Bravo! NewStyleArtsChannel got animated with the world premiere of the new sitcom HEY JOEL on June 3, 2003 at 10:30 pm. Produced by Blueprint Entertainment and Curious Pictures in association with CHUM Television, this half-hour, 13-part adult-themed cartoon series depicts the adventures of Joel Stein, the host of a daily three-minute rock star interview show on the music channel VH1, and offers an irreverent behind-the-scenes look at the recording industry. HEY JOEL takes aim at such hot topics as Bono's political activism, Donny Osmond's stage fright and Jennifer Lopez's diva reputation.
Joel (voiced by Jon Cryer, PRETTY IN PINK) is anything but respectful of his famous guests, badgering them with obnoxious, aggressive and frequently inappropriate questions. Other characters in this satirical workplace comedy include Joel's sarcastic and morose producer Michele (Daphne Rubin-Vega, WILD THINGS), his loyal production assistant Kevin (Jacob Tierney), VH1's tough-as-nails programming director Z (Nancy Giles) and arrogant VJ Leif (Josh Alexander).
The storylines also feature sardonic situations involving several famous music personalities (voiced by sound-alikes), including Jewel, Moby, Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Sade, Bill Wyman, Macy Gray, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Alicia Keys and Canada's own Snow. Virgin Records recording artists Fountains of Wayne perform humorous plot-related songs in two animated videos per episode.
HEY JOEL is based on an idea from real-life TIME magazine and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY journalist Joel Stein, who serves as co-executive producer. Robert Risko designs the characters. Toronto-based Calibre Digital Pictures (www.calibredigital.com) creates the animation. Curious Pictures (www.curiouspictures.com) in New York City did the scripts, voices, design and music.
Bravo! NewStyleArtsChannel supports the Canadian independent production community, funding approximately 100 hours of documentaries and performing arts specials a year.
CHUM Television is a division of CHUM Ltd. (www.chumlimited.com), a fast-growing Canadian media company and adult content provider, which owns and operates radio stations, local television stations, specialty channels and Internet properties.
