Deadtime Stories

[@Syrai24]

"I'm not crazy, it DID happen!! It WAS real!! Wasn't it?" "Sure it was real.............. as real as I am." Best Line Ever!!!!!!

[@wolvesgirl1565]

I like how the animation makes you question if the main character really is crazy or not

[@cherries22222]

PLEAZE MOTHER OF GOD MAKE THIS A SHOW.

[@funnyblog100]

actually no that ambigious ending it is supposed to stay that way and leave it up to the viewer to decide if the girl was just insane or if that was all real if it was made itno a show it would not really have that sort of charm to it you see its supposed to end on a cliffhanger not be a continous series

[@JTHMSqueeMrEffDBoy]

funnyblog100 The only problem with that theory is that it's a "dropped pilot," meaning that it was intended to be a series but didn't get picked up as one. It could have worked as an anthology type show, though, and the title does seem to suggest that.

[@Shadowbunny82]

Yhhy

[@animefan2454]

Definitely I woud soooo pay to see this hell make it a Netflix series.

[@Punisherfan123]

@@animefan2454 I agree.

[@Yasuhikou]

So this got scrapped, but all those teen prego shows got greenlit? If i hadn't already lost all respect for MTV, i'd be disapointed.

[@animefan2454]

This Shoud have been a series

[@Dilbert1999]

I come from the future, and trust me, MTV gets *_MUCH_* worse.

[@Adamguy2003]

@@Dilbert1999 The 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards alone are proof of that!

[@brimestonelewis8775]

Sadly, animation is a long, difficult, and expensive process.

[@CiaranEldrett-vp8yz]

@@animefan2454 facts!!!

[@StoutShako]

I love how likable they made Ebola as a person. They could have easily fallen into the trap of making her like any other stereotypical uber-edgy super goth protagonist and made her a total emotionally stunted bitch. But she's a really good person at heart. I really feel connected from her from just seeing less than 8 minutes of her life. I want her to succeed and tell her HORRID EXCUSES OF PARENTS to fuck off one day. I really wish this could have made it, but it's perfect as a short, too. I feel like the questionable animation quality was completely intentional, and the only thing I could call a mistake is that when the little girl transforms, some of the sound effects were out of sync. That's literally it. Ok I'll stop gushing now.

[@scaryjerryofmerrykerriemay2727]

I think that you're thinking of emo, not goth...

[@vanellope681]

I love her too. I also hate her stupid parents. They remind me of my dad.

[@ambercrest8966]

+Carvon Campbell not to be a judgemental turd, but could you tell me the difference? I legit can't tell.

[@scaryjerryofmerrykerriemay2727]

+Fire Breather You can't tell because people constantly say that emo is goth for some reason. Emos are the ones with choppy hair with neon highlights and cut themselves over stupid crap. (Not all really do that but I'm just painting a general picture) Emos like to say that they listen to punk but most I see never even heard of The Misfits or the Suicidal Tendencies before. Emo= Post-Hardcore, Pop Punk, Metalcore, annoying. (if you can't tell...I hate emos) Goths are not the depressed, emotional, suicidal, group society makes them out to be (Those are the emos). And there are actually way too many different types of goths to really give a brief description. So I'll just say that most goths wear a ton of black, wear make up to make their skin look more pale. Goths= Bats, Vampires, Gothic rock & Metal.

[@ambercrest8966]

Carvon Campbell​ oh, so emo is tryhard, and goth is legit. 10/10 would ask for explination again! 

[@layla-rh9hj]

Ebola? And she the crazy one? Who names a child ebola thinking she'll turn out ok?

[@michaelvera34]

Layla Merrill This came out seven years ago, before ebola became publicized to the point of self parody

[@layla-rh9hj]

Michael Vera IDC Ebola its a dangerous desise People knew about it but they weren't getting ebola so therefore they named their daughter after basically death

[@michaelvera34]

Layla Merrill that's different virtually no one knew about it

[@layla-rh9hj]

Michael Vera people did know they jut chose to ignore it

[@michaelvera34]

Layla Merrill FYI the girls name is Abola. And even if it was Ebola, it was sheer coincidence.

[@TheDarkDragonOfTas]

I would have loved to live in the alternate reality where this existed and Jersey shore was scrapped in its place

[@animefan2454]

HowlToTheMoon that's paradise.

