Dan Vs.
Dan Vs. is an American animated television series created by Dan Mandel and Chris Pearson that originally aired on The Hub Network from January 1, 2011, to March 9, 2013.[1] The series consists of three seasons comprising 53 episodes, each typically running about 22 minutes and following an episodic format centered on the protagonist's outrageous revenge schemes.[2] Produced using Flash animation, the show blends dark comedy, adventure, and satire, targeting a young adult audience with its irreverent humor and absurd scenarios.[3] The narrative revolves around Dan (voiced by Curtis Armstrong), a rude, jobless, and perpetually angry misanthrope living in Los Angeles who perceives everyday inconveniences—such as traffic, dentists, or even the moon—as personal affronts warranting elaborate retaliation.[4] Dan frequently enlists his level-headed best friend Chris (voiced by Dave Foley), a mild-mannered everyman, and Chris's wife Elise (voiced by Paget Brewster), a high-powered executive with a secret life as a government agent, in his chaotic quests, which inevitably escalate into city-wide disasters.[5] Recurring characters include Dan's pet cat Mr. Mumbles and a variety of guest stars voiced by notable actors like Tony Hale and Diedrich Bader, adding to the show's ensemble feel. Notable for its sharp writing and character-driven humor inspired by the creators' own personalities—Mandel and Pearson modeled Dan and Chris after their flaws—the series received praise for its clever animation style and timely social commentary, though it ended after its initial run without a formal series finale.[1] Despite airing on a network primarily known for family programming like My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Dan Vs. carved out a cult following for its adult-oriented edge and has since become available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, and The Roku Channel as of 2025.[5][6] Efforts for a revival were first announced by co-creator Chris Pearson in 2021, with ongoing developments including the sharing of a new script "Dan Vs. America" by the creators in March 2025, reflecting continued fan interest.[7][8]Premise and Characters
Plot
Dan Vs. is an animated comedy series centered on Dan, a short-tempered and unemployed misanthrope who perceives everyday irritations as personal affronts worthy of elaborate retaliation.[1] Each episode revolves around Dan declaring "war" on trivial targets such as the mall, traffic, or even abstract concepts, devising increasingly absurd schemes that escalate from petty vandalism to city-threatening mayhem.[5] He frequently enlists his reluctant best friend and neighbor, Chris Pearson, whose level-headed nature contrasts Dan's explosive rage, often pulling Chris into the chaos despite his protests.[1][9] The series incorporates subplots involving Chris's wife, Elise Pearson, whose undisclosed role as an agent in a covert government organization introduces elements of espionage and conspiracy that intersect with Dan's vendettas.[5][10] Set in a stylized version of Los Angeles, the show blends over-the-top action sequences with satirical humor, as Dan's plans typically spiral out of control, leading to comedic backfires that affect the entire city.[1] Following an episodic format, the narratives are largely self-contained, resolving within a single installment while highlighting recurring dynamics like Dan's unyielding paranoia and Chris's futile attempts at restraint.[5] A constant presence is Dan's pet cat, Mr. Mumbles, who serves as a mute observer to the unfolding absurdity, occasionally prompting Dan's rare moments of tenderness amid the turmoil.[11]Main Characters
