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Big Mouth (American TV series)

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Big Mouth
Created by
Voices of
Music byMark Rivers
Opening theme"Changes" by Charles Bradley
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes21 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Nick Kroll
  • Andrew Goldberg
  • Mark Levin
  • Jennifer Flackett
Producer
  • Nate Funaro
Running time25–46 minutes
Production companies
  • Danger Goldberg Productions
  • Good at Bizness, Inc.
  • Fathouse Industries
  • Titmouse, Inc.
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29) –
present (present)

Big Mouth is an American adult animated sitcom created by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett featuring teens based on Kroll and Goldberg's upbringing in Westchester County, New York, with Kroll voicing his fictional self. The first season consisting of ten episodes premiered on Netflix on September 29, 2017, and the second season was released on October 5, 2018. In November 2018, Netflix announced that Big Mouth was renewed for a third season, which was preceded by a Valentine's Day special episode on February 8, 2019.

Summary

The series follows a group of 7th graders, including best friends Nick Birch and Andrew Glouberman, as they navigate their way through puberty, masturbation, and sexual arousal in the suburbs of New York City. Acting as sex-based shoulder angels are the hormone monsters: Maurice, who pesters Andrew and occasionally Nick and Jay; and Connie—the hormone monstress— who pesters Jessi and occasionally Missy. Throughout the series, the kids interact with people and objects who are personified in one way or another and offer helpful, albeit confusing, advice in their puberty-filled lives including the ghost of Duke Ellington, a French accented Statue of Liberty, a pillow capable of getting pregnant, and even Jessi's own genitals.

Cast and characters

Main

  • Nick Kroll[1] as:
    • Nick Birch, an almost-adolescent boy living with loving and overprotective parents. He also has an older brother named Judd and an older sister named Leah. Throughout the series, Nick is increasingly insecure about his masculinity and overall development as it becomes evident that he's a late bloomer compared to his friends. Occasionally, he learns to appreciate his body and his emotions, with the help of his loved ones and few other figures.
    • Maurice the Hormone Monster, a monster who follows Andrew around and is responsible for his brooding sexual desires, which frequently occur at inappropriate moments. He is revealed to hail from an alternate dimension where several different creatures, such as himself, represent and manage the stages of human life. He is shown to be able to interact with other boys, such as Nick and Jay.
    • Coach Steve, the middle school gym class teacher who is incompetent and overly talkative, often trying to get his colleagues—or even the students—to hang out (often to no avail). It is heavily implied that the coach may be mentally disabled; he is extremely child-like. It is revealed in season 2 that he is a virgin, though he ultimately loses his virginity to Jay's mom, with whom he has a one night stand after she sexually approaches him. He is the only character unaffected by The Shame Wizard because he is incapable of experiencing shame.
    • Rick the Hormone Monster, an old, dysfunctional yet enthusiastic hormone monster who follows Coach Steve and later Nick. He soon retires, however, after Steve loses his virginity, handing his position as Nick's hormone monster to Tyler.
    • Lola, an intense popular girl who is terrified of losing her social status and the approval of her best friend Devin.
    • The Jansen Twins, a pair of girls from the Netherlands who are new to the school.
    • Kroll also voices the Statue of Liberty, a ladybug, Joe Walsh, the ghosts of Picasso and Richard Burton, Sylvester Stallone, a webcam girl, Gina’s abuela, Bad Mitten, and Rabbi Paulblart.
  • John Mulaney as Andrew Glouberman, a young boy who spends much of his time furtively masturbating.
    • Mulaney also voices Mint, Grandpa Andrew, Babe the Blue Ox, and Detective Florez.
  • Jessi Klein as Jessi Glaser, a sarcastic and smart girl. Her father, Greg, is an unemployed stoner and her mother, Shannon, is secretly dating another woman. She gets her period for the first time on a school trip to the Statue of Liberty. Though Jessi has kissed Nick before, specifically in the first episode "Ejaculation", she later has many French kissing make-out sessions with Jay. Like Andrew, she is Jewish, as she has a Bat Mitzvah in episode 9, "I Survived Jessi's Bat Mitzvah".
  • Jason Mantzoukas as Jay Bilzerian, an Armenian American boy who is obsessed with magic and sex, and has anger issues. He has sex with a pillow that he made into a sex toy. His mom allows Coach Steve to have a one night stand with her in Season 2, and his dad is a divorce lawyer. He has two older brothers, Kurt and Val. Jay is obsessed with Nick's mother and father and wishes for a loving family. In Season 2, Jay starts a potential relationship with Matthew, an openly gay boy in school. After the two kiss, Jay questions his sexuality.
    • Mantzoukas also voices Guy Bilzerian and the ghost of Socrates.
  • Jenny Slate as Missy Foreman-Greenwald, a girl who is nerdy and kind.
    • Slate also voices Taffiny.
  • Fred Armisen as Elliot Birch, Nick's loving father, who frequently shares inappropriate stories.
    • Armisen also voices the ghost of Antonin Scalia, a bus driver, Stavros, and Bob the Hormone Monster.
  • Maya Rudolph as:
    • Connie the Hormone Monstress, who initially follows Jessi (and sometimes Missy) around and encourages them to embrace their wildest desires. By the end of the second season, she becomes Nick's hormone monster, despite him being a boy, which works well with them both.
    • Diane Birch, Nick's loving mother, who babies him.
    • Rudolph also voices a bath mat and the ghosts of Elizabeth Taylor and Whitney Houston.
  • Jordan Peele as the Ghost of Duke Ellington, the late jazz musician whose spirit now lives in Nick's attic and sometimes offers him advice.

