List of The Problem Solverz episodes

The Problem Solverz is an animated TV series created, co-written and directed by Ben Jones. The series aired in the United States on Cartoon Network, from April 4, 2011  September 29, 2011. Season 2 episodes were scheduled to air beginning September 24, 2012, but programming was delayed.[1] On March 30, 2013, the eight episodes of Season 2 were released on Netflix.

Each episode of Season 1 ends with the narrator saying, "Another exciting case solved by: The Problem Solverz!" At the end of the first six episodes, the show featured a 1–2 minute segment called "Ask Alfe", where Alfe resolved various problems. The Cartoon Network website also provided an "Ask Alfe" feature, where web visitors could submit a problem for Alfe to solve. His responses would be shown after the end of the episode.

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired Distributor
Shorts June 13, 2006 & 2008 Various DVDs
Pilot August 7, 2010 Adult Swim
1 18 April 4, 2011 September 29, 2011 Cartoon Network
2 8 March 30, 2013 Netflix

Episodes

Shorts

The Problem Solverz main characters first appeared in an animated short entitled, "Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy" [sic]. The short was created and produced by the art collective Paper Rad, and it was written by a member Ben Jones. Finally, this short was included on their DVD Trash Talking, published by Load Records in 2006.

The second animated short made by Paper Rad, "Problem Solvers", was released on DVD in 2008 as a bonus for the volume # 7 of The Ganzfeld, the periodical book series written by Dan Nadel. In it does not include The Problem Solverz main characters but introduces for the first time the problem solving's concept, with which Ben Jones will use as the storyline basis in the homonymous series on Cartoon Network.

Title Written and storyboarded by Original air date
"Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy"Ben Jones (as Paper Rad)June 13, 2006

Horace is convinced that there is radiation outside since they have not gone out for 5 days.

Note: A prototype of Alfe's cousin Ralphe appears in this short. He also appears in two The Problem Solverz episodes, "Glam-Vampire Hunterz" and "Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing It Up".[2]
"Problem Solvers"Ben Jones (as Paper Rad)2008

The short describes the adventures of six original characters: Dewey, T Bubbles, Pandemonia, Riviera, Buck, and D-O-G. It is composed of three segments ("Intro", "Dewey's Bike Ride", and "D-O-G's Song"), and from only two episodes:

  • Case #1220: "My Script"
  • Case #1211: "Give Pizza a Chance"
Note: D-O-G, Dewey, and Buck are the only characters of the short that made cameo appearances in The Problem Solverz.

Pilot (2010)

The pilot episode "Neon Knome" was produced for Adult Swim and released on the website Adultswim.com, in the show's section "Big, Über, Network, Sampling", but was rejected and not given the start of transmission by the same channel.

The Problem Solverz pilot
Title Written and directed by Original air date Production code
"Neon Knome"Ben JonesAugust 7, 2010100
Horace, Alfe and Roba try to destroy a giant rollerblade appeared on their yard, but eventually end up getting lost in the forest.

Season 1 (2011)

The Problem Solverz season 1 episodes
No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Written by Storyboarded by Original air date Prod.
code
U.S. viewers
(in millions)
11"Time Twister"Eric KaplanBen JonesApril 4, 20111021.138[3]

The Problem Solverz encounters on the city's amusement park a time-traveling rollercoaster called "Time Twister", that ages a class of elementary school students. They solve the problem of students and seal the rollercoaster, but Alfe later uses it to satisfy his pizza cravings by traveling back in time and getting a slice of pizza, and ends up causing the appearance prehistoric animals in the city plus its transformation in a baby. To put an end to this mess, the Problem Solverz on the advice of Tux Dog must reverse the process destroying Time Twister through its core of Eternitron, a giant clock time monster. The trio achieves this through the many Alfe's clones collected by the same rollercoaster.

Ask Alfe: Ask Alfe Instruction.
Guest voice: Chris Parnell as The Mayor/Eternitron

Note: One of the scenes in which Alfe capture his clone is taken from the segment "D-O-G's Song" of the Paper Rad's 2008 short Problem Solvers.
22"Videogamez"Michael YankNick BertonazziApril 11, 20111031.262[4]

Horace hinders a mission by being addicted to a video game "Tomb of Nefertiti", given to him from Famitaro's owner Mr. Konishi, to kill its rogue AI. Horace himself continuing to play for 8 days, is hypnotized, until after the world is threatened by the same videogame enemies. To stop the invasion Alfe and Roba, with the help of a special cable given to him to their by Tux Dog, enter the game but on their return are before Horace completely transformed into a virtual human block. Once finding him immediately the trio must pass the last three levels and then defeat the AI at the final level.

