I have to say I was heartbroken when I heard that my favorite show on television, Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, had not been picked up for a third season by SPACE (Canada's version of the Syfy Channel). I've watched this series from the very first episode and loved the characters, the zany situations, the crazy monsters, the politically incorrect humor and the awesome soundtrack (not to mention the two fantastic "metal musical" episodes).
But let's go back to the beginning, shall we? Todd and the Book of Pure Evil focuses on high school loser and wannabe rock god, Todd Smith (played by Alex House), who has a one-armed friend named Curtis (who loves his corn chips almost as much as he loves smoking weed) and a crush on Jenny (the hot goth girl who's father mysteriously disappeared while researching a "Book of Pure Evil"). Todd himself is the first to actually find the book and learn of it's awesome wish-granting power, not to mention the fact that said wishes often come with a price attached (usually death for other students and, more often than not, the person who made the wish). Todd, Curtis, Jenny and Hannah (the geeky scientist girl who has a crush on Todd) set out to find the book and destroy it all costs. Every episode the Book finds a new "host" (if you will) who uses it to make a wish in order to better their lives, or get revenge, or just generally fuck shit up. "Helping" Todd and the gang is Atticus Murphy, Jr (actor Chris Leavins) who happens to be their high school guidance counselor and, like many high school guidance counselors before him I'm sure, also happens to work for an evil Satanic cult who want the book for their own purposes (to rule the world, naturally).The problem though is that they need "The Pure Evil One" (who they suspect is Todd) to unleash the Book's power. Add to this, a pot-smoking guru janitor played by Jason Mewes (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back) and three Metal Dudes who hang out in the high school parking lot all day offering advice to Todd and you've got one wacky TV show.
Check out the (NSFW?) trailer for the first season:
As you can see, the show has some pretty crazy stuff: fat monsters, giant birthday cakes that eat people, an giant evil penis (that talks with a french accent), man-goats, zombies and all other sorts of weirdness. The show is essentially a horror comedy. It's been described as a mix between The Evil Dead and The Breakfast Club and yet it is so much more than that. The writers and actors bring the funny, the special effects (most of which are what we used to call "practical effects" are gory and gruesome, and the whole thing was shot here in Canada.
If you're interested, seasons 1 and 2 of the show are now on DVD (I picked mine up at Wal-mart, but you can also find copies on Amazon). Sadly, fans are still waiting to hear news if we might see an eventually return of Todd and the gang to wrap up one MAJOR plot thread started in the second season (can we hope for new episodes on another network? Perhaps a movie?). Until then, enjoy Todd on DVD or iTunes. If you like comedy, horror, and things that might easily offend others you owe it to yourself to watch Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.
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