The Great North
The Great North is an American adult animated sitcom created by Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux and Minty Lewis for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The Molyneux sisters and Lewis serve as executive producers along with Loren Bouchard.[1] The series premiered on January 3, 2021 and stars Nick Offerman, Jenny Slate, Will Forte, Dulcé Sloan, Paul Rust, Aparna Nancherla, Megan Mullally and Alanis Morissette.
| The Great North | |
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 | |
| Genre | Animated sitcom |
| Created by | Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin & Wendy Molyneux & Minty Lewis |
| Voices of | |
| Theme music composer |
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| Composers |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Editor | Dan Earley |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Distributor | Disney-ABC Domestic Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fox |
| Picture format | 720p (HDTV) |
| Original release | January 3, 2021 – present |
In June 2020, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of its premiere.[2]
Premise
In Alaska, single dad Beef Tobin juggles his life keeping his kids Judy, Ham, Wolf, and Moon close together, including being involved in his only daughter Judy's artistic dreams in the local mall.[3]
Voice cast
Main
- Nick Offerman as Beef Tobin, a career fisherman and a divorced father of four. Beef is still coming to terms with his ex-wife Kathleen having abandoned their family.[2]
- Jenny Slate as Judy Tobin, Beef's only daughter.[2]
- Will Forte as Wolf Tobin, Beef's oldest son.[2]
- Dulcé Sloan as Honeybee Shaw, Wolf's fiancée.[2]
- Paul Rust as Ham Tobin, Beef's middle son, who is openly gay.[2]
- Aparna Nancherla as Moon Tobin, Beef's youngest son, who wears a bear-like outfit.[2]
- Megan Mullally as Alyson Lefebvrere, Judy's boss.[2]
- Alanis Morissette as Alanis Morissette, Judy's imaginary friend who appears in the Aurora Borealis.[2]
Guest
- Judith Shelton as Londra Pennypacker, a lady who works at the docks.
- Julio Torres as Crispin Cienfuegos, Judy's crush, who works at the mall's smoothie bar.
- Robin Thede as Diondra Tundra
- Ray Dewilde as Mayor Peppers
- David Herman as Santiago Carpaccio
- Ariel Tweto as Kima, Judy's best friend[4]
- Nat Faxon as Calvin[5]
- John Early as Henry[5]
- Ron Funches as Jerry[5]
- Chelsea Peretti as Lara[5]
- Phil Lamarr as Louis[5]
- Gabe Delahaye as Old Jody Jr[5]
- Daniele Gaither as Ruth[5]
- Andy Daly as Uncle Mike[5]
- Brooke Dillman as Dell and Zoya[6]
- Kelvin Yu as Steven Huang[6]
- Rose Abdoo as Belva and Ziska[7]
- Mark McKinney as Morris, Stan and Werner[7]
- Tim Jennings as Sebastian and a waiter[7]
Episodes
| No. | Title [8] | Directed by | Written by [9] | Original air date [8] | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Sexi Moose Adventure" | Carlos Ramos & Casey Crowe | Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin & Wendy Molyneux & Minty Lewis | January 3, 2021 | 1LBW01 | 2.34[10] |
| Beef Tobin wants to host his oldest son's wedding and his only daughter, Judy's sweet sixteen birthday on their family boat. A moose gets into the house and steals some of Beef's wife's old belongings, who left him a few years ago. Judy gets a job at the mall, but the kids don't want to tell Beef until he takes them on a detour to the mall for Judy's present. Beef falls in love with Judy's boss, where he finds out about Judy's job. Sad that everything's changing, Beef tries to find the moose that stole his ex-wife's stuff. Beef breaks his leg but is found by Judy. | ||||||
| 2 | "Feast of Not People Adventure" | Joel Moser | Minty Lewis | January 17, 2021 | 1LBW03 | 6.10[11] |
| The whole town is excited for the upcoming Feast of Not People, where the townsfolk celebrates that they aren't cannibals, as opposed to when the Americans first came to the land and had to eat each other to survive. However, the famous Cake Lady was arrested, so Ham secretly took the new Cake Lady's position. He keeps this a secret from his family, but when they find out, he feels the pressure, and Judy, upset that she feels like the two are growing apart, helps him bake a fabulous cake. Meanwhile, Beef and Wolf run the Cadaver Race and fail miserably. | ||||||
| 3 | "Avocado Barter Adventure" | TBA | Gabe Delahaye | February 14, 2021 | TBA | TBD |
| 4 | "Romantic Meat-Based Adventure" | TBA | Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin & Wendy Molyneux | February 21, 2021 | TBA | TBD |
| 5 | "Curl Interrupted Adventure" | TBA | Matt Lawton | February 28, 2021 | TBA | TBD |
Production
Development
On September 28, 2018, it was first announced that the series was in development, from creators Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux and Minty Lewis, with Loren Bouchard also set to executive produce.[1] The series was officially given a series order by Fox on May 9, 2019, with Bento Box Entertainment, Fox Entertainment, and 20th Television serving as the production companies.[3][12] On June 22, 2020, Fox renewed the series for a second season ahead of its premiere.[2]
