Tripping the Rift
Tripping the Rift is a CGI science fiction comedy television series. The universe is modeled largely after the Star Trek universe, with references to "warp drive" and "transporter beam" technology, occasional time travel, the Federation and the Vulcans. The series also includes elements borrowed from other sources such as Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Battlestar Galactica. The general setting is that known space is politically divided between two superpowers: the Confederation (led by Humans, and a parody of the Federation from Star Trek) and the Dark Clown Empire (a parody of the Galactic Empire from Star Wars). The Dark Clown Empire is a totalitarian, tyrannical police state, led by the evil Darph Bobo. In contrast, the Confederation is technically a democratic and free society, but in practice, is dominated by mega-corporations and bloated bureaucracies. Ultimately, both superpowers end up exploiting and restricting their inhabitants, albeit in different ways. For example, the value placed on life is so commercialized in the Confederation that clearly sentient robots and androids are reduced to essentially slave-status. The Dark Clown Empire practices actual slavery, and while the Confederation does not, most of its inhabitants (including the Human ones) are openly described as living in wage slavery. The only place that anyone can truly be free is in the border region between the two superpowers, which is directly controlled by neither. This borderland is known as "the Rift", hence those outlaws on the fringes of society who cling to their freedom by moving back and forth around the Confederation/Dark Clown Empire border to evade detection are said to be "Tripping the Rift." The series follows one such group of outlaws led by Chode aboard the Spaceship Bob, taking odd-jobs and usually pursuing various get-rich-quick schemes.
- 2004-2007
- 3 seasons
- The Sci-Fi Channel
- Animation, Comedy, Fantasy, Science Fiction
- TV-MA
Tripping the Rift is a CGI science fiction comedy television series. The universe is modeled largely after the Star Trek universe, with references to "warp drive" and "transporter beam" technology, occasional time travel, the Federation and the Vulcans. The series also includes elements borrowed from other sources such as Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Battlestar Galactica. The general setting is that known space is politically divided between two superpowers: the Confederation (led by Humans, and a parody of the Federation from Star Trek) and the Dark Clown Empire (a parody of the Galactic Empire from Star Wars). The Dark Clown Empire is a totalitarian, tyrannical police state, led by the evil Darph Bobo. In contrast, the Confederation is technically a democratic and free society, but in practice, is dominated by mega-corporations and bloated bureaucracies. Ultimately, both superpowers end up exploiting and restricting their inhabitants, albeit in different ways. For example, the value placed on life is so commercialized in the Confederation that clearly sentient robots and androids are reduced to essentially slave-status. The Dark Clown Empire practices actual slavery, and while the Confederation does not, most of its inhabitants (including the Human ones) are openly described as living in wage slavery. The only place that anyone can truly be free is in the border region between the two superpowers, which is directly controlled by neither. This borderland is known as "the Rift", hence those outlaws on the fringes of society who cling to their freedom by moving back and forth around the Confederation/Dark Clown Empire border to evade detection are said to be "Tripping the Rift." The series follows one such group of outlaws led by Chode aboard the Spaceship Bob, taking odd-jobs and usually pursuing various get-rich-quick schemes.
Season 3 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2007
Episode 1
Skankenstein
Chode gets his crew a job as Royal bodyguards to the princess of the black and white nation of Slovenia. Despite their presence, the princess falls victim to foul play anyway, so they set about re-animating her in Dr. Skankenstein's long forgotten secret laboratory.
Episode 2
Chode Eraser
Babbette Bobo is pregnant, apparently by Chode, so her mother Bernice sends the Arnie 1.000 android two months back in time to erase Chode before the deed is consummated.
Episode 3
To eBay or Not to eBay
While visiting an on-line casino, Gus makes some debts. Soon after-wards, all of the least beat up stuff on the Jupiter 42 starts disappearing...
Episode 4
23 1/2
Darph Bobo concocts a convoluted plan to get rid of Chode and Commander Adam at the same time. He kidnaps Six and demands Chode murders Adam within 23.5 minutes. However, Jack Hour of the Alien Terrorist Unit offers to help rescue Six from Intergalactic Airlines flight 69 instead. Once aboard the plane, they find it booby-trapped with deadly snakes.
Episode 5
The Need for Greed
Six receives an E-mail announcing a hefty inheritance. The crew all wants a piece of the action and come up with a mutinous plan to support Six as their captain instead of Chode.
Episode 6
Chuckles Bites the Dust
Darph Bobo's grandfather, Chuckles Schlomo Bobo, has kicked the bucket. One of his last requests is for his arch-nemesis, Benito McBlob to give a eulogy at the funeral. So, it's up to Chode to convince his grandpa to leave the retirement home and say something nice about the man he hated most.
Episode 7
Hollow Chode
Fortune teller Gypsy Rosaly puts a curse on Chode after he refuses to pay her. Back on the Jupiter 42, Chode has turned invisible and immediately begins to take advantage of the situation. After a while it becomes apparent that the curse is causing Chode to be erased from existence all together.
Episode 8
Witness Protection
Commander Adam forces Chode to testify against Darph Bobo in a murder case and puts him in a witness protection program until the trial. Settling down on a suburban planet under the name of 'Chance', Chode becomes the object of desire for all the desperate housewife's in the neighborhood.
Episode 9
Raiders of the Lost Crock of */@?#!"
Chode heads down to the Grope-a-Cabana to 'catch some snatch' and takes Gus along. There he acquires a medallion that could lead to the treasure of the Pyridians. Meanwhile, the Jupiter 42 and the remaining ship are locked in a tractor beam.
Episode 10
The Son Also Rises
Dinia, an old flame of Chode contacts him and informs him of their son, Chode Jr. Soon, Chode is provided custody and has to take the boy on board, giving him Whip's room. Whip has to sleep in the broom closet.
Episode 11
Extreme Takeover
Chode desperately wants to win The Fifty Million Kronig Flaming Colossus race. Whip proposes to have Spaceship Bob souped up at his friend Sergio's Chop shop. Chode also strikes an endorsement deal with Pucker Up hemorrhoid ointment. Things take a turn for the worse when the upgrade installs a virus into Bob's mainframe.
Episode 12
Battle of the Bulge
Chode is suffering from erectile dysfunction after drinking saltpeter-infused beer, and while singlemindedly trying to prove his manhood, he ends up putting the ship and the whole universe in danger.
Episode 13
Tragically Whip
Chode finds an offer for a free family vacation, and mis-uses it in order to take a "company vacation" - but it ends up costing Chode far more than he bargained for.