Country of origin United States Running time 12 minutes Network Adult Swim | No. of episodes 1 First episode date 19 January 2011 Number of episodes 1 | |
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Also known as 'The Best of Totally for TeensTotally 4 Teens' Created by Derrick BecklesSabrina Saccoccio Starring Derrick BecklesLeo Fitzpatrick Similar Paid Programming, Anime Talk Show, Welcome to Eltingville, Snake 'n' Bacon, Bagboy | ||
Totally for Teens (also known as The Best of Totally for Teens or Totally 4 Teens) is an American television series created by and starring Derrick Beckles for Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim.
Contents
The pilot episode for Totally for Teens eventually aired on Adult Swim's "DVR theater" on January 19, 2011. It is currently unknown if Totally for Teens will be picked up for further episodes. However, it was recently revealed that the concept for the series was re-developed and a new series will air in 2013 and will be produced by Abso Lutely Productions. ALP was responsible for three other Adult Swim series: Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule, The Eric Andre Show, and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. ALP also did the IFC Series Comedy Bang Bang.
Production
Filmed in Brooklyn, New York, the pilot episode for Totally for Teens was written and produced by Derrick Beckles, who also starred in it. Produced alongside Ari Fishman (a producer on The Daily Show from 2000-2005) and directed by Chris Grismer, Totally for Teens ran for approximately 12 minutes, and was released on January 6, 2009. It has not been aired, and its future status remains unknown. However, Comedy Central has shown interest in the show, and Beckles has been contacted by several actors interested in working with him if it were to be picked up. Totally for Teens has had regular screenings at Street Carnage's "Monster Island", and Derrick has played it on comedy tours.
Summary
Described as a low quality, live-action retro after school show, Totally for Teens is a parody of shows marketed for the teen demographic, which utilizes "teen lingo" and "teen styled" wardrobes.
In an interview with the Tea Party Boston, Beckles himself describes the Totally for Teens and his role in it as being "this teen show that never existed; basically I’m trying to give these teens the worst set of ethics and morals possible." The show features several clips from various vintage footage, one of which is a rap duo Riff Raff, who perform a song "D-I-S-E-A-S-E", which is about practicing safety against the contraction of AIDS in front of their classroom as part of an assignment, from a 1987 educational film. Sketch comedy and man-on-the-street segments are also featured. It also stars Leo Fitzpatrick as a cross dressing drug dealer, named "Mookie". Derrick is shown holding a lit cigarette, despite his opposition in real life as part of the Truth.com campaign, and in show as he attempts to dissuade a teenage boy against smoking. Street Carnage itself has called Totally for Teens a "warped teen show meets hyperactive video editing meets equal parts obnoxiousness and genius".
Release
Totally for Teens was released on DVD as part of Adult Swim in a Box on October 29, 2009, on an extra DVD of Adult Swim pilots, along with Cheyenne Cinnamon and the Fantabulous Unicorn of Sugar Town Candy Fudge, Korgoth of Barbaria, Welcome to Eltingville, and the pilot episode of Perfect Hair Forever. The pilots DVD was re-released alone in June 2010.