Human Giant


Human Giant is a sketch comedy show, starring writer/performers Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer, and directed primarily by Jason Woliner. The show ran for two seasons on MTV. In interviews, the group has mentioned that they were offered a third season by MTV but were unable to complete it due to Ansari's commitments to the hit NBC show Parks and Recreation, while Ansari mentioned on Howard Stern that the show's end was more because it is hard to keep a sketch show consistently funny over several seasons. However, the group has stated that MTV has left the door open for the group to complete a third season at a later date or to produce a special for the network. In 2010, Ansari, Huebel and Scheer reunited to do a skit for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.
In November 2008, The Hollywood Reporter noted the group was developing a feature film with Red Hour Productions, the production company run by Ben Stiller and producer Stuart Cornfeld.

Premise

The show, which premiered on April 5, 2007, consists of short humorous videos. Some of the clips were first seen online such as "Shutterbugs", as part of Channel 101 NY, "Clell Tickle: Indie Marketing Guru", "The Illusionators" and an unaired skit called "Other Music". Human Giant has also gained a large audience in the New York City comedy scene through live shows at the Upright Citizens Brigade and their weekly comedy show, Crash Test.
The show closed out a Thursday night "10 Spot" line-up for MTV, which also included Pimp My Ride, Short Circuitz, and Adventures in Hollyhood, ending with Human Giant. The line-up started at 9 PM and ended at 11 PM.

Episodes

Season 1

This skit was removed from the season one DVD.
These skits were edited for the season one DVD.
Added for the season one DVD.

Season 2

The group began working on Human Giant Season 2 at the end of August, 2007. Season 2 premiered on March 11, 2008 and ran for 6 episodes. The season finale premiered April 15, 2008.
#Episode titleSketches
201"Duffel Bag of Death"
  • Paul's Grandma
  • Viral Videos
  • Shutterbugs: Kiditentiary
  • CrimeTime
  • Illusionators: We're Sorry
  • Car Accident
202"I'm Gonna Live Forever!"
  • Sketch Artist
  • Will Arnett Sex Tape
  • Carpet Monkey
  • T-shirt Squad
  • Lesson Van
  • Sci-Fi Make Up
  • Lesson Van
    • 203"Respect. Honor. Discipline"
  • Proposition
  • Kicking Cameras
  • Illusionators: We're Sorry
  • Kicking Cameras
  • Hot Air Balloon Patrol
  • Foley Artist
  • Illusionators: We're Sorry
  • Bozard and the BBQ Boys
  • Bozard and the BBQ Boys
    • 204"I Want More Corn Chowder"
  • Bloody Reminder
  • Shutterbugs: Kiditentiary
  • Thunderblast
  • Corn Chowder
  • Invisible Man
  • Corn Chowder
  • Mr. Clowny
  • Corn Chowder
    • 205Still Here, Man. Still Here.
  • Pinatas
  • Top 10 CD's
  • Shutterbugs: Kiditentiary
  • Gas Guzzlers
  • Tub of Ice
  • Nightmare Lawyer
  • Shutterbugs: Kiditentiary
    • 206"She Be a Witch"
  • Montana Meth
  • Osama Bin Diesel
  • Sci-Fi Make Up
  • Rise to the Challenge
  • Court TV - Acting Reel
  • Osama Bin Diesel
  • Illusionators: Camera Trick

    • 24-hour marathon

    The cast of Human Giant were on-air on MTV and MTV2 for a twenty-four-hour period between noon on Friday, May 18, 2007 to noon on Saturday, May 19, 2007, broadcasting from MTV's Times Square studio, during which time they were given free rein to perform skits, bring in guests, and air clips from classic MTV series like “Remote Control” and “The State”. The ostensible premise of the "marathon" was that their show would be given a second season if they could get a million hits on their website during that time. Notable guests stopping by included Albert Hammond Jr., Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, and Jorma Taccone from Saturday Night Live, Will Arnett and Michael Cera from Arrested Development, John Krasinski, Bob Odenkirk, Michael Showalter, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Ted Leo, Corn Mo, Todd Barry, Matt Higgins, Zach Galifianakis, Morningwood, Mastodon, Tapes 'n Tapes, The National, Tim and Eric, Tegan and Sara, and others.

    Reunion

    In late May 2010, troupe member Aziz Ansari announced on his website that he and fellow members Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer and Jason Woliner had filmed a brand new sketch for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, which Ansari was scheduled to host. Ansari mentioned that it would be a Human Giant reunion of sorts, the first time they filmed a new sketch together as a sketch group since the series ended.
    The sketch was called "Stunt Kidz", which consisted of Huebel and Ansari's Shutterbugs characters, now owners of a child stunt agency where little children act as stunt men for dangerous scenes and end up injured in several occasions. Scheer acts as a director who employs Huebel and Ansari.

    DVD releases

    The first season of Human Giant was released on March 4, 2008, one week ahead of the season two premiere on March 11. It was released in a two-disc set. Disc one features all eight episodes and commentary tracks on all episodes with special guests calling-in or with the cast in the commentary room. Disc two features highlights from the 24-hour marathon, deleted and alternate scenes, un-aired sketches, sneak previews for season two, early footage with Aziz, Rob and Paul, and a compilation clip.

    Credited consultants

    The core writing team consists of Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer, Jason Woliner and executive producer Tom Gianas. The following people have, at one point, also worked as consultants on the show: