I did something a little nutty. A redemptive remix? I think so, but stick with me and you decide.
If you went to college with me, or you know me well enough, you might know about The Storybook Playtime Show, a satirical kids show I created with my fellow student Nick Skariot for our TV Production 1 final in Chris Lee’s class back in college.
Starring Justin McConnaughy as the host Lester Applebottom, the project was very much “of the time.” We were influenced by the edgy humor of South Park, TV Funhouse, and Chapelle Show, which all felt progressively subversive in Bush’s America.
I was pleased as punch with how it turned out. I even got an “A” and a note from our teacher: “Best TV Production final ever.” He was probably blowing smoke, but it made this TV Production I student feel pretty capable. I’ve always harbored a healthy amount of nostalgia for the project, but the subject matter made it hard to share without context, apologies, etc.
I’ve spent the last couple months crafting a less offensive way to share it.
This week on my audio drama Everly Heights Tales, I wrote a “reboot” of The Storybook Playtime Show that smooths out the rough edges and improves the story. Justin came back as Lester Applebottom, and I reprise my role as “Beaver” via my ongoing Everly Heights character Mr. Matheson. Trivia: My “Mr. Matheson” voice is the same character voice I did for Beaver back in the original production. I’m better at it now, naturally.
LINKS
YouTube (Recommended)
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Web
But this isn’t just an audio drama!
I’ve incorporated 12 minutes from the original project to flesh things out, doing my best to sync up the new script with the old footage of Lester. The first ten minutes of the episode is basically a brand new video production! There are a few more video moments late in the episode, but for a story reason the feed goes “dark” for the last half. The episode still includes the “grand march” of the entire TV Production 1 crew at the end, of course. If you were there, you’ll see yourself.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy my creative attempt at redeeming a production that was “of the time.” While it didn’t age great, it taught me that executing my weird ideas in a way that made people take notice was possible, with a little help from my friends.
Watch the Original
Some people called the original Storybooke Playtime Show insensitive, deranged, misguided, and highly abhorrent… and that was just my girlfriend at the time! Still, it has a certain charm, so I’ve decided it to share it with the world. But since the subject matter could torpedo my burgeoning 20-year career in media production, I’ve slapped a price tag on it.
If you want to see the original, or just support the podcast, you can download the full early 00s version of The Storybook Playtime show for $3.50. The purchase also comes with a membership to the Everly Heights Arts Board. I figure if you throw down cash on my old college TV Production project, you’re a true supporter of the arts!
I’ll be back next week with another video-focused episode, including a “making of” documentary. It might just be the boldest story I’ve told yet! Yep. I’m finally doing what every podcast does, eventually…
A paper bag puppets episode with a Sunday School aesthetic.
See you next week!