The Naked Brothers Band (TV series)
| The Naked Brothers Band | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Polly Draper (Writer/Creator) Magda Liolis Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi Michael Rubiner & Bob Mittenthal |
| Directed by | Polly Draper Melanie Mayron Jonathan Judge Rosario Roveto, Jr. |
| Starring | Nat Wolff (as Self) Alex Wolff (as Self) Michael Wolff (as Dad) David Levi (as Self) Thomas Batuello (as Self) Qaasim Middleton (as Self) Cooper Pillot (as Self) Jesse Draper (as Jesse Cook) Allie DiMeco (as Rosalina) |
| Music by | Nat Wolff and Alex Wolff |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 26 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Producers | Polly Draper (Executive) Albie Hecht (Executive) Michael Wolff (Co-Executive) Tim Draper (Consulting) Ken H. Keller (Producer) Caron Rudner-Keller (Producer/Line) |
| Cinematography | Ken H. Keller (Photography/Camera) |
| Running time | 23 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Nickelodeon |
| Release | February 3, 2007 – present |
The Naked Brothers Band is a documentary-rockumentary-mockumentary musical situation comedy television series about a group of young musicians and takes place after The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie.[1][2] The TV series began February 3, 2007.[3]
Plot
Season 1: February 3, 2007 - October 20, 2007
The plot is based around 11-year-old Nat and 8-year-old Alex Wolff, who are members of the world-famous pop band called The Naked Brothers Band. The band features the lead singer-songwriter/keyboardist Nat Wolff, drummer Alex Wolff, guitarist Qaasim Middleton (age 11), keyboardist David Levi (age 11), cellist Thomas Batuello (age 11), bassist; and Nat's crush Rosalina (played by Allie DiMeco–age 13), and the band's manager Cooper Pillot (age 11).[3]
They deal with issues like sibling rivalry, girls, music, and peer relationship throughout the series. The show is shot in reality style, with the characters aware that the cameras are following them.
Throughout the series Nat and Rosalina have a flirty relationship, but they both won't admit it and Nat's friends Thomas and David make fun of this sometimes.
Season 2: January 21, 2008 - June 17, 2008
In the second season, Nat is 12-years-old and Alex 9. The band-members: Rosalina (Allie DiMeco) is 14; Qaasim 11; Thomas, David, and Cooper 12.
Season 2 starts off with a new Naked Brothers Band movie, The Naked Brothers Band: Sidekicks and end's with a new movie, The Naked Brothers Band: Polar Bears.
This season they go on a mock tour.[4]
Character description
- Nat Wolff – Nat is the lead singer and songwritter for the Naked Brothers Band. He is also the keyboardist but he plays guitar in the song Taxi Cab and the drums in Three Is Enough and Changing. He has a crush on the bands bassist Rosalina, who in season one he is often trying to impress. In season two, they end up at the prom together, and later go on a double date. He is a big fan of The Beatles, from where he gets much of his inspiration for the songs he's written. He becomes Rosalina's boyfriend in the movie Polar Bears, when they finally get together.
- Alex Wolff – Nat's younger brother, Alex is the drummer for the Naked Brothers Band, who also plays keyboard in his song Changing. He has also written several other songs, which include I Could Be, Alien Clones, and Three is Enough. He loves Jesse who he thinks is his girlfriend and always wears a red white and blue durag.
- Thomas Batuello – The cellist for the Naked Brothers Band, Thomas is often pulling pranks along with David and is jealous of how Nat attracts all the girls. He often teases Nat and Rosalina for liking each other.
- David Levi – The Keyboardist for the Naked Brothers Band, and often joins in on Thomas's pranks. He is very lucky, and very smart.
- Qaasim Middleton – The guitarist for the Naked Brothers Band, Qaasim is known for being very smart and smooth with the ladies.
- Rosalina – The bassist for the Naked Brothers Band, depending on who you ask she plays anywhere from 7 to 50,000 instruments. She is the object of Nat's affection, and the inspiration for many of Nat's songs such as Girl of my Dreams, and Beautiful Eyes. In the Sidekicks Movie Nat and Rosalina end up going to prom together, and in the episode Three is Enough, they go on a double date with Cooper and Miss Scoggins. She becomes Nat's girlfriend in the movie Polar Bears, when they finally get together.
- Cooper Pillot – The manager for the Naked Brothers Band he has an unnamed older sister, likes a girl named Patty Scoggins, and is known for wearing a suit and glasses. He is also Jewish as shown in one of the episodes.
- Mr. Wolff (Dad)/Sonny – geeky accordion player, he has performed at the Hoboken Rathskeller restaurant. He sometimes tries to get in one of the bands music videos. He is dating a women named Betty, but she later leaves him for his brother Miles.
