The Problem Solverz
The Problem Solverz is an American animated television series created by artist Ben Jones that originally aired on Cartoon Network from April 4, 2011, to March 30, 2013.[1][2] The series centers on the surreal and chaotic adventures of a trio of unconventional problem-solvers—Alfe, Roba, and Horace—who tackle bizarre mysteries and everyday troubles in the vibrant, eclectic town of Farboro, often exacerbating the issues they set out to fix.[3][4] Featuring a distinctive visual style with bright neon colors, retro influences, and a mix of underground art aesthetics drawn from Jones's background in the Paper Rad collective, the show employs Flash animation and spans two seasons comprising 26 episodes in total.[1][5] The main characters include Alfe, an eight-foot-tall, furry hybrid creature (part dog, man, and anteater) with a voracious appetite for pizza; Roba, a robotic dog-like inventor who provides technical expertise; and Horace, the more level-headed human leader of the group.[1][2] Voiced by Ben Jones as Alfe and Roba, Kyle Kaplan as Horace, and featuring guest stars like John DiMaggio and George Takei, the series blends humor, absurdity, and problem-solving antics in episodes addressing outlandish scenarios such as time-twisting rollercoasters or rogue dinosaurs.[2] Originally developed from Jones's childhood sketches and a rejected adult swim pilot titled Neon Knome, the show was produced by a small in-house team at Cartoon Network Studios, emphasizing rapid production cycles to capture its energetic, improvisational feel.[1] Upon release, The Problem Solverz received mixed to negative critical reception, often criticized for its frenetic pace, garish visuals, and lack of coherent storytelling, though some praised its innovative art direction as a fresh take on animated comedy akin to contemporaries like Adventure Time.[4][6] The series has since gained a cult following for its unique aesthetic and has been made available on streaming platforms like Netflix, where episodes were later removed.[4]Premise
Plot
The Problem Solverz centers on three unconventional detectives—Alfe, a pizza-loving dog-like creature; Roba, a robotic inventor; and Horace, a straight-laced human—who operate an agency dedicated to resolving bizarre, everyday problems in the surreal town of Farboro using highly unorthodox methods.[4][2] The series emphasizes their chaotic teamwork amid escalating absurdities, often turning simple issues into escalating crises through their improvisational approaches.[5] Season 1 episodes typically follow a half-hour format divided into two self-contained segments of approximately 11 minutes each, each presenting a standalone mystery or mishap resolved (or exacerbated) by the trio, such as malfunctioning household gadgets or inexplicable temporal anomalies. These vignettes highlight the solvers' creative, if ineffective, problem-solving tactics in isolation from ongoing arcs.[5] The narrative is framed by Tux Dog, a sophisticated, tuxedo-clad anthropomorphic canine and wealthy patron who serves as the show's narrator and sporadically intervenes to offer cryptic guidance or introduce further complications to the protagonists' endeavors.[7] His detached, observational role underscores the episodic humor while tying into Farboro's eccentric populace.[4] Farboro itself is depicted as a vibrant, quirky urban setting populated by oddball residents and featuring exaggerated, colorful locales that amplify the show's surreal tone and visual eccentricity.[2][4]Characters
The central characters of The Problem Solverz are the titular trio of detectives—Alfe, Roba, and Horace—who operate an unorthodox agency solving bizarre mysteries in the town of Farboro.[6] These friends exhibit distinct personalities that drive the show's chaotic team dynamics, with Alfe's impulsiveness often complicating their efforts, Roba's intellect providing strategic insight, and Horace maintaining order as the composed leader.[1] Alfe is the fluffy, orange, blob-like protagonist, portrayed as an eight-foot-tall furry monster blending traits of a dog, man, and anteater.[1][8] His childlike, slovenly demeanor and obsessive love for junk food, especially pizza and hamburgers, frequently derail missions into further disorder, emphasizing his role as the impulsive wildcard of the group.[1] Roba, Alfe's blue cyborg teammate and Horace's twin brother, functions as the analytical planner equipped with robotic enhancements like a high-tech visor.[8] Prone to anxiety and social awkwardness stemming from his fear of humanity—which leads him to disguise himself as a full robot—he contrasts the team's chaos with his technical expertise, though panic often undermines his contributions.