Mortified

Last updated

Mortified
Mortified-DVD Poster.png
DVD cover
Genre Sitcom
Created by Angela Webber
Written by
  • Angela Webber
  • Sam Carroll
  • Tim Gooding
  • Johanna Pigott
  • Steve Wright
  • Max Dann
  • Chris Anastassiades
  • Shirley Pierce
  • Adam Bowen
  • Helen McWhirter
Directed by
  • Pino Amenta
  • Paul Moloney
  • Ian Gilmour
  • Michael Pattinson
  • Evan Clarry
Starring
Theme music composerFrank Strangio
Opening theme"Get Me Out of Here"
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producers
  • Phillip Bowman
  • Jenny Buckland
  • Bernadette O'Mahony
  • Jo Horsburgh
Producers
  • Phillip Bowman
  • Bernadette O'Mahony
Camera setup Single-camera (videotape used for end credit scenes)
Running time24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Nine Network
Release30 June 2006 (2006-06-30) 
11 April 2007 (2007-04-11)

Mortified is an Australian children's television series, co-produced by the Australian Children's Television Foundation and Enjoy Entertainment for the Nine Network Australia. The series premiered on 30 June 2006 and ended on 11 April 2007 with two seasons and a total of 26 episodes. Currently, re-runs air on both ABC and the Disney Channel, in the U.S. on Starz Kids and Family. [1]

Contents

Premise

Mortified follows the imaginative life of Taylor Fry, an eleven-year-old girl living in a beachside town in Australia called Sunburn Beach, as she struggles to make it through her pre-teen years with her flawed and embarrassing family. [2] She is embarrassed by her parents; jealous of her neighbour Brittany; her best friend, Hector, has a crush on her; and she has a crush on popular Leon. [3] Taylor frequently breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to the audience. Her imagination causes inanimate objects to seemingly come to life.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 1330 June 2006 (2006-06-30)22 September 2006 (2006-09-22)
2 1314 February 2007 (2007-02-14)9 May 2007 (2007-05-09)

Season 1 (2006)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"Taylor's DNA"Pino AmentaAngela Webber30 June 2006 (2006-06-30)101
Taylor is sure she will die of shame when Don and Glenda enter a talent quest for parents at her school. Not one to back away from a challenge, Taylor drags Hector along on a crusade to prove via DNA analysis that Don and Glenda are in fact not her parents, and therefore cannot enter the talent quest.
22"Bigger Than Vegas"Paul MoloneyTim Gooding7 July 2006 (2006-07-07)102
Hector secretly nominates Taylor for School Captain, unwittingly igniting her passion for politics. It seems to be a two-horse race as Taylor goes up against the perfect, beautiful and seemingly unbeatable Brittany Flune. Taylor finds herself determined to win, all the while trying to ignore her father's petty annual 'Christmas Lights' rivalry with Brittany's father.
33"Learning to Surf"Evan ClarrySam Carroll14 July 2006 (2006-07-14)103
Taylor is embarrassed when she is sprung fantasising about becoming a pro-surfer, and covers by claiming she can surf. But when heart-throb Leon invites her to enter a surfing competition, Taylor feels she has no choice but to enter. The situation snowballs as Taylor is forced to learn how to surf within a few short days - on her dad's massive Malibu surfboard!
44"Mother in the Nude"Paul MoloneyAngela Webber21 July 2006 (2006-07-21)104
Taylor is struck dumb when she arrives home from school with her friends to find her mother creating a nude sculpture of herself. To make matters worse, her class will attend the public unveiling at Sculpture by the Beach but Taylor's effort to upstage the reveal makes a bigger splash than she intended.
55"The Chosen One"Pino AmentaAngela Webber28 July 2006 (2006-07-28)105
Taylor is inspired by the teachings of a Buddhist monk, who shares the concept of a simple life without possessions. She decides to live a serene and noble life, and starts by sacrificing all her material possessions in pursuit of true happiness. However, she quickly finds out that this is not as easy as it sounds, as her earthly desires get in the way.
66"The Talk"Pino AmentaTim Gooding4 August 2006 (2006-08-04)106
When Taylor develops a crush on a teenage martial arts instructor, she signs up for classes just to see him. Taylor also avoids her parents from the fear of getting "The Talk".
77"Flag Fall"Pino AmentaJohanna Pigott11 August 2006 (2006-08-11)107
Taylor becomes image conscious and starts to worry about her appearance, so she adapts to a new sense of style, but Hector is not very happy with Taylor's new attitude after he agrees to put up the School Flag.
88"The Big Game"Paul MoloneySteve Wright18 August 2006 (2006-08-18)108
After witnessing Leon's soccer skill, and watching him play, Taylor is inspired to join the School Soccer Team.
99"Return of the Mothership"Pino AmentaAngela Webber25 August 2006 (2006-08-25)109
Taylor and Hector spend time with an eccentric elderly couple who believe they will be abducted by aliens and took into outer space in a mother ship.
1010"The Cross Country"Evan ClarryMax Dann1 September 2006 (2006-09-01)110
Taylor wins her school cross-country race. But as she basks in her new-found fame and glory, she fails to confess that Mystic Marj drove her to the finish line. Taylor faces the prospect of moving to Scotland when her father inherits a "grand Scottish estate".
1111"Taylor Turns Bad"Pino AmentaSam Carroll8 September 2006 (2006-09-08)111
Taylor notices people whispering behind her back, and soon learns that rumours are circulating about her. The discovery gives Taylor a revelation about what it takes to get noticed and sets out to garner the attention she desperately wants. Although her plans eventually do work, she gets grounded. As Layla convinces Taylor to sneak out, her sister secretly pulls Taylor's jeans off leaving her in a skirt top, her underwear and even bigger trouble with her parents.
1212"Being Me"Evan ClarryJohanna Pigott15 September 2006 (2006-09-15)112
With a school dance coming up, Taylor starts to query her image and identity. She fears that her refusal to conform to fashion rules will ruin her social life. To improve her life, Taylor decides to change her name.
1313"Leaving Primary"Pino AmentaAngela Webber22 September 2006 (2006-09-22)113
The last day of primary school arrives and it seems that Taylor's circle of friends is being ripped apart, as they all face the prospect of heading off to different high schools. Taylor is torn as she is forced to make some serious decisions about her future.

