Son of Zorn
| Son of Zorn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by |
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| Starring |
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| Voices of | Jason Sudeikis |
| Composer(s) | Leo Birenberg |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Cinematography | Michael A. Price |
| Editor(s) | Katie Abel |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
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| Release | |
| Original network | Fox |
| Picture format | 16:9 HDTV |
| Original release | September 11, 2016 – present |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Son of Zorn is an American live-action/animated sitcom television series created by Reed Agnew and Eli Jorné. The series stars Johnny Pemberton, Cheryl Hines, Tim Meadows, Artemis Pebdani, and Jason Sudeikis as the voice of Zorn. The first season, which will consist of 13 episodes, premiered on September 11, 2016, on Fox.[1][2]
Premise
The series is about Zorn, a warrior from the fictional South Pacific island of Zephyria who moves to Orange County, California to reconnect with his ex-wife and teenage son Alan. Within the show Zorn and things native to Zephyria are animated, while the rest of the world is live action.
Cast
- Cheryl Hines as Edie, Zorn's ex-wife and Alan's mother.
- Johnny Pemberton as Alangulon aka "Alan", the titular character who is the vegetarian son of Zorn and Edie.
- Tim Meadows as Craig, Edie's fiancé and an online college professor.
- Artemis Pebdani as Linda Orvend, Zorn's boss at Sanitation Solutions in Orange County.
- Jason Sudeikis as the voice of Zorn, a warrior from the South Pacific fantasy island Zephyria of which he is defender since 1971. He is Alan's father and Edie's ex-husband. As Zephyria's defender, Zorn and his allies defended it from threats that have included but are not limited to Glombeasts, Lava Monsters, Vampires, and Liberal Media. In Orange County, he gets a job at Sanitation Solutions. In production, Zorn's IRL model is Dan Lippert. Zorn is also a parody of 1980s cartoon character He-Man.[3]
Production
The show was created by Reed Agnew and Eli Jorné[4] who wrote the pilot episode while Eric Appel directed.[5] Initially Agnew and Jorne were set to be co-showrunners, however after Fox ordered the series to air Agnew backed out and was made co-executive producer instead.[6] At this point, Sally McKenna was brought in to replace Agnew; McKenna would later, in April 2016, become the sole showrunner after Jorne also left the project.[6]
Artemis Pebdani and Tim Meadows' casting was announced in July 2015,[7] with Jason Sudeikis, Cheryl Hines, and Johnny Pemberton's involvement announced the following November.[8]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Return to Orange County" | Eric Appel | Reed Agnew and Eli Jorné | September 11, 2016 | 1AYA01 | 6.13[9] |
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Zorn is a warrior and defender of the South Pacific Island of Zephyria. Following a recent battle against his enemies, Zorn travels to California to reconnect with his son Alangulon (aka "Alan") and discovers that his ex-wife Edie is engaged. Upon realizing Alan hates him for being mostly absent from his life, Zorn decides to not return to Zephyria and gets a job in town at Sanitation Solutions. Guest starring: Lori Alan as the voice of Laseron, Jess Harnell as the voice of Skunk Man, Rob Riggle as the voice of Headbutt Man | ||||||
| 2 | "Defender of Teen Love" | Eric Appel | Eli Jorné | September 25, 2016 | 1AYA02 | 2.65[10] |
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Zorn uses the Stone of Sight to help Alan get close to his crush, Nancy. Even though Alan sees this as stalking, he can't help but work it to his advantage. Meanwhile, Edie pushes Zorn to move his boxes out of her garage and into his apartment. Guest starring: Alice Lee as Nancy, Mark Proksch as Todd, Horatio Sanz as Uber Driver | ||||||
| 3 | "The War of the Workplace" | Eric Appel | Monica Padrick | October 2, 2016 | 1AYA04 | 3.64[11] |
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When someone steals hot sauce from Sanitation Solutions' break room, Zorn attempts to fight back with his co-workers in his own style of fighting. Meanwhile, Alan tries to get out of a swimming session in gym class for fear of exposing his secret, while getting bullied by a student named Warren. In the process, Alan learns something about himself that he never knew. Guest starring: Bryce Johnson as Derek, Bobby Lee as Jakton, Noah Munck as Warren | ||||||
| 4 | "The Weekend Warrior" | Payman Benz | Elijah Aron & Jordan Young | October 16, 2016 | 1AYA03 | 3.78[12] |
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Zorn tries to be a "cool dad" when Alan spends the weekend with him, but things take an unexpected turn when Alan's friend, Jeff, shows up. Guest starring: Nyima Funk as Shirley, Cameron Monaghan as Jeff, Mark Proksch as Todd, Cedric Yarbrough as Bill | ||||||
| 5 | "A Taste of Zephyria" | Bill Benz | Dan Mintz | October 23, 2016 | 1AYA05 | 2.27[13] |
