MTV Downtown Is an Animated Gem Worth Revisiting 25 Years Later

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As a lifelong connoisseur of animation and a dedicated follower of the evolution of MTV, I must say that Downtown was a fascinating glimpse into a bygone era. Having grown up during the late ’90s myself, I can vividly recall the grunge aesthetic that permeated our culture and found its way onto our television screens.

I have a fond nostalgia for MTV from my youth, which served as background music or a hint of counter-culture back then. However, as an adult, I’ve come to see it more like a father who fell short in making amends. The network stopped presenting music in the way we enjoyed and failed many promising shows by only giving them one season, particularly with mature animation. Among these shows, Downtown might have been MTV’s most intriguing experiment that they let slip away.

For legal purposes, the program was officially known as MTV Downtown, but it was generally called Downtown elsewhere. It debuted on a Tuesday following The Real World, which aligned perfectly with creator Chris Prynoski’s vision. Abby Terkuhle, president of MTV Animation, described it as “animation vérité,” a term for animation that closely mirrors real life and people. In essence, Downtown is remarkably authentic, embodying the 1999 New York time capsule Prynoski intended to create. The creators ventured into The East Village, speaking with various individuals, nightlife enthusiasts, and storytellers, many of whom ended up forming the core of the show.

The show centers around a circle of friends navigating their lives in New York City, dealing with the issues that young adults faced back then while seeking meaningful connections or finding their place in the world. Our protagonist, Alex, aged 24, serves as both our main character and an alter ego for two of the creators, being a socially awkward nerd struggling with his virginity and infatuation towards Serena, a confident goth girl from the comic store. Alex’s younger sister, Chaka, is a rebellious 17-year-old club kid who is spontaneous, loves to explore new things, and is cooler than her peers, accompanied by Mecca, an expressive and sensitive girl looking for meaningful relationships. The group also includes Fruity and Matt, both charmers with distinct personalities: Fruity, bold and outgoing, and Matt, laid-back and easygoing, yet they both find creative outlets to showcase their talents. Lastly, there’s Goat, a 26-year-old conspiracy theorist who often appears with a beer in hand, trying his luck at seedy bars for casual encounters, and is known for exposing himself frequently.

In my opinion, the character in the show that captivates me most is Jen, who is Alex’s best friend and seems to be more than just a friend. We often see this will they, won’t they dynamic, but this feels more authentic because both characters appear to fear the possibility. Jen’s harshness towards Alex having a romantic life makes her seem almost like an adversary. She’s so sarcastic that it often borders on being cruel, and she seems to be missing something significant in her single existence without realizing it yet, which she takes out on others. Her roommate Leah, who is vivacious and promiscuous, is a stark contrast to Jen. Leah uses her charm and beauty to attract men, but this carefree approach to life irritates Jen, revealing her jealousy and envy. An episode where they both go out together and Jen becomes increasingly inebriated and confrontational is particularly memorable. Although not everyone may like all the characters, many find themselves cheering for one or two of them.

This friend circle seems authentic due to their mutual irritations and frequent lack of kindness towards one another. Many of them openly display their shortcomings and desire change, yet remain unsure about the steps to take. This diverse assemblage of characters share a past that predates the pilot episode, yet seldom remember each other’s names. Their interactions, often spread across multiple episodes, create a sense of sincerity. I can relate to these conversations, having experienced them myself and knowing people similar in college. I appreciate how the group tends to pair up for their escapades, but the storytelling frequently shuffles these pairings to provide various exchanges and deepen the depicted relationships.

The show Downtown isn’t like others where people might be drawn away by famous voice actors and end up checking IMDB instead of focusing on the storyline. Most of the actors chosen to voice these characters were also involved in creating the show, many of them having little or no experience in this field, which is why their performances are so understated. Some of them were even real-life friends, and it’s evident in the chemistry between the characters.

