"Strangers with Candy" (1999)TV series 1999-2000

Creators:

Stephen Colbert
Mitch Rouse
Paul Dinello

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

7 April 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Good times!

Plot:

A 46-year-old ex-drug addict returns to high school as a freshman.

Plot Keywords:

Homosexuality | Cult TV | Drug Addict | Drugs | Drug

Cast

Stephen Colbert	...	Chuck Noblet / ... (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Greg Hollimon	...	Principal Onyx Blackman / ... (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Amy Sedaris	...	Jerri Blank / ... (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Deborah Rush	...	Sara Blank (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Paul Dinello	...	Geoffrey Jellineck (29 episodes, 1999-2000)
Larc Spies	...	Derrick Blank (27 episodes, 1999-2000)
Orlando Pabotoy	...	Orlando Pinatubo (22 episodes, 1999-2000)
Maria Thayer	...	Tammi Littlenut / ... (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Sarah Thyre	...	Coach Cherri Wolf (13 episodes, 1999-2000)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Trivia:

The character of Jerri is based on drug-addict Florrie Fisher, who talked to kids in schools about the dangers of drugs during the 1970s. Many of the show's story lines mirror Fisher's account precisely, including Jerri's joining a cult, lesbian compulsion and in the series finale, her relapse and return to the streets. In real life, Fisher mysteriously disappeared after her high school lecture stint, having presumably relapsed to a life of addiction, prostitution and thievery.

Quotes:

Principal Onyx Blackman: Stop by the nurse's office after lunch to pick up your free uniforms. And then stop by my office to pick up the nutty goodbars that you'll all be selling to pay for your free uniforms.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Will & Grace: Strangers with Candice (#6.9)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

Strangers With Candy Theme

Great fun - surrealism you can only find on short-lived shows.

I'm surprised to see only one negative review on IMDB. Having been a fan of the show since its debut, I knew from the start it would be a love or hate series for many people.

It's a great show not for its intellectual qualities (or on the surface, lack thereof), but its originality. Teen dramacom parodies have come before, though none as brave as this. SwC reminds me in part of the Nickelodeon series from the early-mid 90s such as "Salute your Shorts", which is perhaps why I and many others who grew up in that era have a soft spot for it.

It's sad to think we might not see many more divisive T.V series. The dumbing down of the masses by shows in which greedy people vote one another off fake islands ensures subtly and wit will soon be regarded as the real enemies of television.