Tenacious D (TV series)

Tenacious D: The Greatest Band on Earth, or sometimes called The Adventures of Tenacious D, is a TV series that ran on HBO in 1997, 1999 and 2000. It featured the fictional accounts of the real band Tenacious D, which is composed of members Jack Black and Kyle Gass. All of the episodes of the show are available on Tenacious D's The Complete Master Works DVD.[1][2][3][4][5]

Tenacious D
Title card
Created byJack Black
Kyle Gass
David Cross
Bob Odenkirk
StarringJack Black
Kyle Gass
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of episodes6 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)Jack Black
Kyle Gass
David Cross
Bob Odenkirk
Production location(s)Silvercup Studios, Los Angeles
Camera setupSingle camera
Running time25 minutes
Production company(s)Dakota North Entertainment
HBO Original Programming
Release
Original networkHBO
Picture formatNTSC (480i)
Audio formatStereo
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original releaseNovember 28, 1997 –

March 15, 2000
Chronology
Followed byTenacious D in the Pick of Destiny

There were three half-hour episodes total in the season, each containing two segments. The show included many songs that would later be rerecorded for the band's studio albums Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny.[6]

Synopsis

The series follows the exploits of JB and KG, the two halves of Tenacious D., the self-proclaimed "greatest band on earth." Their music is heavy on power chords and lyrics about sex, Satan, and why they are "the greatest band on Earth."

Dispute with HBO

According to Kyle Gass, HBO offered Tenacious D a deal to make ten episodes, but in doing so, they would have to relinquish their role as executive producers.[7] Gass and Jack Black decided to make a movie instead of giving HBO creative control of Tenacious D, and they made the Pick of Destiny.[7]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byOriginal air date
1.1"The Search for Inspirado"Tom GianasNovember 28, 1997 (1997-11-28)

After a successful gig at the open-mic night, host Paul F. Tompkins asks Tenacious D to perform a new song. The band searches for "inspirado", but ends up with nothing. The pressure of this leads to the band's break-up. The band's break-up becomes the inspiration for the new song.

Songs Played:

  • "History" (released on the Pick of Destiny album)
  • "Kyle Quit the Band" (released on the album Tenacious D, alternative version released on the EP D Fun Pak)
1.2"Angel in Disguise"Tom GianasNovember 28, 1997 (1997-11-28)

Jack falls in love with a girl named Flarna, and confesses his love for her to Kyle. Kyle is then seen clogging with Flarna, and Jack employs karate on him. During their struggle, Flarna is taken away by an armed robber who shoots at Jack, but Kyle dives in front of the bullet. Kyle is seen lying motionless. As Jack sings of his loss, Kyle reappears, and in song attributes his survival to an over sized friendship medallion Jack had given him.

Songs Played:

  • "The Sex Song/Sex Supreme" (released on the album Tenacious D as "Double Team")
  • "You Broke the Rules" (released on the album Tenacious D as "Karate")
  • "Kyle Took a Bullet"
2.1"Death of a Dream"Tom GianasNovember 27, 1999 (1999-11-27)

After another open-mic night, the band announces a T-shirt signing. When nobody shows up for the autograph session, the pair have a chance to talk to the store owner, Captain Ed, played by Ernest M. Garcia,[8] who convinces the duo that believing they could be rock stars is like believing in Sasquatch. The band almost gives up on their dream, but are saved when they discover that Sasquatch does exist.

Songs Played:

  • "Cosmic Shame"
  • "Kielbasa" (released on the album Tenacious D)
  • "Sasquatch"
2.2"The Greatest Song in the World"Troy MillerNovember 27, 1999 (1999-11-27)

A writer (actor Scott Adsit) moves into the apartment next to the D's, and when the D commences their pre-show rituals, their new neighbor gets extremely bothered. He calls the police, and the D then sing their song "Tribute", to explain their side of the story.

Songs Played:

  • "Tribute" (revised version released on the album Tenacious D)
3.1"The Fan"Tom GianasMarch 15, 2000 (2000-03-15)

After playing open mic night, JB foolishly throws his clear pick into the crowd and can no longer continue the show without it. After the show, Lee (actor JR Reed), gives them the pick and divulges the information of his Fan site. The D immediately check it out, and become stalkers of Lee. They break into his house, and sing a song for him, titled "Lee", and then by the end of the episode, they are all friends again, and together they sing the song "Special Thing" at open mic night.

Songs Played:

  • "Explosivo" (released on the album Tenacious D, alternative version released on the EP D Fun Pak))
  • "Lee" (revised version released on the album Tenacious D)
  • "Special Things"
3.2"Road Gig"Tom GianasMarch 15, 2000 (2000-03-15)

The open-mic night host, Paul F. Tompkins, informs the D that his brother needs a few open mic night bands to play at his new club. He invites the D to go, and the D is set to go on their road gig (although the club is down the road). On the way to the gig, a bug is hit by the car's windshield, and there is no wiper fluid. Searching for a place to get a refill of washer fluid, the band comes across Jesus Ranch, a ranch at which a cult is living. Since the cult's philosophy is that whenever you produce feces, you part with a part of your soul, everyone at the ranch buries their "shits" as JB puts it. Because of this, the health department comes to the ranch and demands everyone evacuate immediately. The members of the cult are ready for a standoff, so the D are forced to stay. The health department employees decide to play loud music, so the D have a battle of the bands. They win, and make it to the road gig.

Songs Played:

  • "Warning"
  • "The Road" - first half in the episode, second half during credits (released on the album Tenacious D)
  • "History" (released on the Pick of Destiny album)
  • "Jesus Ranch" (demo version released on the EP D Fun Pak)
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References
  1. Video on YouTube
  2. Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006) Synopsis, Storyline, Plot - MovieWeb
  3. "Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006) - Production Information". Archived from the original on 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
  4. Tenacious D: The Greatest Band On Earth (HBO) Archived 2012-07-16 at Archive.today
  5. Gallo, Phil (1999-03-24). "Tenacious D". Variety. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  6. Scott Thurlow, James Caverly (2003-05-22). "HBOwesome". dailytargum.com. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
  7. Fischer, Paul. "Exclusive Interview : Jack Black & Kyle Gass". Moviehole. Archived from the original on 2007-02-23. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  8. Ernest Garcia, "IMDB", Internet Movie Database, 2012
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