Season 2 (2006–07)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
141"Little Fish"Ian GilmourAngela Webber10 November 2006 (2006-11-10)201
It is Taylor's first day in year 7 at her new high school, and she is confident that it will be everything she dreamed it would be. But her enthusiasm quickly dissolves as everything that can go wrong does go wrong. She misses the bus, loses Hector and, when she eventually makes it to school, she smells like rotten fish - thanks to her mother's super home-mix de-stress aromatherapy ointment.
152"Parent Teacher Night"Michael PattinsonTim Gooding17 November 2006 (2006-11-17)202
With parent-teacher night looming, Taylor wakes up to find her dad doing biceps curls on the front lawn, surrounded by stack of vinyl records. Layla informs her that his bizarre behaviour is due to a mid-life crisis, and might last anywhere up to three years. Taylor is mortified at the prospect of her father showing up at parent-teacher night, and tries in vain to prevent him from going.
163"DJ Taylor"Paul MoloneyAngela Webber24 November 2006 (2006-11-24)203
It is work experience time and Taylor is thrilled to be granted a position with the local radio station, working as a DJ. But her hopes fade as she is assigned to Mystic Marj's psychic talk-back segment. Worse, she is forced to get in touch with her own inner psychic when Mystic Marj accidentally locks herself in the toilets, leaving Taylor to deal with a switchboard full of needy callers, going by the pseudonym of "Claire Voyant". However, Taylor receives a Valentine's Day card from a secret admirer (who is actually Hector).
174"School Trivia Night"Pino AmentaChris Anastassiades1 December 2006 (2006-12-01)204
Taylor is less than impressed when her family teams up with heart-throb Leon's family for the school trivia night. Taylor prepares herself for ultimate humiliation as she realises just how "trivial" her parents' knowledge really is.
185"Taylor's Self Portrait"Ian GilmourShirley Pierce5 January 2007 (2007-01-05)205
When Taylor learns that a revealing self-portrait is to be auctioned off for charity, she scrambles to prevent it. But things get even worse when she discovers the painting is not the only thing that's fallen into a stranger's hands - her diary is missing too.
196"The Wedding"Pino AmentaAngela Webber12 January 2007 (2007-01-12)206
Taylor is horrified to discover her parents are not technically married, and tries to convince them they need a traditional wedding. Her horror turns to happiness when Don, on bended knee, proposes to Glenda. However this joy turns back to horror as she realises the wedding is going to be anything but traditional.
207"First Child in Space"Paul MoloneyAdam Bowen19 January 2007 (2007-01-19)207
Taylor discovers that Glenda is going to be teaching "Healing by Humming" at her school, and is devastated. She decides that there is only one logical way to solve her problems and escape her family. With Hector's help, she begins her campaign to become the first child astronaut.
218"The Family Tree"Michael PattinsonHelen McWhirter26 January 2007 (2007-01-26)208
Taylor has to do an assignment on an ancestor or relative, but everyone she can think of is far too embarrassing. When the Fry family receives a visit from their Great Aunt Ally, Taylor thinks the universe is smiling on her at last. However, she quickly realises that Great Aunt Ally is an eccentric, and her hopes are dashed - until the kooky old woman teaches her a valuable lesson.
229"Divorce Camp"Michael PattinsonTim Gooding28 February 2007 (2007-02-28)209
Taylor fears that her parents are getting a divorce. At school camp, Taylor convinces herself that there is something going on between her mother and her teacher, Mr Frankel. She sabotages every activity in an effort to keep them apart, but as one thing leads to another, Taylor finds herself lost in the bush.
2310"Taylor Gets a Job"Paul MoloneyAngela Webber and Sam Carroll21 March 2007 (2007-03-21)210
All Taylor's friends have mobile phones, and she starts to feel left out. She decides she will get a job and save for a phone herself. The job of pet-sitting Mystic Marj's cats turns out to be somewhat less simple than she had anticipated, as the unruly cats take over Taylor's bedroom and run riot.
2411"Rome Wasn't Built in a Day"Pino AmentaSteve Wright28 March 2007 (2007-03-28)211
Don and Glenda leave Layla, Taylor and Hector home alone. But when Layla is dumped by her most recent heart-throb, she starts sobbing uncontrollably. It is a domino effect as the oven catches on fire, Hector's half-built model melts and the TV breaks. Taylor and Hector have to dry Layla's tears and save the day, while maintaining their composure enough to complete their school project.
2512"Girl Power"Ian GilmourTim Gooding4 April 2007 (2007-04-04)212
Taylor learns that Brittany and her family are moving house. As Michael and Loretta vacuum their front lawn in preparation for the sale of their house, Taylor and Brittany hatch a cunning scheme to sabotage the open day and ensure that they can remain next-door neighbours forever.
2613"Taylor's Song"Pino AmentaSam Carroll11 April 2007 (2007-04-11)213
Taylor thinks all her prayers have been answered when she is allowed to move in with Brittany's family for a few days. But she quickly realises the Flune family is a well-oiled machine, with strict house rules. She shares her dilemma with Beethoven and realises her own family might not be perfect, but they are perfect for her.