[6] Horace serves as the refined, bespectacled human leader, depicted in a suit with a distinctive cool haircut.[6][8] His level-headed, gentlemanly nature keeps the group grounded, applying common sense to investigations while tolerating the antics of his companions. Supporting the trio is Tux Dog, an eccentric billionaire anthropomorphic dog clad in a tuxedo, who funds their operations from his mansion and supplies high-tech gadgets.[1] Originating from creator Ben Jones' elementary school creations, Tux Dog's pompous demeanor positions him as both benefactor and occasional antagonist in the team's adventures.[1] The characters' visual designs align with the show's deliberately crude, limited-animation aesthetic, produced in Adobe Flash with highly saturated colors, vibrant patterns, and funky retro shapes.[1] This style draws from 1970s limited-animation influences like Hanna-Barbera cartoons such as Rocky and Bullwinkle and Roger Ramjet, as well as 1980s video game graphics, embedding pop culture and underground comic elements into simplistic, blob-like forms that prioritize expressive chaos over realism.[5][8]Development and Production
Conception
Ben Jones, a visual artist and animator born in 1977, developed the core characters of The Problem Solverz during his time at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the late 1990s, initially creating them as part of comics and early web animations inspired by his lifelong interest in the medium, which dated back to elementary school projects like the character Tux Dog.[1] As a co-founder of the art collective Paper Rad in 2000 alongside Jacob and Jessica Ciocci—rooted in the DIY ethos of Providence's Fort Thunder scene—Jones expanded these characters through collaborative zines, videos, net art, and short animations featuring lo-fi, neon-colored aesthetics that explored pop culture, youth, and absurdity.[5][9] Early iterations of the protagonists, including Alfe (described by Jones as "half dog, half man and half anteater"), appeared in Paper Rad works from 2001 to 2004, such as shorts and comics that laid the groundwork for their problem-solving antics.[1][5] In 2006, Jones partnered with producer Nick Weidenfeld to develop a pilot titled Neon Knome, pitching it to Adult Swim as an adult-oriented animated series with experimental visuals and surreal narratives.[5] Although Adult Swim supported the concept, network executives expressed concerns over its stylistic intensity and redirected Jones to Cartoon Network's main lineup, where the project was retooled for broader appeal while retaining its core eccentricity.[1][5] The pilot aired online in 2010, showcasing the trio—Alfe, Roba, and Horace—tackling bizarre challenges like destroying a giant rollerblade, but it highlighted the need for adjustments to fit Cartoon Network's programming.[5] The title evolved from Neon Knome to The Problem Solverz to emphasize a parody of detective and adventure formats, drawing influences from limited-animation classics like Hanna-Barbera shows, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Roger Ramjet, which prioritized rapid pacing, visual gags, and minimalistic design.[5][1] Key creative decisions focused on absurd humor—such as quests for pizza that unleash dinosaurs—and visual experimentation using Flash animation to create a "new visual language" that blended Jones' fine art roots with television's demands, aiming to attract adult audiences through Cartoon Network's late-night block while echoing contemporaries like Adventure Time and Regular Show.[1] This approach allowed seamless integration of Jones' multimedia background, including influences from pop culture, music, and video games, into a format that prioritized timing, design, and unexpected jokes over traditional narrative structure.[5][1]Production Process
The Problem Solverz was produced using Adobe Flash animation software, allowing artists to draw, color, and animate directly within the program using Wacom tablets for a seamless digital 2D workflow.[1] This approach emphasized a design-first process, where visual elements were developed before scripting and animation, resulting in a distinctive style characterized by bright, flashy colors, crude character designs, and limited movement reminiscent of 1980s video games and underground art.[5] The production involved a small in-house team of fewer than 15 full-time animators at Cartoon Network Studios, co-produced with Mirari Films, enabling quick turnaround times for animation—often completing episodes in weeks after months of story development.