The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein
Encyclopedia
"The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" is the fortieth broadcast episode
of the animated
television series Phineas and Ferb
. The episode revolves around Phineas Flynn
and his brother, Ferb Fletcher
, being told the story of how their Victorian ancestor helped a scientist create a monster. Meanwhile, Perry the Platypus
is told a similar yet connected story concerning Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz
's Victorian ancestor, who transformed himself into a monster.
Written by Martin Olson
and Jon Colton Barry, "The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" was directed by Zac Moncrief
. Malcolm McDowell
and Jane Carr
guest star as Ferb's grandparents, who had appeared earlier in the season in "A Hard Days Knight" and "The Flying Fishmonger." It originally aired on Disney Channel
on October 17, 2008
. The episode received generally positive reviews and was nominated for the Emmy Award
for "Outstanding Special Class – Short-format Animated Programs" in 2009, but the award was never given out.
ing with the theme music
, Phineas
(Vincent Martella
) and Ferb
(Thomas Sangster
) warn the audience that the program will be frightening, disturbing, and horrifying. Ferb chokes up a hairball, and Phineas says "You've been warned." When the episode officially starts, Phineas is feeling disappointed by the pouring rain and power outage
, canceling his plan to stand in the middle of a field with a metal rod, until his grandfather (Malcolm McDowell
) starts to tell the brothers the story of their ancestor, Ferbgor, a hunchback
henchman
of the Victorian era
who assists Dr. Phineastein in gathering platypus
body parts to create a monster and enter him in a "monster ball".
Meanwhile, Perry accidentally locks himself and Doofenshmirtz in his lair. To occupy the time, the doctor tells Perry of his Victorian ancestor, Dr. Jekyll Doofenshmirtz, who attempted to impress an angry mob by transforming himself into a beast, only to fail and become a fairy
instead.
In the grandfather's tale, Phineastein and Ferbgor construct the monster, which angers their castle governess
, Constance, and provokes her to rally the mob against them (referencing Candace's attempts to bust her brothers). The two are unaffected by her intentions and bring their beast to life. They train him, rather poorly, so he is ready to participate at the monster ball.
Jekyll rectifies the problem with his formula and transforms himself into a hulking monster. He then goes to the village to torment the citizens and cause mayhem. During his rampage, he upsets the platypus monster and is chased all over the village by him. Phineastein and Ferbgor go looking for their creation and find out he by an unnamed Isabella Lookalike has ended up at the monsters' ball. Before they enter the ball, the monster viciously batters Jekyll and eats him. In the present, the power returns and Doofenshmirtz rushes Perry off, wondering as to the conclusion to the story. In Grandpa's story, Phineastein and Ferbgor find the monster and the winner of the ball is announced: it is Constance, who has accidentally drunk Jekyll's formula and transformed into a beast, and gets chased by the mob. With the story concluded, Grandpa reveals that he has completely forgotten everything he has just related because of his senility
. Ferb closes the episode saying that "platypus monsters are the only monsters to lay eggs."
; Barry adapted it into storyboard
s along with Mike Diederleh. Zac Moncrief
, who does the majority of directing for the series along with the show's co-creator, Dan Povenmire
, directed it. The second half of the show was an episode entitled "Oil on Candace," which followed Phineas and Ferb helping their friend Django.
Malcom McDowell and Jane Carr
guest starred in the episode as Grandpa and Grandma Fletcher. Carr and McDowell had each been recurring guest stars in their respective roles; they previously appeared as the characters in "A Hard Days Knight" and "The Flying Fishmonger" and would go on to voice them in season two's "Elementary, My Dear Stacy."
"The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" originally broadcast on Disney Channel
on October 17, 2008, with a TV-G rating. The episode continued a Halloween
theme started by the October 3 airing of "One Good Scare Ought to Do It."
described Phineastein and Ferbgor as "interesting relatives" and that she "wouldn't expect anything less from [Phineas and Ferb]." In 2009, it was announced that "The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" was nominated for an Emmy award
in the category "Outstanding Special Class – Short-format Animated Programs." Its sole competitor was the SpongeBob SquarePants
episode "Dear Vikings". Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, co-creators of the show and producers of the episode, were reportedly "thrilled" about the nomination and felt like they were "back in grade school." Povenmire said he was very happy with the inclusion of the category: "It used to be that the Emmys would always go to shows like The Simpsons
and Family Guy
and just one slot saved for shows made for kids." Both announced that they were very excited about competing against SpongeBob SquarePants
for the award, though Povenmire did jokingly remark, "You’re going down, Stephen!" to SpongeBob SquarePants creator, Stephen Hillenburg
. Povenmire also thought the nomination meant his show was attracting a widening audience. However, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced that they would not present the award to either of the nominees, to shock of director Moncrief.
Episode
An episode is a part of a dramatic work such as a serial television or radio program. An episode is a part of a sequence of a body of work, akin to a chapter of a book. The term sometimes applies to works based on other forms of mass media as well, as in Star Wars...
of the animated
Animated cartoon
An animated cartoon is a short, hand-drawn film for the cinema, television or computer screen, featuring some kind of story or plot...
television series Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferb is an American animated television comedy series. Originally broadcast as a preview on August 17, 2007, on Disney Channel, the series follows Phineas Flynn and his English stepbrother Ferb Fletcher on summer vacation. Every day the boys embark on some grand new project, which...