Development and production

Mortified was created by screenwriter and author Angela Webber. Series director is Pino Amenta. It consists of 26 24-minute episodes. [4] The first season of Mortified had a budget of A$9.3 million. It was shot on location in Coolangatta, Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Elanora and Tugun on the Gold Coast while most of the school scenes were filmed at the local Palm Beach Currumbin High School and Coolangatta State School starting on 8 June 2005, with the shopping centre scenes filmed at The Pines Shopping Centre at Elanora. [5] Mortified was launched in Cannes at MIPTV in April 2006. [6]

International broadcast

Country / RegionNetwork(s)Broadcast runTitle
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Disney Channel
ABC3
Mortified
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Disney Channel Spain, Cartoon Network Spain, Antena 3 (Spain) 2006–2007¿Por qué a mí?
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina Disney Channel Latin America 2007–2011¿Por qué a mí?
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria ORF eins Meine peinlichen Eltern
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Disney Channel Brazil, TV Cultura 2007–2011Ninguém Merece!
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada BBC Kids Mortified
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile Canal 13 2008¿Por qué a mí?
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia Señal Colombia 2010¿Por qué a mí?
Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador Ecuavisa ¿Por qué a mí?
Flag of France.svg  France Disney Channel France Morte de honte!
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany KiKa 12 March 2008Meine peinlichen Eltern
Flag of India.svg  India Disney Channel India 2007–2008मोर्टीफाईड (Hindi)
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland RTÉ 2007-10
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan NHK 31 March 2008–?気分はぐるぐる
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Disney Channel Italy Perché a me
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico Disney Channel Latin America, Canal Once 2007–2015¿Por qué a mí?
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Zapp Mortified Zóóó gênant
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Canal Panda Que vida a minha
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Disney Channel Russia Непокорная
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea EBS 테일러는 12살
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden SVT Barnkanalen Pinsamheter
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom CBBC, Pop Girl Mortified
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Starz Kids & Family 1 March 2011–presentMortified
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela Televen 2010¿Por qué a mí?
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam HTV3 28 November 2012 – presentTuổi ô mai
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong Australia Network

