Check It Out
''Check It Out'' may refer to: ==Television==- ''Check It Out!'', a Canadian sitcom (1985–1988)
- ''Check It Out'', a British music series (1979–1982)
- ''Check It Out!'', an American Adult Swim series (2010–2016)
- ''Check It Out'' (Tavares album), 1973, and its title track
- "Check It Out", a song by John Mellencamp, 1987
- "Check It Out" (Beastie Boys song), 2004
- "Check It Out" (will.i.am and Nicki Minaj song), 2010
Television
Canadian sitcom (1985–1988)
Check It Out! is a Canadian sitcom that aired on CTV from October 2, 1985, to February 14, 1988, focusing on the daily mishaps and interpersonal dynamics at the Cobb's Supermarket in Brampton, Ontario.[1] The series follows manager Howard Bannister as he navigates the chaos caused by his eccentric staff and oddball customers, often dealing with petty theft, workplace romances, and absurd schemes in a light-hearted workplace comedy format.[2] Adapted from the short-lived British series Tripper's Day, it emphasizes ensemble humor similar to other grocery store-set shows, blending slapstick with character-driven comedy.[1] The main cast features Don Adams as Howard Bannister, the high-strung manager obsessed with efficiency but constantly undermined by incompetence around him.[3] Dinah Christie portrays Edna Moseley, Howard's devoted yet frustrated executive assistant who often acts as the voice of reason.[3] Supporting roles include Jeff Pustil as Jack Christian, the scheming assistant manager prone to mishandling situations; Kathleen Laskey as Marlene Weimaraner, the flirtatious and quick-witted cashier; and Aaron Schwartz as Leslie Rappaport, the overly enthusiastic teenage bag boy.[3] Recurring characters add depth, such as Henry Beckman as security guard Alf (seasons 1–2), Barbara Hamilton as the meddlesome customer Mrs. Brubaker, and Gordon Clapp as Viker, the security guard (seasons 2–3).[4] In season 3, Elizabeth Hanna joined as corporate executive T.C. Collingwood, introducing new tensions with management. Produced as a co-venture between CTV and the USA Network, the series was created by Brian Cooke, who adapted his original British concept for North American audiences.[5] Filmed in Toronto before a live studio audience, it ran for three seasons totaling 66 episodes, each approximately 22 minutes long. The show premiered on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. before shifting to Saturdays and then Fridays, and it was syndicated in the United States on the USA Network starting in 1986.[1] Episodes typically follow a standalone structure centered on a supermarket crisis, such as inventory disasters or customer complaints, resolved through Howard's frantic interventions and staff antics. The pilot, "No Security in Security," introduces the core team when new surveillance cameras threaten to replace veteran guard Alf, leading to a comedic bomb scare hoax.[6] Notable installments include season 1 finale "Superstar," where Howard competes in a manager contest, and season 3's "The Happy Wanderer," highlighting Edna's unrequited feelings for Howard amid a store promotion gone awry.[7] Season finales often escalate workplace rivalries, like corporate audits or staff rebellions, underscoring the show's formulaic yet reliable humor. The series received moderate acclaim in Canada, with Dinah Christie earning a 1987 Gemini Award for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Continuing Comedy Role for her portrayal of Edna.[1] Viewership was solid on CTV, contributing to its three-season run, though it struggled for broader U.S. syndication success and ended without a formal series finale.[2] Critics noted its resemblance to later workplace comedies like The Drew Carey Show, praising Adams' deadpan delivery but critiquing occasional formulaic plots; its legacy endures as a showcase for Canadian talent in 1980s sitcoms.[8]British music series (1979–1982)
Check It Out was a youth-oriented television series produced twice weekly by Tyne Tees Television for ITV, airing from May 27, 1979 to 25 February 1982.[9] The program featured a mix of rock music performances, artist interviews, and segments addressing social issues relevant to teenagers, such as homelessness and homosexuality.[10] Episodes were typically 30 minutes long and targeted a teenage audience with content blending pop culture and emerging music trends.[11] Although produced with a regional focus on North East England, it was launched as one of Tyne Tees' national series alongside Alright Now. The show was created by Malcolm Gerrie and Andrea Wonfor, who later contributed to more prominent music programming.[9] The series was presented by Chris Cowey and Lyn Spencer, with Cowey discovered by Gerrie during his time as a DJ at Sunderland's Mecca venue.[9] It provided early exposure to up-and-coming acts in the punk, new wave, and early 1980s music scenes, including performances and interviews with bands like Public Image Ltd., whose 1979 appearance ended in an infamous walkout by John Lydon after a tense exchange with the hosts.[9][12] Other notable segments featured Sting discussing Quadrophenia, youth movements, and music in 1979, as well as appearances by The Idols and punk group The Toy Dolls.[13] These elements highlighted the show's role in showcasing raw, unpolished energy from the era's alternative music culture. The program concluded after nearly three years, with production shifting resources to The Tube, a more ambitious live music show developed by the same Tyne Tees team for Channel 4 starting in 1982. This transition reflected evolving trends in music television toward live broadcasts and broader national appeal. Check It Out's format and focus on youth issues influenced subsequent UK music programs, paving the way for The Tube's success in elevating regional production to a networked phenomenon.[14] Unlike the later Canadian sitcom sharing its title, this series emphasized music and cultural programming over comedy.[10]Adult Swim series (2010–2016)
Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule is an American comedy television series that parodies low-budget public access cooking and lifestyle programs, centered on the bumbling host Dr. Steve Brule, portrayed by John C. Reilly as a socially awkward expert offering absurd advice on topics like food, health, and everyday experiences.[15][16] The show features surreal, non-sequitur segments where Brule interacts with eccentric guests and demonstrates bizarre concepts, such as preparing unusual meals or discussing phobias, all delivered with a deadpan, inept demeanor that amplifies the humor through intentional awkwardness.[17] This spin-off emerged from the character's recurring appearances on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, expanding Brule's world into a standalone format that satirizes outdated television production styles.[18] The series was created by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, the duo behind Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, with Reilly serving as an executive producer alongside them.[16] It premiered on Adult Swim on May 16, 2010, and ran for four seasons totaling 24 episodes, each approximately 11 minutes long, concluding its regular run on July 29, 2016.[19] Production emphasized a deliberately lo-fi aesthetic, including shaky camera work, poor lighting, and glitchy graphics to mimic amateur community television, filmed primarily in Los Angeles with a small crew to heighten the parody of regional broadcasts.[20] The show's title draws exclamatory inspiration from earlier television series like the Canadian sitcom Check It Out.[21] Episodes follow a loose, non-linear structure blending talk-show elements with sketch comedy, often opening with Brule introducing a theme like "food" or "fear" before veering into chaotic field reports, interviews, and recurring bits such as viewer "Questions" addressing odd queries or "Finds" showcasing peculiar objects.[15] Notable examples include the season 1 premiere "Food," where Brule explores culinary mishaps and befriends a quirky chef, and season 4's "Gator Chef," featuring a swamp-based cooking segment with comically inept preparations.[22] Other installments, like "Pleasure" from season 2 and "Skateboards" from season 3, delve into hedonistic or adventurous topics through Brule's oblivious lens, incorporating non-sequiturs and visual gags for escalating absurdity.[21] Special episodes, such as the 2017 "Check It Out! with Scott Clam," extended the format with guest-hosted variations.[21] Reilly anchors the series as Dr. Steve Brule, delivering a performance noted for its physical comedy and improvised tics, supported by recurring cast members including Carol Kraft as Jan Skylar and Doug Foster as Wayne Skylar, who appear as hapless experts or family figures.[23] Heidecker and Wareheim contribute as writers, directors, and occasional on-screen talents, while bizarre cameos from David Liebe Hart and other Tim and Eric alumni add layers of interconnected surrealism.[24] Guest appearances, such as Maria Bamford in health-themed episodes, further amplify the show's eccentric ensemble.[24] Critics praised the series for its committed surreal humor and innovative parody of televisual incompetence, with The A.V. Club hailing it as a "triumph of ineptitude" through its clumsy editing and mistimed cues that enhance the comedic discomfort.[17] The Los Angeles Times highlighted its jumpy, deliberate amateurism as a standout in Adult Swim's lineup, contributing to a 8.6/10 rating on IMDb from over 7,000 users.[20][16] Post-airing, it cultivated a dedicated cult following, influencing online comedy sketches and memes with Brule's catchphrases like "check it out," leading to merchandise such as apparel and the 2014 live tour featuring Reilly, Heidecker, and Wareheim.[25][26] Its legacy endures in Adult Swim's catalog, with full episodes available for streaming and occasional revivals underscoring its impact on niche humor.[15]Music
Tavares album and song (1973)
Check It Out is the debut studio album by the American R&B and soul group Tavares, released in January 1974 by Capitol Records.[27] Produced primarily by Johnny Bristol, with additional production by Robert "Boogie" Bowles, the album features 10 tracks that blend upbeat soul grooves, funk elements, and romantic ballads, showcasing the group's signature tight vocal harmonies and alternating lead vocals among the five Tavares brothers.[27][28] Recorded in 1973 at Devonshire Sound Studios in North Hollywood, California, it marked the group's introduction to a wider audience following their earlier regional success as Chubby & the Turnpikes.[27] The tracklist includes:- "If That's the Way You Want It" (2:49)
- "Strangers in Dark Corners" (3:57)
- "That's the Sound That Lonely Makes" (3:42)
- "Check It Out" (3:25)
- "Wish You Were With Me Mary" (3:09)
- "I'm in Love" (3:54)
- "More to Love" (3:53)
- "Who Loves You" (3:49)
- "The Judgement Day" (3:01)
- "Remember What I Told You to Forget" (3:30) [27]