[1] Directed by creator Ben Jones, a founding member of the art collective Paper Rad, the series drew influences from classic limited animation like Roger Ramjet and Rocky and Bullwinkle, as well as Hanna-Barbera techniques, to prioritize timing, editing, and character-driven humor over fluid motion.[5] Key team members included supervising director Greg Miller, designers John Pham and Jon Vermilyea, and writers Michael Yank and Eric Kaplan, with Jones also handling voice direction, editing, and composing the lo-fi electronic scores.[5] Production for Season 1 began in earnest in June 2010, following earlier pilots, with the team enduring 14-hour workdays to meet the April 2011 premiere.[1] Season 2 entered production in mid-2012 but faced delays due to network feedback on the show's pacing and visual style, ultimately resulting in only eight episodes being completed and released online on Netflix on March 30, 2013, rather than broadcast.[10][11] The series comprises 26 eleven-minute episodes across two seasons (18 in Season 1 and 8 in Season 2), scripted for rapid, surreal problem-solving narratives that resolved in absurd, quick-paced ways.[12] Challenges during production included adapting the experimental aesthetic from Jones's Paper Rad roots to network standards, with initial criticism prompting attempts at style adjustments that were later abandoned to preserve the original vision.[5]Voice Cast
Main Roles
The main voice roles in The Problem Solverz were performed by a core cast whose performances shaped the series' eccentric and high-energy tone, with creator Ben Jones taking on dual leads to ensure alignment with his vision. Ben Jones, who created, directed, and edited the series, voiced both Alfe and Roba, allowing him to maintain tight creative control over the protagonists' portrayals.[5] His energetic delivery for Alfe emphasized the character's impulsive enthusiasm, while Roba's nasal, anxious tone highlighted the cyborg's neurotic tendencies.[13][14] Kyle Kaplan provided the voice for Horace, using a calm, sophisticated British accent that contrasted sharply with the chaotic duo and reinforced the character's role as the team's composed leader.[13][4] John DiMaggio voiced Tux Dog, the affluent canine ally and occasional narrator, employing his signature deep and authoritative timbre to add weight and narration flair to the proceedings.[13][14]Recurring and Guest Roles
The recurring voice cast for The Problem Solverz featured actors who portrayed supporting characters such as family members, teachers, and recurring villains, contributing to the series' ensemble dynamic alongside the main leads. Pamela Adlon voiced Sweetie Creame, a client who enlists the team to stop her father in "The Mayan Ice Cream Caper," as well as other characters like Danny in "Firsts."[15] Eric Bauza voiced multiple supporting roles, including the dim-witted Dork Face in two episodes, adding comedic sidekick energy to various problem-solving scenarios. Jaleel White recurred as the malfunctioning robot K-999 across three episodes, serving as a rival detective who often complicated the protagonists' cases. George Takei lent his distinctive voice to Mr. Konishi, a stern authority figure and occasional narrator, in three episodes such as "Videogamez", bringing gravitas to episodic conflicts. The series incorporated over 20 unique guest voices to inject celebrity flair and variety into its surreal, episodic humor, with guests typically cast as exaggerated antagonists, quirky clients, or one-off mentors that heightened the show's absurd problem-solving antics. Notable among them was Alia Shawkat, who voiced Laura, a young explorer ally, in the episode "K-999 and Da Little Explorez". Mark Hamill appeared in Season 2 as the villainous Badcat and the helpful Buddy Huxton, voicing roles in two episodes that emphasized the season's more experimental tone. Other prominent guests included Chris Parnell as various authority figures in single episodes, Grey DeLisle as characters like Candace in "Hide and Seek Ninjaz", Kath Soucie as Spiralina in multiple one-offs, and Kevin Michael Richardson in antagonistic parts across segments, each enhancing the episodic diversity without overshadowing the core team's bumbling style.Episodes
Series Overview
