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'{{Short description|American animated sitcom}} {{about|the animated series|the filmmaking method|Home movie||Home movie (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox television | image = Homemovies sm.png | caption = Left to right: Melissa, Brendon and Jason. | runtime = 22 minutes | genre = {{Plainlist| * [[Animated sitcom]] * [[Slice of life]] }} | creator = {{Plainlist| * [[Brendon Small]] * [[Loren Bouchard]] }} | developer = [[Tom Snyder (animator)|Tom Snyder]] | director = Loren Bouchard | voices = {{Plainlist| * Brendon Small * [[Paula Poundstone]] {{small|(2001)}} * [[Janine Ditullio]] {{small|(2001–04)}} * [[H. Jon Benjamin]] * [[Melissa Bardin Galsky]] }} | theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist| * Brendon Small * Loren Bouchard }} | composer = Brendon Small | country = United States | language = English | executive_producer = {{Plainlist| * Loren Bouchard * Tom Snyder * Bonnie Burns * Mary Catherine Micka }} | producer = {{Plainlist| * Loren Bouchard {{small|(season 1)}} * Melissa Bardin Galsky {{small|(seasons 1-2)}} * Carl W. Adams {{small|(season 3)}} * Jack Ferraiolo {{small|(season 4)}} }} | company = {{Plainlist| * Burns & Burns Productions * [[Soup2Nuts]]{{efn|name=Soup2Nuts|Credited as Tom Snyder Productions from 1999-2001}} }} | network = {{Plainlist| * [[Adult Swim]] }} | first_aired = {{start date|1999|4|26}} | last_aired = {{end date|2004|4|4}} | related = | num_seasons = 4 | num_episodes = 52 | list_episodes = List of Home Movies episodes }} '''''Home Movies''''' is an American <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidehook.com/nation/adult-cartoons-ranked|title=IN HONOR OF SOUTH PARK TURNING 20: THE 20 BEST ADULT CARTOONS, RANKED|publisher=InsideHook|date=August 11, 1997|access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thepointmag.com/2014/criticism/homemovies|title=Home Movies|author=Williams, Ian|date=2014|publisher=The Point|access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref> [[animated sitcom]] created by [[Brendon Small]] and [[Loren Bouchard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thepointmag.com/2014/criticism/homemovies|title=Home Movies|author=Williams, Ian|date=2014|publisher=The Point|access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref> The show centers on an eight-year-old aspiring [[filmmaking|filmmaker]], also named Brendon Small, who makes homemade [[film production]]s in his spare time with his friends Melissa Robbins and Jason Penopolis. He lives with his divorced mother Paula and his adopted baby sister Josie. He develops a skewed father-son-like relationship with his alcoholic, short-tempered soccer coach, John McGuirk. ''Home Movies'' premiered on [[UPN]] on April 26, 1999. UPN cancelled the series after only five episodes due to low ratings, but [[Cartoon Network]] purchased the rights to the series, seeing potential in it; the show premiered as the first original program on their nighttime adult-oriented [[Adult Swim]] block on the night of the block's launch on September 2, 2001.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |page=413}}</ref> The series ended on April 4, 2004, with a total of 52 episodes over the course of four seasons. The show was produced by Tom Snyder Productions (now known as [[Soup2Nuts]]), who was previously famous for their work on the 1995 [[Comedy Central]] animated series ''[[Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist]]''. ''Home Movies'' developed a [[cult following]] during its run, and is still considered a renowned cult show,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/17088935/promo-pumps-cult-cartoons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404103934/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/17088935/promo-pumps-cult-cartoons |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-04 |title=Promo pumps cult cartoons - Tags: CABLE television networks SMALL, Brendon |publisher=Connection.ebscohost.com |access-date=2014-04-29}}</ref> having been well-regarded by critics in the years since its run. Co-creator Small later helped create the Adult Swim animated series ''[[Metalocalypse]]'' and Bouchard later created the animated series ''[[Bob's Burgers]]'' for the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox network]], casting [[H. Jon Benjamin]] (the voice of Coach McGuirk, Jason, and Perry) as the voice of Bob Belcher. == Season plot summaries == {{Main|List of Home Movies episodes}} {{:List of Home Movies episodes}} === Season one === {{main|Home Movies (season 1)}} Animated in [[Squigglevision]] and heavily using [[Improvisational theatre#In film and television|retroscripting]], the first five episodes aired on [[UPN]] in 1999. The show introduced the main characters in this season, and mainly consisted of episodes revolving around Brendon's movies. Much of the