THE ADVENTURES OF HIPPO-T-HOP!
PILOT TELEPLAYS by Kwyn Bader and Jason Hefter
RDF TELEVISION
CINEMATION
2007 - 2008
Hippo T was the creative baby of Lion King director Rob Minkoff. Kwyn and Jason were hired to translate Rob’s vision into a two-part pilot. In the first episode, Hippo T, a good natured hip-hopping hippo plays MC at an American Idol inspired throw down at his home base, the Mudd Pitt, where a new group, The Jackson Hive, steal the show...
INT. THE MUD PITT - NIGHT
Hippo-T is on stage working the crowd to a monster beat.
HIPPO T (free-styling):
I’m Hippo-T Hopp, I’ve reached the top. With my posse and my fans, I’ma never stop! And I won’t stop...
CROWD:
(in unison) Hippo-T Hopp!
HIPPO T:
And I won’t stop!...
CROWD:
Hippo-T Hopp!
HOOTS from the crowd. A wave of Hippo-T’s hoof and the entire room falls SILENT.
HIPPO T:
Tonight, y’all are going to check the dopest undiscovered acts the Nation has to offer... First prize, a chance to open for me, HIPPO-T! Right here at the Pitt in 2 weeks time to kick off my world tour!
Ooohs and Ahhhs from the crowd...
INT. THE MUDD PITT, BACKSTAGE - MOMENTS LATER
The Pussycat Dolls exit the stage, catting past THE JACKSON HIVE, five BEE-BROTHERS with GIANT AFROS and sequined BELL- BOTTOMS. Three of the Hive - MARLO, JAMIE and TITO - nervously shake in their platform shoes.
The youngest, BUZZ, doesn’t even know what stage fright is. He laughs at them.
BUZZ:
(high-pitched laughing): Hee-hee!
STING on lead guitar, is the oldest and wisest of the group.
STING:
(sounding just like Sting). Let’s just Bee.
BUZZ:
(all attitude) Man, this is gonna be as easy as ABC and 1,2,3.
Sting, Marlo, Jamie, and Tito put their fists together. Buzz looks at them like they’re losers.
BUZZ (CONT’D):
Sting, make sure you keep your solo short. I don’t want nothin’ taking away from my vocal.
Sting rolls his eyes as the Hive takes the stage.
INT. THE MUDD PITT - CONTINUOUS
ON STAGE: The Jackson Hive - stingers to the audience as the music starts. They spin in unison and blow the roof off the building with their original sound -- “They’re bringing Honey back!" The Crowd goes wild as Buzz moonwalks across the stage, cutting short Sting's bass solo.
BUZZ:
Hee-hee!
The crowd is ABUZZ. The Hive bows as one.
STING:
Thank you! We are the Jackson Hive!
BUZZ (grabbing the mic):
And I’m the Buzz!
HIPPO T:
Funk E. Skunk, what’s the buzz on these bees?
An American Idol-esque panel of judges has been set up at the side of the stage - comprised of FUNK E. SKUNK (Randy), BOO (Paula) and BASS (Simon). The Panel is on their feet...
FUNK E. SKUNK:
Yo, listen up, dawg. We got a hot one right here!
WOOF! WOOF! From the real live DOG POUND behind Funk E.
FUNK E. SKUNK (CONT’D):
It was a little pitchy in places. But man, they kept it real. What’d you think, Boo?
BOO: (tears streaming):
You, you guys, just look wonderful.
BASS (grudgingly):
It wasn’t terrible. But I’m afraid tomorrow no one will remember this performance.
BOOS from the audience! Bass seems to love it. He raises his product placement big gulp of FRESCA.
BASS (CONT’D):
Big H?
Hippo T puts an arm around Buzz, flashes a solid gold grin.
HIPPO T (definitive):
They’re HIP!
An official winner! Everyone goes crazy! The whole posse joins Hippo T on stage, putting their signature dances on display... Go-fer - the RUNNING MAN. Funk E. - the James Brown/Morris Day SLIDE. Riff - BREAKDANCE into a MONKEY TAILSPIN. Bass - the FISH FLOP (a lot like the worm). Boo and The Birds - THE BIRD - “oh we oh we oh!