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All the characters were originally designed by [[Mo Willems]].<ref name="beentertained">{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/9842|title=Sit Down, Shut Up, Be Entertained!|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|date=2009-04-01|publisher=Animation Magazine|accessdate=2009-04-13}}</ref> They were redesigned by Karapet Keroglyan and Shannon O'Connor. The series "revolves around a group of ambivalent if not just plain crazy faculty at a small town Florida high school." It features the voices of:<ref name="wondercon">{{cite web|url=http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20278|title=WC: Sit Down, Shut Up|last= Murphy|first=Matt|date=2009-03-03|publisher=Comic Book Resources|accessdate=2009-03-29}}</ref>
All the characters were originally designed by [[Mo Willems]].<ref name="beentertained">{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/9842|title=Sit Down, Shut Up, Be Entertained!|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|date=2009-04-01|publisher=Animation Magazine|accessdate=2009-04-13}}</ref> They were redesigned by Karapet Keroglyan and Shannon O'Connor. The series "revolves around a group of ambivalent if not just plain crazy faculty at a small town Florida high school." It features the voices of:<ref name="wondercon">{{cite web|url=http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20278|title=WC: Sit Down, Shut Up|last= Murphy|first=Matt|date=2009-03-03|publisher=Comic Book Resources|accessdate=2009-03-29}}</ref>


