Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire

Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire
Genre Comedy, Sword and sorcery
Created by Peter A. Knight[1]
Developed by Peter A. Knight and Brad Johnson[1]
Directed by Alex Hardcastle[1]
Starring Sean Maguire
India de Beaufort
Kevin Hart
Steve Speirs
Marques Ray
Alex MacQueen
Matt Lucas
Narrated by Michael Gambon (UK)
Chris Parnell (US)
Country of origin United States
United Kingdom
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 6
Production
Executive producer(s) Scott Landsman (Comedy Central)
Rob Bullock (Hat Trick)
Simon Wilson (BBC)[1]
Peter A. Knight
Brad Johnson
Jimmy Mulville
Flody Suarez
Courtney B. Conte
Producer(s) Mario Stylianides[1]
Running time 28 minutes
Production company(s) Hat Trick Productions
Media Rights Capital
Watson Pond Productions
Release
Original network Comedy Central (U.S.)
BBC Two / BBC HD (UK)
Original release April 9, 2009 (2009-04-09) – May 7, 2009 (2009-05-07)[2]
External links
Website

Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire is a British-American comedic sword and sorcery series created by Peter A. Knight, co-produced by Hat Trick Productions and Media Rights Capital for Comedy Central and BBC Two, which premiered on April 9, 2009 in the USA and on June 11 in the UK.[3] It began airing on July 8 in Canada, on Citytv.[4] In August 2009, it was reported that the series was canceled after Comedy Central pulled out of the production,[5] but the BBC has retracted this claim, stating that a second series could be produced if they were able to gain a new funding partner. According to Jimmy Mulville of Hat Trick Productions, "There is a bit of misinformation going on. As far as the writers and the controller of BBC comedy and the controller of BBC2 and Matt Lucas are concerned, we are developing a second series."[6]

Overview

The series, set in an ancient fantasy realm, follows reluctant hero Kröd Mändoon (Sean Maguire), a "thin-skinned and underconfident freedom fighter" in his struggle against the evil ruler, Chancellor Dongalor (Matt Lucas).[1]

Production

The creator, Peter A. Knight, has said that the show's humor was inspired by The Simpsons, Get Smart, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the last of which he claims to have seen more than any other movie.[7] The name Kröd, which is the word dork spelled backwards, was inspired by someone Knight knew growing up in school, who was often picked on; the boy was nicknamed Krod, although he failed to realize it was an insult.[8] The series was filmed in Budapest, Hungary, and show developers Knight and Brad Johnson were on the set at all times for the filming of each episode.[9] Chancellor Dongalor's castle's exterior is Bojnice Castle in neighboring Slovakia. The flaming sword used by Kröd is not a computer-generated special effect, but an actual sword prop with a gas canister and a hose that runs up actor Sean Maguire's arm to light the blade.[10]

The brief opening title sequence was designed to reflect a visual style of movie posters from fantasy films of the 1980s, as well as more modern fantasy movies like The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.[11]

Cast

The main characters of Kröd Mändoon.
From left to right: Bruce, Kröd, Aneka, Loquasto and Zezelryck.

Casting

Sean Maguire originally passed on the part because he wanted to do a more serious project following his role in the poorly received 2008 comedy film Meet the Spartans, and did not think the show was right for him; he also said he thought the title sounded stupid. Maguire said, "I thought, 'Who’s going to watch this piece of shit?' ... I’m too quick to judge."[10] His manager encouraged him to read the script and give it another chance and, upon reading the script, Maguire changed his mind and decided he wanted the role. Maguire worked out two hours a day for three months prior to filming the first season in order to build up his physique for the role.[10] The dynamic between Mändoon and Aneka was in part inspired by an idea Knight and Johnson had for a comedy set at a workplace, where a man and woman break up but have to see each other every day at their work setting; Maguire said he felt that aspect of the relationship gave Mändoon a very "human element" and was easy for male audiences to relate to.[13]

India de Beaufort became familiar with Kröd Mändoon at an acting studio where she was receiving training. The teacher, who had read and loved a Mändoon script, brought it to the studio and told the students about it. Many of them tried to audition for the show, including Beaufort, so the role of Aneka proved to be a competitive one, but Beaufort eventually got an audition which led to her casting.[13] When she agreed to take the role, she had only read the script for the first episode, "Wench Trouble", and did not know about some of the character's more promiscuous scenes in future episodes, such as her striptease dance in "Golden Powers". Upon learning more about the character, Beaufort became concerned that the role was too sexual and that she would not be taken seriously as an actress after playing the part. However, she said she quickly grew to love the character, who she believes to be a strong female character with feminist convictions: "She's saying, 'I'm equal to every other man in the world. Men enjoy sex. I enjoy sex.' You know, she's out there putting out this strong statement."[8]

Matt Lucas said he sees the Dongalor character as a combination of Cambodian leader Pol Pot and James Bond antagonist Ernst Blofeld.[9]

Chris Parnell, a comedian formerly of Saturday Night Live, provides the voice of the narrator in the North American version.[14] Michael Gambon narrates the UK version.[15]

