MTV's Downtown, Episode 04: Insomnia

Loved by critics. Adored by fans. Cancelled by MTV.
Welcome to Downtown.
This is the first, and most overlooked, animated series from the award-winning creative team of Chris Prynoski and George Krstic.
This critically acclaimed, reality-based, animated series follows the lives of Alex and Chaka, a brother and sister pair of polar opposites, as well as their East Village friends. A funny, trippy and often surreal take on modern life in the city, Downtown portrays the intersecting lives of a group of diverse characters who live, work, and play in the greatest town in the world - NYC.
Based in Hollywood, Titmouse has quickly gone from an underground animation nerd collective to a world-renowned animation studio. Check them out at: www.titmouse.net
Enjoy the show? Then why not take a look at the promotional DVD! It's loaded with interviews, behind the scenes footage, production art and commentary, and is the ultimate (and only) Downtown collection out there! Details of obtaining the DVD can be found here: chrisprynoski.b...
This video has been uploaded for promotional purposes only. All content remains property of its respective owners.

[@grannwey]

This vibe.. the art style, the background, the dialog, the soundtrack, the character designs... it's all so wicked

[@aluardghirmai5010]

So freaking true, the soundtrack on those critical moments are so good

[@spiritually_drunk]

Seriously. It’s become my favorite show. I just wish there was more of it 😥

[@alexisespinoza4566]

@@spiritually_drunk I was thinking the other day that it would be super cool if Netflix or Hulu were to revive it and pick it up where it left off.

[@yesssss-dr1kb]

Honestly love how they used glory box from potishead it fitted perfectly I mean they didn’t use the lyrics but yeah

[@davionr9899]

Any shows similar to this?

[@Lastvoids]

Alex’s sister is such a real one for bringing him with

[@ilyskittles132]

literally what i was thinking, like that was super real of her 😭

[@amelialonelyfart8848]

Rewatching the show after a while and I kind of forgot how much nicer Chaka is to Alex than he is to Chaka. Like yeah she's abrasive and annoying but she always has his back and he sometimes has hers.

[@xrrgr]

@@amelialonelyfart8848 maybe it’s cause this is my first watch but her turning his apartment into a party place last episode was pretty messed up

[@matthew.maduli]

The voice acting in this show is fantastic. The way Jen and Alex talk over ear other feels so realistic

[@MooCowPoopPoop]

Right? I think that’s why I love it so much

[@decadentgamer3108]

Same. That's one of the best things about the show. The voice acting felt realistic and natural but what's even more interesting is that with the exception of Goat's VA, the actors chosen had no prior experience, they were just locals picked off the street if I remember correctly.

[@tintinhelicopter2677]

@@decadentgamer3108 damn, didn’t know that until now

[@ravennightshade2644]

Yeah that’s what I especially love about this show

[@Red-Hood]

Yeah its cool

[@freshoutthedeli13]

this is the most accurate description of insomnia ever created

[@asterodon]

Yeah, I was about to mention how bad my insomnia used to be and how this was a very accurate representation of insomnia

[@minuys]

was just thinking this bc i’m watching this during an episode lmao

[@vehzee]

@@minuys SAME lmaoo

[@MikeLaRock88]

Right. The walls and ground randomly moving, sensitivity to light and sounds, feeling paranoid in crowded and public spaces, etc. They hit the nail

[@imasealarparparparp2714]

I’ve stayed up for 48 hrs and never had hallucinations 😂😂

[@norzeus]

The scene where Alex is walking down the street like a crazy person and makes 3 grown men cross the street is hilarious

[@shushles]

16:35

[@elliott8472]

I laughed so hard

[@224Nani]

I’m deadass crying

[@yahweh9485]

Jen definitely likes him more than a friend. She insinuates it every episode

[@4strid_09]

literally

[@true_emmyrose]

I lowkey ship it tho 🥰

[@wizzykms]

sworn they fucked like a episode or two ago

[@sashaaaaaaaaaaaaa333]

@@true_emmyrose ew no

[@dehydratedrat]

​@@sashaaaaaaaaaaaaa333I agree

[@Vilified_Vagabond]

The feeling of being yourself at your most strung out and disoriented by completely dropping whatever act you thought you had to put on is conveyed really well in this episode

[@franchesca8332]

that's exactly it! well put

[@joellashby339]

i think hes more nerdy tho he was trying to fit in with her a little. his sister is the worst i hater her

[@パガイ]

@@joellashby339 yeah, i think she's supposed to be kind of a boundary pusher. which is a nice friend to have, but still a bit annoying at times

[@coffee5276]

I think Jen isn’t meant to be the “cool not like other girls” girl. It’s a front the writers created and it’s very clear she’s self-conscious and anxious. I feel like we’ve all been there, when we don’t feel cool or fit in, so we harp on other people to other them or make ourselves feel better. It doesn’t excuse her cynicism, just a look into it.