Ask Alfe: What should I do if I have trouble falling asleep?
Guest voices: George Takei as Mr. Konishi, and Bronson Pinchot as AI

Note: Tomb of Nefertiti is also the only The Problem Solverz game on the official Cartoon Network website.
33"K-999 and Da Little Explorerz"Michael YankNick BertonazziApril 18, 20111041.152[5]

The Problem Solverz team up with K-999, a robot dog to stop a Girl Scout-aided alien invasion.

Ask Alfe: My hair gets so tangled up!
Guest voices: Jaleel White as K-999, Alia Shawkat as Laura, and Jill Talley as Nina/Alpha's Queen Alien
44"Awesome Banditz"Michael YankNick BertonazziApril 25, 20111051.148[6]

The Problem Solverz are involved, thanks to the Police Captain of the city's huge mall, in an underground elevator racing, world from which they capture a group of thieves place experts in this race, called the "Elevator Banditz". To capture Alfe and Roba go undercover, and to do dress up and look like them.

Ask Alfe: I'm not sneaky enough.
Guest voices: Nikka Futterman as Stratch, and Brian Tee as Captain/Granite/Mini Master
55"Funny Facez"Michael YankLeo RileyMay 2, 20111061.277[7]

The work of a funny-face artists named Tony Marv, which Roba is a biggest fan, is stolen due to someone who leaked the photos of him in his program for the next show. His assistant Buddy Huxton presents the Problem Solverz, who asked them to solve this problem, finding the culprit. At the beginning Roba and Horace are still in doubt to solve it due to Alfe, that under the effect of "Taco crazy" think they know you already know everything with a rangefinder taco, and doing even suspect that a loser funny-faces artist named Fungsten has not leaked the photos. But then discover that real culprit is still at large when the taco truck sign blocking the view. At the end the trio back to Buddy Huxton which, however, admits: he leaked that photos to postpone tonight's show of Tony, and in order to avenge him for his trauma as a child.

Ask Alfe: What can I do at the beach?
Guest voices: Paul Scheer as Tony Marv/Fungsten, and Mark Hamill as Buddy Huxton
66"Hide and Seek Ninjaz"Michael YankNick BertonazziMay 9, 20111071.424[8]

Alfe, Roba and Horace find some Go-Seeki Hide and Seek Ninjaz in whom kidnap a little girl of the Hido Clan's mom.

Ask Alfe: I'm totally stumped!
Guest voices: Grey DeLisle as Candance/Luka, and James Avery as Go-Seeki Ninja Master/Ninja Master's Dad Head
77"The Mayan Ice Cream Caper"Eric KaplanBen JonesMay 16, 20111011.647[9]

The Problem Solverz are called upon to stop an ice-cream factory from being destroyed by its owner.

Ask Alfe: From this episode none new Ask Alfe. The causes of his cancellation are unknown.
Guest voice: Pamela Adlon as Mister Creame/Sweetie Creame

Note 1: Before of the official debut of The Problem Solverz on April 4, 2011 on Cartoon Network, a preview of this episode was show on the official Paper Rad YouTube channel.
Note 2: The opening theme in this episode is one of Neon Knome, the Adult Swim's pilot.
88"Badcat"Michael YankCasey LeonardMay 23, 20111081.274[10]

Tux Dog gets over his head and tried to stop Badcat himself. The Problem Solverz promise the mayor to solve this problem. They enter Badcat's hideout, but Alfe and Roba refused because of their disguise. Horace insults the senses into them.

Guest voice: Mark Hamill as Badcat
99"Fauxboro"Michael YankCasey LeonardMay 30, 20111091.508[11]

The town of Farboro is getting a little stranger every minute; Alfe's drums sound weird, the root beer tastes bad, and the people of Farboro declare no more problems. Worse, they were replaced by Bionic Zombies! If the gang doesn't stop them, they're toast! At the end they discover that everything is a gimmick of Tux Dog.

