Yonderland: Difference between revisions
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In keeping with the nostalgic, "lo-fi" tone – and in the interest of creating a more richly populated, inventive and potentially surprising world – ''Yonderland'' features numerous [[Muppet]]-style puppet characters designed and built by longtime [[Jim Henson]] associates Baker Coogan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/nov/10/yonderland-horrible-histories | title=Yonderland: What Horrible Histories did next |date=8 November 2013|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=11 Nov 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/yonderland/interview/mathew_baynton/| title=Interview with Mathew Baynton |date=8 November 2013|work=''Comedy.co.uk''|accessdate=11 Nov 2013}}</ref> Explaining the decision to keep [[computer animation]] to a minimum (save for the portal to Yonderland itself), Rickard said: "Because you can make everything photo-realistic these days, it kind of takes the joy out of it. Even if it's brilliant CGI, you still know it's CGI ... you know it's not there, it's not tangible, and it's the same with comedy."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/yonderland/interview/laurence_rickard/| title=Interview with Laurence Rickard |date=8 November 2013|work=''Comedy.co.uk''|accessdate=11 Nov 2013}}</ref> |
In keeping with the nostalgic, "lo-fi" tone – and in the interest of creating a more richly populated, inventive and potentially surprising world – ''Yonderland'' features numerous [[Muppet]]-style puppet characters designed and built by longtime [[Jim Henson]] associates Baker Coogan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/nov/10/yonderland-horrible-histories | title=Yonderland: What Horrible Histories did next |date=8 November 2013|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=11 Nov 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/yonderland/interview/mathew_baynton/| title=Interview with Mathew Baynton |date=8 November 2013|work=''Comedy.co.uk''|accessdate=11 Nov 2013}}</ref> Explaining the decision to keep [[computer animation]] to a minimum (save for the portal to Yonderland itself), Rickard said: "Because you can make everything photo-realistic these days, it kind of takes the joy out of it. Even if it's brilliant CGI, you still know it's CGI ... you know it's not there, it's not tangible, and it's the same with comedy."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/yonderland/interview/laurence_rickard/| title=Interview with Laurence Rickard |date=8 November 2013|work=''Comedy.co.uk''|accessdate=11 Nov 2013}}</ref> |
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The first series was considered a critical and popular success, earning solid ratings for its timeslot.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/tv-to-unleash-your-little-monster-the-best-family-viewing-8989057.html | title=TV to unleash your little monster: The best family viewing | publisher=independent.co.uk | work=The Independent | date=08 December 2013 | accessdate=30 January 2014 | author=Sarah Hughes}}</ref>. However, as of early 2013 no word on a second series has been released. |
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==Episode list== |
==Episode list== |
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==Reception== |
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''Yonderland'' met with generally positive reviews, most focussing on its uniquely all-ages nature. Writing in the ''[[The Guardian|Guardian]]'', Sarah Hughes called the series "perfect family viewing", summing it up as "both supremely silly and very clever indeed – the sort of frothy concoction that looks effortless but is actually very hard to get right... the writing is a wonderful mix of knowing and daft", all of which earned it 16th place in the same paper's ranking of the Top 30 TV shows of 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/dec/12/best-tv-shows-2013-educating-yorkshire-peaky-blinders-ripper-street?commentpage=2 | title=The best TV shows of 2013: 11-20 | publisher=theguardian.com | work=The Guardian | date=21 December 2013 | accessdate=30 January 2014}}</ref> |
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The ''[[Radio Times]]'' named the show #28 in its own Top 40 year-end list, saying further of the show's writer/creators that "Characters tended to appear once when they could each have had their own series; this gang have so many ideas and such skill in executing them that, in the long term, [[Monty Python|Python]] comparisons might not be out of place." ''[Total Film]]'' magazine placed it at #25 in their Top 25 year-end list, agreeing that "It’s basically ''Labyrinth'' meets Monty Python. Yes, it’s THAT good. Though it’s essentially aimed at the kiddies, like all the best muppet-y stories, there are jokes for the adults, too." Entertainment website Cultbox UK named it their Best Comedy of the same year, "simply by virtue of being a genuinely funny comedy that the whole family can watch together... There's something for everyone in the Horrible Histories team's madcap fantasy-ribbing recipe of puppets, inventive characters, more puppets, and cheeky humour." |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 20:49, 30 January 2014
| Yonderland | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Steve Connelly |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company | Working Title Films |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 10 November 2013 |
Yonderland is a British family fantasy-comedy television series that was first broadcast in 2013 on Sky One. It was co-produced by Sky and Working Title Films, and is co-created, written by and stars the main performers from CBBC's hit series Horrible Histories.[1]
Plot
33-year-old Debbie Maddox (Martha Howe-Douglas) is becoming increasingly bored with life as a suburban stay-at-home mum. Then one day an elf (voice of Mathew Baynton) appears from a portal in her cupboard insisting that she's the 'Chosen One' destined to save Yonderland, a magical land threatened by the evil Negatus (Simon Farnaby). Reluctantly, Debbie agrees to meet with the Elders of the realm... only to discover that they've lost the scroll that explains what the Chosen One is actually supposed to do. Yonderland, it turns out, is a very silly place indeed, and it will take all Debbie's resources to complete each week's quest in time to pick up the children from school.
