About Tenacious D (HBO)

Tenacious D is an American comedy series that aired on HBO from 1999 to 2000. The show features the misadventures of two friends, Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who form a two-man music group known as Tenacious D, a band characterized by their humorous lyrics, rock music, and lighthearted narrative.

Plot and Summary

The premise of the series is centered around Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who are depicted as two "wannabe" musicians who view themselves as the greatest band of all time; ironically achieving this through a series of comedic and surreal adventures. Each episode is a story told by Jack and Kyle to their friends about their many adventures that includes their performances and their confrontations with other pop stars and the real world.

Making / Production

The series was created by Tom Gianas, who also directed most episodes. The show was produced by David Cross, Troy Miller, and David Miner. Music for the series was composed by Jack Black and Kyle Gass.

Actors

• Jack Black as JB: Black plays an optimistic and somewhat naive musician who was touted as something of a musical prodigy in his younger years. He is the lead vocalist of their two-man band.
• Kyle Gass as KG: Gass’s character is shown as the more realistic and skeptical member of the band. He plays the guitar and also sings backing vocals.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series only ran for one season and consisted of 6 episodes in total.
• After the series ended, Tenacious D continued to exist as a real-life band, often recording and touring internationally.
• The series gained a cult following, and has influenced many musicians and comedians due to its blend of comedy and rock music.

Quotes

• JB: "We don't always see eye-to-eye. Sometimes we see eye-to-nose, but that's evolution."
• KG: "I don't need a king. I need a partner."
• JB: "If I were in a band, and I had to pick between fame and pals, I'd pick fame."

Music, Soundtrack

• "Tribute": This is often regarded as the band's most iconic song, which features in the series.
• "Wonderboy": This song tells the story of a superhero and his sidekick, referencing the relationship between JB and KG.
• "The Greatest Song in the World": This song showcases the band's overconfidence, a primary trait of their personas in the show.