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The Problem Solverz facts for kids

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For the episode of the television series 30 Rock, see The Problem Solvers.
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The Problem Solverz
The Problem Solverz logotype.svg
Genre Comedy
Mystery
Created by Ben Jones
Written by
  • Eric Kaplan
  • Michael Yank
  • Dave Tennant
  • Ryan Levin
Directed by Ben Jones
Voices of
Narrated by John DiMaggio (Season 1 only)
Composer(s) Ben Jones
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 26 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Ben Jones
Producer(s) Nate Funaro
Running time 11 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network
Original release April 4, 2011 (2011-04-04) – March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)

The Problem Solverz is an American animated TV show that aired on Cartoon Network. It was created by Ben Jones. The show is about three friends, Alfe, Roba, and Horace, who work as detectives in their town called Farboro. They try to solve all sorts of strange problems.

Ben Jones first created these characters when he was in college in the 1990s. Later, he started an art group called Paper Rad. The characters appeared in many of Jones's and the group's cartoons and comics. Ben Jones then showed a pilot episode to Adult Swim. They liked it and sent him to Cartoon Network. Cartoon Network decided to make a whole series with the characters. The show was made using Adobe Flash by about fifteen animators at Cartoon Network Studios and Mirari Films.

The Problem Solverz first aired on April 4, 2011. The first season had eighteen episodes and ended on September 29, 2011. A second and final season was released only on Netflix in 2013.

What is The Problem Solverz About?

Main characters of The Problem Solverz
From left to right: Horace, Alfe, and Roba, the main characters of the series

The show follows three detectives: Alfe, Roba, and Horace. They live in the town of Farboro. Their job is to solve the many problems that happen there. Sometimes, they even cause the problems themselves!

They get help from Tux Dog, a very rich dog. Tux Dog often helps them with their cases. But sometimes, he is also the reason for their problems.

Meet the Main Characters

  • Alfe (pronounced Al-fay) is a big, fluffy creature. He is part man, part dog, and part anteater. Horace found and raised him when they were both young. Alfe loves to eat a lot, especially pizza and hamburgers. He often acts without thinking during their missions.
  • Roba is Horace's twin brother. He is a cyborg, which means he is part robot. Roba is the smartest member of the group. However, he sometimes feels unsure of himself and gets worried.
  • Horace is the calm and sensible leader of the team. He usually uses common sense to solve mysteries. He also takes care of Alfe.

Who Are the Voices Behind the Characters?

Many talented actors lent their voices to the characters in The Problem Solverz. Here are some of them:

  • Pamela Adlon – Mr. Creame, Sweetie Creame, Danny, Danny's Mom
  • James Avery – Go-Seeki Ninja Master, Ninja Master's Dad Head
  • Eric Bauza – Dork Face, Ale, Alfred
  • Matt Berry – Drill Sergeant
  • Wayne Brady – Uncle Chocofus
  • Tia Carrere – Tara
  • Andrew Daly [S1-2] and Rob Paulsen [S3-] – Miss May
  • Grey DeLisle – Candace, Luka
  • John DiMaggio – Narrator (S01 only), Teacher, The Mewmeoh, Tux Dog, Badcat (in "Puffy Puppiez"), Jerry, Gary
  • Michael Dorn – Yamir
  • Rich Fulcher – Lidget
  • Nika Futterman – Stratch
  • Mark Hamill – Buddy Huxton, Badcat (in "Badcat")
  • Amy Hill – Mrs. Konishi
  • Ben Jones – Alfe, Roba, Balloon Professor, Professor Sugarfish, Rusty Pedals
  • Kyle Kaplan - Horace
  • Tom Kenny – Bionic Zombies, The Android-geist
  • Liz Lee – Additionals (S02E27 only)
  • Vanessa Marshall – Emily, Yogi, Trudy H.
  • Daran Norris – J.B. McTooth
  • Chris Parnell – The Mayor, Eternitron
  • Bronson Pinchot – AI (Master Artificial Intelligence)
  • Kevin Michael Richardson – Wendigo
  • Horatio Sanz – Ralphe
  • Paul Scheer – Tony Marv, Fungsten
  • Alia Shawkat – Laura
  • Kath Soucie – Spiralina
  • George Takei – Howard Konishi
  • Jill Talley – Nina, Alpha Alien, Dolls' Kid Owner
  • Brian Tee – Captain, Granite, Mini Master
  • Kari Wahlgren – Katrina Rad
  • Jason Walden – Tommy, JZ, Glam Metal Vampirez
  • Jaleel White – K-999

Episodes List

How Many Seasons and Episodes?

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired Network
Pilot 2008 Adult Swim
Shorts 2 2006 (2006) 2007 (2007) Direct-to-video
1 18 April 4, 2011 (2011-04-04) September 29, 2011 (2011-09-29) Cartoon Network
2 8 March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30) Netflix

Early Shorts

The characters from The Problem Solverz first appeared in a short cartoon called "Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy". This short was made by the art group Paper Rad in 2006. It was included on their DVD Trash Talking.

Another short, "Problem Solvers", was released in 2008. It introduced the idea of "problem solving" that Ben Jones later used for the TV show. Some characters from this short also made small appearances in The Problem Solverz series.

Title Written and storyboarded by Original air date
"Alfe: Gone Cabin Carzy" Ben Jones (as Paper Rad) 2006 (2006)
Horace thinks there is radiation outside. A very early version of Alfe's cousin, Ralphe, appears in this short.
"Problem Solvers" Ben Jones (as Paper Rad) 2007 (2007)
This short shows the adventures of six new characters. It has three parts. Some characters from this short later appeared in The Problem Solverz.

The Pilot Episode

The pilot episode, "Neon Knome", was made in 2008 for Adult Swim. It was later released online in 2010.

