In the wake of the pandemic, shows have gotten inventive, many eschewing actors entirely in favor of finding unique ways to tell stories with animated methods. Case in point: the upcoming AMC+ series “Ultra City Smiths,” which released its first trailer below and looks to be a fun / bizarre, murder-mystery told with stop-motion animation and baby dolls.
The plot synopsis per AMC:
From AMC Studios and created by Steve Conrad and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios “Ultra City Smiths” unfolds via the stop-motion animation of baby dolls repurposed as a grown-up cast of characters. The series hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Ultra City’s most famous magnate (Smith).
Two intrepid detectives (Jimmi Simpson and Da’Vine Joy Randolph) follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home.
The plot synopsis per AMC:
From AMC Studios and created by Steve Conrad and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios “Ultra City Smiths” unfolds via the stop-motion animation of baby dolls repurposed as a grown-up cast of characters. The series hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Ultra City’s most famous magnate (Smith).
Two intrepid detectives (Jimmi Simpson and Da’Vine Joy Randolph) follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home.
- 7/16/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Alia Shawkat and Tim Meadows are among the actors joining the voice cast for AMC+’s stop-motion animated series Ultra City Smiths, from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and showrunner Steve Conrad.
Set to debut on AMC+ on July 22, Ultra City Smiths hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Ultra City’s most famous magnate (Smith). Two intrepid detectives (Simpson and Randolph) follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home. Bell appears as Donella Pecker, Shepard as Congressman Chris Pecker, Shawkat as Little Grace, and Meadows as Deputy Mayor Jeff Thumb.
Also joining the cast are Terry O’Quinn as Captain Krieger, Debra Winger as Trish McSapphire, Luis Guzmán as Rodrigo Smalls, Julian Barratt as The Most Dangerous Man in the World,...
Set to debut on AMC+ on July 22, Ultra City Smiths hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Ultra City’s most famous magnate (Smith). Two intrepid detectives (Simpson and Randolph) follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home. Bell appears as Donella Pecker, Shepard as Congressman Chris Pecker, Shawkat as Little Grace, and Meadows as Deputy Mayor Jeff Thumb.
Also joining the cast are Terry O’Quinn as Captain Krieger, Debra Winger as Trish McSapphire, Luis Guzmán as Rodrigo Smalls, Julian Barratt as The Most Dangerous Man in the World,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
AMC has ordered a stop-motion animation dramedy that hails from Steve Conrad and the team at “Robot Chicken” producer Stoopid Buddy Stoodios.
The series is titled “Mega City Smiths.” The story, unfolding via the stop-motion animation of baby dolls repurposed as a grown-up cast of characters, hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Mega City’s most famous magnate. Two intrepid detectives follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home.
“Brilliant Creator. Iconic characters. Human, dramatic, hilarious storytelling. Unique visuals unlike anything seen on television — these are the components of a great AMC series, and they are vitally present here in Steve’s dazzling work,” said Dan McDermott, president of programming for AMC Networks’ Entertainment Group and AMC Studios. “’Mega City Smiths’ will...
The series is titled “Mega City Smiths.” The story, unfolding via the stop-motion animation of baby dolls repurposed as a grown-up cast of characters, hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Mega City’s most famous magnate. Two intrepid detectives follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home.
“Brilliant Creator. Iconic characters. Human, dramatic, hilarious storytelling. Unique visuals unlike anything seen on television — these are the components of a great AMC series, and they are vitally present here in Steve’s dazzling work,” said Dan McDermott, president of programming for AMC Networks’ Entertainment Group and AMC Studios. “’Mega City Smiths’ will...
- 9/14/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
AMC ordered six half-hour episodes of Mega City Smiths, an innovative stop-motion animated baby doll dramedy series from Patriot and Perpetual Grace, Ltd creator Steve Conrad and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios for premiere in 2021.
Created by Conrad, the Mega City Smiths story unfolds via the stop-motion animation of baby dolls repurposed as a grown-up cast of characters. The series hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Mega City’s most famous magnate. Two intrepid detectives follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home.
