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Vice Principals

Vice Principals

Vice Principals is an American comedy television series starring Danny McBride, Walton Goggins, Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Dale Dickey, Georgia King, Sheaun McKinney, Busy Philipps and Shea Whigham. The co-creators were Danny McBride and Jody Hill. The series was ordered by HBO in May 2014 with an 18-episode pickup,[1] and the series was split into two seasons for a designed finite run.[2] The series began to shoot in 2015 and wrapped in mid-2016, and premiered on July 17, 2016.[3] The second and final season premiered on September 17, 2017,[4] and concluded on November 12, 2017.

Vice Principals
GenreComedy
Created by
  • Danny R. McBride
  • Jody Hill
Starring
  • Danny McBride
  • Walton Goggins
  • Kimberly Hebert Gregory
  • Dale Dickey
  • Georgia King
  • Sheaun McKinney
  • Busy Philipps
  • Shea Whigham
Composer(s)Joseph Stephens
Country of originUnited States
Originallanguage(s)English
No.of seasons2
No.of episodes18(list of episodes)
Production
Executiveproducer(s)
  • Danny McBride
  • Jody Hill
  • David Gordon Green
  • Jonathan Watson
  • Stephanie Laing
Producer(s)
  • Brandon James
  • Adam Countee
  • Hayes Davenport
  • Ben Dougan
  • Tim Saccardo
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 minutes
Productioncompany(s)Rough House
HBO Entertainment
DistributorHBO Enterprises
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original networkHBO
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Original releaseJuly 17, 2016 (2016-07-17) –
November 12, 2017 (2017-11-12)
External links
Website [38]

Synopsis

Vice Principals focuses on ill-tempered, dogmatic, and disliked vice principal of North Jackson High School, Neal Gamby (Danny McBride), and his ambitions of being promoted to the principal's chair when the principal is due to step down. However, when the current principal (Bill Murray) retires, he reveals that he trusts neither Gamby nor his scheming and seemingly sociopathic co-vice principal Lee Russell (Walton Goggins), and so has recommended neither of them as his successor; instead, outsider Dr. Belinda Brown (Kimberly Hebert Gregory) is hired. When Gamby's attempt to get the school faculty to veto the appointment backfires (as Brown quickly makes a positive impression on the staff with her goal-oriented agenda and amicability with students), he conspires with Russell to find some way of ruining Brown's reputation and installing himself as principal. The show chronicles the schemers' gradual self-destruction as their own biases and unlikable personalities increasingly alienate Brown and the rest of their co-workers.

Cast

Main

  • Danny McBride as Neal Gamby, the divorced vice principal in charge of discipline at North Jackson High.

  • Walton Goggins as Lee Russell,[5] vice principal of curriculum at North Jackson High, a conniving politician who enters into an unholy alliance with Gamby.

  • Kimberly Hebert Gregory as Dr. Belinda Brown, North Jackson High's "confident and powerful" school principal.[6] (season 1, season 2 guest)

  • Dale Dickey as Nash, the new Vice Principal. (season 2)

  • Georgia King as Amanda Snodgrass, the idealistic new English teacher at North Jackson High.

  • Sheaun McKinney as Dayshawn, a cafeteria worker whose job positions him near the eye of disciplinary storms.[7]

  • Busy Philipps as Gale Liptrapp, Neal's ex-wife and Ray Liptrapp's new bride.

  • Shea Whigham as Ray Liptrapp, the new husband of Gamby's ex, and frequent target of his hostility — despite being a genuine and supportive guy.

Recurring

  • Maya G. Love as Janelle Gamby, Neal and Gale's daughter, of whom Gale has primary custody.

  • Edi Patterson as Jen Abbott, a Spanish teacher at North Jackson High with a one-sided crush on Gamby.

  • Ashley Spillers as Janice Swift, the new secretary for North Jackson High.

  • Susan Park as Christine Russell, Lee's wife.

  • Mike O'Gorman as Bill Hayden, a history professor at North Jackson High.

  • Madelyn Cline as Taylor Watts, Spirit Captain at North Jackson High.

