Strangers with Candy (1999–2000)

A 46-year-old ex-drug addict returns to high school as a freshman.

Creators:

Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello, Amy Sedaris, Mitch Rouse

Stars:

Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, Greg Hollimon

Cast

Series cast summary:
Paul Dinello	...	Geoffrey Jellineck (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Stephen Colbert	...	Chuck Noblet (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Greg Hollimon	...	Principal Onyx Blackman (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Deborah Rush	...	Sara Blank (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Amy Sedaris	...	Jerri Blank (30 episodes, 1999-2000)
Larc Spies	...	Derrick Blank (28 episodes, 1999-2000)
Orlando Pabotoy	...	Orlando Pinatubo (22 episodes, 1999-2000)
Maria Thayer	...	Tammi Littlenut (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Sarah Thyre	...	Coach Cherri Wolf (13 episodes, 1999-2000)

Storyline

Jerri Blank is a 46-year-old "boozer, user and a loser" who tries to put her life back together again. The reformed runaway and addict returns to high school as a freshman, where she tries to fit in and act hip with girls 1/3 her age. Unfortunately, she hasn't quite shed her immoral background or acquired any ethics, and her bizarre family and frustrated schoolmates have trouble interacting with her.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | comedy troupe | teacher student relationship | satire | stupidity | 

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Taglines:

Doing things right....the second time around.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Comedy Central

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1999 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Comedy Central, Paramount Home Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min 22 min (30 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The characters Jerri Blank and Principal Blackman received their names from the script, but in a uncommon fashion. The script notes described the principal as a black man, and the writers had not yet come up with a last name for Jerri, so they left a blank (e.g. "Jerri _______"). These descriptions struck the writers as fitting, so they were used in production for the characters' actual names.

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Quotes

Mr. Chuck Noblet: [to Jerri, who wants to run for Homecoming Queen] You want to hear a little secret? You're only as ugly as we think you are.

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Crazy Credits

At the end of every episode while the credits are rolling you see the cast in that episode dancing.

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Connections

Remake of Strangers with Candy: Retardation, a Celebration (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Strangers With Candy Theme"
Composed by Mark Levenson
Producer Bob Golden

User Reviews

Brilliant Satire, soon to be a movie

Amy Sederis is brilliant as Jerri Blank amid a cast of other excellent comic writer/actors, including Paul Dinello and "The Daily Show's" Stephen Colbert. It had me consistently on the floor with it's inventiveness, audacity and vicious wit (i.e., the prayer at the Families of Alcoholics meeting: "Dear God, please give me the strength to blame those who did this to me, to accuse those who didn't, and the wisdom to know the difference.") It's long since disappeared from Comedy Central, but DVDs of Seasons One and Two are out, and a movie version by the same team is on its way for 2005. BTW, whoever suggested that the writers were "white supremists," I sincerely hope you are joking. It's called satire, in the vein of Swift and Voltaire.