Galavant- If Monty Python and The Princess Bride Had a Baby #ABCTVEvent and #Galavant

Disclosure- I have been provided an all expense paid trip to Los Angeles for the Big Hero 6 movie premiere and ABC TV Event in exchange for coverage of these events. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you so much Disney and ABC TV!

During my trip to Los Angeles back in November I had the AMAZING opportunity to screen a new ABC show, Galavant, and interview the incredible talent behind it- screenwriter/executive producer Dan Fogelman (“Crazy, Stupid, Love,” “Tangled,” “Cars”) , legendary musical composer Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast”), lyricist Glen Slater (“The Little Mermaid,” “Tangled”) and mega hottie with a swoon-worthy British accent, star of Galavant, Joshua Sasse. Dan Fogelman and Joshua Sasse joined us in the room while Alan Menken and Glen Slater joined us via Skype.

What is Galavant All About?

Photo credit- http://7onashoestring.com/

Dan describes it perfectly- “Those who like Month Python, Princess Bride or Game of Thrones, are more likely to like this show than those that don’t! It’s like Monty Python and The Princess Bride had a baby!” It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but as a fan of The Princess Bride, I really enjoyed the episodes I have seen so far.

Once upon a time, the dashing hero, Galavant (Joshua Sasse), lost the love of his life, Madalena (Mallory Jansen), to the evil King Richard (Timothy Omundson). Now, our fallen hero is ready to take revenge and restore his “happily ever after.” But it won’t be without a few twists and turns along the way. “Galavant” stars Joshua Sasse as Galavant, Timothy Omundson as King Richard, Vinnie Jones as Gareth, Mallory Jansen as Madalena, Karen David as Isabella and Luke Youngblood as Sid.

Photo Credit: (ABC/Nick Ray)

The Music

Alan Menken and Glen Slater have created 24 songs (33 songs counting reprises) for the 8 episodes. Creating these catchy songs to fit the script was a collaborative effort. Alan and Glen had a shared a drop box with the writers and producers where they would share what they’ve been working on. Executive producer Dan Fogelman said it was like Christmas morning every day when a new song was in there to review. As a HUGE Disney movie fan, it was such an honor and a privilege to be a part of this interview with the legendary Alan Menken.
Photo credit: (ABC/Ida Astute)

The Humor

Galavant has some tongue-in-cheek adult humor that pushes the envelope but doesn’t cross the line. The adult jokes will go right over kids’ heads but they will be funny for adults which makes Galavant great for the whole family. After all, much of it comes from the brain of a man (Dan Fogelman) who knows how to keep adults entertained while watching a child’s movie like Cars, Tangled, and Bolt. Glen mentioned that his 12 year old was proud to be able to understand some of the references that went over his 9 year old’s head.

All the Juicy Details

Sunday nights in January starting January 4th, 2015, ABC will be treating viewers to a total of 8 episodes of Galavant. Two hysterical episodes will be aired each night. Be on the look out for some great guest starts such as Ben Presley as Jester, John Stamos as Sir Jean Hamm, and Weird Al as a singing monk, and Ricky Gervais as Xanax the Magician. I had the opportunity to screen the first 2 episodes and they did not disappoint. They feature just the right amount of both song and dry comedy.

“Pilot” (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) – When heroic, charming and handsome Sir Galavant loses his true love, the beautiful Madalena, to evil King Richard’s wealth and power, he falls into a deep and drunken despair. Just as our hero hits rock bottom, Princess Isabella shows up with a quest to save her kingdom, defeat the despicable King Richard, and provide an opportunity for Galavant to reclaim Madalena. Galavant is off to become a hero again and strike a blow for true love…but first, Galavant has to fit into his old hero pants.

“Joust Friends” (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET) – Galavant enters a jousting tournament against a boastful rival, Sir Jean Hamm (guest star John Stamos), to test his return to heroic form (and win some much-needed traveling money and a really nice rooster). But it quickly becomes clear that Galavant is a long shot to win. Meanwhile, King Richard asks Gareth to help him become a bit more macho so that Madalena won’t despise him quite so much.

Galavant

I could have listened to Joshua Sasse aka Galavant talk all day. I will admit I was totally swooning when he walked in the room and got goosebumps when he looked in my direction and smiled (sorry hubby)!Photo credit: (ABC/Bob D’Amico)