Home Movies (1999-2004)

The first season of the animated sitcom Home Movies originally began airing in the United States on the television network UPN from April 26, 1999, to May 24, 1999, and on Cartoon Network from September 2 to October 7, 2001. The pilot episode was titled, "Get Away From My Mom." Co-founders Brendon Small and Loren Bouchard, along with Tom Sydner, served as writers, executive producers, and directors for the season. The season utilized Sydner's signature "squigglevision" animation style, though it would change to a more "conventional" style in subsequent seasons. The series follows the life of 8-year-old Brendon Small, who writes, directs, and stars in several homemade film productions that he creates with his friend Melissa and Jason. Brendon and Melissa's soccer coach, John McGuirk, is an alcoholic who constantly becomes involved with the kids' lives and gives them bad advice on life. Brendon's mother, Paula, meanwhile, is divorced and juggling her children, her job as a creative writing teacher, and romantic life. The main cast for the season consisted of Small, H. Jon Benjamin, Paula Poundstone, and Melissa Bardin Galsky. Poundstone's role was recast after six episodes and given to Janine Ditullio as a replacement. The first five episodes of the season demonstrated a writing style known as "retroscripting," consisting of the cast completely improvising the storyline and animation being produced afterword.