The Problem Solverz is an American animated television series created by Ben Jones, featuring a trio of bumbling detectives—Alfe, Roba, and Horace—who tackle bizarre mysteries in their town of Farboro through a mix of absurd humor and problem-solving antics.[2] The series comprises 26 eleven-minute episodes across two seasons, with episodes aired individually in 30-minute time slots on Cartoon Network for Season 1 and released as standalone shorts on Netflix for Season 2.[12][16] Development began around 2009 following the rejection of an initial pilot by Adult Swim, leading to production by Cartoon Network Studios in collaboration with Mirari Films from 2010 to 2012. Season 1 aired on Cartoon Network starting April 4, 2011, while Season 2 shifted to exclusive streaming release on Netflix in 2013.[17] The show's distinctive style originated from earlier shorts by Jones's collective Paper Rad, including the 2006 segment "Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy" featured on their DVD Trash Talking, which introduced the core characters in a primitive form.[18] Preceding the full series, a 2010 pilot titled "Neon Knome" tested the concept, depicting the team's chaotic forest adventure against a giant rollerblade.[19] Throughout its episodes, the Problem Solverz maintain an absurd dynamic where their unorthodox methods often exacerbate the issues they aim to resolve, blending comedy with light mystery elements without delving into serialized narratives.[2]Pilot and Early Shorts
The unaired pilot episode of The Problem Solverz, titled "Neon Knome," was produced in 2007 as an 11-minute animated short by Ben Jones in collaboration with PFFR Productions and Williams Street.[19][1] The pilot introduced early iterations of the core characters—Alfe, a pizza-obsessed dog-man-anteater hybrid; Roba, a neurotic robot-human cyborg; and Horace, their level-headed human companion—as they confront a giant rollerblade that appears in their yard, leading to a chaotic adventure in the forest.[1][19] Originally pitched to Adult Swim as a late-night program, the pilot was redirected to Cartoon Network after Adult Swim passed on it, prompting Jones to refine the concept for a broader audience while retaining its eccentric core.[1] Prior to the pilot, Jones developed the characters through a series of independent shorts and web-based vignettes as part of his work with the art collective Paper Rad. In 2001, following the closure of a Providence, Rhode Island, gallery space where Paper Rad had exhibited, Jones launched the website Alfe.net, featuring Adobe Flash animations and comic-style segments centered on Alfe's misadventures in a lo-fi, hand-drawn world.[1] These early pieces, often shared via the Paper Rad site (paperrad.org), emphasized absurd humor and rudimentary aesthetics inspired by 1990s internet culture and zine art. By 2004, Jones expanded the roster with shorts introducing Roba, depicted in vignette format exploring themes of anxiety and invention, further solidifying the trio's dynamic before Horace's full integration.[20] One notable pre-pilot short, "Gone Cabin Carzy" (circa 2006), presented the group in a mock TV pilot style, parodying cabin getaway tropes amid chaotic problem-solving.[21] These early works and the "Neon Knome" pilot served as essential proofs-of-concept, honing the series' signature crude animation, vibrant color palette, and surreal comedy rooted in Jones' fine art background. Originating from his college-era experiments and Paper Rad collaborations, they bridged underground web art to broadcast television, paving the way for the full series greenlight in 2010.[9][1]Season 1 (2011)
Season 1 of The Problem Solverz premiered on Cartoon Network on April 4, 2011, and concluded on September 29, 2011, comprising 18 eleven-minute episodes. The season establishes the core team of Alfe, Roba, and Horace as unconventional detectives tackling absurd mysteries in the eccentric town of Farboro, highlighting their contrasting personalities—Alfe's impulsive enthusiasm, Roba's tech-savvy caution, and Horace's logical approach—while introducing the show's distinctive low-fi aesthetic and surreal problem-solving methods. Through these early cases, the narrative builds the world of Farboro, a bizarre urban landscape filled with quirky inventions and supernatural elements, setting the foundation for the team's collaborative yet chaotic dynamic.[2] The episodes focus on self-contained stories that blend humor, action, and visual experimentation, often drawing from pop culture tropes like video games, vampires, and time travel. Guest voices appeared sporadically, including contributions from series regulars in expanded roles. Below is a list of the episodes with their titles, air dates, and synopses.| No. | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Time Twister | April 4, 2011 | An elementary school class mysteriously ages decades after riding a time-traveling roller coaster, prompting the team to investigate the ride's malfunctioning physics.[22] |
