What Happened to MTV's Downtown?
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- #Downtown #mtv #cartoon
Today I'm looking at what happened to one of MTV's coolest and most beautiful cartoons: Downtown. I first heard of this show when I was researching my Mission Hill video, however I was astonished at the quality of this cartoon. WHY DID THIS GET CANCELLED?!? From Megas XLR creator Chris Prynoski. And would you watch a season 2?
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Which cartoon should I check out next?
Ugly Americans if you want a suggestion
OUT THERE!! It does have disgraced Justin Roiland as a VA for one of the main characters… but it’s very cathartic especially if you grew up in the Midwest. It only had 1 season that aired on IFC during a failed run of shows they were throwing out only because Maron was single handedly carrying the collapsing “premium” network on its back. It has an all star cast of voice actors including John DiMaggio and Pamela Adlom. It’s a coming of age story set in a very rural iowa-esque town and the exploits of being a weird kid in that environment. It had so much potential and it’s one of my favorite rewatches it’s just a shame they didn’t make more. Just like Mission Hill. RIP and pour one out to all the shows with so much potential being casted into the the other side because of network executives 🫡
@@blakeanderson5011 oh yeah, I’ve come across this one before, but never gave it a watch. I can totally look past Roiland to enjoy a show. Thanks for the recommendation!
@@BradleySmithRUclipsit got like 6.5 ratings and I don’t know why. I’ve learned over times to not make a bias from ratings, people be crazy.
On a real note I’m such a fan of your channel, I see how much passion you have for these animations and you do such a great job executing these breakdowns. This channel reminds me of geeking out with my friends about adventure time details or realizing we both liked a niche show and having a two hour conversation going over what we each remembered over it.
I don’t mean to be such a fan, I just gotta tell you your stuff is on par/better than the big channels that do similar stuff and has a very original take on this type of content. Truly hope the algo picks you up soon because if it does people will watch for sure.
1. Duckman
2. Undergrads
3. Clone High
4. Mission Hill
5. HBO’s Spawn
6. Freaky Stories
7. Are You Afraid of the Dark
8. 3 friends and Jerry
9. The Boondocks
10. Invader Zim
11. Black Dynamite
12. Ugly Americans
MTV’s Downtown is something we definitely need more of. I think its casual style of dialogue is something that CLEARLY works!! I mean Bobs Burgers pulled that off brilliantly, it’s in demand. I also miss down to earth animated shows for young adults. So many of them were gone too soon.
Love this show, it botheres me it couldn't get more than one season 😭
It’s a tragedy
It makes me so sad but I feel like that’s the beauty of it. It’ll forever be stuck in time and even if we got it back it wouldn’t be nearly as good :/
theirs more then one season they have every episode on youtube like a 4 hour long video
@@MrEjar123yeah thats just the first season, 13 episodes is all that was made
@ yeah I just realized that I’m fried
One of the most underrated shows of all time.
Hard agree. The artwork alone is phenomenal, then the writing and performances on top of thay
Straight up. It's so good and I literally never heard of it till 20+ years later
@@MrXHCx appreciate you checking out my video!
@@BradleySmithRUclips thanks for making it dude!
fr dude
My first job as an animator when I left animation school was on Downtown! Haven't worked on a show quite like it since
Very cool, thanks for sharing. Do you have any favorite episode or any memory during your time working on it?
@@conscious000 I remember getting to do some fun, kinda trippy scenes on the Insomnia and Trip or Treat episodes. Before and After was the episode when I feel I started to do the work I was most proud of. Like when animation really started to click for me.
did you know how good of a show it was when you were working on it?
Would you happen to have anything from your time working on the show? I know they didnt do much in the way of merch besides the unofficial dvd and an advertising folder ive seen on facebook.
@juliusevola4135 I don't recall getting much. There were a couple of small promotional posters and maybe some stickers of the logo. We all received the first episode on VHS when it was completed. I think I still have the posters somewhere but the tape is lost to time
I discovered Downtown in late '23 , whoa, how good was this show? It's such a hit of late 90's east coast nostalgia.
