Paid Programming (TV pilot)

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Paid Programming
Also known asPaid Programming: Icelandic Ultrablue
Icelandic UltraBlue
GenreComedy
Parody
Created byH. Jon Benjamin
David Cross
Written byH. Jon Benjamin
David Cross
Directed byJeff Buchanan
Starring
  • Christopher Cusumano
  • Justine D'Amour
  • Michael Harrah
  • Ray Higgs
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersH. Jon Benjamin
David Cross
ProducerJackie Stolfi
CinematographyJonathan Furmanski[1]
EditorToni Cusumano
Running time11 minutes
Production companyWilliams Street
Original release
NetworkAdult Swim
ReleaseNovember 3, 2009 (2009-11-03)
Related
Infomercials

Paid Programming (also known as Paid Programming: Icelandic Ultrablue or Icelandic UltraBlue) is an American television pilot created by H. Jon Benjamin and David Cross for Cartoon Network's late night programming block Adult Swim. It originally premiered in the United States, unannounced, on November 2, 2009 at 4:30 am (EST), at the specific request of Benjamin and Cross. Paid Programming is an informercial parody which, by design, features lesser known actors from Central Casting.[2] Although it was not picked up for a full series it was re-aired numerous times and has received positive reception.  

Production

Paid Programming was created and written by

Dragon*Con.[4] According to Benjamin and Cross, Adult Swim was only "semi-committed" to the project, and was worried that it would do poorly ratings wise.[6][4] Paid Programming was not picked up as a full series, as revealed when Benjamin referred to it as an "abject failure".[6]

Despite the pilot failing, the network greenlit more fake infomercials in 2012.[7]

Broadcast history

Similar to the broadcast history of The Rising Son, another program on Adult Swim, the pilot episode of Paid Programming was aired in the United States on the night of November 2, 2009 at 4:30 am (ET), unannounced and unadvertised,[6] and was listed as "SPECIAL" on the Adult Swim schedule. After its original debut, Adult Swim then re-aired the pilot almost every Monday through Friday until December 4, 2009, and later posted it to their official site in 2015.

Plot outline

The pilot starts as a typical advert for the "Icelandic Ultra Blue Health" line of

shave bumps, prompting an advert for "Icelandic Ultra Stuff", a cream to cure shaving bumps. After advertising for the "Icelandic Ultra Blue Ultimate Party Pack", Dr. Samuelson says "Phase one is complete" into his watch and looks up menacingly at the viewer along with the three extras in the shot. The screen then fades to black and the words "To Be Continued...
" abruptly end the episode.

Characters

  • Dr. Torsten Samuelson – A Norwegian self-proclaimed "Doctor" who has spent "thirty-six years hanging out in the medical community". Best known as the founder and lead spokesmen for Icelandic Ultra Blue.[5]
  • O'Connel Mcmicmic (Justine D'Amour)[8][unreliable source?] – A singer who worked with Wendy Clitlock to produce "Icelandic Eire Go Chalk", a musical entry for the "new Icelandic Ultra Blue jingle" contest.[5]
  • Wendy Clitlock – (Lou Hemsey) An award-winning record producer who serves as the spokesman for the "Icelandic Ultra Blue Air purity system".[5]
  • Mr. Kimmel (Ray Higgs)[8] and Mrs. Kimmel – The married owners of "Kimmels Nazi Gold Exchange". After Mrs. Kimmel suffered a splinter-related death, her body was preserved using "Icelandic Ultra Blue Embalm Balm".[5]
  • Danny Fattfuck – The pants-less owner of "Fattfuck Splinter-B-Gones".[5]
  • Lars (Christopher Cusumano)[8] – Dr. Samuelson's nephew who won the contest for the "new Icelandic Ultra Blue jingle".[5]

Reception

During November 2009, when the pilot was aired every morning, Adult Swim received negative feedback from viewers upset that re-runs of Aqua Teen Hunger Force were replaced with the pilot Paid Programming.[6] During November 2009, the Adult Swim Message boards were filled with posts from users who were confused and unsure of what it was.[4]

Cross showed the pilot episode to a group of about 600–700 people in London, during a monthly comedy event called "Popcorn Comedy night". To Cross's surprise, the majority of the audience laughed so hard they missed some jokes; Cross stated, "Quite often they didn’t even get the references, but they got the context, I guess".[4]

References

  1. ^ Jonathan Furmanski - partos company
  2. ^ Modell, Josh (October 1, 2010). "Interview – David Cross". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  3. ^ Crumpton, Craig (September 5, 2009). "Toon Zone goes to Dragon*Con: Day One – Adult Swim Panels". Toon Zone. Retrieved May 22, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b c d e Modell, Josh (October 1, 2010). "Interview – David Cross". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Icelandic Ultra Blue". Paid Programming. Series 1. November 4, 2009. Adult Swim.
  6. ^ a b c d Heisler, Steve (February 4, 2011). "Random Roles H. Jon Benjamin". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  7. ^ Adult Swim (May 16, 2012). "Adult Swim Announces Largest Programming Schedule Ever for 2012–13". MarketWatch (Press release). Business Wire. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
  8. ^
    Internet Movie Database
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