Total Drama Action
Encyclopedia
Total Drama Action is a Canadian animated television series. It is the second season of the Total Drama series, which began with Total Drama Island
. The show premiered in Teletoon
at 6:30 pm ET/PT
on January 11, 2009. This series was also created by the makers of 6teen
, another Teletoon program. In the UK it aired on April 11, 2011 at 10:00 GMT as part of Disney XD's Easter Shows.
, much of Total Drama Action chronicles the events of the eponymous fictional reality shows. The Total Drama series itself is an "animated reality television
series", which stars the cast and crew of the fictional series, parodying many aspects of reality television in general. After last season's winner, Owen (Scott McCord
), forgoes his prize money of C$100,000 for a challenge (open to all 22 of Total Drama Island contestants) in which the winner would receive C
$ 1,000,000, the money was left in limbo after a situation resulted in a 14-way tie. As such, show host Chris McLean (Christian Potenza
) had no choice but to commission a second competition with all 14 tied contestants. The contestants are told to arrive at an abandoned movie studio lot in Toronto
, Ontario
, where the new competition, titled "Total Drama Action", would take place. Because of its location, Chris tells the contestants that the challenges would all be in the form of various movie genres. The accommodations of the contestants are handled by Chef Hatchet (Clé Bennett
) in a similar manner to how it was handled in the previous season. The outhouse
which was used as a confessional in Total Drama Island
has been replaced with a makeup trailer for the cast to use, although Chris and Chef do use in various episodes during the TDA season.
After a quick elimination of two contestants, the couple Geoff (Dan Petronijevic
) and Bridgette (Kristin Fairlie
), a second challenge determined the team captains of the two competing teams: the Screaming Gaffers, headed by Gwen (Megan Fahlenbock
), and the Killer Grips, headed by Trent (Scott McCord
). From then on, challenges would alternate between "reward challenges" where winners would receive a special prize, and "elimination challenges" where the losing team would vote off one of its own in an elaborate "Gilded Chris Ceremony". The pattern of reducing the contestants down was briefly interrupted on two occasions: once when Izzy (Katie Crown
) was reinstated following a voting irregularity where her alter-ego, "E-Scope", was voted off, and another time when Courtney (Emilie-Claire Barlow
), a contestant who did not originally qualify for Total Drama Action, successfully sued the show. The players eliminated would make the "walk of shame" and into the "Lame-o-sine", where they leave the movie studio. Once seven contestants were left, the Screaming Gaffers and the Killer Grips were dissolved, and the challenges became individual-oriented in nature. Chris hired Owen as his ringer to sabotage the other contestants and to create drama. Eventually, two contestants were left standing: Beth (Sarah Gadon
) and Duncan (Drew Nelson
). The Total Drama Action winner was Duncan. Beth wins in the alternate ending. Beth also won over Duncan in the Australian and UK airings of Total Drama Action.
Total Drama Island
Total Drama Island is a Canadian animated television series which lampoons the conventions commonly found in reality shows. The show and its sequel seasons are collectively referred to as the Total Drama series. It premiered on the Canadian cable television specialty channel Teletoon on July 8, 2007...
. The show premiered in Teletoon
Télétoon (Canadian TV channel)
Télétoon is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel that specializes in animation programming. Télétoon is owned by Teletoon Canada Inc; a 50/50 partnership between Astral Media and Corus Entertainment...
at 6:30 pm ET/PT
Pacific Time
Pacific Time may refer to:* Pacific Time Zone , a time zone on the west coast of the United States, Canada and Mexico* Pacific Time , a radio program produced by KQED and carried on several other NPR stations...
on January 11, 2009. This series was also created by the makers of 6teen
6teen
6teen is a Canadian animated sitcom, which premiered in Canada in 2004 on Teletoon. In the USA, 6teen first premiered on Nickelodeon on December 18, 2005 and was removed from the schedule on May 13, 2006 before being removed completely in 2007 before the series' run could be completed. 6teen was...
, another Teletoon program. In the UK it aired on April 11, 2011 at 10:00 GMT as part of Disney XD's Easter Shows.
Format
Like the previous seasonTotal Drama Island
Total Drama Island is a Canadian animated television series which lampoons the conventions commonly found in reality shows. The show and its sequel seasons are collectively referred to as the Total Drama series. It premiered on the Canadian cable television specialty channel Teletoon on July 8, 2007...
, much of Total Drama Action chronicles the events of the eponymous fictional reality shows. The Total Drama series itself is an "animated reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series", which stars the cast and crew of the fictional series, parodying many aspects of reality television in general. After last season's winner, Owen (Scott McCord
Scott McCord
William Scott McCord is a Canadian actor, voice actor, singer and bandleader for the soul/rock pop band . On television he is best known for playing Dan Kuso in Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Owen and Trent in Fresh Animation's Total Drama series.- Animation:* 6teen - Stone* Babar and the Adventures of...
), forgoes his prize money of C$100,000 for a challenge (open to all 22 of Total Drama Island contestants) in which the winner would receive C
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
Christian Potenza
Christian Potenza is a Canadian actor born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.- Biography :He has been in television since 1997, when he first appeared in the television series Riverdale as the character Jimmy....
) had no choice but to commission a second competition with all 14 tied contestants. The contestants are told to arrive at an abandoned movie studio lot in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, where the new competition, titled "Total Drama Action", would take place. Because of its location, Chris tells the contestants that the challenges would all be in the form of various movie genres. The accommodations of the contestants are handled by Chef Hatchet (Clé Bennett
Clé Bennett
Clé Bennett is a Canadian television and film actor. He has had roles in the television series Instant Star, Soul Food, The Hoop Life, Code Name: Eternity, Odyssey 5, Total Drama and The Line, as well as the films Harvard Man, Treed Murray, Urban Legend, How She Move and Doomstown...
