In an interview with one of the creators, Kenn Navarro, carried out by G4, it was revealed that the intention of the show was to entertain and give viewers a good laugh. However, it seems like they have failed to realise that their sense of humour does not suit everyone, and the impact of HTF would go beyond their initial intention. The idea that the more gory it is the more laughter it invites sounds terribly wrong and corrupts our minds, at least subliminally which seems to be worse when people do not realise that they have slowly accepted and violence and gore, and there is the gradual inclination towards it.
G4: Who are your inspirations? KENN: There are soooo many, I don't think I can pin it down to a list. I get inspired and learn something from everything. Movies, TV shows, comics... heck, even a nice little design on a coffee cup can turn into something. You just never know when lightning can strike. Specifically relating to Happy Tree Friends, the look and feel of the show is inspired by Mary Blair, a legendary Disney artist who designed the Small World ride at the park. We also used the classic Golden Books series as a basis for the opening of the show. Animation wise, the show obviously owes a lot to The Simpsons. That show is such an institution that it would be hard NOT to be influenced by it. I also love Ren & Stimpy and John K.'s whacky take on things. Also can't deny that South Park's brand of unabashed and unforgiving comedy has seeped its way into the show. We're just standing on the shoulders of giants and trying to kick it up to the next level. As for film, I love horror, action, sci-fi...pretty much anything good. Again, it's hard to distill it because I'll watch anything as long as it's interesting and well put together. Even bad movies are fun to watch and, like everyone else, I've got my own personal list of guilty pleasures when it comes to bad movies. If you look closely, we actually make nods to all our favorite films, shows and comics in the show.
G4: What is your favorite episode of the show so far? KENN: From the internet series, if all the episodes were in a burning building and I had to save one or two, I'd point the water hose in "Eye Candy" and "Out on a limb." Those are just quintessential and classic Happy Tree Friends episodes that are simple and straight to the point. With the new, longer format of the TV series, we're able to expand and add a lot more depth and character to our cast of misfits and misanthropes that we were never able to do before. I love the new episodes like "Wishy Washy," where we get to explore Petunia's Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and how that leads to trouble. In "A Change of Heart," we find that Disco Bear really isn't in the greatest of shape and has really bad eating habits. We also see why Lumpy shouldn't be given any type of medical job (or any job!) at all. "Aw, Shucks!" is a heart warming tale of a Moose's relationship with his favorite vegetable. All real fun episodes that still crack me up whenever I watch them.
G4: Are there ever idea where even you say, “Geez maybe that’s a bit too gory and insane?” KENN: That's when we know we're doing something right! When somebody flinches, that's a sure sign that we hit a nerve...which is always a good time, in my book. The only thing that comes close to that was the original ending for the "Chip Off the 'Ol Block" episode which called for Pop purposefully hiding and then burning Cub's body in the pile of leaves after he discovers he had just murdered his own son. We thought that was a little too malicious and changed it so that he's more oblivious to the fact that he just killed and burned his son.
However, fortunately, the creators still put a limit to the ideas of cruelty as shown in the change they did to "Chip Off the 'Ol Block", though the prevalent gore is still disturbing.
