MAMMON'S MAGNIFICENT MUSICAL MID-SEASON SPECIAL (ft Fizzarolli)

"Mammon didn't do shit, you already were this. You'd be this no matter what! You are the most inspiring demon I have ever known and meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. I adore your inventiveness, your attitude, your resilience. And you're just the cutest little thing alive! Also, you are a waaaaay better performer than Mammon ever was, and thaaat's just facts."

- Asmodeus, to Fizzarolli

MAMMON'S MAGNIFICENT MUSICAL MID-SEASON SPECIAL (ft Fizzarolli) is the seventh episode of the second season of Helluva Boss, the fifteenth episode overall, and a special. It premiered on October 29, 2023, on Vivziepop's YouTube channel.

Synopsis

 * Mammon has a yearly clown pageant and things sure do happen!

Plot
The episode opens up on a concert in the Greed Ring hosted by the Sin of Greed - the unsympathetic and egotistical Mammon. The venue is sold out and amongst the crowd are a young Blitzo and Fizzarolli. When Mammon bombastically unveils himself, he announces a clown pageant, the winner of which will become the new face of his clown-themed brand (which he not-so-secretly just wants to use as an exploitative sales gimmick). In the crowd, Fizzarolli is loving everything about it while Blitzo remains skeptical.

When the event ends and Blitzo and Fizzarolli are walking home, Fizzarolli tells Blitzo that he'd like nothing more than to win that pageant and work with Mammon. However, Blitzo states that it's pointless compared to the fame and fortune they've already netted from their circus and it's not worth becoming Mammon's creepy mascot. Fizzarolli elaborates that it's not about the fame and fortune, but rather the chance to work alongside his lifelong idol and goes as far as to label him as an inspiration.

Simply, Blitzo tells him that Mammon is definitely something, hiding the truth that he doesn't like him, and goes on to ask if all the crazy antics that come with Mammon's endorsement are worth their life savings. When Fizzarolli says it's totally worth it, a stranger is lurking in the shadows. He asks Blitzo if he could actually do it with hard work and dedication and Blitzo tells him he's the only hellion who would ever be the right fit for all things "clown". Just then, the two of them are intercepted by Burnie Burnz, an obsessive fan of their circus who creeps out Fizzarolli to no end and tries pitching his own idea for an act in their performance. Hostilities escalate between him and Blitzo, who recognizes him as a creepy stalker he regularly sees snooping around their dressing rooms, and the two of them leave in huff. Burnie melodramatically denounces them for turning them down and then he arrogantly denounces them out of spite for turning their back on him (mostly due to his extremely uncomfortable demeanor). Upon hearing his harsh words, Fizzarolli questions if his acts are just trash and Blitzo tells him to not dwell on the opinions of one obsessive asshole. Despite this, Fizzarolli still feels vulnerable, claiming that if he wants to succeed, he needs to be perfect.

After having won a clown pageant, Fizzarolli's obsessive training and vigorous preparation has paid off and he is the face of Mammon's clown brand, and is part of an advertisement to sell plush toys and robotic simulacrums in his image for $69.99.

In present day at Asmodeus' Tower, Fizzarolli is scrambling to put on his foundation that conceals an injury on his face in preparation for his 10th Clown Pageant when Asmodeus walks in. But he doesn't understand what Fizzarolli's worries are all about, claiming that Mammon's clown pageant is stupid. But all Fizzarolli can say is that he wants to be perfect for Mammon and to make him proud. But Asmodeus tells him that there's no such thing as perfect and he tries to convince him that maybe it's time for him to retire from the pageant. Better yet, he suggests taking a vacation someplace where he doesn't have to fend off creepy fans. However, stating that he's always had to fend off creepy fans, even before the simulacrums, Fizzarolli claims that this is just something that he has to do. Asmodeus explains that he doesn't like the idea of Fizzarolli having to fend off fans, much less designing sex toys in Fizzarolli's likeness for Mammon.

However, Fizzarolli sticks with his earlier statement that working for Mammon is a big deal to him, especially since he's been his idol since he was five years old, claiming that he can't just let him down by not competing. Asmodeus doesn't mind telling Fizzarolli that Mammon is not worth working for, claiming that he's known Mammon since the beginning of Hell's existence and he is literally the worst. As much as he loves Fizzarolli, he doesn't want him doing the clown schtick for someone's approval. Fizzarolli acknowledges Asmodeus, and he tells him that this pageant is for him and he just doesn't want to lose. Looking for some other way of getting through to Fizzarolli, Asmodeus rings up the only other demon he can think of.