*[[Will Arnett]] as '''Ennis Hofftard''', a bodybuilder who teaches English and always attempts to chase women. Arnett noted that Ennis was one of the "dumber" characters he has played.<ref name="arnettpoehler">{{cite web|url=http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/archive/will-arnett-amy-poehler-compete-for-laughs.html|title=Will Arnett and Amy Poehler Compete For Laughs| date=2009-03-27|publisher=Parade|accessdate=2009-04-07}}</ref><fr>
*[[Will Arnett]] as '''Ennis Hofftard''', a bodybuilder who teaches English and always attempts to chase women. Arnett noted that Ennis was one of the "dumber" characters he has played.<ref name="arnettpoehler">{{cite web|url=http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/archive/will-arnett-amy-poehler-compete-for-laughs.html|title=Will Arnett and Amy Poehler Compete For Laughs| date=2009-03-27|publisher=Parade|accessdate=2009-04-07}}</ref><br>
*[[Jason Bateman]] as '''Larry Littlejunk''', the gym teacher and only staff member that can teach. He refers to himself as Larry L since he hates his last name and his catchphrase is "Why can't someone else teach P.E.?". He is hopelessly in love with Science Teacher Miracle Grohe but at the same time can't stand how stupid she is, leading him to insult her instead of tell her how he feels.<ref>[http://www.fox.com/sitdownshutup/ ''Sit Down, Shut Up'' official website]</ref><fr>
*[[Jason Bateman]] as '''Larry Littlejunk''', the gym teacher and only staff member that can teach. He refers to himself as Larry L since he hates his last name and his catchphrase is "Why can't someone else teach P.E.?". He is hopelessly in love with Science Teacher Miracle Grohe but at the same time can't stand how stupid she is, leading him to insult her instead of tell her how he feels.<ref>[http://www.fox.com/sitdownshutup/ ''Sit Down, Shut Up'' official website]</ref><br>
*[[Kristin Chenoweth]] as '''Miracle Grohe''', a religious [[barefoot]] [[hippy]] science teacher who often brings her infant son named Merch (who is obviously smarter than she)<ref>[http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=sitdownshutup&ep=1239729558966 The Drugs]</ref> to school. Comedienne [[Maria Bamford]] was originally cast as Miracle Grohe but was later replaced by Chenoweth.<ref name="Chenoweth">{{Cite web|url= http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/12/kristen-chenowe.html|title=Kristin Chenoweth joins animated comedy from 'Arrested Development' creator|work=Entertainment Weekly|author=Snierson, Dan|date=2008-12-03|accessdate=2008-12-04}}</ref> The executives, however, still allowed Bamford to do some "bad voices" on the show.<ref name="comicvoice">{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/1127460.html|title=A comic voice you can't ignore|last=Wenzel|first=John|publisher=Kansas City Star|accessdate=2009-04-07}}</ref><fr>
*[[Kristin Chenoweth]] as '''Miracle Grohe''', a religious [[barefoot]] [[hippy]] science teacher who often brings her infant son named Merch (who is obviously smarter than she)<ref>[http://www.fox.com/fod/play.php?sh=sitdownshutup&ep=1239729558966 The Drugs]</ref> to school. Comedienne [[Maria Bamford]] was originally cast as Miracle Grohe but was later replaced by Chenoweth.<ref name="Chenoweth">{{Cite web|url= http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/12/kristen-chenowe.html|title=Kristin Chenoweth joins animated comedy from 'Arrested Development' creator|work=Entertainment Weekly|author=Snierson, Dan|date=2008-12-03|accessdate=2008-12-04}}</ref> The executives, however, still allowed Bamford to do some "bad voices" on the show.<ref name="comicvoice">{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/1127460.html|title=A comic voice you can't ignore|last=Wenzel|first=John|publisher=Kansas City Star|accessdate=2009-04-07}}</ref><br>
*[[Will Forte]] as Assistant Principal and former prison clown '''Stuart Proszakian''', usually found in an extreme state of happiness due to raiding several student's lockers for confiscated drugs. He is probably the most oblivious character in the show and his catchphrase is "I need a catchphrase". Strangely enough, he says this catchphrase every time he leaves, which leads to mild applause from an unseen "audience".<ref name="insidesitdownshutup"/><fr>
*[[Will Forte]] as Assistant Principal and former prison clown '''Stuart Proszakian''', usually found in an extreme state of happiness due to raiding several student's lockers for confiscated drugs. He is probably the most oblivious character in the show and his catchphrase is "I need a catchphrase". Strangely enough, he says this catchphrase every time he leaves, which leads to mild applause from an unseen "audience".<ref name="insidesitdownshutup"/><br>
*[[Tom Kenny]] as '''Muhannad Sabeeh "Happy" Fa-ach Nuabar''',<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ks3W35SggA Sit Down, Shut Up - Character Introductions]</ref> the secretive custodian; and '''Happy's interpreter'''.<fr>
*[[Tom Kenny]] as '''Muhannad Sabeeh "Happy" Fa-ach Nuabar''',<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ks3W35SggA Sit Down, Shut Up - Character Introductions]</ref> the secretive custodian; and '''Happy's interpreter'''.<br>
*[[Nick Kroll]] as '''Andrew LeGustambos''', the flamboyant and [[bisexual]] drama teacher. In Spanish, Andrew's last name roughly translates to "he likes both", a reference to his bisexuality. He is in love with both Miracle and Larry, hopping they get together so he could get together with them.<ref name="insidesitdownshutup"/> According to voice actor Kroll, Andrew is (alongside Helen) a loser amongst losers.<ref name="bisexualmale">{{cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/foxs-sit-down-shut-up-includes-bisexual-gay-character|title=FOX's animated "Sit Down, Shut Up" includes bisexual male character|last=Jensen|first=Michael |date=2009-01-15|publisher=After Elton|accessdate=2009-04-11}}</ref> Kroll voices him to talk like a "modern day [[Snagglepuss]]".<ref name="bisexualmale"/><fr>
*[[Nick Kroll]] as '''Andrew LeGustambos''', the flamboyant and [[bisexual]] drama teacher. In Spanish, Andrew's last name roughly translates to "he likes both", a reference to his bisexuality. He is in love with both Miracle and Larry, hopping they get together so he could get together with them.<ref name="insidesitdownshutup"/> According to voice actor Kroll, Andrew is (alongside Helen) a loser amongst losers.<ref name="bisexualmale">{{cite web|url=http://www.afterelton.com/blog/michaeljensen/foxs-sit-down-shut-up-includes-bisexual-gay-character|title=FOX's animated "Sit Down, Shut Up" includes bisexual male character|last=Jensen|first=Michael |date=2009-01-15|publisher=After Elton|accessdate=2009-04-11}}</ref> Kroll voices him to talk like a "modern day [[Snagglepuss]]".<ref name="bisexualmale"/><br>
*[[Cheri Oteri]] as '''Helen Klench''', the unappreciated librarian who often gets mistaken for objects such as brooms or toilet brushes. Her catchphrase is "Quiet Down!". She seems to have high levels of [[testosterone]], which is balanced out by taking [[Estrogens|female hormone drugs]].<ref name="insidesitdownshutup">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/tv/040910-Sit-Down-Shut.html|title=Animated Shorts: Inside Fox's Sit Down, Shut Up|last=Fritz|first=Steve|date=2009-04-10|publisher= Newsarama|accessdate=2009-04-11}}</ref><fr>
*[[Cheri Oteri]] as '''Helen Klench''', the unappreciated librarian who often gets mistaken for objects such as brooms or toilet brushes. Her catchphrase is "Quiet Down!". She seems to have high levels of [[testosterone]], which is balanced out by taking [[Estrogens|female hormone drugs]].<ref name="insidesitdownshutup">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/tv/040910-Sit-Down-Shut.html|title=Animated Shorts: Inside Fox's Sit Down, Shut Up|last=Fritz|first=Steve|date=2009-04-10|publisher= Newsarama|accessdate=2009-04-11}}</ref><br>
*[[Kenan Thompson]] as acting [[school principal|principal]] '''Sue Sezno''', who, as evidenced by her last name, never says "Yes".<fr>
*[[Kenan Thompson]] as acting [[school principal|principal]] '''Sue Sezno''', who, as evidenced by her last name, never says "Yes".<br>
*[[Henry Winkler]] as '''Willard Deutschebog''', a suicidal [[German language|German]] teacher whose last name is a play on "[[douche bag]]".<ref name="wondercon"/><fr>
*[[Henry Winkler]] as '''Willard Deutschebog''', a suicidal [[German language|German]] teacher whose last name is a play on "[[douche bag]]".<ref name="wondercon"/><br>


