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The Problem Solverz
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| The Problem Solverz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Ben Jones |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Ben Jones |
| Voices of |
|
| Narrated by | John DiMaggio |
| Composers |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (26 segments) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
|
| Running time | 11 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Cartoon Network |
| Release | April 4 – September 29, 2011 |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | March 30, 2013 |
The Problem Solverz is an American animated television series created by Ben Jones for Cartoon Network. It follows Alfe, Roba, and Horace; a group of detectives in their troubled town, Farboro.
The aforementioned characters were designed while Jones attended college in the 1990s; he later founded the art collective Paper Rad with Jessica and Jacob Ciocci. The characters were featured in Jones' and the collective's animations and comics before the creator pitched a pilot in 2007 to Adult Swim featuring the trio, collaborating with PFFR and Williams Street.[1] The network's executives referred Jones to Cartoon Network, who commissioned a series featuring the same characters. The series was produced in Adobe Flash, with around fifteen animators employed at Cartoon Network Studios and the co-production of Mirari Films.
The Problem Solverz was first aired on April 4, 2011. The first season consisted of nine episodes, concluding on September 29, 2011. A second and final season was released exclusively on Netflix in 2013. The show was initially panned by both audiences and critics, and was once considered to be one of the worst animated series ever made. Criticisms were directed to its animation, characters, and art style.
Plot
[edit]
The series follows the eponymous detectives Alfe (Ben Jones), Roba (also Jones), and Horace (Kyle Kaplan). The trio take up solving, and sometimes creating, the numerous problems that plague their town, Farboro. To their aid is Tux Dog (John DiMaggio), an extremely wealthy dog who helps the Solverz in some of their cases but is just as often the source of their problems.
Alfe (pronounced Alfé) is a large, fluffy, fur monster (even though it was suggested that he may be "half-chocolate, half-mutt" in Neon Knome or that he was a man-dog-anteater by creator and voice actor Ben Jones during the 2011 San Diego Comic Con Panel) found and raised by Horace when both were young. He loves devouring large quantities of food, especially pizza and hamburgers, and acts impulsively during missions. Roba, Horace's twin brother and cyborg, is the smartest member of the group, but he suffers from insecurity and anxiety. Horace is the calm and collected leader of the team, usually applying common sense with his detective work and caring after Alfe.
Development
[edit]Conception
[edit]Growing up in Pittsburgh, creator Ben Jones had an appreciation for comics and animation.[2]: 21 His father's Macintosh computer served as a vehicle for Jones to create art and influenced his later visual style.[3] Jones attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the mid-1990s, where he became motivated to launch a project he could adapt to different media.[2]: 21 This impetus manifested itself in the characters Alfe, Horace, and Roba.[4] Tux Dog, another principal character, was designed while Jones was in primary school. After his graduation, Jones formed the art collective Paper Rad with Jessica and Jacob Ciocci in 2000. The collective moved that year to Providence, Rhode Island, to participate in the Fort Thunder music venue.[2]: 21 After the venue's closure in 2001, Jones released animations on the Web using Adobe Flash, with some featuring Alfe.[2]: 22
Paper Rad later produced animations with the premise of The Problem Solverz but with the three principal characters absent.[4] The collective's 2006 direct-to-DVD release Trash Talking features a segment called "Gone Cabin Carzy" in which Alfe, Horace, and Roba appear.[5] In tandem with these experiments, Jones worked as a television animator on Yo Gabba Gabba! and Wonder Showzen.[3] The year of the DVD's release, Jones talked to Nick Weidenfeld, then an executive producer at Adult Swim, about an idea for a series of his own.[4] The result was Neon Knome, a pilot produced by PFFR Productions and Williams Street in 2007, and released on Adult Swim's website two years later as part of a development contest sponsored by Burger King.[4] Mark Marek, who was known for his work on Nickelodeon's KaBlam! was one of the artists and animators for the short. After deciding the show's aesthetics were not a good fit for Adult Swim, who claimed it looked "too mind-blowingly cute" for their channel, the network's executives later referred Jones to Cartoon Network, believing his creativity would fit better there. Jones agreed to do business with Cartoon Network on the condition that Alfe be a character on The Problem Solverz.[2]: 21
Production
[edit]
Eric Pringle, a veteran of 2D digital animation, was employed as animation director, providing Jones with much technical assistance. Pringle's colleagues from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, another Cartoon Network production, comprised a team of around fifteen full-time animators at the network's studio,[2]: 22 all working on Apple computers.[3] Greg Miller was hired as supervising director, Martin Cendreda as technical director, and John Pham with Jon Vermilyea as character designers. Miller is the creator of Whatever Happened to... Robot Jones?, another series on the network.[4] Vermilyea worked also as a character designer on the network's series Adventure Time, while Cendreda, Pham, and Jones all contributed to the anthology comic book Kramers Ergot.[6] Michael Yank was employed as a writer for most episodes, with Mirari Films' CEO Eric Kaplan supervising the creation of scripts.[4]
The series was noted for its visual style employing highly saturated colors and varying shapes.[2]: 21 Jones was inspired by the limited-animated series Roger Ramjet and The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, which he felt employed good character design, cohesiveness, jokes, and timing.[4] He credited The Problem Solverz as the first seamless use of Flash for television animation, with conceptualization and the end result occurring in the same program. Writing was the longest aspect of production, taking up to several months for the crew to conceive the story and draft a script. Animation was comparatively quicker, with the team delivering work in only a few weeks given the digital approach; Jones felt that the animators could play to the strengths of the fully digital animation process.[2]: 22
The show's criticism led to only 26 episodes being produced. 18 of which were produced during the first season in 2011. Towards the end of 2011, eight episodes were produced for the second and final season, and was supposed to air by the end of 2011 or any time in 2012, but due to the show's low ratings, they were only released through Netflix on March 30, 2013. However, the series production ended in mid-2012.