  • James M. Connor as Seychelles, a drama teacher at North Jackson High

  • Robin Bartlett as Ms. LeBlanc, an English teacher at North Jackson High

  • Brian Howe as Jeremy Haas, Superintendent of the school district

  • RJ Cyler as Luke Brown, Brown's older son.

  • Marcius Harris as Officer Terrence Willows, the school security guard. (season 2)

  • Conner McVicker as Robin Shandrell (season 2)

  • Fisher Stevens as Brian Biehn, Amanda's new boyfriend (season 2)

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
19July 17, 2016 (2016-07-17)September 18, 2016 (2016-09-18)
29September 17, 2017 (2017-09-17)November 12, 2017 (2017-11-12)

Season 1 (2016)

No.
overall
No.in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
11"The Principal"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & Jody HillJuly 17, 2016 (2016-07-17)1.15[8]
After their principal resigns, Vice Principals Neal Gamby and Lee Russell face off for the newly opened position. Both, however, are distraught when they meet the new principal, Dr. Belinda Brown, and agree to team up to take her down.
22"A Trusty Steed"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & John CarcieriJuly 24, 2016 (2016-07-24)0.794[9]
Dr. Brown begins to get under Gamby's skin as she hires someone to evaluate both him and Russell.
33"The Field Trip"Danny McBrideDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Adam CounteeJuly 31, 2016 (2016-07-31)0.889[10]
In an attempt to get closer to teacher Amanda Snodgrass, Gamby agrees to go on an out of town field trip.
44"Run for the Money"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff FradleyAugust 7, 2016 (2016-08-07)0.708[11]
As their homecoming football game approaches, Russell uses it as an opportunity to take down Dr. Brown, though Gamby is worried it will have negative consequences for the school.
55"Circles"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Hayes DavenportAugust 14, 2016 (2016-08-14)0.819[12]
After Gamby sabotages their latest venture, he and Russell cut ties. Dr. Brown works with Gamby to tone down his disciplinary methods. Russell faces some problems at home.
66"The Foundation of Learning"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Ben DouganAugust 21, 2016 (2016-08-21)0.854[13]
Gamby and Russell create an elaborate scheme to turn the school against Dr. Brown. Gamby, eager to get closer to his daughter, learns motocross, with the help of Snodgrass.
77"The Good Book"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Hayes DavenportAugust 28, 2016 (2016-08-28)0.620[14]
At teacher workday, Dr. Brown has Russell watch her mischievous sons. Gamby and Snodgrass get closer. Dr. Brown's ex-husband returns.
88"Gin"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Tim SaccardoSeptember 11, 2016 (2016-09-11)0.630[15]
Gamby must decide who he is loyal to as Dr. Brown offers him a new, more respectable role and reveals she plans on firing Russell. His relationship with Snodgrass is complicated as he learns that she used to sleep with a different teacher at the school.
99"End of the Line"Jody HillDanny R. McBride & John CarcieriSeptember 18, 2016 (2016-09-18)0.555[16]
Gamby and Russell blackmail Dr. Brown, resulting in a shake up on the school staff. Gamby and Snodgrass are still not talking.

Season 2 (2017)

No.
overall
No.in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
101"Tiger Town"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Tim SaccardoSeptember 17, 2017 (2017-09-17)0.711[17]
Recovering from his wounds, Gamby returns to a very different North Jackson High School.
112"Slaughter"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Ben DouganSeptember 24, 2017 (2017-09-24)0.670[18]
Gamby fingers a suspect, with Dayshawn's help. Russell tests out a kindness strategy at school.
123"The King"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Adam CounteeOctober 1, 2017 (2017-10-01)0.892[19]
Gamby confronts Snodgrass' new boyfriend. Russell tries to find out who drew a cruel picture of him.
134"Think Change"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff FradleyOctober 8, 2017 (2017-10-08)0.654[20]
Gamby is principal for the day while Russell attends his father's funeral. The teachers complain about the new fitness instructors.
145"A Compassionate Man"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff FradleyOctober 15, 2017 (2017-10-15)0.700[21]
Russell's birthday party ends in disaster when Christine invites an old friend; Gamby tries to show his charitable side.
156"The Most Popular Boy"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Hayes DavenportOctober 22, 2017 (2017-10-22)0.647[22]
Gamby discovers the other teachers except for Snodgrass are planning to get Russell fired.
167"Spring Break"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff FradleyOctober 29, 2017 (2017-10-29)0.604[23]
Gamby and Russell accompany Janelle and her friends on spring break.
178"Venetian Nights"Danny McBrideDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff FradleyNovember 5, 2017 (2017-11-05)0.610[24]
Tensions come to a head for Gamby and Russell as prom approaches.
189"The Union of the Wizard & The Warrior"David Gordon GreenDanny R. McBride & John Carcieri & Jeff FradleyNovember 12, 2017 (2017-11-12)0.792[25]
The school year comes to a roaring end; Gamby's shooter is revealed.

