Bless the Harts explained

Genre:
Creator:Emily Spivey
Music:Andrew Sherman
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:34
Runtime:22 minutes
Related:King of the Hill

Bless the Harts is an American animated sitcom created by Emily Spivey for Fox's Animation Domination programming block. Premiering on September 29, 2019, the series is executive produced by Spivey, Andy Bobrow, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Kristen Wiig, and Seth Cohen. The series is a joint production between Fox Entertainment and 20th Television. The animation production is handled by Titmouse, Inc., with overseas animation services by Yearim and Digital eMation in Seoul, South Korea.[1] The show's title is based on the Southern phrase "Bless your heart".[2] Spivey and Bobrow served as co-showrunners for the series.

In April 2021, Fox cancelled the series after two seasons, with the final episode airing on June 20, 2021.

Premise

Bless the Harts follows a working-class family living in North Carolina. The main protagonist, waitress Jenny Hart, struggles to make ends meet, and lives with her artistically talented daughter Violet Hart and mother Betty Hart. Her boyfriend Wayne has dated Jenny since her daughter Violet was a toddler, and acts as a father figure in Violet’s life. Jenny works at “The Last Supper”, a religious themed restaurant, with her best friend since high school, Brenda. The show's creator Emily Spivey has stated that it is based on her life growing up in High Point, North Carolina and is set in the state's Triad region. The name of the show's fictional town, Greenpoint, is a portmanteau of Greensboro and High Point;[2] [3] a map in the episode "The Last Supper" shows Greenpoint in northeast Forsyth County in the region.[4]

Bless the Harts loosely shares a universe with the Fox series King of the Hill, which ran from 1997 to 2010. Spivey cites King of the Hill as her major influence for creating Bless the Harts.[5] The fictional superstore Mega Lo Mart, first introduced in King of the Hill, makes several appearances in Bless the Harts.[6]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Season 2 (2020–21)

Production

Development

On September 25, 2018, Fox gave the production a straight-to-series order for a first season consisting of thirteen episodes. The series was created by Emily Spivey, who was also expected to executive produce alongside Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Kristen Wiig, and Seth Cohen. Production companies involved with the series were slated to include 20th Century Fox Television and Lord Miller Productions, but with the Disney acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the Fox Corporation was added as a production company (also copyright holder) later on.

The series debuted on September 29, 2019 as part of the Animation Domination programming block,[8] and was renewed for a second season on October 18, 2019.[9]

On November 27, 2019, writer, showrunner, and executive producer Andy Bobrow confirmed that 3 of the episodes in season 1 would air in season 2 as holdovers.[10]

On April 22, 2020, the show joined the rest of Fox's Animation Domination lineup in a partnership with Caffeine for the AniDom Beyond Show, a recap series hosted by Andy Richter. The hour-long program featured interviews with guests and live interactivity with fans online, with recaps for the episodes that aired through April and May.[11] While there was no Bless the Harts episode, on May 18, 2020, showrunner Andy Bobrow joined the series with other writers from the Fox Animation Domination lineup. The second season premiered on September 27, 2020.[12]

The second season was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted many other television productions, but left animated production largely unaffected. The series had a panel at the 2020 San Diego Comic-Con, which was marketed as "Comic-Con@Home", to promote the season, with Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jillian Bell, Ike Barinholtz, Fortune Feimster, Andy Bobrow, Phil Lord, and Christopher Miller.[13] On April 1, 2021, it was announced that the second season will be the show's last.[14]

Casting

Alongside the initial series announcement, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Jillian Bell, and Ike Barinholtz were cast in series regular roles.[15] On January 11, 2019, Mary Steenburgen and Drew Tarver were cast in recurring roles.[16] On July 25, 2020, during the San Diego Comic-Con@Home, the series' panel announced that Ken Jeong, Kristen Schaal, and Natasha Lyonne joined the cast in guest starring roles for the second season.[17]

Release

Because of Citytv's deal with Fox, the series was also syndicated to Canada,[18] airing new episodes the same day and time as the United States.

The show is also available to stream on Hulu, and able to purchase on YouTube and iTunes.[19] In India, the series is simulcasted on Disney+ Hotstar because of 20th Television output deal with Star India.[20]

On April 28, 2020, the Finland Fox channel had announced that they had picked up the series for syndication from 20th Television. The show debuted in Finland on May 9, 2020, in Finland and is available to stream on Ruutu free with commercials.[21] Season 2 premiered on November 7, 2020.[22]

Bless the Harts debuted on the Brazil Fox Premium channel on July 21, 2020.[23]

The Dutch version of Comedy Central acquired both seasons.[24]

The show is available to stream on Disney+ via the Star content hub in selected territories.[25] [26]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 82% based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "With an exceptional cast and a big heart to boot, Bless the Harts particular worldview won't be for everyone, but it fits quite nicely into Fox's Animation Domination line-up".[27] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28]