In the Pride Ring, Blitzo is watching TV and eating cereal in his apartment when he gets a call. Then the two of them exchange hellos and Asmodeus explains Fizzarolli's obsession with this year's clown pageant, hoping that Blitzo could help him in explaining to him that it's a waste of time. But Blitzo isn't worried since Fizzarolli is undefeated until Asmodeus tells him that Fizzarolli doesn't listen when he tries telling him that Mammon is a selfish, manipulative piece of shit. What he's hoping for is that because of their history and newly rekindled friendship, Blitzo could talk some sense into him.

The three of them arrive via limousine at Mammon's theater and Fizzarolli asks to be reminded why Blitzo is accompanying them. Asmodeus tells him that because the secrecy of their romance doesn't allow the two of them to be seen together, Blitzo has to accompany him for security detail, citing that he was able to keep him safe when they fell into Crimson and Striker's clutches.

Asmodeus departs and Fizzarolli is greeted by Mammon, who informs him of some stiff competition. When Blitzo sees Mammon ridiculing Fizzarolli over "minor details" that could prove detrimental to his sales image, Blitzo doesn't hesitate to denounce one of Mammon's own performances. He tells Fizzarolli to keep smiling and he departs, leaving Blitzo to not hesitate to say he does not like him at all. Fizzarolli tells Blitzo that while he still doesn't know the real reason Asmodeus brought him to the venue, he orders him not to talk back to him. When Blitzo questions why he needs this gig, pointing out his apparent affair with the Asmodeus, Fizzarolli stubbornly declares that he just needs it and proceeds with smiling and waving to his fans on the red carpet. However, tensions arise when his competition rolls in: Glitz and Glam, twin sisters with sharp tongues and sharper claws. Fizzarolli tries to exchange pleasantries with them, but they just denounce him as a fugly imp and are looking forward to crushing anything that dares interfere with their victory. It's that right there that gives Blitzo the need to encourage Fizzarolli to bring his A-Game for the soul purpose of pile driving those bitches.

Fizzarolli and the twins compete in the opening act and they tie for 666 on the score board. Afterwards, Mammon hosts the admission for meet-&-greets with the stars and refuses to allow Fizzarolli to skip it when he doesn't feel comfortable with meeting the fans at this time. Fizzarolli tries to stand up for himself, but Mammon selfishly pressured him into doing this one thing for the sake of the show. Blitzo tries to get him to explain why he lets Mammon walk all over him, but Fizzarolli still refuses to open up to him. He greets the fans and marches past his discomfort. When he thanks them all for showing up, he is greeted by a young imp boy who tells him with sign language that he's a big a fan. Fizzarolli wholesomely greets him in his level and tells everybody to look forward to the finale. Unfortunately, that's when Burnie returns and denounces his career in front of everybody, still embittered by being turned away all those years ago. Fizzarolli has his back against the wall when Burnie menacingly approaches him and Blitzo swoops in, ready to blow him to kingdom come if he doesn't leave at once. However, just before he can, Fizzarolli is overtaken by anxiety and Blitzo settles for sucker punching him away. Burnie leaves and swears revenge and Mammon appears, inquiring on what just happened. Fizzarolli feels pressured into telling him that everything's fine and Mammon tells him that in light of whatever this is, the sisters will go on first to give Fizzarolli time to prepare. Blitzo probes him as to why he's really doing this once again, repeating Asmodeus's earlier claim that this clown pageant is stupid. All Fizzarolli tells him is that this job is all that matters and he'll lost everything otherwise. Blitzo denounces Mammom as a trash fire using Fizzarolli for everything, but Fizzarolli defends him and he states that it's all part of the process to make him perfect, leaving Blitzo confused as to what he'd need to be perfect for.