Conrad will also serve as showrunner. Jennifer Scher, Jeff Dieter and Tom Glynn are producers. Stoopid Buddy Stoodios’ Seth Green, John Harvatine IV, Matthew Senreich, Eric Towner and Chris Waters will serve as executive producers.
AMC continues...
Created by Conrad, the Mega City Smiths story unfolds via the stop-motion animation of baby dolls repurposed as a grown-up cast of characters. The series hinges on an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fictional metropolis Mega City’s most famous magnate. Two intrepid detectives follow the case, rallying to fight against their city’s dangerous corruption, at a high cost to themselves and their families, all in pursuit of a gentler place to call home.
Conrad will also serve as showrunner. Jennifer Scher, Jeff Dieter and Tom Glynn are producers. Stoopid Buddy Stoodios’ Seth Green, John Harvatine IV, Matthew Senreich, Eric Towner and Chris Waters will serve as executive producers.
AMC continues...
- 9/14/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, “The Bay” will move to Popstar TV, and Facebook Watch announced the mid-season premiere date for “The Real Bros of Simi Valley” Season 3.
Dates
The third season of “The Real Bros of Simi Valley” will resume Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. onFacebook Watch. The season picks up from Xander (Jimmy Tatro) and Molly (Colleen Donovan) planning and dreaming of their bachelor and bachelorette parties. In the upcoming episodes, Xander’s bachelor party kicks off in Cabo, while the girls run into trouble on their way to Vegas. Watch a trailer below.
Programming
“The Bay” will move to flagship network Popstar! TV and release six new episodes on Sept. 1. For the next three weeks, new episodes will premiere every Tuesday at 3 p.m., leading up to a two-part 10-year anniversary special on Sept. 15. In that special, Kristos Andrews, Mary Beth Evans and Jade Harlow will relive the Emmy-winning series’ classic moments.
Dates
The third season of “The Real Bros of Simi Valley” will resume Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. onFacebook Watch. The season picks up from Xander (Jimmy Tatro) and Molly (Colleen Donovan) planning and dreaming of their bachelor and bachelorette parties. In the upcoming episodes, Xander’s bachelor party kicks off in Cabo, while the girls run into trouble on their way to Vegas. Watch a trailer below.
Programming
“The Bay” will move to flagship network Popstar! TV and release six new episodes on Sept. 1. For the next three weeks, new episodes will premiere every Tuesday at 3 p.m., leading up to a two-part 10-year anniversary special on Sept. 15. In that special, Kristos Andrews, Mary Beth Evans and Jade Harlow will relive the Emmy-winning series’ classic moments.
- 8/31/2020
- by Janet W. Lee
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Syfy’s Tzgz weekly late-night animation block has given a straight-to-series order to The Summoner, from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and writer, actor and New Yorker cartoonist Charlie Hankin.
Greenlit for 10 three-minute episodes to premiere next year, The Summoner is a 2D-animated series based on the short film from Hankin about Rory and his challenging roommate. (You can watch it below the story.) Rory, in his 20s and living on his own for the first time, has found himself in a small two-bedroom with the Summoner, a magical alien with the power to summon any object to his present location. This sounds potentially useful, but it isn’t—the Summoner has a tenuous grasp of English and only summons the most useless shit.
“The Summoner is a perfect example of how we’re experimenting with content for Tzgz by continuing to add smart stories from unique voices, but also playing...
Greenlit for 10 three-minute episodes to premiere next year, The Summoner is a 2D-animated series based on the short film from Hankin about Rory and his challenging roommate. (You can watch it below the story.) Rory, in his 20s and living on his own for the first time, has found himself in a small two-bedroom with the Summoner, a magical alien with the power to summon any object to his present location. This sounds potentially useful, but it isn’t—the Summoner has a tenuous grasp of English and only summons the most useless shit.
“The Summoner is a perfect example of how we’re experimenting with content for Tzgz by continuing to add smart stories from unique voices, but also playing...
- 8/31/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV News Roundup, Netflix unveiled a trailer for The Eddy,” and Starz released a trailer for its new crime drama “Hightown.”
