Downward Dog (TV series)

Downward Dog is an American sitcom that was broadcast on ABC. The series premiered on May 17, 2017, before starting its Tuesday run on May 23, 2017.[1] On June 24, 2017, ABC canceled the series after one season of eight episodes,[2] with the final episode airing on June 27, 2017.

Downward Dog
Genre
Created by
  • Samm Hodges
  • Michael Killen
Starring
Voices ofSamm Hodges
ComposerDaniel Bracken
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Samm Hodges
  • Michael Killen
  • Jimmy Miller
  • Sam Hansen
  • Kathy Dziubek
  • Kat Likkel
  • John Hoberg
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseMay 17 (2017-05-17) –
June 27, 2017 (2017-06-27)

Synopsis

The series follows the adventures of Martin, a philosophizing dog who sees his owner, Nan, as a beloved life partner. Martin can become vindictive and unfaithful, however, when he feels Nan is not paying enough attention to him. Nan is a millennial who has less time for her dog than she once did because of her increasing workload at Clark and Bow Outfitters.

Cast
  • Allison Tolman as Nan
  • Ned as Martin, Nan's increasingly lonely and philosophical dog
  • Samm Hodges as the voice of Martin
  • Lucas Neff as Jason, Nan's ex-boyfriend and occasional "friend with benefits"
  • Barry Rothbart as Kevin, Nan's insecure boss who tries to undermine Nan and her coworkers' successes
  • Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Jenn, Nan's best friend and co-worker
  • Maria Bamford as the voice of Pepper, a neighborhood cat that torments Martin

Production

In September 2015, ABC placed a pilot order for the series, which was based on a web series by Animal Media Group.[3] On May 12, 2016, ABC picked up the series for the 2016–17 season as a mid-season replacement.[4][5] Downward Dog was filmed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[5]

After the series' cancellation, the producers announced plans to shop it to other networks.[2]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Michael KillenSamm Hodges & Michael KillenMay 17, 2017 (2017-05-17)4.67[6]
A certain look from Martin inspires Nan to create a store imaging campaign that impresses a corporate big wig, despite her boss Kevin's initial misgivings. But the extra hours Nan now has to put in at work leaves Martin feeling lonely and neglected.
2"Boundaries"Michael KillenSamm HodgesMay 23, 2017 (2017-05-23)5.74[7]
After reevaluating her relationship with Jason, Nan installs an electronic dog door so Jason doesn't have to always be at the house to let Martin out. Martin thinks the door appeared because he "willed" it to happen, making him believe this power extends to other aspects of his life.
3"Loyalty"Michael KillenSamm HodgesMay 30, 2017 (2017-05-30)3.75[8]
To keep Kevin from meddling in her team's project, Nan brings Martin to work, knowing that Kevin is afraid of dogs. But Martin finds himself strangely drawn to Kevin, making him question his loyalty to Nan.
4"The Full Package"John FortenberryDaisy GardnerJune 6, 2017 (2017-06-06)3.45[9]
Martin considers himself an exceptionally smart dog and decides to become more physically fit as well. He is sadly disappointed when his body doesn't cooperate. Nan begins dating a wealthy influential businessman (Timothy Omundson) under the pretense that he's helping her train Martin. He breaks up with her because she's unwilling to put in the time to make Martin a super-obedient dog.
5"Trashed"John FortenberryMorgan MurphyJune 13, 2017 (2017-06-13)3.32[10]
Nan departs with Kevin and Jenn for a big corporate meeting in New York, leaving Jason in charge of Martin. While in Central Park, Nan sees a couple with a dog that look eerily similar to her and Jason, leading her to fantasize about how life could be. Meanwhile, Jason is distracted playing a virtual reality game, allowing Martin to get loose and go on a garbage-eating binge.
6"Old"Paul MurphyAnnabel OakesJune 20, 2017 (2017-06-20)3.08[11]
Martin turns seven and has his landmark goal, the perfect nap, interrupted by the arrival of Jenn's puppy. Meanwhile, Nan and Jenn attempt to have their own fun and recapture the spontaneity of their younger days, but can't seem to find the right fit. Nichelle Nichols makes a guest appearance.
7"Getting What You Always Wanted"Paul MurphyLaura KittrellJune 27, 2017 (2017-06-27)2.02[12]
Everything that could possibly go wrong, and then some, does at the launch of Nan's big ad campaign. Martin concludes that Nan's stress level and Jason's disappearance are both due to fear of Pepper, the neighborhood cat, so he decides he must kill Pepper.
8"Getting Lost"Michael KillenKat Likkel and John HobergJune 27, 2017 (2017-06-27)1.73[12]
Nan is offered Kevin's job and decides to take a quiet weekend away with Martin to think it over. During what was supposed to be a brief stop at her dad's house, Martin gets lost in the woods when Nan's dad takes him for a walk off-leash, causing her to have to spend the entire weekend searching for Martin. Nan and Jason reconcile as they look for Martin, and her dad redeems himself by being the one who finds him.

Reception and legacy

The series has received mostly positive reviews. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the series has an approval rating of 85% based on 27 reviews. The website’s consensus reads: "The adorable and insightful -- though sometimes grating -- titular pet elevates Downward Dog from its potentially "ruff" premise into a sweet, intellectual comedy".[13] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 71 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14] However, the series was canceled after the first season.

About the show's reception and legacy, Allison Tolman said: "I'm actually quite proud of it. I think it's the perfect little season, and the perfect full story. We couldn't have asked for any better, as far as the quality of the content goes. I wish that someone would stream it, so we could share it with more people 'cause I do think it was a really special show."[15]

See also

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (March 16, 2017). "'Downward Dog' ABC Comedy Series Gets Wednesday Preview, Tuesday Slot For Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  2. "ABC cancels canine comedy 'Downward Dog'; producers vow to find the show a new home". USA Today. June 24, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  3. Andreeva, Nellie (September 10, 2015). "ABC Orders 'Downward Dog' Comedy Pilot Based On Web Series From Legendary TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  4. "Development Update: Thursday, May 12 - Three Dramas, Two Comedies Join ABC's Series Roster". The Futon Critic. May 12, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  5. Owen, Rob (May 17, 2016). "Tuned In: ABC expands comedy lineup, Pittsburgh-shot 'Downward Dog' held for midseason". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  6. Porter, Rick (May 18, 2017). "'Empire,' 'Blindspot' finale adjust up: Wednesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  7. Porter, Rick (May 24, 2017). "'Dancing With the Stars finale adjusts up, 'iZombie' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 24, 2017. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  8. Porter, Rick (June 1, 2017). "'America's Got Talent' adjusts up, 'Imaginary Mary' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 3, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
  9. Porter, Rick (June 7, 2017). "'America's Got Talent' adjusts up, 'iZombie' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  10. Porter, Rick (June 14, 2017). "'America's Got Talent' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  11. Welch, Alex (June 21, 2017). "'The Flash' and 'American Housewife' encores adjust down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  12. Porter, Rick (June 28, 2017). "'America's Got Talent' adjusts up, 'World of Dance' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  13. "Downward Dog: Season 1 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
  14. "Downward Dog: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  15. Radish, Christina (September 24, 2019). "Allison Tolman on 'Emergence' and Playing a Very Different Cop than Her 'Fargo' Character". Collider.
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