[@hersvideos6524]

Yeah totally. It’s almost like she kinda just envies the life they’re living but she’s too busy looking down on it and hating the game when she really could be joining. But the whole self conscious thing is so on point too

[@abeleveillee884]

i get what u mean but i just can’t get over the way she belittles every single person she is around. it’s one thing to be insecure, it’s another to be a bully (whether caused by insecurity or not). jen is just straight up a bully in most circumstances.

[@valentinanasta9340]

real

[@flaCo-60s]

no cap

[@Jellyfishpinkk]

shes a pick me

[@GeneralPurgenet]

I know Jen is supposed to be the smart, cynical mom-friend and all but she's really a vibe killer. Like no one can ever have a good time without her criticism or way to stop it.

[@agatazietek9098]

I feel like she's both depending on the situation. I actually like this, it makes this show and the characters more real. Almost all people have some habits which may be cool and fun in one situation, but annoying or toxic in another.

[@GDLizzay]

@@agatazietek9098 yeah but she’s always sucking in every situation

[@jeroddd]

Anxiety in human form

[@llunavermella_bloodmoon]

I find Alex annoying and Jen really cool.

[@simontrejo1542]

i like her! i think shes cool actually...lol all the characters add their own dynamic to the show

[@ryanncoules5169]

just stumbled on this show today and was instantly hooked. looked up the cast just now and saw leyora zuberman (the voice actress of chaka) passed away less than a month ago on april 11, 2023. she had so much talent, along with the rest of the cast and crew. rest in peace!

[@almonds8895]

shit that’s unfortunate. i’ve seen people with serena as their profile picture but only learned today what it’s called and now i’m binging the show:D

[@cobainsgeetar]

omg no way !! rip leyora !

[@hiddenskies8805]

Looked into it and and the voice actor for Goat passed away in February this year too from a house fire it looks like

[@slanetroyard92]

​@@hiddenskies8805hope he didn't suffer for too long.

[@DIN_NER]

AWWW! Seriously Rest in Peace to her. Thank you for the comment

[@annafloyd6382]

They literally animate, credits and all, up until the final second. Mad respect.

[@sandydiaz9330]

Its a cool show that made you feel like being outspoken and wild.

[@wryderz]

no bc literally

[@Npcuserthdhd]

This show is straight garbage 😂😂😂

[@tingmin5411]

@@Npcuserthdhdcoming to a vid just to hate comment is crazy

[@Npcuserthdhd]

@@tingmin5411 show is garbage, 🗑️

[@ssspit]

This show is so badass I’ve never heard of it until today and I’m loving every episode

[@phoebegee54]

I used to watch it on I think MTV2 in the 00s. Barely remember anything about it though to be honest.

[@tkqueen992]

Same here

[@sabbystarz480]

Same this animation is so awesome!

[@nefarious69poopi]

Duo tri thrpta mine willys@@sabbystarz480

[@43mafia]

No kap I literally just found this by accident this reminds me of PS2 times

[@santicheeks1106]

This art style is so nostalgic, and their soft tone of voice too

[@randoroberta9086]

I laugh so hard when Alex yells he’s a loser out the window and the other dude says he is than jumps off the window.

[@dropdedgothish]

had me rollin

[@gawkzilla]

@@dropdedgothish i was dying, ofcourse someone would compete that

[@aldra8507]

16:06

[@xsobertea]

imagine getting one upped like that 😭

[@MarxistMomentum]

Chaka getting Alex a date with Serena was the nicest thing she's done in the show, and she was still a jerk after Alex said he couldn't go because he hadn't slept in days.

[@JariahxSynn]

The pre date anxiety, all too real.

