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{{Infobox Television Film |
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| bgcolour = |
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| name = Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog |
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| image = [[Image:Doctor Horrible Banner.jpg|250px]] |
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| caption = Promotional image |
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| format = [[Tragedy]]<br />[[Comedy]]<br />[[Musical film|Musical]] |
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| runtime = 43 min. (approx.) |
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| creator = [[Joss Whedon]]<br />Jed Whedon<br />Zack Whedon<br />Maurissa Tancharoen |
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| director = [[Joss Whedon]] |
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| producer = [[David Burns]]<br />Michael Boretz |
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| copyright = Timescience Bloodclub, LLC |
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| writer = [[Joss Whedon]]<br />Jed Whedon<br />Zack Whedon<br />Maurissa Tancharoen |
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| starring = [[Neil Patrick Harris]]<br />[[Felicia Day]]<br />[[Nathan Fillion]]<br />[[Simon Helberg]] |
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| editing = [[Lisa Lassek]] |
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| music = [[Joss Whedon]]<br />Jed Whedon |
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| country = [[United States]] |
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| language = [[English language|English]] |
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| network = |
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| released = |
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| first_aired = [[July 15]], [[2008]] |
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| last_aired = [[July 20]], [[2008]] |
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| num_episodes = 3 |
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| preceded_by = |
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| followed_by = |
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| website = http://www.drhorrible.com |
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| imdb_id = 1227926 |
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| tv_com_id = 75926 |
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| amg_id = |
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}} |
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'''''Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog''''' is a 43-minute [[musical film]] produced exclusively for [[Internet]] distribution. It tells the story of Dr. Horrible, the aspiring [[supervillain]] alter ego of Billy; Captain Hammer, his nemesis; and Penny, their mutual love interest. The movie was written by writer/director [[Joss Whedon]], his brothers Zack Whedon (a television writer) and Jed Whedon (a composer), and Jed's fiancée, actress Maurissa Tancharoen. The writing team penned the musical during the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike|WGA writers' strike]]. The idea was to create something small and inexpensive, yet professionally done, in a way that would circumvent the issues that were being protested during the strike.<ref name="Whedonesque-20080628">{{cite web|author = Joss Whedon | title = Comment on "Doctor Horrible website is live" | url=http://whedonesque.com/comments/16734#236716 |date=2008-06-28 |work= [[Whedonesque.com]] |accessdate=2008-06-28}}</ref><ref name="Roush-20080630">{{cite web |last=Roush |first=Matt |title= Exclusive: First Look at Joss Whedon's "Dr. Horrible" |url= http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Joss-Whedon-Dr/800042425 |work=Roush Dispatch |publisher= [[TV Guide]] |date= 2008-06-30 |accessdate= 2008-06-30}}</ref> |
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==Episodes== |
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''Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog'' consists of three acts of approximately 14 minutes each. They were first released online as individual episodes, with two day intervals between each release. |
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===Act I=== |
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Dr. Horrible is filming an entry for his [[blog]], giving updates on his schemes and responding to various emails from his viewers. When asked about the "her" that he often mentions, he launches into song about Penny, the girl he likes from the [[Self-service laundry|laundromat]] ("My Freeze Ray"). |
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The song is cut short by his friend Moist, who delivers a letter from Bad Horse, the leader of the Evil League of Evil. The letter informs Dr. Horrible that his application for entry into the League will be evaluated, and that they will be watching for his next heinous crime ("Bad Horse Chorus"). |
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The following day, Horrible prepares to steal a case of [[List of fictional elements, materials, isotopes and atomic particles|Wonderflonium]] for his time-stopping Freeze Ray by remotely commandeering the courier van. Penny happens to be on the same street ("Caring Hands"), and appears asking him to sign a petition to turn a city building into a homeless shelter. However, Horrible's distraction over configuring the remote control results in him appearing uninterested. As Penny leaves, Horrible is conflicted, but opts to steal the Wonderflonium, telling himself that 'A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do' ("A Man's Gotta Do"). |
