Downtown

Downtown is an animated series on MTV on urban life, based on interviews with real people. The show follows a diverse and multiracial cast who live in New York City, and presents their everyday lives through quirky, humorous, and imaginative perspectives from the characters. It was created by Chris Prynoski, a former animator on Beavis and Butt-Head and produced by David McGrath. In 2000, Downtown was nominated for an Emmy in the category of outstanding animated program. Downtown faced a similar fate to many of MTV's other cartoons - it only lasted one season. The use of an original score rather than licensed music makes a sanctioned DVD release unlikely. Some of the show's staff have gone on to work on the action animated series Megas XLR, which uses the same quirky humor found in Downtown as well as the character Goat, reprised by Scott Rienecker.

Downtown (1999) is an American adult animated comedy series created by Chris Prynoski for MTV. Built from interviews with real people, it follows a diverse, multiracial group of young friends living in New York City, including Alex (voiced by Gregory Gilmore), Chaka (voiced by Leyora Zuberman), Jen (voiced by Tammy Lang), Mecca (voiced by Aurora Lucia-Levey), and Goat (voiced by Scot Rienecker). Its engine is the texture of everyday urban life: each episode of its thirteen-episode run turns ordinary errands, romances, money worries, and social awkwardness into quirky, imaginative vignettes filtered through the characters' own perspectives. Rather than a serialized plot, the show moves through loosely connected sketches that feel like snapshots of Manhattan street life. The tone is breezy, observational, and playful, with a sharp eye for the rhythms of city living and an original score that gives it a distinct mood. Set in late 1990s Manhattan, it sits alongside the irreverent work of Beavis and Butt-Head and the observational comedy of Atlanta for viewers who enjoy grounded, offbeat city portraits. Its single season makes it a compact, cult-favorite curiosity of the era.

• Aqua Teen Hunger Forceurban slice of life comedy, animated new york city stories, quirky perspectives on everyday life
• Beavis and Butt-Headadult animated comedy from MTV, irreverent tone, young urban characters
• Atlantamultiracial ensemble of young city dwellers, observational humor, slice of life

Created by

Chris Prynoski

Release Date

1999-08-03

Episode runtime

21 min

Rating

8.3 / 10 (24)

What is Downtown about?

A one-season MTV animated comedy following a multiracial group of young New Yorkers through quirky, imaginative takes on everyday city life drawn from real interviews.

What is Downtown like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Downtown as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Downtown violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Downtown.

Which shows are like Downtown?

Shows with a similar feel include Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Beavis and Butt-Head, and Atlanta.

How long is Downtown?

Downtown: 1 season, 13 episodes.

Is Downtown still running?

No, Downtown was canceled.