style of the writing is loose and improvised. The season ends with Brendon saying hello to his erstwhile [[unseen character|absent]] father on the phone. === Season two === {{main|Home Movies (season 2)}} Now animated in [[Adobe Flash|Flash]], this is the first season commissioned by Cartoon Network as a result of mixed ratings of season one reruns. The episodes are now heavily scripted, but the creators now have much more freedom, allowing for creative episodes (“History”), introducing new characters (Fenton Mulley, the Adelbergs) as well as a multiple-story season [[story arc#Story arc usage in North American TV series|arc]], which includes: * Brendon meeting his father Andrew and his fiancée Linda, resulting in therapy sessions, leading up to a wedding. * Brendon develops a crush on Scäb choreographer Cynthia, and tries to win her over. * Paula loses her job and searches for a new one. Melissa's dad offers some advice. The show also develops a [[Literary technique|writing device]] that carries through the next seasons, in which the plots of one episode usually all have an underlying [[Theme (literature)|theme]]. Emphasis on Brendon's movies becomes key here, and the [[subtext]] of their creation is finally discussed. At this point, Brendon is still enjoying his life making films and living in a fantasy world. === Season three === {{main|Home Movies (season 3)}} A bit looser than season two, the show loses the idea of a seasonal story arc, and many of the episodes air out of order. The episodes become racier, with more resounding sexual themes and cursing than before. Secondary characters, such as Fenton and Duane, are given more screen time, relative to the prior seasons. Another aspect is that the show begins to acknowledge actual movies more often than it had previously, and starts parodying them heavily. The season ends with Brendon's stepmother Linda having a child, but afterwards she and Andrew no longer make appearances in the show. === Season four === {{main|Home Movies (season 4)}} The final season: the creators apparently knew they were getting canceled throughout the entire production of the final thirteen episodes. Many of the episodes are straight parodies of movies, including three allusions to [[Hitchcockian|Hitchcockian thrillers]]. The bulk of the episodes consist of plots that involve Brendon doing something other than making films. Part of this revolves around Brendon trying to figure out whether he still enjoys making movies, or if it is becoming more of a chore. An entire episode ("Curses") dealt with swearing and adult themes. The loose dialogue and long conversations lessen for humorous [[plot device]]s and a speedier delivery at jokes and gags. The final episode ("Focus Grill"), was made in mind as a [[series finale]], and brought back the long conversations and loose dialogue, as well as a resolution to the series as Brendon, Jason and Melissa finally make a conclusion to their first film, declaring their friendship before they come to the conclusion that their movies are not as good as they had always believed. Brendon accidentally drops his camera from a moving car while filming scenery in the final sequence and watches in distress as it gets run over, but is thereafter distracted from his grief by a discussion of fast food prompted by his mother and Coach McGuirk. == Characters == {{Main|List of Home Movies characters}} {{empty section|reason=A section must contain more than just a link to another article.|date=September 2020}} == Style == {{multiple image | align = left | image1 = Brendon Small by Gage Skidmore.jpg | width1 = 182 | alt1 = | caption1 = Brendon Small was a co-creator, writer, executive producer, composer and voice actor on the series | image2 = Loren Bouchard by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg | width2 = 156 | alt2 = | caption2 = Loren Bouchard worked as co-creator, writer, executive producer, director and an occasional voice actor | footer = }} In its first season, ''Home Movies'' utilized [[Soup2Nuts]]' [[Squigglevision]] animation but later abandoned that for the cheaper, more malleable [[Adobe Flash|Macromedia Flash]] animation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/before-tv-revivals-happened-every-day-adult-swim-turne-1826075574|title=Before TV revivals happened every day, Adult Swim turned Home Movies' camera back on|last=Adams|first=Erik|work=AVClub|date=May 17, 2018|access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref> The switch was initiated for several reasons, including scattered negative response to Squigglevision from both critics and viewers, limitations in regard to movement (fluid motion is rare in Squigglevision), and the producers' view that since Squigglevision was inherent to ''[[Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist]]'', ''Home Movies'' should develop its own unique style.