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When Horrible begins the heist, Captain Hammer appears and destroys the remote control receiver, causing the van to veer towards Penny. Hammer pushes her out of the way (into a pile of garbage) just as Horrible regains control of the van and stops it. The two confront each other, but Penny emerges to thank Hammer, making him forget about attacking Dr. Horrible. As Hammer and Penny serenade each other, Horrible makes off with the Wonderflonium. |
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===Act II=== |
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Dr. Horrible stalks Penny and Captain Hammer on their dates; Horrible sings of the misery of the human condition, and Penny sings of hope and the possibility of redemption ("My Eyes"). Penny and Horrible (known to her as Billy) begin to talk openly as friends at the laundromat. |
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On his blog, Horrible reveals that his Freeze Ray has been completed, and that he plans to use it the next day. The following blog post reveals that he has failed, as Hammer and the [[Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] watch his posts, and they were ready for him. He then receives a phone call from Bad Horse and is reprimanded, saying that the only way to be inducted now is to commit an assassination ("Bad Horse Chorus (reprise)"). Horrible is conflicted and can't decide on a victim (or even if he wants to commit a murder at all). |
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While Billy chats with Penny over frozen yogurt about his problems ("Penny's Song"), Penny mentions that Captain Hammer is planning to drop by the laundromat. Billy panics and tries to leave, only to run into Hammer as he walks in. They feign ignorance on recognizing each other, but when Penny leaves them alone, Hammer taunts Horrible about his crush on Penny, happy to be "stealing" something else from Horrible. Horrible decides that he will kill Hammer. ("Brand New Day"). |
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===Act III=== |
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Los Angeles is abuzz with Captain Hammer's crusade to help the homeless; Penny ponders her relationship with Captain Hammer, waiting at the laundromat to share frozen yogurt with an absent Billy; and Dr. Horrible goes into self-imposed exile while constructing a Death Ray ("So They Say"). At the opening for the new shelter, Captain Hammer begins a speech praising the homeless but it degenerates into a praise of his own excellence and relationship with Penny ("Everyone's a Hero"). Penny tries to leave, but is interrupted by the appearance of Dr. Horrible. Captain Hammer is frozen by the Freeze Ray but Dr. Horrible hesitates when trying to kill him ("Slipping"), and the Freeze Ray unexpectedly fails. Hammer knocks him across the room, damaging the death ray. Horrible attempts to warn Hammer about the broken death ray, but Hammer disregards him. Hammer then turns the damaged death ray on Horrible, but it explodes in his hands as he attempts to fire. |
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Captain Hammer feels pain for the first time and flees as a gibbering wreck. Penny is hit by shrapnel and dies in Horrible's arms, deliriously reassuring him that Captain Hammer will save them. Horrible sings of triumphant victory to a tune with all the joy of a [[dirge]] as the credit he's given for both their fates catapults him into credible villainy. ("Everything You Ever") The final line begins "And I won't feel-" as Horrible, his white outfit replaced by a black-on-red one, takes up his position in the League. The picture cuts to Billy finishing "- a thing" in his civilian clothes, alone and haunted. |
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==Cast== |
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[[Image:Dr Horribles Singalong Blog cast.jpg|thumb|Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog cast members]] |
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*[[Neil Patrick Harris]] as "'''Billy / Dr. Horrible'''": A [[supervillain]] of the [[mad scientist]] variety with "a Ph.D in Horribleness". He desires to become a member of Bad Horse's Evil League of Evil and use his inventions to take over the world and enact social change for the betterment of humanity, whom he sees as ignorant to the problems of the world. As Billy, he struggles to make a romantic connection with Penny. |
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*[[Felicia Day]] as "'''Penny'''": Dr. Horrible's [[love interest]], whom he sees at the coin laundromat. She is idealistic and generous and volunteers for a homeless shelter. Her optimism clashes vividly with Billy's cynicism and [[misanthropy]]. |
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*[[Nathan Fillion]] as "'''Captain Hammer'''": Dr. Horrible's [[arch-nemesis]] / Corporate Tool, is a self-centered [[superhero]] possessing super-human strength. He enjoys harassing Dr. Horrible even when the situation does not warrant it. Ostensibly, Hammer is a superhero in the vein of [[Superman]], with shallow sensibilities and a skewed sense of heroism that goes largely unnoticed by the public. |
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*[[Simon Helberg]] as "'''Moist'''": Dr. Horrible's friend, who has the underwhelming ability to dampen things. Unlike Dr. Horrible, Moist is a member of the Henchman's Union. |