Dan is the titular protagonist of Dan Vs., portrayed as a short-tempered, antisocial everyman in his 30s with a scruffy appearance, including messy black hair, a soul patch, and a penchant for wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with "JERK."[5][12][1] He fixates on petty grievances, declaring "wars" against everyday annoyances such as traffic, fast-food chains, or even lemonade stands, often escalating them into chaotic, destructive schemes that highlight his vengeful and lazy yet intelligent nature.[5][12] Throughout the series, Dan experiences minor evolution through the repeated failure of his plans, occasionally revealing glimpses of vulnerability or rare kindness, such as toward his pet cat Mr. Mumbles, but ultimately remains unchanged in his hot-headed demeanor.[12] Chris Pearson serves as Dan's optimistic and passive best friend since childhood, acting as his reluctant accomplice in most revenge plots while working a mundane office job.[5][12][9] Characterized by his dimwitted, gluttonous, and mild-mannered personality, Chris frequently provides comic relief as the voice of reason, attempting to temper Dan's excesses despite his own occasional bursts of cunning or assertiveness.[12] Happily married to Elise, he often drags her into the fray, balancing his codependent loyalty to Dan with his domestic life. Elise Pearson, Chris's wife, is depicted as an intelligent, athletic, and level-headed woman whose competence starkly contrasts Dan's incompetence, offering much of the series' comic relief through her exasperation with his antics.[5][12][10] She leads a double life as a secret agent for a covert government organization, undertaking high-stakes missions that occasionally intersect with Dan's schemes, forcing uneasy alliances among the trio against larger threats.[12][13] The core dynamics revolve around Dan and Chris's codependent friendship, where Dan's domineering mistreatment belies a deep underlying care, while Chris's enabling passivity sustains their partnership.[12] Elise's relationship with Dan is marked by constant irritation and tolerance by proxy through Chris, though the group periodically unites in team-ups, showcasing fleeting moments of harmony amid the chaos of Dan's vendettas.[5][12]Supporting Characters
Mr. Mumbles is Dan's pet cat, an anthropomorphic feline who communicates through non-verbal means such as meows and gestures, often providing comic relief by either assisting in or sabotaging Dan's vengeful schemes. Rescued by Dan from an animal shelter in the episode "Dan Vs. The Animal Shelter," she serves as his sole "loyal" companion and morality pet, the only entity he treats with unconditional kindness amid his otherwise misanthropic behavior.[12] The Sheriff is a recurring local law enforcement officer who embodies incompetent authority, frequently attempting to apprehend Dan for his chaotic antics but failing comically due to his bumbling nature. He often deploys a taser to subdue Dan during episodes involving public disturbances, escalating conflicts while highlighting the futility of official intervention in Dan's rampages.[14] Amber appears as Dan's brief romantic interest and anger management instructor in the season 3 premiere "Dan Vs. Anger Management," initially presenting as caring but revealing a psychopathic side driven by repressed rage. She blackmails Dan into joint revenge quests, which he misinterprets as dates, providing foil to his anger issues through her own explosive tendencies, such as chasing Chris with a chainsaw.[12] Other recurring supporting characters include episode-specific antagonists with consistent traits that enhance the show's humor, such as The Dentist (Dr. Pullum), a supervillain-like figure who brainwashes patients via dental procedures and reappears as a target for Dan's vendettas. These characters function primarily as comic relief and conflict escalators, serving as foils to the main trio without advancing core narratives.[12]Cast
Main Voice Cast
The main voice cast of Dan Vs. consists of Curtis Armstrong, Dave Foley, and Paget Brewster, who provided the voices for the lead characters across all 53 episodes of the series. These actors were selected during the early production phase through auditions involving pre-recorded submissions and callbacks, with an emphasis on their comedic timing and ability to capture the show's irreverent humor.[15] Curtis Armstrong voices Dan, the titular protagonist, bringing a manic energy to the character's explosive rants and schemes that he maintains at a high intensity without vocal strain, drawing from his extensive experience in comedy.[16] Best known for his role as Booger in the Revenge of the Nerds film series, Armstrong stood out immediately in auditions, nailing Dan's distinctive voice from his initial submission.[15] Recording sessions often featured improvisation, with occasional ad-libs or mistakes incorporated into the final episodes to enhance the spontaneity.