American TV series or program
Human Giant
|
---|
The cast of
Human Giant
(from left to right), Huebel, Scheer and Ansari
|
Genre
| Sketch comedy
|
---|
Created by
| |
---|
Starring
|
- Aziz Ansari
- Rob Huebel
- Paul Scheer
|
---|
Opening theme
| "
Romantic Rights
" by
Death from Above 1979
|
---|
Country of origin
| United States
|
---|
Original language
| English
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No.
of seasons
| 2
|
---|
No.
of episodes
| 16
|
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|
Running time
| 30 minutes (including commercials)
|
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Production companies
| 3 Arts Entertainment
MTV Production Development
|
---|
|
Network
| MTV
|
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Release
| April 5, 2007
(
2007-04-05
)
?
April 15, 2008
(
2008-04-15
)
|
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Human Giant
is a
sketch comedy
show starring writer/performers
Aziz Ansari
,
Rob Huebel
,
[1]
and
Paul Scheer
, and directed primarily by
Jason Woliner
. The show ran for two seasons on
MTV
. In 2008, the group was offered a third season and was reportedly developing a feature film with
Red Hour Productions
, but these projects did not transpire due to Ansari's commitments to starring in the
NBC
show
Parks and Recreation
. In 2010, Ansari, Huebel and Scheer reunited to do a skit for the
2010 MTV Movie Awards
.
Premise
[
edit
]
The show, which premiered on April 5, 2007, consists of short humorous videos.
[2]
Some of the clips were first seen online such as "Shutterbugs", as part of
Channel 101 NY
, "Clell Tickle: Indie Marketing Guru", "The Illusionators" and an unaired skit called "Other Music".
[3]
[4]
[5]
Production
[
edit
]
Ansari, Huebel, Scheer, and Woliner began working together as the comedy group Human Giant in 2005.
[6]
[7]
They gained a large following in the
New York City
comedy scene through live shows at the
Upright Citizens Brigade
and their weekly comedy show,
Crash Test
, and later expanded their sketches into
short films
.
[8]
[9]
Their early digital videos "Shutterbugs" and "The Illusionators" became popular on
MySpace
and
YouTube
and led MTV to offer the group a sketch comedy series.
[10]
[11]
[3]
On MTV, the show closed out a Thursday night "10 Spot" line-up for MTV, which also included
Pimp My Ride
,
Short Circuitz
(before being put on hiatus), and
Adventures in Hollyhood
, ending with
Human Giant
.
[12]
The line-up started at 9 PM and ended at 11 PM.
In interviews, the group has mentioned they were offered a third season by MTV, and were also considering developing a feature film.
[13]
[14]
However, the group was unable to make a third season or movie due to personal projects, particularly with Ansari's commitments to the hit NBC show
Parks and Recreation
.
[13]
Without Ansari's participation, the group agreed not to make future content together and decided on ending the series on a positive note instead of
burning out
over several seasons.
[15]
Episodes
[
edit
]
Season 1 (2007)
[
edit
]
^a
This sketch was removed from the season one DVD.
^b
These sketches were edited for the season one DVD.
^c
Added for the season one DVD.
Season 2 (2008)
[
edit
]
The group began working on
Human Giant
Season 2 at the end of August, 2007.
Note: the CrimeTime sketch, the Gay Porn Star Car Accident sketch, and the Illusinator Camera Trick sketch for season 2 all show up on the Season 1 DVD as easter eggs.
Critical response
[
edit
]
The show received positive reviews from critics. Writing for
Entertainment Weekly
,
Gillian Flynn
described
Human Giant
as "everything sketch comedy should be: smart, odd, and surprising."
[16]
The Village Voice
called it "something like a Mountain Dewed-up version of MTV’s mid-'90s sketch offering
The State
."
[17]
Nathan Rabin
of
The A.V. Club
said, "It's a testament to the show's addictiveness that the [sketches] leave audiences hungry for more.
[18]
He added: "
Human Giant
serves as a vital link between
Mr. Show
and the current generation of web-weaned funnymen who made their names posting homemade videos online instead of working their way through
Second City
,
The Groundlings
, or
Saturday Night Live
.
The show's central dynamic echoes
Mr. Show
as well
.
Like
Bob Odenkirk
, Rob Huebel boasts the bland good looks of a local TV news anchor, yet there's a spark of madness and rage at his core. Castmates Paul Scheer and Aziz Ansari, meanwhile, take turns inhabiting the
David Cross
role."
[18]
In its list of the 40 Greatest Sketch-Comedy TV Shows,
Rolling Stone
ranked
Human Giant
at number 38.
[19]
24-hour marathon
[
edit
]
The cast of
Human Giant
were on-air on MTV and
MTV2
for a twenty-four-hour period between
noon
on Friday, May 18, 2007 to noon on Saturday, May 19, 2007, broadcasting from MTV's
Times Square
studio, during which time they were given free rein to perform skits, bring in guests, and air clips from classic MTV series like
Remote Control
and
The State
.
