Out of Control (TV series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Out of Control
Out of Control title screen
Created by	Bob Hughes
Starring	Dave Coulier Jill Wakewood Diz McNally Marty Schiff David Stenstrom
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	26
Production
Executive producer(s)	Bob Klein Bruce Littlejohn
Producer(s)	Bob Hughes
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	22–24 minutes
Production company(s)	Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company
Release
Original network	Nickelodeon
Original release	October 6, 1984 (1984-10-06) – May 1, 1985 (1985-05-01)

Out of Control is an American sketch comedy television series created by Bob Hughes for Nickelodeon. Hosted by Dave Coulier, it centers on the production of a fictional news program. Coulier's character is the coordinator of the news show who vainly tries to get his eccentric crew members to work together. It features sketches with recurring themes by the Duck's Breath Mystery Theatre and interspersed animation by Spectre Productions.

The series' title refers to the control room of a news show; during production, it was named The Out of Control Room. The concept for the series originated from former Nickelodeon president Cy Schneider, who wanted a children's show that parodied the news magazine format. The series ran for a single season of 26 episodes from 1984 to 1985, with reruns continuing until 1992.

The series started the television career of several actors, including Coulier and David Stenstrom, who played the in-house inventor Waldo. While working on the series, Coulier originated many traits that he went on to use for the character Joey Gladstone on Full House, including his signature catchphrase "Cut-it-out!"

Premise

The series focuses on the production of a news program called Out of Control, which is a show-within-a-show. It is hosted by Dave (Dave Coulier), who is level-headed and tries his best to keep the show from getting "out of control." Dave's fellow crew members are archetypal characters, such as the shrill, plastic-fantastic party-girl stage manager Diz Aster (Diz McNally), the clueless reporter Angela "Scoop" Quickly (Jill Wakewood), the caustic newshawk Hern Burford (Marty Schiff), Professor Gravity (who was later re-used in the radio sketch Ask Dr. Science), and Waldo, the bespectacled mad inventor (David Stenstrom) and crew member. The characters refer to a box-like computer called the HA-HA 3200 as the sketch and joke writer for the show.

Guest stars included Bill Bixby (from The Incredible Hulk), Mouth Sounds author Fred Newman (who had a sound effects contest with Dave), comedian Bruce Baum (playing a fraud who collected clothing of celebrities), Joel Hodgson (playing an inept magician), and Dennis Miller (a man trying to survive in the desert). Also, Patrick "The Stick" Varnell, best known for the slasher comedy film Student Bodies, made a cameo appearance in the show's first episode; it was his only TV appearance.

Regular sketches

• Let's Eat – a food segment where Dave goes out to restaurants across the country for what he hears to be "The World's Best". If it matches the claim, Dave presents the "Let's Eat Trophy" (a gold cup with novelty chattering teeth) to the owner or chef of the restaurant.
• It's Probably True! – A news-like segment with real or fictional facts outlined.
• How Not To Do Things – A do-it-yourself segment featuring inept participants with corresponding disastrous results.
• It's Alive! – A segment that deals with animals and nature.
• Are We There Yet? – A segment that displays real or fictional locations.
• Profiles – A person (such as a stuntwoman, a hobo, a street mime, a bodybuilder or even a fountain fairy) is interviewed and showcases their profession.
• Adult Education – A segment "where kids are the teachers and adults are there to learn". A young girl teaches a group of adults various topics that kids know.
• Fast-Told Fairy Tales – A story segment where Diz gives her spin on classic fairy tales while being timed.
• Hurry Up! – A segment where Dave answers a letter and uses a device called the "Hurry-Up Machine" to fast forward through a boring activity.

Episodes

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