Out of Jimmy's Head (abbreviated as OOJH) is an American live-action/animated teen sitcom created by Tim McKeon and Adam Pava for Cartoon Network. It is based on the network's 2006 film Re-Animated, and is the first live-action/animated television series produced by Cartoon Network. The series was produced by Cartoon Network Studios and Brookwell McNamara Entertainment (the latter known for Disney's shows such as Even Stevens and That's So Raven). The creators, Tim McKeon and Adam Pava, were originally writers for other Cartoon Network shows such as Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, before creating Weighty Decisions, a short on the network's Sunday Pants anthology series. They were also writers on the Nickelodeon animated series, As Told by Ginger.
Out of Jimmy's Head | |
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Genre | Comedy Teen sitcom |
Created by | Tim McKeon Adam Pava |
Based on | |
Starring |
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Voices of | |
Theme music composer | Paul Buckley |
Opening theme | "Out of Jimmy's Head" |
Ending theme | "Out of Jimmy's Head" (instrumental) |
Composer | Paul Buckley |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 20 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producer | Pixie Wespiser |
Production location | Downey, California |
Cinematography | Bob Hayes |
Editors |
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Camera setup | Multi-camera |
Running time | 22 minutes |
Production companies | Brookwell McNamara Entertainment Cartoon Network Studios |
Original release | |
Network | Cartoon Network |
Release | September 14, 2007 May 29, 2008 | –
The series premiered on Cartoon Network on September 14, 2007, to coincide with the release of the Re-Animated film on DVD, and was the only series on the network to be affected by the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike. It then made its Canadian premiere on Teletoon on Saturday, September 6, 2008. It also aired on Boomerang in Australia. The U.S. run of the series ended with the airing of the series' final episode on May 29, 2008. The series never streamed on Max.
Although Renegade Animation did the pilot film's animation, due to budget and time constraints, the series' animation was produced in-house at Cartoon Network Studios through their flash division. Cartoon Network did not acknowledge the series again until 2018, where Golly had a cameo role on OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, in the season two episode, Crossover Nexus, along with a small cameo with Dolly and Crocko in the 20th anniversary mural from 2012.
The show met critical failure. Because of this, this show was considered to be lost media, due to Cartoon Network erasing the show from all online streaming websites, including its own. The show got a DVD release exclusively in the United Kingdom, containing only the first three episodes. However, in October 2023, all twenty episodes have been found and released on the internet, with it also being viewable on YouTube.
Premise
editThe series follows the backstory established by the film. After receiving the brain of deceased cartoonist Milt Appleday following an accident, 13-year-old Jimmy Roberts finds himself inexplicably capable of seeing and communicating with Appleday's characters, resulting in a variety of odd predicaments at the hands of Jimmy's interactions with them. However, he also must deal with Appleday's son Sonny, who intends to kill him and obtain his brain so he may gain notoriety as a cartoonist, and take over the world.
