Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist is an American adult animated sitcom created by Jonathan Katz and Tom Snyder for Comedy Central. It originally ran from May 28, 1995, to February 13, 2002. The series starred the voice talents of Jonathan Katz, H. Jon Benjamin, and Laura Silverman.[2] The show was produced by Popular Arts Entertainment, HBO Downtown Productions, and Tom Snyder Productions. The series won a Peabody Award in 1998.[3]
| Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Adult animation Animated sitcom |
| Created by | Jonathan Katz[1] Tom Snyder |
| Voices of | Jonathan Katz H. Jon Benjamin Laura Silverman Will LeBow Julianne Shapiro |
| Theme music composer | Tom Snyder Shapiro Music |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 6 |
| No. of episodes | 81 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Tom Snyder Tim Braine Nancy Geller |
| Producers | Loren Bouchard Julianne Shapiro Jonathan Katz |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Production companies | HBO Downtown Productions Popular Arts Entertainment Tom Snyder Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Comedy Central |
| Release | May 28, 1995 – February 13, 2002 |
History
editDevelopment
editThe show was created by Burbank, California, production company Popular Arts Entertainment (executive producers: Tim Braine and David Pritchard), with Jonathan Katz and Tom Snyder, developed and first made by Popular Arts for HBO Downtown Productions. Boston-based Tom Snyder Productions became the hands-on production company, and the episodes were usually produced by Katz and Loren Bouchard.[citation needed]
The show was animated in a crude, easily recognizable style produced with the software Squigglevision (a device Snyder had employed in his educational animation business) in which all people and animate objects are in color and have constantly squiggling outlines, while most other inanimate objects are static and usually shades of gray.[4] The original challenge Popular Arts faced was how to repurpose recorded stand-up comedy material. To do so, they based Dr. Katz's patients on stand-up comics for the first several episodes, simply having them recite their stand-up acts. The secondary challenge was how to affordably animate on cable TV at the time. Snyder (a boyhood friend of Braine's) had Squigglevision, an inexpensive means of getting animation on cable, which could not afford traditional animation processes. A partnership between Popular Arts, Tom Snyder Productions and Jonathan Katz was formed, and thus, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist was born.[citation needed]
Show run (1995–2002)
editThe first episode of Dr. Katz aired on May 28, 1995. A total of 81 episodes were produced, with the sixth and final season (of 18 episodes) beginning on June 15, 1999. Only the first six of the final season's episodes were aired on Comedy Central immediately, though they did air in international markets. After a five-month delay, another nine episodes ran during a Christmas Eve marathon. The final three episodes were broadcast for the first time in the United States on February 13, 2002, during an event dubbed "Dr. Katz goes to the Final Three."
A comic strip of the same name was produced by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate from March 1997 to January 2000. One book collection was published, Hey, I've Got My Own Problems. Writers included Bill Braudis and Dave Blazek, with artwork by Dick Truxaw.[citation needed]
Post-show