[16] Dave Foley provides the voice for Chris, Dan's long-suffering best friend, delivering a dry and exasperated tone that underscores the character's reluctant involvement in Dan's antics.[17] Renowned for his work with the sketch comedy group The Kids in the Hall, Foley was chosen for his inherent comedic talent and ability to convey subtle humor.[15] His chemistry with Armstrong has been highlighted in group recording sessions, where the actors' interactions added authenticity and fun to the dynamic.[16] Paget Brewster voices Elise, Chris's wife and a recurring ally (and occasional antagonist) to Dan, showcasing a versatile range that shifts from domestic wife to tough secret agent in action-oriented scenes.[18] Known for her portrayal of Emily Prentiss on Criminal Minds, Brewster joined the cast after the initial selections and frequently amused the production team during booth sessions with her improvisational flair.[15] She preferred group recordings with Armstrong and Foley to foster better on-screen rapport, and her role expanded in later seasons to include more "Dancing Shadow" ninja missions.[18]Guest Voices
The guest voices in Dan Vs. featured a range of high-profile actors who portrayed exaggerated archetypes, often parodying authority figures, celebrities, or everyday annoyances to amplify the show's satirical humor and absurd revenge scenarios. Across its three seasons, the series incorporated over 20 guest stars, with appearances peaking in Season 3 to support crossover-style parodies and thematic variety.[19] These contributions added layers of celebrity flair without overshadowing the core cast, frequently playing villains or allies in one-off roles that fit episode-specific themes like government plots or holiday chaos. Mark Hamill provided multiple guest performances, voicing Dr. Pullum, a sadistic dentist in "The Dentist," where his menacing delivery parodied overzealous medical professionals and heightened Dan's escalating outrage.[20] Hamill also voiced the Mall Santa in "The Mall Santa," portraying a grumpy holiday icon who despises Christmas, enhancing the episode's black comedy through his authoritative yet ridiculous tone.[21] His roles often emphasized satirical takes on power structures, appearing in at least two episodes to mock institutional absurdities.[22] Felicia Day guest-starred as the Boss in "Dan Vs. the Boss," delivering a sharp, tech-oriented corporate executive whose no-nonsense demeanor fueled the workplace revenge parody and showcased her as a fleeting ally-turned-antagonist.[23] Other notable guests included Jenna Fischer as the Anger Management Instructor in "Anger Management," whose serene guidance clashed hilariously with Dan's explosive personality, underscoring themes of forced self-control.[24] Henry Winkler voiced Helicopter Hal, a traffic reporter in "Traffic," whose frantic broadcasts amplified the episode's chaos and satirical nod to media sensationalism.| Actor | Role | Episode | Contribution to Humor/Parody |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Hamill | Dr. Pullum | The Dentist | Parodied authoritarian medical figures with villainous flair. |
| Mark Hamill | Mall Santa | The Mall Santa | Satirized holiday consumerism via a hateful Santa archetype. |
| Felicia Day | The Boss | The Boss | Highlighted corporate satire as a savvy, unyielding executive. |
| Jenna Fischer | Anger Management Instructor | Anger Management | Provided ironic calm amid rage-fueled comedy. |
| Henry Winkler | Helicopter Hal | Traffic | Exaggerated media hype in traffic mayhem scenarios. |
Episodes
Season 1 (2011)
The first season of Dan Vs. premiered on The Hub Network on January 1, 2011, with the double episode "New Mexico" and "The Wolf-Man," introducing the series' core formula of Dan's increasingly absurd revenge plots against everyday annoyances or abstract targets, often dragging his reluctant friend Chris into the chaos.[1] The 22-episode season, which concluded on July 9, 2011, was primarily written by creators Dan Mandel and Chris Pearson, with additional contributions from writers like Brianne Drouhard and Ashly Burch, and directed by a team including Brian Sheesley and Bill Kopp across multiple episodes.[25] It established key character dynamics, such as Elise's occasional involvement in Dan's schemes, while building the show's satirical humor around escalating destruction. The season saw steady growth in ratings for The Hub's Saturday evening block.[26] The episodes are listed below in airdate order, with brief synopses focusing on Dan's central vendetta.| No. | Title | Air date | Plot summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | January 1, 2011 | Dan develops an inexplicable grudge against the state of New Mexico, leading him and Chris on a destructive road trip to settle the score. |
