Todd and the Book of Pure Evil
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil | |
---|---|
![]() Opening title logo used in Season 1 of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil | |
Genre |
Comedy horror Supernatural drama |
Created by |
Craig David Wallace Charles Picco Anthony Leo |
Directed by |
Craig David Wallace David Winning James Dunnison James Genn |
Starring |
Alex House Billy Turnbull Maggie Castle Melanie Leishman Chris Leavins |
Composer(s) | Shawn Pierce |
Country of origin | Canada |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 26 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Producer(s) |
Craig David Wallace Anthony Leo Andrew Rosen Jamie Brown Sarah Timmins Shawn Watson Shaun Johnson |
Location(s) |
Winnipeg, Manitoba Silver Heights Collegiate Tec Voc High School |
Running time | 22 minutes |
Production company(s) |
Aircraft Pictures Corvid Pictures Frantic Films |
Release | |
Original network |
Canada: Space Channel CTV United States: Fearnet |
Picture format |
Letterboxed 480i (SDTV) 16:9 1080p (HDTV) |
Original release | September 29, 2010 – January 26, 2012 |
External links | |
Website |
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil is a Canadian comedy/horror television series that follows a group of high school students who confront the effects of a demonic book. The series premiered on Space Channel on September 29, 2010 with two back-to-back episodes. The series was created for television by Craig David Wallace, Charles Picco, and Anthony Leo.
The series is based on the short film of the same title[1] written by Craig David Wallace and Max Reid, and directed by Wallace. The short film was produced through the Canadian Film Centre’s Short Dramatic Film Programme, and kicked off an international festival tour by premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2003. The series was developed for television through the National Screen Institute's Totally TV Program. A pilot for Todd and the Book of Pure Evil was shot for Space in 2009 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Like the low-budget short film, the series uses supernatural elements, profanity, graphic violence, and non-sequitur lines. Sci-fi veteran David Winning directed four episodes.[2]
On April 4, 2011, Space announced that they had renewed Todd and the Book of Pure Evil for a second season, with principal photography being set for spring 2011.[3] The new 13-episode season[4] premiered on Space on October 30, 2011 at 10pm.[5] In April 2012, it was announced that there would not be a third season of the series.[6]
Plot
Todd Smith, Curtis Weaver, Jenny Kolinsky and Hannah Williams are students at Crowley High, the only high school in a small town secretly founded by Satanists. After encountering a cursed magical tome with a mind of its own, the Book of Pure Evil, which grants the wishes of those who hold it in dark and sinister ways they didn't intend, they team up in an attempt to track down and destroy the Book, although it has an unfortunate tendency to fly away after its magical spells are undone. Each episode revolves around a student at Crowley High using the Book to try to make their life better, though this usually results in chaos, mayhem, and bloodshed at the school. Todd and his gang then fight against whatever the Book has done, and try to keep Crowley High from being totally destroyed. Supposedly friendly school guidance counselor, Atticus Murphy helps them in their quest to destroy the Book, though secretly he is a member of the cabal of Satanists who run the town from behind the scenes and has been tasked with returning the Book of Pure Evil to their leader.
Cast
- Alex House as Todd Smith
- Billy Turnbull as Curtis Weaver
- Maggie Castle as Jenny Kolinsky
- Melanie Leishman as Hannah B. Williams
- Chris Leavins as Atticus Murphy, Jr.
- Jason Mewes as Jimmy the Janitor
- Dan Petronijevic as Brody
- Norman Yeung as Eddie
- Steve Arbuckle as Rob
- Julian Richings as Hooded leader
Episodes
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | DVD release date | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season premiere | Season finale | Region 1 | Region 2 | |||
1 | 13 | September 29, 2010 | December 8, 2010 | October 11, 2011 (![]() |
N/A | |
2 | 13 | October 30, 2011 | January 26, 2012 | April 3, 2012 (![]() |
N/A |
Production
Each episode was produced with two variations of the audio track: a pre-watershed version with "clean" replacement dialogue dubbed in by the actors, and the original uncensored version with profanity.[11]
Series fate
Space announced in April 2012 that they decided not to renew Todd for a third season.[6][12] The showrunners launched an Indiegogo campaign in May 2013, collecting over $120,000. The funds will be used to make an animated series finale feature film, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil: The End of the End. While no firm date has been announced for the conclusion's film release, the production company Raven Banner stated that the film should be hitting Canadian theaters in the Fall of 2015.[13]
International airdates
On May 2, 2011, Fearnet announced that it had picked up the rights to air the series in the United States beginning August 2, 2011.[14] Season 2 began airing on Fearnet starting March 13, 2012 at 10pm.[15] In 2015, the series reaired in the U.S. on Chiller.
