Tiki Bar TV
| Tiki Bar TV | |
|---|---|
| File:Tiki Bar TV.png | |
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Jeff Macpherson (Dr. Tiki) Kevin Gamble (Johnny Johnny) Lara Doucette (Lala) |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Language | English |
| Updates | Monthly |
| Length | 6 minutes |
| Production | |
| Picture format | NTSC (480i) HDTV (720p) (via membership) |
| Video format | .m4v |
| Publication | |
| Original release | March 15, 2005 – present |
| Website | http://www.tikibartv.com/ |
Tiki Bar TV was a web series distributed in the pioneering field of video podcasting or "vodcast." Produced in an apartment tiki bar on a low budget, the humorous and heavily ad-libbed show is a creative outlet for its creators Jeff Macpherson and Kevin Gamble. The show garnered additional attention after being mentioned at Apple's iPod Video launch.[1] Each episode features a problem that is rectified by the episode's namesake cocktail, which is scribbled on a prescription pad by Dr. Tiki (Macpherson) and "filled" by the bartender Johnny Johnny (Gamble) who explains the construction of the cocktail. Lala is the Tiki Bar's primary denizen who opens each episode with a dance. Most episodes also include a segment called "Tiki Mail," where mail from viewers or disgruntled neighbours is answered. Episodes usually end with outtakes, the cast dancing, and a slate giving the official website and email address. The show originates from Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. It is produced by Tosca Musk and is considered by many to be one of the pioneering video podcasts credited with launching the genre.
Tiki Bar TV was shown in Apple stores worldwide as part of a 6-month promotion in 2006.[2]
The first episode was released on iTunes on March 13, 2005. Each episode is approximately 5 minutes long. The show has not been updated since Episode 45, released December 12, 2009.
Characters[edit | edit source]
- Doctor Tiki, PhD, MD, USB a.k.a. Reginald Hornstein (Jeff Macpherson) writes the cocktail prescriptions in each episode. His doctorate is in "Tiki," and he is usually wearing a lab coat and stethoscope.
- Johnny Johnny, Mixologist a.k.a. Jonathan J. Jonathan (Kevin Gamble) is the leopard-print fez wearing bartender who makes the cocktails that the Doctor prescribes.[3]
- Lala a.k.a. Beatrice Fastwater (Lara Doucette[4][5]). She usually wears a provocative dress and broad grin. In episode 10, we learn that she is not as ditzy as she appears; she has an engineering degree and in short time built a self-aware robot capable of nearly fulfilling all of Johnny Johnny’s roles.
The performers go un-credited and unabashed stage names are given. Jeff Macpherson, who plays "Dr. Tiki," introduces himself as actor "Reginald Hornstein," and when "Lala" breaks character, she speaks as actress "Beatrice Fastwater."
Minor characters[edit | edit source]
- Limey - (Lee Tockar) A lounge lizard in a reptile leather jacket. Introduced in Episode 2 and commonly known as "The Limey Bastard," he is the most frequently appearing minor character.
- Mr. Ambassador - (Gio Corsi) A Cold War era ambassador from the USSR in a red fez who plants a spy camera in the Tiki Bar, unfreezes LaLa, and steals LaLa's original plans for Drinkbot to build "Robot Box."
- Kip - (Matthew McInnis) A "Guy with Woes" who frequents the bar.
- The Duke of Url - (Francis Rock) A British man on a tour of the Commonwealth.
- Drinkbot - (Colin Beadle) Robot that Lala creates to replace Johnny Johnny, which goes on a rampage after failing to understand the concept of "love."
- Rocket Billy - (Tygh Runyan) A 50s era greaser who delivers the Tiki Mail.
- Space Cadet - (Nicki Clyne) Girl from "The OuterSpace" who comes to the Tiki Bar to learn Earth dance moves.
- The Bastard Illegitimate Son of the Father of the Internet (BISOTFOTI) (Alex Albrecht) The illegitimate son of the father of the internet from episode 20.
- Poindexter (Kevin Rose) Tech Support guy for Tiki Bar TV.
Video game[edit | edit source]
In May 2009, Secret Lab, an independent video game developer based in Hobart, Australia announced the development of a Tiki Bar TV-themed computer game, entitled Day of the Tiki, to be released in Summer 2009.[6] It was then delayed to sometime in 2010.[7]
Awards[edit | edit source]
In 2009 Tiki Bar TV was nominated for three Streamy Awards: an audience choice award and two craft awards for editing and production design. On March 26, 2009 at the 1st Annual Streamy Craft Awards the shows production designer, Kim Bailey received the first ever Streamy award for Production Design / Art Direction from the International Academy of Web Television. More than just breaking new ground, the show was recognized by the International Academy of Web Television, the Streamys and the web community for the extremely high standards in production value and design.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Heather Green (January 23, 2006). "Is the Web the new Hollywood?". Business Week. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
- ↑ "Macworld Expo Speaker Bio". Retrieved December 5, 2006.
- ↑ Kevin's day job website Archived April 24, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Megan, McCarthy (November 19, 2007). "Oh, Lala: Kevin Rose explains haircut, doesn't explain date". Valleywag. Gawker Media. Retrieved May 21, 2008.
- ↑ "Lara Doucette, host of CBC's exposure". CBC News. May 21, 2008.
- ↑ Day of the Tiki announcement
- ↑ "Secret Lab Product Page". May 9, 2010.
- "Doctor! I need a triple" by Laura Lind, National Post, January 30, 2006, retrieved February 2, 2006
- "Who Needs a Network? " by Scott Woolley, Forbes Magazine, July 3, 2006
- "Interview on Podcast 411" Item #176, November 22, 2006
- "CBC Television hires videoblog celebrity as late-night host"