Episodes

No. Title Original air date
U.S. UK
1"Wench Trouble"April 9, 2009 (2009-04-09)June 11, 2009
Kröd Mändoon, Aneka, Loquasto, and Zezelryck decide to raid Chancellor Dongalor's castle dungeon to free a group of prisoners, that include Kröd's mentor General Arcadius. But after the rescue results in Arcadius' death, things take an unexpected turn. Dongalor unveils his master plan: to reactivate the ancient and deadly Eye of Gulga Gyrmna.
2"Golden Powers"April 9, 2009 (2009-04-09)June 11, 2009
After Aneka ditches Kröd because he dislikes her promiscuous behavior, Kröd learns that he is part of an important prophecy and must race to save her from Dongalor's assassins; Dongalor needs an important item to make his weapon work.
3"Our Bounties Ourselves"April 16, 2009 (2009-04-16)June 18, 2009
Kröd fights off bounty hunters hired by Dongalor, while Dongalor worries that the arrival of an Imperial weapons inspector who puts his relationship with "Cute Girl" in danger.
4"O Biclops, Where Art Thou?"April 23, 2009 (2009-04-23)June 25, 2009
To earn a spot on the Elite Resistance Council, Kröd must demonstrate his valor by snaching a priceless jewel from a bisexual cyclops. Meanwhile, Dongalor must sally forth to 'rescue' "Cute Girl" from the weapons inspector's castle.
5"Succubi: The Dawn's Early Light"April 30, 2009 (2009-04-30)July 2, 2009
As Aneka spends some time with Ralph, Kröd is entrusted by Grimshank to the Doomsday Beacon in order to alert the resistance about Dongalor's activation of the Eye of Gulga Grymna. While making their way to the beacon through the Forest of Certain Death, Kröd and his men fall under the deception of Succubi and an Incubus who intend to have them bear their offspring. After fighting their way out, Kröd manages to light the beacon, only for the tower to suddenly crumble to the ground. Meanwhile, Dongalor races to acquire the last component for the Eye: the tears of a pagan woman.
6"Thrilla in the Villa"May 7, 2009 (2009-05-07)July 6, 2009
Believing that Grimshank has been working for Dongalor in secret, Kröd and the gang sneak into Ralph's palace and learn that they have been pawns in a conspiracy as Grimshank is actually a double agent and the real traitor is Ralph. Unfortunately, when Dongalor arrives with his army and activates the Eye of Gulga Grymna, a desperate battle to save the day erupts.

Reception and criticism

The first season of Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire received mixed reviews and mediocre Nielsen ratings in the United States.[16] Critical reception in Britain was mixed, with some critics singling out the game performances by the cast.[17]

The character Bruce, a flamboyant homosexual played by Marques Ray, has received criticism among the gay community, who have described the character as an offensive stereotype. Sean Maguire said the show producers expected some backlash: "you know, one way or another, you can’t win. If you’re too gay you get criticism. If you’re not gay enough, you get criticism ... Whenever you’re playing a stereotypical character, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You can’t really win."[10]

On 21 August 2009, it was reported in British media newspaper Broadcast that the series had been cancelled, "after its funding partner pulled out".[5] However, three days later it reported that the BBC had retracted the claim.[6]

UK viewing statistics

The first showing of each episode was broadcast simultaneously on BBC Two and BBC HD. The first two episodes were run together to create one hour-long episode; other episodes aired singly.

Episode Number Episode Air Date Viewers (millions)
1/2 "Wench Trouble" / "Golden Powers" June 11, 2009 2.047 [18]
3 "Our Bounties Ourselves" June 18, 2009 1.33[19]
4 "O Biclops, Where Art Thou?" June 25, 2009 1.34[19]
5 "Succubi: The Dawn's Early Light" July 2, 2009 1.30[19]

Online game

On April 16, 2009, Comedy Central released a trailer for a new flash game based on the Kröd Mändoon television series. Titled Kröd Mändoon: The Rise of Dongalor, the game is a simple top-down adventure/shooter in which the player must defeat "Myrmidons" to compete for the highest score. The player may collect power-ups that grant them health, extra speed, a double shot and a triple shot.[20]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Sean Maguire and Matt Lucas star in Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire for BBC Two" (Press release). BBC. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  2. Golder, Dave (October 9, 2012). "Top 25 Worst Sci-Fi and Fantasy TV Shows Ever". SFX (Future plc). Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  3. "Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire – introduction" (Press release). BBC. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  4. "Citytv | TV SHOWS | Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire". Citytv. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  5. 1 2 Rushton, Katherine (21 August 2009). "Krod Mandoon axed". Broadcast. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  6. 1 2 Rushton, Katherine (24 August 2009). "Krod Mandoon facing uncertain future". Broadcast. Retrieved 24 August 2009.
  7. Brent Hartinger (2009-04-06). "Interview with Krod creator Peter Knight". The Torch Online. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  8. 1 2 Harris, Jeffrey (2009-04-25). "411 Movies Interview: India de Beaufort". 411 Movies. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  9. 1 2 Behind the Scenes - Matt Lucas - Krod Mandoon. Comedy Central. 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Wagner, Curt (2009-04-29). "Cracking up with "Krod Mandoon" star Sean Maguire". RedEye. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  11. "Flaming Titles". creativematch. 2009-05-07. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Heroes and Villains | Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire". Comedy Central. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  13. 1 2 de Beaufort, India; Maguire, Sean (2009-02-12). Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire TV Interview - NYCC 09: Krod Mandoon (Interview). IGN. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  14. "About the Show - Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire". Comedy Central. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  15. "BBC Two Programmes - Kröd Mändoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire, Wench Trouble/Golden Powers". BBC. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  16. Grant, Olly (2009-06-03). "Matt Lucas: from Little Britain to Krod Mandoon's lusty despot". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  17. Andrea Mullaney (12 June 2009). TV review: Krod Mandoon. The Scotsman.
  18. http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?
  19. 1 2 3 http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?_s=4
  20. Comedy Central game trailer

External links

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