HouseBroken

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HouseBroken
HouseBroken Title Card.png
Genre
Created by
Voices of
Music byCurtis Moore
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
Executive producers
  • Gabrielle Allan & Jennifer Crittenden
  • Clea DuVall
  • Sharon Horgan
  • Clelia Mountford
  • Dana Honor
  • Aaron Kaplan
ProducerChris Encell
Editors
  • Ryan Wick
  • Adam Redding
Running time21 minutes
Production companies
Distributor20th Television
Release
Original networkFox
Original releaseMay 31, 2021 (2021-05-31) –
present (present)
External links
Official website

HouseBroken is an American adult animated sitcom created by Jennifer Crittenden, Clea DuVall, and Gabrielle Allan that premiered on Fox on May 31, 2021.[1][2] In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season.[3]

Plot[]

HouseBroken follows an anthropomorphic therapy dog named Honey, who explores human dysfunctions and neurosis by applying her knowledge of psychiatry through leading a group of other anthropomorphic neighborhood animals in group therapy sessions.[4]

Cast[]

Main[]

  • Lisa Kudrow as Honey, a standard poodle who opens her living room for the group to come and support each other. Honey also struggles with her own problems, such as mourning the death of her friend Big Cookie and her arranged (by her human) marriage with Chief.[5]
  • Clea DuVall as Elsa, a power-hungry, know-it-all Corgi and service dog in training — or so she claims — who drives Honey crazy.[5] Her owner is a neglectful and oblivious young woman who only put a service vest on Elsa so that she can get away with or do things that are considered illegal without repercussions.
  • Nat Faxon as Chief, a sloppy and not-too-bright St. Bernard and Honey's mate who enjoys eating socks, playing in mud, and licking himself.[5]
  • Will Forte as Shel, a tortoise with intimacy issues and a shoe fetish. He was initially in a relationship with a single croc he names "Lindsay" and was going to marry it until his mate Darla returns after 15 years.[5][6] In the episode "Who Are You?", it is revealed that Shel lives with other animals but never talks about them to the group due to his narcissism. His youngest owner goes to the same elementary school Nibbles lives at.[7] He then gets into a polyamorous relationship with Darla and Lindsay. In the episode "Who's a Bad Girl? (Part 1)", it is revealed Lindsay belongs to Xavier, Shel's original owner who forgot the shoe when he went to college.
  • Tony Hale as
    • Diablo, an anxious, sweater-wearing mixed-breed Terrier with OCD. He became Big Cookie's replacement in the session group.[5] His owners are divorced and share joint custody of him. However, in "Who Are You?", his owners decide to let him pick his forever home, and he ultimately decides to live with his "father."
    • Max, George Clooney's Berkshire Pig, a former actor and current status obsessed narcissist.[5] He is named after George Clooney's real life pig who died in 2006. This is brought up in the episode "Who Are You?" when Max realizes there was another pig named Max before him and is essentially his replacement.[8] In the episode "Who's a Bad Girl? (Part 1)", he is sent to live with Ray Liotta.
  • Sharon Horgan as Tabitha, an aging Persian cat beauty queen, trying to adjust to life off the cat show circuit.[5] She speaks with a Russian accent. She initially lives with her owners Stelios and Brett and a kitten named Kit-Kat. In the fourth episode, consumed by jealousy at her owners giving more attention to Kit-Kat than they do to her, she runs away from home and starts living at a cat cafe. Tabitha eventually hates it after someone at the cafe tried to catnap her and starts living with The Gray One and other cats in the seventh episode. Tabitha and The Gray One become a couple in the ninth episode. She eventually reunites with her owners in the tenth episode.
  • Jason Mantzoukas as The Gray One, a street-smart cat who lives with about forty or sixty other cats and has a crush on Tabitha who wouldn't give him the time of day.[5] He is missing an eye and riddled with diseases. His owner is an old cat lady and hoarder who never leaves her house. The Gray One and Tabitha become a couple in the ninth episode.
  • Sam Richardson as Chico, a chunky, co-dependent and very naive tabby cat.[5] He considers his owner Kevin to be his best friend though his feelings for him are more than platonic. In the episode "Who's a Good Therapist?", it is revealed that he is pregnant and gave birth to eight kittens during a therapy session which Elsa was in charge of. His kittens were given away for adoption in the episode "Who's Getting Cold Feet?" It also turns out his pregnancy was the result of him mating with a male cat.[9] In the season 1 finale "Who's a Bad Girl? (Part 2)", it is revealed his owner is a flight attendant and Chico actually belonged to Kevin's ex-girlfriend Dana before she abandoned him.
  • Tchotchke, a slow loris who does not speak, but communicates via body language and a cocktail umbrella, which he appears to have an attachment to.