[@Adamguy2003]

HELL YEAH!

[@jonathanbolanos1995]

This DEFINITELY should of been a series.

[@allosaurrelish]

It really, REALLY gets to me that MTV rejected this wonderful and creative idea for a show, I really enjoyed it and the combination of humor plus horror is so good. I really hope this idea doesn't stay on the chopping block, maybe Shudder or HBO Max could pick it up now given how times have changed.

[@an4rk135]

i think Shudder would’ve been a perfect home for the show considering on how HBO Max has been doing with animation recently….

[@Scarshadow666]

Shudder would be perfect for this series (or it could be an indie animation funded by IndieGoGo/Patreon/merch sales and promo material)! ^^ Here's hoping Michael could bring about more from this if he wishes too!

[@animefan2454]

Agreed, put it on Shudder. Cause I want to see how this ends.

[@ZimVader0017]

Funny how this was created by some Nickelodeon animators who had gotten bored one day. Too bad they didn't manage to convince anyone to help them continue it, even as a pilot episode, it looks really awesome.

[@emeraldparadox1001]

This would've been a great series! Better than BreadWinners....

[@ZimVader0017]

Anything is better than BreadWinners................

[@Dilbert1999]

Well if they just created it when they were bored then it was probably a one-hit thing anyway.

[@emeraldparadox1001]

Actually this could've been an actual series if it was on a different network. The only reason why it was suddenly dropped is because Mtv wouldn't accept it.

[@kiernanhowell-mackinley1733]

ZimVader0017 Except Johnny Test!

[@ryangeoghagan3076]

This looks cool. Screw MTV for not making this a show. I hate MTV even more now.

[@nightform8011]

me too

[@albaprince9484]

The sad part is that a show like this needs to be made. Something that isn't afraid to deal with dark themes and a mental disorder. It had great tone to it and should not have been dropped.

[@animefan2454]

Alba Prince Yeah this is awesome.

[@QuantumCuttlefish]

If this had a crowdfunding page I'd totally help support it. Anyone else?

[@MegaTang1234]

i would too

[@tinyboxtim6319]

me

[@bladeadler9376]

ME!

[@maxiBianca]

Carson Sepulveda same

[@clarencedeng8179]

Unfortunately, just like Very Important House, a crowdfunding page likely wouldn't do anything. MTV probably owns the rights, and it'd cost way more to just buy the rights back than it would take to make a series and distribute it independently. It's ok though. Both Breehn Burns and Michael Dougherty have gone on to better things

[@seancrow4738]

This is really good. I love the eerie almost storybook-like art style, and how it's contrasted with really detailed audio. Not only that, but it seems like a really good internal conflict story. I wish those guys luck. Hope this does get aired

[@AnoraFan-z1v]

Sadly the project was dropped over a decade ago for undisclosed reasons so it will never happen. What a shame, it looks like such a good show.

[@Ghoulbait]

I wish this was a real series. Id buy all the DVDs. This would surely be an awesome horror styled point and click adventure omg!

[@fuzzyapplepie6940]

*

[@DaTacoGirl]

like my name is, fran bow is actually surprisingly about as close as you'd get to a point-and-click adventure game about this.

[@lucy4666]

What the hell is your profile picture

[@thomasa.1772]

We cannot deny it: Gothic subculture was the best thing to happen to TV. This is by far the most goth media I have seen 🦇

[@lindseyelson1545]

I agree

[@oOTeOzKaNiBaLOo]

This is possibly the darkest cartoon I've ever seen and I want more

[@claudespeedbarney1]

this pilot is better than all of mtv's cartoons combined

[@carterburkhart4336]

Beavis and Butthead is a good one

[@claudespeedbarney1]

+Carter Burkhart not as good as this, in my opinion

[@livingdeaddollsjunky9543]

+claudespeedbarney1 Daria

[@livingdeaddollsjunky9543]

+claudespeedbarney1 but i think they are both just as good

[@mikefortier7081]

Cory Baxter downtown

[@jamescalvert4471]

Years later I still come back to it. My last chrome search history seems to point here. Im glad. Its like meeting up with and old friend. Best wishes Mr Dougherty.

