I had very high expectations for this show given that it comes from the creators of Archer (which I love) and Eastbound & Down. Unfortunately the flow of the show is very uneven. The production value of the songs is actually very good (Method Man is quite talented), but the storyline presentation and characters fall flat and becomes somewhat boring in places. But what turns me off most of all is the voice work. ChoZen's voice literally began to give me a headache to the point where I almost flipped channels. And someone please explain to me why a great actor like Michael Pena has such an excessive "accent" to his voice. It also becomes very annoying. I realize his character is Hispanic, but he should use his normal speaking voice. It has enough of the Latino accent to make the character work well. They should have ChoZen speak normally in general and play up the rapper voice only when talking to fans, or something along that line. In an animated series the voice work is EVERYTHING. That is one of the reasons Archer works so well because Jon Benjamin is a genius with excellent comedic inflection and timing. I gave it a 5 because of the songs quality (particularly the one at the Student center) and for the shining star that is Danny McBride. His character has the potential to become a Principal Lewis or Krieger. Much potential here to be sure; this could become a hip-hop version of Metalocalypse, but quite a few things need to change.
13 Reviews
Enjoyable in many ways
osj250720 February 2015
I hoped that this would be similar to Archer, but it is quite different, both in good and bad ways. It is the same style as Archer in the way it is animated, so that is working out nicely, but the thing that is different is the humor, this is not my kind of funny in many ways. There are many good points, but it is maybe more of a teenage show, then the more adult version that Archer delivers, it is by no means bad, but you have to be into the place and the way this history evolves and for that I might be getting too old :)
But you should check it out, it has many great scenes, the story is very up to date and there are many "issues" that are handled with special care. It is very enjoyable in many ways.
But you should check it out, it has many great scenes, the story is very up to date and there are many "issues" that are handled with special care. It is very enjoyable in many ways.
One word
lhoneybee20229 January 2014
Hilarious. I don't think they advertise this show enough, but the plot and episodes so far have been too funny! I hope it doesn't get canceled and it gets more exposure!
It's basically a story about an up and coming rapper (if you want to call him that)who gets out of jail after his friend sets him up with drugs. While in jail, the friend blows up to be this big time rapper and leaves Chozen in jail to take the wrap. When Chozen gets out his plan is to take Phantasm (his ex-friend) and become the next new hot rapper on the scene. Oh and while in jail Chozen becomes a homosexual, so he is a 'Hardcore Gay Rapper'! Like I said....Hilarious!
It's basically a story about an up and coming rapper (if you want to call him that)who gets out of jail after his friend sets him up with drugs. While in jail, the friend blows up to be this big time rapper and leaves Chozen in jail to take the wrap. When Chozen gets out his plan is to take Phantasm (his ex-friend) and become the next new hot rapper on the scene. Oh and while in jail Chozen becomes a homosexual, so he is a 'Hardcore Gay Rapper'! Like I said....Hilarious!
This show SHOULD be good
regginblack5 February 2014
On paper, this reads like a show that should be funny. There are some seriously talented actors and comedians on the cast, it is made by the same people that made Archer, an extremely funny show, and the premise seems like one that should provide laughs. The show falls flat, however.
Chozen never reaches it's potential. The writers go after the obvious jokes, the ones that are usually about anatomy, body function, race, sex, or stereotypes. These may be funny to a really young male teen demographic, but that's it. I'm fine with dirty jokes, when they're funny, but most of the jokes in Chozen feel so dumbed down that they constantly miss.
The voice acting is also hit or miss. While Nick Swardson, Danny McBride, and Hannibal Buress tone down their comedic voices, Bobby Moynihan yells his lines the whole show. It really is hard to listen to it.
I really tried to like this show, but I don't think I can watch it anymore. I was holding out hope that the first few episodes would get the lame dick jokes out of the way, but they didn't. I can't figure out the target audience for this show, and I feel like the writers don't really know either.
So, save yourself some time and skip this one. That is, unless you are a connoisseur of fine dick, rape, anal sex, racial stereotypes, misogyny, etc... "jokes." By "jokes", I mean grade school level lines delivered by someone screaming them at you.
Chozen never reaches it's potential. The writers go after the obvious jokes, the ones that are usually about anatomy, body function, race, sex, or stereotypes. These may be funny to a really young male teen demographic, but that's it. I'm fine with dirty jokes, when they're funny, but most of the jokes in Chozen feel so dumbed down that they constantly miss.
