Infomercials (TV specials)

Last updated
Infomercials
Genre
StarringVarious
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers Keith Crofford [a]
Mike Lazzo [b]
Walter Newman [b]
ProducersMelissa Warrenburg [c]
Ollie Green [d]
Mark Costa [e]
Paige Boudreaux [f]
Camera setup Single camera
Running time5–22 minutes (15-30 min. with commercials)
Production company Williams Street
Original release
Network Adult Swim
ReleaseNovember 3, 2009 (2009-11-03) –
present

Infomercials is an umbrella title for independent, quarter-hour television comedy specials airing on Adult Swim. Unlike actual paid programming, all of the programs are fictitious, and for the most part maintain no continuity with each other.

Contents

Most of the specials closely resemble & lampoon the format of infomercials, while others parody tropes in niche media such as closed-circuit hotel information channels, industrial films, sitcoms, outdated reality television formats, and public-access television. A number of the titles have a purposeful standard definition look and framing, to match a dated aesthetic. The specials typically air at 4 a.m. ET/PT.

There is no title card or common identifier for the specials, and on some program guide listings, it can be confused with an actual segment of paid programming; if there is a description, it is sometimes blank, with no season or episode numbers. Every title has a different look, as outside of the Williams Street production logos, there are no common directors, cast or crew between the specials, though some directors have returned.

One in particular, " Too Many Cooks ", is notable for gathering media interest in November 2014. It contains a long-form introduction sequence common to 1980s and 1990s TV shows, except with a seemingly endless cast that continues to be introduced for 11 minutes straight. [1] [2]

One infomercial, Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep, later led to the regular Adult Swim show Joe Pera Talks with You.

Specials

All the titles are or have been aired under the homonym banner, according to the Adult Swim schedule.

