As Seen on TV

As Seen on TV (shortened for this article as ASoTV) was a long-running American children's programme which aired on TotalAccess One from 1999 to 2003, before airing in repeats in the UK on 6-Net Kids during that network's short tenure.

The series was famed for continuing the sketch comedy tradition of a Canadian programme, 'You Can't Do That on Television,' and followed its format, including the use of a slimy substance to the detriment of the cast.

The series can currently be seen on SixHD and on Six Kids Fridays at 16.20.

Format
Each episode usually begins with a "Pre-empt," a fictional programme that for some reason was cancelled, leading to the airing of ASoTV in its place. The pre-empted programmes usually portrayed celebrities in an unflattering manner ("Whitney Houston: Back in the Habit," with a picture of the singer in a nun's outfit).

A "cold opening" followed, a short sketch unrelated to each episode's topic. This was followed up by the opening credit sequence.

The host, Melissa, would introduce the episode's topic--usually something kids could relate to: cheating, summer jobs, etc., from a "Link Set." On the link set, the rest of the cast members would act out a continuing storyline through the episode. These links occurred after one or two sketches and a commercial parody. This sequence happened several more times to the end of the episode. After the closing credits rolled, one or two final sketches were shown, followed by a scene wrapping up the action on the Link Set.

During the final series, original host Melissa left, and was replaced by Kathleen in 2003. The show also changed formats, getting rid of a weekly topic. Instead, several recurring sketches making fun of daytime drama serials ("As The Milk Turns") and new characters aired. Ratings became stagnant, and the series was shuffled over to digital channel TotalAccess Two to air its final episodes in 2004.

The one element present in every episode was gunge. A substance known as blue slime was dumped on the head of anyone on the show who said the key phrase "I don't know." Water, pies, confetti, and gross concoctions of certain substances were also tossed around from time to time.

SuperSpecials and Movies
For each of the first three series, there were two SuperSpecials written. These extended episodes usually covered broader topics such as commercialization and technology, and were often much messier. They aired in primetime in the US during their original run, but were cut into two continued episodes for UK and US syndication.

For Series Six, a special three-episode arc was written for its premiere in the summer of 2001. Called "A Midsummer Day Trip," the cast goes on a road trip to find the perfect summer vacation spot. In series seven the SuperSpecial concept was revisited with an all-musical parody and an all-movie parody double episode.

Two made-for-TV movies featuring the cast were produced, "Florida Escapades" (Series Two) and "Melissa Rocks Colorado." (Series Five). In each, the cast are supposed to take a relaxing vacation (in the case of the first movie, to avoid the Emmy Awards, in which Melissa attacked an actress in flashback), but instead encounter a series of mishaps either reaching or while visiting their destination. The two movies are split into four episodes each for syndication.