The voice acting is also hit or miss. While Nick Swardson, Danny McBride, and Hannibal Buress tone down their comedic voices, Bobby Moynihan yells his lines the whole show. It really is hard to listen to it.
I really tried to like this show, but I don't think I can watch it anymore. I was holding out hope that the first few episodes would get the lame dick jokes out of the way, but they didn't. I can't figure out the target audience for this show, and I feel like the writers don't really know either.
So, save yourself some time and skip this one. That is, unless you are a connoisseur of fine dick, rape, anal sex, racial stereotypes, misogyny, etc... "jokes." By "jokes", I mean grade school level lines delivered by someone screaming them at you.
Just go with it...
pam-3173 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
One slight correction to a previous reviewer's comment. Chozen didn't become gay in prison. If you watch the pilot, it's obvious he was gay long before that point and never made any attempt to hide it. That's what's great about this series too. No one seems to care who's gay, straight, bi, trans-gendered or whatever, which is quite refreshing. You'll either like the concept or you won't. I happen to think it's pretty hilarious, including the way Bobby Moynihan delivers his lines! Yes, he's loud and boisterous, but that's exactly who Chozen is...a guy full of outrageous confidence and in-your-face attitude. There's a lot going on in each episode besides Chozen's struggle for revenge, success and sexual conquests, so those with open minds should give this series a chance. To be honest, my least favorite part of "Chozen" is the rap. I'm not really a fan of that particular genre of music, so I couldn't really say if it's "legit" or not. (Well, I do like some artists, such as Eminem and Outkast, but it's just not my thing for the most part.) Fortunately, the musical interludes are quite short, so it doesn't become annoying if you're not a huge rap enthusiast either.
Ironic humor is almost only found in the past
patrickfilbeck4 August 2021
An unnecessary series that picks out the worst of the most diverse elements and tries to hipster it in MTV-21st Century ... under the pretense that it would do something better. A series without a compass, what it actually wants to say. It is definitely not entertainment.
A beautiful mess with intriguing intention
jim_baclagon11 December 2014
So many people hated this show. I wish people gave it a chance. There are many reasons why the show flopped. I'll give my review and maybe it will answer a few things. First- I love gay subculture, specially the bear culture. So having an animated show about a gay bear was awesome! Then, I don't mind Rap- but not immersed too much into the lingo at all or even recent people. Hey I listened to Eminem and Insane Clown Posse- what do I know about Rap and Hip-hop? Nothing. So maybe I'm coming from the demographic this show is meant to be for- Gay people who sort of like rap. I have no clue. I loved this show the first time it aired. However I knew a few of the jokes they where trying way too hard. The animation was hot- damn they made Chozen sexy as hell. I can see that it was meant to be a satire on rap/ hip-hop culture by using a WHITE, GAY, maybe even Jewish/Italian guy doing rap. The show was trying too hard to be offensive in some parts- but it really did have a heart. Somewhere, it had a nice message but it never got time to really truly develop it's characters and when it just got good. Bam, cancelled. I personally give this show 8 out of 10 because of it's effort. Sometimes it hits the mark... other times it doesn't. But I loved it!
the funniest and most intelligent cartoon I have ever seen
tomislavstojanovic-963-5950581 April 2014
Every episode is great - it's funny as hell,quite brave in its premise, characters are very wisely mixed, unlikely collaborations abound, and it's full of very useful psychological insights and lessons to learn and apply to life. It's the best metaphor I have ever seen on TV: how to understand complexities of life in the US today, how to not take it too seriously,and to have balls to face anything and to resolve problems through courage, being honest to yourself, and with help from very unlikely collaborators.Everyone I ever showed this to (gay or straight) loved it and they laughed more than I have ever seen them laugh - it's brilliant!
Gay Hispanic Rapper Here
joaquin_lerma16 April 2020
Chozen was a pretty excellent show! Don't get me wrong, there was room for some improvements, but in general it was on point. Being a gay rapper myself, who did 5yrs out of a 7yr period in prison in Texas, as well as growing up in a hyper masculine Hispanic culture from San Antonio, I can speak from experience that this show was almost perfect. My partner, who's a white gentleman in his 50s, used to joke with me and say that Chozen was just basically me in a cartoon. Dat Boy Beast on SoundCloud if you want to see for yourself. 😝
Anywho, it's very unfortunate the show got cancelled. Kudos to the writers.
Anywho, it's very unfortunate the show got cancelled. Kudos to the writers.