I was one of those people who watch this show when it first aired back then, and it was a really good show! 😁
What an OG! You're a million times cooler than I'll ever be
Same
@@ANDYDAVIRGO hey man can you tell me what life was like back in the day? It's cool if you don't want to. but I'd love to know. I'm 16 years old and I'm obsessed and wish I was a teenager during your era of life. seems so legendary and much happier.
@@one_and_onlyG sure. This was before cell phones mind you. The biggest console was Playstation and everything was cheaper. Rent was less than a thousand a month. Music was pure emotion and guided towards a message. The shows were more wholesome and family friendly. Unlike now, a lot of sexual innuendo in nearly everything now. Too much to say. But this show does sum up the 90s quite well.
my mom says so too but idk if i believe her
I saw the finale premiere. To this day the greatest finale of any show I've ever seen. As for it being too good for MTV - at the time I couldn't picture it on any other network
there was a finale???
@@one_and_onlyGyeah it’s the 13th episode.
I remember finding out about this show from looking up a line from MGS2 about killing your soul.
Probably the best way to find out about this underrated gem
Damn that badass way to find out about this show fr
Absolute hidden gem. I’m hoping in vain that the creators see all of the traction it’s getting and decide to make another season.
The street interviews they did while creating the show is really interesting. It reminds me of what Bakshi did in Fritz the Cat, except for that movie, they recorded interviews with real New Yorkers and animated scenes using that audio, which ends up adding an extra layer of authenticity to the film. Downtown seems to achieve the same outcome, with out actually using the real audio of the interviews.
As a huge fan of Megas XLR, I was curious to check out Downtown when I first heard about it. I didn't end up watching past the first episode or two, but there was definitely an outsider vibe to it that wasn't present in Megas and Vox Machina. It's wholly unique and definitely worth a revisit from me at some point. Great video as always, dude!
Thank you for this! I loved Downtown and still miss it to this day.
The animation style, the dialogue made it feel like I was watching real people having real conversations. These short 13 episodes have more life and personality than 7 seasons worth of game of thrones
Fun fact about goat he was in metalocalypse first episode for a few seconds
A couple of months ago I came across a video about various series that ended after 1 season and Downtown was one of them. I thought it looked kind of interesting and gave it a watch later that day. As of now I have seen the show 3 times and am going for the fourth. That should tell you how much I love the show. Also, *Jen is the best character and I don't care what anyone says; stop the Jen hate!*
Jen is amazing! One of the funniest characters, truly.
Jen is the worst
Jen is a terrible friend
Wait, how did I not know about this show? I was 19 at the time! I had been a fan of Liquid Television! I love Megas XLR! And Mission Hill, which this looks more than a little bit like. Yet I have no memory of this show existing. This looks like something I should have been watching. Well, I'm going to have to rectify that now. It's too late to save it, but it's not too late to appreciate it.
You’re gonna adore Downtown! Let me know what you think. It’s a less frantic, more chill Mission Hill
This and Daria even though they’re both over 20 years old now are the closest any show has gotten to the vibe of being young. Crazy that mtv managed to capture that feeling twice and it left no real cultural impact
YES, I AM SO HAPPY YOU COVERED THIS!
i've never been to new york but i always like downtown because it was so real. like, the friend group amd dialogue and situations are so relatable in really timeless way.
i just discovered mtv downtown and i fell in love, it is literally everything sooo realistic and so comforting, idk... it just feels sooooo real and cool and edgy
i miss this show so much the entire vibe of it is just so beautiful and the voice acting is chefs kiss
I loved Downtown, haven't rewatched it in years. Thanks for reminding me of it.
No worries. Thanks for watching!
I didn't get to watch this when it first aired. But, it randomly popped up in my suggested videos on RUclips instead. I loved the characters and art style it had and wished it got funded for another season or two.