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Colleagues of Joss Whedon have [[cameo role]]s in the series. [[Marti Noxon]], a co-executive producer on ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', portrays a newsreader alongside ''Buffy'' writer [[David Fury]]. ''Buffy'' writers [[Doug Petrie]] and [[Drew Goddard]] cameo as supervillains Professor Normal and Fake [[Thomas Jefferson]]. Jed Whedon cameos both as a member of Bad Horse's chorus, and as the supervillain Dead [[David Bowie|Bowie]], while Maurissa Tancharoen plays a superhero/supervillain groupie as well as the background voice on "Everything You Ever". Jed, Joss, and Zack Whedon all provide the singing voices of Bad Horse's chorus. Members of the ''Dr. Horrible'' crew also play small roles. |
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==Production== |
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Whedon funded the project himself (in the "low six figures" according to [[National Public Radio|NPR]]),<ref>{{cite web |last=Sydell |first=Laura |title='Buffy' Creator Proves Doogie Howser Can Sing |url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92678153 |
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|date=2008-07-14|publisher=NPR|accessdate=2008-07-18}}</ref> and enjoyed the independence of acting as his own studio. “Freedom is glorious,” he comments. “And the fact is, I’ve had very good relationships with studios, and I’ve worked with a lot of smart executives. But there is a difference when you can just go ahead and do something.” As a web show, there were fewer constraints imposed on the project, and Whedon had the “freedom to just let the dictates of the story say how long it’s gonna be. We didn’t have to cram everything in—there is a lot in there—but we put in the amount of story that we wanted to and let the time work around that. We aimed for thirty minutes, we came out at forty two, and that’s not a problem.”<ref>{{cite web |last=Baldwin |first=Drew |title=Joss Whedon Interview: The Web Has Been Wonderful For “Horrible” |url=http://news.tubefilter.tv/2008/07/14/joss-whedon-interview-the-web-has-been-wonderful-for-horrible/ |date=2008-07-14|publisher=Tubefilter|accessdate=2008-07-14}}</ref> Some of the music was influenced by [[Stephen Sondheim|Sondheim]], among others.<ref name="JossNYM">{{cite web |last=Nussbaum |first=Emily |title=Joss Whedon on ‘Dr. Horrible,’ Stephen Sondheim, and Bad Horse |
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|url=http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/07/joss_whedon_on_dr_horrible_ste.html |date=2008-07-21|publisher=NY Magazine|accessdate=2008-07-23}}</ref> |
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A ''Captain Hammer (Nemesis of Dr. Horrible)'' online comic [[tie-in]] was also made available. It will be printed later this year in a [[Dark Horse Comics|Dark Horse]] Presents graphic novel.<ref name="Hammer Comic">{{cite web|title=Captain Hammer |url=http://www.myspace.com/darkhorsepresents?issuenum=12&storynum=2 |publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]] |accessdate=2008-08-06}}</ref> |
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===Recording Locations=== |
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''Dr. Horrible'' was recorded at a number of Los Angeles area locations: |
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*Songs were recorded in a small studio set up in Joss Whedon's loft.<ref>http://www.drhorrible.com/linernotes.html</ref> |
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*There are a number of photos posted in numerous places on the Web of the cast and crew taken at [http://www.dcstages.com/ DC Stages], 1360 East 6th Street (E. 6th at Mateo St.) in Los Angeles. |
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*The outdoor scenes featuring the Dr. Horrible "groupies" were recorded on East 6th Street near the northeast corner of E. 6th and S. Central Ave. in Los Angeles. |
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==Distribution== |
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Whedon says plans are being made to find a venue for the series that will enable it to earn its money back and pay the crew, with a first release on the Internet, then [[iTunes Store|iTunes]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Spelling |first=Ian |title=Whedon's Dr. Horrible Almost Done |url=http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=4&id=54390 |work=SCI FI Wire |publisher=SCI FI |date=2008-05-19 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> with a further release on [[DVD]], with some "amazing extras".<ref>{{cite web |last=Spelling |first=Ian |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/interviews/sfw18953.html |title=Joss Whedon offers a sneak peak at his brand-new Dollhouse |work=SCI FI Wire |publisher=SCI FI |date=2008-06-02 |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> |
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The musical's fansite launched in March 2008 despite the official site containing nothing more than a poster. The teaser trailer was released on the web three months later on [[June 25]], [[2008]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |title=Whedon’s 'Horrible' Trailer |url=http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/blink/2008/06/whedons_horrible_trailer.php| |work=Television Week: Blink |Publisher=Crain Communications Inc. |date=2008-06-25 |accessdate=2008-07-18}}</ref> |
