Episode 210: History

You don’t really need to see it, but Starboy & The Captain of Outer Space are introduced first in Episode 206 – Impressions.

Note: This episode has more “little things” than any other Home Movies episode. I probably missed a lot of stuff. Some of the lyrics are hard to understand, and I couldn’t make out some of the smaller stuff on the copy of the episode I have. I’ll probably redo this episode when it airs on Adult Swim in a few weeks.

Cast:
Brendon Small – Brendon Small
Jason Penopolis – H. Jon Benjamin
Melissa Robbins – Melissa Bardin Galsky
Coach Jon McGuirk – H. Jon Benjamin
Paula Small – Janine Ditullo
Mr. Lynch – Ron Lynch
Walter & Perry – H. Jon Benjamin & Brendon Small
Dwayne (Mr. Pants) – Brendon Small
Junior Addleburg – Bill Braudis

Synopsis:
Movie: See Brendon’s Filmography.
Real: Brendon is failing history, despite help from his tutor, McGuirk.

History:
· This episode is the first time when the episode focuses more on Brendon’s movie as opposed to his real life.
· Though this isn’t the first Starboy episode, this is THE Starboy episode.
· This episode introduces the anti-character Hot Dog Man.

Lawn Gnomes: (Click for picture)
· There is a lawn gnome located at the front of the Jefferson Space Plane.

Brendon’s Filmography:
· “Starboy & The Captain of Outer Space” - Starboy (Brendon) and his brother the Captain of Outer Space (Jason) are faced with their biggest challenge as they fight evil historical figures George Washington (Brendon), Pablo Picasso (Jason) and Annie Oakley (Melissa). Things get even worse when Washington unleashes his new killing machine, Mr. Pants (Dwayne) and the hostages, Shakespeare, Oliver Twist and the Mermaid Queen (Walter, Perry and Junior Addleburg, respectively).

The Movie-Episode Connection:
· Brendon is failing history in this episode. Therefore, he makes history the “bad guy” in his movie.

Song Lyrics:
· Starboy Theme (I really am not sure how this song goes at all, if anyone knows, please tell me)
Starboy…and the Captain of Outer Space!
They fight the mighty fight in the night
Downing any evil that’s in sight
They’re bastardly badgers of medium girth
They’re saving the planet in pulse of the Earth
But beware my heroes of the evil down there…
Of Washington, Picasso and Annie Oakley over there
The three of them are evil and evil are all three, but they…
Want To Destroy It! (But they should not be read) They want to destroy it! (But not allowing them…)
Starboy…and the Captain of Outer Space! (Starboy!)

· Compliments (#1)
Starboy: Well…I’m glad you asked about that thing
Cause what I’d like to do is sing
A song about getting people to do stuff for you
By using Compliments, even if they ain’t true, cause…
You look like you’ve lost some weight, now lick my hands and paint that crate!
Captain: Ok!
Starboy: I got you!
Captain: Oh…
Starboy: See, now you try!
Captain: Alright!
You look great, in that shirt, now help me hem my brand new skirt (Starboy: Okay!)
You have very nice, cheek bones now help me cosign this bank loan
Starboy: Cause a compliment will get you far even if it’s just a lie!
Captain: Cause your skin’s as soft as buttermilk now help me paint my thigh
Both: Cause you gotta compliment, because it’s not complicated
If you want some lemonade you gotta start manipulating
We wish it was different but that’s the way it seems to be
Cause you gotta compliment because that’s what people need!

· Mr. Pants
(Guitar Intro)
I’m Mr. Pants and I’m coming to get ya’
Better run for your life, you better run or I’ll get ya’
I got paws like a cat cause that’s what I am
I’ll go above and claw you and scratch up your hands
I’m the furry fella getting in the land
My name is Mr. Pants I’m the kitty cat man
Nobody’s gonna stop me from having my way
My name is Mr. Pants and have a nice day

You’ll scream for your life cause you won’t be happy
My name is Mr. Pants and I’m actually kind of grabby
Mr. Pants is my name and I’d like to say hi
Give me a call we’ll hang out some time I’m Mr. Pants!

I’m the furry fella getting in the land
My name is Mr. Pants I’m the kitty cat man
Nobody’s gonna stop me from having my way
My name is Mr. Pants and have a nice day…

Mr. Pants!!!