Cast
editMain
edit- Dominic Janes as Jimmy Roberts
- Tinashe as Robin Wheeler
- Bil Dwyer as Ken Roberts
- Jon Kent Ethridge II as Craig Wheeler
- Rhea Lando as Yancy Roberts
- Matt Knudsen as Sonny Appleday
- Carlos Alazraqui as voice of Golly Gopher
- Ellen Greene as voice of Dolly Gopher
- Tom Kenny as voice of Tux the Penguin
- Brian Posehn as voice of Crocco the Alligator
Recurring
edit- Rachel Quaintance as Louisa Roberts
- Jonina Gable as Becky
- Christian Vandal as Logan
- Austin Rogers as Animal Loving Kevin
- Terrence Hardy Jr. as Easily Excited Kid
- Caden Michael Gray as Crazy Jake
- Katelin Petersen as Hildy Jeffries
- Nicole Smolen as Young Yancy
- Nolan Gould as Young Jimmy
- Ryan Eggold as Mike the Werewolf
Episodes
editSeason | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
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First aired | Last aired | |||
Pilot | December 8, 2006 | |||
1 | 20 | September 14, 2007 | May 29, 2008 |
Pilot film (2006)
editTitle | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
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Re-Animated | Bruce Hurwit | Tim McKeon & Adam Pava | December 8, 2006 | |
Jimmy Roberts, a 12-year-old boy, requires a brain transplant after a tragic accident in Gollyworld. Not only is he granted a new life, but his new brain allows him to see cartoon characters in real life. First appearance of: Jimmy Roberts, Robin, Sonny and Craig. |
Season 1 (2007–08)
editNo. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
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1 | "Talent Show" | Sean McNamara | Tim McKeon & Adam Pava | September 14, 2007 | |
Jimmy offends Tux after he refuses to use the penguin's jokes in a school talent show. Guest Stars: Courtney Hope as Humorless Teen Girl, and John Bliss as Gramps | |||||
2 | "Friends" | Sean McNamara | Tim McKeon & Adam Pava | September 21, 2007 | |
An evil principal obsessed with spitballs drives a wedge between Jimmy and Craig's friendship, and threatens to kick Robin out of school. Meanwhile, Crocco shocks Golly when he tells him he's not his best friend. Guest Stars: Becky Thyre as Principal Muriel J. Fairplay, and George Frangides as The Janitor Absent: Matt Knudsen as Sonny Appleday, and Rhea Lando as Yancy Roberts | |||||
3 | "Sleepover" | Jonathan Judge | Tim McKeon & Adam Pava | September 28, 2007 | |
Yancy holds a boy-bashing sleepover, which upsets Jimmy after Robin shows up. Elsewhere, Jimmy's father takes a space joyride and Dolly loses touch with her feminine side. Guest Stars: Jenn Shagrin as Humorless Teen Girl, and Courtney Hope as Angry Teen Girl | |||||
4 | "Mascot" | Jonathan Winfrey | Tim McKeon & Adam Pava | October 5, 2007 | |
Jimmy becomes the school mascot by assuming Crocco's look, but it soon changes his behavior. Elsewhere, Yancy spends a day at work with her mother. Guest Stars: Amy Tolsky as Coach, and Pat Finn as Daryl | |||||
5 | "Ghosts" | Gregory Hobson | Tom Martin | October 12, 2007 | |
In the Halloween-themed episode Jimmy thinks he sees ghosts in an attic classroom, which Craig spots as a money-making opportunity. Elsewhere, Sonny hatches a new plan to get into Jimmy's brain. Note: This episode was aired in 3D. Guest Stars: David Reynolds as Frankenstein's Monster, Jane Sibbett as Ms. Shank, Irene Roseen as Carol Ann, Grey DeLisle as Ghost Mouth/Misshapen Moose, and Katelin Petersen as Hildy Jeffries | |||||
6 | "Sick Day" | Jonathan Judge | Kevin Seccia | November 2, 2007 | |
Jimmy and Robin skip school to ride a roller coaster. Also, Sonny creates a robot version of Jimmy. Guest Star: Adam Conway as Jimbotron | |||||
7 | "Bully" | Savage Steve Holland | Tim McKeon & Adam Pava | November 9, 2007 | |
A bully with a secret lair targets Jimmy and tries to steal Robin. Elsewhere, Sonny snatches a baseball player's brain. Guest Stars: Annie O'Donnell as CKW's Mom, Adam Cagley as Sergei, E.J. Callahan as CKW's Dad, Reed Alexander as C. Kingsley Weatherhead, and Michael Cornaccia as Junior | |||||
8 | "Skate Night" | Savage Steve Holland | Tim McKeon & Adam Pava | November 16, 2007 | |
