“I think it’s a subversion”: Smiling Friends creators reveal how Season 3 explores stronger themes than the previous installments

Smiling Friends has always been a show that lives on absurd chaos, but Season 3 takes that madness to a surprisingly thoughtful place. In an interview with Variety, Zach Hadel went on to discuss the show’s deeper tone this season.

“I view that as like, I know the word subversive is kind of over said, but I think it’s a subversion...”

Together with co-creator Michael Cusack, Hadel dives into themes that feel both hilarious and quietly profound. While the show still delivers its signature nonsense, this season digs beneath the laughter to question life, fandom, and meaning itself.

Between Chaos and Meaning -- How Smiling Friends turns absurdity into reflection

If you’ve ever watched Smiling Friends, you know that no episode follows through in a straight line. One minute you’re watching a frog meltdown on national TV, and the next you’re staring at a scene that feels like drama with a man painted green crying into his dinner. That’s exactly the kind of switch Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack wanted to explore this season.

Hadel explained to Variety that moments like Mr. Frog’s dinner scene weren’t about being serious for the sake of it, but about turning the ordinary into something shockingly funny. He said:

“It’s still a real man painted green in shorts, pouring his heart out...”

He emphasized that the humor lies in treating the absurd as sincere.

Cusack added that the series doesn’t aim to deliver lessons but rather “thematic questions.” For him, each episode becomes a playful thought experiment, like asking:

“Should I be addicted to fandom or do something positive with my life?”

The beauty of Smiling Friends lies in this contradiction: it never moralizes, yet somehow it lands on optimism. It’s messy and it’s weird, and it feels very human beneath all of the chaos.

Building Smiling Friends Season 3 -- A balancing act of instinct, humor, and humanity

For Hadel and Cusack, Smiling Friends isn’t a show born from formulas, but it’s a show based on their very own instinct. Cusack compared each season to an album, telling Variety that they “try to create a track list that all works together,” making sure that no episode feels like a repeat.

While Season 1 leaned heavily on story structure and Season 2 favored a lot of improvisation, Season 3 got the best of both worlds. As Hadel described, they’ve been chasing the perfect formula ever “since the pilot,” searching for that sweet spot where natural absurdity comes with a properly established rhythm.

That sense of balance extends to how they handle humor and boundaries. Their writers’ room, Cusack said, often starts as “white noise” before they refine ideas into something actually workable.

The scene where Allan kicks his assistant was one such debate. It was funny, shocking, and risky all at once. Hadel recalled showing Cusack the sketch, initially afraid it might “ruin the character,” only for Cusack to convince him otherwise.

It worked because the moment stayed rooted in character and surprise, not cruelty. Season 3 thrives on that same push-and-pull, testing limits while keeping heart intact. It’s a rare feat where nonsense feels intentional, and comedy somehow mirrors real life.

Season 3 of Smiling Friends proves that even the most chaotic show can evolve without losing its spark. Hadel and Cusack aren’t out to lecture their audience or chase fan approval, but they’re crafting what feels authentic and funny to them.

Their idea of subversion isn’t rebellion for shock’s sake; it’s honesty wrapped in absurdity. Smiling Friends has never looked this ridiculous or this emotionally sharp, and that’s exactly why it continues to stand out in today’s landscape of over-explained comedy.

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