MTV's Downtown
13 Episodes
The misadventures of a group of urban teens as they go about their lives.
Downtown is an animated series on MTV on urban life, based on interviews with real people. The show follows a diverse and multiracial cast who live in New York City, and presents their everyday lives through quirky, humorous, and imaginative perspectives from the characters. It was created by Chris Prynoski, a former animator on Beavis and Butt-Head and produced by David McGrath.
Downtown is an ensemble show that follows a diverse cast on odysseys through the city, like painting graffiti in abandoned subway tunnels, and through mundane moments like bantering with the cute comic-store cashier. The animation is sketchy and the colors are saturated, playing up the puke green of a neon sign and violet of an alleyway. The narrative revolves around 24-year-old Alex, a copy shop employee living somewhere east of Avenue B, but he’s like Charlie Brown in Peanuts, an anchor that lets the screenwriters feature the lives surrounding him: There’s Fruity the chick-chaser, Chaka the partier, and Matt the sensitive artist. There’s Jen as the self-deprecating gal pal, and Goat the beloved neighborhood freak.
It’s a feat of naturalistic dialogue, based on real conversations that creator Chris Prynoski and his collaborators recorded in lower Manhattan. A team of three, all in their early 20s, they geared up at Washington Square Park then traveled south and east until they hit Ludlow Street, approaching kids on stoops with a bulky video camera, a mic and some release forms. They cast people they met on those downtown treks as voice actors, like 15-year-old friends Leora and Aurora as the joined-at-hip Chaka and Mecca, whose gab is entertaining eavesdropping: “Ugh, Lizzie is not our friend, she’s always weirdly preaching, like, raver pride, except she never dances at any parties.” The show’s own music is a mix of original, slinky beats by Kimson Albert and contemporary alt hits.
In 2000, Downtown was nominated for an Emmy in the category of outstanding animated program. Downtown faced a similar fate to many of MTV's other cartoons - it only lasted one season Some of the show's staff have gone on to work on the action animated series Megas XLR, which uses the same quirky humor found in Downtown as well as the character Goat, reprised by Scott Rienecker.
Year: (1999-2000)
Creator
Chris Prynoski
Actors
Gregory Gilmore
As Alex
Ray daSilva
Abby Terkuhle
John Lynn
Abby Terkuhle
Dave McGrath
Leyora Zuberman
Tammy Lang
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21:35Episode 1
MTV's Downtown, S1~E1 Sin Bin
Episode 1
Alex moves into his own apartment, with the help of his friends Jen, Goat, Chaka and Mecca. Selling some of his old action figures, Alex meets his newest infatuation, goth girl Serena, at a comic book store called Starbase 12. Chaka and Mecca, tasked with watching the van, are distracted by boys ...
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21:35Episode 2
MTV's Downtown, S1~E2 Train Pain
Episode 2
Chaka and Mecca challenge Fruity and Matt to a battle-of-the-sexes subway race to Coney Island, to determine which subway line goes there the fastest. Meanwhile, Alex and Jen play board games, leading to a big blowup.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Canceled by MTV.
Welcome to Downtown.
Thi...
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21:34Episode 3
MTV's Downtown, S1~E3 Hot Spot
Episode 3
The dive bar on the ground floor of Alex's building is replaced by "Flame", a trendy new club. Chaka and her friends, all underage, sneak into the club to party. The party continues in Alex's apartment, and Alex and Jen try to retaliate against the club.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Cancel...
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21:35Episode 4
MTV's Downtown, S1~E4 Insomnia
Episode 4
Alex is set up on a date with Serena, and suffers insomnia from his pre-date anxiety. Wandering around the city streets late at night, he starts hallucinating from lack of sleep, leading to an unexpected encounter with Serena.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Canceled by MTV.
Welcome to Downt...
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21:37Episode 5
MTV's Downtown, S1~E5 The Con
Episode 5
Alex is concerned that his nerdy obsessions with toy collecting and comic book hoarding will drive his dream girl away. At a Horror Convention with his friends, Alex is torn between trying to impress Serena and acquiring a rare action figure to complete his "White Trash" fantasy collection. World...
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21:27Episode 6
MTV's Downtown, S1~E6 Graffiti
Episode 6
Matt goes out for a night of painting graffiti in the subway tunnels with Fruity and Chaka, and finds the city's underground Hall of Fame for graffiti artists. Meanwhile, Alex has a sexually-charged night with Leah, Jen's promiscuous roommate.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Canceled by MTV.
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21:32Episode 7
MTV's Downtown, S1~E7 Hotel Bar
Episode 7
Goat takes Alex out for a night of picking up girls, and encourages him to lower his standards, leading to a rough night for both of them. Meanwhile, Jen and Leah have an unfortunate night out as well, as Leah tries to pick up a rich guy.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Canceled by MTV.
Wel...
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21:44Episode 8
MTV's Downtown, S1~E8 Limo
Episode 8
Worried that she hasn't had a date in a long time, Jen impulsively rents a stretch limo for the night and takes Alex along for the ride. Fruity, Matt, Chaka, and Mecca are accosted by a group of tough Catholic school girls in Chinatown.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Cancelled by MTV.
Welco...
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21:38Episode 9
MTV's Downtown, S1~E9 Testing
Episode 9
Alex, Chaka, Fruity, and Goat take part in a research study about how much they remember their education. Alex tests well, and wonders if he should be more ambitious. Meanwhile, Goat is becoming increasingly unstable and paranoid but is calmed down by a meeting with an old high school classmate.
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21:41Episode 10
MTV's Downtown, S1~E10 Night Shift
Episode 10
Jen is upset by Serena's effect on Alex and their other nerdy friends, and starts investigating her. Meanwhile, Alex has a hard time working at the copy shop.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Cancelled by MTV.
Welcome to Downtown.
This is the first, and most overlooked, animated series from ...
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21:38Episode 11
MTV's Downtown, S1~E11 Before and After
Episode 11
Chaka accuses Mecca of copying her style. Jen forces Alex to clean house, and throw out his toy collection.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Canceled by MTV.
Welcome to Downtown.
This is the first, and most overlooked, animated series from the award-winning creative team of Chris Prynoski and...
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21:38Episode 12
MTV's Downtown, S1~E12 Cropsey Clanners
Episode 12
Jen and Alex go collectible-hunting in the New Jersey suburbs, with Chaka and Mecca along for the ride. When the car breaks down, the four share urban legends about rural New Jersey, leading to a freakout.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Canceled by MTV.
Welcome to Downtown.
This is the fir...
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21:39Episode 13
MTV's Downtown, S1~E13 Trip or Treat
Episode 13
Alex finally gets the nerve to ask Serena out to a Halloween party.
Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Canceled by MTV.
Welcome to Downtown.
This is the first, and most overlooked, animated series from the award-winning creative team of Chris Prynoski and George Krstic.
This critically acclaim...