No.TitleCreated by / Developed byWritten byDirected byCo-production(s)Original air date
1 Icelandic UltraBlue H. Jon Benjamin and David Cross Jeff BuchananNovember 3, 2009
2 Dangerously Delicious: Paid Advertisement Aziz Ansari (original stand-up comedy film)
(d): Aziz Ansari, Jason Woliner, and Eric Wareheim 		Aziz Ansari, Jason Woliner, and Eric Wareheim Eric Wareheim Abso Lutely Productions
Grandpa Pictures		July 23, 2012
3 The NTSF:SD:SUV:HISS Infomercial [3] [4] [g] Paul Scheer Alex Fernie and Nick Wiger Alex Fernie 2nd Man On The Moon
Abominable Pictures 		November 9, 2012
4 Swords, Knives, Very Sharp Objects and Cutlery [g] Rob Huebel Eric Appel November 27, 2012
5BroomshakalakaJustin Becker, Steve Clemmons, and Becca KinskeyJustin Becker and Steve Clemmons Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert Abominable Pictures December 10, 2013
6 For-Profit Online University Wild, Aggressive Dog(s): Geoff Haggerty, Dan E. Klein, Matthew Klinman, Michael Pielocik, Chris Sartinsky, and Sam West
(t): Sam West		Sam West Abominable Pictures
Wild, Aggressive Dog (uncredited)		December 17, 2013
7 Live Forever as You Are Now with Alan Resnick Ben O'Brien and Alan Resnick Alan Resnick and Dina KelbermanBen O'Brien and Alan Resnick AB Video Solutions, LLC December 24, 2013
8Fartcopter [h] Rob Huebel Alex Fernie Abominable Pictures October 6, 2014
9The Salad MixxxerChris Amick, Ben Mekler, and David Soldinger Ken Marino and David SoldingerOctober 13, 2014
10Alpha Chow [i] Justin Becker, Steve Clemmons, and Becca KinskeyJustin Becker and Steve ClemmonsDave GreenOctober 20, 2014
11Goth Fitness [i] Chris Amick, Ben Mekler, and David SoldingerDanny Jelinek
12 Too Many Cooks Casper Kelly Awesome Inc. October 28, 2014
13 The Newbridge Tourism Board Presents: "We're Newbridge, We're Comin' to Get Ya!" Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster Tom ScharplingProduction Company ProductionsNovember 3, 2014
14In Search of Miracle Man Matt Besser and Rich Fulcher Neil Mahoney Abominable Pictures November 10, 2014
15Smart PipeWild, Aggressive Dog(s): Geoff Haggerty, Dan E. Klein, Matthew Klinman, Micheal Pielocik, Chris Sartinsky, and Sam West
(t): Micheal Pielocik (in Smart Pipe); Chris Sartinsky (in Book of Christ)		Zachary Johnson and Jeffrey Max Abominable Pictures
Wild, Aggressive Dog		November 17, 2014
16Book of ChristNovember 24, 2014
17Frank Pierre Presents: "The Frank Pierre Resort & Casino" Paul Scheer Matthew Freund Abominable Pictures
2nd Man On The Moon 		December 2, 2014
18Unedited Footage of a BearBen O'Brien (concept)Alan Resnick, Robby Rackleff, and Dina KelbermanAlan Resnick and Ben O'BrienWham CityDecember 16, 2014
19 This House Has People in It Alan Resnick (concept)Alan ResnickWham CityMarch 14, 2016
20Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep [j] [k] Joe Pera; (d): Kieran O'HareJoe PeraKieran O'Hare Chestnut Walnut Unlimited March 21, 2016
21 Big Grams: "Born to Shine" / "Run for Your Life" [j] [l] Antwan Patton, Sarah Barthel, and Josh Carter (original EP)
(d): Erik Minkin		Sarah Barthel, Antwan Patton, and Jim Petosa Awesome Inc. Awesome Inc. March 28, 2016
22M.O.P.Z. Todd Rohal and Benjamin KasulkeTodd RohalMechanical Dreams
PFFR 		April 4, 2016
23Gigglefudge, USA Nicholas Maier and Dimitri Simakis John Lee PFFR
Everything Is Terrible!
FishBowl Worldwide Media 		April 11, 2016
24Giles Vanderhoot Michael Showalter Michael Showalter and Jonathan Stern Michael Showalter Abominable Pictures April 25, 2016
25Live at the Necropolis: The Lords of SynthNick Corirossi, Scott Gairdner, Charles Ingram, Danny Jelinek, and Ryan PerezScott Gairdner and Ryan PerezNick Corirossi and Charles IngramMay 2, 2016
26NewsHits Rob Huebel Sergio CilliMay 31, 2016
27MulchtownChris Sartinsky and Becca KinskeyChris SartinskyDanny JelinekIdeal Milk Co.
Abominable Pictures [7] (uncredited)		June 7, 2016
28 Check It Out! with Scott Clam [g] John C. Reilly, Tim Heidecker, and Eric WareheimTim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim Abso Lutely Productions October 23, 2017
29The Suplex Duplex ComplexZack Carlson, Bryan Connolly, and Todd RohalTodd Rohal PFFR
Ten Acre Films		October 30, 2017
30Wet ShapesKati SkeltonLittle Bear Bear Productions
It's Grim		November 6, 2017
31Innovation Makers: The Coyote Suit Dan Guterman and John HarrisDanny Jelinek Abso Lutely Productions December 12, 2017
32A Message from the Future [m] Paul Scheer Paul Scheer and Jonathan SternRyan Perez Abominable Pictures
2nd Man On The Moon 		June 4, 2018
33Cool Dad - Official TrailerAlex Kavutskiy and Ariel Gardner Abominable Pictures June 11, 2018
34Dayworld [j] [h] Cole Kush and Jay Weingarten Abso Lutely Productions
Daytime Studio		June 18, 2018
35Final Deployment 4: Queen Battle Walkthrough [n] Casper Kelly and Nick Gibbons Awesome Inc. June 25, 2018
36Food: The Source of Life [m] Greg HessRyan Perez Abominable Pictures July 2, 2018
37Pervert EverythingLorelei Ramirez PFFR
Wham City		December 10, 2018
38Flayaway Sarah Sherman Kati Skelton Abso Lutely Productions
Helltrap Nightmare		December 17, 2018
39When Panties FlyChiyoung LeeDecember 16, 2019
40PiggySteve SmithSteve Smith & Clay TatumSteve Smith Abso Lutely Productions April 27, 2020
41Skeleton Landlord [h] [o] Doug Bleichner & Sam WagstaffMay 4, 2020
42WormholesBenjamin BermanClark Baker, Benjamin Berman & Kirk C. JohnsonBenjamin BermanThe Ranch ProductionsSeptember 8, 2020
4311 Minute Whambam 90's Ride! Anders Holm Abominable Pictures November 30, 2020
44A Life In Questions: Wisdom School with Aaron Chen Aaron Chen & Henry Stone Henry StoneWest Street Sports, Pty Ltd.December 8, 2020
45Rate The Cookie (with Jo Firestone)Jo FirestoneJulie Miller PFFR December 14, 2020
46Danny Ketchup Casper Kelly Fried Society
Awesome Inc 		December 21, 2020
47 Adult Swim Yule Log Casper Kelly Fried SocietyDecember 11, 2022
48Adult Swim Yule Log 2: Branchin' OutTBATBADecember 6, 2024