[15]
[20]
[17]
The ostensible premise of the "marathon" was that their show would be given a second season if they could get a million hits on their website (which it did) during that time. Notable guests stopping by included
Albert Hammond Jr
.,
Fred Armisen
,
Bill Hader
,
Andy Samberg
, and
Jorma Taccone
from
Saturday Night Live
,
Will Arnett
and
Michael Cera
from
Arrested Development
,
John Krasinski
,
Bob Odenkirk
,
Michael Showalter
,
Kristen Schaal
,
Eugene Mirman
,
Ted Leo
,
Corn Mo
,
Todd Barry
,
Matt Higgins
,
Zach Galifianakis
,
Morningwood
,
Mastodon
,
Tapes 'n Tapes
,
The National
,
Tim and Eric
,
Tegan and Sara
, and others.
[15]
Reunion
[
edit
]
In late May 2010, troupe member
Aziz Ansari
announced on his website that he and fellow members
Rob Huebel
,
Paul Scheer
and
Jason Woliner
had filmed a brand new sketch for the
2010 MTV Movie Awards
, which Ansari was scheduled to host. Ansari mentioned that it would be a Human Giant reunion of sorts, the first time they filmed a new sketch together as a sketch group since the series ended.
[21]
The sketch was called "Stunt Kidz",
[21]
which consisted of Huebel and Ansari's Shutterbugs characters, now owners of a child stunt agency where little children act as stunt men for dangerous scenes and end up injured in several occasions. Scheer acts as a director who employs Huebel and Ansari.
Home media
[
edit
]
The first season of
Human Giant
was released on March 4, 2008, one week ahead of the season two premiere on March 11.
[22]
It was released in a two-disc set. Disc one features all eight episodes and commentary tracks on all episodes with special guests calling-in or with the cast in the commentary room.
[23]
Disc two features highlights from the 24-hour marathon, deleted and alternate scenes, unaired sketches, sneak previews for season two, early footage with Aziz, Rob and Paul, and a compilation clip.
[24]
Credited consultants
[
edit
]
The core writing team consists of
Aziz Ansari
,
Rob Huebel
,
Paul Scheer
,
Jason Woliner
and executive producer
Tom Gianas
. The following people have, at one point, also worked as consultants on the show:
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"A 'Giant' misunderstanding"
.
New York Daily News
. April 20, 2008. p. 222
. Retrieved
April 29,
2022
.
- ^
Kharakh, Ben (April 3, 2007).
"Human Giant, Comedy Troupe"
.
Gothamist
.
Archived
from the original on August 2, 2021
. Retrieved
October 27,
2021
.
- ^
a
b
Sternbergh, Adam (March 22, 2007).
"Sketch-Comedy Group Human Giant Tries to Save MTV"
.
New York Magazine
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
Westhoff, Ben (March 9, 2008).
"Human Giant"
.
Pitchfork
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Maher, Dave (March 29, 2007).
"Human Giant Talk Ghostface, MTV, YouTube"
.
Pitchfork
. Archived from
the original
on July 14, 2007
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Itzkoff, Dave (March 25, 2007).
"Online Yesterday, on Cable Today"
.
The New York Times
.
ISSN
0362-4331
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
"How did the members of "Human Giant" come together?"
.
Big Think
. April 1, 2008
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Barker, Andrew (July 17, 2006).
"Human Giant: 10 Comics to Watch"
.
Variety
. Archived from
the original
on March 28, 2007.
- ^
Gross, Terry
(April 19, 2007).
"I Want My 'Human Giant': Web Comedy Jumps to MTV"
.
NPR
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Gillette, Amelie (May 8, 2007).
"Human Giant"
.
The A.V. Club
.
Archived
from the original on May 10, 2007
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
"MTV's "Human Giant" Has Columbia Roots"
.
The Post and Courier
. 2007.
Archived
from the original on April 3, 2024
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
"
'Human Giant' Hijacks MTV Causing Mind Explosions Across the Country"
.
TheFutonCritic.com
. March 21, 2007
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
"Interview: Paul Scheer (Human Giant)"
.
NBC Los Angeles
. January 22, 2009
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Bronson, Dan (November 11, 2008).
"Icons: Ben Stiller"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
He and Cornfeld are working on new comedy projects with sketch teams Little Britain and Human Giant.
- ^
a
b
c
Robenalt, Michael (May 18, 2017).
"A Look Back at 'Human Giant's 24-Hour MTV Takeover, 10 Years Later"
.
Vulture
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Flynn, Gillian
(March 28, 2008).
"Human Giant"
.
EW.com
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
Westhoff, Ben (May 22, 2007).
"1,440 Minutes"
.
The Village Voice
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
Rabin, Nathan
(March 5, 2008).
"Human Giant: Season One"
.
The A.V. Club
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
"40 Greatest Sketch-Comedy TV Shows of All Time"
.
Rolling Stone
. February 26, 2020
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Gillette, Amelie (May 21, 2007).
"Human Giant Programs MTV for 24 Hours"
.
The A.V. Club
. Archived from
the original
on May 23, 2007
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
a
b
Wigler, Josh (June 7, 2010).
"2010 MTV Movie Awards Dominated By 'New Moon,' Sandra Bullock, Les Grossman"
.
MTV
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
"Human Giant - Season One"
.
DVD Talk
. February 24, 2008
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
Greene, Jr., James (April 6, 2008).
"Human Giant: Season 1"
.
PopMatters
. Retrieved
April 3,
2024
.
- ^
"Human Giant DVD news: Announcement for Human Giant - The Complete 1st Season"
.
TVShowsOnDVD.com
. November 27, 2007. Archived from
the original
on December 1, 2007.
External links
[
edit
]
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Television
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Stand-up specials
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Books
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Related articles
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