Voice cast
[edit]Main
[edit]- Ben Jones – Alfe, Roba
- Kyle Kaplan – Horace
- John DiMaggio – Tux Dog
Recurring
[edit]- Pamela Adlon – Mr. Creame, Sweetie Creame, Danny, Danny's Mom
- James Avery – Go-Seeki Ninja Master, Ninja Master's Dad Head
- Eric Bauza – Dork Face, Ale, Alfred
- Matt Berry – Drill Sergeant
- Wayne Brady – Uncle Chocofus
- Tia Carrere – Tara
- Andrew Daly – Miss May
- Grey DeLisle – Candace, Luka
- John DiMaggio – Narrator (S01 only), Teacher, The Mewmeoh, Badcat (in "Puffy Puppiez"), Jerry, Gary
- Michael Dorn – Yamir
- Rich Fulcher – Lidget
- Nika Futterman – Stratch
- Mark Hamill – Buddy Huxton, Badcat (in "Badcat")
- Amy Hill – Mrs. Konishi
- Ben Jones – Balloon Professor, Professor Sugarfish, Rusty Pedals
- Tom Kenny – Bionic Zombies, The Android-geist
- Liz Lee – Additionals (S02E27 only)
- Vanessa Marshall – Emily, Yogi, Trudy H.
- Daran Norris – J.B. McTooth
- Chris Parnell – The Mayor, Eternitron
- Bronson Pinchot – AI (Master Artificial Intelligence)
- Kevin Michael Richardson – Wendigo
- Horatio Sanz – Ralphe
- Paul Scheer – Tony Marv, Fungsten
- Alia Shawkat – Laura
- Kath Soucie – Spiralina
- George Takei – Howard Konishi
- Jill Talley – Nina, Alpha Alien, Dolls' Kid Owner
- Brian Tee – Captain, Granite, Mini Master
- Kari Wahlgren – Katrina Rad
- Jason Walden – Tommy, JZ, Glam Metal Vampirez
- Jaleel White – K-999
Episodes
[edit]Series overview
[edit]{{Series overview | color0S = #66ffff | link0S = #Shorts (2006–07) | linkT0S = Shorts | episodes0S = 2 | startOS = 2006 | end0S = 2007 | network0S = Direct-to-video | color0SS = #ffff66 | link0SS = #Pilot (2007) | linkT0SS = Pilot | start0SS = 2007
Shorts (2006–07)
[edit]The main Problem Solverz characters first appeared in an animated short entitled, "Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy" [sic]. The short was created and produced by the art collective Paper Rad, and was written by Ben Jones. This short was included on their DVD Trash Talking, published by Load Records in 2006.
The second Paper Rad animated short, "Problem Solvers", was released on a stand-alone DVD in 2008 as a bonus for the seventh volume of The Ganzfeld, a periodical book series written by Dan Nadel. Although it does not include the main Problem Solverz characters, it introduces the problem solving concept which Jones would use as the basis of his homonymous Cartoon Network series.
| Title | Written and storyboarded by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy" | Ben Jones (as Paper Rad) | 2006 | |
|
Horace is convinced that there is radiation outside since they have not gone out for 5 days. Note: A prototype of Alfe's cousin Ralphe appears in this short. He also appears in two The Problem Solverz episodes, "Glam-Vampire Hunterz" and "Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing It Up".[7] | |||
| "Problem Solvers" | Ben Jones (as Paper Rad) | 2007 | |
|
The short describes the adventures of six original characters: Dewey, T Bubbles, Pandemonia, Riviera, Buck, and D-O-G. It's composed of three segments ("Intro", "Dewey's Bike Ride", and "D-O-G's Song"), and from only two episodes:
Note: D-O-G, Dewey, and Buck are the only characters of the short that made cameo appearances in The Problem Solverz. | |||
Pilot (2007)
[edit]The pilot episode "Neon Knome" was produced in 2007[8] by PFFR and Williams Street for Adult Swim, and then released in 2010 on their official website[citation needed] as part of the "Big, Über, Network, Sampling" programming block.