| 2 | The Wolf-Man | January 1, 2011 | After scratches appear on his car, Dan blames a mythical wolf-man and recruits a skeptical Chris to hunt the creature down. |
| 3 | The Dentist | January 8, 2011 | Convinced his dentist is plotting mind control through dental procedures after a painful visit knocks out one of his teeth, Dan enlists Chris to expose the supposed evil scheme.[20] |
| 4 | The Ninja | January 15, 2011 | When a ninja steals Dan's cookies, he uncovers a vendetta tied to Elise and teams up with her for an unlikely revenge alliance. |
| 5 | The Animal Shelter | January 22, 2011 | Barking dogs at a local shelter disrupt Dan's sleep, prompting him to launch a campaign to shut down the facility and silence the noise once and for all. |
| 6 | Canada | January 29, 2011 | Feeling slighted by the country after a minor incident, Dan declares war on Canada, dragging Chris into a border-crossing quest for vengeance. |
| 7 | Traffic | February 26, 2011 | Frustrated by city gridlock, Dan goes to extreme lengths to eliminate traffic, including sabotage that threatens the entire road system. |
| 8 | Ye Olde Shakespeare Dinner Theatre | March 5, 2011 | Offended by poor acting and subpar food at a local dinner theater, Dan disguises himself to infiltrate and dismantle the establishment from the inside. |
| 9 | Baseball | March 12, 2011 | A baseball game interrupting his TV viewing and rowdy fans damaging his car mirror drive Dan to declare war on America's pastime, aiming to end the sport. |
| 10 | The Salvation Armed Forces | March 19, 2011 | After accidentally donating his car to the charity, Dan wages a "charity war" to reclaim it, turning philanthropy into a battlefield.[27] |
| 11 | The Beach | March 26, 2011 | Annoyed by careless beachgoers ruining his day, Dan plots to destroy the beach entirely to eliminate the nuisance. |
| 12 | George Washington | April 2, 2011 | Believing the Founding Father is attacking him posthumously, Dan travels to Mount Vernon to exact revenge on George Washington's legacy. |
| 13 | Technology | April 9, 2011 | When his new computer crashes, Dan heads to Silicon Valley to target the tech industry's leader in a bid for corporate sabotage. |
| 14 | The Barber | April 16, 2011 | A disastrous haircut ruins Dan's plans for a date, leading him to seek brutal payback against the barber responsible.[28] |
| 15 | Art | April 30, 2011 | Outraged when an artist paints on his car without permission, Dan schemes to discredit the painter as a fraud. |
| 16 | Elise's Parents | May 14, 2011 | To monopolize Chris's time, Dan invents a tale of mafia connections to get Elise's parents arrested and out of the picture. |
| 17 | The Fancy Restaurant | May 21, 2011 | When an upscale eatery forces his favorite sandwich shop to close, Dan incites a revolt from within the kitchen to bring it down. |
| 18 | Dan (The Imposter) | May 28, 2011 | An identity thief impersonates Dan, forcing him to adopt a new persona and plot revenge to reclaim his life.[29] |
| 19 | The Family Camping Trip | June 4, 2011 | Jealous that Chris chooses a camping trip with Elise's family over hanging out with him, Dan sets out to sabotage the entire outing. |
| 20 | Burgerphile | June 18, 2011 | Bad service at his beloved burger chain prompts Dan to chain himself to the door in protest, escalating to a fast-food uprising. |
| 21 | The Magician | June 25, 2011 | After a magician "steals" Elise's watch during a show, Dan vows to unmask the performer as a thief and fraud. |
| 22 | The Lemonade Stand Gang | July 9, 2011 | Dan and Chris confront a gang of kids running an extortionate lemonade stand, battling youthful hooligans in the neighborhood. |
Season 2 (2011–12)
