tv you should be watching: Todd & the book of pure evil

By:  Alex Temple - MSTv

Its not often when you run across a show that is just so stupid, its almost brilliant.  Yes, you can argue for shows like "Two and a Half Men" and maybe "Two Broke Girls," but those are sanitized American network friendly fare. 

Now, I'm a huge fan of "outside our borders" television; and like us, other countries make stupid shows as well.  But, their shows are far more gutsy with what they air.  I'm talking about their airing smart, prime-time shows in your face, with cusses flying, sex talk rolling and some nudity tossed in for good measure.  What's not to love, right?

So, now knowing what you might be missing, how would you feel about watching a high school teen comedy/horror with all the stuff I mentioned above going for it?  Sound interesting?  It should because it is!  Think horror! Think old "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" episodes!  Think even older "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!" Throw in a little bit of "Clerks" humor, mix it all together and you get a brilliant Canadian teen sitcom called, "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil!"

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Now besides being brilliantly funny, in the typical dry Canadian style of humor, the show doses out a good amount of blood and gross.  It is a comedy/horror, but the emphasis is mainly the laughs and heavy sexual innuendo.  This is a teen comedy after all, guys.

The show deals with your typical archetype students living in a town founded by Satanists.  The loser and lead of the show, Todd, while lusting after a girl, encounters a cursed book that grants the holder their deepest wishes: the Book of Pure Evil.  In the case of Todd's desire, it makes him a Heavy Metal god so he could win the girl.  But obviously, things never go as expected with any use of the Book.  Any use either kills, maims or generally "F's-up"  anyone around it.   In the first episode, the book almost massacres everyone attending Todd's battle of the bands competition.  But, it escapes after his friends "break" the spell the Book placed Todd under.  

So, Todd and his pals team up in an attempt to track down and destroy the Book, but it usually flies away after its spells are undone. So with its weekly premise now set, each episode revolves around a student using the Book to make their life better.  But,  the results are always chaos and tons of bloodshed at the school.

Todd and his gang then fight against whatever the Book has done, and try to keep Crowley High from being totally destroyed. Then as a twist, the school guidance counselor, Mr.Murphy, seemingly helps them in their quest to destroy the Book.  But,  he's actually a member of the Satanists and has been tasked with returning the Book of Pure Evil to his leader.

Yes, I realize "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil" sounds more horror than comedy.  But you have to understand that these are stupid, horny teenagers running after a book that grants wishes to other stupid horny teenagers.  Can't you just see all the insane comedy coming from this premise? 

Well, if you can't visualize it, go check it out online or via cable on Fear.net.  Despite its looking like a really cheap film done weekly, the show is wickedly funny and has been nominated for several Gemini awards in its 2 season span So, if you're longing to relive your teen years running wild through the school, yet looking through the safety of someone else eyes, you might want to give "Todd and the Book of Pure Evil" a look see.  At the very least, maybe the Book will off someone who was like the asshole who made your high school life annoying.  Silver lining in every case, right?