[@YoshiBearGaming]

I have been looking for this animation for years and I finally found it, this is just as amazing as I last saw it... About 8 years ago

[@alanaadkins3912]

Same i just found it again this scared me sm as a kid

[@angelnicolesmith]

yep same here, brings back memories

[@justincowger7105]

I think the thing I love most about this pilot is its animation/art style. I love the whole abstract, spooky, two dimensional thing they had going. It fits like a glove. Also, loved the girl and her parents. I really like the neglected child idea. And, the twist ending was great too. My jaw dropped when the little girl turned into a monster. I hate to say it, but I couldn't see this doing very well on MTV even it if it would've gotten the green light. Not because it doesn't have potential, but because it seems more like an Adult Swim or Cartoon Network type show. The creator should've pitched this somewhere that actually made sense. I mean MTV...? C'Mon. But yeah, somebody should pitch the pilot to Adult Swim or Cartoon Network. Would be a much better fit, especially for Adult Swim.

[@kelbeen]

There are infinite universe, so no need to be sad. At least in one of those universes this show was green lit.

[@devar3417]

What does greenlit mean!

[@sirensxendneverland4706]

+Blue Robo101 they would make more episodes if it was greenlit

[@robertalter3186]

Permission to go ahead with a project

[@thebrightdiamondtp7871]

In 14,000,605 alternate futures, how many greenlit this under appreciated gem? ....One.

[@animefan2454]

Ebola would have been a great protagonist

[@KuraSourTakanHour]

Woah, 2007... video surfing took me back far in time

[@isabellabarrios3912]

Finally found this. Watched it when I was 8-9 and it was my gateway into becoming interested in obscure creepy media. Wish mtv ran with it, would’ve def watched

[@bonbonlovestoast988]

When she was a child the trees outside her window would scare her at night. When she saw them she would visualize the slasher monster (opening clip). The doll head is the little girl (that I assume she thought up herself) because they share the same face. I'm thinking it's included in her hallucinations due to her associating it with her nightmares because it was something else she found creepy in her room at night (everytime she looked at the trees the doll head was in sight on the ground. Just a broken toy that was lying around that she found creepy at night). The doll head also shows up everytime something scary happens to Ebola (bedroom floor and front door of neighbors house). It's strongly hinted that the "screams" Ebola heard were the blender, the sound clip even playing right after Ebola mentions said "screams" which I believe was a heavy nod from the animators. Ebola's reflection states "it wasn't a dream, it was a recovered memory," which would be half-true, since it was a memory of from her childhood, with much of it's elements, however, being made exaggerated due to her fear-driven imagination (children imagine everything as a monster at night). Even though it's not stated I'm thinking that she co-exists with her reflection hallucination and knows that it isn't another entity, but just another part of her consciousness that isn't entirely in her control (like thinking aloud only involuntarily). This is because at the end when the reflection states "as real as I am," Ebola is visibly alarmed. Why would she be questioning the event with the little girl if she had believed the reflection was a separate being? That is to say, if she acknowledged her reflection was not a hallucination and in fact a very real separate person, then she would have faith that the little girl incident did in fact happen and not have questioned her sanity. I'm not so sure about this one cause if it's a hint it's pretty subtle, but when Smirk calls Ebola "little miss mood swing" and asks if her "happy pills were wearing off?" it's possible he's implying that she is usually mild-mannered and nicer when on her meds (this is assuming she's taking them because it's canon she is insane) and he notices she is off of them (this would explain why she is suddenly having episodes again and her mother noticing she "looks horrible"). He would be aware of it if she was taking meds since he also knows that she has been to a mental hospital and was diagnosed with psychosis. This was all stated jokingly so it was hard to catch but it would line up with the other evidence and it is shown that Smirk is a character who likes to take serious information lightly to tease Ebola (he casually tells his story about the other three sisters dying to scare Ebola).

[@zacharybray1963]

I think this pilot still has potential. If there's still people out there trying to convince the network to greenlight this show, they have my support.

[@Channeleven2345789]

It's almost as if MTV has a curse that prevents it from expanding upon cartoons with potential. It happened to Downtown, it happened to Undergrads, it happened to 3-South, it happened to Good Vibes, it has recently happened to Beavis and Butthead and it happened with this pilot.

