March 1, 2007
mr. hell on dvd
[UPDATE: “Mr Hell’s Science”. A six-minute cartoon sketch on YouTube.]
In the early ‘nineties, I created a cartoon character on the back of a napkin called “Mr Hell”.
Think “Evil Hugh MacLeod with all the nice bits removed” and, well, you get the idea.
By 2000, thanks mostly to the intrepid efforts of my TV director pal, David Freedman and his writing partner, Alan Gilbey, our little red friend ended up as an animated sketch series on the BBC. With Bob Monkhouse as the voice of my alter ego, imagine that!
The entire series of 13 half hour shows is now available on DVD. Very cool.
[Bonus Links:]
1. Shameless Mr Hell DVD plug/article on Fangoria:
The cult British animation AAAGH! IT’S THE MR. HELL SHOW! is finally being released on DVD in its home country next month, after seven years in legal limbo. Commissioned by the BBC as the world’s first primetime animated sketch show, the series was buried in the schedules when the executives saw how violent it was. With an average of 19 onscreen deaths in each of its half-hour episodes, MR. HELL is believed to be the most violent and bloodsoaked cartoon ever broadcast on mainstream television.”
2. Mr. Hell Wikipedia entry.
"Hugh's Daily Cartoon" Newsletter.
A new cartoon sent out every weekday morning to your inbox [RSS version here.].
A wee chuckle to start your day off right etc.
AHHH! HUGH! I had no idea that YOU were behind that — one of my most beloved shows of all-time! Neato!
Congratulations on the DVD release — it’ll be making itself at home with me shortly. Yay!
Wait! Isn’t the Microsoft Blue Demon just Mr. Hell in blue make-up?
Hmmmm.….
Rock on. I’ve been wanting to see this for ages…
Congrats on the DVD release! I loved Mr Hell.
PS. It’s only a shameless plug when the thing you’re plugging ain’t worth it.
Think of them as second cousins, Stephen
Different parts of the same alter-ego etc.
OMG you created Mr Hell!!!!
respec’ yo
Hey Hugh,
Why don’t you make more Mr Hell? They are great.
Hugh,
Even more than a genius than we realised! Mr Hell is the absolute business.
It was YOU!!
Great news!!
You created Mr Hell!
You are a sick sordid puppy.
So am I. I loved this show… thanks!