There are plenty of shows that "push the envelope" so to
speak. So many, in fact, that simply being subversive and politically incorrect isn't enough to even raise an eyebrow
anymore. Then there's Wonder Showzen, a show that not only pushes the envelope, but pretty much tears it to
shreds. The show, which is basically what Sesame Street would be if it was created by an insane uncle, manages
to be equal parts hysterical and disconcerting. If you've ever read an interview with creators John Lee and Vernon
Chatman, you know it's impossible to for them to give a straight answer about anything, but by the end of this interview with The Onion's Josh Modell, they manage
to let down their guard and give a few insights into the show. It's also interesting to learn the kind of arbitrary
approach MTV has when it comes to what it will air and not air. Apparently a kid dressed as Hitler and interviewing
people on the street is okay, but shooting a crucifix with a shotgun isn't.Wonder Showzen guys talk to The Onion
There are plenty of shows that "push the envelope" so to
speak. So many, in fact, that simply being subversive and politically incorrect isn't enough to even raise an eyebrow
anymore. Then there's Wonder Showzen, a show that not only pushes the envelope, but pretty much tears it to
shreds. The show, which is basically what Sesame Street would be if it was created by an insane uncle, manages
to be equal parts hysterical and disconcerting. If you've ever read an interview with creators John Lee and Vernon
Chatman, you know it's impossible to for them to give a straight answer about anything, but by the end of this interview with The Onion's Josh Modell, they manage
to let down their guard and give a few insights into the show. It's also interesting to learn the kind of arbitrary
approach MTV has when it comes to what it will air and not air. Apparently a kid dressed as Hitler and interviewing
people on the street is okay, but shooting a crucifix with a shotgun isn't.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-20-2006 @ 9:48PM
Bruce Wayne-Johnson said...
I admit I missed all of season 1 and never even heard of it until they started promoting season 2 - now that I was able to watch all of season 2 so far my assessment is:
AWESOME!
This show goes around South Park and Family Guy in terms of crudeness - ok so its a live-action variety show and not a linear animated show - but it is great stuff.
Trevor of Beat Kids - AWESOME - I hope the DVD shows how they coach him.
Clarence the blue puppet - What a great idea...annoy people with a puppet like Triumph but with nothing funny to say just incredibly annoying.
The Kids - getting kids to say these lines I think is worse for them than them being in a movie and made to say "shit" of "fuck"
And this is on MTV? It seems pretty lax on what they let go through.
Dont let the kids and puppets fool you - If you like sick and twisted comedy this is the show for you. Brilliant stuff!
Reply
4-21-2006 @ 1:17AM
Josh said...
It's on MTV2 actually, on Friday nights where not many people see it. Which is good, as soon as it's in a timeslot with more exposure, it'd get attacked for offensiveness.
The Season 1 DVD doesn't show them coaching Trevor. It does show Beat Kids outtakes, Clarence outtakes, and my favorite feature, auditions and outtakes of the kids in general. Being told to say this or that. The puppets mess with some of the kids, just to get them to laugh. It's cute.
Reply
4-21-2006 @ 6:18AM
Bruce Wayne-Johnson said...
Thanks Josh - that makes it sound like a worthy DVD purchase.
Do you think that because its on a hidden time slot that nobody cares about it to complain? I think its more because nobody even knows its on. It must cost $100 an episode to make so they can let its audience grow organically. Which you must give MTV props for - not like that Fox network.
I still laugh everytime I see the intro for Beat Kids - its two fists with the letters BEAT KIDS on the fingers - the best double entandre for a kids news show ever.
Wonder Showzen kicks Minoriteam, Robot Chicken, Preseident Bush's Public Addresses any other new "offensive" TV show out there.
Reply
5-16-2006 @ 12:29PM
Selina Ferrandino said...
Wonder Showzen has me in tears laughing so hard everytime I watch it.
Beat Kids has to be the best part of the show. It is a great idea because the kids ask questions that are way over their heads most of the time and the adults seem to answer there questions like "have you exploited anyone today?" with an honest answer. So Funny! Awesome stuff.
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