Season 2 of Dan Vs. premiered on The Hub Network on November 19, 2011, and ran through June 23, 2012, delivering 18 episodes that expanded on the series' chaotic humor with more interconnected storylines and character backstories. Building on Season 1, the season featured an increase in guest voice appearances, including actors like Tony Hale and Jen Kirkman, who brought fresh dynamics to Dan's feuds. Elise's role evolved with deeper subplots revealing aspects of her covert operations, adding layers to her relationship with Chris and Dan. Production refinements included smoother animation transitions and enhanced visual gags, responding to early viewer feedback on pacing and style. The Hub promoted the season to broaden family appeal. The season's episodes maintained the format of Dan declaring war on trivial targets, often escalating to absurd, conspiracy-laden conflicts, while highlighting evolving friendships and rivalries.| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 1 | Dan Vs. The Family Thanksgiving | Brian Sheesley | Dan Mandel | November 19, 2011 | Dan reluctantly joins Chris and Elise for Thanksgiving with her parents, only to uncover family secrets and launch a holiday revolt.[30] |
| 24 | 2 | Dan Vs. The Mall Santa | Stephanie Arnett | Chris Prynoski | December 17, 2011 | Temp jobs at a mall Christmas display pit Dan and Chris against a tyrannical Mall Santa, sparking a festive sabotage campaign.[30] |
| 25 | 3 | Dan Vs. The Neighbors | Brian Sheesley | Dan Mandel | January 28, 2012 | Suspicious of new apartment dwellers, Dan launches pranks to expose and evict them, escalating neighborly tensions.[30] |
| 26 | 4 | Dan Vs. Dancing | Lizzy Grods | Chris Prynoski | February 4, 2012 | Jealous of Chris and Elise's dance contest entry, Dan infiltrates rehearsals to derail the event with chaotic disruptions.[30] |
| 27 | 5 | Dan Vs. The Bank | Brian Sheesley | Dan Mandel | February 11, 2012 | Outraged by ATM fees, Dan storms the bank with Chris, uncovering corporate greed and plotting financial revenge.[30] |
| 28 | 6 | Dan Vs. The Monster Under the Bed | Stephanie Arnett | Gabe Swarr | February 18, 2012 | Convinced a literal monster lurks beneath his bed, Dan arms himself for a nocturnal battle, dragging Chris into the fray.[30] |
| 29 | 7 | Dan Vs. Golf | Brian Sheesley | Dan Mandel | February 25, 2012 | Chris's golf obsession prompts Dan and Elise to team up against the sport, infiltrating country clubs with sabotage.[30] |
| 30 | 8 | Dan Vs. The Gym | Lizzy Grods | Chris Prynoski | March 3, 2012 | Trapped in a gym membership scam, Dan exposes a fitness industry conspiracy through increasingly extreme workouts.[30] |
| 31 | 9 | Dan Vs. The Wedding | Stephanie Arnett | Dan Mandel | March 17, 2012 | Dan crashes his old crush's wedding to prevent it, using disguises and antics that nearly topple the ceremony.[30] |
| 32 | 10 | Dan Vs. The Catburglar | Brian Sheesley | Gabe Swarr | March 31, 2012 | Mr. Mumbles goes missing, leading Dan to stalk a shady cat lady and unravel a feline theft ring.[30] |
| 33 | 11 | Dan Vs. The Dinosaur | Lizzy Grods | Chris Prynoski | April 7, 2012 | A rampaging dinosaur totals Dan's car, prompting a prehistoric pursuit with Chris and a paleontologist ally.[30] |
| 34 | 12 | Dan Vs. Stupidity | Stephanie Arnett | Dan Mandel | April 14, 2012 | Blaming the government for national idiocy, Dan targets the governor in a bid to "smartify" society.[30] |
| 35 | 13 | Dan Vs. The Telemarketer | Brian Sheesley | Dan Mandel | May 19, 2012 | Harassed by calls, Dan hacks a telemarketing firm, igniting corporate warfare with a familiar foe.[30] |
| 36 | 14 | Dan Vs. Reality TV | Lizzy Grods | Gabe Swarr | May 26, 2012 | Humiliated on a reality show, Dan infiltrates production to dismantle the genre from within.[30] |
| 37 | 15 | Dan Vs. Parents | Stephanie Arnett | Chris Prynoski | June 2, 2012 | To one-up Chris and Elise, Dan attempts child adoption, sparking a custody battle farce.[30] |
| 38 | 16 | Dan Vs. Gigundo-Mart | Brian Sheesley | Dan Mandel | June 9, 2012 | A massive superstore threatens local shops and Chris's wallet, drawing Dan into retail rebellion.[30] |
| 39 | 17 | Dan Vs. Chris | Lizzy Grods | Gabe Swarr | June 16, 2012 | A dispute over movie props fractures Dan and Chris's friendship, leading to high-stakes betrayal.[30] |
| 40 | 18 | Dan Vs. Wild West Town | Stephanie Arnett | Dan Mandel | June 23, 2012 | Seeking a dude ranch refund, Dan stumbles into a desert treasure hunt amid cowboy chaos.[30] |