I remember back in the day i went Downtown to hit up Joes Crab Shack to pick up that succulent surf and turf
I was too young for this show when it was new, but I sought it out after Megas XLR was killed too soon. Damn good show. It's insane how much good stuff Mtv used to make. They'd give almost anything a chance.
I remember when I first watched this after rebel taxi mentioned it in an old video. Its one of my all time favorites alongside the venture bros and dan vs.
It's really special. Glad Rebel Taxi has shouted it out before!
petition to bring the show back
Downtown and Mission Hill are two animated shows that would do great on RUclips and is the type of stuff that should be made on youtube.
I loved this show I’ve watch every episode I wished it went on longer honestly 😮😮
i love how natural and authentic this show is
MTVs downtown is an absolute work of art and would've been so fun to watch more of but honestly there's a high chance if it got a reboot it wouldn't even be half as good, but maybe someone could pull it off and make a reboot just as good or even better. Idk
Never heard of this but it looks pretty neat, nice rundown.
It’s wonderful! Check it out!
The moment I saw the first 2 first episodes I fell inlove in this show. The art, the atmosphere, the conversations, the characters, everything. ❤
I wish there it could go longer.
Jen was definitely one of my earliest cartoon crushes as I was just starting to pube out when this show hit MTV.
Hey man, good work here. I was a fan in the 90s and yeah. I didn't love how the finale didn't air until later essentially unannounced. I wasn't even aware that it aired until after it had and it took me years to see it. This is a great lil retrospective. You clearly enjoyed it but from a different perspective and that's interesting
I don't know what young people would think about the show if more of them saw it. I was a kid so I wasn't exactly the demographic either but I was around, on the internet, and an avid consumer of pop culture at the time. So I can relate to a lot of it. I think it does have a sort of relatable quality that would still appeal to young adults, I think
I'm happy this show has been rediscovered by a few people. It's not popular, sadly never was, but at least it has a small fanbase now. I'm happy that videos like this exist. It's a good one. I'm always grateful for another Downtown video but it's especially nice when it's a good one
Glad to see your channel still going strong, keep it up 👍
Thanks ya! I shall do
Let nobody forget: This show changed the title of what would eventually become Mission Hill.
I recently watched your Mission Hill video (which I heavyly enjoyed) and this video has come at a perfect time.
Very awesome! I’ve got a lot more already in the works, so more rolling out soon
Love this show. Funny thing about the goth stuff. I’m goth but every now and then I don’t wear the garb. But when I do I get the “vampire” and droll stares all the time. When I was walking around our arts area of the city these two guys were like “Yeah she’s vampire” and I was like lol 😂
Just stumbled on this video! Thank you so much for the recap. The DVD is one of my prized possessions! I can't believe this came out 25 years ago now...
When I was 14 I made a playlist of every song I recognized while watching Downtown, it looks so similar to that Spotify playlist that's crazy.
This is one of my favorite animated shows of all time. I wish they’d bring this back in some way. I’m
Happy it’s on RUclips
Chaka reminded me of a girl I had a HUGE crush on back in my early 20's. She was beautiful as she was super cool. Then later those feelings disappeared when she was constantly with a new boyfriend every year and now on her second marriage. On top of that she became a MAGA supporter.
a new boyfriend every year? That’s pretty normal
thanks dream
Dude great vid! Thanks for the in depth breakdown, just found out about this show and I'm hooked!
Wait… wait, did this guy really refer to Nirvana, Beck and Sublime as “experimental, lo-fi”….? 🤨
Yes yes he did - Phineas from Phineas and freb
Yes yes he did - Phineas from Phineas and Ferb
Wow, crazy to find one of your videos in the wild
This guy looks like dream
I was 12 when this came out & i remember being in LOVE w/ this show! Liquid TV was my shxt! I watch #mtvdowntown often, just to have on the background while working, etc. This show was so cool as a pre-teen when i had no business watching it BUT its even BETTER AS IM A TRUE ADULT NOW😊 i will always say, thanks #RUclips *chef kiss you're our personal time machine ❤!
