Media |isbn=9781593932343}}

{{Portal|Biography|Cartoon|Canada}}

{{Wikiquote-inline}}

• [http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/ John K Stuff] – John K's blog that discusses mostly cartoons (formerly titled "All Kinds of Stuff")
• [http://www.blogger.com/profile/14033480276168015590 John K's blogger profile] listing his [http://johnkcurriculum.blogspot.com/ curriculum] for cartoonists, [http://johnkpitch.blogspot.com/ show pitches], and several other blogs.
• [http://johnkstuff.com John K. Store Website]
• {{IMDb name|id= 0471136|name=John Kricfalusi}}

{{Inkpot Award 2000s}}

{{Winsor McCay Award 2000s}}

{{Spümcø}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kricfalusi, John}}

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