The Approach

The show's tone can be broken up into two parts: The Variety Hour and Regular Life in Hazelwood.

The tone of The Variety Hour is more abrupt, cerebral, and bizarre.

The tone of Regular Life in Hazelwood is more down to earth like a sitcom. That being said, bizarre stuff sometimes happens in this part too.

Every episode of the show starts out at the variety show with Pinto introducing a guest. The variety show guests can be outlandish in the extreme.

The tone of the “on air” portions of The Variety Hour hearkens back to old TV variety shows of the past like The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour or The Ed Sullivan Show. Pinto often engages in stylized banter with the house band leader.

The tone of the Regular Life in Hazelwood is more like a classic sitcom. It’s bizarre (since Hazelwood is populated by talking beans, rodents, and lizards) but it’s not cynical.

The show’s humor is wry with an absurdist existential streak... but can also be completely silly and playful with the English language.

As a creator, I am always drawn to stories that are entertaining but have more depth upon reflection.  The Pinto Variety Hour explores complex themes of perception, reality, and identity, all while keeping the audience entertained (and sometimes scratching their head).