) in a similar manner to how it was handled in the previous season. The outhouse
Outhouse
An outhouse is a small structure separate from a main building which often contained a simple toilet and may possibly also be used for housing animals and storage.- Terminology :...
which was used as a confessional in Total Drama Island
Total Drama Island
Total Drama Island is a Canadian animated television series which lampoons the conventions commonly found in reality shows. The show and its sequel seasons are collectively referred to as the Total Drama series. It premiered on the Canadian cable television specialty channel Teletoon on July 8, 2007...
has been replaced with a makeup trailer for the cast to use, although Chris and Chef do use in various episodes during the TDA season.
After a quick elimination of two contestants, the couple Geoff (Dan Petronijevic
Dan Petronijevic
Daniel Petronijevic is a Canadian actor, who performed the role Thad Guerwitcz on ESPN's football series Playmakers and is also the voice actor of Geoff in Total Drama Island, Total Drama Action, and Total Drama World Tour, a role which he had to sing for, and even got an entire solo song. He...
) and Bridgette (Kristin Fairlie
Kristin Fairlie
Kristin Fairlie is an actress and was a child actress. She was the voice of Little Bear on Little Bear. In 1998 she won a Young Artist of Hollywood Award for Best Ensemble for her lead role in the Showtime original movie The Sweetest Gift. Past Winners include Jena Malone and Leonardo DiCaprio...
), a second challenge determined the team captains of the two competing teams: the Screaming Gaffers, headed by Gwen (Megan Fahlenbock
Megan Fahlenbock
Megan Fahlenbock is a Canadian actress. She was born on June 30, 1971. Primarily known as a voice actress, she has also had a few film roles.-Career:One of her television roles is 6teen as Jen Masterson...
), and the Killer Grips, headed by Trent (Scott McCord
Scott McCord
William Scott McCord is a Canadian actor, voice actor, singer and bandleader for the soul/rock pop band . On television he is best known for playing Dan Kuso in Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Owen and Trent in Fresh Animation's Total Drama series.- Animation:* 6teen - Stone* Babar and the Adventures of...
). From then on, challenges would alternate between "reward challenges" where winners would receive a special prize, and "elimination challenges" where the losing team would vote off one of its own in an elaborate "Gilded Chris Ceremony". The pattern of reducing the contestants down was briefly interrupted on two occasions: once when Izzy (Katie Crown
Katie Crown
Katie Crown is a Canadian actress hailing from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. She made her first film appearance in the film Uranium as the doctor Joe Blow. In 2004, she won the Tim Sim's Encouragement award for her comedy.-Filmography:- External links :*...
) was reinstated following a voting irregularity where her alter-ego, "E-Scope", was voted off, and another time when Courtney (Emilie-Claire Barlow
Emilie-Claire Barlow
Emilie-Claire Barlow is a Canadian jazz singer and voice actress. Born to parents who were professional musicians, she was encouraged to sing and study several instruments including piano, cello, clarinet and violin. By age seven she had begun her career, singing television and radio...
), a contestant who did not originally qualify for Total Drama Action, successfully sued the show. The players eliminated would make the "walk of shame" and into the "Lame-o-sine", where they leave the movie studio. Once seven contestants were left, the Screaming Gaffers and the Killer Grips were dissolved, and the challenges became individual-oriented in nature. Chris hired Owen as his ringer to sabotage the other contestants and to create drama. Eventually, two contestants were left standing: Beth (Sarah Gadon
Sarah Gadon
Sarah Gadon is a Canadian actress. She acted in David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis. She has guest starred in number of notable television series including Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Dark Oracle, Doc, In a Heartbeat, La Femme Nikita, Life with Derek, and Mutant X...
) and Duncan (Drew Nelson
Drew Nelson
Drew Nelson LLB is a solicitor, former politician and Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.In 1992 Nelson was selected by the South Down constituency of the Ulster Unionist Party to succeed Enoch Powell as parliamentary candidate. He lost to Eddie McGrady by 6000 votes. In 1989 he...
). The Total Drama Action winner was Duncan. Beth wins in the alternate ending. Beth also won over Duncan in the Australian and UK airings of Total Drama Action.
Characters
The main Total Drama Action cast consists of host Chris McLean, assistant Chef Hatchet, and the contestants that make up the castmates. The remaining contestants from Total Drama Island also appear in the show, but serving in lesser capacities as commentators on The Aftermath. Also, one other character in the show is Brady, Beth's boyfriend whom she talks about constantly throughout the show, but is only seen in the final episode.Production
Like Total Drama Island, Total Drama Action was developed and produced by Fresh TV, targeting an age group of 10 to 16 year olds. Many of the show's settings, as well as the show's opening sequence, are deliberately made to be as close as to their Total Drama Island counterparts as possible; Camp Wawanakwa, the setting of Total Drama Island, was also revisited on several occasions, most notably as the site of some of the season's challenges. All of the cast of Total Drama Island return in the same roles as that of Total Drama Island, though some had their roles reduced as their characters were not as prominent in this season. As with Total Drama Island, two endings were commissioned for the series, one with each of the final two competitors winning; after the airing of the penultimate episode and prior to the season finale, viewers were prompted to the show's website (either at Teletoon for viewers in Canada or Cartoon Network for American viewers) to vote for the desired ending. Unlike Total Drama Island, however, the alternate ending was available as a webcast on the show's website immediately following its airing.Airdates
| Season | Episodes | Country | First Airdate | Last Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 27 |  |
January 11, 2009 | June 10, 2010 |
 |
June 11, 2009 | April 6, 2010 | ||
 |
April 11, 2011 | May 17, 2011 |
Titles
| # | Title | Original Airdate | Prod. Code |
|---|