<ref>Hansen, Tony (March 27, 2003) [http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dr-Katz-3117/Home-Movies.htm "Dr. Katz: Home Movies"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104191117/http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dr-Katz-3117/Home-Movies.htm |date=January 4, 2016 }} Retrieved June 23, 2007.</ref> The dialogue of ''Home Movies'' initially relied upon [[Ad libitum#Drama|spontaneous or ''ad-lib'']] creation by the actors. The [[Screenplay#Television|scripts]] were purposely left vague, with the plot of a particular scene merely outlined, and the dialogue [[Improv comedy teacher|improvised]] by the actors, with the animation then created and matched to the edited soundtrack. Bouchard referred to this process as "[[Improvisational theatre#In film and television|retroscripting]]," a technique he had developed on [[Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist|''Dr. Katz'']]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19990426&id=B6JJAAAAIBAJ&pg=6241,3346972&hl=en|first=Dale|last=McCarrigle|date=1999-04-26|newspaper=Bangor Daily Times|location=Maine|title='Home Movies' a flat flop of a cartoon}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=August 2019}} <!-- CN: This gives the show very casual, realistic dialogue with an often dry, sarcastic wit.--> The first episode was entirely improvised. Though retroscripting was used officially in only the first season, the dialogue in the following three seasons remained heavily improvised, with the written script serving mainly as a guide to fall back on for jokes if needed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Poundstone heads talented cast of 'Home Movies'|newspaper=Star-Banner|location=Ocala, Florida|date=1999-04-24|first=Cynthia|last=Werthamer|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19990424&id=_uFPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3788,5353392&hl=en}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=August 2019}} All music for the series was written and performed by Brendon Small.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://marquettewire.org/3950209/ae/tracy-home-movies-and-its-sublime-weirdness/|title='Home Movies' and its sublime weirdness|last=Tracy|first=Dennis|work=Marquette Wire|date=May 7, 2016|access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref> <!-- PROVE ANY OF THIS: A recurring visual theme within the show is the [[garden gnome|lawn gnomes]] that make subtle appearances in the background of many scenes (even a gnome-shaped guitar appears in a music shop in the episode "Guitarmageddon". At least one lawn gnome can be found in almost every episode of the series, as well as on the DVD box art, and as an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]] in the DVD menus on certain discs.--> {{clear}} == Music == {{main|Home Movies: Bonus CD}} The soundtrack for ''Home Movies'' was released May 16, 2006, and includes fifty-two songs which were featured throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Home+Movies+Bonus+CD/4803680 |title=Home Movies Bonus CD - Album by home movies |publisher=grooveshark.com |access-date=December 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329002832/http://grooveshark.com/ |archive-date=March 29, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The CD comes packaged with the DVD release of the show's [[Home Movies (season 4)|fourth season]] box set.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EQ5PT6 |title=Home Movies - Season Four |website=Amazon |date=16 May 2006 |access-date=2011-08-31}}</ref> All music was written by [[Brendon Small]]. == Home releases == '''Season releases''' {| class="wikitable" |- !DVD name!!Release date!!Ep #!!Additional information |- |Season one||November 16, 2004|| style="text-align:center;"|13 || This three-disc boxset includes all 13 episodes from season one. Special features include 10 [[Audio commentary|commentary]] tracks, [[storyboard|animatics]], interviews with cast and creators, animation galleries, and [[short film]]s by Brendon Small and Jon Benjamin. |- |Season two||May 31, 2005|| style="text-align:center;"|13 || This three-disc boxset includes all 13 episodes from season two. Special features include commentaries and interviews with Brendon Small, Melissa Galsky and executive producer Loren Bouchard, Winner of the "Small Shorts" film contest, animatics, songs from the series, Landstander, and the ''Decide Your Doom'' interactive adventure video game. It also includes a “how-to” guide to playing the ''Home Movies'' theme. |- |Season three||November 15, 2005|| style="text-align:center;"|13 || This three-disc boxset includes all 13 episodes from season three. Special features include commentaries, animatics and a [[featurette]] for “People who don't necessarily like ''Home Movies''.” |- |Season four||May 16, 2006|| style="text-align:center;"|13 || This three-disc boxset includes all 13 episodes