Disney Channel

1 July (?) – presentMortified

Crew

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2007New York Festivals Television Programming
and Promotion Awards
Grand Award for Best Youth Program
-
Won
Gold World Medal for Youth Programs ages 7 to 12
-
Won
2006 Australian Film Institute Awards Best Children's Television Drama
-
Won
Young Actor AwardMarny KennedyWon
Best Direction In TelevisionPino Amenta
(for the pilot episode "Taylor's DNA")
Nominee
Best Screenplay In TelevisionAngela Webber
(for the pilot episode "Taylor's DNA")
Nominee
Chicago International Children's FestivalFirst Prize in the Live Action Television category
-
Won
54th Columbus International Film and Video FestivalBronze Plaque for Children and Youth Programs
-
Won
Australian Teachers of Media AwardsBest Children's Television Series
-
Won

Home media

A DVD of the series was released in PAL format on 4 April 2007. Titled Mortified: Volume 1, the 2-disc DVD has a running time of 299 minutes and includes the first 13 episodes. Mortified: Volume 2, a 2-disc DVD consisting of episodes 14–26 (running time of 312 minutes), was released on 18 July 2007.

Related Research Articles

<i>Ed</i> (TV series) American comedy-drama television series

Ed is an American comedy-drama television series that was co-produced by David Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated, NBC Productions and Viacom Productions that aired on NBC from October 8, 2000, to February 6, 2004. The hour-long comedy drama starred Tom Cavanagh as Ed Stevens, Julie Bowen as his love interest Carol Vessey, Josh Randall as his friend Dr. Mike Burton, Jana Marie Hupp as Mike's wife Nancy, Lesley Boone as their friend Molly Hudson, and Justin Long as awkward high-school student Warren Cheswick. Other supporting cast members included Michael Genadry and Ginnifer Goodwin as Warren's friends Mark and Diane, and Michael Ian Black, Mike Starr, Rachel Cronin, and (later) Daryl Mitchell as the employees of Ed's bowling alley. Long term guest stars included John Slattery as Dennis Martino and Sabrina Lloyd as Frankie Hector. The show was created by executive producers Jon Beckerman and Rob Burnett. David Letterman is also credited as one of the show's executive producers.

<i>Kaleido Star</i> Japanese anime television series

Kaleido Star is a Japanese anime series animated by Japanese studio Gonzo. The series was created by Junichi Sato, who also directed the first season, and written by Reiko Yoshida. Kaleido Star: New Wings was directed by Yoshimasa Hiraike. Three original video animations have been produced, as well as a manga series and a novel. The series follows Sora Naegino, a young Japanese girl, who travels to the United States to fulfill her dream of performing at the world-famous Kaleido Stage.

<i>Naturally, Sadie</i> Canadian TV series or program

Naturally, Sadie is a Canadian teen comedy drama that ran for three seasons from June 24, 2005 to August 26, 2007 on Family Channel. The series was produced by Decode Entertainment. It was created by Barbara Wiechmann, and developed by Suzanne Bolch and John May.

<i>Cory in the House</i> American television series

Cory in the House is an American television sitcom which aired on the Disney Channel from January 12, 2007, to September 12, 2008, and was a spin-off from the Disney Channel show That's So Raven. The show focuses on Cory Baxter, who moves from San Francisco, California to Washington, D.C., with his father, after Victor Baxter gets a new job as the White House Executive Chef. The series was the first Disney Channel spin-off series, as well as the final Disney Channel series overall, to be both shot and broadcast in standard definition for the entire run of the show. Reruns of the series have aired on Disney Channel and Disney XD, it also aired on the Family Channel in Canada. Raven-Symoné guest-starred in one episode, reprising her role as Raven Baxter.