editIn 2007, Comedy Central presented An Evening with Dr. Katz: Live from the Comedy Central Stage, a live-action special taped in front of a live audience at the Hudson Theater on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, featuring Jonathan Katz reprising his role as Dr. Katz. Comedians Maria Bamford, Kathy Griffin, Andy Kindler and Paul F. Tompkins appeared in person as celebrity "clients"; Jon Benjamin and Laura Silverman reprised their respective roles from the animated series. This special was included in the "Complete Series" DVD compilation. In January 2008, live performances were presented over two nights as part of SF Sketchfest in San Francisco, California. On the first night, Jonathan Katz's guest list included Maria Bamford, Brian Posehn and Bob Odenkirk. The surprise guest that evening was Robin Williams. At the end of the "session" Katz revealed that he had multiple sclerosis in real life.[5]
The show returned to SF Sketchfest in January 2015. This performance, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the program, featured Katz with Jon Benjamin and Tom Snyder again portraying his son and therapist, respectively. The patients for this production were Ron Funches, Pete Holmes, Morgan Murphy and Emo Philips.[6] Also in 2015, live performances took place at the Moontower Comedy & Oddity Festival in Austin, Texas, on April 23 and 24. Staged therapy sessions included Andy Kindler, Emo Philips, Maria Bamford, Dom Irrera, Dana Gould, and Eddie Pepitone.[7] The show was again staged at SF Sketchfest in January 2016. The patients who booked "appointments" that night included Janeane Garofalo, Andy Kindler, Maria Bamford, The Sklar Brothers, and Chelsea Peretti.[8] As part of the 16th Annual SF Sketchfest in San Francisco there was a live performance on January 20, 2017. Katz did a short stand-up comedy set Guest "patients" included Kevin Pollak, Natasha Leggero, Tom Papa, Moshe Kasher and Scott Aukerman.[9] Leggero joined Kasher's session midway through for couples therapy. The two are married in real life.[citation needed]
The Audio Files
editAn audio-only version of the show was produced for Audible. The first three episodes were released in June 2017 and were released Thursdays. It ran for 15 episodes. Guests have included Ray Romano, Sarah Silverman, and Ted Danson. A full-length audiobook titled Dr. Katz: The Audiobook was released as an Audible exclusive in 2018 featuring all-new content.[citation needed]
Format
editDr. Katz is a professional psychotherapist. He is a laid-back, well-intentioned man who enjoys playing the guitar and spending time at the bar with his friend Stanley and bartender Julie.[10] Therapy sessions - normally two per episode, with the patients played by well-known comics and actors - anchor the show.[11] Those that feature comics generally consist of onstage material contributed by the guest, while Dr. Katz offers insights or simply lets them talk. Therapy sessions that feature actors contain more interpersonal dialogue between Dr. Katz and his patient.[citation needed]
Interspersed between therapy sessions are scenes involving Dr. Katz's daily life, which includes his aimless, childish 24-year-old son Ben (Jon Benjamin), his uninterested and unhelpful secretary, Laura (Laura Silverman), and his two friends: Stanley (Will LeBow) and bartender Julie, voiced by one of the show's producers, Julianne Bond (credited as Julianne Shapiro).[12] In later episodes, Todd (Todd Barry), a video store clerk, becomes a regular character.
Most episodes begin with Dr. Katz and Ben at breakfast. The plots include events like Ben attempting to become a radio personality, believing he has ESP, or suffering from a moral conundrum after receiving a chain letter. The development of these plots alternates with the segments of Dr. Katz and his guests in therapy sessions. At the end of many episodes, music would play signaling the close of the episode. Katz would acknowledge this and tell his patient "Well, you know what that music means. Our time is up."