The show Downtown, being an MTV production, doesn’t shy away from exploring sexual themes, such as characters trying to navigate romantic relationships. However, it also delves into other topics like personal growth, heritage, and acceptance. Scenes featuring discussions about intimacy, body hair, and shared interests in physical attraction are common. The dynamics of the relationships can be intense, and some viewers may feel a sense of urgency for two particular friends to become romantically involved. While there is occasional suggestive content, such as characters depicted partially undressed, there is no explicit nudity or excessive vulgarity.

“The dame was as sultry as a real sunset but tougher than the last level of Doom II.”

For that particular scene, there are numerous pop culture nods scattered around, some intricate and seemingly unauthorized. Ranging from video games like PlayStation, anime, Star Trek, to more specific ones like Chaka disguised as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for Halloween. However, the Aeon Flux t-shirt wearer is quite attention-grabbing and might divert focus. Sharp-eyed viewers could even spot the WWF’s Undertaker providing his voice while roughing up Sailor Moon impersonators, or Pedro Pascal in a minor role.

Initially, what captivated people about Downtown was its distinctive artistic flair. The team aimed to uphold the hand-drawn legacy by incorporating digital ink and paint technology with minimal edits. Artists employed thin lines that ranged from subtle to over-the-top, based on each shot, against a subdued color scheme featuring rapid shifts in hues. Backgrounds were generally low resolution, quite dark, and accentuated with bold shadows to create a grungy atmosphere that was popular in ’90s animation. Real locations and photos of these places were frequently recreated for the show. The visuals included impressive stills, engaging transitions, close-ups, off-angle shots, reflections, and other indications of cinematic ambition on display. In some ways, it resembled shows like Daria or Duckman blended with graffiti or a bohemian painting, with clip art layered over it. Given Prynoski’s work background, this style becomes more understandable.

The intro is short, sweet, and energetic, sped-up scenes that entice the viewer. The show also utilizes these sudden cutaways – similar to Family Guy – that offer the audience a flashback or fantasy, usually switching up the style. They call these segments “fugues,” and most episodes begin with them. The music is also top-notch, with a few popular songs sprinkled in the episodes, not used in a jarring way or overpowering the scenes, like in Dead at 21. The background tracks are potent when they need to be, but usually chill, making me want to play Grand Theft Auto III.

Despite being appreciated by both fans and critics, who often referred to it as underrated, and even earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, Downtown didn’t receive a second season. Although 13 episodes were produced, the finale wasn’t broadcast during its initial run, but rather aired later on, according to reports. Most networks aired reruns of the show late at night.

Initially, there was a plan for a second season, which was underway when it was announced that the show had been cancelled. Originally, the intention was to replace most of the main cast each season and introduce fresh characters. However, after observing how the initial episodes unfolded, they opted to concentrate on deepening existing relationships while elevating supporting actors like Alex’s colleagues to major roles.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring impact that Downtown has had. The visionary behind it all, Chris Prynoski, later founded Titmouse, an animation powerhouse known far and wide. Despite his inexperience in the business when he first embarked on this project, he managed to infuse Downtown with his laid-back vibe and the unforgettable character of Goat. This unique blend followed him into other groundbreaking shows like Megas XLR and Metalocalypse.

John Prynoski remains uncertain about the specific reasons for the series’ cancellation, but at one stage, MTV was heavily invested in the project, even considering legal action against Mission Hill (previously known as Downtown) over the title. However, the momentum eventually faded, with many believing this happened before the show even aired. The absence of marketing is often cited as the primary factor leading to its demise. Unfortunately, the reruns were aired in unfavorable time slots, making it difficult for the show to gain traction. Despite these challenges, Prynoski remains appreciative of the opportunity to create these episodes and notes that they are still accessible for those eager to become new fans. Downtown almost achieved the status of art, an animated portrayal aiming to capture a moment in time, but now it serves more as a period piece, a nostalgic reflection of a time when MTV showed signs of caring once more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

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2024-08-29 00:41