Guest voice: Tom Kenny as Bionic Zombies/The Android-geist
1010"Magic Clock"Michael YankCasey LeonardJune 6, 20111101.498[12]

Alfe, Roba and Horace try to get back a stolen clock, followed by hardcore fan Katrina Rad turns on them, because she wants to use the clock to date Roba.

Guest voices: Jason Walden as Tommy/JZ, and Kari Wahlgren as Katrina Rad
1111"Breakfast Wars"Michael YankCasey LeonardJune 13, 20111121.588[13]

Alfe, Roba and Horace try to find more cereal for a sugar-crazed kid.

Guest voice: Pamela Adlon as Danny/Danny's Mom
1212"Zoo Cops"Michael YankCasey LeonardJune 20, 20111111.290[14]

The Problem Solverz try to help the zoo to capture Dork Face. But things goes bad when agent Lidget betrays the Problem Solverz, Dork Face sends them into a different world. Now Horace, Alfe and Roba have to get out in Flatland in time.

Guest voices: Eric Bauza as Dork Face/Ale, and Rich Fulcher as Lidget
1313"Hamburger Cavez"Michael YankCasey LeonardAugust 25, 20111141.125[15]

Horace and Roba force Alfe to go on a camping trip. Alfe, in a "mad-for-hamburgers" phase, wanders off looking for some, and stumbles upon an old cave and accidentally releases and gets possessed by a man eating spirit named Wendigo.

Guest voice: Kevin Michael Richardson as Wendigo

Note: Stylized versions of Mordecai and Rigby are briefly shown.
1414"Puffy Puppiez"Dave TennantCasey LeonardSeptember 1, 20111151.055[16]

When Roba vows to take care of Miss May's puppies (much to the dismay of Alfe and Horace), things get complicated as the puppies destroy the trio's furniture and sends Roba spiraling into a craze. Meanwhile, Badcat (voiced in this episode by John DiMaggio) returns to exterminate and put all dogs in a "dog jail". Later, Alfe enter in bike contest for save the dogs from Badcat's evil minions.

Guest voice: Andrew Daly as Miss May
1515"Glam-Vampire Hunterz"Dave TennantCasey LeonardSeptember 8, 20111161.191[17]

Alfe, Roba & Horace try to stop a group of metal rock vampires from taking over Farboro. Later, Ralphe (Alfe's cousin and mentor) stops by for a visit and claims to know the secret method of destroying the Glam Metal Vampirez. In the end they find that Ralphe might not be all that he had claimed to be.

Guest voices: Horatio Sanz as Ralphe, and Jason Walden as Glam Metal Vampirez
1616"Problem Solverz Academy"Ryan LevinCasey LeonardSeptember 15, 20111171.280[18]

Tux Dog sends the trio back to school to get better at solving problems. Roba becomes the "cool guy" and Horace finds out how tough it is to be the super dork. Later, Tux Dog sends K-999 too for training in the Problem Solverz Academy.

Guest voices: Jaleel White as K-999, and Matt Berry as Drill Sergeant
1717"Mermaid Raid"Ryan LevinCasey LeonardSeptember 22, 20111181.184[19]

Alfe pretends to be afraid of water, which prevents the Problem Solverz from answering a mermaid's distress call.

Guest voice: Vanessa Marshall as Emily
1818"Tux Dog's Island"Michael YankLeo RileySeptember 29, 20111131.072[20]

The trio goes on a vacation to an island resort sent by Tux Dog. But Horace thinks the island is too perfect, and tries to find a problem to solve.

Guest voices: Michael Dorn as Yamir, and Tia Carrere as Tara

Season 2 (2013)

Eight episodes were produced for Season 2 and were released through Netflix on March 30, 2013.[21]

The Problem Solverz season 2 episodes
No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Written by Storyboarded by Release date Prod.
code
191"Making of The Problem Solverz Video Game"[22]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A

When Mr. Konishi (from "Videogamez") is kicked out by his wife, the Solverz decide to take him in.

Guest voices: George Takei as Mr. Konishi, and Amy Hill as Mrs. Konishi
202"Alfe Is Da Boss"[23]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A

Alfe gains authority over the house and becomes corrupt beyond repair shortly after.