Much of the show's content, particularly dialogue between Dr. Katz and Ben, is improvised through a process called "retroscripting", in which a vague outline is developed but the actual dialogue is ad-libbed. This style, as well as the animation technique Squigglevision, would reappear in Home Movies, another series on which many members of the Dr. Katz cast and crew worked.[citation needed]
Episodes
editSeries overview
edit| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 6 | May 28, 1995 | July 2, 1995 | |
| 2 | 13 | October 15, 1995 | May 26, 1996 | |
| 3 | 13 | October 6, 1996 | March 9, 1997 | |
| 4 | 13 | June 22, 1997 | September 14, 1997 | |
| 5 | 18 | June 15, 1998 | November 23, 1998 | |
| 6 | 18 | June 15, 1999 | February 13, 2002 | |
Season 1 (1995)
edit| No. | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pot-Bellied Pigs" | May 28, 1995 | 101 |
|
In the first episode, Ben attempts a pot-belly pig breeding scheme and Dr. Katz receives financial advice from Stanley. Dr. Katz sees Bill Braudis and Dom Irrera. | |||
| 2 | "Pretzelkins" | June 4, 1995 | 102 |
|
Dr. Katz asks Ben to take his grandfather to the urologist while attempting to deal with his own depressed feelings. Dr. Katz sees Ray Romano and Wendy Liebman. | |||
| 3 | "Bully" | June 11, 1995 | 103 |
|
Ben deals with his childhood stuffed bull, named Bully, being accidentally thrown out, and Dr. Katz attempts to perform at an open-mic night. Dr. Katz sees Ray Romano and Joy Behar. | |||
| 4 | "Cholesterol" | June 18, 1995 | 104 |
|
Dr. Katz starts to train with Julie the bartender after having health concerns. Dr. Katz sees Dave Attell and Laura Kightlinger. | |||
| 5 | "Everybody's Got a Tushy" | June 25, 1995 | 105 |
| 6 | "Family Car" | July 2, 1995 | 106 |
Season 2 (1995–96)
edit| No. | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | "Bystander Ben" | October 15, 1995 | 201 |
| 8 | "Real Estate" | October 29, 1995 | 202 |
| 9 | "Glasses" | November 12, 1995 | 203 |
| 10 | "Office Management" | December 17, 1995 | 204 |
|
Dr. Katz wonders why Laura is calling out from work and thinks she needs a morale boost. Dr. Katz sees Ray Romano and Carol Leifer. | |||
| 11 | "Bees and SIDS" | January 14, 1996 | 205 |
|
Dr. Katz is afraid of a bee in the office. Ben reads his dad's medical books and convinces himself he is ill. Dr. Katz sees Dom Irrera and Louis C.K. | |||
| 12 | "Drinky the Drunk Guy" | January 21, 1996 | 206 |
| 13 | "Sticky Notes" | April 7, 1996 | 207 |
| 14 | "It Takes Some Getting Used To" | April 14, 1996 | 208 |
|
Dr. Katz sees a new woman and Ben is uncomfortable with it. Dr. Katz sees Bill Braudis and Lew Schneider. | |||
| 15 | "The Particle Board" | April 21, 1996 | 209 |
| 16 | "A Journey for the Betterment of People" | April 28, 1996 | 210 |
| 17 | "Theory of Intelligence" | May 5, 1996 | 211 |
| 18 | "Henna" | May 12, 1996 | 212 |
|
Dr. Katz and Ben use a hair product called "Ultra Henna Bouquet", which turns their hair bright orange-red. Dr. Katz sees Kevin Meaney and Fred Stoller. | |||
| 19 | "ESP" | May 26, 1996 | 213 |
Season 3 (1996–97)
edit| No. | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | "Monte Carlo" | October 6, 1996 | 301 |
|
Ben starts a celebrity limousine service and runs it from his dad's office. Dr. Katz sees Richard Jeni and Winona Ryder | |||
| 21 | "Blind Date" | October 13, 1996 | 302 |
| 22 | "Fructose" | October 20, 1996 | 303 |
|
Dr. Katz brings a bowl of fruit to the office. Ben tries to find a new hobby. Dr. Katz sees Marc Maron, Emo Philips and Bob Odenkirk | |||
| 23 | "Earring" | October 27, 1996 | 304 |