Recurring

  • Paula Pell as Barbara Glouberman, Andrew's mother.
  • Richard Kind as Marty Glouberman, Andrew's grumpy father and lover of scallops.
  • Andrew Rannells as Matthew, a flamboyantly gay student with a love of drama and spreading gossip. He kisses Jay towards the end of Season 2.
  • June Diane Raphael as Devin, a popular student at the high school.
  • Gina Rodriguez as Gina Alvarez, a very physically developed girl on Missy and Jessi's soccer team whose sudden pubertal development causes a stir at school.
  • David Thewlis as Shame Wizard, the Hormone Monsters' mortal enemy who haunts the kids, stoking their deepest shame.
  • John Gemberling as Tyler the Hormone Monster, Nick's immature hormone monster. Gemberling also voices a security guard.
  • Jak Knight as DeVon, the boyfriend of Devin and another popular student.
  • Neil Casey as Lars, a middle school student in a wheelchair. Casey also voices Detective Dumont.
  • Gil Ozeri as Wiggles, Missy's stuffed toy. Ozeri also voices Brad, a couch cushion.
  • Joe Wengert as Caleb, another 7th grader. Wengert also voices a priest and Stan the Hormone Monster.
  • Seth Morris as Greg Glaser, the perpetually stoned father of Jessi Glaser and the husband of Shannon Glaser.
  • Jessica Chaffin as Shannon Glaser, the mother of Jessi Glaser and the unfaithful wife of Greg Glaser.
  • Rob Huebel as Mr. Lizer
  • Kat Dennings as Leah Birch, the older sister of Nick Birch and younger sister of Judd Birch.
  • Kristen Bell as Pam, a pillow Jay has a sexual relationship with. Bell also voices an uninterested girl.
  • Heather Lawless as Jenna Bilzerian
  • Chelsea Peretti as Monica Foreman-Greenwald
  • Mark Duplass as Val Bilzerian, an older, bullying brother to Jay Bilzerian. Duplass also voices a clerk.
  • Paul Scheer as Kurt Bilzerian, another older, bullying brother to Jay Bilzerian.
  • Nathan Fillion as himself
  • Zach Woods as Daniel, a boy Leah is interested in. Woods also voices a sock.
  • Jack McBrayer as Nick's pubic hair #1
  • Craig Robinson as Nick's pubic hair #2
  • Jon Daly as Judd Birch, the dark yet caring older brother of Nick and Leah Birch, and the son of Diane and Elliot Birch.
  • Rosa Salazar as Miss Benitez, a 7th grade teacher.
  • Michaela Watkins as Cantor Dina Reznick, Shannon Glaser's love interest.
  • Natasha Lyonne as Suzette, a motel pillow.

Guest

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
110September 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
210October 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
SpecialFebruary 8, 2019 (2019-02-08)

Season 1 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Ejaculation"Joel MoserNick Kroll & Andrew Goldberg & Jennifer Flackett & Mark LevinSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
22"Everybody Bleeds"Bryan FrancisKelly GaluskaSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
33"Am I Gay?"Mike L. MayfieldJoe WengertSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
44"Sleepover: A Harrowing Ordeal of Emotional Brutality"Joel MoserJess Dweck & Victor QuinazSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
55"Girls Are Horny Too"Bryan FrancisEmily AltmanSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
66"Pillow Talk"Mike L. MayfieldPeter A. KnightSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
77"Requiem for a Wet Dream"Joel MoserDuffy BoudreauSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
88"The Head Push"Bryan FrancisEmily Altman & Jennifer Flackett & Mark LevinSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
99"I Survived Jessi's Bat Mitzvah"Mike L. MayfieldKelly GaluskaSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)
1010"The Pornscape"Joel MoserGil OzeriSeptember 29, 2017 (2017-09-29)

Season 2 (2018)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
111"Am I Normal?"Bob SuarezAndrew GoldbergOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
122"What Is It About Boobs?"Bryan FrancisKelly GaluskaOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
133"The Shame Wizard"Joel MoserVictor QuinazOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
144"Steve the Virgin"Bob SuarezJoe WengertOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
155"The Planned Parenthood Show"Bryan FrancisEmily AltmanOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
166"Drug Buddies"Joel MoserGil OzeriOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
177"Guy Town"Bob SuarezJoe WengertOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
188"Dark Side of the Boob"Bryan FrancisKelly GaluskaOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
199"Smooch or Share"Joel MoserAlex RubensOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
2010"The Department of Puberty"Bob SuarezGil OzeriOctober 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)

Special (2019)