· “Hot Dog Music” is played when Starboy & The Captain visit the hot dog factory

· Compliments #2
Starboy: Well you’re a pretty kitty
Now take those guys
And put em’ in the box
And tape up the sides
Captain: Now throw them into space
So they stay up there
Cause you’re a pretty kitty
With pretty kitty hair
Both: Meow-Meow-Meow, Me-Me-Meow-Meow, A Kitty-Kitty-Kitty Meow-Meow-Meow, A Wup-Dup-Dup and a little itty-kitty (Oh…)

Random Observations & Facts:
· The Home Movies opening screen is the screen used in the movie as opposed to the usual TV Screen.
· George Washington holds an ax and stands in front of a huge dollar bill.
· Picasso introduces himself in one of his paintings.
· Annie Oakley has apparently been shooting at a Smiley Face.
· There is tape all over the historical figures’ lair.
· Picasso’s ear cutting story is actually a story involving Van Gogh.
· When The Captain of Outer Space says, “Let’s back up a little bit”, both Brendon and Jason literally take a step back.
· During the Starboy Theme, two lines appear near Jason and Brendon: “Brendon Small as Starboy” “Jason Penopolis as the Captain of Outer Space”
· The two villains hit by Starboy are both kids from Brendon’s class.
· Washington’s lair’s sign: “Not an evil lair: Bears Inside! Stay Away!”
· Other pictures on the “Evilness Monitor”: A monster destroying a city, a black hole, a rabbit, a robot with laser eyes, a picture of outer space, and something else I can’t make out.
· The “I” in Evilness Monitor is dotted with a heart.
· Walter & Perry are connected to the line using clothespins. Junior Addleburg lets go of the line, but doesn’t fall off.
· A soccer ball is used as a star in one of the ship flying scenes.
· Starboy’s video screen is called “The (Picture of a Star) Monitor”
· During the “Compliments” song, we see Jason’s pants change from normal to a skirt without him changing them.
· Homework on Lynch’s chalkboard:
This Weekend Find:
3 seashells
2 worms
1 jar w/ lid
Dry ice
· Brendon reads a real Starboy & The Captain comic:
Panel #1: Picture of a ship, caption: “Meanwhile, on board the SS Galiant”
Panel #2: Captain: Starboy…there’s a ship materializing off the door (?) now
Panel #3: Starboy: Captain…Get us out of here!
Panel #4: Captain: Right sir…initializing hyper speed now!
Panel #5: The ship takes hyper speed.
· Brendon looks at another page in the comic, but I can’t make out the scene.
· Brendon’s chair says “*Brendon*”
· Brendon flies smoothly on some of the “Starboy” intros, while almost falling on some of the others.
· When Picasso goes, “It’s not my fault!” Annie Oakley hits him in the head with a rubber-tipped dart.
· There is a rubber ducky in the “acid” bath.
· Walter & Perry hold hands as they are slowly dropped into the acid.
· Starboy & The Captain’s visit to the hot dog factory:
Picture #1: Starboy is shaking Hot Dog Man’s hand; they are standing outside of a building that says “Hotdogs”
Picture #2: Hot Dog Man shows Starboy what hot dogs are made of; including Pig nose, mice, skunk tail, poodle, horse & sheep mouth, snakes, baby seals, dolphin fins, cans & tires.
Picture #3: Hot Dog Man smiles on as the Captain eats hot dogs on a conveyor belt and Starboy hangs off of a hook.
Picture #4: Hot Dog Man, Starboy & The Captain give a thumbs-up to the camera.
· You can see the strings holding the ship when it crashes into Washington’s lair.
· The exact same clip of Melissa saying, “Get them Mr. Pants!” is used twice.
· The Captain holds a script that says “Le Cat” when he says, “We’re making a film.”
· Dwayne’s band is in the Mr. Pants ship with him.
· On Lynch’s board towards the end: “Today’s Teacher’s Pet: Melissa*”
· In the final Starboy scene, the globe is the same globe that was broke earlier in the “Starboy Theme” video, except it has been taped back together
· The background music for the final Starboy scene is the “Star-Spangled Banner”
· The animators had a little fun with the credits in this one:
Art Director: Aya Master of the 11th Dimension Fukuda
Animators: Mark The Crusher Usher, Dave El Capitan Tata, The Brain Cerasoulo, The Mann-Hoff, The Dee-Vious Dee-Structor, Dave The Overlord Sanangelo, Big Mama Tima, Kaydi Belligerent Terwilliger, Phil “Julie” Andrews, Sailor Uranus

Past Episode References:
· Starboy first premiered in Episode 206 – Impressions.
· “The Compliment Song” was first heard (with different names and by different people) in Episode 205 – The Party and Episode 208 – Therapy.
· In Episode 102 – I Don’t Do Well In Parent Teacher Conferences, Brendon specifically says he doesn’t have any editing equipment. In this episode, he edits his “Starboy” movie. My guess is Andrew bought it for him.
· At one point, Starboy says, “Yes, Capum!” Brendon first said “Capum” while talking to Coach McGuirk in 202 – Identifying A Body

Movie & Other References:
· Annie Oakley’s story is based on the movie/play “Annie”.
· Jason calls the ship the Jefferson Space Plane, which could be a reference to “Jefferson Starship”.