Skimo is a sitcom made in Mexico. It is produced by Nickelodeon Latin America and Macias Group International. The opening song for the show, "Skimo Es el Lugar", is performed by the pop rock band Motel.

"Diwali" is the sixth episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office and the show's 34th overall. It was written by Mindy Kaling, who also acts in the show as Kelly Kapoor, and directed by Miguel Arteta. The episode first aired on November 2, 2006, on NBC, twelve days after the actual Diwali holiday.

Rachel Leigh Blakely is an Australian actress. Her works include films such as Love Until, Young Hercules and Counterstrike, as well as guest appearances on television shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess, State Coroner and Flipper. She is best known for her role as Gaby Willis in Neighbours, Marguerite Krux on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World, and as Glenda Fry in the Australian series Mortified. In 2010, she became attached to the children's series Accord'n to Jordyn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marny Kennedy</span> Australian actress

Marny Elizabeth Kennedy is an Australian actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Taylor Fry in the television series Mortified, Veronica di Angelo #2 on The Saddle Club and for recent appearances on Between Two Worlds and Home and Away. She also starred as Ally Henson in the TV series A gURLs wURLd. She is also known for her role as Winter Frey in the TV adaptation of Conspiracy 365. In 2011 she appeared in the short-film Golden Girl as teenage Cilla, whose life is drastically changed after she becomes scarred by a fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maia Mitchell</span> Australian actress and singer (born 1993)

Maia McCall Mitchell is an Australian actress and singer. Known for her work in film and television, she has received various accolades, including nominations for eight Teen Choice Awards.

As the Bell Rings is a 2007-2008 Disney Channel UK original interstitial program. Its name is based on the show As the World Turns. The format is a selection of short live-action comedy sequences. It is a British adaptation of the Disney Channel Italy original series Quelli dell'intervallo.

Dajana Cahill is an Australian former actress, whose roles include the children's television series Mortified. Cahill has also appeared in a guest role on Australian soap Neighbours as Miranda Kelly, her first acting appearance in nine years.

<i>Chu-Bra!!</i> Japanese manga series

Chū-Bra!! is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yumi Nakata. The manga was serialized in Futabasha's Comic High! magazine from January 22, 2007, to April 22, 2011 and the chapters collected into seven tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation animated by Zexcs aired from January 4 to March 22, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heather Morris</span> American actress, dancer, and singer

Heather Elizabeth Morris is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She played the role of Brittany S. Pierce in the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee.

<i>Wingin It</i> Canadian teen sitcom

Wingin' It is a Canadian teen sitcom which aired on Family. The series was produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Family. It stars Demetrius Joyette and Dylan Everett. This show included guest-stars from other Family Channel shows such as The Latest Buzz. It was announced that the series was renewed for a third season on June 13, 2011. Family announced that the series is not planned for a fourth season.

<i>I.N.K. Invisible Network of Kids</i> French TV series or program

I.N.K. Invisible Network of Kids is a French animated series directed by Prakash Topsy, produced by Samka Productions (France) and broadcaster France 3 on May 16, 2009.

<i>Lloyd in Space</i> American TV series or program

Lloyd in Space is an American animated television series, created by Recess co-creators Joe Ansolabehere and Paul Germain. It premiered on February 3, 2001, on ABC on Saturday mornings. The pilot was written by Ansolabehere, Germain and Mark Drop, with the characters designed by Eric Keyes. The series ran for four seasons, airing its final episode on February 27, 2004.

Sanjay and Craig is an American animated sitcom created by Jim Dirschberger, Jay Howell, and Andreas Trolf for Nickelodeon. Produced by Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, the series revolves around Sanjay, voiced by Maulik Pancholy, and his best friend Craig, voiced by Chris Hardwick, a talking snake.

References

  1. Matthew D. Pascoe (29 October 2010). "Weekly Focus: Mortified". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  2. "Mortified Get me out of here!" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2006. Retrieved 21 February 2007.
  3. Greg Hassall (30 June 2006). "Mortified – review". The Age. Retrieved 21 February 2007.
  4. "Live Action Series :: Mortified". Archived from the original on 21 February 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2007.
  5. "26-part Children's TV series to film on Gold Coast". 15 July 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2007.
  6. "Mortified wins 2 major awards at New York festivals". 9 February 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2007.