Uh, huh huh huh. Everyone’s favorite teenage slackers are returning to TV this year. Beavis and Butt-Head are back with new episodes and a new film on Paramount+. First announced in July 2020, the revival will consist of two new seasons, as well as movies and specials. The first film, Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe -- a semi-sequel to 1996’s Beavis and Butt-Head Do America -- was released on June 23, 2022.
Die-hard fans will remember that this is not the first time that the ‘90s teenage delinquents have made a return. In 2011, MTV aired 22 new episodes with a style reminiscent of the original series. Despite initial success in the ratings, the numbers quickly dwindled, and the series was canceled again.
Now, creator Mike Judge is making another attempt to bring the boys back to life. With the promise of two new seasons and a movie preparing for release, it’s clear that Paramount+ has confidence in Beavis and Butt-Head. The only question is, will viewers return to the series beloved by so many growing up? Here is what the revival needs to do to be successful again.
Classic Beavis and Butt-Head Humor
No one could accuse Beavis and Butt-Head of aiming for high-class humor, and much of the series’ charm came from just how much pride it took in its lowbrow attitude. The boys rarely had any ambition when it came to school, work, or just everyday life. However, that changes any time there is even the slightest chance they think they could “score.” The duo erupts into their familiar chuckles whenever anything that could be considered even remotely sexual is said or implied. The two have little regard for the well-being of others and each other and show no remorse when one of them (often Beavis) gets injured during their escapades. Their only real goals are finding activities they deem “cool” and looking for ways to attempt to score, failing every time.
Beavis and Butt-head is still a guilty pleasure for many. It is a way for viewers to step away from their lives and laugh at the misfortune of these two idiots. For the revival to work, this essential formula should not change. Of course, it’s been almost 30 years since the original series premiered, so some humor from the ‘90s may not hold up as well today. However, it can still work as long as the title characters are the center of the jokes.
The Side Characters
Viewers enjoyed watching them rarely get a win, hurting themselves and sometimes others in the process. Characters like neurotic principal Mr. McVicker and hippie teacher Mr. Van Driessen occasionally suffered at the hands of the boys. This suffering was usually only temporary, as the others would return (mostly) alive and well in the subsequent episodes. The duo’s antics did not come from a place of malice, just ignorance, so we could still root for them. After all, the side characters never suffered as much as Beavis and Butt-Head.
The new movie Do the Universe reveals that the show has not lost any of that sophomoric humor, and the two definitely put themselves through more trauma. If the revival can keep this brand of humor and focus on the two leads, it could lead to a second long life for the boys.
The Music Videos & Other Media
In between episodes of the original series, real music videos were incorporated for the duo to critique. Like everything else they enjoy, these were typically deemed as being cool or sucking, or some variation on that. The heavy metal and rock videos often resonated the most with the boys. Though Judge would improvise the commentary, it felt like the main series, with the two “huh-huh-ing” at any sexual innuendo.
In addition to the music videos, the 2011 revival incorporated clips from other MTV shows for the two to react to, such as Jersey Shore, True Life, and 16 and Pregnant. While the music videos worked in the original, it was nice to see the boys react to other media, as the reaction humor could be adapted to almost any form of media. Reality shows were much more prevalent in 2011 than the original ‘90s run, so adding those reactions helped the show feel more up-to-date with the times while still keeping that same reaction element.
Beavis and Butt-Head were ahead of the times, as reaction videos on YouTube have really taken off in the last ten years. People record themselves reacting to music videos, comedy and prank videos, movie trailers, and even reacting to other people’s reactions. This opens up a whole new world of potential for the titular boys. They seem like they would really enjoy prank videos or videos where people get hurt. Having the two set up a channel where they react to these types of videos would be a perfect modern complement to the old music video days. It fits their characters and can bring the show into the modern internet era while maintaining the original's reaction style.
Of course, music videos have not gone anywhere, so reacting to those should be a big part of the new series. Who wouldn’t want to see Beavis and Butt-Head’s take on some of today’s music videos?
Yes, Beavis and Butt-Head can work today if it sticks to the formula that made it work nearly 30 years ago.