Bozzelbag's Zip was the third episode of season 1 of Shorty McShorts' Shorts. It features a family who moves from the city to the world of their favorite TV show, Bozzelbag's Zip.
It was created by David Smith and aired on August 11th, 2006.
Summary[]
Colin Mailmin has just come home to see his family watching the latest episode of the hit TV show Bozzelbag's Zip, hosted by Admiral Bozzelbag. Annoyed by his family laughing at the show, Colin decides to leave the living room, only for his dad to reveal that he got a promotion, and that the promotion comes with some perks, one of which is being the postmaster of his own zip code. At the same time, Admiral Bozzelbag informs the audience that their mailman, Letters McPostal is retiring today but informs them that a new postman will be taking his place: Fred Mailmin, first thing tomorrow.
Upset to hear this, Colin is upset until Ayako informs him that he has been grumpy for a while and that this move will be good, but when he still refused, Ayako yells at him in Japanese. Fred then tells the family that in order to get to Bozzelbag's Zip they have to follow the instructions. First the family has to think of something funky, then count to 3, and finally open the garage door. After performing this routine, they are teleported from the city all the way to an empty field, where they are greeted by Admiral Bozzelbag and his parrot Doug. Afterwards, he and the other citizens of Bozzelbag's Zip perform a short song about Bozzelbag's Zip's zipcode, which is "00001" (pronounced "oh-double-oh-oh-one"). After the song, Admiral Bozzelbag approaches Fred and gives him his first delivery: a package for the family, which contains musical instruments and noisemakers such as a slide whistle for Fred, a cellphone for Ayako, a donkey bell for Gertie and finally for Colin (who hopes it will be an electric guitar) three glasses of water. After the family makes funny music, Colin tells his dad he wants to go home and runs away, saying that he hates this place.
That night at the lighthouse, as Colin is still upset about moving to Bozzelbag's Zip, Admiral Bozzelbag attempts to change Colin's mind about how Bozzelbag's Zip is a great place. He tells him that he'll find a song in his heart, but Colin uses the water glasses to say that Admiral Bozzelbag is lame. Admiral Bozzelbag leaves thinking that Colin understands, but Colin still hates this place. Doug informs him that he is walking on his dad's dream of living in Bozzelbag's Zip. Upon realizing what Doug means, Colin heads home (which is shown to be a large fire hydrant) and hugs his dad to apologize for acting like he did earlier that day. Just then, Colin notices Admiral Bozzelbag spying on them. This surprises Admiral Bozzelbag, who falls from the branch he was on earlier.
The short ends with Colin and Fred singing "Bozzelbag's Zipcode" as Admiral Bozzelbag appears with a "THE END!" title card.
Main Characters[]
- Admiral Bozzelbag: The host of the TV show Bozzelbag's Zip and the leader of the actual place of the same name. He is shown to be a goofy guy who acts all silly and wacky and loves to sing.
- Doug: Admiral Bozzelbag's talking parrot who helps Colin with his problem.
- Colin Mailmin: A Japanese-American teenage boy who is upset to find out that his family would be moving from the city to Bozzelbag's Zip.
- Fred Mailmin: A mailman who is promoted to Postmaster of Bozzelbag's Zip.
- Ayako Mailmin: The Japanese wife of Fred and mother of Colin and Gertie. While she speaks perfect English, she sometimes speaks in Japanese.
- Gertie Mailmin: A Japanese-American girl and Doug's younger sister. She mostly speaks in short words and laughs sometimes.
Trivia[]
- The title in the short's opening title card is written as "Bozzelbags' Zip", indicating that Admiral Bozzelbag was either originally or incorrectly named "Admiral Bozzelbags" at one point.
- Admiral Bozzelbag is likely based on Bill Cosby, as he bears a passing resemblance to him and speaks in an exaggerated version of Cosby's signature speech pattern.