| Title | Written and directed by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Neon Knome" | Ben Jones | June 13, 2007 | |
|
Horace, Alfe and Roba try to destroy a giant rollerblade appeared on their yard, but eventually end up getting lost in the forest. | |||
Season 1 (2011)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original release date | Prod. code | US viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1a | 1a | "Time Twister" | Eric Kaplan | Ben Jones | April 4, 2011 | 102 | 1.138[9] |
|
The Problem Solverz encounter on the city's amusement park "Time Twister", a time-travelling rollercoaster that ages people. They solve the problem of people and seal the rollercoaster, but Alfe later uses it to satisfy his pizza cravings by traveling back in time and getting a slice of pizza, and ends up causing the appearance prehistoric animals to cause chaos in the city plus he turns into a baby. To put an end to this mess, the Solverz on the advice of Tux Dog must reverse the process destroying Time Twister through its core of Eternitron, a giant clock time monster. The trio achieves this through the many Alfe's clones collected by the same rollercoaster. Ask Alfe: Ask Alfe Instruction. | |||||||
| 1b | 1b | "Videogamez" | Michael Yank | Nick Bertonazzi | April 11, 2011 | 103 | 1.262[10] |
|
Horace hinders a mission by being addicted to a video game, "Tomb of Nefertiti", given to him by Famitaro's owner Mr. Konishi, to kill its rogue AI. Horace himself continuing to play for 8 days, becoming hypnotized in the process until after the universe is threatened by the same video game enemies. To stop the invasion Alfe and Roba, with the help of a special cable given to them by Tux Dog, enter the game but must return before Horace completely turns into a virtual human block. Once finding him immediately the trio must pass the last three levels and then defeat the AI at the final level. Ask Alfe: What should I do if I have trouble falling asleep? | |||||||
| 2a | 2a | "K-999 and Da Little Explorerz" | Michael Yank | Nick Bertonazzi | April 18, 2011 | 104 | 1.152[11] |
|
The Problem Solverz team up with K-999, a robot dog to stop a Girl Scout-aided alien invasion. Ask Alfe: My hair gets so tangled up! | |||||||
| 2b | 2b | "Awesome Banditz" | Michael Yank | Nick Bertonazzi | April 25, 2011 | 105 | 1.148[12] |
|
The Problem Solverz are involved, thanks to the Police Captain of the city's huge mall, in an underground elevator racing, world from which they capture a group of thieves place experts in this race, called the "Elevator Banditz". To capture Alfe and Roba go undercover, and to do dress up and look like them. Ask Alfe: I'm not sneaky enough. | |||||||
| 3a | 3a | "Funny Facez" | Michael Yank | Leo Riley | May 2, 2011 | 106 | 1.277[13] |
|
The work of a funny-face artists named Tony Marv, which Roba is a biggest fan, is stolen due to someone who leaked the photos of him in his program for the next show. His assistant Buddy Huxton presents the Problem Solverz, who asked them to solve this problem, finding the culprit. At the beginning Roba and Horace are still in doubt to solve it due to Alfe, that under the effect of "Taco crazy" think they know you already know everything with a rangefinder taco, and doing even suspect that a loser funny-faces artist named Fungsten has not leaked the photos. But then discover that real culprit is still at large when the taco truck sign blocking the view. At the end the trio back to Buddy Huxton which, however, admits: he leaked that photos to postpone tonight's show of Tony, and in order to avenge him for his trauma as a child. Ask Alfe: What can I do at the beach? | |||||||
| 3b | 3b | "Hide and Seek Ninjaz" | Michael Yank | Nick Bertonazzi | May 9, 2011 | 107 | 1.424[14] |
|
Alfe, Roba and Horace find some Go-Seeki Hide and Seek Ninjaz in whom kidnap a little girl of the Hido Clan's mom. Ask Alfe: I'm totally stumped! | |||||||
| 4a | 4a | "The Mayan Ice Cream Caper" | Eric Kaplan | Ben Jones | May 16, 2011 | 101 | 1.647[15] |
|
The Problem Solverz are called upon to stop an ice-cream factory from being destroyed by its owner. Ask Alfe: From this episode onward, no Ask Alfe segments appear. | |||||||
| 4b | 4b | "Badcat" | Michael Yank | Casey Leonard | May 23, 2011 | 108 | 1.274[16] |
|
Tux Dog gets over his head and tried to stop Badcat himself. The Problem Solverz promise the mayor to solve this problem. They enter Badcat's hideout, but Alfe and Roba refused because of their disguise. Horace insults the senses into them. | |||||||
| 5a | 5a | "Fauxboro" | Michael Yank | Casey Leonard | May 30, 2011 | 109 | 1.508[17] |
|
The town of Farboro is getting a little stranger every minute; Alfe's drums sound weird, the root beer tastes bad, and the people of Farboro declare no more problems. Worse, they have been replaced by Bionic Zombies! If the gang doesn't stop them, they're toast! | |||||||
| 5b | 5b | "Magic Clock" | Michael Yank | Casey Leonard | June 6, 2011 | 110 | 1.498[18] |
|
Alfe, Roba and Horace try to get back a stolen clock, followed by hardcore fan Katrina Rad turns on them, because she wants to use the clock to date Roba. | |||||||
| 6a | 6a | "Breakfast Wars" | Michael Yank | Casey Leonard | June 13, 2011 | 112 | 1.588[19] |
|
Alfe, Roba and Horace try to find more cereal for a sugar-crazed kid. | |||||||
| 6b | 6b | "Zoo Cops" | Michael Yank | Casey Leonard | June 20, 2011 | 111 | 1.290[20] |
|
The Problem Solverz try to help the zoo to capture Dork Face. But things goes bad when agent Lidget betrays the Problem Solverz, Dork Face sends them into a different world. Now Horace, Alfe and Roba have to get out in Flatland in time. | |||||||
| 7a | 7a | "Hamburger Cavez" | Michael Yank | Casey Leonard | August 25, 2011 | 114 | 1.125[21] |
|
Horace and Roba force Alfe to go on a camping trip. Alfe, in a "mad-for-hamburgers" phase, wanders off looking for some, and stumbles upon an old cave and accidentally releases and gets possessed by a man eating spirit named Wendigo. Note: Stylized versions of Mordecai and Rigby are briefly shown. | |||||||
| 7b | 7b | "Puffy Puppiez" | Dave Tennant | Casey Leonard | September 1, 2011 | 115 | 1.055[22] |
|
When Roba vows to take care of Miss May's puppies (much to the dismay of Alfe and Horace), things get complicated as the puppies destroy the trio's furniture and sends Roba spiraling into a craze. Meanwhile, Badcat (voiced in this episode by John DiMaggio) returns to exterminate and put all dogs in a "dog superjail" (a dog themed reference to Superjail!). Later, Alfe enters a bike contest to save the dogs from Badcat's evil minions. | |||||||
