Behind the Mask (documentary series)

Behind the Mask
Created by Josh Greenbaum
Country of origin United States
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 20
Broadcast
Original channel Hulu
Original run October 29, 2013 – present
External links
Website

Behind the Mask is a Hulu original documentary series chronicles the trials and tribulations of sports mascots. The 10-episode series focuses on the unsung heroes of sports, mascots.

The series follows the lives of four mascots at different levels, both inside and outside the suit. The series focuses on mascots at four levels: high school, college, minor leagues, and major leagues[1] and in all major sports.

The first season of the series premiered on October 29, 2013 on Hulu and Hulu Plus and the season finale aired on December 17, 2013.[2] The second season of the series premiered on February 26, 2015.

On March 26, 2014, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has announced that the show has earned an Sports Emmy nomination for Outstanding New Approaches in Sports Programming, a first for Hulu.[3] Hulu announced on its blog that a second season of the series will premiere sometime in 2014 with four new characters.[4]

Synopsis

Rooty is adored by cheerleaders when he's in the outfit, but ignored by them out of it. The student behind Hey Reb is on the Bluto/Van Wilder academic track, currently in his sixth year. Tux has half the income he once had, as he pursues his dreams of working in the NHL and Bango must juggle five kids along with injuries he has sustained.[5]

Featured Mascots (Season 1)

The four mascots featured are:

Name Mascot name Sports program League
Michael Hostetter Rooty the Cedar Tree Lebanon High School (Pennsylvania) Cedars Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
Chad Spencer Tux the Penguin Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins American Hockey League
Jon "Jersey" Goldman Hey Reb! University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV Rebels) National Collegiate Athletic Association
Kevin Vanderkolk Bango the Buck Milwaukee Bucks National Basketball Association

Season 2

Season 2 cast members were announced on November 5, 2014. The 10-episode season aired in February on Hulu. Only one of the four mascots from Season 1 returned for the second season in the series: Chad "Tux The Penguin" Spencer. Spencer was joined by Lou Seal of the San Francisco Giants, Chris Hall (a freelance mascot who has autism), and 17 year old Gilbert Arizona High School mascot Navey "The Tiger" Baker.[6] Season 2 premiered on February 26, 2015.

Featured Mascots (Season 2)

The four mascots featured are:

Name Mascot name Sports program League
Navey Baker The Tiger Gilbert High School (Arizona) Tigers Arizona Interscholastic Association
Chris Hall Multiple mascots Freelance Mascot Cherry Hill, New Jersey Mascot-For-Hire
Chad Spencer Tux the Penguin Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins American Hockey League
Joel Zimei Lou Seal San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball

References