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Episodes aired at the Official Dr. Horrible website, hosted on [[Hulu]] and were accessible internationally. The episodes are available on iTunes in Canada and the United States, and will be released on DVD at a later date.<ref name="Whedonesque-20080628"/><ref name="Roush-20080630"/> Planned DVD extras include ''Commentary!'', a musical commentary track with entirely new numbers performed by the cast and crew.<ref name="cinematical-20080701">{{cite web|last=Davis |first=Erick |title=Joss Whedon To Record First Ever Musical DVD Commentary |url=http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/01/joss-whedon-to-record-first-ever-musical-dvd-commentary/ |date=2008-07-01 |work=Cinematical |publisher=Weblogs Inc. |accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> Additionally, Jed Whedon announced during an interview at [[Comic-Con International]] that they will accept video entries from fans for the Evil League of Evil. The producers' ten favorite submissions will be added to the DVD.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Horrible Writers, Hot Zombie Love, ARG Mania |url=http://epicfu.com/2008/07/dr-horrible-writers-hot-zombie.html |publisher=[[Epic Fu]] |date=2008-07-31 |accessdate=2008-08-06}}</ref> [http://www.evilleagueofevil.com The Evil League of Evil] is now accepting applications. |
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On [[July 28]], [[2008]] the film became available again online for free viewing internationally, but has since been restricted to the United States only.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sharma |first=Arjun |title=‘Dr. Horrible’ Free Again on Hulu, Shortly After Fourth Part Confirmed |url=http://news.tubefilter.tv/2008/07/29/dr-horrible-free-again-on-hulu-shortly-after-fourth-part-confirmed/ |date=2008-07-29|publisher=Tubefilter|accessdate=2008-07-29}}</ref> |
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On [[October 10]], 2008 the first three acts were made available via iTunes for the UK and Australia. |
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==Events== |
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On August 29, 2008, the first authorized sing-along version of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog was hosted at [[Dragon*Con]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], with showings reaching standing-room-only capacity.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.pastemagazine.com/high_gravity/2008/08/dr-horrible-the-buffy-horror-picture-show.html | title = Dr. Horrible & The Buffy Horro Picture Show.| format = | work = | publisher = Paste Magazine| accessdate = 2008-08-31}}</ref> |
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==Soundtrack== |
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{{main|Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (soundtrack)}} |
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The musical contains 14 songs, including credits and reprises, but at the time of broadcast the song titles were not identified. The soundtrack was released through the [[iTunes Store]] on September 1, 2008<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | url = http://twitter.com/drhorrible/statuses/906450423| title = Lyrics and liner notes coming soon on our site. For now, let your ears enjoy the soundtrack on iTunes.| format = | work = | publisher = Dr. Horrible [[Twitter]]| accessdate = 2008-09-02}}</ref> and will be released on CD at a later date.<ref name="Maurissa">{{cite web|url=http://doctorhorrible.net/exclusive-jed-whedon-maurissa-tancharoen/151/|title=Exclusive Interview: Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen |date=2008-07-1|publisher=DoctorHorrible.net|accessdate=2008-07-20}}</ref> |
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Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Soundtrack made the top 40 Album list on release, despite being a digital exclusive only available on iTunes.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?f=The+Billboard+200&pageNumber=Top+11-50&g=Albums Billboard 200 chart] Issue Date: 2008-09-20</ref> |
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==Evil League of Evil Members== |
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*Bad Horse - Head of the Evil League of Evil, known for his Death Whinny |
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*Dead Bowie - Even decomposition runs in fear. |
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*Professor Normal - Not your friendly next door cyborg. |
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*Fake Thomas Jefferson - Writer of the Evil League of Evil Declaration of Destruction |
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*The Diatribes - The Queens of Slander |
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*Fury Leika - Proof that beauty can be deadly. |
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*Snake Bite - Her bite is way worse than her bark. |
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*Tie-Die - Retro evil is back and ready to get even. |
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*Dr. Horrible - The newest member of the Evil League of Evil, who has a Ph.D in Horribleness. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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{{wikiquote}} |
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*[http://www.drhorrible.com/ Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Official site] |
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*[http://www.hulu.com/watch/28343/dr-horribles-sing-along-blog Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Free Streaming on Hulu] |
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*[http://www.hulu.com/hd#9472211 Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog in HD Free Streaming on Hulu] |