I don’t watch animated shows, but downtown is one of them that I enjoyed. It was very unique.
I’m so sad we never got a season 2 for this show it’s sooo good
15:10 it’s actually insane how right he was
The guy now working on Vox Machina feels kinda like a bittersweet ending
I’m sorry but have you seen your hoodie? Coool in my eyes 😂
this is my favorite show. i'm truly so sad there wasn't more episodes :( i continue to rewatch season 1 hoping one day more episodes will suddenly appear Lol
This is long overdue for a remake or at least a final season or film on adult swim
I would love for some continuation of this series.
Omg I’m so glad other people know what this is and love it like I do. Hey guys!
Nice video man
You look like Paulo Kogos btw
I really wish they’d come out with more seasons of downtown
Bro when you had tha button going i thought i was tripping....had to rewind....what is this aswome which craft?!❤
Just started the watch of downtown for the first time it's so Good
Thought this was dreams alt account for a sec
this is random, but you have very nice teeth. Maybe you had braces, but I think they look great. Thanks for the video. This was a show that I just stumbled upon on youtube, and had no idea it ever existed. It reminds me of the art style from Daria. The way it's voice acted is oddly soothing. Maybe it's because I'm 31 now, and have an appreciation for old things now. idk.
Bro when I first clicked on I thought u were dream😭😭😭
7:32 nothing about Fruity is ambiguously ethnic. he's literally afro-latino, likely Dominican since Downtown is based in New York.
I love this show I wish more of these got picked up
someday well get that second season...
We can only dream of it… would love to see it!
I brought a drawing tablet to copy DownTown and maybe post it
@@Raspberrylover you should definitely do that!
@@BradleySmithRUclips I'm getting it on the second of June and I want to make posters, cards with the people descriptions, and magazines
@@Raspberrylover feel free to comment when you make them, too! I’d love to check them out!
the way i subscribed so fast when i saw the tbom poster
Just finished watching Downtown. It sucks that they canceled it. All I wanna do now is rant.
That 1st line made me 😂 so hard!
First time seeing the channel. Sorry... I did think you were Badger from Breaking Bad for like 3 seconds.
I used to watch it as a kid
Funny was just checking out Megas XLR again and I always thought it was the same guy in Downtown! (Goat) I was right!!
This show was great, actually totally forgot about till I was browsing an old 'Teletoon' lineup for 2002(?). Many shows I forgot actually...
Just watched it today and I like it a lot
he looks like dream
Yeah
U seem so cool I love ur Jake jacket :)
I miss when adult animation was majorly indie and alternative. When it became corporatized, it hit the shitty era.
I thought you were dream
I loved Downtown
this is golden
bro i thought u were dream for a sec wtf
Nice vid
Good question
thanks, pal
Where did you get that hat from my friend?? 🤔
Stop I love Box Machina😭
love that show
Forgot I watched some episodes of Downtown, guess it wasn't too memorable. Mission Hill and Oblongs are memorable. Yeah, do a Vox Machina review.
Where you get the hat from and yes I know this comment is late
How did you come by all this information?
a few of the cast are working on a new show
Where can i watch jt full ? It looks soo cool but i only watched some pieces
ruclips.net/p/PLjLt9Ko9Xnsicvt79T6plaoDguyPpzbuM&si=3F4FzMsfvZG4r1DI
thats the playlist of the full season😊
@@Mrjones341 thank you
@ ofc
Damn the pigmen finally got Goat
whats the link for the spotify playlist??
&&&&&&&&&& lets not forget about the MUSICAL SELECTIONS in this whole series👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 ##mtvdowntown
where you get that beanie
Goat and Leah were based on real people?
True true
wtf u look like dream lol
dream what are you doing?