Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

China, IL

  • TV Series
  • 2008–2015
  • TV-14
  • 22m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
China, IL (2008)
AnimationComedy

Steve and Frank Smith are brothers who teach the history department in the worst university in America.Steve and Frank Smith are brothers who teach the history department in the worst university in America.Steve and Frank Smith are brothers who teach the history department in the worst university in America.

  • Creators
    • Brad Neely
    • Daniel Weidenfeld
    • Dan Pasternack
  • Stars
    • Brad Neely
    • Greta Gerwig
    • Hulk Hogan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    2.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creators
      • Brad Neely
      • Daniel Weidenfeld
      • Dan Pasternack
    • Stars
      • Brad Neely
      • Greta Gerwig
      • Hulk Hogan
    • 14User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes32

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos28

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 22
    View Poster

    Top cast37

    Edit
    Brad Neely
    Brad Neely
    • Baby Cakes…
    • 2008–2015
    Greta Gerwig
    Greta Gerwig
    • Pony Merks
    • 2011–2015
    Hulk Hogan
    Hulk Hogan
    • The Dean
    • 2011–2015
    Jason Walden
    • Sammy Davis…
    • 2011–2013
    Jeffrey Tambor
    Jeffrey Tambor
    • Professor Cakes
    • 2011–2015
    Gary Anthony Williams
    Gary Anthony Williams
    • Dr. Falgot…
    • 2011–2015
    Chelsea Peretti
    Chelsea Peretti
    • Crystal Peppers…
    • 2011–2015
    Brooke Hogan
    Brooke Hogan
    • Jetta…
    • 2012–2013
    Ryan Flynn
    • Flip Flop…
    • 2013–2015
    Hannibal Buress
    Hannibal Buress
    • Matt Attack…
    • 2013–2015
    Tommy Blacha
    Tommy Blacha
    • The Mayor…
    • 2011–2015
    Michelle Buteau
    Michelle Buteau
    • Wendeloquence…
    • 2013
    Dave Coulier
    Dave Coulier
    • Ronald Reagan…
    • 2011–2015
    Kate McKinnon
    Kate McKinnon
    • Sunshine
    • 2015
    Andy Richter
    Andy Richter
    • Agent Green
    • 2011–2015
    Donald Glover
    Donald Glover
    • Transfer Billy
    • 2015
    Michelle Flanagan
    Michelle Flanagan
    • Donna…
    • 2008–2012
    Jason Alexander
    Jason Alexander
    • Harold
    • 2011
    • Creators
      • Brad Neely
      • Daniel Weidenfeld
      • Dan Pasternack
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    7.12.6K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    9chefty3210

    Amazing Show

    This is one of the few shoes I currently watch that if canceled, I would be extremely upset. At times, it comes off as a little weird but that is part of the beauty of the show. The voices are really well done and it is really easy to connect with the characters despite the very short run time. The creators have managed to pack 15 minutes with an amazing amount of quality humor that can appeal to a wide array of audiences while at the same time maintaining an great flow and plot lines that are easy to follow. When I watch this show, I get the impression that it is actually longer then it is due to the amount of depth that is explored in each episode. Steve and Baby Cakes are my favorite, listen for the raps Baby Cakes does. They are pretty good. I give this show a 9 because there is always room for improvement, but really the only thing I want to see continued/changed is increasing the run time and keeping the episodes coming.
    9tharealhiphop

    this show is DOPE

    wow i was amazed that this show got such a low score. at first i thought the animation wasn't too good but the more i watched the more i realized how funny and strange this show actually is. The voices are amazing, each character is extremely memorable the only thing i don't like is that its only 15 minute episodes. my favorite episode so far was the one with the killer hippies. lots of violence sort of like super jail. i also like that this show is about really crappy college teachers who don't really give a crap about anything but themselves. Babycakes is the man!!! looking forward to tonights episode, if you don't like this show ur lame ;)
    10kyleconnolly1

    This really is a "Hidden Gem".

    I'm not going to lie here in saying this is easily one of the better shows on television at the moment. The humour might not be for everyone, but for those with a strong sense of it, you will die laughing at almost every episode.

    The characters are all very well developed, and have been "evolving" for many years on Brad Neely's web-cartoons "The Professor Brothers", and "Babycakes". Frank and Steve, brothers and history professors, seem to be the shows major focus though, which is fine because they are two of the funniest "caricatures" of College Professors every created. Although they are both extreme in their own right, almost all of the characters on the show are.

