Clark and Michael

Clark and Michael
Clark and Michael title screen
Format	Mockumentary
Created by	Clark Duke Michael Cera
Directed by	Michael Cera Clark Duke Max Winkler
Starring	Clark Duke Michael Cera
Ending theme	"Black Out" by British Sea Power
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
No. of episodes	10[1]
Production
Executive producer(s)	Matt Kaplan
Producer(s)	Michael Cera, Clark Duke, Seth Grahame-Smith, David Katzenberg and Max Winkler
Editor(s)	Michael Cera, Taylor Chien and Clark Duke
Running time	approx. 10 min.[2]
Broadcast
Original channel	CBS (distributed online)
Original run	May 23, 2007 – present
External links
Website

Clark and Michael is a CBS Internet television series created by and starring Clark Duke and Michael Cera. The series takes the form of a mockumentary following Duke and Cera's ambitions to write and sell a pilot for a television series. Influences on the show include comedy group Stella, Arrested Development, Bob Odenkirk and David Cross' Mr. Show, British mockumentary The Office, comedian Larry David, The Larry Sanders Show^[3] and the Adult Swim block of Cartoon Network.^[4]

Style

Duke and Cera play fictionalized versions of themselves, Cera describing the characters as "more idiotic and more deluded".^[5] The series is a low-budget affair, filmed on handheld cameras by friends of the duo.^[4] The cameras are acknowledged by Clark, Michael and others, who will sometimes address them or those operating them; in one scene, an upset Michael shouts a cameraman out of the bathroom, after which Clark angrily points out to the crew that their contract states "no bathroom stuff". Boom mics are often visible, and the crew have also intervened in fights between Clark and Michael.^[6]

Plot

Clark and Michael's ambition of producing their own television series is stated in the opening of the first episode, and forms the drive of the series. After being turned down initially, the pair come to terms with the fact that success will not be instantaneous, and continue to pursue new opportunities. Though their agent succeeds in scheduling a meeting to discuss their show with another network, Clark's drunken behavior changes their mind about picking up the show. Following this, the pair has a meeting with agent Ramsay, who recommends that Michael be made the "hero" of the series. Bothered by this, Clark reveals an idea for his own series, D.A. Dad, to the crew, and begins pursuing the concept.

Some time later, the pair are watching television together when they see an ad for D.A. Dad. Clark reacts angrily, explaining that the show was his and the concept had been taken and produced by someone else. Michael is hurt that Clark would work separately from him, but the pair eventually reconcile their differences and their arrangement returns to normal. Michael takes up driving lessons, and takes an interest in one of his fellow students. The pair try to get Kenny Loggins to perform the theme song for their show, but can't get in touch with him. Michael only barely passes his driving test, and Clark informs him that he won't be driving his car. Regretting this overreaction, he makes it up to Michael with a game of minigolf. A meeting with another potential network ends poorly, unbeknownst to the two, when their arrogant behavior in general makes a bad impression on the executives. Clark soon makes it into Columbia University, and plans to move to New York to attend. Yet Clark ultimately decides against university when they achieve their TV show dream, with CBS signing them up (as well as in real life).

Guest stars

Several guest stars have made appearances in the series:

• Some of Michael Cera's former co-workers from Fox's Arrested Development
  • Tony Hale was featured in the first episode as an executive for the fictional ATC Family network, who turned down the pair's concept.
  • Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development creator) appeared as agent Ramsay, while Clark Duke's attorney, Jerry Lillard, was played by Andy Richter.
  • When Michael attended driving lessons, he was taught by David Cross.
  • Eric Wareheim and Tim Heidecker (Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!) both have made appearances, with Heidecker as a martial arts instructor, and Wareheim's recurring role as their neighbor, Randy.
• Comedian Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille) appears as a realtor who sells them an office building.
• Jonah Hill (Cera's Superbad co-star) and John Francis Daley (Freaks and Geeks) appear as a rival television writing team.
• Joe Lo Truglio appears as a deli store employee in episode 8.
• Martin Starr (Freaks and Geeks) appears as an employee at a fast food restaurant, only in one episode.

References

1. ^ Michael Cera and Clark Duke – Exclusive Video Interview
2. ^ Clark And Michael
3. ^ MySpace.com - Clark and Michael - MARINA DEL REY, US - www.myspace.com/clarkandmichael
4. ^ ^{a b} Wired 15.03: Snack Attack!
5. ^ welcome to thecheappop.com...your daily dose of pop culture and mustache envy » Blog Archive » Arrested Development’s Michael Cera
6. ^ Clark And Michael

External links

• Clark And Michael
• Clark and Michael at the Internet Movie Database
• Clark and Michael at TV.com