YOLO (2020 TV series)
{{short description|Adult animated television series}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image = YOLO Crystal Fantasy.png
| caption = Title card for season 1
| alt_name = {{plainlist |
- YOLO: Crystal Fantasy (season 1)
- YOLO: Silver Destiny (season 2)
- YOLO: Rainbow Trinity (season 3)
}}
| genre = Animated sitcom
Surreal humor
| creator = Michael Cusack
| writer =
| director = Michael Cusack
| voices = {{plainlist |
- Sarah Bishop
- Todor Manojlovic
- Michael Cusack
}}
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = {{plainlist |
- Brendan Caulfield (season 1 and 3)
- Todor Manojlovic (season 2)
}}
| country = Australia
United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 3
| num_episodes = 23
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{plainlist |
- Michael Cusack
- Greta Lee Jackson (season 1)
- Mike Cowap (season 2–present)
- Emma Fitzsimons
- Keith Crofford (season 1)
- Ollie Green (season 2)
- Walter Newman (season 1–2)
- Kelly Crews (season 3)
- Cameron Tang (season 3)
- Jordan Askins (season 3)
}}
| producer = {{plainlist |
- Mike Cowap (season 1)
- Ollie Green (season 1)
- Laura DiMaio (season 2)
- Paul Moran (season 3)
- Cody DeMatteis (season 3)
}}
| editor = Anthony George (season 3)
| cinematography =
| runtime = 11 minutes
33 minutes (episode 16)
| company = {{plainlist |
- Princess Pictures
- Cusack Creatures (season 2-present)
- Williams Street
}}
| channel = {{Plainlist|
- Adult Swim {{small|(United States)}}
- Stan {{small|(Australia)}}
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|2020|8|10}}
| last_aired = present
}}
YOLO is an adult animated television series created by Michael Cusack for Cartoon Network's nighttime programming block Adult Swim, and streaming in Australia on Stan as an exclusive.{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/why-not-wollongong-disney-backs-irreverent-aussie-superhero-spoof-20230103-p5ca19.html | title=Michael Cusack's animated series Koala Man is now streaming on Disney+ }} The series is loosely adaptated from Cusack's web series of the same name. The first season, entitled YOLO: Crystal Fantasy premiered on August 10, 2020; the pilot was aired on April 1, 2020 as a part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' Day event alongside another project of Cusack's, Smiling Friends.{{cite web|author=Joe Otterson |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/adult-swim-yolo-crystal-fantasy-michael-cusack-1203547708/ |title=Adult Swim Orders 'YOLO: Crystal Fantasy' (EXCLUSIVE) |publisher=Variety |date=2020-03-30 |access-date=2020-07-26}}{{cite web|last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/adult-swim-charges-up-yolo-crystal-fantasy-from-michael-cusack/ |title=Adult Swim Charges Up 'YOLO: Crystal Fantasy' from Michael Cusack |publisher=Animation Magazine |date=2020-03-30 |access-date=2020-07-26}} A second season titled YOLO: Silver Destiny was slated to air on January 16, 2023 on Adult Swim but was delayed to January 23, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/09/adult-swims-down-under-party-girls-return-in-yolo-silver-destiny/|title=Adult Swim's Down Under Party Girls Return in 'YOLO: Silver Destiny'|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|website=Animation Magazine|date=2022-09-27|access-date=2022-11-02}}{{cite web|title=Princess Pictures Acquires Irish Animation Studio Boulder Media|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/11/princess-pictures-acquires-irish-animation-studio-boulder-media/|website=Animation Magazine|date=2022-11-01|access-date=2022-11-02}}{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/yolo-crystal-fantasy-season-2-silver-destiny-2023-adult-swim/|last=Valdez|first=Nick|title=YOLO: Crystal Fantasy Season 2 Announced With New Title|website=Comicbook.com|date=2022-09-27|access-date=2022-12-01}}{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/12/trailer-adult-swim-offers-first-look-at-yolo-silver-destiny/|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|title=Trailer: Adult Swim Offers First Look at 'YOLO: Silver Destiny'|website=Animation Magazine|date=2022-12-08|access-date=2022-12-08}} On October 12, 2023, it was announced that the series was renewed for a third season titled YOLO: Rainbow Trinity which premiered on March 9, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/10/nycc-adult-swim-greenlights-spanish-language-women-wearing-shoulder-pads-re-ups-yolo/|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|title=NYCC: Adult Swim Greenlights Spanish-Language 'Women Wearing Shoulder Pads,' Re-Ups 'YOLO'|website=Animation Magazine|date=2023-10-12|access-date=2023-10-12}}{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/01/michael-cusacks-yolo-rainbow-trinity-hits-adult-swim-march-9/|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|title=Michael Cusack’s 'YOLO: Rainbow Trinity' Hits Adult Swim March 9|website=Animation Magazine|date=2025-01-31|access-date=2025-01-31}}
The series follows the adventures of friends Rachel and Sarah as they travel through Australia.
