Radio Free Sealab

"Radio Free Sealab" is the first episode of Sealab 2021 season one. It was previewed on December 21, 2000 on Cartoon Network, before a formal airing on September 9, 2001 on the launch of their late-night programming block, Adult Swim. It was written by John J. Miller and series creators, Adam Reed and Matt Thompson, who also produced and directed.

A very bored Captain Murphy broadcasts a pirate radio station.

Characters

 * style="background-color:#clear"| Captain Hank Murphy
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Harry Goz
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Marco
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Erik Estrada
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Debbie DuPree
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Kate Miller
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Doctor Quinn
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Brett Butler
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Stormy Waters
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Ellis Henican
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| Orphan
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Molly Charette
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Lieutenant Sparks
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Bill Lobley
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| Ted
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| FCC captain
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| FCC first mate
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| Ranger Roger
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Dolphin Boy
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| FCC captain
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| FCC first mate
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| Ranger Roger
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Dolphin Boy
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#aaffaa"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Dolphin Boy
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Unavailable
 * style="background-color:#clear"| Unavailable

Organizations

 * FCC

Locations

 * Earth
 * Sealab
 * Antarctica
 * Ice Station Zebra

Objects

 * Pirate Radio
 * Varietal
 * Time
 * Playgal
 * Feds

Vehicles

 * FCC search and destroy vessel

Development
This was the third episode produced.

Filming
The episode was copyrighted in 2000.

Music
The opening theme music was written and composed by Julie Stepanek, and performed by Calamine. The radio soundtrack was by The Knaves.

Crew credits

 * Executive producers: Matt Thompson, Adam Reed
 * Co-producers: John J. Miller, Dave Willis
 * Editors: Angus McLynn, Finbar McLynn
 * Technical director and lead animator: Chris Gelles
 * Assistant animator: Michael Rosado
 * Open title sequence animator: Gush
 * Special effects animator: Edgeworx
 * Audio engineer: Mike Fisher
 * Original Sealab 2020 animators and designers: Alex Toth, Iwao Takamoto
 * Cartoon Network staff: Maya McClure, Vishal Roney, Natali Tesche-Ricciardi
 * Executive producers for Cartoon Network: Mike Lazzo, Keith Crofford

Release
Dates are in order of release:


 * United States: December 30, 2000 preview on Cartoon Network; September 2, 2001 at 11:15 pm on Adult Swim (Cartoon Network)

Behind the scenes

 * Varietal is a parody of Variety.
 * Murphy says to one of the callers, "Sit on it, Potsie," which is a reference to the sitcom Happy Days, which aired between 1974-1984.
 * A gag credit is Mike Lazzo as Milos Laznik.
 * Special thanks are given to Chris Holloway.

Home availability

 * In the United States:
 * July 20, 2004: Warner Home Video releases Sealab 2021: Season One on DVD.
 * In Australia:
 * August 15, 2007: Madman Entertainment releases Sealab 2021: Season One on DVD.
 * November 28, 2012: Madman Entertainment releases Sealab 2021: Deep Pressure Complete Collection on DVD.
 * In the United Kingdom and Ireland:
 * June 22, 2009: Revolver Entertainment releases Sealab 2021: Season One on DVD.
 * This is free to watch on the Adult Swim UK's YouTube upload.