The Cleanists

Last updated

The Cleanists
The Cleanists.jpg
Genre Comedy
Sitcom
Created by Tristram Baumber
Directed byTristram Baumber
StarringJames Chapman
Shanon Kulupach
Gabriella Stevens
Craig Lindeman
Theme music composerErgo Phizmiz
Opening theme"Orpheus Tickled"
Country of originAustralia
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerTristram Baumber
Running time5 minutes
Production companyBocanegra Etc.
Original release
Network Showcase TV
Release8 December 2013 (2013-12-08) –
present

The Cleanists is a short-form Australian comedy television and web series created by Tristram Baumber that premiered on 8 December 2013 on Showcase TV in the United Kingdom. The series follows four partners in a house-cleaning company as they face various crises and embark on surreal adventures. [1]

Contents

Plot

Each five-minute episode of The Cleanists brings a new house to clean and a new and bizarre adventure for the characters to navigate. The dramatic centre of the show is everyman Gregg’s struggle to work with insane business partners Magda and Philip. The main emotional focus of the series is an ongoing love triangle between Philip, Gregg and Gregg’s long-time friend Libby.

Characters

Development

Concept and creation

The series is created by Tristram Baumber and was developed out of an early pilot called Ultra Clean. [2] Baumber penned the ten scripts and then held auditions in Newcastle, New South Wales to find the actors who would bring his characters to life.

Production

The ten episodes of the first season were filmed in and around Newcastle in June 2013. The cast and crew worked long days and were able to shoot at a rate of two episodes per day. [2] Baumber, who directed all ten episodes, said of the shoot " It all came down to planning the schedules meticulously in advance. We overran our schedules slightly every day, but at least that meant finishing by 6pm, rather than 11pm." [3]

Cast

The four main cast members appear in every episode of The Cleanists. The first season features guest appearances from Anne Rzechowicz as a tax officer, Peter Oliver as an annoying client, Corinne Lavis as a government safety inspector, Owen Sparnon and Diley Alanca as homicide detectives and Duncan Gordon as a mysterious "ghoulish figure".

Episodes

Season 1 (2013)

No. in
season 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"Trial Day"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber8 December 2013 (2013-12-08)
Gregg and Libby embark on the trial day from hell with Philip and Magda.
2"No News"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber15 December 2013 (2013-12-15)
Magda is determined to get The Cleanists into the newspaper, by any means necessary. (Guest starring Anne Rzechowicz)
3"Mr Aspen"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber22 December 2013 (2013-12-22)
The team desperately schemes to get an irritating client out of his own house. (Guest starring Peter Oliver)
4"Summer Madness"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber29 December 2013 (2013-12-29)
A deranged battle of wills centres on a client's irresistible swimming pool.
5"Occupational Health, Lies & Safety"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber26 January 2014 (2014-01-26)
The team attempts to achieve a perfect government safety score. (Guest starring Corinne Lavis)
6"Political Animals"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber9 March 2014 (2014-03-09)
The Cleanists butt heads over how to exert their new-found political influence with the mayor's son.
7"The Friendship Box"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber16 March 2014 (2014-03-16)
When Gregg and Libby are separated from Magda and Philip by a magician's mysterious box, it may be just the romantic opportunity Gregg needs.
8"CSI: Cleaning Services Incorporated"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber & James Chapman23 March 2014 (2014-03-23)
The Cleanists inadvertently destroy a major crime scene and must cover their tracks. (Guest starring Owen Sparnon and Diley Alanca)
9"The Ghoul"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber30 March 2014 (2014-03-30)
Gregg and Philip set out to rescue Libby from a (sort of) ghoul. (Guest starring Duncan Gordon)
10"Last Day"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber13 April 2014 (2014-04-13)
Libby rocks the team to its core when she announces her intention to leave The Cleanists.

Season 2 (2014)

No. in
season 		Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"hotcleanerparty.com"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
The Cleanists discover they are being watched by an online fetish website.
2"Road House"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
The team are cleaning a house on the back of a moving truck as it travels across Australia.
3"Divorce Is Always Hardest On The Cleaners"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
Magda and Libby team up against Philip and a reluctant Gregg, as The Cleanists divide a divorcing couple's belongings.
4"Fairytale Girls"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
Libby struggles with her sense of self in a fairytale-themed house, while Gregg introduces his new girlfriend. (Guest starring Lauren Steggles)
5"Club House"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
Magda falls head over heels for Libby's hot psychiatrist in a house that pumps non-stop dance music. (Guest starring Carl Young)
6"CompuDoor"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
Philip matches wits with an electronic door system, as he tries to help Libby solve a mystery. (Guest starring Belinda Hodgson)
7"The Ageists"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
The Cleanists take a moment to consider what their future lives will be like.
8"Bonus Episode"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
Magda introduces a bonus system, using her own funds and an unstable electronic currency.
9"Quirky Threads"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
Libby reaches a psychic cross-roads as the team cleans Gregg's girlfriend's house. (Guest starring Lauren Steggles)
10"Last Day II: 2 Last 2 Furious"Tristram BaumberTristram Baumber14 December 2014 (2014-12-14)
Gregg struggles in his relationship with Libby, while Philip makes a stunning revelation. (Guest starring Hannah Bath)

Release and reception

Online distribution

All ten episodes of The Cleanists season 1 debuted on the official Cleanists Channel on YouTube on 3 December 2013. The series was made available globally, with no regional lockout. The crowdfunded Season 2 [4] debuted on YouTube on 14 December 2014.

