Sit Down, Shut Up (2009 TV series)

Sit Down, Shut Up (also promoted as Sit Down, Shut Up!) is an American adult animated TV series created by Mitchell Hurwitz for Fox. It follows a group of Florida high school teachers who have little interest in actually teaching. The show debuted on April 19, 2009, as part of Fox’s Animation Domination lineup, but was pulled after just four episodes because of poor ratings. The remaining nine episodes later aired on Saturdays at midnight, and the series was canceled on November 21, 2009.

The series is based on an Australian live-action sitcom of the same name. Hurwitz first thought of an animated version in 2000 and wrote a pilot script, but kept it “in a drawer” until 2008, when he needed money and pitched it to several US networks. He described the show as “just a wacky show, and nobody wanted it,” but Fox eventually picked it up as a primetime animated series.

Critical reception was mixed. The Orlando Sentinel called it a “disaster,” and Newsday labeled it “raw, vulgar and blithely offensive, with so many triple and quadruple entendres for so many sexual acts.” The Hollywood Reporter criticized its frequent fourth-wall breaks, saying it was “painful to watch how hard the show tries to be funny.” IGN gave a more positive review, stating “it should continue to be a very entertaining show,” and TV Squad noted that it “definitely grows on you.” The show was nominated for an Artios Award in 2009 for its casting.

The main characters include Ennis Hofftard (voiced by Will Arnett), a cyclist English teacher who chases women and often bungles his plans. His catchphrase is “Catchphrases are for losers!” He has a sexual interest in Miracle and sometimes exhibits the thought processes of a house cat, which he calls his “comfort kitty” (a live-action cat). Larry Littlejunk (voiced by Jason Bateman) is the gym teacher and the only staff member who can actually teach, often serving as the protagonist. He is embarrassed by his last name, so he goes by “Larry L.,” and his catchphrase is “Why can’t someone else teach P.E.?” He is in love with Miracle but insults her instead of confessing. Miracle Grohe (voiced by Kristin Chenoweth) is a barefoot hippie science teacher who brings her infant son Merch to school, believing babies should always be with their mothers. Her catchphrase is “Babies are gifts from God!