Robin organizes a fundraising event at the local skating rink, and in hopes to win her over another skater, Jimmy learns to skate while Sonny gets a new job. Note: This was the first episode with a laugh track, which was a determination that was panned by critics. Guest Stars: Shadoe Stevens from the John Davidson version of Hollywood Squares as D.J. Cashew, Tom Kenny as Animated Logan Ogre, and Aviva as Employee Emily | |||||
9 | "Soda" | Jonathan Winfrey | Sarah Peters | November 30, 2007 | |
A reporter for the school newspaper does a story on Jimmy, but she is secretly investigating Craig and his bootleg soda operation. Elsewhere, Yancy gives Sonny romantic advice. Guest Stars: Kieran Newton as The Editor, Katelin Petersen as Hildy Jeffries, and Mary Birdsong as Cosima Von Darkness | |||||
10 | "Detention" | Jim Drake | Kevin Seccia & Sarah Peters | December 7, 2007 | |
Jimmy and Craig have to get out of detention to prevent Robin from finding out Jimmy's most embarrassing secret. Guest Stars: Eve Brent as Rita, and Helen Slayton-Hughes as Doris | |||||
11 | "Ambush" | Sean McNamara | Conrad Klein | December 14, 2007 | |
After Robin blames Jimmy for ruining her rock opera, she looks for revenge during the school's annual game of Ambush. Golly got arrested for the pranks on his cartoons while getting hit by an anvil and elsewhere, Sonny made a nice clone and an evil clone. Guest Stars: Carlos Alazraqui as Officer Akita, and Charlie Stewart as Zeus | |||||
12 | "Cartoons Drive" | Sean McNamara | Michael Yank | February 18, 2008 | |
Jimmy helps Robin with her campaign for school president, but when she refuses to use his plan to save the old school parking lot tree, he decides to run against her. Meanwhile, Golly, Crocco and Tux accidentally release Jimmy's most embarrassing memories inside his brain. Guest Stars: Carlos Alazraqui as Memory 1, Brian Posehn as Memory 2, and Tom Kenny as Memory 3 Absent: Jon Kent Ethridge II as Craig Wheeler | |||||
13 | "Outdoors" | Jim Drake | Kevin Seccia | March 7, 2008 | |
Jimmy goes into the wilderness with a cartoon owl to verify his father's accomplishments. As for Sonny, he's going to disguise as a bear to take Jimmy's brain. Guest Stars: Michael Pataki as Hoots Burly, Nicole Smolen as Young Yancy, Nolan Gould as Young Jimmy, and Dave Florek as Ranger Millican | |||||
14 | "Craig Steals Dad" | Sean McNamara | Michael Yank | March 14, 2008 | |
Jimmy becomes wary of his dad's growing friendship with Craig. Elsewhere, Crocco and Yancy connect. Guest Stars: Gregg Binkley as Notary, Keith Diamond as Mr. Wheeler, and Sybil Azur as Mrs. Wheeler | |||||
15 | "Stunt" | Lawrence Guterman | Michael Yank | March 21, 2008 | |
Craig and Jimmy devise an over-the-top stunt in hopes of one-upping a viral video star. Elsewhere, Robin and Becky works with Jimmy's father. Guest Stars: Ryan Pinkston as Donny Ironsides, Jordi Caballero as Mexican Newscaster, Ryan Alvarez as Larry Wasserman, Patrick Warburton as Moonbounce #1, April Winchell as Moonbounce #2, Tabitha St. Germain as Moonbounce #3, and Charlie Adler as Moonbounce #4 | |||||
16 | "Princess" | David Brookwell | Eric Kaplan | March 28, 2008 | |
Jimmy is jealous when Robin has a date for movie night at the Roberts residence, so he uses Sonny's new invention to make a cartoon princess come to life as his own date. Sonny, meanwhile, decides to fill the princess' spot and learns what animated life is really like. Guest Stars: Austin Butler as Lance, Peter Marr as Prince Lochinvar, April Bowlby as Princess Gugulfa, Selwyn Miller as Troll, Rose Abdoo as Witch, Carlos Alazraqui as Pigeon, Tom Kenny as Squirrel, Brian Posehn as Foot, and Sean McNamara as King | |||||
17 | "Movie" | Lawrence Guterman | Eric Kaplan | May 8, 2008 | |
The boys make an alien-invasion movie and trick Yancy into the starring role. The plan backfires, however, when Yancy's extraterrestrial ex-boyfriend wants a part in the film as well. Guest Stars: Brian Posehn as Warthog, Tom Kenny as Doc/Female Gopher, Carlos Alazraqui as Female Tornado, Jenn Shagrin as Humorless Teen Girl, and Mitch Silpa as Durzagon | |||||