Title Written and directed by Original release date
"Neon Knome" Ben Jones 2008 (2008)
Horace, Alfe, and Roba try to destroy a giant rollerblade in their yard. They end up getting lost in the forest.

Season 1 (2011) Episodes

The first season of The Problem Solverz aired on Cartoon Network in 2011. It had 18 episodes.

No.
overall		 No. in
season		 Title Written by Storyboarded by Original air date Prod.
code
1 1 "Time Twister" Eric Kaplan Ben Jones April 4, 2011 (2011-04-04)
The Problem Solverz find a time-traveling rollercoaster that makes people older. Alfe uses it for pizza, causing chaos. They must destroy the rollercoaster to fix things.
2 2 "Videogamez" Michael Yank Nick Bertonazzi April 11, 2011 (2011-04-11)
Horace gets hooked on a video game. Alfe and Roba must enter the game to save him and stop the game's enemies from invading the real world.
3 3 "K-999 and Da Little Explorerz" Michael Yank Nick Bertonazzi April 18, 2011 (2011-04-18)
The Problem Solverz team up with a robot dog named K-999. They work together to stop aliens who are getting help from Girl Scouts.
4 4 "Awesome Banditz" Michael Yank Nick Bertonazzi April 25, 2011 (2011-04-25)
The Problem Solverz go undercover to catch a group of thieves. These thieves are experts at underground elevator racing.
5 5 "Funny Facez" Michael Yank Leo Riley May 2, 2011 (2011-05-02)
A famous funny-face artist's work is stolen. The Problem Solverz investigate to find out who leaked the photos.
6 6 "Hide and Seek Ninjaz" Michael Yank Nick Bertonazzi May 9, 2011 (2011-05-09)
Alfe, Roba, and Horace find some ninjas who kidnap a little girl's mom. They must stop the ninjas.
7 7 "The Mayan Ice Cream Caper" Eric Kaplan Ben Jones May 16, 2011 (2011-05-16)
The Problem Solverz are called to stop an ice cream factory from being destroyed by its owner.
8 8 "Badcat" Michael Yank Casey Leonard May 23, 2011 (2011-05-23)
Tux Dog tries to stop a villain named Badcat by himself. The Problem Solverz promise the mayor they will solve this problem.
9 9 "Fauxboro" Michael Yank Casey Leonard May 30, 2011 (2011-05-30)
The town of Farboro starts acting strangely. People are replaced by Bionic Zombies! The gang must stop them.
10 10 "Magic Clock" Michael Yank Casey Leonard June 6, 2011 (2011-06-06)
Alfe, Roba, and Horace try to get back a stolen clock. A fan of Roba wants to use the clock to date him.
11 11 "Breakfast Wars" Michael Yank Casey Leonard June 13, 2011 (2011-06-13)
The trio tries to find more cereal for a kid who is obsessed with sugar.
12 12 "Zoo Cops" Michael Yank Casey Leonard June 20, 2011 (2011-06-20)
The Problem Solverz help the zoo catch a character named Dork Face. They end up in a different world called Flatland.
13 13 "Hamburger Cavez" Michael Yank Casey Leonard August 25, 2011 (2011-08-25)
Alfe, who loves hamburgers, wanders off during a camping trip. He accidentally releases a spirit named Wendigo and gets possessed.
14 14 "Puffy Puppiez" Dave Tennant Casey Leonard September 1, 2011 (2011-09-01)
Roba takes care of puppies, but they cause chaos. Badcat returns to capture all dogs. Alfe enters a bike contest to save them.
15 15 "Glam-Vampire Hunterz" Dave Tennant Casey Leonard September 8, 2011 (2011-09-08)
Alfe, Roba, and Horace try to stop rock vampires from taking over Farboro. Alfe's cousin, Ralphe, visits and claims to know how to defeat them.
16 16 "Problem Solverz Academy" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard September 15, 2011 (2011-09-15)
Tux Dog sends the trio back to school to improve their problem-solving skills. K-999 also joins the academy.
17 17 "Mermaid Raid" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard September 22, 2011 (2011-09-22)
Alfe pretends to be scared of water. This stops the Problem Solverz from helping a mermaid who needs their help.
18 18 "Tux Dog's Island" Michael Yank Leo Riley September 29, 2011 (2011-09-29)
The trio goes on vacation to an island resort sent by Tux Dog. Horace thinks the island is too perfect and looks for a problem to solve.

Season 2 (2013) Episodes

Eight episodes were made for Season 2. They were released only on Netflix on March 30, 2013. This season was never shown on television.

No.
overall		 No. in
season		 Title Written by Storyboarded by Original release date
19 1 "Making of The Problem Solverz Video Game" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Mr. Konishi is kicked out by his wife. The Solverz decide to let him stay with them.
20 2 "Alfe Is Da Boss" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Alfe gains control over the house. He quickly becomes too powerful and causes trouble.
21 3 "Roba Has Dreadlocks" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Roba becomes a hippie after he runs out of his hand sanitizer.
22 4 "Alfe Has a Baby" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
The Problem Solverz must take care of the daughter of Alfe's Uncle Chocofus.
23 5 "Zazz Boyz Are Zazzing It Up" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Alfe and Roba start their own band. Horace is upset when he is kicked out because he can't sing well.
24 6 "Yogurt Nights" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Alfe finds Roba and Horace attending a support group for "Fur Monsters".
25 7 "Super Close TV Watching" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Horace shows off his amazing soccer skills. The trio decides to join a soccer league.
26 8 "Alfe's Gonna Run Away" Ryan Levin Casey Leonard March 30, 2013 (2013-03-30)
Alfe decides to leave the group. He wants to find more "awesome" places after being disciplined by Roba and Horace too many times.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: The Problem Solverz para niños

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