An early promo for the series listed a few of the characters with different names.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkjQFPIyy4 YouTube: Sit Down, Shut Up - New FOX Series - Promo 2]</ref>
An early promo for the series listed a few of the characters with different names.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkjQFPIyy4 YouTube: Sit Down, Shut Up - New FOX Series - Promo 2]</ref>

Revision as of 03:51, 27 April 2009

Sit Down, Shut Up
File:Sit Down Shut Up logo 2.jpg
Created byMitchell Hurwitz
StarringWill Arnett
Jason Bateman
Kristin Chenoweth
Will Forte
Tom Kenny
Nick Kroll
Cheri Oteri
Kenan Thompson
Henry Winkler
ComposerDavid Schwartz
Country of origin USA
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes2 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersMitchell Hurwitz
Josh Weinstein
Eric Tannenbaum
Kim Tannenbaum
Julie Meldal-Johnsen
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesTantamount Studios
ITV Studios
20th Century Fox Television
Sony Pictures Television
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseApril 19, 2009[1] –
present

Sit Down, Shut Up is an American animated television series created by Mitchell Hurwitz, based on the short-lived Australian sitcom of the same name. It is produced by Tantamount Studios, ITV Studios, 20th Century Fox Television, and Sony Pictures Television. The show airs on Fox.

Background

Creator Mitch Hurwitz came up with the idea after watching the original Australian version of the show in 2000.[2] Originally, he had planned the series to be live-action. However, after his attempts at selling the planned series failed, Hurwitz changed the mode to animation.[2] The series was originally titled Class Dismissed.[3] It was picked up by Fox in May 2008.[4] It debuted on April 19, 2009 at 8:30 PM where it joins The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad! as part of Fox's Animation Domination lineup, taking over the slot that was previously occupied by King of the Hill.[1] It will also air on Global (and Fox) in Canada;[5] the premiere dates in other parts of the world are not yet announced.