Production

On June 15, 2015, the Charleston City Paper reported Vice Principals filming in the North Charleston, South Carolina neighborhood of Park Circle.[26] The newspaper added that comic actors Will Ferrell and Bill Murray would make cameo appearances in the series.[27] Scenes that take place in the school were shot on the campus of R. B. Stall High School[28] and also filmed on campus of West Ashley High School.

Reception

Vice Principals received positive reviews from critics in season 1 and reviews for season 2 received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 has a rating of 64%, based on 39 reviews, with an average rating of 6.48/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Vice Principals is sporadically amusing and benefits from its talented stars, but its mean-spirited humor sometimes misses the mark."[29] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 56 out of 100, based on 31 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[30] Season 2 has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 based on 10 reviews.[31]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryEpisodeNominee(s)ResultRef.
2018Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesWalton GogginsWon
Primetime Emmy AwardsBest Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation"The Union of the Wizard & the Warrior"George Haddad, Dale Chaloukian, Karyn Foster, Chad J. Hughes, Marc Meyer, Jim Gallivan, Michael Brake, Louie Schultz, Gregg Barbanell, Nancy ParkerNominated[32]

Home media

The complete first season of Vice Principals was released on DVD and Blu-ray by HBO Home Entertainment (which is distributed through Warner Home Video) on February 7, 2017.[33] The complete series was released on DVD by HBO Home Entertainment on April 10, 2018.[34]

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.hollywoodreporter.comGoldberg, Lesley (May 28, 2014). "HBO Orders New Danny McBride Comedy Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.ew.comLawrence, Derek (July 8, 2016). "Danny McBride says Vice Principals will last only two seasons". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[3]
Citation Linkdeadline.comPederson, Erik (April 19, 2016). "HBO Books Summer Dates For 'Ballers', 'Vice Principals' & 'The Night Of'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[4]
Citation Linkdeadline.com"'Vice Principals': HBO Sets Final-Season Premiere For Back-To-School Time". Deadline Hollywood. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
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[5]
Citation Linkwww.hollywoodreporter.comGoldberg, Lesley (February 9, 2015). "'Justified's' Walton Goggins to Star in HBO's 'Vice Principals'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.hollywoodreporter.comGoldberg, Lesley (May 29, 2015). "HBO's 'Vice Principals' Adds 'Devious Maids' Alum (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.avclub.comHenne, B.G. (December 17, 2014). "Da'vine Joy Randolph and Sheaun McKinney join Danny McBride in Vice Principals". The A.V. Club. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[8]
Citation Linktvbythenumbers.zap2it.comPorter, Rick (July 19, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Power' Season 3 premiere sets a record for Starz". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (July 26, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.24.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
Sep 29, 2019, 8:03 PM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (August 2, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.31.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
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[11]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (August 9, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.7.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
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[12]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (August 16, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.14.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
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[13]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (August 23, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.21.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
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[14]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (August 30, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.28.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
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[15]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (September 13, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.11.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
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[16]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (September 20, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.18.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
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[17]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (September 19, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.17.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
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[18]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (September 26, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.24.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
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[19]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (October 3, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.1.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
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[20]
Citation Linkwww.showbuzzdaily.comMetcalf, Mitch (October 10, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.8.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
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