Recurring[]

  • Maria Bamford as
    • Jill, Honey and Chief's human owner.[5] She works as a therapist.
    • Darla, Shel's mate who returned after she was missing for 15 years.
  • Greta Lee as Bubbles, a horny, teenage goldfish who lives with Honey and Chief. She heckles the other animals.[5] It is revealed in the episode "Who Are You?" that she is not the first Bubbles.
  • Bresha Webb as Nibbles, a psychopathic hamster who is mourning the loss of her mate (whom she killed).[5] She is a classroom pet for a third grade classroom.
  • Brian Tyree Henry as Armando, a wild coyote who Honey has a crush on.
  • Timothy Simons as Raccoon, a wild raccoon that loves the outdoors, and willing to show everyone that they have their wild sides inside.

Guest[]

Episodes[]

No.Title [10]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [10]Prod.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Who's a Good Girl?"Mark KirklandJennifer Crittenden & Gabrielle Allan & Clea DuVallMay 31, 2021 (2021-05-31)1BBHB010.99[11]
Honey makes a bad decision when she chooses to immediately replace a deceased member of her pet therapy group, despite protests from the other members. Meanwhile, Shel finally finds love after 15 years of searching - his new partner being a croc he names Lindsay.
2"Who Did This?"Jackson TurcotteJohn LevensteinJune 7, 2021 (2021-06-07)1BBHB020.97[12]
When Honey gets an ugly haircut at the groomers, she refuses to leave the house, but ends up taking a dump on the kitchen floor because she didn't go out to use the bathroom. Chico is delighted when the Gray One strikes up a friendship with him, but soon suspects it's just for his food, while Diablo causes uproar within the group when he bites the infant son of his female owner's new boyfriend.
3"Who's Wild?"Jake HollanderEthan SandlerJune 14, 2021 (2021-06-14)1BBHB040.98[13]
Honey feels the group is bored with their usual routine and invites a raccoon in to help spice things up, but he causes havoc with his devotion to his wild nature that lands the Gray One in the animal shelter. Elsewhere, Tabitha is upset when her owners start feeding her senior cat food, and her attempt to show them she still has some youth left in her ends up getting her stuck in a tree.
4"Who's a Good Therapist?"Jackson TurcotteAli WallerJune 21, 2021 (2021-06-21)1BBHB050.97[14]
Honey and Chief are boarded while Jill goes on vacation; Diablo is sent there too as a punishment for biting his owners' baby in "Who Did This?" While there, Honey becomes jealous of a seemingly perfect couple, who have been inseparable since birth, and it strains her own relationship with Chief. Meanwhile, Elsa takes over the group in Honey's absence and deals with the others' problems: Chico's stomach cramps turn out to be the result of a pregnancy he failed to notice, The Grey One gets a new girlfriend, and Tabitha runs away from home after feeling ignored by her owners.
5"Who's Afraid of Boomsday?"Eric KoenigElliott KalanJune 28, 2021 (2021-06-28)1BBHB080.86[15]
On the 4th of July, which the dogs mistake for "Boomsday" and have a fear of, Honey and Chief are taken to the beach; Honey becomes friends with a traveling dog who resembles the late Big Cookie, while Chief gets lost and is worshipped by a cult of sea lions. Meanwhile, Elsa begins to question her abilities as a service dog when her vest is outed as a fake, and the cats fight off a gang of seagulls in order to access a dumpster behind a seafood restaurant.
6"Who's Getting Cold Feet?"Mike MorrisChristopher EncellJuly 12, 2021 (2021-07-12)1BBHB060.83[16]
Honey reluctantly agrees to officiate the wedding between Shel and Lindsay, while also hosting the latter's bachelorette party with the girls and Diablo. Meanwhile, the guys have a much wilder bachelor party by licking a toad. While stoned, Shel comes to a realization that maybe his marriage isn't the right thing to do, but once sober, he nearly marries Lindsay anyway. However, his long-lost lover Darla suddenly appears, leaving him confused.
7"Who's Going to the Vet?"Mike MorrisJohn LevensteinJuly 19, 2021 (2021-07-19)1BBHB090.94[17]
Chief is brought to the vet after eating Jill's vibrator. During the visit, Honey tries to persuade him to join her group, but he refuses, only to change his mind when he begins to bond with several other pets, forming his own therapy group. This upsets Honey, who was hoping he would join hers instead. Meanwhile, Max attempts to "kill" Lindsay so Shel and Darla can rekindle their love, though when she somehow comes back, they agree to go polyamorous. Tabitha reluctantly agrees to move into The Gray One's residence, but learns that she has to partake in the cats' musical numbers in order to fit in. And after having a nightmare about The Gray One and his friends as zombie cats exampling what would happen if she doesn't join, she accepts the invitation.
