Human Giant is a sketch comedy show starring writer/performers Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel,
Premise
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".
Production
Ansari, Huebel, Scheer, and Woliner began working together as the comedy group Human Giant in 2005.
They gained a large following in the New York City comedy scene through live shows at the Upright Citizens Brigade and their weekly comedy show,
Crash Test, and later expanded their sketches into
.
Their early digital videos "Shutterbugs" and "The Illusionators" became popular on
MySpace and
YouTube and led MTV to offer the group a sketch comedy series.
On MTV, 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.
In interviews, the group has mentioned they were offered a third season by MTV, and were also considering developing a feature film.
Episodes
Season 1 (2007)
This sketch was removed from the season one DVD.
These sketches were edited for the season one DVD.
Added for the season one DVD.
Season 2 (2008)
The group began working on
Human Giant Season 2 at the end of August, 2007.
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.
Critical response
The show received positive reviews from critics. Writing for
Entertainment Weekly,
Gillian Flynn described
Human Giant as "everything sketch comedy should be: smart, odd, and surprising."
called it "something like a Mountain Dewed-up version of MTV’s mid-'90s sketch offering
The State."
of
The A.V. Club said, "It's a testament to the show's addictiveness that the sketches leave audiences hungry for more.
He added: "
Human Giant serves as a vital link between
Mr. Show and the current generation of web-weaned funnymen who made their names posting homemade videos online instead of working their way through Second City,
The Groundlings, or
Saturday Night Live. The show's central dynamic echoes
Mr. Show as well
. Like
Bob Odenkirk, Rob Huebel boasts the bland good looks of a local TV news anchor, yet there's a spark of madness and rage at his core. Castmates Paul Scheer and Aziz Ansari, meanwhile, take turns inhabiting the
David Cross role."
In its list of the 40 Greatest Sketch-Comedy TV Shows, Rolling Stone ranked Human Giant at number 38.
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, and air clips from classic MTV series like
Remote Control and
The State.
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",
Home media
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, unaired 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
External links
