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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Arts and Culture devider 'Smiling Friends' ends its run

'Smiling Friends' ends its run

Creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack announce end of show

Published Feb 26, 2026 01:40 pm
PEAK TELEVISION 'Smiling Friends' quickly won the headts of viewers for its impressive animation and surreal sense of humor.
PEAK TELEVISION 'Smiling Friends' quickly won the headts of viewers for its impressive animation and surreal sense of humor.
Popular animated series "Smiling Friends" is calling it a day after meeting worldwide success in a three-season run.
Creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack shared the news via the Adult Swim's social media pages. The news comes as a surprise to its many fans, as it seemed like the showrunners were ready to make more after its third season wrapped up last year. Both creators cited burnout and a sense of finality as key reasons for calling the curtains on their creation.
"This is not a bit, this is not a joke. Michael and I are here to announce that ‘Smiling Friends’ will be ending after Season 3 is done," shared Zach in the clip. “To be perfectly honest, after we finished Season 3, Zach and I just both had the same feeling where we felt pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this, but also pretty accomplished,” continued Michael.
MEET THE ARTISTS Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel (Photo Gage Skidmore)
MEET THE ARTISTS Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel (Photo Gage Skidmore)
Fans, however, can still look forward to two new episodes coming in April. These episodes are not finales, which leaves the show open for a proper ending if they choose to do so. Ending the show was the creators' decision, with Adult Swim letting them do as they please. Rather than passing the show onto other writers, the duo decided it's better to end on a high note than to keep it running on life support.
"Smiling Friends" ran for three seasons on Adult Swim. Its pilot aired unannounced during an April Fools' special on the channel. It proved popular with viewers, leading the network to order a full season for the next year. The show follows Charlie Dompler and Pim Pimling, two employees of the Smiling Friends, a charity organization meant to bring smiles to its clients. They are joined by coworkers, Allan Red, Glep, and Mr. Boss. The show has been graced by actors and Internet stars like Finn Wolfhard of "Stranger Things" fame, voice actor Gilbert Gottfried, "Clerks" star Brian O'Halloran, Newgrounds icon Harry Partridge, and Red Letter Media's Mike Stoklasa.

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