- Jesse Cook – babysitter, tutor. Unfortunately, she is not smart enough for the job, but luckily Rosalina and Qaasim are there to help her grade papers. She calls Alex her "little boyfriend" and wears seven different kinds of tattoos. She is dating the adorable Timmerman Brothers: Donnie, Johnny, and Billy.
- Betty – She is part of Sonny Wolff's two-member band "The Hunnie Bunnies" and no one likes their music. She is a house cleaning specialist. In the season two episode "Uncle Miles" she leaves Sonny for his brother, jazz musician Miles Wolff. She also wears a huge blonde wig.
Background and production
When Nat and Alex were young, one day they announced, "We're the Naked Brothers Band!" while dancing naked around their apartment after a bath.[1] They formed a band in preschool with Nat's best friends.[1]
In real life, Alex was taught to play drums by watching tapes of Ringo Starr, and Nat's favorite band is the Beatles. The influence is apparent in much of the band’s music. Alex's favorite artists include David Bowie and Fall Out Boy, and he appears in the video for Fall Out Boy's "The Take Over, The Break's Over."
The brothers' real-life mother, Polly Draper (best known for her role as Ellyn Warren on the 1987–1991 hit ABC drama series thirtysomething), is the director, writer, creator, and executive producer of the TV show and their father, Michael Wolff (who was the band-leader and musical director of The Arsenio Hall Show from 1989 to 1994), is the co-executive producer and music supervisor of the show. Wolff stars as the brothers' geeky father, who plays the accordion and acts like a kid.[3][1]
This is Draper's first time directing; her first time screenwriting was in 1999 with The Tic Code. The film was both informed by Wolff's struggles with Tourette's syndrome and his love for the jazz piano.[3]
Tom Ascheim said,[5]
This is our version of The Monkees. Nat Wolff wrote all the music, which I think distinguishes the show. Sometimes I think you get a sense from bands that they are [faking it] like Milli Vanilli. This really is by kids and for kids.
The executive vice president and general manager of Nickelodeon said,[3]
At first we were intrigued by the idea, but we weren't sure that kids would understand the vague tongue-and-cheek of it. Then a bunch of us took it home to our own children, and they loved it.
An executive producer of the series said he thought the brothers would be big when he watched The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie at the Hamptons International Film Festival:
They're just real: real brothers, real friends; it's all the stuff kids do when they're hanging out on the playground. The idea that you're watching a documentary is so much fun. Then you put them into that fantasy of being a world-famous rock band, and that's the sauce that makes it work.[3]
Their online videos have been played by fans more than 11 million times as of October 2006. Two months later, one of those watchers recognized Nat and Alex in a Florida hotel. She sent them a note, "“Are you the Naked Brothers?’ They were so excited,” Ms. Draper said. "The show hasn't even aired yet and now walking down the streets kids are calling out their names. They can't believe it."[5]
Cast
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Nat Wolff | Nat: ages 11–13, Lead singer-songwriter/keyboardist; Rosalina's boyfriend |
| Alex Wolff | Alex: ages 8–10, Drummer |
| David Julian Levi | David: ages 11–13, Main Keyboardist |
| Thomas Batuello | Thomas: ages 11–14, Cellist |
| Qaasim Middleton | Qaasim: ages 11–13, Guitarist |
| Allie DiMeco | Rosalina: ages 13–16, Bassist; Nat's girlfriend |
| Michael Wolff | Sonny Wolff: Accordion player |
| Jesse Draper | Jesse Cook: Band tutor, babysitter, clueless, and dancing girl in the music videos |
| Tim Draper | Principal Schmoke: Principal of Amigos Elementary School |
| Daniel Raymont | The Director: Directs some of the music videos (Season 1) Wing: The director of the band's tour (Season 2) |
| Catherine Curtain | Betty: Sonny's Ex-girlfriend; Miles Wolff's girlfriend. |
| Emily Richardson | Patty Scoggins: Cooper's girlfriend. |
| Teala Dunn | Juanita: ages 7–9, Alex's crush and cool friend. |
| Billy Draper | Billy Timmerman: A member of of the dorky not-too-talented band the Timmerman Brothers; Jesse's clueless boyfriend. |
| Adam Draper | Donnie Timmerman: A member of of the dorky not-too-talented band the Timmerman Brothers; Jesse's clueless boyfriend. |