Dates
Lifetime will air its “I Was Lorena Bobbitt” on May 25 at 8 p.m, the cabler announced. Part of the network’s “Ripped from the Headlines” series of programming, the new original movie is based on an incident in 1993 in which Lorena Bobbitt (Dani Montalvo) cut off her abusive husband’s (Luke Humphrey) penis, as well as the subsequent media blitz that engulfed Bobbitt. The TV movie comes from Cineflix Productions. Lorena Gallo, now going by her birth name, serves as executive producer, along with Andy Streitfeld, Jeff Vanderwal, Sherri Rufh and Charles Tremayne.
First Looks
Netflix released a trailer for “The Eddy,” the streamer’s upcoming limited series following a struggling jazz club in modern-day Paris. The trailer offers a peek at the club’s...
Dates
Lifetime will air its “I Was Lorena Bobbitt” on May 25 at 8 p.m, the cabler announced. Part of the network’s “Ripped from the Headlines” series of programming, the new original movie is based on an incident in 1993 in which Lorena Bobbitt (Dani Montalvo) cut off her abusive husband’s (Luke Humphrey) penis, as well as the subsequent media blitz that engulfed Bobbitt. The TV movie comes from Cineflix Productions. Lorena Gallo, now going by her birth name, serves as executive producer, along with Andy Streitfeld, Jeff Vanderwal, Sherri Rufh and Charles Tremayne.
First Looks
Netflix released a trailer for “The Eddy,” the streamer’s upcoming limited series following a struggling jazz club in modern-day Paris. The trailer offers a peek at the club’s...
- 4/14/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s TV News roundup, HBO Films set the premiere date for “Bad Education” starring Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney and “Volcano Live! with Nik Wallenda” tapes Chris Harrison and Sage Steele as hosts.
Casting
“The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison will host “Volcano Live! with Nik Wallenda” alongside co-host Sage Steele of ESPN, ABC announced. The pair will go live from the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua as the titular Wallenda becomes the first person to embark on a 1,800-foot-long high wire walk over the volcano. The live two-hour event will air on March 4 at 8 p.m. Et / 5 p.m. Pt. “Volcano Live! with Nik Wallenda” comes from Dick Clark Prods. Robyn Younie, Mark Bracco, Linda Gierahn, David Simone, Winston Simone, Shelley Ross and Wallenda serve as executive producers.
Natalie Ganzhorn has upped to series regular status on Pop TV’s “Best Intentions.” Ganzhorn joins a cast including David Fynn,...
Casting
“The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison will host “Volcano Live! with Nik Wallenda” alongside co-host Sage Steele of ESPN, ABC announced. The pair will go live from the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua as the titular Wallenda becomes the first person to embark on a 1,800-foot-long high wire walk over the volcano. The live two-hour event will air on March 4 at 8 p.m. Et / 5 p.m. Pt. “Volcano Live! with Nik Wallenda” comes from Dick Clark Prods. Robyn Younie, Mark Bracco, Linda Gierahn, David Simone, Winston Simone, Shelley Ross and Wallenda serve as executive producers.
Natalie Ganzhorn has upped to series regular status on Pop TV’s “Best Intentions.” Ganzhorn joins a cast including David Fynn,...
- 2/22/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Quibi has given a green light to Micro Mayhem, a stop-motion animated series from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and eOne.
Created and executive produced by Eric Towner (Robot Chicken), Micro Mayhem is a series of over-the-top shorts where the cars are the characters. Inspired by the original Micro Mayhem viral short created by Towner and John Harvatine IV, in each self-contained short-form episode, the cars set the stage with an immense amount of attitude and personality in the dialogue-free grindhouse action series. Per the logline: “The series combines miniature filmmaking and stop-motion artistry in a wild (and comically violent) ride like no other!”
Jon Favreau’s Golem Creations (The Mandalorian), Seth Green, Harvatine, Matthew Senreich and Chris Waters also executive produce. Stoopid Buddy Studios and eOne co-produce.
“Micro Mayhem brings to life the car chases I imagined as a kid, and combines my love of technology and stop-motion artistry,” said Towner.
