TZGZ

TZGZ was an American late night programming block that premiered on April 20, 2019 and ended on March 13, 2021 on Syfy. The block featured animated series aimed at adult audiences with a focus on “animated comedy, which has to have some tie to science fiction, horror, and fantasy”.[1] The block's name is derived from the letters of the alphabet that come after that of Syfy's name.

TZGZ
NetworkSyfy
LaunchedApril 20, 2019 (2019-04-20)
ClosedMarch 13, 2021 (2021-03-13)
Country of originUnited States
FormatAdult animation
Running time120 minutes
Original language(s)English
Official websitewww.syfy.com/tzgz/

History

In 2018, NBCUniversal acquired trademarks for "TZGZ" and the "TZGZ.com domain".[2] TZGZ would launch on Friday, April 20, 2019, with its initial lineup consisting of reruns of Futurama and the network premiere of Gary and His Demons.[3] Earlier that year and prior to the block's launch, Syfy had premiered its first original animated series, Alien News Desk, on February 27.[4][5]

TZGZ later moved to Saturday nights and would expand with new acquisitions, including Science!, Hell Den (which was originally produced for the streaming service DrinkTV[6]) and Brogan: Master of Castles.[7] On November 21, 2019, a pitching program for the block was opened on Tongal, asking for 3-to-5 minute pilots, during a period that would last until November 28, 2020.[8]

In January 2020, Syfy announced TZGZ would expand to include original programming, with the development of Magical Girl Friendship Squad and pilots for Wild Life and Devil May Care,[1] with both pilots being picked up for full series in April[9] and June[10] respectively. The network would also announce new acquisitions for the block such as Purgatony, Don't Feed the Humans, and The Cyanide & Happiness Show.

In April 2020, Syfy announced pilot orders for Plutonians and Psycho Psalms, as well as the acquisition of the web series Dr. Havoc's Diary.[11]

In May 2020, TZGZ aired the first season of the DC Universe series Harley Quinn.[12]

In June 2020, the block was given a rebrand and visual overhaul by Block and Tackle.[13]

On July 22, 2020, it was announced that Syfy acquired the syndication rights to YouTube Premium series Dallas & Robo, which began airing on August 8, 2020.[14]

On August 20, 2020, Syfy announced the premiere dates of its first original programs for TZGZ, Magical Girl Friendship Squad and Wild Life, with both premiering on September 26, 2020.[15]

Later that year, more original series were ordered: The Summoner from Stoopid Buddy Stoodios[16] and The Pole.[17] Also, the second season of Hell Den was given release date for November 7, 2020.[18]

The last edition of TZGZ aired on March 13, 2021, with most of its programming moving to Syfy's Wednesday night lineup. In July 2021, it was announced Syfy passed on The Black Hole.[19]

Programming

Original programming
Title Genre Premiere Seasons Length Status Notes
Magical Girl Friendship Squad[lower-alpha 1] Magical girl comedy September 26, 2020 1 season, 6 episodes 12 min. Ended
Wild Life[lower-alpha 1] Sitcom 1 season, 6 episodes 12 min. Ended
Hell Den[lower-alpha 2] Sketch comedy November 7, 2020[20] 1 season, 6 episodes 15 min. Ended Moved from DrinkTV[21]
Devil May Care[lower-alpha 1] Dark comedy February 6, 2021 1 season, 7 episodes 12 min. Pending [10]
The Summoner Comedy March 17, 2021 1 season, 10 episodes 2-4 min. Pending [22][16]
The Pole Comedy-drama 1 season, 6 episodes 12 min. Pending [22][17]

Syndicated programming
TitleAiring dateNote(s)
Futurama[lower-alpha 1]2019–21[23]
Gary and His Demons[lower-alpha 1]2019–21[23]
The Alien Guide to Earth2019[23]
Brogan: Master of Castles2019–20[23]
Dallas & Robo2020[14]
Harley Quinn[lower-alpha 1]2020[12]

TZGZ shorts
Title Genre Release Episodes Length Status Notes
Science! Action comedy November 16, 2019 6 shorts 3–6 min. Ended
Magical Girl Friendship Squad: Origins Action comedy January 1, 2020 6 shorts 4–5 min. Ended

Notes
    1. This show also aired on Syfy's regular lineup
    2. The first season was acquired and the second season is an original series

    References
    1. Andreeva, Nellie (January 17, 2020). "Syfy Ramps Up Animation Push With First Original Series & Pilot Orders For New TZGZ Block". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 18, 2020.
    2. "trademark247.com". Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    3. "We're all just cubs looking for a lioness of our own, ya know? Catch #TZGZ Fridays starting at midnight on SYFY". Instagram. April 29, 2019. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
    4. Andreeva, Nellie (2018-11-15). "Syfy Orders 'Alien News Desk' Series From 'SNL' Team In Original Animation Push". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
    5. "Alien News Desk - Official Trailer – Alien News Desk – Watch". SYFY. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
    6. Trumbore, Dave (April 30, 2019). "Exclusive: DrinkTV Orders Up the New Animated Comedy Series 'Hell Den'". Collider. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    7. Silliman, Brian (November 2, 2019). "Syfy Drawing in More Animation with Midnight-Ish Block of Adult Genre Fun". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
    8. "Original Late-Night Animation Pilot Project on Tongal.com". Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    9. Andreeva, Nellie (April 23, 2020). "Syfy's TZGZ Late-Night Animation Block Picks Up 3 New Series, Orders 2 Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    10. Andreeva, Nellie (June 15, 2020). "Syfy's TZGZ Late-Night Animation Block Picks Up 'Devil May Care' To Series, Greenlights 3 Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    11. Schwarz, John (April 24, 2020). "First-Look: Syfy Gets Linear Rights For "Dr. Havoc's Diary" For TZGZ Line-Up". BubbleBlabber. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    12. Schwarz, John (May 8, 2020). "Syfy Adds "Harley Quinn" To Saturday Night TZGZ Lineup". BubbleBlabber. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    13. https://www.blockandtackle.tv/tzgz-rebrand
    14. Petski, Denise (July 22, 2020). "John Cena & Kat Dennings' Animated Series 'Dallas & Robo' Heads To Syfy's TZGZ". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    15. Petski, Denise (August 20, 2020). "'Magical Girl Friendship Squad' & 'Wild Life' Get Premiere Dates On Syfy's TZGZ Adult Animation Block". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    16. Andreeva, Nellie (August 31, 2020). "Syfy's TZGZ Orders 'The Summoner' Animated Series From Charlie Hankin & Stoopid Buddy Stoodios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    17. Petski, Denise (September 22, 2020). "Syfy's TZGZ Orders 'The Pole' Animated Series Starring Bobby Moynihan & Jillian Bell". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    18. Schwarz, John (October 8, 2020). "Syfy Dates TZGZ's Hell Den Season Two". BubbleBlabber. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020.
    19. https://www.bubbleblabber.com/syfys-tzgz-not-moving-forward-with-animated-series-from-moral-orel-marvels-loki-producers/
    20. Schwarz, John (October 8, 2020). "Syfy Dates TZGZ's Hell Den Season Two". BubbleBlabber. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
    21. Andreeva, Nellie (April 23, 2020). "Syfy's TZGZ Late-Night Animation Block Picks Up 3 New Series, Orders 2 Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
    22. "Syfy to Premiere Animated Originals "The Pole" and "The Summoner" on Wednesday, March 17". Syfy (Press release). March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
    23. Silliman, Brian (November 2, 2019). "SYFY DRAWING IN MORE ANIMATION WITH MIDNIGHT-ISH BLOCK OF ADULT GENRE FUN". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
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