End Credits: “Battling Music”

Reviews: WARNING: Spoilers

Randomguy: Oh good lord, that was TERRIBLE. Sorry, but that's my least favorite HM episode ever. It was the first to actually dedicate more screen time to Brendan's movie than the real world (about a 3:1 ratio or so), which isn't a bad idea, but the movie wasn't funny enough to hold up that much time. Brendan's films work best when they're short segments that hold up the rest of the episode, not the other way around. There wasn't much plot, no screen time for the regulars (though McGuirk and Paula did get in a good line or two), and Brendan's movie was jarringly overproduced. Did anybody else here notice that it was full of studio caliber special effects? There were enormous backdrops and laser effects and editing which is damn near well impossible without professional equipment. It didn't jive with the under budget crappy look of most of Brendan's films. Anyway, just a way boring episode overall, with a paper-thin premise and sub-par humor. I don't know if it was just that I was watching Denis Leary's "The Job" beforehand (which happens to be the best and funniest show on television right now), but this episode just didn't seem up to HM standards. I give it a D.

Shnay: I really fail to see how this could be considered the "BEST HM EPISODE EVER" by any stretch of the imagination. I came to this board expecting people to be relentless in their reviews of this episode, and I find that most of the people love it. I'm going to give my argument about why this show was the weakest Home Movies episode yet, and I have yet to hear a convincing argument that says otherwise, so if you disagree, please tell me why.

Home Movies has never placed its focus solely upon Brendan's movies. This episode was driven only by his movie, which added nothing to any of the characters, and failed comically. One of the reasons that his movies normally work is that we get to see the interactions between Brendan, Melissa, and Jason. We see confrontations, complications, confusion, and sometimes, disappointment. The movies work to develop the characters as well as providing comedy that is different from the main story.

Now, I'm not saying all humor has to be character driven or that it has to make sense. I love The Brak Show and ATHF, but they both don't use one strange joke over a half an hour show. The comedy in Brendan’s movies, which is usually different from the comedy when he is interacting with adults, is best in short, focused increments.

But, in theory, one of his movies could be the focus of a show, if it was good enough. This one was not. The Starboy movie was weak to begin with, and was only saved by the scene with the band. So, they chose to extend this into a near half hour show, making something that wasn't that great to begin with even worse by extending it for so long.

Also, without the cheap production values, the movie loses its charm. Yes, the graphics and sound effects were cheesy, but there is no way that Brendon should be making movies using an editing machine.

And finally, as I said before, some of the best parts of his movies are seeing what goes into them, not the final product. We didn't see any of the other characters discussing this "odd" project, which left the movie with an "empty" feel.

I would have been kinder in my review, but I just can't stand by idly while people call this the best episode ever. I'm all for expressing opinions, so if someone wants to dispute this, please be my guest.

StrangerAtaru: Before I begin this review, I would like to say that I had known about Starboy before this infamous (and hilarious) episode ever aired on CN. Over at "Adult Swim.com", there is a fun, but pointless, game called "Starboy and the Attack of the Mutant Hotdogs". While it was pretty easy to beat, it introduced me to the weird random world of this character, as well as the kick-butt music, long before this episode aired. (in fact, when I first saw the preview for "Impressions" during the first run of the second season, I thought THAT was the Starboy episode. I was that enthusiastic to see him by then)

As for the episode itself, this is the movie by which all of the other movies on this show have to equate to, both in volume and sheer insanity! Who else but Brendon would think of something so random as George Washington (killer of Abe Lincoln), Pablo Picasso (who chopped off his ear) and Annie Oakley (raised by Daddy Warbucks) being evil and wanting to destroy the human race? And that's just the tip of the iceburg: "Starboy and the Captain of Outer Space" is the ultimate "Ed Wood" movie that he never made. Where else would all action leading to the rescuing of certain historical figures (sort of, considering I never heard of the Mermaid Queen), just freeze to hear a song about giving compliments? (which has a hilarious thing in itself in when the scene changes to the "musical" one, you can see the basement for a split second) Who else would use cardboard for monitors and leave tape all over the sets? (probably to hold them up) Where else would the ultimate evil weapon be an insane singing cat named "Mr. Pants"? What other show would just drop everything they are doing just to visit a hot dog factory? It's just so insane that many can't help but laugh at both it's insanity and it's poor quality! Besides, this movie makes fun of everything from "Star Trek" (Brendon reminded me a lot of Shatner) to "Superman" (both the "hula hoop locking rings" and the "Polaroid prison") to Jefferson Starship? (note the name of the spaceship Starboy flies)