Voice cast
= Main =
- Sarah Bishop as Sarah Dale
- Todor Manojlovic as Rachel / additional voices
- Michael Cusack as Sarah Dale (two pilot episodes released on YouTube in 2012 and 2014) / Lucas the Magnificent / Peeleken / Sarah's parents / Gellivah / Sarah's daughter / Sarah's grandmother / additional voices
= Guest =
- Michelle Brasier as Miki
- Jarrad Wright as Pink Wizard
- Naomi Higgins as Maddison
- Greta Lee Jackson as Donna
- Flying Lotus as himself
- Sam Knight
- Emma Chamberlain as Sofia
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
| auxA = Title
| color1 = #FFA500
| link1 = #Season 1: Crystal Fantasy (2020)
| auxA1 = Crystal Fantasy
| episodes1 = 8
| start1 = {{Start date|2020|8|10}}
| end1 = {{End date|2020|8|31}}
| color2 = #006600
| link2 = #Season 2: Silver Destiny (2023)
| auxA2 = Silver Destiny
| episodes2 = 8
| start2 = {{Start date|2023|1|23}}
| end2 = {{Start date|2023|3|6}}
| color3 = #FB680D
| link3 = #Season 3: Rainbow Trinity (2025)
| auxA3 = Rainbow Trinity
| episodes3 = 8
| start3 = {{Start date|2025|3|9}}
| end3 = {{Start date|2025|4|27}}
}}
=Season 1: ''Crystal Fantasy'' (2020)=
{{Episode table|background=FFA500|overall=|season=|title=|director=|writer=|airdate=|airdateR={{cite web |title=YOLO: Crystal Fantasy – Listings |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/yolo-crystal-fantasy/listings/ |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=March 15, 2021}}|country=US|viewers=|episodes={{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 1
|EpisodeNumber2= 1
|Title= Maddison's Birthday Party
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|10}}{{efn|This episode had an advanced stealth premiere on April 1, 2020 as part of Adult Swim’s annual April Fools' stunt.}}
|ShortSummary=Rachel gets an invite to Maddison's birthday party, and brings along Sarah as her "plus-one." Rachel climbs a tower to get a selfie with Maddison, while Sarah is banished to the Plus-One Mines.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 2
|EpisodeNumber2= 2
|Title= The Dusty Truck 'n' Donut Muster
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|10}}
|ShortSummary=Rachel and Sarah head to the "Dusty Truck 'n' Donut Muster" in Goondiwindi, but Rachel is unaware she's walking into a trap. Meanwhile, Sarah forgot to buy a ticket and follows a shaman around the area to get in.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 3
|EpisodeNumber2= 3
|Title= A Very Extremely Very Yolo Christmas: Reloaded
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|17}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah and Rachel go on a Christmas cruise organized by Sarah's nan. Shortly after arriving, Sarah's nan self-destructs and the cruise ship is bitten in half by a large crocodile. After washing ashore at The Beach, Sarah and Rachel try to find the crocodile that sunk them for different reasons. Flying Lotus appears as himself in this episode.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 4
|EpisodeNumber2= 4
|Title= The Terry Cup
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michelle Brasier & Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|17}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah and Rachel go to the Terry Cup, a dance competition where dancers try to please a giant floating head named Terry. Rachel quickly gambles herself into 8 Million "Terry credits" of debt, while Sarah gets jealous at her ex-boyfriend's new fling: a garbage bin.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 5
|EpisodeNumber2= 5
|Title= Bush Doof
|RTitle=
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack & Nina Oyama
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|24}}
|ShortSummary=Rachel steers Sarah's car off a cliff after hearing about the nearby Bush Doof. Soon, the party escalates into a war between two Bush Wizards.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 6
|EpisodeNumber2= 6
|Title= Planet Horoscope
|RTitle=
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Greta Lee Jackson & Lena Moon
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|24}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah decides to take a solo vacation to Planet Bali, but falls through a wormhole and crash-lands on Planet Horoscope, where she meets her star-sign Capricorn. Meanwhile, Rachel tries to follow her in a rocket built and captained by Lucas.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 7
|EpisodeNumber2= 7
|Title= Enter Bushworld Part One
|RTitle=
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack & Anca Vlasan
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|31}}
|ShortSummary=A drunken Rachel tries to pee on a crystal tree and falls into another dimension where a Ute Party is happening. Meanwhile, years pass on Earth as Sarah gives up Rachel for dead, gets married, and has a daughter.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 8
|EpisodeNumber2= 8
|Title= Enter Bushworld Part Two
|RTitle=
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack & Anca Vlasan
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2020|8|31}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah becomes a widow after her husband’s death, but finds her new passion in pottery. Rachel continues wandering through the other dimension, looking for a party, and later has an epiphany after speaking with an elderly and frail Sarah while sinking in quicksand.