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*[http://www.doctorhorrible.net/ Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Official fan site] |
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*[http://www.drhorrible.com/linernotes.html Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Lyrics] |
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*[http://www.evilleagueofevil.com The Evil League of Evil] |
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{{Joss Whedon}} |
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[[Category:2008 films]] |
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[[Category:Internet television series]] |
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[[Category:Films shot digitally]] |
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[[Category:Internet-based works]] |
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[[Category:Musical films]] |
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[[de:Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog]] |
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[[fr:Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog]] |
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Revision as of 06:07, 11 October 2008
| Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog | |
|---|---|
 Promotional image | |
| Created by | Joss Whedon Jed Whedon Zack Whedon Maurissa Tancharoen |
| Written by | Joss Whedon Jed Whedon Zack Whedon Maurissa Tancharoen |
| Directed by | Joss Whedon |
| Starring | Neil Patrick Harris Felicia Day Nathan Fillion Simon Helberg |
| Music by | Joss Whedon Jed Whedon |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 3 |
| Production | |
| Producers | David Burns Michael Boretz |
| Running time | 43 min. (approx.) |
| Original release | |
| Release | July 15, 2008 – July 20, 2008 |
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is a 43-minute musical film produced exclusively for Internet distribution. It tells the story of Dr. Horrible, the aspiring supervillain alter ego of Billy; Captain Hammer, his nemesis; and Penny, their mutual love interest. The movie was written by writer/director Joss Whedon, his brothers Zack Whedon (a television writer) and Jed Whedon (a composer), and Jed's fiancée, actress Maurissa Tancharoen. The writing team penned the musical during the WGA writers' strike. The idea was to create something small and inexpensive, yet professionally done, in a way that would circumvent the issues that were being protested during the strike.[1][2]
Episodes
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog consists of three acts of approximately 14 minutes each. They were first released online as individual episodes, with two day intervals between each release.
Act I
Dr. Horrible is filming an entry for his blog, giving updates on his schemes and responding to various emails from his viewers. When asked about the "her" that he often mentions, he launches into song about Penny, the girl he likes from the laundromat ("My Freeze Ray").
The song is cut short by his friend Moist, who delivers a letter from Bad Horse, the leader of the Evil League of Evil. The letter informs Dr. Horrible that his application for entry into the League will be evaluated, and that they will be watching for his next heinous crime ("Bad Horse Chorus").
The following day, Horrible prepares to steal a case of Wonderflonium for his time-stopping Freeze Ray by remotely commandeering the courier van. Penny happens to be on the same street ("Caring Hands"), and appears asking him to sign a petition to turn a city building into a homeless shelter. However, Horrible's distraction over configuring the remote control results in him appearing uninterested. As Penny leaves, Horrible is conflicted, but opts to steal the Wonderflonium, telling himself that 'A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do' ("A Man's Gotta Do").
When Horrible begins the heist, Captain Hammer appears and destroys the remote control receiver, causing the van to veer towards Penny. Hammer pushes her out of the way (into a pile of garbage) just as Horrible regains control of the van and stops it. The two confront each other, but Penny emerges to thank Hammer, making him forget about attacking Dr. Horrible. As Hammer and Penny serenade each other, Horrible makes off with the Wonderflonium.
Act II
Dr. Horrible stalks Penny and Captain Hammer on their dates; Horrible sings of the misery of the human condition, and Penny sings of hope and the possibility of redemption ("My Eyes"). Penny and Horrible (known to her as Billy) begin to talk openly as friends at the laundromat.
On his blog, Horrible reveals that his Freeze Ray has been completed, and that he plans to use it the next day. The following blog post reveals that he has failed, as Hammer and the LAPD watch his posts, and they were ready for him. He then receives a phone call from Bad Horse and is reprimanded, saying that the only way to be inducted now is to commit an assassination ("Bad Horse Chorus (reprise)"). Horrible is conflicted and can't decide on a victim (or even if he wants to commit a murder at all).
While Billy chats with Penny over frozen yogurt about his problems ("Penny's Song"), Penny mentions that Captain Hammer is planning to drop by the laundromat. Billy panics and tries to leave, only to run into Hammer as he walks in. They feign ignorance on recognizing each other, but when Penny leaves them alone, Hammer taunts Horrible about his crush on Penny, happy to be "stealing" something else from Horrible. Horrible decides that he will kill Hammer. ("Brand New Day").
