The Problem Solverz

The Problem Solverz
Also known as	Neon Knome (original title)
Genre	Comedy Surreal humor Science fiction Slapstick Action Adventure Fantasy
Format	Animated series
Created by	Ben Jones
Developed by	Dave Foligno
Written by	Ben Jones (co-writer) Michael Yank Ryan Levin Eric Kaplan Dave Tennant
Directed by	Ben Jones Greg Miller (supervising director)
Creative director(s)	Jamie R. Young
Voices of	Ben Jones Kyle Kaplan John DiMaggio
Narrated by	John DiMaggio
Opening theme	"The Problem Solverz", by Ben Jones
Ending theme	"The Problem Solverz" (Instrumental)
Composer(s)	Ben Jones
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	26 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Ben Jones Eric Kaplan (for Mirari Films)
Producer(s)	Nate Funaro
Editor(s)	Jacob Ciocci Jessica Ciocci Jimmy Avery
Running time	11 minutes
Production company(s)	PFFR and Williams Street (pilot only) Mirari Films Cartoon Network Studios
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television
Broadcast
Original channel	Cartoon Network (2011) Netflix (2013)
Picture format	576i PAL (original short and pilot only) 1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original run	April 4, 2011 (2011-04-04) – March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Chronology
Related shows	Wyld File
External links
Website

The Problem Solverz (originally titled Neon Knome) is an American animated television series created by Ben Jones, a member of the art collective Paper Rad, for Cartoon Network. The series centered on the titular Problem Solverz trio of Alfe, Roba, and Horace, as they solve and sometimes create the various problems that plague their town, Farboro. The series is rated TV-PG. The original pilot Neon Knome was rejected by Cartoon Network's late-night programming block Adult Swim, but was picked up and re-tooled by the main network, which premiered the series on April 4, 2011.

On September 20, 2012, a statement on a Facebook page for the show said that the second half of Season 2 was intended to debut September 24, 2012, but the scheduling was delayed.^[1] Selected reruns have been aired during Cartoon Network's January 2013 revival of their Cartoon Planet variety show.

On March 30, 2013, Season 2 was released only on Netflix.

History

The first animated short featuring Problem Solverz characters Alfe, Roba and Horace, was "Gone Cabin Carzy" [sic].^[2] The short is included on Paper Rad's 2006 DVD Trash Talking (published by Load Records).

In 2008, several animated web shorts called Problem Solvers appeared on YouTube on Paper Rad's official channel. These shorts were released on DVD as a bonus to the periodical The Ganzfeld 7.^[3] While these episodes didn't contain the main characters, they did introduce the "problem solving" element of the show, and some main characters of this series made cameos on The Problem Solverz.

In 2010, Neon Knome,^[4] a pilot episode for the series, was pitched as an adult-oriented animated series for Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim, and was featured among other videos online at Adult Swim & Burger King's "Big, Über, Network, Sampling".^[5] In December 2010, Adult Swim announced that Neon Knome was being re-tooled as a regular Cartoon Network show.^[6]

Episodes

Characters

The main characters, Horace, Alfe, and Roba.

• Alfe (voiced by Ben Jones) – Alfe is a large, fluffy, half man-dog-anteater and a creature who was found and raised by a young Horace (in the beginning of Neon Knome). He loves to devour large quantities of pizza and acts impulsively during missions. In one episode, he claimed he lived in a cage as a child. Like a cat, he coughs up furballs whenever he chews his fur. His name is pronounced "Alfé".
• Roba (voiced by Ben Jones) – Roba is the smartest member of them, being a half robot half human cyborg, who is incredibly insecure and anxious about everything. He is Horace's twin brother.
• Horace (voiced by Kyle Kaplan) – Horace is calm and collected member of the team, usually using common sense with his actions and taking care after Alfe, his companion. He is Roba's twin brother and the leader of the trio.
• Tux Dog (voiced by John DiMaggio) – Tux Dog is an extremely wealthy dog who helps the Problem Solverz in some of their cases, but is just as often the source of their problems. He insults Roba for his personality flaws and appearance. He does have a British accent.

Cast

• Ben Jones – Alfe, Roba
• Kyle Kaplan – Horace
• John DiMaggio – Tux Dog, Narrator

Additional cast

• Ben Jones – Balloon Professor, Professor Sugar Fish, Dimensional Jellyfish
• John DiMaggio – Teacher, The Mewmeoh, Flat Dog, Dimensional Jellyfish
• Chris Parnell – The Mayor, Eternitron
• George Takei – Mr. Konishi
• Bronson Pinchot – AI (Master Artificial Intelligence)
• Alia Shawkat – Laura
• Jill Talley – Nina, Alpha's Queen Alien
• Jaleel White – K–999
• Nika Futterman – Stratch
• Brian Tee – Captain, Granite, Mini Master
• Paul Scheer – Tony Marv, Fungsten
• Mark Hamill – Buddy Huxton, Badcat
• Grey DeLisle – Candace, Luka
• James Avery – Go–Seeki Ninja Master, Ninja Master's Dad Head
• Pamela Adlon – Mister Creamee, Sweetie Creamee, Danny, Danny's Mom
• Tom Kenny – Bionic Zombies, The Android-geist
• Jason Walden – Tommy (Clock Museum's Owner), JZ, The Glam Vampirez
• Kari Wahlgren – Katrina Rad
• Eric Bauza – Dork Face, Ale
• Rich Fulcher – Lidget
• Kevin Michael Richardson – Wendigo
• Andrew Daly –
• Horatio Sanz – Ralphe
• Matt Berry – Drill Sergeant
• Vanessa Marshall – Emily
• Michael Dorn – Yamir
• Tia Carrere – Tara

Note: For the character of "Dimensional Jellyfish", Ben Jones and John DiMaggio dub together.

References

External links

• Official website
• The Problem Solverz at the Big Cartoon DataBase
• The Problem Solverz at TV.com
• The Problem Solverz at the Internet Movie Database