|LineColor= FFA500
}}}}
=Season 2: ''Silver Destiny'' (2023)=
{{Episode table|background=006600|overall=|season=|title=|director=|writer=|airdate=|airdateR={{cite web |title=YOLO: Silver Destiny – Episode Guide |url=https://tvlistings.zap2it.com/overview.html?programSeriesId=SH04581878&tmsId=SH045818780000&from=TVGrid&aid=gapzap |website=zap2it |access-date=January 9, 2023}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}|country=US|viewers=|episodes={{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 9
|EpisodeNumber2= 1
|Title= Sausage Sizzle
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack & Anca Vlasan
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|1|23}}
|ShortSummary=After a wild night of partying, Sarah and Rachel stumble into a spiritual commune for a free sausage sizzle and encounter the Purple Fire God, who tells them their destiny.
|LineColor= 006600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 10
|EpisodeNumber2= 2
|Title= Planet Bali
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Anca Vlasan & Greta Lee Jackson
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|1|23}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah, Rachel and Lucas head to Planet Bali for Sarah's sister's wedding and are surprised to discover the identity of the groom; while waiting on the beach to guard Rachel's sword, Lucas encounters a mermaid who sets him on a new quest.
|LineColor= 006600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 11
|EpisodeNumber2= 3
|Title= High School Reunion
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Anca Vlasan & Greta Lee Jackson
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|1|30}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah throws a Wollongong High School reunion to show off her blossoming new garden, but the success of her old school mates only deepens her crisis of self-worth; Lucas must face a mysterious muscled bat boy to compete for Sarah's attention.
|LineColor= 006600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 12
|EpisodeNumber2= 4
|Title= Chaise in the City
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Anca Vlasan, Michelle Blasier & Jillian Bass
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|2|6}}
|ShortSummary=The girls watch an art house flick starring a hot young actor; this leads to a wild romantic dream for Sarah; Rachel is determined to sabotage Sarah's dream.
|LineColor= 006600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 13
|EpisodeNumber2= 5
|Title= Jamberoo
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Anca Vlasan & Nina Oyama
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|2|13}}
|ShortSummary=The gang travel 300 million years back in time using Lucas's time machine, where Sarah tries to rescue the Australian megafauna from a comet using skills she's learnt from a self-help guide; Rachel finds a special connection with a rugged Mega-Bilb.
|LineColor= 006600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 14
|EpisodeNumber2= 6
|Title= The Parents Episode
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Anca Vlasan, Michelle Braiser & Todor Manojlovic
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|2|20}}
|Viewers= {{TableTBA|N/A}}
|ShortSummary=On a quest for a tale of familial lore, Lucas seeks out the story of how Sarah's parents met; he hears a ripping yarn of fair maidens and reckless bravery set in Ye Olde Wollongong, where Dad needs to save Mum from an arranged marriage to a boulder.
|LineColor= 006600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 15
|EpisodeNumber2= 7
|Title= Journey to the Chasm of the Bees
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Anca Vlasan & Nina Oyama
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|2|27}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah is kidnapped by bees whilst tending to her flowering garden and taken to their honey castle, where she becomes their empress.{{cite web |title=YOLO: Silver Destiny (2023) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yolo_silver_destiny/s02 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=10 February 2023}}
|LineColor= 006600
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 16
|EpisodeNumber2= 8
|Title= This is LITERALLY the Finale
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack & Anca Vlasan
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2023|3|6}}
|ShortSummary=Sarah and Rachel set off in pursuit of their destinies as a gardener and a dark empress.