[@judgepepper6351]

Don't forget clone high

[@lloydrodriguez9969]

@@judgepepper6351 Or The Maxx

[@AmiiSworna]

this should have been a series.

[@gamer6uy]

I wish some wealthy entrepreneur would come along and make a television channel dedicated for 'dark' shows like this one, or if that's too much to ask maybe people could convince SyFy to air shows like this one day a week much like Adult Swim airing anime on Saturday, SyFy could replace wrestling with said shows. And why is wrestling on SyFy anyway?

[@bmsturgis3]

ikr

[@adsweaty]

you got an ida going there, if every viewer who saw this video just donated one dollar (assuming they make a fundraiser for it on some website), this show could become a reality.

[@l_leles_]

@@nou7842 man this commentary has already seven years

[@pedropenteado7365]

I love the visuals and the overall mood it delivers... To me the story touches on the subject of schizophrenia and shows how some people, represented by the main girl, deal with it on a daily basis and try to repress what they go through in order to be accepted in their social environment. I would have loved to see more if it had been picked up for a show. But even as a short alone the story is great.

[@vvitch-mist20]

I wish this show wasn't cancelled. I would have LOVED to watch this.

[@chivalrousjack]

Very cool. Thank you, Mr. Dougherty.

[@Reviewer2016]

Anyone else wanna talk about how the mom? I mean her daughter spent time in (what we can assume to be anyway) an asylum and she won't let her forget that little fact. It also says she's a would be socialite the way she mentions her PTA connections as well as valuing her acquaintance(not gonna use friend since we are given little interaction) input rather then the word of her daughter when she says a possible fact(just because they're in a PTA doesn't mean they give a shit aboutnkids they just wanna look like they do)

[@dianaram.c.1992]

Someone needs to do a whole fan animation. It's really good and it has potential.

[@animefan2454]

better then most things now a days.

[@sirensxendneverland4706]

"mothers really shouldn't drink while there pregnant" DAMN, boy do you need some ice for that burn!

[@VerneditheSnail]

I wish if went on longer. This was so good.

[@slashersmile892]

The “Trick ‘r Treat” resemblance is pretty obvious, but one can definitely see where where this later bled into “Krampus” a bit, as well, with the demented-looking gingerbread cookie.

[@starplatinum9758]

This needs to be a series

[@candyfire4856]

You know while this lacks in animation, the way it was drawn in a storybook form+ atmosphere+ storyline= a very good cartoon. This should have aired I dont care if it was on mtv or not, this shit deserves to made into something BIG.

[@nyt3wolfthefurry764]

This show has a great feel to it. I love the main character too. I love everything about this show! Unfortunately this pilot was dropped by MTV way back in 2007... ;-;

[@gregorymelissinos337]

This guy has the worst luck. He makes a great scary pilot that doesn't get picked up. He makes an amazing scary movie that doesn't get a theatrical release.

[@jahayaazizi1472]

This show should be on HBOMax Legendary"s animation Deadtime Stories.This show should be revive.Michael Dougherty should direct,write and produce this show for a streaming service.Everyone would love Dougherty's dark imagination.I like his work.

[@divxva]

this pilot is too good to not be a show…

[@PurpleShaman121]

As a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic who just last week experienced a massive psychotic episode and had almost attacked my nephew who I was convinced had been transformed into a zombie by a sister that had been replaced by an actual monster with magical abilities. This young girls delusions and my illness are now interwoven ...

[@mangamaniaciam]

It's like a gothic version of MTV's "Daria", only MUCH better!:D I know I'd love to see these refined and made into a series!

[@molly9332]

Did anyone else notice that the mother of the demon child didn't even have hands?

[@imlovedavepetab3374]

I was confused about that

[@StoutShako]

I totally did! I mean, only after rewatching it the thousandth time, but I noticed!!!

[@molly9332]

It makes me wonder what else the demon child did to its parents and siblings!

[@StoutShako]

Deer Child No, I think the kid was innocent and just defending herself from her abusive parents. I believe her siaters were also like her (you can see more than one set of chains in the room), and got killed by their parents because they were afraid and ashamed of them. But I guess we'll never know. I think these questions would go unanswered even if the show HAD been greenlit.

[@molly9332]

Stout Shako woah, I never really thought of that! I guess it makes a lot more sense then what I originally thought.