Television broadcast

The first season of The Cleanists premiered on 8 December 2013 on UK broadcaster Showcase TV. Creator Baumber said of the broadcast "Getting the green light from Showcase TV in the UK was huge for us. We’re very excited about people across Great Britain and Ireland seeing our show. It just goes to demonstrate how truly global the TV business is now." [5] The entire first season was aired in compendium form by Showcase, with repeat broadcasts following. The second season began airing in early 2015, following the same format.

Critical reception

The Cleanists was web TV aggregator SideReel's "Featured Series" in December 2013. SideReel's Leah Friedman said of the series "Think It’s Always Sunny crossed with the sweetness of Flight of the Conchords , but with Australian accents." [6] Sam Gutelle from Tubefilter said "By the second episode, multiple plots twist out of each house visit, with ten installments representing the series’ complete run. Ultimately, there are few web comedies of higher quality; The Cleanists‘ execution is fittingly tidy." [7]

Splitsider's Luke Kelly-Clyne gave the show a positive review, saying "Creating a series concept that’s repeatable, low-cost, and interesting is like solving a complex math equation. Baumber Good Will Hunting ’d the shit out of this web chalkboard." [8] Snobby Robot's Chris Hadley was similarly positive: "In addition to the hilarious stories in each episode, THE CLEANISTS features great characters that will also keep viewers coming back for more; characters that viewers will get to know and understand as each episode progresses." [9]

Related Research Articles

Ray William Johnson is an American internet celebrity best known for his eponymous YouTube channel and his web series on that channel, Equals Three. In 2013, the channel surpassed 10 million subscribers and had over 2 billion views, making it one of the most watched and subscribed to channels at the time. Johnson left the series in March 2014 but continued to produce it and other web series like Booze Lightyear, Comedians On, and Top 6, the first two of which were later cancelled.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Newton</span> American comedian and YouTuber

Ashley Rose Newton, known professionally as Lee Newton, is an American actress, comedian and Web personality. She is a former co-host of the YouTube news channel SourceFed, as well as a regular performer of The Gym Comedy group. Newton studied theatre in college, and is an alumna of The Groundlings Sunday Company. Newton was a founding member of the production company and web-series known as The Valleyfolk, in which she was a co-host alongside fellow former SourceFed hosts Joe Bereta, Elliott Morgan, and Steve Zaragoza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SourceFed</span> Former YouTube channel and news website

SourceFed was a YouTube channel and news website created by Philip DeFranco in January 2012 as part of YouTube's original channel initiative, and was originally produced by James Haffner.

<i>Internet Icon</i> TV series or program

Internet Icon is an online video-making talent competition that premiered on the YOMYOMF YouTube channel on June 12, 2012. The show was a competition between groups to see who can be "the next internet icon" or be able to run their own YouTube channel while sustaining an audience. Internet Icon was hosted by Chester See in season one and Chris Riedell in season two, and judged mainly by Ryan Higa and Christine Lakin in season one, with the addition of Timothy DeLaGhetto in the second season. Nick Riedell was also included as a mentor of the contestants in the second season. Additionally, there is also a guest judge who appears on the show each elimination episode. The contestants complete challenges at the Los Angeles Center Studios, where the show is also shot. The series is one of YOMYOMF's most popular. After two seasons, Internet Icon was cancelled, due to funding issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">React Media, LLC</span> American media company founded by Benny and Rafi Fine

React Media, LLC is an American reacting media and entertainment company founded by brothers Benny Fine and Rafi Fine, creators and media entrepreneurs. React Media produces the React video series, their several timed-spoiler series, narrative web series, and created a "transmedia" sitcom on YouTube, MyMusic.

<i>MyMusic</i> American TV series or program

MyMusic is an American web transmedia mockumentary sitcom created by the Fine Brothers that premiered on April 15, 2012, on the MyMusicShow YouTube channel. The series follows a group of co-workers that are employed under a music production company. MyMusic is the first transmedia sitcom on YouTube. The series was part of YouTube's Original Channel Initiative.

