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From left, Nelson and Tom visit a tattoo artist. Photo courtesy of Max
LOS ANGELES, June 28 (UPI) — Creator Steve Dildarian reveals that Season 2 of the animated comedy Ten Year Old Tom, which premieres all 10 episodes on Max, brings a deeper exploration of the characters and world established in Season 1.
Dildarian, 53, serves as the voice of Tom, a character who frequently finds himself in outrageous situations caused by parents or teachers.
“There’s a greater emphasis on getting to know everyone in Season 2,” Dildarian shared during a recent Zoom interview with UPI. “With each passing day, he sees more and is exposed to more.”
In Season 1, Tom unknowingly becomes a drug dealer and accidentally ruins a wedding. Season 2 starts with episodes where Tom ends up endorsing a shady company and stealing a neighbor’s boat.
“The source material is inspired by what’s happening in the real world,” Dildarian explained. “There are individuals doing things they don’t see as wrong. The kids are observing and trying to understand.”
One of Tom’s adversaries in Season 1 was Dakota’s (Gillian Jacobs) mother (Jennifer Coolidge). Coolidge, who was a guest star in Season 1, has now become a regular cast member in Season 2 to create more obstacles for Tom.
“She’s the most antagonistic parent,” Dildarian noted. “She’s constantly watching him, doesn’t trust him, so it provides great material for storylines and escalating conflicts. She’s always ready to trip him up.”
Ten Year Old Tom benefits from Coolidge’s improvisational skills. In one episode of Season 2, she gives a lecture on the art of complaining to a manager.
“During recording sessions, she goes on some wild tangents, and it’s always hilarious,” Dildarian shared. “The best actors on the show are those who improvise in unexpected ways.”
Season 2 features guest appearances by Jason Schwartzman, Melissa Villaseñor, Nicole Byer, Zosia Mamet, Stephanie Tolev, and Rory Scovel. After a character is created, Dildarian collaborates with casting directors and producers to brainstorm celebrity voices for those roles.
“I never ask people to put on a voice,” Dildarian clarified. “They rarely come in and do something other than their natural way of speaking or what they’re known for.”
Ten Year Old Tom is Dildarian’s second animated series, following the HBO comedy The Life and Times of Tim, which aired from 2008 to 2012. While Tim was a 20-something getting into misadventures, Dildarian stated that making Tom a child adds a deeper layer to the show.
“This show has more meaning because he is an ignorant kid,” Dildarian explained. “Kids rely on adults to guide them.”
The animation style in Ten Year Old Tom is more sophisticated compared to The Life and Times of Tim. Dildarian acknowledged that the animation in Tim was “a bit crude,” but in Tom, he explores different camera angles to bring a sense of reality to the visuals.
“I strive to make it feel real before making it funny. The artwork plays a significant role in achieving this,” Dildarian said.
Other episodes in Season 2 delve into topics such as altar boys and Tom’s ongoing encounters with a plumber. Although Dildarian was never an altar boy himself, he admitted being skeptical of them at his childhood church.
“Whenever there’s a hint of hypocrisy or people pretending to be something they’re not, I tend to notice it,” Dildarian confessed.
The plumber (Tim Robinson) returns from Season 1, as Tim’s mom (Edi Patterson) continues to refuse to talk to plumbers. Dildarian attributed his skepticism towards hired help to having taken on most household chores while growing up.
“If the lawn needed cutting, I would do it myself. We didn’t have cleaning ladies or landscapers. I don’t recall many people coming to our aid, so maybe my skepticism is natural,” Dildarian reflected.
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