. The episode revolves around Phineas Flynn
Phineas Flynn
Phineas Flynn is the main protagonist of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. Voiced by Vincent Martella and created and designed by Dan Povenmire, Phineas first appeared along with the rest of the series' main characters in the pilot episode "Rollercoaster." Phineas, along with his...
and his brother, Ferb Fletcher
Ferb Fletcher
Ferb Fletcher is the deuteragonist from the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. The character, voiced by British actor Thomas Sangster, was created by Phineas and Ferb co-founders Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and first appeared in the show's pilot episode, "Rollercoaster."Ferb and...
, being told the story of how their Victorian ancestor helped a scientist create a monster. Meanwhile, Perry the Platypus
Perry the Platypus
Perry the Platypus, also known as Agent P or simply Perry is an anthropomorphic platypus from the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. Perry is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker and created by the series' co-founders, Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh...
is told a similar yet connected story concerning Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz
Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz
Doctor Heinz Doofenshmirtz is the main antagonist of the show Phineas and Ferb. Doofenshmirtz is voiced by Dan Povenmire and created by Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh. Doofenshmirtz first appeared in the pilot episode of the series and since then has appeared in every episode to date except...
's Victorian ancestor, who transformed himself into a monster.
Written by Martin Olson
Martin Olson
Martin Olson is a comedy writer, television producer, stage director and composer. He is also a playwright and poet known for comedic and unusual subject matter and known as an original member of the notorious "Boston Comedy Scene."...
and Jon Colton Barry, "The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" was directed by Zac Moncrief
Zac Moncrief
Zachary Thomas Moncrief is a director of animated television programs, currently serving as a director for the Disney Channel cartoon Phineas and Ferb...
. Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
and Jane Carr
Jane Carr
Ellen Jane Carr is an English actress. She is well known for the voice role of "Pud'n" on the animated The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy . She also played a character called "Pudding" in one of her earliest TV appearances, the Jilly Cooper-penned BBC sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes,...
guest star as Ferb's grandparents, who had appeared earlier in the season in "A Hard Days Knight" and "The Flying Fishmonger." It originally aired on Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
on October 17, 2008
2008 in television
The following is a list of events affecting American television in 2008. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and new channel launches.-January:-February:-March:-April:-May:-June:-July:-August:...
. The episode received generally positive reviews and was nominated for the Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for "Outstanding Special Class – Short-format Animated Programs" in 2009, but the award was never given out.
Plot summary
In a cold openCold open
A cold open in a television program or movie is the technique of jumping directly into a story at the beginning or opening of the show, before the title sequence or opening credits are shown...
ing with the theme music
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
, Phineas
Phineas Flynn
Phineas Flynn is the main protagonist of the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. Voiced by Vincent Martella and created and designed by Dan Povenmire, Phineas first appeared along with the rest of the series' main characters in the pilot episode "Rollercoaster." Phineas, along with his...
(Vincent Martella
Vincent Martella
Vincent Michael Martella is an American teen actor and singer. He is best known for his role as Greg Wuliger on the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, and for the voice of Phineas Flynn in Disney Channel's original animated show Phineas and Ferb...
) and Ferb
Ferb Fletcher
Ferb Fletcher is the deuteragonist from the animated television series Phineas and Ferb. The character, voiced by British actor Thomas Sangster, was created by Phineas and Ferb co-founders Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh and first appeared in the show's pilot episode, "Rollercoaster."Ferb and...
(Thomas Sangster
Thomas Sangster
Thomas Brodie Sangster is an English film and television actor, best known for his roles in Love Actually, Nanny McPhee, The Last Legion, and voice of Ferb Fletcher in Phineas and Ferb.-Personal life:...
) warn the audience that the program will be frightening, disturbing, and horrifying. Ferb chokes up a hairball, and Phineas says "You've been warned." When the episode officially starts, Phineas is feeling disappointed by the pouring rain and power outage
Power outage
A power outage is a short- or long-term loss of the electric power to an area.There are many causes of power failures in an electricity network...
, canceling his plan to stand in the middle of a field with a metal rod, until his grandfather (Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell is an English actor with a career spanning over forty years.McDowell is principally known for his roles in the controversial films If...., O Lucky Man!, A Clockwork Orange and Caligula...
) starts to tell the brothers the story of their ancestor, Ferbgor, a hunchback
Kyphosis
Kyphosis , also called roundback or Kelso's hunchback, is a condition of over-curvature of the thoracic vertebrae...
henchman
Henchman
Henchman referred originally to one who attended on a horse for his employer, that is, a horse groom. Hence, like constable and marshal, also originally stable staff, henchman became the title of a subordinate official in a royal court or noble household...
of the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
who assists Dr. Phineastein in gathering platypus
Platypus
The platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. Together with the four species of echidna, it is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young...
body parts to create a monster and enter him in a "monster ball".