With all the talk about "Starboy", many seem to forget, though, that there is a lot of hilarious things going on in the real world as well. For starters, the whole movie is obviously linked to Brendon's troubles on history assignments for Lynch. This is perhaps one of Lynch's best performance in the series, as we are forced to see his reactions and methods of trying to get Brendon to learn this stuff he doesn't want to study. (just watching Lynch read off Brendon's "answers" to questions he even put in his movie, albeit wrong, makes them sound funnier) This also sort of parodies typical "study" episodes of many "realistic" shows where the main character is failing something, and ends up studying to get a better grade. (but in this show, things don't go as they plan in the end...) McGurk too has a great episode, acting in his "mentor" mode again considering he is also Brendon's history tutor. (well, on all things Area 52) One of the strangest, yet funniest, scenes in the episode is when McGurk realizes Brendon is seeing Lynch for help, turning the whole thing into something more like a romantic situation involving "another woman" and making it more preposterous. Finally, there is the small, but important role for Paula, who as the parent wants her son to succeed, but realizes at her end that Brendon isn't doing anything to pass history. And the best thing about her: she gets to have the last word in the episode! Overall, it may still be an episode some love and others hate, but I love it!

DrWeird: Well...

First off, the movie was this episode. Though the real-life bits were all quite good, the movie probably took up around 16 of 22 minutes. This is a slightly controversial episode in that you either love it or you hate it. Now, though I can certainly understand the arguments made against this episode (which I'll address later), on a pure humor scale, I really can't help but love this episode.

First off, the movie itself. Personally, I thought the idea of fighting 3 Evil Historical Figures is funny in and of itself, and all three evil figures are funny (I think the Historical Figures' scenes were better than the scenes with Starboy, personally). Starboy & The Captain of Outer Space were definetely funny too, but not on the level of George, Pablo and Annie. The humor in the movie, however, did come off at times as different than the average Home Movies humor ("Let's go find out how hot dogs are made" actually reminds me of Sealab 2021 style humor). Most of the time this humor does actually work, but a few scenes (most notably the hot dog I just mentioned) didn't seem to work that well, and came off as a trying-a-little-too-hard for a laugh. However, the movie also had dialogue between the Historical Figures and Starboy/Captain that came off very Home Movies style, except this time done in character. The conversation leading up to the "Compliment Song" seemed very Home Movies style, as did the opening "We Have To Stop Them" scene. The movie also gave us some great music (in order of preference): Mr. Pants, Starboy & The Captain of Outer Space Theme, Compliments Part I, Compliments Part II. Walter & Perry & Addleburg's hostages scenes were pretty good, but one of the weaker W & P performances. Now, as for the movie being too professional for Brendon's normal quality, normally I would've agreed with that argument until I took a closer look and realized it's as low budget as usual, except Brendon put in tons of effort taping everything together and making it look relatively real (which, actually, adds to the outside world story line of Brendon putting too much effort into his films). Ok, I think that's everything...

Now, as for the real life scenes, though few in quantity, they were all big in quality. Lynch was particularly good in this episode ("The pope's cousin, Count Popula, a magical monster with pencils for arms" was made twice as funny with Lynch's delivery), and he had some great interactions with Brendon. McGuirk wasn't super great in this one (unlike tonight's episode), but he had his fair share of good lines. Paula, though perhaps a bit underused, had what I thought was a simple yet really funny ending line, "Trust me, that might be good news." I don't know why, but I love that line. I would've liked to have seen a little "Behind-The-Scenes" work on the Starboy movie with Jason and Melissa...but then again, that might've taken something out of the delivery of the film, so maybe not.

Well, I think that covers about everything. What it comes down to is whether you think that the Starboy movie is strong enough to carry an entire episode. Personally, I do. But, after reading some negative reviews, I have to agree the episode had a couple of flaws...so I'll end up with an A (not an A+).

Positives: The evil historical figures, Starboy/Captain dialogue, Lynch, Paula's ending line, McGuirk as a tutor, the songs
Negatives: No "behind the scenes" at the Starboy movie, the movie occasionally gets a little too wacky