| 2 | Videogamez | April 11, 2011 | Horace becomes addicted to a new video game called "Tomb of Nefertari," leading the Solverz to infiltrate the game's world to break the cycle of obsession.[22] |
| 3 | K-999 and Da Little Explorerz | April 18, 2011 | The team rescues a lost robot explorer in a dangerous urban jungle.[22] |
| 4 | Awesome Banditz | April 25, 2011 | The Solverz stop a gang of musical thieves who use rock concerts to commit heists in Farboro's stores.[22] |
| 5 | Funny Facez | May 2, 2011 | The Solverz probe the theft of a funny-face artist's unique photographs, uncovering a plot to control laughter in Farboro.[22] |
| 6 | Hide and Seek Ninjaz | May 9, 2011 | The team tracks elusive ninja pranksters disrupting the city with endless games of hide-and-seek.[22] |
| 7 | The Disappearing Cheese | May 16, 2011 | Mysterious vanishings plague a dairy factory, revealing a rival's sabotage.[16] |
| 8 | The Mayan Ice Cream Caper | May 23, 2011 | The team defends an ice cream empire from ancient curses tied to a Mayan artifact.[16] |
| 9 | Fauxboro | May 30, 2011 | The team wakes to a warped version of their town, caused by a reality-altering device.[22] |
| 10 | Magic Clock | June 6, 2011 | An enchanted timepiece causes chaotic loops, forcing the Solverz to reset Farboro's timeline.[22] |
| 11 | Breakfast Wars | August 25, 2011 | The team battles rival chefs over Farboro's ultimate pancake recipe.[16] |
| 12 | Zoo Cops | September 1, 2011 | The Solverz liberate escaped animals from a corrupt zoo run by poachers.[16] |
| 13 | Tux Dog | September 8, 2011 | The Solverz aid a sophisticated dog detective to solve a high-society jewel theft.[16] |
| 14 | Trouble in Paradise | September 15, 2011 | The team investigates environmental disasters threatening a luxury resort on a tropical island.[16] |
| 15 | Puffy Puppiez | September 22, 2011 | The team investigates why adorable puppies are causing citywide chaos.[22] |
| 16 | Glam-Vampire Hunterz | September 29, 2011 | The Solverz battle stylish vampires infesting Farboro's nightlife scene.[22] |
| 17 | The Wrong Side of the Stacks | September 29, 2011 | A library heist where rare books come alive, trapping patrons in fictional worlds.[16] |
| 18 | Mermaid Raid | September 29, 2011 | The Solverz dive into a watery conspiracy involving kidnapped mermaids and porpoise smugglers.[16] |
Season 2 (2013)
Season 2 of The Problem Solverz comprised eight short episodes, released simultaneously and exclusively on Netflix on March 30, 2013. This streaming-only distribution marked a shift from the first season's linear television broadcast on Cartoon Network, resulting in reduced visibility and promotion for the series, often described as a "burn-off" of the content. The episodes maintained the show's signature chaotic humor and problem-solving antics but featured a slightly refined animation style in most installments—smoother line work and subtle enhancements—while preserving the core experimental, collage-like aesthetic that had drawn consistent criticism for its jarring visuals. The season's production had been delayed from an initial 2012 target due to the first season's poor reception and low ratings. With a total runtime across the eight segments emphasizing absurd, self-contained stories, the episodes explored themes of personal mishaps, identity crises, and bizarre social dynamics among the Problem Solverz trio in Farboro. Specific examples include a video game developer's disruptive houseguest scenario and Alfe's ill-fated attempt at leadership. The episodes are listed below:- Making of The Problem Solverz Video Game: Mr. Konishi, a video game developer, is kicked out of his home by his wife and moves in with the Problem Solverz, promising to create a game based on their adventures.[23]
- Alfe Is Da Boss: Alfe takes charge of the team but struggles to lead effectively in their problem-solving efforts.[11]
- Roba Has Dreadlocks: Roba experiments with a new hairstyle, leading to complications in the group's dynamics.[11]
- Alfe Has a Baby: Alfe deals with the unexpected responsibility of caring for what he believes is his baby.[11]
- Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing It Up: The team encounters a group of overly enthusiastic performers causing chaos in town.[11]
- Yogurt Nights: The Problem Solverz navigate a nighttime obsession with yogurt that spirals into a larger mystery.[24]
- Super Close TV Watching: Horace's extreme proximity to the television creates problems for the household and beyond.[25]
- Alfe's Gonna Run Away: Alfe contemplates leaving the team after a series of frustrations with his partners.[25]