Season 3 (2012–13)
The third and final season of Dan Vs. premiered on The Hub Network on November 17, 2012, and concluded on March 9, 2013, comprising 13 episodes that continued the series' tradition of Dan's over-the-top vendettas against everyday annoyances and fantastical foes.[2] This season incorporated more elements exploring Dan's personal history, including flashbacks to his childhood and relationships, while maintaining the show's signature blend of dark humor and escalating chaos.[31] Episodes often built on recurring themes like Dan's rivalry with authority figures and his reluctant alliances with Chris and Elise, culminating in a finale that provided closure to their longstanding friendship origins.[31] The season's production order differed slightly from broadcast, with some episodes from earlier scripts airing here to wrap up the series, reflecting the network's shift toward family-oriented programming that influenced the tone toward broader appeal.[32] Despite this, the episodes retained the meta-humor and self-referential gags characteristic of the series, such as Dan's awareness of narrative tropes in conflicts like jury duty or superhero encounters.[33]Episode List
| No. in series | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 1 | Dan Vs. Anger Management | Pete Browngardt | Kevin Shinick | November 17, 2012 | 301 | After being forced into anger management class following a road rage incident, Dan bonds with the unstable instructor and plots revenge against the court system.[31] |
| 42 | 2 | Dan Vs. The Mummy | Tim Maltz | Kevin Shinick | November 24, 2012 | 302 | Dan accidentally awakens an ancient Egyptian mummy seeking to reclaim his tomb, leading to a city-wide curse that Dan must unravel.[31] |
| 43 | 3 | Dan Vs. The Boss | Pete Browngardt | Chris Prynoski | December 1, 2012 | 218 | Dan's new job under a demonic boss spirals into a battle for his soul, forcing him to confront corporate hell with Chris's reluctant help.[31] |
| 44 | 4 | Dan Vs. The Mechanic | Tim Maltz | Mike Dow | December 8, 2012 | 303 | When a shady mechanic strips his car for parts, Dan infiltrates an underground robot fight club to reclaim them through brutal combat.[31] |
| 45 | 5 | Dan Vs. The High School Reunion | Pete Browngardt | Kevin Shinick | December 15, 2012 | 304 | At his high school reunion, Dan uncovers a conspiracy among former bullies and seeks payback, revealing glimpses of his awkward teenage years.[31] |
| 46 | 6 | Dan Vs. The Common Cold | Tim Maltz | Chris Prynoski | January 19, 2013 | 219 | Catching a severe cold, Dan storms the Department of Controlling Diseases to eradicate the virus, only to unleash a pandemic in the process.[31] |
| 47 | 7 | Dan Vs. The DMV | Pete Browngardt | Mike Dow | January 26, 2013 | 305 | Dan's license renewal turns into a deadly labyrinthine ordeal at the DMV, where he battles bureaucratic monsters and time-warped clerks.[31] |
| 48 | 8 | Dan Vs. The Ski Trip | Tim Maltz | Kevin Shinick | February 2, 2013 | 220 | Stranded in a blizzard during a forced ski trip with Elise, Dan hallucinates survival scenarios while evading yetis and avalanches.[31] |
| 49 | 9 | Dan Vs. Jury Duty | Pete Browngardt | Chris Prynoski | February 9, 2013 | 306 | Serving jury duty, Dan sympathizes with a defendant resembling himself and manipulates the trial into a chaotic acquittal scheme.[31] |
| 50 | 10 | Dan Vs. Vegetables | Tim Maltz | Mike Dow | February 16, 2013 | 221 | Horrified by a new healthy eating mandate, Dan wages war on vegetables, allying with junk food addicts against an army of sentient produce.[31] |
| 51 | 11 | Dan Vs. The Superhero | Pete Browngardt | Kevin Shinick | February 23, 2013 | 307 | Annoyed by a pompous superhero, Dan dons a costume to become a rival vigilante, leading to an epic clash over city-saving rights.[31] |
| 52 | 12 | Dan Vs. The Family Cruise | Tim Maltz | Chris Prynoski | March 2, 2013 | 308 | On a disastrous family cruise, Dan's antics summon sea monsters and mutiny, forcing him to navigate literal and figurative stormy waters.[31] |
| 53 | 13 | Dan Vs. Summer Camp | Pete Browngardt | Mike Dow | March 9, 2013 | 309 | In a series finale flashback, young Dan and Chris team up at summer camp to overthrow a tyrannical counselor, tying back to their enduring bond.[31] |