Out There (2013 TV series)

This article is about the American animated series. For the 2013 British documentary series, see Stephen Fry: Out There.
Out There
Out There Titlecard
GenreComedy drama
Created byRyan Quincy
Voices of
Composers
  • Jason Kanakis
  • Brad Gordon
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
  • Ryan Quincy
  • Tony Gama-Lobo
  • Rebecca May
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkIFC
ReleaseFebruary 22 (2013-02-22) –
April 19, 2013 (2013-04-19)

Out There is an American adult animated television series created by Ryan Quincy. It aired on IFC for one season from February 22 to April 19, 2013, and was not renewed for a second. Out There was IFC's second animated project following 2005's Hopeless Pictures, which also lasted one season.

Plot

Set in a world populated by anthropomorphic bears, the show chronicles the coming-of-age misadventures of socially awkward Chad, his little brother Jay, and his best friend Chris. Living in the small town of Holford (based on the real-life city of Holdrege, Nebraska), the boys wander its surreal, bleak landscape waiting out their last few years of adolescence. Other characters include Chad's parents, Wayne and Rose, as well as Chris's single mother, Joanie, and her disastrous boyfriend, Terry, and Sharla, the object of Chad's affection.

Cast and characters

Guest stars

Guest voices for Out There include:[1]

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
1"The Great Escape"Ryan QuincyRyan QuincyFebruary 22, 2013 (2013-02-22)1AVV01
Meet Chad Stevens -- a 15-year-old boy existing in the small town of Holford. He’s a loner, a soloist -- until he meets fellow outcast Chris. Chris hates Holford and is planning his escape, and he enlists kindred spirit Chad to help.
2"Quest for Fantasy"Ryan QuincyRyan QuincyFebruary 22, 2013 (2013-02-22)1AVV03
When Chad faints in class after seeing a diagram of the female reproductive system, Chris makes it his mission to get Chad more comfortable with the old, bold, female form. The boys hear a rumor about an adult photo shoot outside of town and embark on a quest to find it.
3"A Chris by Any Other Name"Ryan QuincyCarson MellMarch 1, 2013 (2013-03-01)1AVV02
When Chris gets knocked down the bleachers during an assembly by one of the school bullies, he cries out in pain for his mom -- earning him the humiliating nickname “Mommy.” Chad helps Chris plot to get a better nickname, until one of Chris‘ ideas threatens Chad’s relationship with school crush Sharla.
4"Springoween"Ryan QuincyCarson MellMarch 8, 2013 (2013-03-08)1AVV07
Because the previous Halloween was canceled due to extreme weather, Holford rescheduled the holiday for spring instead. Chad still wants to trick-or-treat, but Chris convinces him to go to a boy-girl party that goes horribly wrong. Meanwhile, Jay is on the run from Holford’s legendary maniacal bad boy, Johnny Slade.
5"Frosty King"Ryan QuincyMatthew LawtonMarch 15, 2013 (2013-03-15)1AVV05
Chad wrecks the family car and gets a job at Frosty King to pay for the damage. Chad immediately clashes with manager Benjamin Brent, the only other male employee who sees Chad as an obstacle in his otherwise sweet life of being the only rooster in the hen house. Chad must endure Benjamin’s torture while Chris tries to raise enough money to set Chad free from the shackles of the corporate world.
6"Enter Destiny"Ryan QuincyMatthew LawtonMarch 22, 2013 (2013-03-22)1AVV04
Chad is smitten with new girl Destiny, but he blows his chance after saving Jay from a bully who turns out to be her brother. Chad enlists Chris’ help to win her back with an elaborate plan involving walkie-talkies and a mysterious aphrodisiac.
7"Joanie Loves Terry"Jack ShihRyan QuincyMarch 29, 2013 (2013-03-29)1AVV06
Chris is upset by how close his mom and her boyfriend Terry have become. When he sees Terry buying a ring at the flea market, Chris is terrified he’s going to propose. Chris and Chad concoct a plan to get Terry out of Chris’ life for good.
8"Salem, My Salem"Ryan QuincyGrant FalardeauApril 5, 2013 (2013-04-05)1AVV08
After botching his oral presentation for history class, Chad decides to make a movie instead. With Chris’ help/interference, the project becomes increasingly off-topic and out of control, leading to a disaster of near-biblical proportions.
9"Viking Days"Ryan QuincyRebecca MayApril 12, 2013 (2013-04-12)1AVV10
When Wayne declines Chad’s request to compete in Holford’s annual father-and-son Hexathalon, Chad asks Sharla’s dad to compete with him instead. Meanwhile, Joanie asks Chris and Terry to do the race together to strengthen their bond, and the contest brings out everyone’s true colors.
10"Ace's Wild"Ryan QuincyTony Gama-LoboApril 19, 2013 (2013-04-19)1AVV09
Chad’s classroom doodles draw the attention of the “cool kid” yearbook staff, who invite him to join their inner circle. Chad and Chris enjoy their popular status until Chad discovers their new friends have ulterior motives.

Reception

The show received mixed reviews. Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times gave it a positive review. He compared the animation favorably to Bob's Burgers and said that the series has "a gentler, more delicate, behind-the-beat groove".[2] New York Times calls it "dreamy, charming, deeply personal." Mixed reviews included Boston Globe's, Matthew Gilbert's, who called it "just fine", continuing, "the sincerity is refreshing in an animated context, but the characters and the stories are old hat."[3] A review by PopMatters stated "It is often funny, but it could be funnier if it were wed to more coherent storytelling."[4] A review from Slant Magazine declared "Out There presents an array of by-the-numbers boyhood scenarios that frequently feel stale, having an indistinct, been-there-done-that vibe."[5]

References

  1. ^ "Breaking News - Ellen Page, Jason Schwartzman, Sarah Silverman & More Guest Star in IFC's New Animated Series "Out There" - Premieres February 22". TheFutonCritic.com. 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  2. ^ Lloyd, Robert (22 February 2013). "'Out There' review: Ryan Quincy's coming-of-age cartoon charms". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  3. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (February 21, 2013). "'Out There': Coming of age, 'toon-style". Boston Globe.
  4. ^ Macek III, J.C. (22 February 2013). "'Out There': More Kids in Search of Something". PopMatters.
  5. ^ "Out There: Season One". Slant Magazine. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.