|
Ben wants to change his image and thinks about getting an earring. Dr. Katz sees Jack Gallagher and Kevin Nealon | |||
| 24 | "Koppleman and Katz" | November 3, 1996 | 305 |
|
Ben discovers that his dad was a hippie and had an old flame named Sharon Koppleman. Dr. Katz sees Kathy Griffin, David Feldman and Jeff Stilson | |||
| 25 | "Guess Who" | January 5, 1997 | 306 |
|
Dr. Katz gets an urge to play the "Guess Who?" board game with Ben. Dr. Katz sees Jon Stewart and Ritch Shydner. Cameo from Harvey Roy Greenberg, MD. | |||
| 26 | "Day Planner" | January 12, 1997 | 307 |
|
Dr. Katz loses his day planner and asks Ben to help him find it. Dr. Katz sees Rodney Dangerfield, Fred Stoller and Jake Johannsen | |||
| 27 | "Studio Guy" | January 19, 1997 | 309 |
|
Dr. Katz wants to record a song that has been stuck in his head. Dr. Katz sees Joan Rivers, Bobcat Goldthwait, and Fred Stoller. | |||
| 28 | "Mourning Person" | January 26, 1997 | 308 |
| 29 | "L'il Helper" | February 2, 1997 | 310 |
|
Dr. Katz throws out his back and asks Ben to help him. Dr. Katz sees Ken Rogerson, David Juskow and Lizz Winstead | |||
| 30 | "Big Fat Slug" | February 9, 1997 | 311 |
| 31 | "New Phone System" | March 2, 1997 | 312 |
| 32 | "Reunion" | March 9, 1997 | 313 |
Season 4 (1997)
edit| No. | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | "Ben Treats" | May 9, 1997 | 405 |
|
Ben wins $500 on a scratch-off lottery ticket and treats Dr. Katz and Laura to dinner. Dr. Katz sees Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jim Gaffigan. | |||
| 34 | "Memoirs" | June 22, 1997 | 401 |
|
Ben wants to be an author and begins to write his memoirs. Dr. Katz sees Louis C.K., Ron Lynch, and Fred Stoller. | |||
| 35 | "Electric Bike" | June 29, 1997 | 402 |
| 36 | "Broadcaster Ben" | July 6, 1997 | 403 |
| 37 | "Trash Day" | July 13, 1997 | 404 |
|
Dr. Katz takes a chair that was being thrown out. Dr. Katz sees Dave Attell, Fred Stoller, and Lew Schneider. | |||
| 38 | "Sharon Meyers" | July 27, 1997 | 406 |
|
Dr. Katz meets with a former patient and love interest, Sharon Meyers. Dr. Katz sees Al Franken, Bobby Slayton and Todd Barry. | |||
| 39 | "Mask" | August 3, 1997 | 407 |
|
Dr. Katz takes a class to learn about making masks. Dr. Katz sees Steven Wright and Mark Schiff. | |||
| 40 | "Closets" | August 10, 1997 | 408 |
|
Dr. Katz asks Ben to help him reorganize his bedroom closet. Dr. Katz sees Elayne Boosler and Michael Rowe. | |||
| 41 | "Wild Weekend" | August 17, 1997 | 409 |
| 42 | "Chopper" | August 24, 1997 | 410 |
|
Ben is a runner-up in a contest to ride in a traffic helicopter and hopes something happens to the winner. Dr. Katz sees Dom Irrera and Conan O'Brien. | |||
| 43 | "Alibi" | August 31, 1997 | 411 |
|
Ben thinks Dr. Katz is the suspect when a bald man in his late 40s damages a mailbox. Dr. Katz sees Jeff Garlin and Tony V. | |||
| 44 | "Ben-Centennial" | September 7, 1997 | 412 |
|
Ben turns 25. Laura rescues a bird. Dr. Katz sees Sam Brown and The Smothers Brothers. | |||
| 45 | "Undercover" | September 14, 1997 | 413 |
|
Ben tries to figure out why Laura is calling out from work. Dr. Katz sees Mark Pitta, Richard Lewis and Ron Lynch. | |||
Season 5 (1998)
edit| No. | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | "Old Man" | June 15, 1998 | 503 |
|
Ben thinks it is time for Dr. Katz to retire. Dr. Katz sees Robert Klein, Gilbert Gottfried and Jim Gaffigan | |||
| 47 | "Fanny Pack" | June 22, 1998 | 501 |
| 48 | "Metaphors" | June 29, 1998 | 505 |
| 49 | "Movies" | July 6, 1998 | 502 |
| 50 | "Ticket" | July 15, 1998 | 512 |
|
Dr. Katz is given a ticket for failing to stop at a stop sign. Laura dates a dentist. Dr. Katz sees Ben Stiller and Jann Karam | |||
