From Dexter’s Lab to Dirty Dog Jokes: Genndy Tartakovsky Talks “Fixed” – INTERVIEW

Genndy Tartakovsky on “Fixed” and the future of adult animation.

What happens when man’s best friend is about to lose his manhood? In Fixed, a new R-rated animated comedy from five-time Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Dexter’s Laboratory, Primal), a quick-witted mutt named Bull (Adam Devine) discovers his owners plan to neuter him after one too many misadventures. The news sends him on a wild, all-night quest to profess his love to the glamorous show dog next door, Honey (Kathryn Hahn), before it’s too late.

Pushing Animation Into New Territory

While Tartakovsky’s career spans action epics and whimsical children’s shows, Fixed offered his team a brand-new challenge. Many of the animators came from storied studios like Disney and had worked on classics such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit. “For them to work with this kind of subject matter was mind-blowing because they’d never done it before,” Tartakovsky said, noting that these artists were used to family-friendly projects. “They were able to do stuff they’d never really done, with broader, high-energy scenes full of funny drawings — and they loved it.”

Breaking Misconceptions About Adult Animation

The film’s colorful 2D style perfectly matches its outrageous tone, but Tartakovsky is quick to address one of the genre’s biggest myths. “People think that for animation to be adult, it has to be drawn badly or be overly subversive, otherwise it’s just a kid cartoon,” he explained. “That’s not true. Anything can be an adult cartoon — it’s just about the subject matter.”

Despite decades of adult-oriented animated hits like South Park, The Simpsons, and Family Guy, he says the stigma that animation is “for kids” still lingers. While the industry is slowly changing, Tartakovsky sees Fixed as “a big jump for anybody who tunes in.”

Why Timeless Storytelling Matters

One of the ways Tartakovsky keeps his work relevant for years to come is by avoiding pop culture-heavy writing. “I love character humor versus pop culture humor,” he said. He points to Dumb and Dumber as a perfect example of a comedy with enduring appeal, packed with unforgettable characters and a mix of clever and audacious jokes. For him, projects that rely on “now” references quickly lose their charm, so he focuses on stories that can connect with audiences decades later.

Championing Original Stories Over Safe IP

When asked what he would “fix” about the animation industry, Tartakovsky didn’t hesitate. “The necessity to do IP is overblown,” he said. He believes the most successful works in animation history were original ideas, not remakes. “There was no Star Wars before Star Wars. We need to take those risks again.”

A Star-Studded Voice Cast

Alongside Devine and Hahn, the voice cast features Idris Elba as the confident boxer Rocco, Bobby Moynihan as goofy pal Lucky, Fred Armisen as wannabe influencer dachshund Fetch, Beck Bennett as Sterling, Michelle Buteau as Molasses, River Gallo as Frankie, and Grey DeLisle as Nana.

With Fixed now streaming on Netflix, Tartakovsky proves that 2D animation still has teeth — sharp ones — and that original, risk-taking storytelling can thrive in an industry too often chasing safe bets. It’s raunchy, heartfelt, and a bold reminder that animation can be for everyone, as long as you’re ready for the ride.

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