| 8a | 8a | "Glam-Vampire Hunterz" | Dave Tennant | Casey Leonard | September 8, 2011 | 116 | 1.191[23] |
|
Alfe, Roba & Horace try to stop a group of metal rock vampires from taking over Farboro. Later, Ralphe (Alfe's cousin and mentor) stops by for a visit and claims to know the secret method of destroying the Glam Metal Vampirez. In the end they find that Ralphe might not be all that he had claimed to be. | |||||||
| 8b | 8b | "Problem Solverz Academy" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | September 15, 2011 | 117 | 1.280[24] |
|
Tux Dog sends the trio back to school to get better at solving problems. Roba becomes the "cool guy" and Horace finds out how tough it is to be the super dork. Later, Tux Dog sends K-999 too for training in the Problem Solverz Academy. | |||||||
| 9a | 9a | "Mermaid Raid" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | September 22, 2011 | 118 | 1.184[25] |
|
Alfe pretends to be afraid of water, which prevents the Problem Solverz from answering a mermaid's distress call. | |||||||
| 9b | 9b | "Tux Dog's Island" | Michael Yank | Leo Riley | September 29, 2011 | 113 | 1.072[26] |
|
The trio goes on a vacation to an island resort sent by Tux Dog. But Horace thinks the island is too perfect, and tries to find a problem to solve. | |||||||
Season 2 (2013)
[edit]Eight episodes were produced for Season 2 and were originally supposed to air in 2012, but were released through Netflix on March 30, 2013 due to the show's negative critical reception.[27] However, all the episodes in Netflix were removed permanently 2 years later. It never aired on television.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written by | Storyboarded by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10a | 1a | "Making of The Problem Solverz Video Game" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
When Mr. Konishi (from "Videogamez") is kicked out by his wife, the Solverz decide to take him in. He then agrees to develop a Video Game for the trio, as Payment | ||||||
| 10b | 1b | "Alfe is Da Boss" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
Alfe gains authority over the house and becomes corrupt beyond repair shortly after. | ||||||
| 11a | 2a | "Roba Has Dreadlocks" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
Roba becomes a hippie after Alfe eats the Water bill. | ||||||
| 11b | 2b | "Alfe Has a Baby" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
The Problem Solverz must care after the daughter of Alfe's Uncle Chocofus. | ||||||
| 12a | 3a | "Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing it Up" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
Alfe and Roba form their own band, much to the chagrin of Horace when he is thrown out of the band due to his terrible vocal skills. | ||||||
| 12b | 3b | "Yogurt Nights" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
Alfe discovers that Roba and Horace attend a support group for people that live with fur monsters. NOTE: This episode reveals Alfe's species as a fur monster. | ||||||
| 13a | 4a | "Super Close TV Watching" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
The trio decide to join a league when Horace demonstrates his professional soccer skills. | ||||||
| 13b | 4b | "Alfe's Gonna Run Away" | Ryan Levin | Casey Leonard | March 30, 2013 | |
|
After being disciplined by Roba and Horace too many times, Alfe decides to leave the gang in search of more 'awesome' places. | ||||||
Release
[edit]The Problem Solverz was first aired on April 4, 2011, on Cartoon Network. The premiere was seen by 1.1 million viewers, receiving a Nielsen rating of 0.8, in that 0.8 percent of families with a television set viewed the episode on that date.[28] The most-watched episode of the series ("The Mayan Ice Cream Caper") was seen by 1.6 million viewers.[29] Viewership fell with the first episode to have been aired on a Thursday ("Hamburger Cavez"), which was watched by 1.1 million viewers.[30] The first season concluded on September 29, 2011, after eighteen episodes. A second season consisting of eight episodes was released exclusively on Netflix on March 30, 2013.[31]
Reception
[edit]The series received mostly negative reviews from critics, who viewed the series as "dull, boring, and uninteresting"; but worse reviews from audiences and online viewers. Criticism of The Problem Solverz was directed at the visual style and writing. Rob Owen writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called the style reminiscent of Atari 5200 video games and wrote that viewers could "thank" or "blame" Jones for his creation.[3] For the magazine Variety, Brian Lowry disregarded the series as uninteresting and challenging to watch, the visuals and sounds weird for weirdness' sake.[32] Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media defined the series as misguided, its stories as undeveloped, and its visual style as unappealing.[33] The Weekly Alibi's Devin D. O'Leary acknowledged the style as Paper Rad's own and found the writing more solid than that of Adult Swim's programming for which it could be mistaken. The jokes were not instantly funny according to O'Leary, but the visual style combined with the writing would provide amusement for Paper Rad's existing fans.[34] Critics felt that the series would've worked better had it been on Adult Swim instead of Cartoon Network.
Art-related publications, on the other hand, gave praise to Jones' creativity. Dan Nadel, a former publisher of Jones, lauded the series in The Comics Journal for the imagination displayed, "funny and humane and invaluable" at the same time.[4] Paper writer Sammy Harkham called The Problem Solverz "radical" and unlike any other series on television.[35] Geek Exchange writer Liz Ohanesian called the second season more "subdued" than the first, allowing viewers to concentrate on the principal character's relationships. She compared the series to the band Anamanaguchi, in that its unique and polarizing style makes fans of the series hard to find.[36]
See also
[edit]- Stone Quackers – Animated series created by Jones following his work on The Problem Solverz
- Saturday Morning All Star Hits! – Animated series created by Jones following his work on the Problem Solverz and Stone Quackers.
- The Groovenians – A Cartoon Network project created by a surreal artist that received heavy backlash.