from season four. Special features include 24 commentaries, animatics, and featurettes. Also included is the ''[[Home Movies: Bonus CD|Home Movies: Bonus Soundtrack CD]]'' with 52 tracks composed and performed by Small for the show. |- |Home Movies 10th Anniversary Set<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D2WUCK |title=Home Movies 10th Anniversary Set [Limited Edition&#93; [Deluxe Edition&#93;: Brendon Small, H. Jon Benjamin, Paula Poundstone, Melissa Bardin Galsky, Loren Bouchard |website=Amazon |date=November 4, 2008 |access-date=2014-04-29}}</ref>||November 4, 2008|| style="text-align:center;"|52 || This 10th Anniversary thirteen-disc boxset includes every episode of Home Movies plus new special features, as well as the CD included in the Season Four boxset. |} [[Shout! Factory]], through [[Sony BMG|Sony BMG Music Entertainment]], released DVDs of ''Home Movies'' seasons, each on three-disc box sets. Each DVD has numerous special features and [[Easter egg (virtual)|easter eggs]]. Shout! Factory later on released all of the Home Movies episodes on [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video on Demand]]. Seasons 2 through 4 are available for free streaming with a public library card on the [[Hoopla (digital media service)|Hoopla]] app and website in the United States. Some episodes are able to be streamed through the [[Adult Swim]] official website and app on a rotating basis. The series also joined [[HBO Max]] on May 27, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/hbo-max-tv-shows-movies-originals-list|title = HBO Max: All the TV Shows, Movies and Originals You Can Stream Now - IGN| date=May 27, 2020 }}</ref> == Reception == The series has been highly regarded by critics upon and since its release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/home_movies/s01/|title=Home Movies: Season 1 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref> In 2009, [[IGN]] included it on their list of the top 100 animated series of all time.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-animated-series/28 |title=Top 100 Animated Series - #28|publisher=IGN |access-date=2014-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724071916/http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/28.html |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> While reviewing the first season, ''[[PopMatters]]'' noted that "The animation serves one of the most impressive aspects: the fact that it was largely improvised",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/home-movies-season-1-dvd-2496227132.html|title=Home Movies, Season One|last=Hassenger|first=Jesse|work=PopMatters|date=December 27, 2004|access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref> while ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised the show's dialogue and humor, saying "''Home Movies'' manages to set itself apart, offering clever dialogue and sharp social commentary."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/reviews/home-movies-2-1200457163/|title=Home Movies|last=Fries|first=Laura|work=Variety|date=April 26, 1999|access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref> == See also == * ''[[O'Grady]]'', an animated sitcom for a teenage audience, also by Soup2Nutz * ''[[Hey Monie!]],'' an adult-oriented animated sitcom, also by Soup2Nutz == References == {{Reflist|30em}} == External links == {{wikiquote|Home Movies}} * {{Official website|http://www.adultswim.com/videos/home-movies}} * {{IMDb title|0197159}} {{Home Movies}} {{Brendon Small}} {{Loren Bouchard}} {{UPN}} {{Adult Swim original programming}} [[Category:Home Movies (TV series)| ]] [[Category:1999 American television series debuts]] [[Category:1999 American television series endings]] [[Category:1990s American school television series]] [[Category:1990s American sitcoms]] [[Category:1990s American adult animated television series]] [[Category:2001 American television series debuts]] [[Category:2004 American television series endings]] [[Category:2000s American school television series]] [[Category:2000s American sitcoms]] [[Category:2000s American adult animated television series]] [[Category:American adult animated comedy television series]] [[Category:American animated sitcoms]] [[Category:American English-language television shows]] [[Category:Squigglevision]] [[Category:American television series revived after cancellation]] [[Category:Television series created by Brendon Small]] [[Category:Television series created by Loren Bouchard]] [[Category:Television series by Soup2Nuts]] [[Category:Elementary school television series]] [[Category:Animated television series set in the United States]] [[Category:Television series about filmmaking]] [[Category:Animated television series about children]] [[Category:Animated television series about dysfunctional families]] [[Category:Adult Swim original programming]] [[Category:UPN sitcoms]]'