Act III
Los Angeles is abuzz with Captain Hammer's crusade to help the homeless; Penny ponders her relationship with Captain Hammer, waiting at the laundromat to share frozen yogurt with an absent Billy; and Dr. Horrible goes into self-imposed exile while constructing a Death Ray ("So They Say"). At the opening for the new shelter, Captain Hammer begins a speech praising the homeless but it degenerates into a praise of his own excellence and relationship with Penny ("Everyone's a Hero"). Penny tries to leave, but is interrupted by the appearance of Dr. Horrible. Captain Hammer is frozen by the Freeze Ray but Dr. Horrible hesitates when trying to kill him ("Slipping"), and the Freeze Ray unexpectedly fails. Hammer knocks him across the room, damaging the death ray. Horrible attempts to warn Hammer about the broken death ray, but Hammer disregards him. Hammer then turns the damaged death ray on Horrible, but it explodes in his hands as he attempts to fire.
Captain Hammer feels pain for the first time and flees as a gibbering wreck. Penny is hit by shrapnel and dies in Horrible's arms, deliriously reassuring him that Captain Hammer will save them. Horrible sings of triumphant victory to a tune with all the joy of a dirge as the credit he's given for both their fates catapults him into credible villainy. ("Everything You Ever") The final line begins "And I won't feel-" as Horrible, his white outfit replaced by a black-on-red one, takes up his position in the League. The picture cuts to Billy finishing "- a thing" in his civilian clothes, alone and haunted.
Cast
- Neil Patrick Harris as "Billy / Dr. Horrible": A supervillain of the mad scientist variety with "a Ph.D in Horribleness". He desires to become a member of Bad Horse's Evil League of Evil and use his inventions to take over the world and enact social change for the betterment of humanity, whom he sees as ignorant to the problems of the world. As Billy, he struggles to make a romantic connection with Penny.
- Felicia Day as "Penny": Dr. Horrible's love interest, whom he sees at the coin laundromat. She is idealistic and generous and volunteers for a homeless shelter. Her optimism clashes vividly with Billy's cynicism and misanthropy.
- Nathan Fillion as "Captain Hammer": Dr. Horrible's arch-nemesis / Corporate Tool, is a self-centered superhero possessing super-human strength. He enjoys harassing Dr. Horrible even when the situation does not warrant it. Ostensibly, Hammer is a superhero in the vein of Superman, with shallow sensibilities and a skewed sense of heroism that goes largely unnoticed by the public.
- Simon Helberg as "Moist": Dr. Horrible's friend, who has the underwhelming ability to dampen things. Unlike Dr. Horrible, Moist is a member of the Henchman's Union.
Colleagues of Joss Whedon have cameo roles in the series. Marti Noxon, a co-executive producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, portrays a newsreader alongside Buffy writer David Fury. Buffy writers Doug Petrie and Drew Goddard cameo as supervillains Professor Normal and Fake Thomas Jefferson. Jed Whedon cameos both as a member of Bad Horse's chorus, and as the supervillain Dead Bowie, while Maurissa Tancharoen plays a superhero/supervillain groupie as well as the background voice on "Everything You Ever". Jed, Joss, and Zack Whedon all provide the singing voices of Bad Horse's chorus. Members of the Dr. Horrible crew also play small roles.
Production
Whedon funded the project himself (in the "low six figures" according to NPR),[3] and enjoyed the independence of acting as his own studio. “Freedom is glorious,” he comments. “And the fact is, I’ve had very good relationships with studios, and I’ve worked with a lot of smart executives. But there is a difference when you can just go ahead and do something.” As a web show, there were fewer constraints imposed on the project, and Whedon had the “freedom to just let the dictates of the story say how long it’s gonna be. We didn’t have to cram everything in—there is a lot in there—but we put in the amount of story that we wanted to and let the time work around that. We aimed for thirty minutes, we came out at forty two, and that’s not a problem.”[4] Some of the music was influenced by Sondheim, among others.[5]
A Captain Hammer (Nemesis of Dr. Horrible) online comic tie-in was also made available. It will be printed later this year in a Dark Horse Presents graphic novel.[6]
Recording Locations
Dr. Horrible was recorded at a number of Los Angeles area locations:
- Songs were recorded in a small studio set up in Joss Whedon's loft.[7]
- There are a number of photos posted in numerous places on the Web of the cast and crew taken at DC Stages, 1360 East 6th Street (E. 6th at Mateo St.) in Los Angeles.