Cast
- Martha Howe-Douglas as Debbie Maddox
- Dan Renton Skinner as Peter Maddox
- Mathew Baynton as the Elf/Chief Elder Choop
- Simon Farnaby as Negatus/Vice-Elder Flowers
- Laurence Rickard as Wizard Bradley/Scribe Elder Ho-Tan
- Jim Howick as the Crone/Lord Elder Pressley
- Ben Willbond as Nick the Stick/Wise Elder Vex
Production
On 22 March 2013, SkyOne's Lucy Lumsden announced Yonderland, saying: "We are delighted to give the incredibly talented Horrible Histories cast the opportunity to write and star in a brand new show for the whole family on Sky1." The show was co-produced by Working Title Films.[2] Principal filming under former HH director Steve Connelly began the following May.
The show initially grew out of its six creators – Baynton, Farnaby, Howe-Douglas, Howick, Rickard, and Willbond – looking for a way to continue working together after Horrible Histories ceased production in 2012. Wanting to maintain the same uniquely costume-and-character-driven style and basic sketch-comedy framework, the new troupe quickly settled on the fantasy genre as the logical next step.[3] At the same time, Baynton and Willbond had been developing a film idea about an ordinary person dragged into a parallel universe – specifically, a nostalgic fantasy adventure using puppetry rather than more modern animation techniques, in the vein of Labyrinth and The NeverEnding Story."[4]
Adapting this concept to a TV series was a natural fit, since it easily lent itself to multiple different quests, using a wide variety of characters, costumes, and situations. The makeup of the troupe itself helped determine the casting of sole female Howe-Douglas as the central heroine, with her five male costars in multiple roles as the different characters she meets in each episode.[5] In terms of writing together for the first time as a troupe, Howick noted to The Guardian that "[By now] we're such a tight unit, we know exactly what the humour is, and what the tone is." Baynton agreed: "It just grew very nicely out of what happens when the six of us are together in a room."[6]
In keeping with the nostalgic, "lo-fi" tone – and in the interest of creating a more richly populated, inventive and potentially surprising world – Yonderland features numerous Muppet-style puppet characters designed and built by longtime Jim Henson associates Baker Coogan.[7][8] Explaining the decision to keep computer animation to a minimum (save for the portal to Yonderland itself), Rickard said: "Because you can make everything photo-realistic these days, it kind of takes the joy out of it. Even if it's brilliant CGI, you still know it's CGI ... you know it's not there, it's not tangible, and it's the same with comedy."[9]
The first series was considered a critical and popular success, earning solid ratings for its timeslot.[10]. However, as of early 2013 no word on a second series has been released.
