"Goode Family" going green: Mike Judge's new show
Meet 'The Goode Family'. Mike Judge and the people behind 'Beavis and Butthead' and 'King of the Hill' are going green with their new animated series for ABC. We interviewed co-creator John Altschuler on what makes 'The Goode Family' a good family.
By Meredith DarlingtonWed, May 27 2009 at 8:30 AM EST
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11 questions about the Goode family:
1. When did you first come up with the concept? Because the timing for "The Goode Family" seems perfect right now.
The Goode family tries so hard to be good. They compost, recycle, drive a hybrid car and, according to Helen Goode, just want to call minorities by their right names.
2. I know that the Goode family is trying to figure it all out. What makes them good?
Helen's father Charlie, voiced by Brian Doyle-Murray, is the foil to her "What would Al Gore do?" outlook.
3. How would you describe each one of the characters on "The Goode Family"?
The Goodes from left to right: Gerald the college administrator, Helen the community activist, Ubuntu the adopted South African son, Bliss the somewhat normal teenager often embarrassed by her parents and Che the vegan dog.
4. When you were casting for "The Goode Family", aside from Mike Judge I'm guessing, did you have anyone in mind?
The voices behind the Goodes. Top left: Mike Judge. Top right: Nancy Carrell. Bottom left: David Herman. Bottom right: Linda Cardellini.
5. And aside just from real life experiences, did you have to do any green research for this new Mike Judge show?
Helen experiences what happens more often than not at the grocery store checkout: forgetting her eco-friendly bags at home.
6. The Goodes, they obviously live in a college town because that's where Gerald works. Do we know what the town is?
The Goodes live in an anonymous Midwestern state in a town called Greenville where football reigns. When Ubuntu joins the team, the Goodes try to keep an open mind.
7. What kind of situations can we expect to find the Goodes in this season?
Bliss tries to help with her mother's animal rescue mission gone awry. While trying to place animals into homes, they encounter an animal rights group that believes animals should not be kept as pets.
8. Are you hoping that your viewers are going to be empowered by the Goodes? Are they going to think the Goodes are really extreme?
Altschuler believes that viewers will find relief in the Goodes. He hopes they will be welcomed as a family just trying to do what they can to help the Earth.
9. Did you always picture "The Goode Family" as being animated?
The creators always envisioned "The Goode Family" as an animated show, particularly to accomodate Che's character, the starving vegan dog.
10. Is there anything else you want to tell people about the premiere of "The Goode Family"?
The Goodes are the heroes of the show. Although Altschuler admits to making fun of the Goodes, he hopes viewers will understand that he sees them as a family trying to do its best.
11. Do you personally have any green tips?
A green tip from the Goodes is to shower with collected rainwater. Altschuler's green tip proves to be a little more manageable.
John Altschuler, co-creator and executive producer of "The Goode Family," was also an executive producer on "King of the Hill" and a writer on the film "Blades of Glory."
New Mike Judge show sneak preview: 'The Goode Family':
Want more celeb news?
- Stephen Colbert gets eco-friendly ringtone
- Cast of new Terminator movie goes green
- American Idol's Adam Lambert loves his hybrid
(All show photos courtesy of ABC. Altschuler photo courtesy of Nick Conti.)
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Comments
Guest
06/15/2010 03:05 AM
I don't know what ur problem is are u naive???? This new show is great n if u don't like it its because ull full of sh** in ur head!!!!"
Matt Hartley
01/22/2010 00:42 AM
I don't understand how Mike Judge goes from producing an awesome show like King of The Hill, to this tree huggin nonsense. I'm 20 years old, and like any other guy, I grew up with a favorite TV show, mine was King of the Hill, just a TV show, yeah... big deal? no, but I'm confused. LOL good luck with the show.
karoli.kuns
05/28/2009 15:48 PM
Snarky, backhanded ridicule of people who dare to care. That's my review in one sentence or less. Worse yet, it wasn't even funny. It was just...snarky and full of one-dimensional stereotypes. I liked King of the Hill because it was downright funny and outlandish. The Goode Family doesn't even come close.
It was insulting to my intelligence.
Matt Hartley
01/22/2010 00:46 AM
Totally agree with you, this show is garbage compared to King of the Hill, KOTH was hilarious, and still kept itself in check morally. Too many TV shows are messed up as is, so this is a big dissapointment from Judge.
Guest
05/28/2009 22:29 PM
People who dare to care or people who are dumb enough to get wrapped up in this nonsense which you call a green movement. There is NO GLOBAL WARMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It simply cannot be proven with scientific evidence. The Earth is warming, the Earth is cooling. Oh my God, lets shut down our economy in the name of being green. Just to let you know, if you believe in something regardless whether it proves your position or not, it is called religion! Your religion is global warming! You can't.... More
Grym Reiper
05/28/2009 14:47 PM
The Goode Family?
