If you’re looking for a new comedy web series with Andy Rooney vibes, Grumpy Phil may be your next bingeworthy watch! Currently featuring two seasons, with new free-to-watch episodes dropping each week through the end of November, the show features relatable bite-sized comedy shorts narrated by a self-proclaimed curmudgeon named Phil.
A relatable comedy web series
Grumpy Phil is a new comedy web series created by Stan Mendenhall and Robin Wilt Mendenhall, along with Carla Milarch and Phil Powers. Both husband-wife duos came together to launch a creative endeavor which takes a satirical look at American society.
Characterized as “the voice of every frustrated employee navigating a broken corporate world… the fist-shaker who won’t succumb to nonsensical norms of society…” Grumpy Phil was designed to be relatable to the typical American who speaks about simple, every day grievances.
Meet the talented duo
Actor Phil Powers and Theatre NOVA Artistic Director Carla Milarch are the talented duo behind Grumpy Phil. Phil Powers stars as Phil in the series. Powers has a background in acting, with credits including stage work at Theatre NOVA and Meadow Brook Theatre. Powers started acting as a child actor with the Chelsea Players’ production of Fiddler On the Roof. When asked to describe himself in three words, Powers said, “Giggle Box, Love and Family”.
Milarch boasts an equally impressive resume, as the founding director of Theatre NOVA. Milarch launched the Ann Arbor-based non-profit in 2014, focusing on new playwrights and plays. Milarch and Powers lived and worked together in New York, and have both worked professionally in theatre for thirty years. Milarch described herself with the following words: “Free-Range Brain, Scofflaw and Decision Maker”.
Although both Milarch and Powers have several years’ of experience in the theatre field, they are new to the digital area. “Moving into the web series and video aspect has been educational and really fun to work in…” Milarch shared. “One of the things I enjoy in any screenwriting venture is…being able to take a deep dive into [a topic]”, said Milarch. Episodes are filmed at Theatre NOVA’s lobby and stage, sometimes using the green screen.
RELATED: Carla Milarch: actress, playwright, director, thinker
The origins of Grumpy Phil
Milarch and Powers shared that Grumpy Phil truly arose organically, as the duo collaborated with their friends, Stan Mendenhall and Robin Wilt Mendenhall, executive producers and founders of media company RobStan Visuals (RSV).
The couples would have casual conversations about “daily annoyances” plaguing the middle class worker in corporate America. Milarch and Powers wanted to create something like the kind of quick comedic bits Andy Rooney would perform at the end of 60 Minutes. Powers shared how Andy Rooney would base his comedic bits on seemingly mundane questions, such as “why we have so many paperclips…” He had “monstrous” eyebrows. Essentially, Grumpy Phil’s character was inspired by Andy and his eyebrows. The filmmaking duo described their web series as: “Wack-A-Doodle, Silly and Versatile”.
Season two release schedule
Season One of Grumpy Phil encompasses three episodes, covering diverse topics ranging from automated restrooms to a growing mug collection. Season Two currently includes three episodes, with three more episodes on the way. Currently released episodes include, “Grumpy Phil vs. Pet Birthday Parties”, “Grumpy Phil vs. Fruit Stickers” and “Grumpy Phil vs. Auto-Renewing subscriptions”. Episodes are released weekly and are available to stream for free on the Grumpy Phil website.
Powers shared that one of his favorite episodes to film covers the topic of lawn maintenance: “the idea that a person needs to maintain their lawn… really messes up the ecological footprint of ecosystem for critters”. The episode explores questions such as why companies started making so much money on lawn mowers and what Louis XIV and Thomas Jefferson have to do with lawn maintenance. Tune in to find out on November 15th!
Future Plans for Grumpy Phil
With two seasons under their belt, Milarch and Powers stated that they do not yet have plans for a season three, as they are waiting to see how season two goes. Both Milarch and Powers are busy with other creative endeavors: Milarch is writing two plays in addition to serving as the full-time theatre director of Theatre NOVA. Meanwhile, Powers still works as an actor.
For more information about Grumpy Phil, and to view newly released episodes, check out the website, youtube channel and facebook page. Grumpy Merch is also available on the website.
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