On May 13, 2019, it was announced that the series was set to premiere in 2020,[13] however, on May 11, 2020, it was announced that it was instead planned to premiere mid-season during the 2020–21 television season.[14] It was later revealed that the series would premiere in February 2021.[15] On December 18, 2020, it was announced that the series would premiere on February 14, 2021, as part of Fox's Animation Domination programming block.[16] On December 22, 2020, it was announced that the series would receive a special preview on January 3, 2021.[17]
Casting
On September 28, 2018, when the series was first announced, it was revealed that Nick Offerman, Jenny Slate, Megan Mullally, Paul Rust, Aparna Nancherla, Will Forte, and Dulcé Sloan had been cast in the series.[1] On June 22, 2020, it was revealed that Alanis Morissette would voice herself in the series.[2]
Broadcast
Because of CityTV's deal with Fox, the series is also syndicated to Canada,[18] airing new episodes the same day and time as the United States.
The show is also available to stream on Hulu, and able to purchase on YouTube and iTunes.[19]
Reception
Critical response
Daniel Fienberg with The Hollywood Reporter said "Likably Bob's Burgers-esque, with lots of room to grow." He also praised the native representation in the series, but did say that it should embrace it more.[20] Margaret Lyons with The New York Times said "like many comedies, it gets funnier as it goes along, but it has a silly sweetness from the start."[21]
Ratings
| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) | Viewers (millions) | DVR (18–49) | DVR viewers (millions) | Total (18–49) | Total viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Sexi Moose Adventure" | January 3, 2021 | 0.7 | 2.34[10] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2 | "Feast of Not People Adventure" | January 17, 2021 | 2.1 | 6.10[11] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
References
- Andreeva, Nellie (September 28, 2018). "Animated Alaska Set Family Comedy from Bob's Burgers trio get FOX pilot presentation". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- White, Peter (June 22, 2020). "'Great North' renewed for season 2 at FOX". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- Andreeva, Nellie (May 9, 2019). "Fox Orders Live-Action Comedy Series 'Outmatched' & Animated 'The Great North'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- Davenport, Samantha (January 11, 2021). "Alaska is the setting of 'The Great North,' a new animated comedy from Fox". Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- https://www.foxflash.com/releases/view/week-of-feb-14-21-2021
- https://www.foxflash.com/releases/view/week-of-feb-21-28-2021
- https://www.foxflash.com/releases/view/week-of-feb-28-mar-7-2021
- "Shows A-Z - great north, the on fox". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- "The Great North". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (January 6, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.3.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
- Metcalf, Mitch (January 20, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 1.17.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- Otterson, Joe (August 6, 2019). "Fox to Purchase 'Bob's Burgers' Animation House Bento Box Entertainment". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- "FOX Announces New Primetime Schedule for 2019-2020 Season". The Futon Critic. May 13, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- "FOX Announces Fall 2020 Schedule". The Futon Critic. May 11, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- "Video: First Promo for "The Great North," Joining the Animation Domination Lineup This February on FOX". The Futon Critic. November 1, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- "All-New Animated Series "The Great North" to Premiere Sunday, February 14 on FOX". The Futon Critic. December 18, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- Petski, Denise (December 22, 2020). "Fox Animated Comedy 'The Great North' To Preview Following NFL On Fox Doubleheader". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- "Windy City(tv) Wednesdays. Powerhouse Chicago Franchise Anchors 2019/20 Schedule as Citytv Unveils 15 New Shows". Archived from the original on November 21, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- "'Bless the Harts'". Decider. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- Fienberg, Daniel (January 3, 2021). "'The Great North': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- Lyons, Margaret (December 31, 2020). "How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend?". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2021.