In February 2012, Syfy announced that it will be airing the series in the United Kingdom beginning March 6, 2012.[16]
Home media
Entertainment One released the first season on DVD in Canada with a MSRP of $29.99.[17][18] Special features include the original short film, cast Q&A, a blooper reel, outtakes, deleted/extended scenes from the musical,[19] and cast/crew commentary tracks.[20]
eOne released the season in the United States on February 28, 2012. Extras are listed as the original short film, cast Q&A, a blooper reel, outtakes, cast/crew commentary, and short promotional clips.[21]
DVD name | Episodes | Box set release dates: Region 1 | |
---|---|---|---|
Canada | United States | ||
Season One | 13 | October 11, 2011 (![]() |
February 28, 2012 (![]() |
Season Two | 13 | April 3, 2012 (![]() |
June 25, 2013 (![]() |
Amazon Video and iTunes United States added each episode after its US premiere date, in both standard definition and high definition, and the show is also available on Netflix, Vudu (US), and Zune Marketplace (US and Canada) at up to 1080p.
In addition, the first season can be viewed on Space's website or purchased on iTunes Canada in standard definition widescreen. The second season was added to iTunes Canada in HD on February 13, 2012.[22]
The Original Score Soundtrack for season 1, which includes both score and the original songs heard in the musical, is sold on iTunes, Amazon, Zune, eMusic, and Napster.[23]
Reception
The Winnipeg Sun described the show as having the "feel of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with potty-mouth ... [which] is a good thing," and went on to say the show "generally is good fun, if not quite good clean fun."[24] The show's premiere became the highest-rated premiere for a SPACE original series ever, and was the highest-rated program on Non-Sports Specialty for the demo A18-49.[25] The first season was nominated for eight Gemini Awards,[26] of which it won Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series for "The Phantom of Crowley High".[27]
References
- ↑ King, Randall (April 6, 2010). "Dealing With the Devil". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
- ↑ Volmers, Eric (January 21, 2012). "Calgary Director gets shot at a Succubus" (PDF). Calgary Herald.
- ↑ Costa, Mary (April 4, 2011). "SPACE Brings Back Hit Original Series TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL and Orders New Original Pilot BOREALIS". Bell Media PR (Press release). Retrieved April 4, 2011.
- ↑ "Bell Media Announces Commencement of the Bell Benefits as Key Canadian Programs Re-Ordered" (Press release). Bell Media. June 1, 2011. Retrieved September 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Bloody Hell! Season 2 of Gemini Award-Winning Original Series TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL Premieres Oct. 30 on SPACE and SPACE HD". Bell Media PR (Press release). October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
- 1 2 Bourdeau, Annette (April 24, 2012). "'Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil' Cancelled". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil – Season 1". Amazon.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
- ↑ "Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil – Season 1". tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
- ↑ "Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil – Season 2". Amazon.ca. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ↑ "Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil – Season 2". tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Todd & The Book of Pure Evil - the fine art of dirty dialogue - YouTube". January 2, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
there are two versions of Todd & The Book of Pure Evil: a clean language one (for early viewing times) and the good one (with the full, real dialogue). In the "clean version", some of the swearing is replaced by some amusing replacement words.
- ↑ "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil Main Page". Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ↑ "Raven Banner To Release Animated Last Chapter of "TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL" to Canada". Fangoria. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ↑ "FEARnet HD Expands & New Twisted Comedy Block". FEARnet Staff. May 2, 2011. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
- ↑ "Todd & the Book of Pure Evil - Season 2 - FEARnet trailer". Retrieved March 2, 2012.
- ↑ "Syfy Webpage for Todd and the Book of Pure Evil".
- ↑ "INNERSPACE Lands at This Weekend's Fan Expo Canada With New Co-Host, Celebrity Panels, Autographs and More". Bell Media PR (Press release). August 23, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL Season 1 DVD will be released in stores on October 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil: Amazon.ca: DVD". Retrieved September 1, 2011.
- ↑ Gray, Scott (October 14, 2011). "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - DVD Reviews". exclaim.ca. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ↑ "Facebook: Todd & the Book of Pure Evil post". September 27, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ↑ Lambert, David (December 1, 2011). "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil - USA Release Announced for 'The Complete 1st Season' - TVShowsOnDVD.com". Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ↑ "SPACE Blogs:Todd Season 2 Available Now on iTunes". February 13, 2012. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
- ↑ "SPACE Blogs: Fill your ears with the Todd & The Book of Pure Evil soundtrack". March 2, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
- ↑ Harris, Bill (September 28, 2010). "'Book of Pure Evil' is pure fun". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ↑ Costa, Mary (October 1, 2010). "SPACE Original Series TODD & THE BOOK OF PURE EVIL Kicks Serious A** as Premiere Captures 181,000 Viewers". CTV (Press release). Retrieved October 1, 2010.
- ↑ "25th Gemini Nominees - Todd and the Book of Pure Evil". Retrieved September 6, 2011.
- ↑ "'Call Me Fitz' racks up leading six wins in advance of Gemini Awards". Brandon Sun. August 31, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Todd and the Book of Pure Evil at the Internet Movie Database
- SPACE Channel page
- Watch the short film online at Ain't It Cool News
- Channel Canada Press Release announcing start of production