18 | "Bad Fad" | Lawrence Guterman | Michael Yank | May 15, 2008 | |
Stressed by debate practice and other activities, Jimmy regresses to childhood after falling in with an unsophisticated clique. Meanwhile, in an effort to score money for a new video game, Craig works as a babysitter while Dolly is babysitting Tux's nephews which are circus focus. Note: Blake Michael from Fried Dynamite guest stars in this episode. Guest Stars: Chloe Suazo as Undine, Sterling Knight as Brad, Blake Michael as Stop Light Kid, Atticus Shaffer as Aaron, Khamani Griffin as Cody, Tom Virtue as Main Judge, Carlos Alazraqui as Cruxie, Tom Kenny as Nuxie, and Brian Posehn as Luxie | |||||
19 | "Out of Jimmy's Body" | Lawrence Guterman | Eric Kaplan | May 22, 2008 | |
In order to take Robin to see a movie, Jimmy asks Sonny for help to make him look older. However, instead of making him look older, Sonny switches bodies with Jimmy so he can see the Appleday cartoons. Meanwhile, Jimmy's father, a parrot, Robin and her piano teacher also switch bodies. Guest Star: Ellen Albertini Dow as Miss Plattner | |||||
20 | "Lunch Tables" | Bruce Hurwit | Kenny Byerly | May 29, 2008 | |
Jimmy earns a spot at the cool kids' table. Elsewhere, Craig finds love with Becky, Robin forgot her money to buy her lunch, Sonny is attempting to steal Jimmy's brain and Dolly tries to accept better cartoons. Guest Stars: Christopher David as Desperate Kid, Lil' Romeo as Himself, Patricia Belcher as Lunchlady Edna, and Tom Kenny as Getalong Gary |
Broadcast and reception
editFor Out of Jimmy's Head, Cartoon Network ordered 20 episodes, which were filmed from May to September 2007. In airing the series, Cartoon Network split the series into two seasons. The first season of the series premiered in September 2007 and lasted 13 episodes. The channel later aired the remaining seven episodes as the second season, starting in March 2008, one week after the airing of episode 13, which was considered part of the first season. The series' hiatus between seasons (actually between episodes 12 and 13) coincided with the 2007 Writers Guild of America strike, which led many to believe that writing on the series had been interrupted. In fact, writing and production for all episodes had been completed in September. However, the strike did prevent the writers from being involved in editing and post-production, including the infamous decision to add a laugh track beginning with episode 8, "Skate Night". Due to low ratings the show was not renewed.
It was the last Cartoon Network original series to be broadcast in full screen 4:3 before Cartoon Network started its own high-definition feed, although it was produced in a widescreen aspect ratio of 16:9.
Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times wrote: "Cast aside all that clutter, though, and this is really just another show about a seventh grader trying to fit in. It’s also a show with a sly sense of humor when it’s not being self-consciously frentic", and praised Bil Dwyer for his comedic role.[1] Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media rated the show 3 out of 5 stars and wrote: "It's just fun fluff. It is worth noting that the show is an improvement on the movie in terms of Jimmy's increased confidence and ability to fend off peer pressure, which is certainly a welcome change".[2]
Despite the negative reviews from critics, the show received some accolades: the program's cast won a combined Young Artist Award in 2008 for "Best Young Ensemble Performance in a TV Series",[3] then was nominated at the same ceremony for "Best Family Television Series", and finally Tinashe Kachingwe with Caden Michael Gray were nominated for "Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress" and "Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor", respectively.[3]
References
edit- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (September 14, 2007). "What's in a Seventh Grader's Head?". The New York Times.
- ^ "Out of Jimmy's Head - TV Review". September 19, 2007.
- ^ a b "29th Annual Young Artist Awards - Nominations / Special Awards". Young Artist Awards. Retrieved December 11, 2012.