[@stephaniepantalonie]

Jen's tip about cleaning the tub when you can't sleep is actually good

[@SosoEve-i8s]

amana try this

[@パガイ]

adhd life hax

[@addictivenews]

it's great to see this series finally receiving the recognition it deserves. I remember watching this episode back in 2022 when it only had 100k views, and now it has a million!

[@AdahnFlorence]

This might be the episode of Downtown that really solidified my love for the series. It's just so fucking moody and those insomnia sequence feel straight out of a dream.

[@meihsauq160]

Agreed, for some reason I always watch this specific episode whenever I’m high idk why tho

[@joaquin4692]

@@meihsauq160 great idea lmao

[@meihsauq160]

@@joaquin4692try it bro😭

[@markross6785]

Bro got that insomnia rizz

[@sauce8545]

LMFAOOO fr

[@NewLastWords]

rizzomnia

[@aldra8507]

Deadass night owl tingz huh 😴

[@partyanimal9382]

​@@aldra8507 I don't have insomnia that I know of, but I'm a night owl for sure tho. Also, having insomnia and being a night owl is different yk

[@sosamena]

i wish we had shows like this now

[@BubbleGumIsCute]

This is my favorite episode, I think everyone can relate to insomnia. Especially when you had multiple nights with no sleep, that's the worst. Too stressed to sleep, too tired to get any real work done.

[@Jabroniville]

Man, I remember this one so well- Alex's weird bout of insomnia, showing up and impressing Serena with his oddness, his open-shirt look, her line about "dressing like this because you HAVE TO", and more. I never quite realized how funny Jen was, though- she's a hoot in these episodes. "She plays the zither!" "Which you know ALL ABOUT, and love SO MUCH!"

[@calleinad]

David Harrell yeah but id say she also has serious self esteem problems and alex is her only friend. and shes right serena probably wont like him cuz they dont have that much in common

[@Jabroniville]

@@calleinad Yeah I always got the impression she didn't appreciate not being seen sexually by others, and her deliberately unsexy persona was kind of her acting like she didn't care.

[@plizzy6844]

@@Jabronivillewow sorry for the reply 3 years later, but you made me realise i act just like her lmao

[@Cherry-pu4mx]

​@@Jabronivilleshe's always using sxl innuendo though

[@Absolynth]

I had lost track of this show for a few years. And all I had to go off to find it again was google and a vague memory of the episode featuring the club under Alex's apt. Incredibly eventually it worked but took actual years of searching on and off. So very very worth finding again.

[@fredrikjacques8114]

Just in case you’re looking again haha

[@jack_the_breathtaker2410]

i’m here too in case you’re looking

[@Absolynth]

@@jack_the_breathtaker2410 a 90s kid like me never turns away from something like this heheh ;)

[@withlovetumi]

I'm an early 2000s kid and I have to say, 90s kids had some of the best shows! I find myself watching more 90s and early 2000s shows than I do with new shows on TV.

[@Absolynth]

@@withlovetumi The 90s was just built different lol

[@brainFriedSindrome]

i feel like queefing on the people that canceled this

[@sirkastic]

Brilliant. You're the best. No, Really

[@aser278]

???? Wtf

[@oliverwilson5957]

please do

[@emmyuwu5403]

this comment was ahead of its time

[@fredrikjacques8114]

Still queefing, my queen?

[@deltafox399j]

Just found out about this show and the music is mesmerizing. Really lives up to its year

[@fentimablader]

the song at 10:30 is connection by elastica

[@gefthemongoose3142]

if ur curious im pretty sure the song in the first ep is push it by garbage

[@kingcychotic]

Gangstarr in the shop was legendary

[@333gyal]

its very obvious jen lowkey likes him

[@CTSFOIIII]

Bruh if you couldnt tell

[@melvinreed3810]

You prolly dont care but does someone know of a method to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost my password. I love any help you can give me.

[@andersconner4174]

@Melvin Reed Instablaster =)

[@melvinreed3810]

@Anders Conner Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and Im in the hacking process atm. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@melvinreed3810]

@Anders Conner it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my ass!