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Zorn tries to teach Alan about his Zephyrian culture. Meanwhile, Edie goes to war with her new neighbors over their talking garden gnome. Guest starring: Jess Harnell as the voice of the Animal Pelts, Clara Mamet as Layla, Nate Mooney as Frank, Mark Proksch as Todd, Tony Revolori as Scott | ||||||
| 6 | "A Tale of Two Zorns" | Eric Appel | Greg Gallant | November 6, 2016 | 1AYA08 | 2.08[14] |
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After seeing Alan and Craig bond over their favorite video game, Zorn uses his body double dummy "Meka-Zorn" to sneak out of work and wait in line with Alan for the latest game in the series. Meanwhile, Edie and Linda use "Meka-Zorn" to let out their frustrations with the real Zorn. Guest starring: Beth Dover as Bridget, Mark Proksch as Todd | ||||||
| 7 | "The Battle of Thanksgiving" | Payman Benz | Jon Kern | November 13, 2016 | 1AYA07 | 3.64[15] |
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Following a pep talk with Linda, Zorn crashes Edie's Thanksgiving dinner to prove to her mother that he's matured, only to hear her views on Zephyria. Meanwhile, Alan tries to butter up his grandmother so she'll pay for his summer music camp. Guest starring: Sarah Koenig as Narrator, Nick Offerman as the voice of Dr. Klorpnis | ||||||
| 8 | "Return of the Drinking Buddy" | Eric Appel | Reed Agnew | December 4, 2016 | 1AYA06 | TBD |
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Zorn's old friend, Headbutt Man, is visiting from Zephyria, except that he's now sober. Meanwhile, Alan is invited to a party being attended by his crush layla but he has to bring Headbutt Man's daughter. Guest starring: Rob Riggle as the voice of Headbutt Man, Jillian Bell as the voice of Dorothy Clementina / Headbutt Girl | ||||||
| 9 | "The War on Grafelnik"[16] | TBA | TBA | December 11, 2016 | 1AYA09 | TBD |
| Torn between celebrating Edie's Christmas and Zorn's Grafelnik, the Zephyrian holiday of revenge, Alan discovers he can use both holidays to get better presents. | ||||||
Reception
Son of Zorn has received generally mixed reviews from television critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 57% approval rating based on 30 critics, and a 6.3/10 rating. The critical consensus reads: "Son of Zorn earns points for originality, a talented cast, and intermittent laughs, but they aren't quite enough to prop up a gimmick that's still in search of a workable premise for an ongoing series."[17] On Metacritic, the show holds a score of 56 out of 100 based on 18 critical media reviews indicating "mixed or average reviews".[18]
References
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (April 29, 2016). "'Son Of Zorn' Co-Creator/Co-Showrunner Eli Jorne Exits Fox Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (August 8, 2016). "'Son of Zorn' premiere moves into post-NFL spot on FOX". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- ↑ Dowling, Amber (September 9, 2016). "'Son of Zorn' Review: An Animated Hero, Lost Among the Millennials". The Wrap. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
- ↑ Snierson, Dan. "First look at Jason Sudeikis' live-action/animated comedy Son of Zorn". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ↑ Birnbaum, Debra (November 10, 2015). "Fox Orders New Comedy 'Son of Zorn' Voiced By Jason Sudeikis". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- 1 2 Wagmeister, Elizabeth (April 29, 2016). "'Son of Zorn' Co-Creator Exits Fox Comedy Over Creative Differences". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (July 29, 2015). "Jason Sudeikis, Cheryl Hines & Tim Meadows Lead 'Son Of Zorn' Cast". Deadline.com. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (November 10, 2015). "Fox Gives Series Order To 'Son Of Zorn' Live-Action/Animated Comedy From 'Wilfred' Duo, Chris Miller & Phil Lord". Deadline.com. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 18, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (September 13, 2016). "Sunday final ratings: 'Son of Zorn' holds, 'BrainDead' adjusts down, final NFL numbers". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (September 27, 2016). "Sunday final ratings: 'Once Upon a Time' and 'NCIS: LA' adjust up, FOX shows adjust down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (October 4, 2016). "'Family Guy' adjusts up, final NFL numbers: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (October 18, 2016). "'NCIS: LA' adjusts up, 'Simpsons' adjusts down: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (October 25, 2016). "'Bob's Burgers' and 'The Simpsons' adjust down: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (November 8, 2016). "'NCIS: LA' and 'Madam Secretary' adjust up: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
- ↑ Porter, Rick (November 15, 2016). "'60 Minutes' adjusts up, 'NCIS: LA' and 'Madam Secretary' adjust down: Sunday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ↑ "Son of Zorn - "The War on Grafelnik"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Son of Zorn". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
- ↑ "Son of Zorn - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
External links
- Official website
- Son of Zorn at the Internet Movie Database
- Son of Zorn at TV.com
- Son of Zorn on Twitter