[@theferretlord4284]

I remember this! I watched this so long ago. I liked it a lot. I always wondered if what she experienced was real or not. hmm. it would be cool if someone made more of these.

[@Manic_Mitch.official]

Just found this after seeing it probably more than 10 years ago. Unlocked a weird nostalgia.

[@KiaraPhillips-v5n]

same

[@RainbowAlejandro420]

I really like the art style and animation style in this. It's a lot like a story book.

[@maggiew.2755]

Mindfuck! Shame it was dropped. Would've liked to see how the story goes.

[@themeatman6984]

Maggie W. beacause mtv needs more drama less quality

[@maggiew.2755]

Tony the electric ninja Rrrgh. Of course it does. But how is this NOT drama?!

[@themeatman6984]

Maggie W. its horror mostly

[@joshsmith130]

If this won't become a show, then I'll make it into a book.

[@JT5555]

I'll Take A Piece Of That Action.>;3

[@majorchaotic5544]

What about a comic or video game series?

[@panselinapendragon1731]

i went through a phase when i was younger of watching short horror movies on youtube such as deadtime stories: invasion of the apple heads, a few specific episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark, Lilly D and this. they were all very ‘underground’ and i never heard of them outside of youtube and this is really taking me back. can’t imagine why is was cancelled

[@doomguy676]

WHY WASINT THIS AIRED AS A ENTIRE SHOW

[@123darkelf]

It was MTV what did you expect back then?

[@doomguy676]

to be fair I only found out this existed last week

[@123darkelf]

Yeah I didn't know it existed either

[@devillass6025]

Came back to this again... I love it every time.

[@Sin_Higurashi]

Love this. I've seen this years ago.

[@jackieK666]

I'd love it if this became a series. I swear in my opinion these are the best types of animations.

[@stephy-buckets5152]

man I wished this show would of continued I would of watched this every night. DAMMIT MTV!!!!!

[@FantasticalFlorance]

Dam!!! it's as I feared ,I enjoyed this, that makes the fact that MTV didn't approve this for any more episodes harder to take. R.I.P. mature animated shows on MTV

[@LighteningXT9]

Oh wow this would have been a great series. They should try again and out this on adult swim or something.

[@gracewho814]

I would've loved this if it became a series! I with ya!

[@animefan2454]

LighteningXT9 agreed man.

[@sgtwhisker26]

Anyone else wants this to be continuing series

[@animefan2454]

Sami Jo uhh me this show woud be successful.

[@anxious_sins9341]

*sees a child* aw that not that bad *when it turns into some spider child* BURN IT WHT FIRE

[@dan-gy4vu]

FIRE IS NOT ENOUGH. WE NEED A PRIEST, THAT IS ON FIRE.

[@anxious_sins9341]

Yep aand lots of cross

[@reptile1677]

daniel likes watermelon no we need to f***ing nuke it

[@MissyFaith1971]

They should have absolutely made this show regularly. Who made the foolish decision not to greenlight this? MTv ruined their channel when they stopped making it a music channel with cartoons at night and turned it into reality tv. This is creative and great. There's so many stupid things they chose instead of this. Well maybe one day someone will recognize and appreciate this. Besides us viewers here. They sure have an audience for it

[@draphking]

I don't see how cuffing her hands could have kept her from morphing into a giant spider

[@TheXtreamstuff]

I don't now magic??????

[@dafreikenlord]

The chains kept her inside of those red ceremonial candles, which stopped her from using her demonic abilities.

[@DreamerXSky32]

That was amazing! This should've really become a T.V show!

[@Godzillapuffy]

I heard about this on "top 10 failed animated plots", I'd watch this show.

[@Duenas411]

This is very good, fresh for a series or a full length film I just can't get over how cool this was!

[@animefan2454]

Love of God someone pick this show up

[@animefan2454]

I honestly can binge like 4 seasons of this. I want to see her story arc.

[@Tabbimura]

If this wasn't dropped and the series was produced, I don't think that Ebola would be the main character. This would most likely be a series of psychological horror stories. Something like "Freaky Stories" taken up to eleven.

[@animefan2454]

Jarosław Sobiński true.