Guest voice: Jaleel White as K-999
213"Roba Has Dreadlocks"[24]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A
Roba becomes a hippie after he runs out of his precious hand sanitizer.
224"Alfe Has a Baby"[25]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A

The Problem Solverz must care after the daughter of Alfe's Uncle Chocofus.

Guest voices: Wayne Brady as Uncle Chocofus, and Kath Soucie as Spiralina
235"Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing It Up"[26]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A

Alfe and Roba form their own band, much to the chagrin of Horace when he is thrown out of the band due to his terrible vocal skills.

Guest voice: Horatio Sanz as Ralphe
246"Yogurt Nights"[27]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A

Alfe catches Roba and Horace attending a support group for Fur Monsters.

Guest voices: John DiMaggio as Jerry/Gary, and Vanessa Marshall as Yogi/Trudy H.
257"Super Close TV Watching"[28]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A

The trio decide to join a league when Horace demonstrates his professional soccer skills.

Guest voices: Daran Norris as J.B. McTooth, and Liz Lee as Additionals
268"Alfe's Gonna Run Away"[29]Ryan LevinCasey LeonardMarch 30, 2013N/A

After being disciplined by Roba and Horace too many times, Alfe decides to leave the gang in search of more 'awesome' places.

Guest voices: Jill Talley as Dolls' Kid Owner, and Eric Bauza as Alfred

References

  1. www.facebook.com/TheProblemSolverz
  2. www.vimeo.com/7395789
  3. Seidman, Robert (April 5, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' & 'WWE RAW' Down Against B-Ball; + 'Being Human,' 'RJ Berger' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  4. Seidman, Robert (April 12, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Leads Night; 'Kate Plus 8' Even; 'WWE RAW,' 'Being Human,' 'RJ Berger' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  5. Seidman, Robert (April 19, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Leads Night; NBA Playoffs, 'Kate Plus 8' Falls; 'WWE RAW,' 'RJ Berger' NHL & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  6. Gorman, Bill (April 26, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Leads Night; Plus NBA, 'WWE RAW,' 'Sanctuary' 'Bethenny,' 'American Chopper' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  7. Seidman, Robert (May 3, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: Kobe-Dirk Playoff Dominates; Will Syfy Move 'Sanctuary' Back to Friday? + 'WWE RAW,' 'Bethenny,' 'American Chopper' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  8. Yanan, Travis (May 10, 2011). "Monday 05/09/11 Final Cable Ratings". Travis Yanan Watches TV. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  9. Seidman, Robert (May 3, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE RAW,' Tops Night, 'Sanctuary' Up + 'Real Housewives of NJ' Premiere, 'American Chopper,' 'Secret Life' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  10. Gorman, Bill (May 24, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: Mavs/Thunder Tops Night; 'WWE Raw' Up + 'Sanctuary,' 'Real Housewives of NJ', 'American Chopper,' 'Secret Life' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  11. Yanan, Travis (June 2, 2011). "Monday 05/30/11 Final Cable Ratings". Travis Yanan Watches TV. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  12. Yanan, Travis (June 8, 2011). "Monday 06/06/11 Final Cable Ratings". Travis Yanan Watches TV. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  13. Staff, The Futon Critic (June 15, 2011). "Monday's Cable Ratings: Still No Stopping History's "Pawn Stars"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  14. Staff, The Futon Critic (June 22, 2011). "Monday's Cable Ratings: "WWE Raw" Takes Original Crown". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  15. Staff, The Futon Critic (August 26, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Hits Season High in Demos". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  16. Staff, The Futon Critic (September 2, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Encore Still Gets It Done". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  17. Staff, The Futon Critic (September 9, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Hits Season Low". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  18. Staff, The Futon Critic (September 16, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: Another Week, Another "Jersey Shore" Win". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  19. Staff, The Futon Critic (September 23, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Dips to Season Low, Still Beats NBC, CBS". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  20. Staff, The Futon Critic (September 30, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Not Slowing Down". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  21. "Watch The Problem Solverz Online". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  22. "Making of The Problem Solverz Video Game". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  23. "Alfe Is Da Boss". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  24. "Roba Has Dreadlocks". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  25. "Alfe Has a Baby". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  26. "Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing It Up". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  27. "Yogurt Nights". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  28. "Super Close TV Watching". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.
  29. "Alfe's Gonna Run Away". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved 2013-04-21.