| Coulter Mulligan | Johnny Timmerman: A member of of the dorky not-too-talented band the Timmerman Brothers; Jesse's clueless boyfriend. |
| Eleanor Draper | Tessy: Jesse's sister; dancing girl in the music videos. |
| Lisa Mulligan | Bessy: Jesse's sister; dancing girl in the music videos. |
Crew
| Role | Crew |
|---|---|
| Director | Polly Draper (most episodes) Melanie Mayron (other episodes) Rasario Roveto Jr. (one special of Season 1) Jonathan Judge (three other episodes and two specials of Season 2) |
| Screenwriter | Polly Draper (most episodes) Magda Liolis (other episodes) Michael Rubiner and Bob Mittenthal (Season 1: episode 10/Season 2: episode 6/Season 2: episode 10) Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi (Season 1: episode 11-12) |
| Creator | Polly Draper (all episodes) |
| Executive Producer | Polly Draper (all episodes) Albie Hetcht (all episodes) |
| Music Supervisor | Michael Wolff (all episodes) |
| Music Producer | Michael Wolff (all episodes) Michael A. Levine (all episodes) |
| Co-Executive Producer | Michael Wolff (all episodes) |
| Consulting Producer | Tim Draper (all episodes) |
| Producers | Ken H. Keller (all episodes) Caron Rudner-Keller (all episodes) |
| Director of Photography | Ken H. Keller (all episodes) |
| Line Producer | Caron Rudner-Keller (all episodes) |
| Editor | Craig Cobb (all episodes) |
| Extras Casting | Tuffy Questall (all episodes) Serena Stanley (all episodes) |
| Casting Directors | Sharon Lieblein (all episodes) Laura Maxwell-Scott (all episodes) |
| Art Department | Craig Cobb (all episodes) |
| Composer (songs) | Nat Wolff (most songs) Alex Wolff (other songs) |
Episodes
| Season | Episodes | First Air Date | Last Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | February 3, 2007 | October 20, 2007 |
| Season 2 | 13 | January 21, 2008 | June 6, 2008[6] |
TV Movies
| Season | Title | Episode # | First Air Date | DVD Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie" | Pilot | January 27, 2007 | April 3, 2007 |
| 1 | "The Naked Brothers Band: Battle of the Bands" | 11-12 | October 6, 2007 | September 4, 2007 |
| 2 | "The Naked Brothers Band: Sidekicks" | 14-15 | January 21, 2008 | TBA |
| 2 | "The Naked Brothers Band: Polar Bears" | 24-26 | June 6, 2008 | June 17, 2008 |
Songs
Special appearances
| Cast | Role | Season | Episode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snoop Dogg[3] | "self" | 1 | VMA's #1 |
| George Lopez[7] | Himself | 1 2
|
Nat Is A Stand-Up Guy #3 Everyone's Cried At Least Once #7 Polar Bears (TV Movie) #11-13 |
| Keli Price[8] | Bobby Love | 1 | Battle of the Bands (TV Movie) #11-12 |
| Jules Feiffer | Himself | 2 | Three is Enough #3 |
| Joel Madden[7] | Himself | 2 | The Talk Show #4 |
| Tony Hawk[7] | Himself | 2 | The Bar Mitzvah #5 |
| Mitchie Brusco | Himself | 2 | The Bar Mitzvah #5 |
| Khalil Middleton | Himself | 2 | Uncle Miles #6 |
| John Batuello | Himself | 2 | Uncle Miles #6 |
| Phil Collins[7][9] | Himself | 2 | Polar Bears (TV Movie) #11-13 |
Official Nat & Alex Homepage
Official The Naked Brothers Band Homepage
International debuts
- United Kingdom: Nickelodeon UK; May 29, 2007
- New Zealand: Nickelodeon New Zealand
- United States: The N
- Germany: Nickelodeon Germany; October 20, 2007
DVD releases
- The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie
- The Naked Brothers Band: Battle of the Bands
- The Naked Brothers Band: Season 1 (DVD)
- The Naked Brothers Band: Polar Bears
Video Games
References
- ^ a b c d "The Naked Brothers band:About the movie". Tagworld.com. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
- ^ Brooks, Brian (October 24, 2005). "Hamptons Fest Packs Plentiful Films, Celebs, Parties and More Venues Into Five-day Event". Retrieved 2007-11-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g Lee, Felicia R (January 25, 2007). "A TV Family Bound By Blood and a Band". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-08.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Famous For Playing Rock Stars - New York Times
- ^ a b http://www.tourettetexas.org/PublicDocs/nakedbros.htm
- ^ <http://www.natnalex.com/news/>
- ^ a b c d http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYM04114012008-1.htm
- ^ Wingard, Shannon (March 2007). "Price Is Right On The Fast Track To Fame". American Superstar Mag. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
- ^ <http://www.michaelwolff.com/>