- List of television shows notable for negative reception
References
[edit]- ^ "Unleashing the Pizza-Loving Beast | Animation Magazine". March 26, 2011. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Milligan, Mercedes (April 2011). "Unleashing the Pizza-Loving Beast". Animation Magazine. 25 (3): 21–22. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Owen, Rob (April 3, 2011). "Cartoon Network's Problem Solverz Has Pittsburgh Roots". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Block Communications. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Nadel, Dan (April 4, 2011). "Artistic Modern Funnies: Ben Jones' Problem Solverz". The Comics Journal. Fantagraphics Books. Archived from the original on April 7, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Ohanesian, Liz (December 1, 2011). "The Problem Solverz Creator Ben Jones: Using Video Games 'Like Religion'". LA Weekly. Voice Media Group. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ O'Leary, Shannon (May 15, 2012). "How Cartoon Network Became a Haven for Some of the Best Independent Comic Book Creators Working Today". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on November 24, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ "www.vimeo.com/7395789". November 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ "NEON KNOME: Pilot". US Copyright Office. February 22, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2018.Registration Number: PA0001711112. Date of Creation: 2008. Cartoon Network, Inc.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 5, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' & 'WWE RAW' Down Against B-Ball; + 'Being Human,' 'RJ Berger' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 12, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Leads Night; 'Kate Plus 8' Even; 'WWE RAW,' 'Being Human,' 'RJ Berger' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 19, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Leads Night; NBA Playoffs, 'Kate Plus 8' Falls; 'WWE RAW,' 'RJ Berger' NHL & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (April 26, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Pawn Stars' Leads Night; Plus NBA, 'WWE RAW,' 'Sanctuary' 'Bethenny,' 'American Chopper' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (May 3, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: Kobe-Dirk Playoff Dominates; Will Syfy Move 'Sanctuary' Back to Friday? + 'WWE RAW,' 'Bethenny,' 'American Chopper' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ Yanan, Travis (May 10, 2011). "Monday 05/09/11 Final Cable Ratings". Travis Yanan Watches TV. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (May 3, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE RAW,' Tops Night, 'Sanctuary' Up + 'Real Housewives of NJ' Premiere, 'American Chopper,' 'Secret Life' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 28, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (May 24, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: Mavs/Thunder Tops Night; 'WWE Raw' Up + 'Sanctuary,' 'Real Housewives of NJ', 'American Chopper,' 'Secret Life' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Yanan, Travis (June 2, 2011). "Monday 05/30/11 Final Cable Ratings". Travis Yanan Watches TV. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Yanan, Travis (June 8, 2011). "Monday 06/06/11 Final Cable Ratings". Travis Yanan Watches TV. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (June 15, 2011). "Monday's Cable Ratings: Still No Stopping History's "Pawn Stars"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (June 22, 2011). "Monday's Cable Ratings: "WWE Raw" Takes Original Crown". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (August 26, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Hits Season High in Demos". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (September 2, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Encore Still Gets It Done". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (September 9, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Hits Season Low". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (September 16, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: Another Week, Another "Jersey Shore" Win". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (September 23, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Dips to Season Low, Still Beats NBC, CBS". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ Staff, The Futon Critic (September 30, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: "Jersey Shore" Not Slowing Down". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ "Watch The Problem Solverz Online". Cartoon Network/Netflix. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (April 5, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: Pawn Stars & WWE RAW Down Against B-Ball; Plus Being Human, RJ Berger & More". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital. Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (May 18, 2011). "Monday Cable Ratings: WWE RAW, Tops Night, Sanctuary Up Plus Real Housewives of NJ Premiere, American Chopper, Secret Life & More". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Anonymous (September 29, 2011). "Thursday's Cable Ratings: Jersey Shore Not Slowing Down". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (August 12, 2013). "Mermaids, Criminals and Cartoons: Netflix's Secret Niche Exclusives". Gigaom. Knowingly Inc. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Lowry, Brian (April 1, 2011). "Cartoon's Problem Solverz Is a Wild (& Bad) Trip". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Ashby, Emily (May 29, 2013). "The Problem Solverz". Common Sense Media. Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ O'Leary, Devin D. (April 14–20, 2011). "The Colors! The Colors!". Weekly Alibi. 20 (15). Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Harkham, Sammy (October 30, 2010). "Ben Jones". Paper. Paper Publishing Company. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Ohanesian, Liz (July 12, 2013). "It Came from Netflix: The Problem Solverz". Geek Exchange. The Enthusiast Network. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
External links
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The Problem Solverz
View on GrokipediaPremise
Plot