8"Who Are You?"Amber HollingerNeil Goldman & Garrett DonovanAugust 9, 2021 (2021-08-09)1BBHB100.88[18]
Diablo is taken in by his "father", who allows him to behave as he pleases. Honey becomes jealous of this lifestyle, especially after Coyote (whom she now names Armando) invites her to run away with his pack. Nibbles tries to free a mouse from a snake, who happens to be one of Shel's housemates. Max discovers he is just a replacement for George Clooney's late original pig, while The Grey One teaches Tabitha to be more empathetic.
9"Who Done It?"Eric KoenigClea DuVallAugust 16, 2021 (2021-08-16)1BBHB110.84[19]
Jill's mother pays a visit alongside her pet bird, Nathan, who does not like Honey. During a brief power outage, a tree branch barricades everyone inside the house, while Nathan's cage is tipped over and he is presumed dead. All the animals try to figure out who is responsible for it, all the while resolving the drama amongst themselves and trying to avoid being discovered by the humans. Eventually, Honey lies about having killed Nathan, who reveals himself to be alive, having faked his own death in order to prove how incompetent the other pets are. Raccoon confronts Honey about taking the blame for a murder she didn't commit, and when she confesses that she's still crushing on Armando, he agrees to keep her secret, on the condition that he gets to live in the shed year-round.
10"Who's a Bad Girl? (Part 1)"Mike MorrisJennifer Crittenden & Gabrielle AllanAugust 23, 2021 (2021-08-23)1BBHB120.86[20]
Jill buys a puppy for Big Cookie's owners, which they name "Li'l Cookie" in her honor, and Honey and Chief try to bond with her, but Honey ends up as a third wheel. George Clooney moves to London and Max is sent to live with a different celebrity, while Diablo ruins Elsa's chance to grab the attention of another dog she has a crush on. The Gray One notices Tabitha is upset and fears it is because he accidentally called her ugly, but it turns out to be because she is homesick, while Shel's human Xavier returns from college and Lindsay is discovered to belong to him. The first part ends with Max's new owner planning to cook him, Lindsay causing Xavier to accidentally (and unknowingly) run over Shel, Tabitha returning to her old home at the Gray One's urging, and Honey accepting Armando's offer to run away with him.
11"Who's a Bad Girl? (Part 2)"Amber HollingerJennifer Crittenden & Gabrielle Allan & Clea DuVallAugust 30, 2021 (2021-08-30)1BBHB130.89[21]
Honey has a wild night with Armando, but has second thoughts upon learning that she has to kill in order to find food. She ultimately decides to return home, but upon telling Chief what happened, he leaves in a rage, only to become friends with Armando as well. Meanwhile Shel is revealed to have survived his accident, Elsa starts a short-lived romance with Diablo, and Chico confronts Kevin about neglecting him, to which he agrees to treat him better despite not understanding what he said. Later, the rest of the gang sets out to find Chief, but gets cornered by Armando's pack. Honey distracts them with her mediation skills, allowing the group to escape, and the season ends with business resuming as usual.

Production[]

Development[]

The show's early working title was Therapy Dog.[22] On December 19, 2019, Fox gave the production a series order. HouseBroken is created by Clea DuVall, Jennifer Crittenden, and Gabrielle Allan who were expected to executive produce alongside Sharon Horgan, Clelia Mountford, Aaron Kaplan, and Dana Honor.[4] On August 9, 2021, Fox renewed the series for a second season.[3]

Casting[]

Alongside the initial series announcement, Lisa Kudrow, Clea DuVall, Nat Faxon, Will Forte, Tony Hale, Sharon Horgan, Jason Mantzoukas, and Sam Richardson were cast as series regulars.[4]

Broadcast[]

HouseBroken premiered on May 31, 2021, on Fox.[2] In Canada, it airs on CTV 2.[citation needed]

Reception[]

Critical response[]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 50% based on 10 critic reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Housebroken boasts an insanely talented voice cast—if only its basic writing would learn some new narrative tricks."[23] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[24]

Ratings[]