Created and executive produced by Eric Towner (Robot Chicken), Micro Mayhem is a series of over-the-top shorts where the cars are the characters. Inspired by the original Micro Mayhem viral short created by Towner and John Harvatine IV, in each self-contained short-form episode, the cars set the stage with an immense amount of attitude and personality in the dialogue-free grindhouse action series. Per the logline: “The series combines miniature filmmaking and stop-motion artistry in a wild (and comically violent) ride like no other!”
Jon Favreau’s Golem Creations (The Mandalorian), Seth Green, Harvatine, Matthew Senreich and Chris Waters also executive produce. Stoopid Buddy Studios and eOne co-produce.
“Micro Mayhem brings to life the car chases I imagined as a kid, and combines my love of technology and stop-motion artistry,” said Towner.
- 2/21/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, Mike Epps has been cast as a guest star in an upcoming episode of “Stumptown,” and Freeform set a premiere date for its upcoming film, “The Thing About Harry.”
Castings
Comedian Mike Epps has been cast in a guest role on “Stumptown,” Variety has learned exclusively. Epps will portray Judge Antonio Price, the star of “Black Justice,” which is a fictional highly-rated court TV show within the universe of the ABC drama. Theatrical and charismatic, Epps’ Price entertains the room while passing down judgement. When not on the bench, he has a more serious side and hires Dex to handle a situation concerning his brother. His episode will air Jan. 8 on ABC. See a first look at Epps in the role above.
Victor Cruz will join E! Network’s “Pop of the Morning” as the third co-host with Lilliana Vazquez and Scott Tweedie. The former football player,...
Castings
Comedian Mike Epps has been cast in a guest role on “Stumptown,” Variety has learned exclusively. Epps will portray Judge Antonio Price, the star of “Black Justice,” which is a fictional highly-rated court TV show within the universe of the ABC drama. Theatrical and charismatic, Epps’ Price entertains the room while passing down judgement. When not on the bench, he has a more serious side and hires Dex to handle a situation concerning his brother. His episode will air Jan. 8 on ABC. See a first look at Epps in the role above.
Victor Cruz will join E! Network’s “Pop of the Morning” as the third co-host with Lilliana Vazquez and Scott Tweedie. The former football player,...
- 1/6/2020
- by BreAnna Bell
- Variety Film + TV
It’s a Gloop World, and Quibi is going to live in it. The upcoming digital shortform service has greenlighted the stop-motion series developed by Rick & Morty co-creator Justin Roiland along with John Harvatine IV and Eric Towner.
Gloop World is described as a clay-based stop-motion series that chronicles the absurd but strangely relatable lives of roommates Bob Roundy and Funzy, two anthropomorphic blobs who navigate the malleable suburbia and outskirts of Gloop World.
The project hails from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, whose Seth Green, Harvatine, Matthew Senreich, Towner and Chris Waters will serve as executive producers on the project.
“Gloop World has been a dream of mine to make for almost seven years,” Roiland said. “A tactile clay animation show with a mysterious, weird and expansive world and really fun characters, fingerprints and all. I couldn’t have done this without the folks at Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, who understood exactly...
Gloop World is described as a clay-based stop-motion series that chronicles the absurd but strangely relatable lives of roommates Bob Roundy and Funzy, two anthropomorphic blobs who navigate the malleable suburbia and outskirts of Gloop World.
The project hails from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, whose Seth Green, Harvatine, Matthew Senreich, Towner and Chris Waters will serve as executive producers on the project.
“Gloop World has been a dream of mine to make for almost seven years,” Roiland said. “A tactile clay animation show with a mysterious, weird and expansive world and really fun characters, fingerprints and all. I couldn’t have done this without the folks at Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, who understood exactly...
- 1/6/2020
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Comedy Central today announced a digital series order for Bobby Moynihan’s Loafy and a new season order for Blark and Son, from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. The network ordered eight new short-form, digital episodes of each series, along with a linear pilot script for both Loafy and Blark and Son.
The new digital episodes will roll out across all Comedy Central digital and social platforms in 2020.