[@angelinapalomino4308]

Yes freaky stories had so much potential but the execution sucked mostly

[@dearlybeloved4041]

i wish they made this a show!!! it has so much potential!! 😭😭

[@ashleyearwig2526]

I really wished the made an animated series of this. A lot cartoons these days are crap. This pilot is pure gold.

[@pantherasad2114]

I LOVE THIS ANIMATION so much. I'm watching this Halloween night/day of the dead 2017, 10 years+ after this aired. Still wishing this becomes a series Please!!!!

[@ininja32]

A sad case of "what could have been awesome".

[@Forbillion]

I remember watching this almost 10 years ago

[@mitchelltheawesome1]

Genuinely surprised Adult Swim hasn't attempted to revive this yet.

[@TewiInabaChan]

i love the last quote. perfect for perception of reality

[@MagnitudePerson]

I wish this wasn't cancelled. I love the idea of a cartoon of a girl suffering from shizophrenia, and it leaves a lot up to the imagination. Mental illness can be used to make super interesting stories, better than some generic happy person.

[@ridge7800]

I remember watching quite a few years ago and I’m so glad I remembered and revisited it

[@Ducky_Lucky]

◕___◕ i like it...... -i love it SOME ONE MAKE THIS SHOW NOW!-

[@animefan2454]

I really wish we can see more of Ebola and her reflection and Smirk and the cute spider girl Monster.

[@P1mpai]

Still better than what MTV has now.

[@hannahpaulson1439]

we need more of these on youtube. things that make you look behind you to make sure youre alone

[@MrSchiz]

This would make a badass show.

[@animefan2454]

Ok everyone we need to make a petition to make this a series cause Godam I woud soooo watch this.

[@thecameraman8648]

OMG, in 3:47, Smirk was forshadowing the Riffcan's daughter!

[@jessealoha1390]

I found this seven years ago and then it was lost to time i cant believe i finally found it again such a good piece of work.

[@Robego69]

At first I was like no child abuse! Then 5 seconds later... Okay this is an exception!

[@mkproject3411]

This is phenomenal. If this were to ever come to television, or as a web series, it would be something to be loved. It looks absolutely amazing. I hope that someday there will be more.

[@justsomeguy2825]

Why didn't this show run for 5 seasons? I'd love to have more than just this one.

[@animefan2454]

i wish this show got picked up wish Netflix would take it.

[@harbingersev-oh-wohne]

I've been looking all over for this, finallyyyyy!!!! I found it last year and never finished it

[@jazzywolf8411]

OMG THIS IS THE SAME GUY THAT MADE THE HORROR FILM TRICK R TREAT, OH MAH GAWDDDDD BIOTCHHHH

[@samanthafriginal3705]

9 years and I still can't remember the title of this film everytime I want to watch it

[@anonymouslyanonymous2761]

Is that Ozzy Osbourne's daughter?

[@Adamguy2003]

I've known of this awesome short (Which desperately needs to be made into a full series) for a long time now, but I've never noticed before that it was written and directed by Michael Dougherty (The man behind one of my all- time favorite horror films, 'Trick 'r Treat'). I should have realized that earlier, though, as the animation for it is virtually identical to the animation for a short he did called 'Season's Greetings,' which introduced 'Trick 'r Treat''s mascot/ icon character, Sam.

[@Mickey-kr4ci]

Micheal please give this another chance. Cartoon Network, Netflix, or Hulu.

[@animefan2454]

Michelle Brand not cartoon network.

[@NixDieAlley]

This is very lovey animation, even if its a morbid, the art work look sets perfectly with the mood of the story, I would really hope that this would turn into a web-cartoon or even a picture book just to see more of its art and the story of this girl.

[@ranspooks4594]

I somewhat feel for this girl, at the part "Raise your hands if you're weren't diagnosed."

[@TheSpawnfan]

we all do, her parents are assholes, the only friendly ones there are that guy with the spider and the reflex that acts as her subconscious

[@clinteastwood1629]

me to

[@jonathanburleson9234]

For people who don't know, this is a pilot. This pilot was pitched at Mtv but sadly didn't make it. Let's hope to see it pop up somewhere else.

[@robertyeah2259]

Love the Poltergeist music used throughout.

[@lemonlime4333]

MTV really folded with not making more seasons of downtown and not green lighting this