I cry in tears of laughter on every episode...Oh! how this show reminds me of my life's story....lol..ha..
tomas-ellerby10 April 2014
I swear this cast of characters reminds me of my younger life. I do have to make one correction, someone posted that when Chozen went to prison, he became gay...that is not TRUE...I just read the interview with the creator of this show....Chozen was already Gay before he went in Prison... That may explain why he came out of prison and was able to adjust to the outside world again....
Back to the cast of characters....I have so many stories in my life I only hope I can send to the creator...They need to bring Troy back into the show...I think Troy should make some prison visits while Chozen is locked up, the reasons for him to be back in prison instead of county jail,...that is if that is where he is going....Chozen violated his parole..on all kinds of levels...I have so many stories visiting my ex- partner (he passed away) in prison....lol..ha..some funny stuff...
Anyways, the Characters reminds me of living in SF...Ricky, mission Street..in the mission district..Latino district.....Crisco...Fillmore, and Bay View Hunters Point..heavy African American District.....The sister....Polk Street, and Troy as we all know..reminds us of the Castro District....lol..ha...The stories I would love to share....
I hope season two is just as funny as season one...I love this Character and story line. I also notice the creator is from LA West Coast so we both share the same age and demographics of being in the West Coast....
I love it....
Back to the cast of characters....I have so many stories in my life I only hope I can send to the creator...They need to bring Troy back into the show...I think Troy should make some prison visits while Chozen is locked up, the reasons for him to be back in prison instead of county jail,...that is if that is where he is going....Chozen violated his parole..on all kinds of levels...I have so many stories visiting my ex- partner (he passed away) in prison....lol..ha..some funny stuff...
Anyways, the Characters reminds me of living in SF...Ricky, mission Street..in the mission district..Latino district.....Crisco...Fillmore, and Bay View Hunters Point..heavy African American District.....The sister....Polk Street, and Troy as we all know..reminds us of the Castro District....lol..ha...The stories I would love to share....
I hope season two is just as funny as season one...I love this Character and story line. I also notice the creator is from LA West Coast so we both share the same age and demographics of being in the West Coast....
I love it....
A rapper who wants to be on top.........really!!
user-32-60225825 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This is a show I have only really begun to get around too. And I have to say it has to be one of the funniest shows going at the moment. The series is broadcasted on the FX network and has just been cancelled,, PITY!!!!
The show follows Phillip 'Chozen' Cullens after he has been released from prison after serving 10 years for a crime he did not commit. Phillip was framed by his ex band mate Phantasm who was jealous of Chozen getting all the attention in the band, who he himself has now made it big. After Chozen has been released from prison he moves in with his younger college sister Tracy on campus. The show follows Chozen as he attempts to make it big in the rap industry.
Chozen differs from the stereotypical rapper along the grounds that he is white, and openly Gay. We see throughout the show Chozen trying to adjust to the outside world after heavily been influenced by prison life, as he is trying to climb to the top of the rap game.
www.hardasstv.com
The show follows Phillip 'Chozen' Cullens after he has been released from prison after serving 10 years for a crime he did not commit. Phillip was framed by his ex band mate Phantasm who was jealous of Chozen getting all the attention in the band, who he himself has now made it big. After Chozen has been released from prison he moves in with his younger college sister Tracy on campus. The show follows Chozen as he attempts to make it big in the rap industry.
Chozen differs from the stereotypical rapper along the grounds that he is white, and openly Gay. We see throughout the show Chozen trying to adjust to the outside world after heavily been influenced by prison life, as he is trying to climb to the top of the rap game.
www.hardasstv.com
unPC funny intelligent and very creative work of art. DESERVES a wider audience
Lao_Che5 October 2019
A butch gay rapper is released from jail after being framed and sets out for revenge, and hopes to make it big on the way
i love it. i've watched it all the way through at least three times already, it's highly entertaining and very rewarding.
each episode has at least two pieces of original music with an accompanying video... something like an animated lonely island ... something like but not really.
It's crazy funny
Hokesone1 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Chozen might not be for everyone!
I wasn't too sure what to expect but after 1 episode I was hooked on the I'll brand of comedy.
This show could have been so much bigger it just wasn't advertised.
They cover everything in this show.
The basic plot is chozen returns from jail celebrating his being gay and loud and proud while trying to make it in the rap game.
Some big name actors are behind the voices on here too,method man is one of them.
Sadly with chozen it's only the 10 episodes and that's it..
Give it a go
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