Loafy is an animated comedy about a weed-dealing manatee who runs a drug empire from his water tank at the Center Park Zoo. Bobby Moynihan voices the main character, and he also serves as creator, writer, and executive producer of the series. Loafy is executive produced by Luke Kelly-Clyne’s Big Breakfast, a recent acquisition of Propagate Content.
Created by Ben Bayouth, and developed with head writer Adam Aseraf, Blark and Son is a short-form comedy about an overly manly,...
The new digital episodes will roll out across all Comedy Central digital and social platforms in 2020.
Loafy is an animated comedy about a weed-dealing manatee who runs a drug empire from his water tank at the Center Park Zoo. Bobby Moynihan voices the main character, and he also serves as creator, writer, and executive producer of the series. Loafy is executive produced by Luke Kelly-Clyne’s Big Breakfast, a recent acquisition of Propagate Content.
Created by Ben Bayouth, and developed with head writer Adam Aseraf, Blark and Son is a short-form comedy about an overly manly,...
- 10/29/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, the studio founded by Seth Green, John Harvatine IV, Matthew Senreich and Eric Towner, which is best known for its stop-motion animated series, is making a push into live-action with the hire of Spencer Griffin as Head of Live-Action Development. Additionally, the company has promoted Chris Waters to Head of Animation Development.
“Spencer and Chris are extremely talented executives with a wealth of creative experience that line up perfectly with the Stoopid Buddy Stoodios mindset. We couldn’t be more excited to have them lead our development team,” said Stoopid Buddy Stoodios Co-Founder Matthew Senreich.
Griffin joins Stoopid Buddy Stoodios from Big Breakfast, where he served as Svp and Executive Producer. His credits include Adam Ruins Everything for TruTV, Hot Date for PopTV, and The Middle of the Night Show for MTV. While at Big Breakfast, he was credited with helping the CollegeHumor brand...
“Spencer and Chris are extremely talented executives with a wealth of creative experience that line up perfectly with the Stoopid Buddy Stoodios mindset. We couldn’t be more excited to have them lead our development team,” said Stoopid Buddy Stoodios Co-Founder Matthew Senreich.
Griffin joins Stoopid Buddy Stoodios from Big Breakfast, where he served as Svp and Executive Producer. His credits include Adam Ruins Everything for TruTV, Hot Date for PopTV, and The Middle of the Night Show for MTV. While at Big Breakfast, he was credited with helping the CollegeHumor brand...
- 8/3/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The social media comedy series Blark & Son, about an out-of-touch dad trying to relate to his awkward adolescent boy, is coming to Verizon’s Tumblr and go90 platforms.
The quirky live-action puppet series, which got its start with weekly 30-second installments on Instagram, will expand to seven-minute episodes that premiere on June 4.
“They’re the quintessential odd couple: an overly manly dad who had a kid later in life and the son is very nerdy,” the series’ 29-year-old creator, Ben Bayouth. “The age gap is big, their interests are so different.”
Bayouth voices Blark, who launches each episode by bursting into the bedroom of his 12-year-old gamer son (voiced by Superbad and How to Train Your Dragon 2 star Christopher Mintz-Plasse).
The awkwardly comedic exchanges seem to amplify their differences, rather than forge a closer connection. Deborah Baker Jr. (Stan Against Evil), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Justin Roiland (Rick & Morty), Jim Rash...
The quirky live-action puppet series, which got its start with weekly 30-second installments on Instagram, will expand to seven-minute episodes that premiere on June 4.
“They’re the quintessential odd couple: an overly manly dad who had a kid later in life and the son is very nerdy,” the series’ 29-year-old creator, Ben Bayouth. “The age gap is big, their interests are so different.”
Bayouth voices Blark, who launches each episode by bursting into the bedroom of his 12-year-old gamer son (voiced by Superbad and How to Train Your Dragon 2 star Christopher Mintz-Plasse).
The awkwardly comedic exchanges seem to amplify their differences, rather than forge a closer connection. Deborah Baker Jr. (Stan Against Evil), Donald Faison (Scrubs), Justin Roiland (Rick & Morty), Jim Rash...
- 5/15/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski
- Deadline Film + TV
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