Meanwhile, Perry accidentally locks himself and Doofenshmirtz in his lair. To occupy the time, the doctor tells Perry of his Victorian ancestor, Dr. Jekyll Doofenshmirtz, who attempted to impress an angry mob by transforming himself into a beast, only to fail and become a fairy
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
instead.
In the grandfather's tale, Phineastein and Ferbgor construct the monster, which angers their castle governess
Governess
A governess is a girl or woman employed to teach and train children in a private household. In contrast to a nanny or a babysitter, she concentrates on teaching children, not on meeting their physical needs...
, Constance, and provokes her to rally the mob against them (referencing Candace's attempts to bust her brothers). The two are unaffected by her intentions and bring their beast to life. They train him, rather poorly, so he is ready to participate at the monster ball.
Jekyll rectifies the problem with his formula and transforms himself into a hulking monster. He then goes to the village to torment the citizens and cause mayhem. During his rampage, he upsets the platypus monster and is chased all over the village by him. Phineastein and Ferbgor go looking for their creation and find out he by an unnamed Isabella Lookalike has ended up at the monsters' ball. Before they enter the ball, the monster viciously batters Jekyll and eats him. In the present, the power returns and Doofenshmirtz rushes Perry off, wondering as to the conclusion to the story. In Grandpa's story, Phineastein and Ferbgor find the monster and the winner of the ball is announced: it is Constance, who has accidentally drunk Jekyll's formula and transformed into a beast, and gets chased by the mob. With the story concluded, Grandpa reveals that he has completely forgotten everything he has just related because of his senility
Dementia
Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging...
. Ferb closes the episode saying that "platypus monsters are the only monsters to lay eggs."
Production
"The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" was conceived and storied by Jon Colton Barry and Martin OlsonMartin Olson
Martin Olson is a comedy writer, television producer, stage director and composer. He is also a playwright and poet known for comedic and unusual subject matter and known as an original member of the notorious "Boston Comedy Scene."...
; Barry adapted it into storyboard
Storyboard
Storyboards are graphic organizers in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence....
s along with Mike Diederleh. Zac Moncrief
Zac Moncrief
Zachary Thomas Moncrief is a director of animated television programs, currently serving as a director for the Disney Channel cartoon Phineas and Ferb...
, who does the majority of directing for the series along with the show's co-creator, Dan Povenmire
Dan Povenmire
Daniel Kingsley "Dan" Povenmire is an American television director, writer, producer, storyboard artist, and actor associated with several animated television series, best known as the co-creator of the Disney animated series Phineas and Ferb in which he also voices the show's villain, Heinz...
, directed it. The second half of the show was an episode entitled "Oil on Candace," which followed Phineas and Ferb helping their friend Django.
Malcom McDowell and Jane Carr
Jane Carr
Ellen Jane Carr is an English actress. She is well known for the voice role of "Pud'n" on the animated The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy . She also played a character called "Pudding" in one of her earliest TV appearances, the Jilly Cooper-penned BBC sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes,...
guest starred in the episode as Grandpa and Grandma Fletcher. Carr and McDowell had each been recurring guest stars in their respective roles; they previously appeared as the characters in "A Hard Days Knight" and "The Flying Fishmonger" and would go on to voice them in season two's "Elementary, My Dear Stacy."
"The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" originally broadcast on Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
on October 17, 2008, with a TV-G rating. The episode continued a Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
theme started by the October 3 airing of "One Good Scare Ought to Do It."
Reception
Julie Bonner of Ultimate DisneyUltimate Disney
The Ultimate Guide to Disney DVD is a website dedicated to covering Walt Disney home video releases with a focus on Disney DVD and Blu-ray. The site has been online since 2001 and acquired its own domain and online forum in 2003...
described Phineastein and Ferbgor as "interesting relatives" and that she "wouldn't expect anything less from [Phineas and Ferb]." In 2009, it was announced that "The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" was nominated for an Emmy award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
in the category "Outstanding Special Class – Short-format Animated Programs." Its sole competitor was the SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
episode "Dear Vikings". Dan Povenmire and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, co-creators of the show and producers of the episode, were reportedly "thrilled" about the nomination and felt like they were "back in grade school." Povenmire said he was very happy with the inclusion of the category: "It used to be that the Emmys would always go to shows like The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
and Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
and just one slot saved for shows made for kids." Both announced that they were very excited about competing against SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
for the award, though Povenmire did jokingly remark, "You’re going down, Stephen!" to SpongeBob SquarePants creator, Stephen Hillenburg
Stephen Hillenburg
Stephen McDannell Hillenburg is an American animator, writer, producer, actor, voice actor, and director best known for creating the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. He currently owns his own production company, United Plankton Pictures...
. Povenmire also thought the nomination meant his show was attracting a widening audience. However, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced that they would not present the award to either of the nominees, to shock of director Moncrief.
External links
- "The Monster of Phineas-n-Ferbenstein" at the Phineas and Ferb Wiki (a wikiaWikiaWikia is a free web hosting service for wikis . It is normally free of charge for readers and editors, deriving most of its income from advertising, and publishes all user-provided text under copyleft licenses. Wikia hosts several hundred thousand wikis using the open-source wiki software MediaWiki...
wiki)