Note: At 33 minutes long, this is currently the longest episode in the series.
|LineColor= 006600
}}}}
=Season 3: ''Rainbow Trinity'' (2025)=
{{Episode table |background=FB680D |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR={{cite web |title=Adult Swim Schedule |url=https://www.adultswim.com/schedule |website=Adultswim.com |access-date=February 19, 2025}} |country=US |viewers= |episodes={{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 17
|EpisodeNumber2= 1
|Title= <3 ¸,ؤO°`°O¤Ø, ¸ ¸,ؤO°<3 Love Heart <3 Fun Times at the Festy Gong-Fest
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|3|9}}
|Viewers=
|ShortSummary= Sarah goes to her first music festival with Rachel, who is determined to go backstage and meet her favorite band, but their VIP experience gets cut short when Rachel goes to the bathroom.
|LineColor= FB680D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 18
|EpisodeNumber2= 2
|Title= Winery Crawl Slip and Slide Ride (MMM YUMMY WINE LOL *KISSYS*)
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|3|16}}
|Viewers=
|ShortSummary= Sarah and Rachel spend some quality time with Sarah's parents at Winery Crawl World where Lucas tries to join them.
|LineColor= FB680D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 19
|EpisodeNumber2= 3
|Title= hiiiii, watchu doinnn :) nm u?, thats gud, hahah, whatcya up tooooooo, nothing muuuuch, haha saame :) or FIGHT! Battle of Bubble Gum Park Rawrrr {{cite web |title=YOLO: Rainbow Trinity {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yolo/s03#episodes |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |access-date=1 March 2025 |language=en}}
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|3|23}}
|Viewers=
|ShortSummary= Sarah and Rachel celebrate Peeleken's "splirthday party" at Bubble Gum Park.
Note: This episode was previewed at New York Comic Con on October 17, 2024.
|LineColor= FB680D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 20
|EpisodeNumber2= 4
|Title= All Night Gaming 2
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|3|30}}
|Viewers=
|ShortSummary= Lucas brings Sarah and Rachel to an internet cafe, where he accidentally traps them in a simulation of his own making.
|LineColor= FB680D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 21
|EpisodeNumber2= 5
|Title= SOMEONE COME BRING ME FOOD AND ENTERTAIN ME! (SNOW EP) (SPONSOR MONSTER EP)
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|4|6}}
|Viewers=
|ShortSummary= Sarah and Rachel go on a girls trip to a snowy cabin with Sarah's old bestie, Tricia, and two of her mates.
|LineColor= FB680D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 22
|EpisodeNumber2= 6
|Title= Our Lovely Jubbly, Wovley, Bubbly, Zubbly, Lovely, Bubbly Wubbly Tasmania :P
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|4|13}}
|Viewers=
|ShortSummary= A day at the beach spirals into chaos when Sarah and Rachel are caught in a rip tide and wash up on the mysterious island of Tasmania.
|LineColor= FB680D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 23
|EpisodeNumber2= 7
|Title= The Wollongong Santa Pub Crawl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RAWR!!!
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack, Catriona Drummond & Michael Dockery
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|4|20}}
|Viewers=
|ShortSummary= Sarah and Rachel meet up with their friends at the annual Santa Pub Crawl in Wollongong. Rachel sets out to meet Santa so he can grant her one wish before Christmas is over.
|LineColor= FB680D
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber= 24
|EpisodeNumber2= 8
|Title= The Cozy Backyard Afternoon Musical
|DirectedBy= Michael Cusack
|WrittenBy= Michael Cusack
|OriginalAirDate= {{Start date|2025|4|27}}
|Viewers=
|LineColor= FB680D
|ShortSummary= While hosting a BBQ in the backyard, Sarah's Dad trips the electricity and causes a power outage. Sarah and Rachel embark on a perilous quest to turn the switchboard back on.
}}
}}
Release
The series premiered on Adult Swim in the United States on August 10, 2020. It later was acquired by Australian streaming service Stan as a "Stan Exclusive"{{cite web | url=https://www.stan.com.au/watch/yolo/season-1-crystal-fantasy | title=Watch YOLO Season 1: Crystal Fantasy Online | Stream TV Shows | Stan }} In the United Kingdom, the series premiered on E4 on September 10.
References
{{Reflist}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|12058366}}
{{Adult Swim original programming}}{{Portal bar|Animation|Cartoon|Comedy|United States|Television}}
Category:2020 American television series debuts
Category:2020s Australian animated television series
Category:Australian adult animated comedy television series
Category:2020s American adult animated television series
Category:2020s American animated comedy television series
Category:2020s American sitcoms
Category:Adult Swim animated television series
Category:American adult animated comedy television series
Category:American animated sitcoms
Category:American flash adult animated television series
Category:Australian flash animated television series
Category:Television series created by Michael Cusack (animator)
Category:Australian English-language television shows