No, This show should have been called The Van Driessen Family.
Just couldn't resist dipping into B&B Huh Mike.
Hell, The Dad Even Sounds like Mr. Van Driessen.
And FAR From funny... Total Fail.
C-note
05/27/2009 15:40 PM
This is a show that lampoons, not celebrates environmentalism.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405297020377190457418044235445768...
Tony C
05/27/2009 14:34 PM
A little hesitant on "looking forward" to "The Goode Family" but I'll give it a fair shake given Mike Judge's track record.
And it's Brian Doyle-Murray (as in Bill Murray's older brother), not Murphy
medarlington
05/27/2009 16:06 PM
for catching the spelling error. Brian Doyle-Murray's name has been corrected.
Anonymous
05/27/2009 14:27 PM
The Good Life (1975 TV series)
On his 40th birthday, Tom Good gives up his job as a draughtsman in a company that makes plastic toys for breakfast cereal packets as he is no longer able to take his job seriously. Their house is fully paid for, so he and his wife Barbara make a decision to live a sustainable, simple and self-sufficient lifestyle while staying in their beloved home in The Avenue, Surbiton. In pursuit of this good life, they dig up their front and back gardens and.... More
Johnny Sacks
05/27/2009 13:33 PM
The guy is amazing. Anything he touches turns to gold!
Anonymous
05/27/2009 13:28 PM
The dad looks exactly like Peggy Hill, the mom looks like the Hill's next-door neighbor, the son looks just like Bobby, and even the dog looks similar. The family is darn close to being the Hill family but democrat.
The concept would have been funny last season, when "going green" was worth parodying, but for next season, it just seems late.
The only refreshing thing I see is Linda Cardellini, but its hardly redeeming enough for me to bother watching.
Sam Hall
05/27/2009 12:09 PM
I hope The Goode Family is funnier than most Mike Judge shows. It's not that they're bad, they're just boring. The best Simpsons and South Park episodes are full of clever jokes, but King of the Hill puts me to sleep.
ali
05/27/2009 10:38 AM
About time another Mike Judge show got on air! Can't wait- thanks for the sneak preview!
Laura
05/27/2009 10:15 AM
mike judge is awesome. this show seems kind of like a ripoff...just a weird, green version of king of the hill...but i'd definitely watch at least one episode just to see what it's all about. american dad is just a weird version of family guy, IMO, but i still enjoy it..so maybe this will be the same way
jim stevens
05/27/2009 10:14 AM
The Goode family video/show series is gonna be great if its predecessor, Beavis and Butthead is any indication. We need more funny and engaging shows that give GREEN the right personality.
ecpdancer
05/27/2009 10:12 AM
Thanks for putting up the audio along with the story and the sneak preview. I can't wait - love Mike Judge!!!
erin.p.fielding
05/27/2009 10:10 AM
I've never watched King of the Hill but some of my friends that have a similar sense of humor keep telling me to watch it. So I know this show will be great - sort of a self-mockery but also hopefully will teach some green truth.
nancy
05/27/2009 10:06 AM
if it's as good as king of the hill, i'll watch it. trust in mike judge
Mambuju O'Malley
05/27/2009 09:56 AM
cross your fingers beavis and butthead make a cameo as litterbugs
Grey Garvin
05/27/2009 09:55 AM
Some memorable Hank Hill quotes :
(referring to Ronald Reagan)
I miss voting for that man
After a day of fishing, he exults, "I caught more fish today than I did in the '80s, and those were the Reagan years."
Elizabeth
05/27/2009 09:53 AM
Though I'll miss Mike Judge as Hank on "King of the Hill," I look forward to hearing him as Gerald on "The Goode Family." I hope it's just as funny (if not more of course)!
Sean Roberts
05/27/2009 09:47 AM
This should produce a few giggles. (The dog might just steal all the scenes.)
Jennifer
05/27/2009 09:44 AM
We just went to a green house too! This is great that the creators are getting in on the trend.
David Lombardo
05/27/2009 09:43 AM
...that this show isn't as "good" as "funny" as "satirical" as King of the Hill. But here's the thing...that show weren't particularly funny at first either. Beavis and Butthead was a bit rocky as well. Give the guy a chance to get into the groove (plus, his animation skills are awesome!)
Doris S. Smith
05/27/2009 09:35 AM
The Goode Family on being a good family. Simple yet effective play on words. l look forward to watching. Hope it's good.
Dave
05/27/2009 09:34 AM
I can't wait to see the new Mike Judge show