Episode list
| # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | UK viewers (millions)[11] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Chosen Mum" | Steve Connelly | Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond | 10 November 2013 | 1.01 | |
|
The more Debbie sees of Yonderland, the less she's impressed--until an unexpectedly-fulfilled prophecy convinces her there might just be something to this Chosen One business. | ||||||
| 2 | "Wizard Bradley" | Steve Connelly | Simon Farnaby | 10 November 2013 | 0.76 | |
|
In order to locate a copy of the missing scroll, Debbie must seek the help of a once legendary, now has-been wizard who's quite literally lost his Mojo. | ||||||
| 3 | "Reformation" | Steve Connelly | Jim Howick and Laurence Rickard | 17 November 2013 | 0.84 | |
|
By the time Debbie stumbles across the monks of Old John, their devotion to speaking nothing but the absolute truth has already infuriated Negatus to the point of destroying their monastery. Now, in order to save their lives, the Chosen One must teach them to lie. | ||||||
| 4 | "The Ultimate Prize" | Steve Connelly | Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond | 24 November 2013 | 0.65 | |
|
When the incumbent champion of the Yonderland Grand Tournament is killed, Negatus sees an opportunity to send in a ringer and disrupt the proceedings--unless Debbie can convince her own candidate, the incumbent's humble page, to believe in himself. | ||||||
| 5 | "Closing the Portal" | Steve Connelly | Toby Davies | 1 December 2013 | 0.47 | |
|
Debbie has had it with the havoc being Yonderland's Chosen One is wreaking on her family life and decides to resign. Before he can close the portal permanently, though, Elf must take her on one last quest... | ||||||
| 6 | "The Idiot King" | Steve Connelly | Mathew Baynton | 8 December 2013 | 0.50 | |
|
Negatus' ecstatic celebration of the Chosen One's departure is rudely interrupted when he learns that she's not only decided to stay around, but has joined forces with arrogant King Bernard to locate a precious artifact. Soon Debbie and the King find themselves not only treasure-hunting but actively trying to stay alive. | ||||||
| 7 | "The Heart of the Sun" | Steve Connelly | Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond | 15 December 2013 | 0.48 | |
|
On her latest quest to save the inhabitants of Yonderland from themselves, Debbie encounters the Ninnies, a race whose slavish adherence to tradition has actually caused them to begin devolving. | ||||||
| 8 | "Dirty Ernie" | Steve Connelly | Simon Farnaby | 22 December 2013 | TBA | |
|
Ordered by his very impatient boss to lure Debbie into a trap, Negatus adopts a harmless disguise and solicits her help on a rescue mission that brings together several of the characters from previous episodes. | ||||||
Reception
Yonderland met with generally positive reviews, most focussing on its uniquely all-ages nature. Writing in the Guardian, Sarah Hughes called the series "perfect family viewing", summing it up as "both supremely silly and very clever indeed – the sort of frothy concoction that looks effortless but is actually very hard to get right... the writing is a wonderful mix of knowing and daft", all of which earned it 16th place in the same paper's ranking of the Top 30 TV shows of 2013.[12]
The Radio Times named the show #28 in its own Top 40 year-end list, saying further of the show's writer/creators that "Characters tended to appear once when they could each have had their own series; this gang have so many ideas and such skill in executing them that, in the long term, Python comparisons might not be out of place." [Total Film]] magazine placed it at #25 in their Top 25 year-end list, agreeing that "It’s basically Labyrinth meets Monty Python. Yes, it’s THAT good. Though it’s essentially aimed at the kiddies, like all the best muppet-y stories, there are jokes for the adults, too." Entertainment website Cultbox UK named it their Best Comedy of the same year, "simply by virtue of being a genuinely funny comedy that the whole family can watch together... There's something for everyone in the Horrible Histories team's madcap fantasy-ribbing recipe of puppets, inventive characters, more puppets, and cheeky humour."
References
- ^ "Creating Yonderland". Sky1 website. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
- ^ "Horrible Histories cast create new Sky comedy Yonderland". Comedy.co.uk. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "Yonderland: We wanted to raid the dressing-up box and speak in silly voices". Radio Times. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
- ^ "Interview with Ben Willbond". Comedy.co.uk. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "Yonderland: Interview with Ben Willbond and Laurence Rickard". Den of Geek.com. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "Yonderland: 'A silly TV show, not deeply political'". The Guardian. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
- ^ "Yonderland: What Horrible Histories did next". The Guardian. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
- ^ "Interview with Mathew Baynton". Comedy.co.uk. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ "Interview with Laurence Rickard". Comedy.co.uk. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 11 Nov 2013.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|work=(help) - ^ Sarah Hughes (08 December 2013). "TV to unleash your little monster: The best family viewing". The Independent. independent.co.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "BARB Top 30s".
- ^ "The best TV shows of 2013: 11-20". The Guardian. theguardian.com. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
