Tenacious D (TV series)
Encyclopedia
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 Masterworks
DVD.
The show included many songs that would later be recorded for their studio albums Tenacious D
and The Pick of Destiny.
After a successful gig at the open-mic night, Open Mic 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:
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:
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, 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 Sasquatch does exist.
Songs Played:
A writer (actor Scott Adsit
) moves in to 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:
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 Jason 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:
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 J.B 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:
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
that ran on HBO in 1997, 1999, and 2000. It featured the fictional accounts of the real band Tenacious D
Tenacious D
Tenacious D is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1994. Composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Black and lead guitarist and vocalist Kyle Gass, the band has released two albums – Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny...
, which is composed of members Jack Black
Jack Black
Jack Black , is an American actor and musician, notably of Tenacious D.Jack Black may also refer to:* Jack Black , late 19th - early 20th Century author and hobo* Jack Black , drummer for 1970s UK punk band The Boys...
and Kyle Gass
Kyle Gass
Kyle Richard Gass , also known as KG or Kage, is an American rock musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is a member of the bands Tenacious D and Trainwreck. In Tenacious D , Gass plays lead guitar and sings backup vocals, and also plays the role of Black's comic foil in most of their comedy...
. All of the episodes of the show are available on Tenacious D's The Complete Masterworks
The Complete Masterworks
The Complete Masterworks is a two-DVD set by Tenacious D, documenting their gig at the Brixton Academy on November 3, 2002. The DVD also contains the band's short lived HBO TV series, a collection of short films, two documentaries on the band, music videos, and live TV appearances. The video was a...
DVD.
The show included many songs that would later be recorded for their studio albums Tenacious D
Tenacious D (album)
Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single...
and The Pick of Destiny.
Dispute with HBO
According to 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. Gass and Black decided to make a movie instead of giving HBO creative control of Tenacious D, and they made The Pick of Destiny.Episode list
Episodes consisted of two shorts, shown back-to-back. Altogether, the duration was 30 minutes.- "The Search for Inspirado"/"Angel in Disguise"
- "Death of a Dream"/"The Greatest Song in the World"
- "The Fan"/"Road Gig"
Short 1: The Search for Inspirado
- Directed By: Tom GianasTom GianasTom Gianas is an American comedy writer, director and producer. Gianas is best known for producing Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic and writing/directing on the MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant...
After a successful gig at the open-mic night, Open Mic Host Paul F. Tompkins
Paul F. Tompkins
Paul Francis Tompkins , best known as Paul F. Tompkins, is an American actor and comedian.-Life and career:Tompkins was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a receptionist mother and railway worker father. He started out in stand-up comedy in 1986 at The Comedy Works, Philadelphia, PA, where he...
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"
- "Rocket Sauce"
- "Bowie"
- "Kyle Quit the Band" (later "Kyle Quit")
Short 2: Angel in Disguise
- Directed By: Tom GianasTom GianasTom Gianas is an American comedy writer, director and producer. Gianas is best known for producing Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic and writing/directing on the MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant...
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" (later "Double Team")
- "Florna"
- "You Broke the Rules" (later "Karate")
- "Kyle Took a Bullet for Me"
Short 3: Death of a Dream
- Directed By: Tom GianasTom GianasTom Gianas is an American comedy writer, director and producer. Gianas is best known for producing Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic and writing/directing on the MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant...
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, 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 Sasquatch does exist.
Songs Played:
- "Cosmic Shame"
- "Kielbasa"
- "Sasquatch"
Short 4: The Greatest Song in the World
- Directed By: Troy MillerTroy MillerTroy Miller is an American film producer, director and screenwriter. Miller is best known for his work in directing.- Stand-up comedy :Miller has produced and/or directed comedy shows and specials for a variety of comics including Robin Williams, Martin Short, Katt Williams, Jim Gaffigan, Brian...
A writer (actor Scott Adsit
Scott Adsit
Scott Adsit is an American actor, writer and improvisational comedian. He is currently co-starring as Pete Hornberger in the hit NBC comedy 30 Rock and worked in the Adult Swim stop-motion animation programs Moral Orel and Mary Shelley's Frankenhole.-1990s:After attending Columbia College Chicago,...
) moves in to 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
Tribute (song)
"Tribute" is a tribute to "The Greatest Song in the World" and is the first single of Tenacious D's self-titled debut album. It was released July 16, 2002....
", to explain their side of the story.
Songs Played:
- "Tribute"
Short 5: The Fan
- Directed By: Tom GianasTom GianasTom Gianas is an American comedy writer, director and producer. Gianas is best known for producing Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic and writing/directing on the MTV sketch comedy series Human Giant...
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 Jason Reed
Jason Reed
Jason "JR" Reed , is an American actor and musician, originally from Corvallis, Oregon. He grew up in Las Vegas, NV where he graduated from Bonanza High School...
), 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" (later revised and re-recorded)
- "Lee" (later revised and re-recorded)
- "Special Thing"
Short 6: Road Gig
- Directed By: Troy MillerTroy MillerTroy Miller is an American film producer, director and screenwriter. Miller is best known for his work in directing.- Stand-up comedy :Miller has produced and/or directed comedy shows and specials for a variety of comics including Robin Williams, Martin Short, Katt Williams, Jim Gaffigan, Brian...
The open mic night host, Paul F. Tompkins
Paul F. Tompkins
Paul Francis Tompkins , best known as Paul F. Tompkins, is an American actor and comedian.-Life and career:Tompkins was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a receptionist mother and railway worker father. He started out in stand-up comedy in 1986 at The Comedy Works, Philadelphia, PA, where he...
, 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
Feces
Feces, faeces, or fæces is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the anus or cloaca during defecation.-Etymology:...
, you part with a part of your soul, everyone at the ranch buries their "shits" as J.B 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.)
- "History"
- "Jesus Ranch"
Songs that were officially released
| Episode | Song | Official Release | Note |
| Episode 1: The Search for Inspirado | "Tenacious D Time" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
This song was released as part of "Kielbasa" |
| Episode 1: The Search for Inspirado | "History" | The Pick of Destiny | |
| Episode 1: The Search for Inspirado | "Kyle Quit the Band" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
|
| Episode 2: Angel in Disguise | "Sex Song / Sex Supreme" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
This song was released as "Double Team" on the album |
| Episode 2: Angel in Disguise | "You Broke the Rules" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
This song was released as "Karate" on the album |
| Episode 3: Death of a Dream | "Kielbasa" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
|
| Episode 4: The Greatest Song in the World | "Tribute" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
|
| Episode 5: The Fan | "Explosivo" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
|
| Episode 5: The Fan | "Lee" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
|
| Episode 6: Road Gig | "The Road" | Tenacious D Tenacious D (album) Tenacious D is the first studio album by American comedy rock band Tenacious D, released on September 25, 2001 by Epic Records. The album's polished production was a departure from the band's acoustic origins, due in part to the production of the Dust Brothers."Tribute" was the first single... |
|
| Episode 6: Road Gig | "Jesus Ranch" | D Fun Pak D Fun Pak D Fun Pak is an extended play by Tenacious D released on April 29, 2002. The EP features four tracks – one comedy sketch; one demo version of a track from the Tenacious D TV series ; and two alternative versions of songs which appeared on the band's debut album, Tenacious D... |
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