- The outdoor scenes featuring the Dr. Horrible "groupies" were recorded on East 6th Street near the northeast corner of E. 6th and S. Central Ave. in Los Angeles.
Distribution
Whedon says plans are being made to find a venue for the series that will enable it to earn its money back and pay the crew, with a first release on the Internet, then iTunes[8] with a further release on DVD, with some "amazing extras".[9]
The musical's fansite launched in March 2008 despite the official site containing nothing more than a poster. The teaser trailer was released on the web three months later on June 25, 2008.[10]
Episodes aired at the Official Dr. Horrible website, hosted on Hulu and were accessible internationally. The episodes are available on iTunes in Canada and the United States, and will be released on DVD at a later date.[1][2] Planned DVD extras include Commentary!, a musical commentary track with entirely new numbers performed by the cast and crew.[11] Additionally, Jed Whedon announced during an interview at Comic-Con International that they will accept video entries from fans for the Evil League of Evil. The producers' ten favorite submissions will be added to the DVD.[12] The Evil League of Evil is now accepting applications.
On July 28, 2008 the film became available again online for free viewing internationally, but has since been restricted to the United States only.[13]
On October 10, 2008 the first three acts were made available via iTunes for the UK and Australia.
Events
On August 29, 2008, the first authorized sing-along version of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog was hosted at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia, with showings reaching standing-room-only capacity.[14]
Soundtrack
The musical contains 14 songs, including credits and reprises, but at the time of broadcast the song titles were not identified. The soundtrack was released through the iTunes Store on September 1, 2008[15] and will be released on CD at a later date.[16]
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Soundtrack made the top 40 Album list on release, despite being a digital exclusive only available on iTunes.[17]
Evil League of Evil Members
- Bad Horse - Head of the Evil League of Evil, known for his Death Whinny
- Dead Bowie - Even decomposition runs in fear.
- Professor Normal - Not your friendly next door cyborg.
- Fake Thomas Jefferson - Writer of the Evil League of Evil Declaration of Destruction
- The Diatribes - The Queens of Slander
- Fury Leika - Proof that beauty can be deadly.
- Snake Bite - Her bite is way worse than her bark.
- Tie-Die - Retro evil is back and ready to get even.
- Dr. Horrible - The newest member of the Evil League of Evil, who has a Ph.D in Horribleness.
References
- ^ a b Joss Whedon (2008-06-28). "Comment on "Doctor Horrible website is live"". Whedonesque.com. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
- ^ a b Roush, Matt (2008-06-30). "Exclusive: First Look at Joss Whedon's "Dr. Horrible"". Roush Dispatch. TV Guide. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
- ^ Sydell, Laura (2008-07-14). "'Buffy' Creator Proves Doogie Howser Can Sing". NPR. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ Baldwin, Drew (2008-07-14). "Joss Whedon Interview: The Web Has Been Wonderful For "Horrible"". Tubefilter. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ Nussbaum, Emily (2008-07-21). "Joss Whedon on 'Dr. Horrible,' Stephen Sondheim, and Bad Horse". NY Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
- ^ "Captain Hammer". Dark Horse Comics. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ http://www.drhorrible.com/linernotes.html
- ^ Spelling, Ian (2008-05-19). "Whedon's Dr. Horrible Almost Done". SCI FI Wire. SCI FI. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
- ^ Spelling, Ian (2008-06-02). "Joss Whedon offers a sneak peak at his brand-new Dollhouse". SCI FI Wire. SCI FI. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
- ^ Gelman, Vlada (2008-06-25). "Whedon's 'Horrible' Trailer". Television Week: Blink. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help); Unknown parameter|Publisher=ignored (|publisher=suggested) (help) - ^ Davis, Erick (2008-07-01). "Joss Whedon To Record First Ever Musical DVD Commentary". Cinematical. Weblogs Inc. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ^ "Dr. Horrible Writers, Hot Zombie Love, ARG Mania". Epic Fu. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ Sharma, Arjun (2008-07-29). "'Dr. Horrible' Free Again on Hulu, Shortly After Fourth Part Confirmed". Tubefilter. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ "Dr. Horrible & The Buffy Horro Picture Show". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ "Lyrics and liner notes coming soon on our site. For now, let your ears enjoy the soundtrack on iTunes". Dr. Horrible Twitter. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- ^ "Exclusive Interview: Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen". DoctorHorrible.net. 2008-07-1. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Billboard 200 chart Issue Date: 2008-09-20
External links