The show was set up by Hurwitz, creator of Arrested Development; and Eric Tannenbaum and Kim Tannenbaum, from Two and a Half Men. Hurwitz wrote the first script and decided to take a more supervisory role.[6] Josh Weinstein, a former writer for The Simpsons, is an executive producer. Bill Oakley, another Simpsons writer, was originally on board, but production of the series stopped during May 2008 due to a contract dispute between the staff and Sony, which resulted in Oakley ending his involvement with the show. Sony refused to offer a contract which operated under the complete terms of the Writers Guild of America. Eventually a compromise was reached and production resumed in June.[7]

The show attempts to focus the audience's attention on the teachers.[8] Animators were sent out to take many stills of locations outside, as they needed photos from every angle for their live-action background. Many scenes were filmed at Eagle Rock High School, while the scenes on front of the school were filmed at John Muir High School. [9]

Voice cast

All the characters were originally designed by Mo Willems.[10] They were redesigned by Karapet Keroglyan and Shannon O'Connor. The series "revolves around a group of ambivalent if not just plain crazy faculty at a small town Florida high school." It features the voices of:[8]

  • Will Arnett as Ennis Hofftard, a bodybuilder who teaches English and always attempts to chase women. Arnett noted that Ennis was one of the "dumber" characters he has played.[11]
  • Jason Bateman as Larry Littlejunk, the gym teacher and only staff member that can teach. He refers to himself as Larry L since he hates his last name and his catchphrase is "Why can't someone else teach P.E.?". He is hopelessly in love with Science Teacher Miracle Grohe but at the same time can't stand how stupid she is, leading him to insult her instead of tell her how he feels.[12]
  • Kristin Chenoweth as Miracle Grohe, a religious barefoot hippy science teacher who often brings her infant son named Merch (who is obviously smarter than she)[13] to school. Comedienne Maria Bamford was originally cast as Miracle Grohe but was later replaced by Chenoweth.[14] The executives, however, still allowed Bamford to do some "bad voices" on the show.[15]
  • Will Forte as Assistant Principal and former prison clown Stuart Proszakian, usually found in an extreme state of happiness due to raiding several student's lockers for confiscated drugs. He is probably the most oblivious character in the show and his catchphrase is "I need a catchphrase". Strangely enough, he says this catchphrase every time he leaves, which leads to mild applause from an unseen "audience".[16]
  • Tom Kenny as Muhannad Sabeeh "Happy" Fa-ach Nuabar,[17] the secretive custodian; and Happy's interpreter.
  • Nick Kroll as Andrew LeGustambos, the flamboyant and bisexual drama teacher. In Spanish, Andrew's last name roughly translates to "he likes both", a reference to his bisexuality. He is in love with both Miracle and Larry, hopping they get together so he could get together with them.[16] According to voice actor Kroll, Andrew is (alongside Helen) a loser amongst losers.[18] Kroll voices him to talk like a "modern day Snagglepuss".[18]
  • Cheri Oteri as Helen Klench, the unappreciated librarian who often gets mistaken for objects such as brooms or toilet brushes. Her catchphrase is "Quiet Down!". She seems to have high levels of testosterone, which is balanced out by taking female hormone drugs.[16]
  • Kenan Thompson as acting principal Sue Sezno, who, as evidenced by her last name, never says "Yes".
  • Henry Winkler as Willard Deutschebog, a suicidal German teacher whose last name is a play on "douche bag".[8]

An early promo for the series listed a few of the characters with different names.[19] Larry Littlejunk is listed as "Larry Slimp" (a pun for "Larry's Limp"), Andrew LeGustambos is shown as "Andrew Sapien", (a play on the term "homosapien"), and Happy's first name is shown as "Muhammed", instead of "Muhannad". Sue Sezno's character had the same name, but with a slightly different appearance. In this promo, Maria Bamford was shown reading lines as Miracle.

