Grossology (TV series)


Grossology is a Canadian animated action-adventure television series produced by Nelvana and based loosely on the non-fictional children's book series of the same name by Sylvia Branzei.
The show first premiered on YTV in Canada on September 29, 2006. The original run ended on October 24, 2009. 52 episodes were produced.

Premise

Ty and Abby are a teenage brother-and-sister crime-fighting team who report to the Bureau of Grossology, a secret government agency whose job is to investigate gross criminals, their gross crimes, and/or various gross phenomena. Each episode of the series follows the pair on adventures based on real scientific facts. Aided by their friend Lab Rat, their boss The Director, and their police liaison, The Detective, Ty and Abby work to keep the city safe, all while keeping their identities hidden.

Episodes

  • Airdates are from original Canadian broadcasts on YTV.

Season 2 (2008–09)

Although Season 2 never aired on Discovery Kids or its successor, Hub Network, in the United States, this season aired years later on Qubo. Most episodes can be found on YouTube. The last 2 episodes did not air until 2017. "Pucker Up" and "Let Them Eat Fruitcake" both have not aired in Canada yet, but they have aired in Australia.

Telecast and home media

The series premiered on the YTV network in Canada on September 29, 2006, with the final episode airing on October 24, 2009. The show was also aired on Discovery Kids / The Hub in the U.S. from January 13, 2007, until June 27, 2011. It also aired on Jetix on June 2, 2007, and Kix from September 15, 2008, in the United Kingdom, and on ABC in Australia in December 2007. The show aired with repeats on Qubo from 2016 through 2020. The show was formerly aired on Nickelodeon Canada, and later with repeats aired on Disney XD Canada. The show is now streaming on the premium Amazon Prime Video and Pluto TV.
The first official DVD release for this series was issued in Australia in July 2008. Two volumes are available so far:
  • Grossology – Vol. 1: The Perfect Stink
  • * Released: 9 July 2008
  • * Price: A$17.97
  • * Label: Magna Pacific
  • * Specs: Widescreen, Stereo
  • * Running Time: 132 minutes
  • * Special Features: N/A
  • * Episodes Included: "Queen For A Day", "The Slim Slime Man", "Fartzilla", "The Perfect Stink", "This Scab's for You", "When You Gotta Go"
  • Grossology – Vol. 2: Yack Attack
  • * Released: 9 July 2008
  • * Price: A$17.97
  • * Label: Magna Pacific
  • * Specs: Widescreen, Stereo
  • * Running Time: 110 minutes
  • * Special Features: N/A
  • * Episodes Included: "Club Parasites", "Go Fish", "Gotta Be The Shoes", "Owl Most Fowl", "Yack Attack",
In September 2008, they saw the first official DVD release in Canada. One volume is available so far:
  • Grossology: The Perfect Stink
  • * Released: September 23, 2008
  • * Price: CAN $15.99
  • * ASIN: B001CQS7C4
  • * Label: Phase 4 Films/Kaboom! Entertainment
  • * Specs: Widescreen, Stereo
  • * Running Time: 90 minutes
  • * Special Features: Bonus episode of Di-Gata Defenders
  • * Episodes Included: "Queen For A Day", "The Slim Slime Man", "Fartzilla", "The Perfect Stink".
The entire series is also available on YouTube on the Keep It Weird Channel.

Reception

Grossology received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and audiences.
Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the show rate three stars out of five, stating that "such topics offer ample breeding ground for jokes as well," and "nearly as entertaining but rest assured that, while they're laughing, they'll be learning about science... or at least it's yuckier side."