No.
overall		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
21"My Furry Valentine"Kim Arndt & Bob SuarezStory by : Andrew Goldberg & Jennifer Flackett & Joe Wengert
Teleplay by : Emily Altman & Victor Quinaz		February 8, 2019 (2019-02-08)
Story by : Nick Kroll & Mark Levin & Kelly Galuska
Teleplay by : Gil Ozeri & Jaboukie Young-White

Production

TV writer Andrew Goldberg and screenwriter-directors Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin approached Nick Kroll, Goldberg's best friend since childhood, with the idea to develop a show about going through puberty.[2] Kroll and Goldberg used their divergent pubertal experiences as a centerpiece of the show, because Kroll was a late bloomer while Goldberg went through the physical changes of puberty very early.[3] Many of their lived experiences are featured in the show, such as Kroll's first kiss, and Goldberg's parents waxing his mustache.[2] The show also includes an experience of their childhood friend, Lizzie, who the character of Jessi is based on, getting her first period on a school trip to the Statue of Liberty. According to Kroll in an interview on NPR, "[Big Mouth] takes an equal look at what it's like for girls and women, the process of going through puberty, which I think has not been quite as explored in most popular culture."[2]

Netflix announced they had picked up Big Mouth in June 2016.[4] Flackett, Levin, Goldberg, and Kroll all serve as executive producers on the show.

Release

The first season consisting of ten episodes premiered on Netflix on September 29, 2017.[5][6] On October 24, 2017, it was confirmed that a second season had been ordered,[7] which was released on October 5, 2018.[8] On November 17, 2018, Netflix announced that Big Mouth has been renewed for a third season.[9] The third season was preceded by a Valentine's Day special episode on February 8, 2019.[10]

Reception

Critical response

The Two Planned Parenthood episodes were criticized for not mentioning Adoption. Big Mouth has received critical acclaim since its release. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 has an approval rating of 100% based on 22 reviews, with the critical consensus reading, "Big Mouth's simplistic animation and scatological humor belie its finely sketched characters and smart, empathetic approach to the messiness of adolescence."[11] At Metacritic, the show currently holds a rating of 80 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[12]

Rotten Tomatoes gave Season 2 a rating of 100% based on 30 reviews, with the critical consensus reading "Poignantly repulsive, Big Mouth continues to confront the awkwardness of adolescence with foul-mouthed glee and an added layer of maturity."[13] Metacritic holds a rating 90 out of 100 for the second season, based on 9 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[14]

Vox described the show as sharp and jarring depicting the awkwardness of pubescence, post-pubescence and pre-pubescence.[15] Erik Adams from The A.V. Club awarded the second season an 'A-'. Adams praised the cast, especially Thewlis, and the experimentation of this season, commenting that "it’s shown that it deserves to be included in any conversation about TV’s animated greats."[16]

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2018 Annie Award Best General Audience Television/Broadcast Production Big Mouth (for "Am I Gay?") Nominated [17]
2018 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Mark Rivers (for "Totally Gay") Nominated [18]
2019 Annie Award Best General Audience Television/Broadcast Production Big Mouth (for "The Planned Parenthood Show") Nominated [19]

References

  1. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (June 13, 2016). "Netflix Greenlights Animated Series from Nick Kroll". Variety. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Gross, Terry. "Nick Kroll and John Mulaney Relive Raging Hormones and First Kisses in 'Big Mouth'". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  3. ^ Schneider, Michael. "'Big Mouth' Creator Nick Kroll on Convincing Netflix to Let Him Make a 'Perverted Wonder Years' — Turn It On Podcast". IndieWire.com. Indie Wire. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Netflix Orders 'Big Mouth' Animated Series From Nick Kroll & Andrew Goldberg". Deadline.com. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 13, 2016). "Netflix Orders 'Big Mouth' Animated Series From Nick Kroll & Andrew Goldberg". Deadline. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
  6. ^ Farley, Rebecca (August 23, 2017). "Exclusive: Meet The Hormone Monster, The Personification Of Puberty In Big Mouth". Refinery29. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (October 24, 2017). "'Big Mouth' Renewed For Season 2 At Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2017. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  8. ^ "'Big Mouth' season 2 premiere date, more puberty horrors revealed in Netflix teaser". EW.com. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  9. ^ Pedersen, Erik (November 17, 2018). "'Big Mouth' Renewed For Season 3 On Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  10. ^ Sippell, Margeaux; Nickolai, Nate (February 1, 2019). "TV Roundup: Netflix To Drop 'Big Mouth' Valentine's Day Special". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  11. ^ "Big Mouth: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  12. ^ "Big Mouth", Metacritic, retrieved October 14, 2017
  13. ^ "Big Mouth: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  14. ^ "Big Mouth", Metacritic, retrieved Sep 29, 2017
  15. ^ "Netflix's Big Mouth takes a sharp, surprisingly joyful look at the gross time that is puberty". Vox. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
  16. ^ "Big Mouth returns, faster, funnier, and filthier than anything else on TV". The AV Club. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  17. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 3, 2018). "2018 Annie Award Winners: Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  18. ^ "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  19. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 2, 2019). "2019 Annie Award Winners: Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
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