Bubbleblabber gave the first season a 6 out of 10, stating "this first season most definitely has more misses than hits in its line up which three more episodes likely wouldn’t have helped at this point. With this extra time to work on these and future episodes while taking in reception from this season, I think the next will really benefit in the long term. Plus, it gets the rare honor of being a new Fox animated show that actually GOT a second season, which has not happened since Bob's Burgers got its first renewal at the start of the decade. Fox is thinking outside the box to keep its adult animation thriving, which hopefully means more chances for exploration in future seasons. I’ll tell you what, these Harts are quite blessed to be given the chance to be Fox’s next enduring animated series."[29]

The Parents Television Council, a frequent critic of Fox Broadcasting Company animated comedies like Family Guy, gave the first episode a negative review.[30] [31]

Ratings

Season 2

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Southern Smiles: Emily Spivey Spills the Beans on 'Bless the Harts'. Animation Magazine. Zahed. Ramin. September 20, 2019. September 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190923225842/https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/southern-smiles-emily-spivey-spills-the-beans-on-bless-the-harts/. September 23, 2019. live.
  2. News: New Fox show, 'Bless the Harts,' draws on creator's High Point roots. Dawn. DeCwikiel-Kane. News & Record. September 26, 2019. September 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190927192108/https://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/new-fox-show-bless-the-harts-draws-on-creator-s/article_48b09641-c95e-5cf8-8aa5-874987fb86aa.html. September 27, 2019. live.
  3. Web site: Matsuoka. Sayaka. September 25, 2019. Full of 'Hart': Fox's new animated show spoofs the Triad. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190927192532/https://triad-city-beat.com/bless-the-harts/. September 27, 2019. November 21, 2019. Triad City Beat.
  4. Jenny Thinks The Town Should Make A Commercial Season 2 Ep. 2 BLESS THE HARTS [clip]]. Animation Domination on FOX. 0:30. October 4, 2020.
  5. Web site: Bless the Harts interview with Emily Spivey. Decider. October 2, 2019. March 11, 2020. May 7, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200507213621/https://decider.com/2019/10/02/bless-the-harts-emily-spivey-interview-fox/. live.
  6. Web site: 'Bless The Harts' Borrows Mega Lo Mart From 'King Of Hill', Ostrich From Emily Spivey's Childhood – TCA. de Moraes. Lisa. February 6, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. February 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190207134740/https://deadline.com/2019/02/bless-the-harts-mega-lo-mart-king-of-hill-emily-spivey-maya-rudolph-tca-1202551081/. February 7, 2019. live.
  7. Web site: Jillian Bell calls new FOX show cool new take on family comedy. July 26, 2019. Popculture. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190727162708/https://popculture.com/tv-shows/2019/07/26/bless-the-harts-jillian-bell-calls-new-fox-show-cool-new-take-family-comedy/. July 27, 2019. October 27, 2019.
  8. Web site: Fox Sets Fall Premiere Dates: Emmys Kick Off The Week, '9-1-1', 'The Masked Singer', 'Empire', More. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. June 24, 2019. June 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190819200819/https://deadline.com/2019/06/fox-sets-fall-premiere-dates-emmys-9-1-1-the-masked-singer-empire-more-1202637086/. August 19, 2019. live.
  9. Web site: Ausiello. Michael. Bless the Harts Renewed for Season 2. TVLine. October 18, 2019. November 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191019041421/https://tvline.com/2019/10/18/bless-the-harts-renewed-season-2-fox/. October 19, 2019. live.
  10. abobrow. Andy. Bobrow. 1199812408073523200. Episodes 111, 112 and 113 will air next fall as part of Season 2.. November 27, 2019. December 17, 2019.
  11. Web site: FOX Entertainment and Caffeine to Partner on Live Sunday Night "Animation Domination"-Branded Series the "AniDom Beyond Show," Hosted by Andy Richter. The Futon Critic. April 22, 2020.
  12. Web site: Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph Recall a Trip to a Psychic in Bless the Harts Comic-Con Sneak Peek. E Online. Lauren. Piester. July 22, 2020. July 25, 2020. July 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200722171835/https://www.eonline.com/news/1172686/kristen-wiig-and-maya-rudolph-recall-a-trip-to-a-psychic-in-bless-the-harts-comic-con-sneak-peek. live.
  13. Web site: Comic-Con@Home: Disney TV Studios Sets Panel Slate With 'Bob's Burgers', 'Family Guy', 'Simpsons', More. June 24, 2020. July 8, 2020. Deadline Hollywood. Choe. Brandon. July 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703081848/https://deadline.com/2020/06/comic-con-at-home-disney-television-panels-bobs-burgers-family-guy-simpsons-1202968741/. live.
