Stella (U.S. TV series)

Stella

DVD cover for season one of Stella.
Created by Michael Ian Black
Michael Showalter
David Wain
Starring Michael Ian Black
Michael Showalter
David Wain
Opening theme Instrumental theme by Craig Wedren
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Michael Ian Black
Michael Showalter
David Wain
Producer(s) Jerry Kupfer
Camera setup Single camera
Running time 20–22 minutes (approx.)
Broadcast
Original channel Comedy Central
Original run June 29, 2005 – August 30, 2005
External links
Website

Stella was a short-lived television series that originally ran from June 28, 2005 to August 30, 2005 on the American television channel Comedy Central, created by and starring Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Wain, the three members of the sketch comedy troupe of the same name and former cast members of MTV's The State. Stella, as a comedy troupe, has existed since 1997. It has a cult following and plays to sold out shows across the USA. The show aired on Tuesdays at 10:30 PM, EST.

In September, after 10 episodes, Stella's timeslot was filled by Mind of Mencia. On March 8, 2006, the following message was posted on Stella's official website: "The STELLA series was on Comedy Central last summer. The network has officially decided not to renew it for a second season," thus effectively cancelling the series. The first season DVD was released on September 12, 2006. Episodes have also been available on iTunes and Hulu and some episodes on Joost. Stella premiered in Australia on The Comedy Channel on May 3, 2007.

Characters

Main

The "Guys"

The Girls Downstairs

In the pilot only, the third roommate was played by Rashida Jones.

Recurring

Plot

Stella is an adaptation of the Stella comedy troupe's stage show and short films. The series follows Michael, Michael, and David, three infantile men who always dress in suits, live together in a New York apartment, and apparently have no jobs. The show is a mix of sketch comedy and a sitcom; there is a central plot for each episode and recurring characters, but the show ignores continuity and is often surreal.

The trio made 28 short films between 1998 and 2002, which were shown as part of the live show. The shorts cover various topics such as searching for Santa, mustache growing, pizza eating, and other absurd situations. The group cleaned up much of its material for the show, as much of the humor in the sketches and short films was often derived from taboo or adult topics like necrophilia and dildos.

The show employs absurdist humor. Notable guest stars include Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Sam Rockwell, Topher Grace, Tim Blake Nelson, Alan Ruck, Janeane Garofalo, Elizabeth Banks, and Edward Norton.

Episodes

No. Title Original air date Production
code
1"Pilot"June 28, 2005101
The guys are kicked out of their apartment after finally pushing their landlord too far.
2"Campaign"July 5, 2005102
When Michael Ian Black decides to run for president of the resident's board, David is left on the outs doing menial internship work.
3"Office Party"July 12, 2005105
The guys get invited to one of their neighbors' office party and run afoul of a couple of stereotypical office jerks. They plot their revenge at the next company picnic.
4"Coffee Shop"July 19, 2005103
When the girls downstairs have a fight, the guys tell them the story of the time their friendship was almost destroyed by their competing coffee shop jobs.
5"Paper Route"July 26, 2005104
After running over the paperboy, Kevin O'Malley, the guys take over his paper route, but get discouraged after getting beaten up by bullies. They set out to teach the bullies about the power of friendship.
6"Meeting Girls"August 2, 2005107
The guys dance in a bar and become popular. While they are there, Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter get dates and David does not. Problems ensue, and soon, Michael and Michael move out, and David is forced to replace them with new roommates as they begin their lives with their new significant others. David's new roommate Jeremy in this episode is played by Josh Charles, Michael Ian Black's girlfriend Tamara is played by Elizabeth Banks, and a scene from this episode was filmed at Alfred Lerner Hall.
7"Camping"August 9, 2005106
Tired of working, the guys take a vacation to the forest, where they quickly get lost.
8"Novel"August 16, 2005108
Inspired by famous author Jane Burroughs (who is played by Janeane Garofalo), the trio tries their hand at writing. They show their manuscript to Jane, who steals it, with the intention of publishing it under her own name.
9"Vegetables"August 23, 2005109
The guys decide to grow their own vegetables on their apartment floor to save money.
10"Amusement Park"August 30, 2005110
Series finale. The guys are excited to go on a trip to the amusement park to alleviate their irritation with each other, but the trip is ruined by rainy weather. The girls downstairs recommend visiting a psychiatrist, who commits them after they have a fight in his office.

Allusions

Stella is riddled with allusions to the creators' earlier works. The most prominent of these are to the movie Wet Hot American Summer. Some of these include:

Recurring elements

Although the series lasted only one season, the trio had been working together honing their act for years (through the live show and the original, more vulgar Stella short films). As such, by the time the TV show came to be, the trio had a strong sense of who the 'characters' were and a unique comic sensibility.

Recurring elements in the show include:

DVD release

Season Releases

DVD NameRelease DateEp #Additional Information
Season OneSeptember 12, 200610"History of Stella" documentary, "Comedy Central Presents – Stella", Deleted scenes, Extended takes, Bloopers, Easter eggs (see below).

Easter Eggs

The DVD also contains three Easter eggs:

References

  1. Eliot Glazer (October 11, 2007). "Inside With: Andrea Rosen". The Apiary.

External links