The Problem Solverz centers on three unconventional detectives—Alfe, a pizza-loving dog-like creature; Roba, a robotic inventor; and Horace, a straight-laced human—who operate an agency dedicated to resolving bizarre, everyday problems in the surreal town of Farboro using highly unorthodox methods.[4][2] The series emphasizes their chaotic teamwork amid escalating absurdities, often turning simple issues into escalating crises through their improvisational approaches.[5] Season 1 episodes typically follow a half-hour format divided into two self-contained segments of approximately 11 minutes each, each presenting a standalone mystery or mishap resolved (or exacerbated) by the trio, such as malfunctioning household gadgets or inexplicable temporal anomalies. These vignettes highlight the solvers' creative, if ineffective, problem-solving tactics in isolation from ongoing arcs.[5] The narrative is framed by Tux Dog, a sophisticated, tuxedo-clad anthropomorphic canine and wealthy patron who serves as the show's narrator and sporadically intervenes to offer cryptic guidance or introduce further complications to the protagonists' endeavors.[7] His detached, observational role underscores the episodic humor while tying into Farboro's eccentric populace.[4] Farboro itself is depicted as a vibrant, quirky urban setting populated by oddball residents and featuring exaggerated, colorful locales that amplify the show's surreal tone and visual eccentricity.[2][4]Characters
The central characters of The Problem Solverz are the titular trio of detectives—Alfe, Roba, and Horace—who operate an unorthodox agency solving bizarre mysteries in the town of Farboro.[6] These friends exhibit distinct personalities that drive the show's chaotic team dynamics, with Alfe's impulsiveness often complicating their efforts, Roba's intellect providing strategic insight, and Horace maintaining order as the composed leader.[1] Alfe is the fluffy, orange, blob-like protagonist, portrayed as an eight-foot-tall furry monster blending traits of a dog, man, and anteater.[1][8] His childlike, slovenly demeanor and obsessive love for junk food, especially pizza and hamburgers, frequently derail missions into further disorder, emphasizing his role as the impulsive wildcard of the group.[1] Roba, Alfe's blue cyborg teammate and Horace's twin brother, functions as the analytical planner equipped with robotic enhancements like a high-tech visor.[8] Prone to anxiety and social awkwardness stemming from his fear of humanity—which leads him to disguise himself as a full robot—he contrasts the team's chaos with his technical expertise, though panic often undermines his contributions.[6] Horace serves as the refined, bespectacled human leader, depicted in a suit with a distinctive cool haircut.[6][8] His level-headed, gentlemanly nature keeps the group grounded, applying common sense to investigations while tolerating the antics of his companions. Supporting the trio is Tux Dog, an eccentric billionaire anthropomorphic dog clad in a tuxedo, who funds their operations from his mansion and supplies high-tech gadgets.[1] Originating from creator Ben Jones' elementary school creations, Tux Dog's pompous demeanor positions him as both benefactor and occasional antagonist in the team's adventures.[1] The characters' visual designs align with the show's deliberately crude, limited-animation aesthetic, produced in Adobe Flash with highly saturated colors, vibrant patterns, and funky retro shapes.[1] This style draws from 1970s limited-animation influences like Hanna-Barbera cartoons such as Rocky and Bullwinkle and Roger Ramjet, as well as 1980s video game graphics, embedding pop culture and underground comic elements into simplistic, blob-like forms that prioritize expressive chaos over realism.[5][8]Development and Production
Conception
Ben Jones, a visual artist and animator born in 1977, developed the core characters of The Problem Solverz during his time at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the late 1990s, initially creating them as part of comics and early web animations inspired by his lifelong interest in the medium, which dated back to elementary school projects like the character Tux Dog.[1] As a co-founder of the art collective Paper Rad in 2000 alongside Jacob and Jessica Ciocci—rooted in the DIY ethos of Providence's Fort Thunder scene—Jones expanded these characters through collaborative zines, videos, net art, and short animations featuring lo-fi, neon-colored aesthetics that explored pop culture, youth, and absurdity.[5][9] Early iterations of the protagonists, including Alfe (described by Jones as "half dog, half man and half anteater"), appeared in Paper Rad works from 2001 to 2004, such as shorts and comics that laid the groundwork for their problem-solving antics.[1][5] In 2006, Jones partnered with producer Nick Weidenfeld to develop a pilot titled Neon Knome, pitching it to Adult Swim as an adult-oriented animated series with experimental visuals and surreal narratives.[5] Although Adult Swim supported the concept, network executives expressed concerns over its stylistic intensity and redirected Jones to Cartoon Network's main lineup, where the project was retooled for broader appeal while retaining its core eccentricity.[1][5] The pilot aired online in 2010, showcasing the trio—Alfe, Roba, and Horace—tackling bizarre challenges like destroying a giant rollerblade, but it highlighted the need for adjustments to fit Cartoon Network's programming.[5] The title evolved from Neon Knome to The Problem Solverz to emphasize a parody of detective and adventure formats, drawing influences from limited-animation classics like Hanna-Barbera shows, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Roger Ramjet, which prioritized rapid pacing, visual gags, and minimalistic design.[5][1] Key creative decisions focused on absurd humor—such as quests for pizza that unleash dinosaurs—and visual experimentation using Flash animation to create a "new visual language" that blended Jones' fine art roots with television's demands, aiming to attract adult audiences through Cartoon Network's late-night block while echoing contemporaries like Adventure Time and Regular Show.[1] This approach allowed seamless integration of Jones' multimedia background, including influences from pop culture, music, and video games, into a format that prioritized timing, design, and unexpected jokes over traditional narrative structure.[5][1]Production Process
