Downtown is an animated series on MTV on urban life, based on interviews with real people. The show follows a diverse and multiracial cast who live in New York City, and presents their everyday lives through quirky, humorous, and imaginative perspectives from the characters. It was created by Chris Prynoski, a former animator on Beavis and Butt-Head and produced by David McGrath. In 2000, Downtown was nominated for an Emmy in the category of outstanding animated program.
Downtown faced a similar fate to many of MTV's other cartoons - it only lasted one season. The use of an original score rather than licensed music makes a sanctioned DVD release unlikely.
Some of the show's staff have gone on to work on the action animated series Megas XLR, which uses the same quirky humor found in Downtown as well as the character Goat, reprised by Scott Rienecker.
Best Episodes of Downtown
Insomnia
S1 Ep4
7.9
24th Aug 1999
Chaka arranges for Alex to share a dinner of slugs with the exotic Goth girl, Serena. Alex's overwhelming anxiety leads to night after night of insomnia. In the end, it's all worth it when he has an unexpected late-night encounter with his dream girl.
The Con
S1 Ep5
7.8
31st Aug 1999
Alex attends a Horror Con, where he is torn between his wish to impress Serena and his geeky, toy-collecting inclinations.
Trip or Treat
S1 Ep13
7.7
8th Nov 1999
Alex finally gets up the nerve to ask Serena out, but when she decides to drop the Goth look, Alex must deal with the question: does he really like her or her outfit?
Train Pain
S1 Ep2
7.5
10th Aug 1999
Chaka and Mecca challenge Fruity and Matt to a battle-of-the-sexes subway race. Meanwhile, Alex and Jen's competitive board game play results in a big blowup.
Worst Episodes of Downtown
Cropsey Clanners
S1 Ep12
6.9
1st Nov 1999
Alex, Jen, Chaka and Mecca take a trip to rural New Jersey. The car breaks down in the woods, close to where the infamous Cropsey Clanners are said to live.
Testing
S1 Ep9
7.0
5th Oct 1999
Alex, Fruity and Goat take part in a research study. Goat becomes extremely paranoid and Alex's high score leads him to question his non-ambition.
Hotel Bar
S1 Ep7
7.1
14th Sep 1999
Jen accompanies her gold-digging roommate to a fancy hotel bar, while Alex and Goat go cruising for chicks. All involved get more than they bargained for.
Graffiti
S1 Ep6
7.2
7th Sep 1999
A subway line fire creates an irresistible opportunity for Matt to tag the stalled trains. Fruity and Chaka tag along and their friendship is tested.
Downtown Episode Guide
Sin Bin
S1 Ep1
7.3
3rd Aug 1999
Alex moves into his own apartment, which turns out to be a total dump. When a young punk steals the moving van, Chaka is determined to get it back.
Train Pain
S1 Ep2
7.5
10th Aug 1999
Chaka and Mecca challenge Fruity and Matt to a battle-of-the-sexes subway race. Meanwhile, Alex and Jen's competitive board game play results in a big blowup.
Hot Spot
S1 Ep3
7.2
17th Aug 1999
A trendy new club replaces a dive bar on the ground floor of Alex's building. Chaka is thrilled, but Alex and Jen are appalled and try to shut the place down.
Insomnia
S1 Ep4
7.9
24th Aug 1999
Chaka arranges for Alex to share a dinner of slugs with the exotic Goth girl, Serena. Alex's overwhelming anxiety leads to night after night of insomnia. In the end, it's all worth it when he has an unexpected late-night encounter with his dream girl.
The Con
S1 Ep5
7.8
31st Aug 1999
Alex attends a Horror Con, where he is torn between his wish to impress Serena and his geeky, toy-collecting inclinations.
Graffiti
S1 Ep6
7.2
7th Sep 1999
A subway line fire creates an irresistible opportunity for Matt to tag the stalled trains. Fruity and Chaka tag along and their friendship is tested.
Hotel Bar
S1 Ep7
7.1
14th Sep 1999
Jen accompanies her gold-digging roommate to a fancy hotel bar, while Alex and Goat go cruising for chicks. All involved get more than they bargained for.
Limo
S1 Ep8
7.2
28th Sep 1999
Jen impulsively rents a stretch limo for the night and takes Alex along for a ride chock full of sexual tension. Chaka is pursued by Fruity's nasty ex-girlfriend Patty, the meanest Catholic school-girl in town.
Testing
S1 Ep9
7.0
5th Oct 1999
Alex, Fruity and Goat take part in a research study. Goat becomes extremely paranoid and Alex's high score leads him to question his non-ambition.
Night Shift
S1 Ep10
7.3
18th Oct 1999
Jen is sick of Alex's fixation on Serena and tells him so. But despite her supposed indifference, Jen ends up stalking Serena herself.
Before and After
S1 Ep11
7.2
25th Oct 1999
A set of extremely embarassing photos of Chaka are lost and she must retrieve them. Alex's apartment cleaning results in his secrets being revealed to the public.
Cropsey Clanners
S1 Ep12
6.9
1st Nov 1999
Alex, Jen, Chaka and Mecca take a trip to rural New Jersey. The car breaks down in the woods, close to where the infamous Cropsey Clanners are said to live.
Trip or Treat
S1 Ep13
7.7
8th Nov 1999
Alex finally gets up the nerve to ask Serena out, but when she decides to drop the Goth look, Alex must deal with the question: does he really like her or her outfit?
