Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street

Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street is an American live action family television series created by David Anaxagoras that was initially streamed for two seasons (2014–16) on Amazon Prime Video. The series follows young Gortimer Gibbon and his two best friends, Mel and Ranger, as they navigate Normal Street, a seemingly ordinary suburb with hints of something magical just below the surface. As of June 2018, reruns of the series aired on the Universal Kids cable network in the United States.

Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street
Genre
Created byDavid Anaxagoras
Starring
  • Sloane Morgan Siegel
  • Kul Jain
ComposerSasha Gordon
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes39
Production
Executive producers
ProducerRichard G. King
CinematographyEduardo Enrique Mayén
EditorCheryl Campsmith
Running time26 minutes
Production companiesAmazon Studios
Pictures in a Row
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
ReleaseFebruary 6, 2014 (2014-02-06) –
July 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)

On February 25, 2015, Amazon renewed Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street for a second season.[1] Season 2 premiered on October 30, 2015, and concluded on July 15, 2016.[2]

Cast

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  • Sloane Morgan Siegel as Gortimer Gibbon
  • Ashley Boettcher as Mel Fuller
  • Drew Justice as Ranger Bowen
  • David Bloom as Stanley Zielinski
  • Chandler Kinney as Catherine Dillman
  • Coco Grayson as Abigail Arroyo
  • Ryder Cohen as Gardner Gibbon
  • Robyn Lively as Claire Gibbon
  • Kim Rhodes as Vicki Bowen
  • Paula Marshall as Lora Fuller
  • Benjamin Koldyke as Greg Gibbon
  • Luke Matheny as Fred Fisher

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
113February 6, 2014 (2014-02-06)April 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)
22613October 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)
13July 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)

Season 1 (2014-15)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"Gortimer vs. the Frog of Ultimate Doom"Luke MathenyDavid AnaxagorasFebruary 6, 2014 (2014-02-06)101
On the hottest day of summer, Gortimer and his two best friends, Mel and Ranger, discover a way to end the heat by solving a mystery involving an intimidating neighbor and an even more intimidating frog.
22"Gortimer vs. the Mobile of Misfortune"Luke MathenyGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerNovember 21, 2014 (2014-11-21)102
While trying to help the unluckiest kid on Normal Street, Gortimer accidentally jinxes himself with bad luck. Now Gortimer, Mel and Ranger must find a way to set things straight before a wave of misfortune threatens Normal Street's annual Road Rocket Race.
33"Mel vs. the Mel-o-dramatic Robot"Luke MathenyLaurie ParresNovember 21, 2014 (2014-11-21)103
When Mel worries that her rival is the frontrunner for this year's school science fair, she scrambles to build a project that will blow everyone away.
44"Gortimer and the Mystical Mind Eraser"Joe NussbaumLuke MathenyNovember 21, 2014 (2014-11-21)104
When Gortimer learns a piece of information he would rather forget, he seeks help from an incredibly chipper but incredibly memory-impaired resident of Normal Street.
55"Gortimer Gets Shushed"Steven TsuchidaGretchen EndersNovember 21, 2014 (2014-11-21)105
The gang races to restore Gortimer's voice, stolen by a mysterious figure driving a ghostly bookmobile that appears on Normal Street for only one day each year.
66"Ranger and the Legend of Pendragon's Gavel"Alethea JonesGretchen EndersNovember 21, 2014 (2014-11-21)106
Shortly after the students elect Mel the president of the student council, she is dethroned after the unlikely Ranger proves himself to be the stuff of legend and becomes The Once and Future Student Council President.
77"Gortimer and the Leaky Dreamcatcher"Steven TsuchidaAnn Lewis HamiltonApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)107
Gortimer keeps having the same strange dream about a frightening underwater encounter -- and his mounting fears are getting in the way of his junior lifeguard training.
88"The Mystery of the Blood Moon Eclipse"Sasie SealyGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)108
To celebrate a rare astronomical event, Mel invites all her friends to a spooky sleepover, complete with ghost stories galore. But when it seems like an actual spirit has crashed the party, they all must hurry to solve the mystery before they become ghost stories themselves.
99"Ranger and the Mysterious Metamorphosis"Eduardo Enrique MayénDavid AnaxagorasApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)109
After Ranger accidentally causes havoc at his family's bakery, he flees the scene to avoid getting into trouble, but his growing sense of guilt has an unusual effect.
1010"Mel vs. the Fickle Fortune Teller of Fate"Luke MathenyGretchen EndersApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)110
When Mel starts consulting a children's fortune teller game for advice on the future, she finds herself attempting to outsmart fate.
1111"Gortimer and the Surprise Signature"J.J. JohnsonGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)111
Gortimer's curiosity is piqued when he discovers a mysterious signature. Is it the autograph of a new student at Normal Middle school... or has it been here all along?
1212"Gortimer and the Lost Treasure of Normal Street"Suzi YoonessiLaurie ParresApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)112
On his 13th birthday, Ranger and Mel lead Gortimer follow a trail of clues through town to find the fabled lost treasure of Normal Street.
1313"Gortimer vs. the Relentless Rainbow of Joy"Luke MathenyDavid Anaxagoras & Luke MathenyApril 2, 2015 (2015-04-02)113
With his Dad in town for a short visit, Gortimer goes out of his way to ensure his happiness doesn't fade by creating a rainbow over Normal Street. But once all of the residents start acting unusually happy, Mel and Ranger wonder if he's gone a step too far.