    Steve is highly intelligent, although lazy (maybe bored?), and is a frequent womaniser - often seducing female students. Frank, on the other hand, is very stupid, but is always scheming, and he is the my personal favourite character on the show. Babycake's, or "BC" for short, is another fan favourite - a dumb witted gentle giant, who often shows signs of wisdom, although most of the time he has no idea if he does.

    This show is quite a bit more intelligent than what appears on the surface as well. All of the guys in power, such as "The Mayor", or "The Dean" are stereotypical Alpha Males. Ripped muscles, booming loud voices, and willing to "rip your frigging head off" if you falter or screw up in anyway.

    Although the storyline in most of the episodes are a little "out there", they are still fairly easy to follow, and absolutely hysterical. There are is almost always a moment of wisdom in each episode, or a lesson to be learned. One of my favourite quotes from Season 2, Episode three, was when Steve, replying to a a conspiracy theorists statement that it was impossible for us to create some of the monolithic wonders of the ancient world, said "Nerd, Don't estimate all humanity on the limits of your own capability".

    Well said, Steve. Well said.

    Anyway, check out this show. It's fantastic... and although it's not for everyone
    8FlixFixer

    Love it! This is for the crazy people.

    One of my favorite animated shows! I would actually give the first season 8 stars and the second one 9 stars, taken together 8 stars.

    You do have to have a very open mind and a miles deep appreciation for the zany, the wacky, the absurd - then you'll adore China, IL.

    The animation style is deceptively simple yet very effective. That's hard to pull off! The voice actors are superb and seem to have a lot of fun. I'm weird enough to admit that I have a bit of a crush on Pony Merks :)

    Not for Ronald Reagan, traditional values loving conservatives - that's for sure ;) If you're of that persuasion don't watch it. If you like shows such as South Park, Archer or Ugly Americans (by the same creator!) absolutely give it a go, you won't regret it!

    The first season's episodes are rather short (about 11 minutes each). The second season consists of episodes of around twenty minutes length and feels better written (slightly) and better paced. I heavily regret that there isn't a third season!

    A highly original, smart, totally crazy show that dragged me in immediately!
    10kyschumann

    Amazing show. Had to give it a 10 because if all the initial bad ratings.

    Let me first off say that if you love both Rick and Morty and Bojack Horseman, you'll love this.

    This show is an art -- first of all, in it's art style -- and also it's colors. It's dark, drabby, bleak, and it fits perfectly with its perfectly cut Dark Humor. It's nihilistic optimistic; always showing and focusing on the good. Each episode displays some sort of concept, so intelligently and humorously - wether it be religion in education/government, an insecure professor's attempt at giving a perfect lecture, or about republicans vs democrats in their proud conflict that they forget to focus on helping what's best for the people. The characters are well written, and lovable even, too. It shows a group of friends amongst the school faculty and students, each who are special and commits flavor to the show. Two of them are the professors, brothers, Steve who's charismatic, wise, cool, a bit cocky, and has a great voice -- and Frank being an insecure dork with a whiney voice, always looking to exploit others for his low self-esteem. And another main character is a girl named Pony, who's a senior that hangs out with them, and is witty, smart, charismatic like Steve and gets along with him closely, but also shy and a but self-conscious. This show is addicting, and binge-watch worthy.

    Best Emmys Moments

    Best Emmys Moments
    Discover nominees and winners, red carpet looks, and more from the Emmys!

    More like this

    Superjail!
    7.7
    Superjail!
    Ugly Americans
    7.9
    Ugly Americans
    Brad Neely's Harg Nallin' Sclopio Peepio
    6.2
    Brad Neely's Harg Nallin' Sclopio Peepio
    Momma Named Me Sheriff
    6.2
    Momma Named Me Sheriff
    Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters
    6.7
    Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters
    Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell
    7.8
    Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell
    Sealab 2021
    7.8
    Sealab 2021
    Squidbillies
    6.7
    Squidbillies
    YOLO
    7.3
    YOLO
    The Oblongs
    7.1
    The Oblongs
    Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
    8.0
    Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law
    Metalocalypse
    8.3
    Metalocalypse

    Related interests

    Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)
    Animation
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There's a restaurant that Frank goes to called Chilibee's. Chilibee's takes a play on Chili's and Applebee's and the logo being a bee looking like Chili's signature logo.
    • Connections
      Edited into Creative Continuity: Adult Swim (2015)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ16

    • How many seasons does China, IL have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 2, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Китай, Иллинойс
    • Production companies
      • Neely Comics
      • Titmouse
      • Williams Street
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 22m
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit pageAdd episode

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.