[@qwtz1]

this show is so comforting to me sad it's only 13 eps

[@lyssamarie1879]

I like Jen and Chakka i wish they had more lines together they’re such opposites😭

[@riverbanzachamploo9725]

i hope so too i know there the most hated characters but i love them so much

[@almonds8895]

@@riverbanzachamploo9725 wym hope so?

[@riverbanzachamploo9725]

@@almonds8895 This was wen I only saw the first 4 episodes so I didn't know if they'd get more lines together.

[@scarletnight1077]

This feel so real and floaty, like how you float through seeing your friends ect, I miss those days

[@Otto8845]

I love the realistic sounding dialogue in this beautiful show. It is gorgeous.

[@jrowewilliams98]

Just because Jen likes him doesn’t mean she has to be so negative. That’s gonna push him away not closer.

[@emmym9276]

Chakas a real one for trying to set her brother up w the girl he likes

[@johnshields6852]

This show hits on real-life young people in real life scenarios, very cool. Thank you.

[@yardennegri874]

Just found out that the voice actress of Chaka passed away. R.I.P.

[@aamirhooda937]

Props to whoever uploaded this for not putting ads on it!

[@boingo3275]

Insomniac here, watching this episode makes me feel better

[@JT-nd6qp]

Best episode of the best show ever. Shame about the Portishead track being scrubbed near the end. Thanks for the uploads.

[@CKSRichardson]

You're welcome. I'm actually surprised that more of the music in the show was not scrubbed or flagged by ContentID.

[@MisshoneyB]

Hey thanks, I was desperately looking for that song just yesterday night.

[@8.05.2]

Jen is a dragggg😭like damn girl every word that comes out of her mouth is either an insult or a complaint

[@Adrien-ki1jn]

Yeah I can't stand her

[@Npcuserthdhd]

Like all they got to do is eat 😂😂😂 with they skinny ahhh

[@GregStallion]

Jen's a truly awful friend in this episode...

[@taitorthotthottie692]

Because she lowkey liked him

[@WolfgangXP65-67]

@Ange Saucedo ikr, they are awesome with each other. I relate to Jen big time because I at least TRY to be loyal to my best buddies, and they still hate my radicalness 😵

[@pecahalloween]

Jen is a femcel.

[@paige.plague3672]

@@taitorthotthottie692 Jen is canonically asexual

[@RainerRilke3]

You can tell she's got a ton of anxiety and her compulsive behavior triggers Alex's insecurities. But really both are equally flawed; Alex is so insecure that he lets Jen be the catalyst for his own self-sabotage. Many people are like that, they stick around cynical and deppressed people to rub off on their anxieties and apathy in order to justify their own inaction or perceived imperfections with the façade of a mental illness that they would've never developed on their own since they're usually just relatively well-off people with decent upbringings who are demotivated, but also too guilt-ridden to conceptualize their discontent with capitalist society as anything other than laziness.

[@swan4568]

Show was ahead of its time. Felt so natural for the cast to just be shooting the shit with each other. Wish the creator could do a sequel series or something

[@wordfromzic]

16:50 Its interesting to note that the best interaction serea and Alex had this whole series was when he was 3 days sleep deprived. They flowed so well, everything just felt so natural . Cracking jokes relating to one another and flirting.

[@GreyishKnot]

THE ARTSYLE!! THE COLORS!!! ITS SO PERFECT!!! IM IN LOVE WITH THIS SERIES

[@u-knobreezy4035]

This show feels like a fever dream lol but I remember it but would have never thought about it had KZbin not put it in my feed. It still gives real world meets Daria vibes.

[@ursweetsab]

Sometimes, I would fade back to a memory of a cartoon I watched when I was about 6, about a girl in a brown sleeve t shirt that had a flapping long sleeve brown T- shirt whilst talking about renting apartments in NY. Thank you Alogorithim.

[@babiirae729]

Jen gets under my skin sometimes

[@agatazietek9098]

I love her and relate to her but I also think she's often super annoying

[@solangethomas]

No Frl sometimes

[@yoshii9263]

one of the worst characters

[@kingjammm3500]

Nah I like Jen she can be annoying but I like her

[@barcoscatalina7067]

​@@yoshii9263no

[@erisunflower]

I’ve never watched this show back then, but now I’m glad I am able to know it exists ! I love Serena so much; great episode ~

[@littlefuniman6881]

the animation is surprisingly fluid for this time period. Really wish more shows were animated like this.