Season 2 (2015-16)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
Part 1
141"Gortimer and the Blazer of Glory"Luke MathenyGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)201
Gortimer gets a blazer that makes everyone see him as an adult. It changes the way he sees himself too and threatens his friends' plans for an epic water balloon battle.
152"Ranger and the Supercharged Championship"Sasie SealyLevi AbrinoOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)202
Ranger gets swept up in the celebrity of being the good luck charm of the basketball team, whose lucky head-rubs cause unnatural levels of static electricity.
163"Gortimer vs. the Terrible Touch-Up"J.J. JohnsonAminta GoyelOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)203
Mel and Abigail use a new photo software for the yearbook which accidentally erases Gortimer's smile. As they struggle to restore Gortimer, their budding friendship is tested.
174"Ranger and the Very Real Imaginary Friend"Ryan ShirakiBrian Turner & Garrett FrawleyOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)204
Ranger's childhood imaginary friend comes back to visit, much to the chagrin of Gortimer.
185"Gortimer and the Vengeful Violinist""Sasie SealyLevi Abrino & Gretchen EndersOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)205
Gortimer is haunted by the sound of a mysterious violin, which interferes with his studies and his sleep. Gortimer realizes he can't hide the truth about his slipping grades from his dad.
196"Mel vs. the Hidden Herstory of Normal Street"Sasie SealyDavid Anaxagoras & Laurie ParresOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)206
Amid the backdrop of Normal Days -- a celebration of the founding of Normal Street -- Mel discovers a shocking secret about the town's founder Captain Normal.
207"Gortimer and the Friendship Bro-celet"Alethea JonesEric D. WassermanOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)207
Gortimer and his mom's new boyfriend Adam warm up their chilly relationship with a magical friendship "Bro-celet".
218"Mel and the Mel-Functioning Brain"Luke MathenyGretchen EndersOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)208
While studying for an important test, Mel's brain fills to capacity.
229"Stanley and the Tattoo of Tall Tales"Alethea JonesGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)209
Stanley gets a magical tattoo, and suddenly everyone takes him seriously -- too seriously.
2310"Gortimer vs. Gortimer vs. Gortimer"Sasie SealyLuke MathenyOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)210
Gortimer has to babysit on the same night that he has a "date" with Abigail. He finds a solution when he clones himself, but the solution quickly becomes a problem.
2411"Ranger and the Fabled Flower of Normal Street"Paul HoenLaurie ParresOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)211
Ranger brings Mel and a heartbroken Gortimer on a quest to find a fabled flower of Normal Street for his grandpa, who has an unexpected health scare.
2512"Mel vs. the Future"Luke MathenyStory by : David Anaxagoras & Eric D. Wasserman Teleplay by : Eric D. WassermanOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)212
In the wake of a shocking event, Mel tries to build a time machine to go back in time and fix it. But a visitor from the future arrives to dissuade Mel from her mission.
2613"Gortimer, Ranger and Mel vs. the Endless Night"Luke MathenyGretchen Enders & Aminta GoyelOctober 30, 2015 (2015-10-30)213
The trio goes camping and shares a perfect moment that distracts them from all their recent troubles. Will a wish on a star make the moment continue?
Part 2
2714"Gortimer and the Jacks of All Trades"Alethea JonesGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)214
As a new year arrives on Normal Street, Gortimer resolves to find a new interest so he can keep up with his multi-talented friends. But when he stumbles upon a magical deck of cards that can make him an expert in any skill he desires, he begins to question his true self.
2815"Ranger vs. the Laser Frog of Fate"Alethea JonesDavid AnaxagorasJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)215
At a pivotal moment for the Bowen family, Ranger learns his dad is plagued by an arch nemesis from his youth. Tired of seeing his dad live in Rob's shadow, Ranger takes matters into his own hands.
2916"Gortimer, Mel, Ranger, Catherine and the Student Identity Crisis"Jonathan JudgeMay ChanJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)216
When the student ID card machine malfunctions, Gortimer, Mel, Ranger, and Catherine swap identities. As they walk a mile in each other's shoes, will they gain a new perspective on the friends they thought they knew so well?
3017"Mel vs. the Night Mare of Normal Street"Eduardo Enrique MayénLaurie ParresJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)217
When Mel starts seeing a mysterious horse everywhere she goes, Ranger warns it's the legendary, much feared Night Mare of Normal Street. In order to rid herself of the nightmares, Mel must overcome her greatest fear.
3118"The Mystery of the Marlow Mansion"Eduardo Enrique MayénLevi Abrino & Aminta GoyelJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)218
The gang takes part in a 1920s-themed mystery party and wind up stuck in their characters' personas. When a valuable antique goes missing, it's up to Gortimer to solve the mystery and bring his friends back to normal.
3219"Ranger and the Weight of the World"Ryan ShirakiGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)219
When family issues weigh on Ranger, his pals encourage him to talk it out at the peer counseling center. But once there, Ranger instead opts to be a peer counselor himself. And as more and more students confide in him, Ranger finds the weight of the world upon his shoulders.
3320"Gortimer vs. the World's Best Mom"Ryan ShirakiAminta GoyelJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)220
When work and family duties begin to overwhelm Claire, Gortimer reassures her with a special surprise gift: a "World's Best Mom" mug. But after just a few sips from it, Claire is transformed into a "super mom", but at what cost?
3421"Mel vs. the Missing Day"J.J. JohnsonGretchen EndersJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)221
After Mel falls sick from stretching herself too thin, she returns to school only to find that her friends and teachers don't seem to remember her.
3522"Gortimer and White Hat"Sasie SealyLevi AbrinoJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)222
After receiving some bombshell news, Gortimer escapes to the comfort of his favorite TV show, the campy 1960s superhero series, Adventures of White Hat. But once an inter-dimensional transporter gets involved, Gortimer takes his escapism to a new level.
3623"Gortimer and the Lost Legends of Normal Street"Joe NussbaumGarrett Frawley & Brian TurnerJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)223
As the gang prepares a surprise birthday party for Gortimer, they take turns making video recordings of the weird, wild and wonderful stories of their adventures with Gortimer.
3724"Gortimer vs. the Abnormal Formal"Sasie SealyGretchen EndersJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)224
As the Normal Formal approaches, Gortimer decides it's finally time to ask Abigail to the dance. But when Stanley happens upon a mysterious love potion and starts playing Cupid, Gortimer's plans unravel.
3825"Gortimer vs. the Fault in Our Street"Luke MathenyEric D. WassermanJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)225
After Gortimer receives some devastating news that could separate him from the people he loves the most, Normal Street is beset by a puzzling series of earthquakes. The kids rush to find the source of the tremors before Normal Street literally gets torn apart.
3926"Gortimer vs. The End"Luke MathenyDavid Anaxagoras & Luke MathenyJuly 15, 2016 (2016-07-15)226
The trio decides to gather all the special items from their old adventures and place them safely in a time capsule. But as they accumulate mementos of their past, doubts set in about their future.