Scrapped

Notes

  1. ↑ Keith Crofford serves as Executive Producer for Williams Street on all infomercials.
  2. 1 2 Mike Lazzo and Walter Newman serve as Executive Producers for Williams Street on select infomercials individually alongside Crofford.
  3. ↑ Melissa Warrenburg serves as Producer for Williams Street on live action infomercials from 2016 and prior, as well as Final Deployment 4: Queen Battle Walkthrough in 2018 and When Panties Fly in 2019.
  4. ↑ Ollie Green serves as Producer for Williams Street on animated infomercials and on M.O.P.Z.
  5. ↑ Mark Costa serves as Producer for Williams Street on live action infomercials after 2016.
  6. ↑ Paige Boudreaux serves as Producer for Williams Street on action infomercials after 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 These three Infomercials are the only ones to be related to TV series.
  8. 1 2 3 These Infomercials also serve as pilot episodes for Adult Swim. [5] [6]
  9. 1 2 These two Infomercials are the only eighth-hour ones of the project, and are always scheduled as one program listed in TV guides as "Alpha Chow & Goth Fitness". No commercial break is aired between it.
  10. 1 2 3 These three Infomercials are the only animated ones of the project.
  11. ↑ In 2019, the Adult Swim's official YouTube channel posted a version of this special repeated for 10 hours.
  12. ↑ Only music video Infomercial of the entire project.
  13. 1 2 These two Infomercials were originally called: Nuclear Political Ad (for the first), and Farm to Table (for the second). [8]
  14. ↑ Only half-hour Infomercial of the entire project.
  15. ↑ This infomercial was greenlit after being pitched on Adult Swim's weekly Development Meeting livestream. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ Grinberg, Emanuella (November 10, 2014). "This weekend's trending video: 'Too Many Cooks'". No. Online. Turner Media. CNN. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. ↑ Branch, Chris (14 November 2014). "'Too Many Cooks' Creator Dishes on Making the Viral Hit". Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "NTSF:SD:SUV" The NTSF: SD: SUV: HISS Infomercial (TV Episode 2012)". IMDb. 9 November 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  4. ↑ Bean, Alex (November 13, 2012). "NTSF:SD:SUV:: Episode Recap - HISS Infomercial - Season 2, Episode 13 – ToonZone News". ToonZone. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Adult Swim Pilot or Real Florida". Vimeo. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  6. ↑ "DAYWORLD - Cole Kush / Hello!". www.ckush.com. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  7. ↑ Adult Swim Infomercials — Abominable Pictures
  8. ↑ CREDITS — Abominable Pictures
  9. ↑ "Pitch Adult Swim | Development Meeting 7/11 | Adult Swim - YouTube". YouTube . 11 July 2019.
  10. ↑ Bnjrivera (March 11, 2016). "NEWS: The Return of the 4am Infomercials Premiering on 03.14.16 - [swim squad]" . Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  11. ↑ LySK1hZ.png (1301×642)
  12. ↑ Bnjrivera (March 11, 2016). "NEWS: The Return of the 4am Infomercials Premiering on 03.14.16 - [swim squad]" . Retrieved May 26, 2018.
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