[@captainatt]

This whole episode hit different if you’ve ever worked a 12 hour shift. Ik the feeling too well now

[@riri_dc]

i watched this show as a 12/13 year old, ive never stopped loving it and ive never stopped thinking about how they cancelled the show.

[@O.G.MudBonez]

Was good boo?

[@toto3777]

Soul patches, goatees, goth girls, baggy pants, grungy city vibes.. Ah the early 2000s...

[@Ashley_Cortez]

It was the late 90s

[@maryklw]

@@Ashley_CortezSame thing

[@ZoeyDunne-qs3mx]

This show was created (I think) in January '1999, Still technically the early 2000s/90s.

[@Blanco_Meow]

Yeah the late 90s and early 00s had the same vibe, than mid 00s it started to slowly change

[@RUSerious97]

This episode is nerve-racking to watch if you are dealing with insomnia, but I give it props for showing how easily one can develop it. I ride through it though because it’s better to face it than to let it rule over you. Plus, sometimes all we need is that special someone to put us to sleep.

[@troysgaming529]

Ironic this episode is the most I can relate to him

[@cargonewjeanz]

do anyone know the song for 18:33

[@RUSerious97]

@@cargonewjeanz I couldn’t find it. Only Beck and The Melvins for this episode and the insomniac soundtrack, so I think it’s a original soundtrack piece made just for that bit, but they must’ve sampled it from somewhere.

[@cargonewjeanz]

@@RUSerious97 I found itt thanks tho

[@kylenreece]

this show is so psychedelic, n in the most subtly perfect moments too. the scene where he crosses the street before hanging out with Serena is one of my fav scenes. luv this episode

[@swagster7]

This show is like how i want to be as a teenager but instead i’m weird and awkward 😭

[@saint6406]

Watching this while your high😭😭

[@eliascolon7624]

I just absolutely love the last scene of Alex finally talking to Serena he had to be delusional form sleep deprivation in order to be relaxed enough to open up to her but something about that is just so sweet 😂❤

[@pbot2029]

Jen is so jealous of Serena, its obvious shes into Ale and he's clueless

[@reginaharper3346]

Isnt Jen asexual though?

[@chainsawmonster7322]

I don't think Jen likes Alex, she is just jealous of attractive girls.

[@mario167100]

@@chainsawmonster7322 naw, she definitely is. I’m the limo episode, she was begging Alex to dick her down.

[@valentai_777]

@BONG WATER god don’t remind me🤢🤢🤢

[@KawaiiStars]

​@@reginaharper3346 you can be asexual but want romance

[@IndieFic]

Ah, Just the episode to watch before bed 😅

[@wordfromzic]

16:50 Its kind of wild that the best interaction serea and Alex had this whole series was when he was 3 days sleep deprived. They flowed so well, everything just felt so natural . Cracking jokes relating to one another and flirting.

[@U-Godzillas]

Yo they got Gangstarr Fullclip That's hella tight

[@Artkenny284]

Jen killing the vibes

[@caseydouglas412]

I love this show,Alex got his due in the end but he literally sleep walked and had the best conversation with Serena and fell asleep. I’m not sure if that’s foreshadowing but ,what makes it trippy is that fact that after all of that even though he was influenced a little by Jen he also thought it was a dream. But that shit really happened. And the ending is just the icing on the cake my man there strategizing a couple more sleepless nice to capture “insomnia” the character that Serena finds interesting. So much about this show oozes relatability. I find Alex very relatable.

[@majalis7010]

serena is so my type... i am weak for goths and alternative people lmfao

[@eternallyAJ]

same here, love to my goths, emos, & punks :P

[@jennaestrada348]

serena is literally who i aspire to be

[@anyaterese]

@@jennaestrada348 same

[@some-mfnamed-jordan1947]

Got me a Goth Latina bro its the perfect fucking hybrid....

[@manichispanic420]

damn right

[@roninrapio]

2:21 RIP to two things: Guru of Gang Starr (Full Clip jumped off perfectly) & this wonderful animated masterpiece 🙏🏽

[@majorgudan6567]

the scene where alex is going crazy and runs into serena, the background music is glory box by portishead which is why it sounds like that

[@cargonewjeanz]

Tysmmm i was looking for the song

[@oktusprime3637]

2:20 is that Full Clip by Gang Starr? Damn this show is amazing.

