It is a sad but true fact that many great podcasts go
defunct after one season and a handful of episodes. It's frustrating, but
sometimes creators lose their passion, move on to other projects, or life gets
in the way. Still, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy what we do have. Where
am I going with this? Why, to the podcast we're going to review! We're taking a
look at the podcast Lights Out.
Lights Out follows two female fruit bats named Mallory and Spencer. They get into plenty of wacky adventures and good times at the zoo they live in. However, Malory is about to be moved to another zoo, so they've got to make the most of the time they still have together.
Just a brief note, Lights Out should not be confused with the old time radio horror show of the same name. You might remember that one from the Chicken Heart routine Bill Cosby did before everyone learned of his dark secrets. So, obviously, pretty big difference between that Lights Out and the Lights Out we're reviewing.
What can I say? Lights Out is cute, funny, and I love it. It's very much a sitcom in an unusual setting. It is written by Helen Burak, who also voices Spencer, with Mallory voiced by Megan Goldman. They're joined by a team of several more talented voice actors, who all do a fantastic job. The theme music is called "Colourful Spots" by Nicolai Heidlas, and is an absolute joy to listen to. I should say upfront that Lights Out, despite featuring talking animals, is not a kids show. There is swearing in the first episode, including an f-bomb or two, but otherwise there isn't anything too inappropriate for kids. My guess is that the creators didn't want to get mistaken and/or pigeonholed as a kids show, so they put in the swearing to dissuade listeners of that notions.
There are only six episodes, so I guess we can go through them all individually. There were plans for a second season, but it never materialized. Anyway, let's into it.
Episode one is titled "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlebats." Spencer is miffed that the spiders, rather than bats, are being featured as the mascots for the zoo's Halloween webpage. So she decides to create her own bat-centric holiday no matter what it takes.
So, this episode set up the basic premise and let us get to know our leads. Spencer is the eccentric one who comes up with wacky schemes, while Mallory acts as the straight woman, or straight bat, as the case may be, and voice of reason. We also get to learn that bats are one of the only mammals, besides humans, that menstruate. That is indeed a real bat fact. This comes up when Spencer tries to create a holiday about menstruation called Bat Mitzvah. Oh, now that I write in down, I see that it's a pun on multiple levels. Before that, Spencer tried to make a bat-themed version of Christmas called Batmas. This episode also sets up the main conflict of Mallory being moved to another zoo. All in all, a good first episode.
Episode two is titled "Quarantine." The flu is in the air, and Spencer discovers that Mallory hasn't been vaccinated. So she does the rational thing: puts the exhibit under quarantine. To get those vaccinations, Spencer and Malory are going to face their greatest foe yet: The American Health Insurance Industry!
Wow, I picked a really bad time to review this podcast. For those of you reading this in the future, I'm writing in the middle of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It started in China because...of a bat someone ate. Well, let's ignore that for a moment. It is funny how Spencer overreacts to Mallory potentially having the flu, but given the rise of the anti-vaxxer movement, I can't help but feel she had a right to be paranoid. Hmm, nah, I'm probably overthinking it.
Let's leave the dreariness behind, shall we? The part where Mallory and Spencer call the insurance agency was pretty funny. It reminds me of the stuff my parents went through when they got the insurance agency to pay for my jaw surgery. It was to correct faulty orthodontics, if you're wondering. Anyway, we also learn that Mallory and Spencer's enclosure has a kitchen, a computer, and a telephone. How is this possible? Don't think to hard about it, it's not that kind of show. I also liked when they finally confronted the insurance agent, and Spencer forced Mallory to wear a hazmat suit. Another solid episode.
Episode three is titled "S.C.R.E.A.M." Spencer is trying to help Mallory prepare for her new life by teaching her fun acronyms. Acronyms for things like how to eat fruit without choking, or what to do if your friend has rabies. She also recommends Mallory get to know her new enclosuremate Hazel. Mallory and Hazel hit it off, but this makes Spencer jealous.
We've all been through that time when your best friend get a new friend, and you feel left out. I had a feeling that the acronyms were gonna turn-out to be useful, but I wasn't expecting Spencer to be one who needed saving. And wouldn't you know it, turns out Hazel is just like Spencer. Mallory is gonna be okay after all. That's three in a row for great episodes.
Episode four is titled "Stop Looking at Us, Kid." A little human boy is lost at the bat enclosure. Spencer will have to babysit him, while Mallory and friends go look for the kid's parents.
This was a live episode recorded at iO West in Hollywood as part of the 4th Annual Scripted Comedy Festival. Live episodes are always a bit of a gamble, but this one turned out pretty well. It didn't sound too different than a typical episode. From this episode, we see that Mallory and Spencer aren't as different as they seem. In fact, their usual roles are reversed. Mallory is freaking out because her horoscope says that her friendship with Spencer won't last. Meanwhile, Spencer has to be the voice of reason and calm Mallory down. So yeah, Mallory believes in astrology and aroma therapy, among other things. We also learn that Mallory and Spencer have been friends for two and a half years. I do kind of wish we'd gotten to know a bit more about their pasts at some point. It could have been interesting.
We also learn that Mallory and Spencer can come and go from their enclosure as they please. Again, don't think too hard about it. All in all, anther great episode.
The fifth episode is titled "Kindness Debt." Mallory's departure is immanent, and Spencer is struggling to find a farewell gift. She soon settles on the idea of paying back all the kindness that Mallory has given her and the other zoo animals. Naturally, she ropes the rest of the zoo into her scheme. They can just get it all out the way in one go. How hard can it be?
I have been in a very similar situation as this. I always stress about what to get my family for Christmas. I stress, but I always seem to do pretty well. It was especially funny when the snakes suggest a scented candle as a gift, but Spencer shoots it down. Then, wouldn't you know it, Mallory would have like a scented candle. Something similar has happened to me. But what she really wanted was to spend time with everyone, especially Spencer, so they give her a surprise party. The surprise is that they weren't planning on throwing a party when Mallory "found out." What else can I say? Another great episode that I loved.
Episode six is titled "Leaf Hobble." Mallory has officially been moved to the other zoo. Spencer is left despondent and mopey without her best friend around. Maybe Ginger the spider can help lift her spirits.
And so we have reached the season one finale, which unfortunately also became the series finale. At some point or another, we all have to deal with our friends moving away. Sometimes we're the ones who move away. Still, the time we spend with them is meaningful and can never be taken from us. Even after they're gone, we always carry them in our hearts. With technologies like Facebook and Skype, it is easier than ever to keep in touch with friends that no longer live near you.
I don't think they ever said what kind of spider Ginger is, but I always figured tarantula. She's milktoast, soft-spoken, and makes a good foil for Spencer without feeling too much like Mallory. I think she'll be a good friend to Spencer. If nothing else, at least this episode wraps up the plot threads of the season, so the series doesn't end on a cliffhanger or anything. But it still leaves open the possibility of future episodes...which probably won't be coming, but still.
What more can I say? I absolutely love Lights Out, and I desperately wish there were more seasons. Still, we should be thankful for what we do have, and enjoy it to bits. Lights Out only lasted one season, but what a season it was. So there you have it. Lights Out is a cute and funny comedy about two female fruit bats and the wacky adventures they get into. Check it out today, you'll be glad that you did.
Well, that should do it from me for now. I will see you guys next time.
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