  14. Web site: 'Bless The Harts' To End With Season 2 On Fox. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. Peter. White. April 1, 2021. April 1, 2021. April 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210415071723/https://deadline.com/2021/04/bless-the-harts-to-end-with-season-2-on-fox-1234726563/. live.
  15. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. Fox Orders 'Bless The Harts' Animated Series Starring Kristen Wiig & Maya Rudolph From Emily Spivey, Lord & Miller. Deadline Hollywood. September 25, 2018. September 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014245/https://deadline.com/2018/09/bless-the-harts-fox-animated-comedy-series-kristen-wiig-maya-rudolph-jillian-bell-ike-barinholtz-star-lord-miller-emily-spivey-1202471100/. September 26, 2018. live.
  16. Web site: 'Bless The Hart': Mary Steenburgen & Drew Tarver To Recur On Fox Animated Series. Petski. Denise. January 11, 2019. Deadline Hollywood. January 11, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150238/https://deadline.com/2019/01/bless-the-harts-mary-steenburgen-drew-tarver-to-recur-on-fox-animated-series-1202533863/. January 12, 2019. live.
  17. Web site: 'Bless The Harts': Ken Jeong, Kristen Schaal, Natasha Lyonne To Guest Star In Season 2 Of Fox Animated Comedy – Comic-Con@Home. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. July 25, 2020. July 25, 2020. July 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200725195531/https://deadline.com/2020/07/bless-the-harts-guest-stars-ken-jeong-kristen-schaal-and-natasha-lyonne-1202995065/. live.
  18. Windy City(tv) Wednesdays. Powerhouse Chicago Franchise Anchors 2019/20 Schedule as Citytv Unveils 15 New Shows. May 30, 2019. April 16, 2020. November 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201121132102/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/05/30/1859245/0/en/Windy-City-tv-Wednesdays-Powerhouse-Chicago-Franchise-Anchors-2019-20-Schedule-as-Citytv-Unveils-15-New-Shows.html. live.
  19. Web site: 'Bless the Harts'. Decider. April 18, 2020. January 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190125102441/https://decider.com/show/bless-the-harts/. live.
  20. Web site: Live Telecast, 1962, Snowfall, Flora & Ulysses, and more coming to Disney+ Hotstar this February . OnlyTech . January 26, 2021 . February 23, 2021 . February 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210201041253/https://onlytech.com/live-telecast-1962-snowfall-flora-ulysses-and-more-coming-to-disney-hotstar-this-february/amp/ . live .
  21. Web site: FOX:n uudessa animaatiosarjassa Bless the Harts tavoitellaan amerikkalaista unelmaa. April 29, 2020. July 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200723170505/http://www.mynewsdesk.com/fi/fox-networks-group/pressreleases/fox-n-uudessa-animaatiosarjassa-bless-the-harts-tavoitellaan-amerikkalaista-unelmaa-2958255. live.
  22. Web site: Bless The Harts kertoo Hartin duunariperheestä, joka tavoittelee amerikkalaista unelmaa kekseliäillä, vaikka ei aina kovin tuottoisilla tempauksilla.⁣ Sarja palaa toisen kauden jaksoilla tänään 16.30.⁣. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CHSKN1bgW_c . December 26, 2021 . registration. January 9, 2021.
  23. Web site: Fox Premium estreia a série Bless the Harts. July 17, 2020. July 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200717222437/http://www.infoanimation.com.br/2020/07/fox-premium-estreia-serie-bless-harts.html?m=1. live.
  24. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDMYAjaIxQd/ Meet Wayne Edwards, de man met vele talenten. Bless the Harts is elke donderdag om 21:00 te zien bij Comedy Central. #blesstheharts
  25. Web site: "Bless the Harts" Coming Soon to Disney+ as a Star Original (UK/Ireland) | What's on Disney Plus. July 20, 2021. August 30, 2021. August 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210805111319/https://whatsondisneyplus.com/bless-the-harts-coming-soon-to-disney-as-a-star-original-uk-ireland/. dead.
  26. Web site: Watch Bless the Harts | Full episodes | Disney+.
  27. Web site: Bless the Harts: Season 1 (2019). Rotten Tomatoes. August 7, 2020.
  28. Web site: Bless the Harts: Season 1. Metacritic. August 7, 2020.
  29. Web site: Season Review: 'Bless the Harts' Season 1. Kaldor. David. Bubble Blabber. April 18, 2020. January 20, 2020. November 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201117024500/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/season-review-bless-the-harts-season-one/. live.
  30. Web site: 'Bless the Harts' because no one else will. April 21, 2020. September 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200921005316/https://www.parentstv.org/blog/bless-the-harts-because-no-one-else-will. live.
  31. Web site: Parents Television Council reveals the best and worst new shows of 2019. October 2, 2019. April 21, 2020. October 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191004030845/https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2019/10/2/20887250/parents-television-council-mixedish-bob-hearts-abishola-nancy-drew-prodigal-son-bless-the-harts. live.

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