[@some-mfnamed-jordan1947]

Yea dude this is og MTV gotta love it.

[@why2528]

This show is going to be my new favorite cartoon fr cause why did I never know this existed

[@potecisprecoreea]

Many thanks for sharing this! To say I miss these episodes is an understatement.

[@CKSRichardson]

+rataciri You're welcome. :)

[@fredthebear277]

CKS Richardson you’re a cool guy

[@Warmwinterz]

I remember when this came out. I would watch this and “undressed” weekly

[@fernandabastias6558]

i was searching for the downtown aesthetic girls and i found this gem,dont regret it a single bit

[@loganclancy7147]

the animation is so smoooooth I'm hypnotized

[@StephonZeno]

Everything about this show smooth and flows together so well. The animation, the art, the acting, and the writing. I know many people wish this show would get a second season someday, but with how stiff and puppet-like animation is these days, a LOT would be lost in translation.

[@anaaguilar264]

i freaked out when i heard connection by elastica ahhh i love the soundtrack sm:D

[@Anna-vx4qi]

I really do love Chaka omg

[@erica631-6]

Same

[@LadyL2121]

I saw someone talking about this show on Instagram and how it was unfairly cancelled. I am sucker for watching animated content before my time and when I was too young to watch it or keep up with. So far I am enjoying the show

[@xs0528]

0:37 There’s my girl! Man, it’s been 2 episodes since I saw her!

[@fibiussegway]

exactly my type of woman fr

[@punktic]

this show is dope as fuckkk

[@lxynee]

ong!!!

[@frightenedfawn]

jen literally kept alex up on purpose 😭

[@malikkrobinson1756]

Music score for this show is 🔥🔥🔥

[@makerflaker8358]

This art style is so addictive

[@Mixed.messages]

The soundtrack is so good

[@Leeethaaarulaa]

What’s the song that plays at 18:40

[@rafagreeneviera8476]

@@Leeethaaarulaa Glory Box by Portishead

[@castillitocore]

@@rafagreeneviera8476 do u know the one playing at 16:40 ???

[@rafagreeneviera8476]

@@castillitocore I don't, sorry :( but according to shazam, it's "ghost, supernatural sound effects"

[@pulledtrigger]

Anyone know 0:40 ?

[@iwrongic]

I'm so happy I came across this episode.

[@GVonzo]

That transition at 3:34 was so smooth I almost didn’t catch it.

[@animeprince8361]

W chacka for putting her brother on

[@whiqeddik7615]

When MTV had class and creativity

[@darkwingedangel7216]

This cartoon had a great hip-hop soundtrack.

[@polina-rs4lr]

hell yeah, watching this instead of sleeping

[@frankyymilkyy9001]

привет.

[@veryclassii]

Fr

[@genji7536]

I miss this kinda of stuff 😩

[@shaquilleoatmeal2199]

Watching this at 5am and pulled all nighter yesterday lol

[@meihsauq160]

Bro, if you’re a smoker watch this episode while you’re high 😂 it’s amazing!!

[@rebirthofpink8264]

Honestly I think I’m in love with her too

[@elijahnovello5660]

this vid has been paused on my pc for almost a day and im just realizing that the title was insomnia and i was watching it at 4am bc i couldnt sleep

[@wordfromzic]

I’m goin thru the same scenario rn

[@angelakinsulire174]

We need more shows like this, I love the old style animations and vibe

[@cozmo6466]

alex tweakin like a shiddd

[@littledoodle5689]

they played Full Clip and expected me not to dissociate to the banger

[@MikeLaRock88]

This is 90s MTV vibes

[@alyssajean5932]

Well it was made in the 90’s By mtv, so I’d assume it has 90s mtv vibes

[@SmellyJannelley]

Jen is so jealous that he has a date omg 🙄

[@mineemin4982]

I think some can relate to Alex's situation, how insomnia kicks in a night or two brefore a big event such as a date. I've personally had those night that feel exactly how its shown to the audience here.

[@Dante_yo_son_of_sparda_yo77]

I love this vibe of the show

[@muffnman980]

"This is very Freudian isn't it"😂😂😂

[@znyznyzny]

dat art tho