Viewership and ratings per episode of HouseBroken
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Who's a Good Girl?" May 31, 2021 0.3 0.99[11] 0.1 0.24 0.4 1.23[11]
2 "Who Did This?" June 7, 2021 0.3 0.97[12] 0.1 0.15 0.3 1.12[12]
3 "Who's Wild?" June 14, 2021 0.3 0.98[13] 0.1 0.18 0.3 1.16[13]
4 "Who's a Good Therapist?" June 21, 2021 0.3 0.97[14] 0.1 0.16 0.3 1.13[14]
5 "Who's Afraid of Boomsday?" June 28, 2021 0.3 0.86[15] 0.1 0.16 0.3 1.04[15]
6 "Who's Getting Cold Feet?" July 12, 2021 0.3 0.83[16] 0.1 0.17 0.3 1.00[16]
7 "Who's Going to the Vet?" July 19, 2021 0.3 0.94[17] 0.1 0.19 0.4 1.13[17]
8 "Who Are You?" August 9, 2021 0.3 0.88[18] 0.0 0.14 0.3 1.02[25]
9 "Who Done It?" August 16, 2021 0.3 0.84[19] 0.0 0.15 0.3 0.99[26]
10 "Who's a Bad Girl? (Part 1)" August 23, 2021 0.2 0.86[20] TBD TBD TBD TBD
11 "Who's a Bad Girl? (Part 2)" August 30, 2021 0.2 0.89[21] TBD TBD TBD TBD

References[]

  1. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (December 20, 2019). "Fox Leashes Up House Pet Comedy 'Housebroken'". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Petski, Denise (March 2, 2021). "Fox Sets Summer Premiere Dates For New Animated Comedy 'Housebroken', 'Duncanville' Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (August 9, 2021). "'Housebroken' Renewed for Season 2 at Fox". Variety. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (December 19, 2019). "Fox Orders 'Housebroken' Animated Comedy Series Starring Lisa Kudrow From Sharon Horgan, Clea Duvall, Jennifer Crittenden, Gabrielle Allan & Kapital". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "ANIMATION EXPANDS TO MONDAYS THIS SUMMER ON FOX". FoxFlash (Press release). March 2, 2021. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  6. ^ "Watch HouseBroken S1 E6 Who's Gett". Fox Broadcasting Company. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (August 6, 2021). "Clip: Nibbles Returns in New 'HouseBroken' (and Tortoise TMI)". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  8. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (August 6, 2021). "Clip: Nibbles Returns in New 'HouseBroken' (and Tortoise TMI)". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "Watch HouseBroken S1 E6 Who's Gett". Fox Broadcasting Company. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Shows A-Z - housebroken on fox". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c Berman, Marc (June 1, 2021). "Monday Ratings: NBC Game Show 'Small Fortune' and Fox's Animal 'Housebroken' Off to Sluggish Starts". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c Berman, Marc (June 8, 2021). "Monday Ratings: 'The Bachelorette' Season-Opener Leads ABC to Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c Berman, Marc (June 15, 2021). "Monday Ratings: Soft Starts for ABC's Celebrity Dating Game and The CW Drama The Republic of Sarah". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c Berman, Marc (June 22, 2021). "Monday Ratings: The Bachelorette Leads ABC to Diluted Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Berman, Marc (June 29, 2021). "Monday Ratings: More Victory for the Home of The Bachelorette – ABC". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Berman, Marc (July 13, 2021). "Monday Ratings: ABC's The Bachelorette Tops Quiet Evening". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c Berman, Marc (July 20, 2021). "Monday Ratings: The Bachelorette Leads ABC to More Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 10, 2021). "Updated: Showbuzz Daily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.9.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 17, 2021). "Updated: Showbuzz Daily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.16.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 24, 2021). "Updated: Showbuzz Daily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.23.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (August 31, 2021). "Updated: Showbuzz Daily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.30.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 31, 2021.
  22. ^ Margeaux, Sippell (December 19, 2019). "Fox Gives Series Order to Animated Comedy 'Housebroken'". TheWrap. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  23. ^ "HouseBroken: Season 1 (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  24. ^ "HouseBroken: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  25. ^ Berman, Marc (August 10, 2021). "Monday Ratings: 'The Bachelorette' Leads ABC to Victory; Modest Return for Game Show 'The Wall' on NBC". Programming Insider. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  26. ^ Berman, Marc (August 17, 2021). "Monday Ratings: 'Bachelor in Paradise' Season Opener Tops the Evening". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 30, 2021.

External links[]

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