The Problem Solverz was produced using Adobe Flash animation software, allowing artists to draw, color, and animate directly within the program using Wacom tablets for a seamless digital 2D workflow.[1] This approach emphasized a design-first process, where visual elements were developed before scripting and animation, resulting in a distinctive style characterized by bright, flashy colors, crude character designs, and limited movement reminiscent of 1980s video games and underground art.[5] The production involved a small in-house team of fewer than 15 full-time animators at Cartoon Network Studios, co-produced with Mirari Films, enabling quick turnaround times for animation—often completing episodes in weeks after months of story development.[1] Directed by creator Ben Jones, a founding member of the art collective Paper Rad, the series drew influences from classic limited animation like Roger Ramjet and Rocky and Bullwinkle, as well as Hanna-Barbera techniques, to prioritize timing, editing, and character-driven humor over fluid motion.[5] Key team members included supervising director Greg Miller, designers John Pham and Jon Vermilyea, and writers Michael Yank and Eric Kaplan, with Jones also handling voice direction, editing, and composing the lo-fi electronic scores.[5] Production for Season 1 began in earnest in June 2010, following earlier pilots, with the team enduring 14-hour workdays to meet the April 2011 premiere.[1] Season 2 entered production in mid-2012 but faced delays due to network feedback on the show's pacing and visual style, ultimately resulting in only eight episodes being completed and released online on Netflix on March 30, 2013, rather than broadcast.[10][11] The series comprises 26 eleven-minute episodes across two seasons (18 in Season 1 and 8 in Season 2), scripted for rapid, surreal problem-solving narratives that resolved in absurd, quick-paced ways.[12] Challenges during production included adapting the experimental aesthetic from Jones's Paper Rad roots to network standards, with initial criticism prompting attempts at style adjustments that were later abandoned to preserve the original vision.[5]Voice Cast
Main Roles
The main voice roles in The Problem Solverz were performed by a core cast whose performances shaped the series' eccentric and high-energy tone, with creator Ben Jones taking on dual leads to ensure alignment with his vision. Ben Jones, who created, directed, and edited the series, voiced both Alfe and Roba, allowing him to maintain tight creative control over the protagonists' portrayals.[5] His energetic delivery for Alfe emphasized the character's impulsive enthusiasm, while Roba's nasal, anxious tone highlighted the cyborg's neurotic tendencies.[13][14] Kyle Kaplan provided the voice for Horace, using a calm, sophisticated British accent that contrasted sharply with the chaotic duo and reinforced the character's role as the team's composed leader.[13][4] John DiMaggio voiced Tux Dog, the affluent canine ally and occasional narrator, employing his signature deep and authoritative timbre to add weight and narration flair to the proceedings.[13][14]Recurring and Guest Roles
The recurring voice cast for The Problem Solverz featured actors who portrayed supporting characters such as family members, teachers, and recurring villains, contributing to the series' ensemble dynamic alongside the main leads. Pamela Adlon voiced Sweetie Creame, a client who enlists the team to stop her father in "The Mayan Ice Cream Caper," as well as other characters like Danny in "Firsts."[15] Eric Bauza voiced multiple supporting roles, including the dim-witted Dork Face in two episodes, adding comedic sidekick energy to various problem-solving scenarios. Jaleel White recurred as the malfunctioning robot K-999 across three episodes, serving as a rival detective who often complicated the protagonists' cases. George Takei lent his distinctive voice to Mr. Konishi, a stern authority figure and occasional narrator, in three episodes such as "Videogamez", bringing gravitas to episodic conflicts. The series incorporated over 20 unique guest voices to inject celebrity flair and variety into its surreal, episodic humor, with guests typically cast as exaggerated antagonists, quirky clients, or one-off mentors that heightened the show's absurd problem-solving antics. Notable among them was Alia Shawkat, who voiced Laura, a young explorer ally, in the episode "K-999 and Da Little Explorez". Mark Hamill appeared in Season 2 as the villainous Badcat and the helpful Buddy Huxton, voicing roles in two episodes that emphasized the season's more experimental tone. Other prominent guests included Chris Parnell as various authority figures in single episodes, Grey DeLisle as characters like Candace in "Hide and Seek Ninjaz", Kath Soucie as Spiralina in multiple one-offs, and Kevin Michael Richardson in antagonistic parts across segments, each enhancing the episodic diversity without overshadowing the core team's bumbling style.Episodes
Series Overview
The Problem Solverz is an American animated television series created by Ben Jones, featuring a trio of bumbling detectives—Alfe, Roba, and Horace—who tackle bizarre mysteries in their town of Farboro through a mix of absurd humor and problem-solving antics.[2] The series comprises 26 eleven-minute episodes across two seasons, with episodes aired individually in 30-minute time slots on Cartoon Network for Season 1 and released as standalone shorts on Netflix for Season 2.[12][16] Development began around 2009 following the rejection of an initial pilot by Adult Swim, leading to production by Cartoon Network Studios in collaboration with Mirari Films from 2010 to 2012. Season 1 aired on Cartoon Network starting April 4, 2011, while Season 2 shifted to exclusive streaming release on Netflix in 2013.[17] The show's distinctive style originated from earlier shorts by Jones's collective Paper Rad, including the 2006 segment "Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy" featured on their DVD Trash Talking, which introduced the core characters in a primitive form.[18] Preceding the full series, a 2010 pilot titled "Neon Knome" tested the concept, depicting the team's chaotic forest adventure against a giant rollerblade.[19] Throughout its episodes, the Problem Solverz maintain an absurd dynamic where their unorthodox methods often exacerbate the issues they aim to resolve, blending comedy with light mystery elements without delving into serialized narratives.[2]Pilot and Early Shorts
The unaired pilot episode of The Problem Solverz, titled "Neon Knome," was produced in 2007 as an 11-minute animated short by Ben Jones in collaboration with PFFR Productions and Williams Street.[19][1] The pilot introduced early iterations of the core characters—Alfe, a pizza-obsessed dog-man-anteater hybrid; Roba, a neurotic robot-human cyborg; and Horace, their level-headed human companion—as they confront a giant rollerblade that appears in their yard, leading to a chaotic adventure in the forest.[1][19] Originally pitched to Adult Swim as a late-night program, the pilot was redirected to Cartoon Network after Adult Swim passed on it, prompting Jones to refine the concept for a broader audience while retaining its eccentric core.[1] Prior to the pilot, Jones developed the characters through a series of independent shorts and web-based vignettes as part of his work with the art collective Paper Rad. In 2001, following the closure of a Providence, Rhode Island, gallery space where Paper Rad had exhibited, Jones launched the website Alfe.net, featuring Adobe Flash animations and comic-style segments centered on Alfe's misadventures in a lo-fi, hand-drawn world.[1] These early pieces, often shared via the Paper Rad site (paperrad.org), emphasized absurd humor and rudimentary aesthetics inspired by 1990s internet culture and zine art. By 2004, Jones expanded the roster with shorts introducing Roba, depicted in vignette format exploring themes of anxiety and invention, further solidifying the trio's dynamic before Horace's full integration.[20] One notable pre-pilot short, "Gone Cabin Carzy" (circa 2006), presented the group in a mock TV pilot style, parodying cabin getaway tropes amid chaotic problem-solving.[21] These early works and the "Neon Knome" pilot served as essential proofs-of-concept, honing the series' signature crude animation, vibrant color palette, and surreal comedy rooted in Jones' fine art background. Originating from his college-era experiments and Paper Rad collaborations, they bridged underground web art to broadcast television, paving the way for the full series greenlight in 2010.[9][1]Season 1 (2011)
