Human Giant was a sketch comedy show on MTV, starring writer/performers Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer and directed primarily by Jason Woliner.
The show ran for two seasons. In interviews, the group has mentioned that they were offered a third season by MTV but were unable to complete it due to Ansari's commitments to the hit NBC show Parks and Recreation, while Ansari mentioned on Howard Stern that the show's end was more because it is hard to keep a sketch show consistently funny over several seasons. However, the group has stated that MTV has left the door open for the group to complete a third season at a later date or to produce a special for the network. In 2010, Ansari, Huebel and Scheer reunited to do a skit for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
In November 2008, The Hollywood Reporter noted the group was developing a feature film with Red Hour Productions, the production company run by Ben Stiller and producer Stuart Cornfeld.
Premise
Job Interview [Extended Cut] - http://mtv.thehumangiant.com/
The show, which premiered on April 5, 2007, consists of short humorous videos. Some of the clips were first seen online such as "Shutterbugs", as part of Channel 101 NY, "Clell Tickle: Indie Marketing Guru", "The Illusionators" and an unaired skit called "Other Music". Human Giant has also gained a large audience in the New York City comedy scene through live shows at the Upright Citizens Brigade and their weekly comedy show, Crash Test.
The show closed out a Thursday night "10 Spot" line-up for MTV, which also included Pimp My Ride, Short Circuitz (before being put on hiatus), and Adventures in Hollyhood, ending with Human Giant. The line-up started at 9 PM and ended at 11 PM.
Episodes
Season 1
^a This skit was removed from the season one DVD. ^b These skits were edited for the season one DVD. ^j Added for the season one DVD.
Season 2
The group began working on Human Giant Season 2 at the end of August, 2007. Season 2 premiered on March 11, 2008 and ran for 6 episodes. The season finale premiered April 15, 2008
- Note the CrimeTime sketch, the Gay Porn Star Car Accident sketch, and the Illusinator Camera Trick sketch for season 2 all show up on the Season 1 DVD as easter eggs.
24-hour marathon
The cast of Human Giant were on-air on MTV and MTV2 for a twenty-four-hour period between noon on Friday, May 18, 2007 to noon on Saturday, May 19, 2007, broadcasting from MTV's Times Square studio, during which time they were given free rein to perform skits, bring in guests, etc. The ostensible premise of the "marathon" was that their show would be given a second season if they could get a million hits on their website (which it did) during that time. Notable guests stopping by included Albert Hammond Jr., Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, and Jorma Taccone from Saturday Night Live, Will Arnett and Michael Cera from Arrested Development, John Krasinski, Bob Odenkirk, Michael Showalter, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Ted Leo, Corn Mo, Todd Barry, Matt Higgins, Zach Galifianakis, Morningwood, Mastodon, Tapes 'n Tapes, The National, Tim and Eric, Tegan and Sara, and others.
Reunion
In late May 2010, troupe member Aziz Ansari announced on his website that he and fellow members Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer and Jason Woliner had filmed a brand new sketch for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, which Ansari was scheduled to host. Ansari mentioned that it would be a Human Giant reunion of sorts, the first time they filmed a new sketch together as a sketch group since the series ended.
The sketch was called "Stunt Kidz", which consisted of Huebel and Ansari's Shutterbugs characters, now owners of a child stunt agency where little children act as stunt men for dangerous scenes and end up injured in several occasions. Scheer acts as a director who employs Huebel and Ansari.
DVD releases
The first season of Human Giant was released on March 4, 2008, one week ahead of the season two premiere on March 11. It was released in a two-disc set. Disc one features all eight episodes and commentary tracks on all episodes with special guests calling-in or with the cast in the commentary room. Disc two features highlights from the 24-hour marathon, deleted and alternate scenes, un-aired sketches, sneak previews for season two, early footage with Aziz, Rob and Paul, and a compilation clip.
Credited consultants
The core writing team consists of Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer, Jason Woliner and executive producer Tom Gianas. The following people have, at one point, also worked as consultants on the show:
See also
- List of programs broadcast by MTV
References
External links
- Official website
- On the Sets of The Human Giant - Images from Venice Beach
- Human Giant on IMDb
- Human Giant at TV.com
- Audio interview with Human Giant on public radio program The Sound of Young America
- SuperDeluxe.com - Human Giant Interview (Video)
- New York Magazine - Human Giant Profile
- Pitchforkmedia - Human Giant Interview
- Onion AV Club - Human Giant Interview
- NYTimes - "No One Says '9/11.' No One Needs To."
- Onion AV Club - Human Giant 24 Hour Marathon Coverage
- Village Voice - Human Giant 24 Hour Marathon Coverage
- Human Giant Named One of Variety's "10 Comics to Watch" in 2006