Reception

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Reception for Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street was positive. Brian Lowry of Variety gave it a positive review, saying "there are relatively few live-action shows intended to appeal to the prepubescent set that won't send parents fleeing from the room ... in terms of kids' TV, this sort of genuinely clever alternative is anything but normal."[3] James Poniewozik of Time gave it a positive review, saying it was a series that "finally aims at that niche of original, non-obnoxious TV for tweens… a pleasant throwback, both in its attitude and its style."[4] The Los Angeles Times called it "a charmer"[5] and the New York Post called it "smart, a little zany and never pandering".[6]

Awards

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref
2015 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Single Camera Photography Eduardo Enrique Mayén Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Spangler, Todd (February 25, 2015). "Amazon Renews 4 Kids Series for Second Seasons". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  2. ^ "Growing up on Normal Street is anything but normal. Gortimer Gibbon's is a 2016 Parent's Choice Gold Award Winner. Stream now with Prime on Amazon Video". Facebook.
  3. ^ Lowry, Brian (November 20, 2014). "Review: 'Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street'". Variety. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  4. ^ Poniewozik, James (November 20, 2014). "Review: An Amazon Kids' Show Far Better Than Normal". Time. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  5. ^ Lloyd, Rovert (November 21, 2014). "Amazon's 'Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street' a charmer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  6. ^ Stewart, Sara (November 20, 2014). "Amazon Prime hits target with 'Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street'". New York Post. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
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