Wonder Showzen
Wonder Showzen is an American sketch comedy television series that aired between 2005 and 2006 on MTV2. It was created by Vernon Chatman and John Lee of PFFR.
Described as a children's show for adults, the show's format is a parody of educational PBS children's television shows such as Sesame Street and The Electric Company, parodying the format with adult-oriented content. In addition to general controversial comedy, it satirizes politics, religion, war, sex and culture with black comedy.
Every episode begins with a disclaimer, which reads:
"Wonder Showzen contains offensive, despicable content that is too controversial and too awesome for actual children. The stark, ugly and profound truths Wonder Showzen exposes may be soul-crushing to the weak of spirit. If you allow a child to watch this show, you are a bad parent or guardian."
Development
Wonder Showzen was created by Vernon Chatman and John Lee, who pitched to the USA Network in 2000, but after a few minutes of viewing, executives there quickly concluded it did not fit the network's programming style. However, Viacom was re-branding MTV2 and made Wonder Showzen part of its new programming lineup. It aired as part of Sic 'Em Fridays, along with Dirty Sanchez and Wildboyz. The pilot was named simply "Kids Show". The Wonder Showzen theme song was also called 'Kids Show'. Reruns of the show also aired on MTV and Comedy Central.MTV released the first season of Wonder Showzen on DVD March 28, 2006. The second season of Wonder Showzen premiered on March 31, 2006 and had its season-two finale starring Clarence on May 19, 2006 on MTV2. This season was released on DVD October 10, 2006, with an easter egg that featured an animation contest. The grand prize was announced as the winner's animation appearing on "the next DVD", but the creators later said a third season was unlikely, and MTV afterward canceled the show. A return is even more unlikely as the creators of Wonder Showzen went on to produce the animated series , which aired on Adult Swim.
It aired in Canada on MTV2, the United Kingdom and Ireland on MTV Two, MTV and TMF, Australia on MTV, Germany and Italy on MTV Entertainment, Latin America on MTV Latin America and in the Baltics on MTV Networks Baltic.
Characters
Cast
Adults
- Vernon Chatman
- John Lee
- Alyson Levy
- Jim Tozzi
Kids
- Benjamin Krueger
- Evan Seligman
- Taylor Bedlivy
- P.J. Connaire
- Jacob Kogan
- Michael Samms
- Trevor Heins
- Miles Kath
- Jasmina Lee
- Dominic Payer
- Mike Gibbons
- Alexandra Rose
- Frankie Scapoli
- Ryan Soos
- Brianna Simpkins
- Miles Williams
- Pierce Gidez
- Madison Rose
- Ameerah Moore
- Ryan Simpkins
- Juliet DePaula
- Sam Kaufman
Cameos
Season One
- Jon Glaser – As Mr. Story in episode 101.
- Flavor Flav – As himself in episode 101, The full "Storytime with Flavor Flav" was cut from the broadcast version of the episode. It still appears however on the Season One DVD.
- Dick Gregory – As Mr. Sun in episode 103.
- Amy Sedaris – As Miss Amy in episode 106.
- Christopher Meloni – As the Chewties Spokesman in episode 107.
- Chris Anderson – As Koby Teeth in episode 104
- Madison Rose - As herself in episodes 106 and 108
Season Two
- David Cross – As T-Totaled Timbo in episode 203, Hostage in episode 206, and Junkyard Jessip in episode 207.
- Judah Friedlander – As Crickey in episodes 203 and 207.
- Jon Glaser – As Dr. Rawstein in episodes 203 and 207.
- Darlene Violette – As Bettsy Beth Bethanie in episodes 203 and 207.
- Amy Poehler – As Miss Mary in episodes 203 and 206.
- John Oates – As himself, singing in the song, "War never solves anything" in episode 206.
- Devendra Banhart – As himself, singing in the song, "War never solves anything" in episode 206.
- Rick Springfield – As himself, singing in the song, "War never solves anything" in episode 206.
- Corin Tucker – As herself, singing in the song, "War never solves anything" in episode 206.
- Todd Barry – As Barold Q. Mosley in episode 207.
- Zach Galifianakis – As Uncle Daddy in episode 207.
- Will Oldham – As Pastor Pigmeat in episode 207.
- Heather Lawless – As Permanently Pregnant Peggy in episode 203 and 207.
- Barbara Ann Davison – As Cousin Grandma Pervis in episode 203 and 207.
- Chris Anderson – As Mr. Corn in episode 203
Recurring segments
- Beat Kids – One of the children, most often Trevor, leads a journalistic segment with mostly offensive, humorous questions, ridiculing interviewees at a given venue. The segment appears in almost every episode.
- What's Jim Drawing? – Appeared in episode 202 and 206.
- Horse Apples – A segment in episode 203, which later expanded into an entire episode in 207, that parodies Hee Haw and redneck comedy. The latter episode featured several guest actors.
- Funny/Not Funny – A series of clips, often depicting violent or macabre images, airs with a chorus of children saying either "funny" or "not funny".
- So Now You Know – A parody of "The More You Know", Where kids say questions and a computer shows their answers. It appeared twice on season one and once on season two in episode 205.
- Q&A – A series of children each answer a single question.
- Breaking News – Features the news reporter.
- We Went To... – Children narrate an ostensibly educational trip while old stock film airs.
- Clarence's Movies – Clarence the puppet interviews people on the street on a common theme, usually antagonistically or obnoxiously, which is often reciprocated by violence or threats.
- Story Time – A special guest reads a story to the children. Guests have included Flavor Flav, Jon Glaser, David Cross, and Amy Sedaris.
- Mr. Body – A cartoon segment that parodies the Slim Goodbody character from the Captain Kangaroo television series.
- D.O.G.O.B.G.Y.N – A cartoon chronicling a dog with the ability to aid in child birth; part of the title derives from a short form for "obstetrics and gynaecology", and part of it comes from the common domesticated dog.
- Tyler, America's Most Perfect Child – A young child with a disturbingly well-mannered demeanor, who often forms statements about how perfect, wonderful and special they are.
Series overview
Episodes
Early Concept
Pilot episode
Season 1: 2005
Season 2: 2006
Reception
, creator of The Simpsons and Futurama said "Wonder Showzen is so weirdly funny the top of your head will burst and your skull will fly out."Cartoon Network's Adult Swim said "It's a show about kids, for freaks, and we love it."