Bordertown (2016)
A sharp animated comedy from FOX that puts two very different families side by side on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Bordertown - Series Information
- Original Title: Bordertown
- First Air Year: 2016
- Last Air Year: 2016
- Created by: Mark Hentemann
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 25 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- First Air Date: January 3, 2016 (United States - TV-14), January 3, 2016 (Canada - G), January 3, 2016 (Germany - 16), January 3, 2016 (France - 12), January 3, 2016 (Australia - MA 15+), January 3, 2016 (Brazil - 14), January 3, 2016 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: FOX
- Production Companies: Hentemann Films, Banana Zoo Productions, Fuzzy Door Productions, Bento Box Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Bordertown (serie animata) (IT), Bordertown (US) (US)
Bordertown - Plot
The comedy, which takes place in a fictitious desert town near the U.S.-Mexico border, centers on the intertwining daily lives of neighbors Bud Buckwald and Ernesto Gonzales. Bud, a married father of three, is a Border Patrol agent who feels threatened by the cultural changes that have transformed his neighborhood. Living next door is Ernesto, an industrious Mexican immigrant and father of four, who is proud to be making it in America. As Bud and Ernesto's paths begin to cross, their families become bound by friendship, romance and conflict.
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Bordertown - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mark Hentemann
Main Cast
- Mark Hentemann
- Nicholas Gonzalez
- Alex Borstein
- BJ Porter
- Zach Villa
- Judah Friedlander
- Hank Azaria
- Missi Pyle
- Jacqueline Pinol
- Efren Ramirez
Writers
- Mark Hentemann
- Lalo Alcaraz
- Valentina Garza
- Gustavo Arellano
- BJ Porter
Executive Producers
- Alex Carter
- Dan Vebber
- Seth MacFarlane
- Mark Hentemann
Bordertown - FAQs
What is Bordertown about?
Set in a fictional desert town on the U.S.-Mexico border, Bordertown follows Border Patrol agent Bud Buckwald and his Mexican immigrant neighbor Ernesto Gonzales. Their families become entangled through friendship, romance, and conflict, with the show mining sharp comedy from cultural clashes, immigration politics, and dysfunctional family dynamics.
Why was Bordertown cancelled after one season?
FOX cancelled Bordertown after its first and only season in 2016, primarily due to low ratings. Despite its provocative premise and the backing of Seth MacFarlane, the show struggled to find a large enough audience on Sunday nights, where it competed against established animated hits on the same network.
Where can you stream Bordertown online?
You can stream Bordertown on Hulu and Mhz Choice, or watch it free with ads on Tubi TV and Hoopla. If you prefer to own it, episodes are available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Who voices Bud Buckwald in Bordertown?
Hank Azaria voices Bud Buckwald, the hot-headed Border Patrol agent at the center of the series. Azaria, best known for his decades of voice work on The Simpsons, brings a blustery, comedic energy to Bud's culture-shocked worldview throughout the show's 13-episode run.
Is Bordertown connected to Seth MacFarlane's other shows?
Bordertown shares DNA with Seth MacFarlane's animated universe — he served as executive producer — but it's a standalone series created by Mark Hentemann, a longtime Family Guy writer. It shares the adult animation format and irreverent humor style, though it features an entirely separate cast, setting, and storyline.
How was Bordertown received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Some reviewers appreciated the show's willingness to tackle immigration and cultural identity with satirical bite, while others felt it relied too heavily on stereotypes without fully subverting them. The diverse writers' room, which included Lalo Alcaraz and Gustavo Arellano, was frequently cited as a genuine strength.
What makes Bordertown's writers' room notable?
Bordertown assembled an unusually diverse writing staff for an animated series, including Lalo Alcaraz, the syndicated cartoonist behind La Cucaracha, and Gustavo Arellano, author of the Ask a Mexican column. Their involvement gave the show authentic cultural perspective and sharper satirical edges on immigration and Latino identity.
What animated shows are similar to Bordertown?
Fans of Bordertown often enjoy The Cleveland Show and King of the Hill for their neighborhood-focused, character-driven comedy. Bless the Harts and Close Enough offer a similar adult animation sensibility. For sharper social satire in animated form, Ugly Americans and Moral Orel are also worth exploring.
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