Season 1 of The Problem Solverz premiered on Cartoon Network on April 4, 2011, and concluded on September 29, 2011, comprising 18 eleven-minute episodes. The season establishes the core team of Alfe, Roba, and Horace as unconventional detectives tackling absurd mysteries in the eccentric town of Farboro, highlighting their contrasting personalities—Alfe's impulsive enthusiasm, Roba's tech-savvy caution, and Horace's logical approach—while introducing the show's distinctive low-fi aesthetic and surreal problem-solving methods. Through these early cases, the narrative builds the world of Farboro, a bizarre urban landscape filled with quirky inventions and supernatural elements, setting the foundation for the team's collaborative yet chaotic dynamic.[2] The episodes focus on self-contained stories that blend humor, action, and visual experimentation, often drawing from pop culture tropes like video games, vampires, and time travel. Guest voices appeared sporadically, including contributions from series regulars in expanded roles. Below is a list of the episodes with their titles, air dates, and synopses.| No. | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time Twister | April 4, 2011 | An elementary school class mysteriously ages decades after riding a time-traveling roller coaster, prompting the team to investigate the ride's malfunctioning physics.[22] |
| 2 | Videogamez | April 11, 2011 | Horace becomes addicted to a new video game called "Tomb of Nefertari," leading the Solverz to infiltrate the game's world to break the cycle of obsession.[22] |
| 3 | K-999 and Da Little Explorerz | April 18, 2011 | The team rescues a lost robot explorer in a dangerous urban jungle.[22] |
| 4 | Awesome Banditz | April 25, 2011 | The Solverz stop a gang of musical thieves who use rock concerts to commit heists in Farboro's stores.[22] |
| 5 | Funny Facez | May 2, 2011 | The Solverz probe the theft of a funny-face artist's unique photographs, uncovering a plot to control laughter in Farboro.[22] |
| 6 | Hide and Seek Ninjaz | May 9, 2011 | The team tracks elusive ninja pranksters disrupting the city with endless games of hide-and-seek.[22] |
| 7 | The Disappearing Cheese | May 16, 2011 | Mysterious vanishings plague a dairy factory, revealing a rival's sabotage.[16] |
| 8 | The Mayan Ice Cream Caper | May 23, 2011 | The team defends an ice cream empire from ancient curses tied to a Mayan artifact.[16] |
| 9 | Fauxboro | May 30, 2011 | The team wakes to a warped version of their town, caused by a reality-altering device.[22] |
| 10 | Magic Clock | June 6, 2011 | An enchanted timepiece causes chaotic loops, forcing the Solverz to reset Farboro's timeline.[22] |
| 11 | Breakfast Wars | August 25, 2011 | The team battles rival chefs over Farboro's ultimate pancake recipe.[16] |
| 12 | Zoo Cops | September 1, 2011 | The Solverz liberate escaped animals from a corrupt zoo run by poachers.[16] |
| 13 | Tux Dog | September 8, 2011 | The Solverz aid a sophisticated dog detective to solve a high-society jewel theft.[16] |
| 14 | Trouble in Paradise | September 15, 2011 | The team investigates environmental disasters threatening a luxury resort on a tropical island.[16] |
| 15 | Puffy Puppiez | September 22, 2011 | The team investigates why adorable puppies are causing citywide chaos.[22] |
| 16 | Glam-Vampire Hunterz | September 29, 2011 | The Solverz battle stylish vampires infesting Farboro's nightlife scene.[22] |
| 17 | The Wrong Side of the Stacks | September 29, 2011 | A library heist where rare books come alive, trapping patrons in fictional worlds.[16] |
| 18 | Mermaid Raid | September 29, 2011 | The Solverz dive into a watery conspiracy involving kidnapped mermaids and porpoise smugglers.[16] |
Season 2 (2013)
Season 2 of The Problem Solverz comprised eight short episodes, released simultaneously and exclusively on Netflix on March 30, 2013. This streaming-only distribution marked a shift from the first season's linear television broadcast on Cartoon Network, resulting in reduced visibility and promotion for the series, often described as a "burn-off" of the content. The episodes maintained the show's signature chaotic humor and problem-solving antics but featured a slightly refined animation style in most installments—smoother line work and subtle enhancements—while preserving the core experimental, collage-like aesthetic that had drawn consistent criticism for its jarring visuals. The season's production had been delayed from an initial 2012 target due to the first season's poor reception and low ratings. With a total runtime across the eight segments emphasizing absurd, self-contained stories, the episodes explored themes of personal mishaps, identity crises, and bizarre social dynamics among the Problem Solverz trio in Farboro. Specific examples include a video game developer's disruptive houseguest scenario and Alfe's ill-fated attempt at leadership. The episodes are listed below:- Making of The Problem Solverz Video Game: Mr. Konishi, a video game developer, is kicked out of his home by his wife and moves in with the Problem Solverz, promising to create a game based on their adventures.[23]
- Alfe Is Da Boss: Alfe takes charge of the team but struggles to lead effectively in their problem-solving efforts.[11]
- Roba Has Dreadlocks: Roba experiments with a new hairstyle, leading to complications in the group's dynamics.[11]
- Alfe Has a Baby: Alfe deals with the unexpected responsibility of caring for what he believes is his baby.[11]
- Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing It Up: The team encounters a group of overly enthusiastic performers causing chaos in town.[11]
- Yogurt Nights: The Problem Solverz navigate a nighttime obsession with yogurt that spirals into a larger mystery.[24]
- Super Close TV Watching: Horace's extreme proximity to the television creates problems for the household and beyond.[25]
- Alfe's Gonna Run Away: Alfe contemplates leaving the team after a series of frustrations with his partners.[25]