| 51 | "Phone Luv" | July 20, 1998 | 504 |
|
Ben becomes interested in a telemarketing woman named Cindy. Dr. Katz sees Mitch Fatel and John Pinette | |||
| 52 | "Chain Letter" | July 27, 1998 | 506 |
|
Ben receives a chain letter. Dr. Katz sets up a retirement fund for Laura. Dr. Katz sees Gilbert Gottfried and Wendy Liebman | |||
| 53 | "Babysitting Ben" | August 3, 1998 | 507 |
|
Ben babysits the neighbor's four-year-old son. Laura tells Dr. Katz that the office received a death threat. Dr. Katz sees Brian Regan and Paul Kozlowski | |||
| 54 | "Miles Away" | August 10, 1998 | 508 |
| 55 | "London Broil" | August 17, 1998 | 509 |
|
Dr. Katz and Ben play games where they have to decipher clues. Dr. Katz sees Kevin Kataoka and Brian Kiley | |||
| 56 | "Feng Shui" | August 24, 1998 | 510 |
| 57 | "Alderman" | September 21, 1998 | 511 |
|
Dr. Katz finds out the alderman he voted for is corrupt. Dr. Katz sees Louis C.K. and Sarah Silverman | |||
| 58 | "Paranoia" | September 28, 1998 | 513 |
|
Dr. Katz and Ben think someone is trying to break into their apartment. Dr. Katz sees Lew Schneider and David Cross | |||
| 59 | "Waltz" | October 5, 1998 | 514 |
|
Dr. Katz learns how to waltz. Dr. Katz sees Ron Lynch and Susie Essman Note: This was the first appearance of Todd the Video Store Clerk. Played by Todd Barry | |||
| 60 | "Anniversary" | October 12, 1998 | 515 |
| 61 | "Community Theater" | October 19, 1998 | 516 |
| 62 | "Ping-Pong" | October 26, 1998 | 517 |
|
Dr. Katz is challenged to a game of ping-pong by an old adversary. Dr. Katz sees Kathy Griffin and Laura Kightlinger | |||
| 63 | "Thanksgiving" | November 23, 1998 | 518 |
Season 6 (1999–2002)
edit| No. | Title | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | "Sissy Boy" | June 15, 1999 | 601 |
| 65 | "Pullman Square" | June 22, 1999 | 602 |
| 66 | "Wisdom Teeth" | June 29, 1999 | 603 |
| 67 | "Past Lives" | July 6, 1999 | 604 |
|
Dr. Katz and Ben believe they were famous people in previous lives. Dr. Katz sees Dom Irrera and Mitch Hedberg | |||
| 68 | "Ben's Partay" | July 13, 1999 | 605 |
| 69 | "Walk for Hunger" | July 20, 1999 | 615 |
| 70 | "Used Car" | December 24, 1999 | 606 |
|
Dr. Katz and Ben help Laura when she goes to buy a used car. Dr. Katz sees Greg Behrendt and Ian Bagg | |||
| 71 | "Ball and Chain" | December 24, 1999 | 607 |
|
Dr. Katz begins dating an author and Ben gets nervous about it. Dr. Katz sees Carol Leifer and Kevin Meaney | |||
| 72 | "Snow Day" | December 24, 1999 | 608 |
| 73 | "Garden" | December 24, 1999 | 609 |
| 74 | "Big TV" | December 24, 1999 | 610 |
|
Ben panics when the TV breaks and buys a big-screen TV without Dr. Katz's permission. Dr. Katz sees Dom Irrera and Al Lubel | |||
| 75 | "Vow of Silence" | December 24, 1999 | 611 |
|
Dr. Katz makes a bet with Ben to see who can go longer without reading the newspaper (Katz) or talking (Ben). Dr. Katz sees Paul F. Tompkins and Sam Brown | |||
| 76 | "You're Belinda" | December 24, 1999 | 612 |
|
Dr. Katz wants to attend a "brief therapy" seminar in Yorba Linda, California. Dr. Katz sees Wanda Sykes and Rich Gustus | |||
| 77 | "Radio Katz" | December 24, 1999 | 614 |
| 78 | "Expert Witness" | December 24, 1999 | 613 |
|
Dr. Katz is asked to analyze a teenager and testify in court. Dr. Katz sees Jake Johannsen and Bob Balaban | |||
| 79 | "Bakery Ben" | February 13, 2002 | 616 |
| 80 | "Uncle Nothing" | February 13, 2002 | 617 |
|
Laura gets engaged to a musician. Ben visits Dr. Katz's bar and meets Julie. Dr. Katz sees Louis C.K. and Kevin Brennan | |||
| 81 | "Lerapy" | February 13, 2002 | 618 |
|
Dr. Katz tells Conan O'Brien a joke that Conan uses on his talk show without credit. Dr. Katz sees Whoopi Goldberg and Conan O'Brien. | |||