Reception

The premiere episode of Sit Down, Shut Up only managed a 2.3 rating with 5.2 million viewers, a drop from its lead-in show The Simpsons and the other remaining high-viewed shows, American Dad! and Family Guy (both created by Seth MacFarlane) which had 6.5 million and the lowest rating of Fox's two hour Animation Domination block.[20]

Critical response

Sit Down, Shut Up has received, as of April 21, 2009, poor reviews, and currently has a 42/100 rating on Metacritic.[21] One of the few positive reviews have come from the Chicago Sun-Times, who said the the cast ensemble was tough to beat and had lots of potential, but they also said "This embarrassment of riches isn't necessarily an embarrassment, but it's not the slam dunk it should be, either."[22] Variety says " Despite a pedigree that includes Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz and many of that program’s stars, Sit Down seldom rises above sniggering double entendre. Seemingly preoccupied with impressing teenage boys, the show, based on the Australian series created by Brendan Reed and Tim Mcloughlin, should possess scant appeal outside that demo."[23] One of the most negative reviews came from Glenn Garvin of The Miami Herald who said "Hurwitz is only the first of many talents wasted to the point of criminality in this animated adaptation of a flopped Australian sitcom." and "Staleness, however, ranks as a virtue in Sit Down, Shut Up, for the show's token stabs at topicality are truly appalling."[24]

References

  1. ^ a b Adalian, Josef (2009-01-13). "Fox at TCA: 'Prison Break' News, Comedy Pilots Coming". TV Week. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  2. ^ a b "Sit Down, Shut Up TVInterview - WC 09: Mitch Hurwitz". IGN. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  3. ^ Carter, Bill (2008-05-15). "FOX Will Bring Back 'Idol,' and Add Sci-Fi". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (2008-05-11). "Fox greenlights J.J. Abrams' 'Fringe'". Variety. Retrieved 2009-03-29. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Global's Fall Schedule: Spies, Time-Travel and Spoiled Teens". Dose.ca. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  6. ^ Michael Schneider (2008-04-27). "'Simpsons' duo draw 'Up' new show". Variety. Retrieved 2008-05-15. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Michael Schneider (2008-07-16). "Bill Oakley exits 'Sit Down, Shut Up'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  8. ^ a b c Murphy, Matt (2009-03-03). "WC: Sit Down, Shut Up". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  9. ^ Goldman, Eric (2009-02-27). "WC 09: Sit Down, Shut Up Say Arrested Development Alums". IGN. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  10. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (2009-04-01). "Sit Down, Shut Up, Be Entertained!". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  11. ^ "Will Arnett and Amy Poehler Compete For Laughs". Parade. 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  12. ^ Sit Down, Shut Up official website
  13. ^ The Drugs
  14. ^ Snierson, Dan (2008-12-03). "Kristin Chenoweth joins animated comedy from 'Arrested Development' creator". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  15. ^ Wenzel, John. "A comic voice you can't ignore". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  16. ^ a b c Fritz, Steve (2009-04-10). "Animated Shorts: Inside Fox's Sit Down, Shut Up". Newsarama. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  17. ^ Sit Down, Shut Up - Character Introductions
  18. ^ a b Jensen, Michael (2009-01-15). "FOX's animated "Sit Down, Shut Up" includes bisexual male character". After Elton. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  19. ^ YouTube: Sit Down, Shut Up - New FOX Series - Promo 2
  20. ^ Kissell, Rick (2009-04-20). "Fox toons off to slow start in ratings". Variety. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  21. ^ "Sit Down, Shut Up". Metacritic. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  22. ^ Wiser, Paige (2009-04-19). "Class acts earn average grades". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  23. ^ Lowry, Brian (2009-04-15). "Sit Down, Shut Up". Variety. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
  24. ^ Garvin, Glenn (2009-04-19). "We're thinking it's more like tune in, zone out". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2009-04-21.

External links

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