<i>Shadazzle</i> British TV series or programme

Shadazzle is a British comedy-drama web series following a group of friends, inspired by soap operas. The show was created by Brett Barnett and Stacey Mackenzie and premiered on 25 January 2012. The series is filmed primarily in Wombwell and Sheffield, with exteriors shot in Wath-upon-Dearne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip DeFranco</span> American YouTube personality

Philip James DeFranco, commonly known by his online nickname PhillyD, and formerly known as sxephil, is an American media host and YouTube personality. He is best known for The Philip DeFranco Show, a news commentary show centered on current events in politics and pop culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Turner</span> American internet personality and actor (born 1985)

Toby Turner, also known by his stage name Tobuscus, is an American Internet personality and actor. Originally from Niceville, Florida, he is best known for his YouTube videos. As of November 5, 2021, Turner has a total of over 14.33 million subscribers and over 3.867 billion video views over his three YouTube channels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliott Morgan</span> America comedian, actor and writer (born 1987)

Elliott Christopher Morgan is an American stand up comedian, actor, writer, host, producer and YouTube personality. Morgan is best known for being a co-host of the YouTube channel SourceFed. Morgan attended the University of Florida.

Tristram Baumber is an Australian writer known for creating television shows such as The PM's Daughter, Timothy and The Cleanists, as well as writing for a number of other Australian television programs. Baumber's short comedy plays have been performed in various countries as part of the Short + Sweet festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Zaragoza</span> American internet celebrity (born 1982)

Esteban "Steve" Zaragoza is an American online personality, singer-songwriter, musician and web series host, notable for his work on the current events and news series SourceFed. Zaragoza became a host on the series in 2012. The following year, Zaragoza became a host on its spin-off channel, SourceFedNERD. On his personal YouTube channel, Zaragoza frequently combines or crosses between dark, deadpan, surreal, character, and sketch comedy in a non-sequitur fashion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YouTube (channel)</span> Official channel of YouTube

YouTube is the official YouTube channel for the American video sharing platform YouTube, spotlighting videos and events on the platform. Events shown on the channel include YouTube Comedy Week and the YouTube Music Awards. Additionally, the channel uploaded annual installments of YouTube Rewind between 2010 and 2019. For a brief period in late 2013, the channel was ranked as the most-subscribed on the platform. As of November 2023, the channel has earned 38 million subscribers and 3.2 billion video views.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenn McAllister</span> American YouTuber and actress (born 1996)

Jennifer Ann McAllister, also known by her former pseudonym and YouTube username jennxpenn, is an American internet personality, actress and comedian. McAllister is best known for her work on YouTube, where she has amassed over 3.5 million subscribers, and subsequently was nominated for multiple Teen Choice Awards as well as a Shorty Award.

<i>Idiotsitter</i> American sitcom

Idiotsitter is an American sitcom that premiered in the form of a web series on Comedy Central's CC: Studios on February 26, 2014, before being picked up for a run on television that premiered on Comedy Central on January 14, 2016. The series was created by Jillian Bell and Charlotte Newhouse, who star as Gene Russell (Bell) and Billie Brown (Newhouse), the series leads.

Ten Little Roosters is an American comedy mystery web series created, directed and written by Josh Flanagan. It premiered on Rooster Teeth's website on November 4, 2014, with a total of 8 episodes. Each episode is uploaded to Rooster Teeth's YouTube channel a day after its release on the Rooster Teeth website. The show featured an interactive murder mystery component and is inspired by Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. A semi-sequel series, The Eleven Little Roosters, debuted on January 16, 2017.

<i>I Want My Phone Back</i> American TV series or program

I Want My Phone Back is an American game show web series that premiered on November 2, 2016, on Comcast Watchable. In 2017, it was subsequently picked up by Facebook Watch where it has since aired two seasons.

<i>BlackBoxTV Presents</i> American horror anthology series

BlackBoxTV Presents is an American horror anthology web series created by Tony E. Valenzuela and Philip DeFranco. The first season, which featured a cast of YouTube creators including DeFranco, iJustine, and Shane Dawson, was self-funded by Valenzuela and debuted on the BlackBoxTV YouTube channel on August 17, 2010.

References

  1. ↑ Thompson, Hannah (3 December 2013). "Local comedy webseries The Cleanists to premiere on UK TV". 702 ABC Sydney . Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 Longworth, Ken (8 December 2013). "Extra polish brings encore". The Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  3. ↑ Baumber, Tristram (6 December 2013). "HOW TO MAKE A 10-EP COMEDY SERIES FOR $500 AND GET IT DISTRIBUTED INTERNATIONALLY? PART ONE…". Ozemag . Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  4. ↑ Gutelle, Sam (10 June 2014). "Fund This: 'The Cleanists' Wants $10,000 For A Shiny Second Season". Tubefilter . Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Knox, David (6 December 2013). "Aussie sitcom takes on UK broadcast". TV Tonight . Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  6. ↑ Friedman, Leah (10 December 2013). "Web TV". SideReel. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ↑ Gutelle, Sam (31 January 2014). "Indie Spotlight: For 'The Cleanists', Tidying Up Is Serious Business". Tubefilter . Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  8. ↑ Kelly-Clyne, Luke (22 January 2014). "This Week In Web Videos: 'The Cleanists'". Splitsider. Archived from the original on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  9. ↑ Hadley, Chris (31 January 2014). "THE CLEANISTS: Funnier Than Dirt!". Snobby Robot . Retrieved 31 January 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.