Critical reception
editSeason 2 has a score of 81 on Metacritic, based on 6 reviews.[13] The show has won 5 awards, including a Peabody Award and a Daytime Emmy. In 2015, PopMatters asserted that the show was "Still Wise and Just As Funny" as it was when it first aired.[14] In 2016 Jonathan Katz noted "Dr. Katz has such a loyal fan base, even now."[15]
Home media
edit| DVD Name | Release Date | Ep # | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | May 9, 2006 | 6 | Bonus features include cast and crew commentary, and several animated shorts. |
| Season 2 | November 21, 2006 | 13 | Bonus features include cast and crew commentary, and "follow-up calls" with previous guest stars. |
| The Complete Series | November 20, 2007 [16] | 81 | Bonus features include a 28-page booklet with patients' "memories from the couch" and new drawings, as well as "An Evening with Dr Katz: Live from the Comedy Central Stage." |
| The Best of Dr. Katz | December 2, 2008 [17] | Various Segments | Bonus features include excerpts from other Comedy Central series and a look back at classic Ben & Laura moments. |
There were also several VHS releases of series episodes.
Books
edit- Eichler, Glenn. Dr. Katz's Me at a Glance, Pocket, 1996. ISBN 0-671-00318-6.
- Braudis, Bill. Dr. Katz: Hey I've Got My Own Problems, Pocket, 1997. ISBN 0-671-00758-0.
References
edit- ^ Brozan, Nadine (June 12, 1997). "CHRONICLE". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
- ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 167. ISBN 978-1538103739.
- ^ 58th Annual Peabody Awards, May 1999.
- ^ Wertheimer, Ron (April 26, 1999). "TELEVISION REVIEW; Meet the Small Family, A Year After the Divorce". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
- ^ Maxwell, Leanne. "SF Sketchfest Review: Friday Night's Dr. Jonathan Katz Professional Therapist and Patients". sfsketchfest.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "An Evening with Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, 20th Anniversary Show". sfsketchfest2015. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Moontower Review: Dr. Katz Live, April 25, 2015
- ^ Ruskin, Zach. "Who to See at Sketchfest". sfweekly.com. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "SF Sketchfest 2017 schedule". Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ Milvy, Erika (December 14, 2008). "For Him, Laughter Was the Best Therapy". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
- ^ Johnson, Steve (December 1, 1995). "Laugh Therapy". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
- ^ "'Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist' Is Older But Still Wise and Just As Funny, PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. August 12, 2015.
- ^ Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, retrieved 2017-04-23
- ^ "'Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist' Is Older But Still Wise and Just As Funny". PopMatters. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
- ^ "Night After Night to @midnight: An oral history of Comedy Central (Part 1)". 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
- ^ "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist DVD news: Announcement for Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist The Complete Series". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
- ^ "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist DVD news: Press Release for The Best of Dr. Katz". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
External links
edit
- Dr. Katz official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index) at Comedy Central
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist at IMDb
- Dr. Katz comic strip