The twins go on and their performance knocks the audience dead. Watching them stresses Fizzarolli out to the point of making him flee for his dressing room. When he looks in the mirror, he sees that he's sweating so much, that his foundation is running and exposing his scar-ridden face. Seeing the amount of emotional trouble Fizzarolli is in, Asmodeus risks exposure to appear in his dressing room to check on him. Fizzarolli insists that he's fine when Asmodeus can clearly see that he's not. He tries getting through to Fizzarolli once again, but he is still stubborn and he claims that he needs to prove that he's still capable of doing this. That's when Asmodeus is able to explain that Fizzarolli only acts like he needs to be this perfect clown because Mammon is perpetually forcing that image onto him. Then Fizzarolli confesses that he has his perfect life and him because of Mammon and needs to do this to prove that he's still worthy of it and him. Then Asmodeus asks how Fizzarolli could possibly lose him and Fizzarolli tearfully explains that Asmodeus is only Fizzarolli's lover for what he is at his best. Fizzarolli finally reaches his breaking point when he yanks off his hat and shows Asmodeus what's left of his horns and his scar-ridden face, denouncing himself as a barely adequate partner or mascot for any king of sin when this is who he really is. He is what he is today because of Mammon, believing that he owes everything to him because without Mammon, he's nothing. Finally knowing the truth, Asmodeus explains to the vulnerable Fizzarolli that Mammon didn't do anything to make Fizzarolli the great success in life. He did because he was always the inspiration Asmodeus fell in love with, and he doesn't hesitate to tell him that he loves everything about him. Asmodeus finishes his heartfelt statement by telling Fizzarolli that he's a way better performer than Mammon ever was - not something Fizzarolli could trust in himself, until now. Then the two of them share a hug and Fizzarolli is finally ready to rock the show, knowing that his Asmodeus will still be waiting for him, whether he wins it or not. After a heartfelt duet, they share a kiss, until they are interrupted by Burnie, who returns with the vengeance (a dagger). Thankfully, Blitzo is there to blow his head off and he sees that the two of them really are an item and then he sarcastically congratulates them on their "fucking hypocrisy".

With the audience losing hope in seeing Fizzarolli's performance, Mammon addresses them when the stage lights up and he takes his seat with his Fizzarolli simulacrum harem waiting for him. Fizzarolli performs a heartfelt song telling the story of the abuse he's dealt with all his life and how he's ready to end this chapter with a bang. His performance goes off like fireworks and when it's all over, he finally quits in front of everybody and stands up to Mammon. He tries to walk out on him, before transforming into his true form. Seeing Fizzarolli in danger, Asmodeus transforms too and he prepares for battle. Mammon tries to blackmail Asmodeus into standing down by threatening to reveal his romance with Fizzarolli, but instead, Asmodeus announces it to the entire audience. Finally rendered powerless, Mammon can do nothing except menacingly telling Asmodeus that he's going to regret revealing his deepest darkest secret and disappears, releasing an explosion that brings the whole place down.

In the limousine ride home, Fizzarolli and Asmodeus are cuddling, when Blitzo asking the two of them "Who tops?". Then Fizzarolli groans as the episode ends.

Characters

 * Blitzo
 * Seven Deadly Sins
 * Asmodeus
 * Mammon (debut)
 * Fizzarolli
 * Robo Fizz (multiple; non-speaking cameos)
 * Glitz and Glam (debut)
 * Burnie Burnz (debut)
 * Wally Wackford (cameo)
 * Fizzarolli's deaf fan (debut; cameo)

Locations

 * Hell
 * Lust Ring
 * Asmodeus's Tower
 * Asmodeus's factory
 * Greed Ring
 * Mammon Theatre
 * Fizzarolli's dressing room
 * Pride Ring
 * Blitzo's apartment
 * Sloth Ring
 * Wet dreamsville (mentioned)
 * Wrath Ring
 * Ragesburg (mentioned)

Objects

 * Fizzarolli's airhorn
 * Fizzarolli's foundation make up
 * Fizzarolli's phone

Songs

 * "Juggling Iz Cool"
 * "Klown Bitch"
 * "Crooked"
 * "2 Minutes Notice"

Instrumentals

 * "House of Asmodeus"
 * "Klown Bitch"

Trivia

 * This episode has the longest title in season two, as well as the longest title of the series overall.
 * This episode has scenes shown in animatics and storyboards from the 2022 trailer, to which some shots were completed and improved.
 * Additionally, it is revealed that the soundtrack used for said trailer was the instrumental of the song Klown Bitch.
 * This is by far the longest running episode of the series, lasting just over thirty minutes.
 * Also, it is the first musical episode of the series overall.
 * Also, it is the first episode to have the shortest hiatus between it and the previous episode.
 * This episode features the guest voice of animator Michael Cusack as Mammon. Cusack is the creator of the Adult Swim series, YOLO, and the co-creator of the series, Smiling Friends, alongside Zach Hadel, who also contributed additional voices for the episode, too.
 * Also, some of the Hellaverse's voice alumni (e.g. Erica Lindbeck, Monica Franco) contributed voices for Smiling Friends.
 * Also, this episode, along with "Oops", features animation outsourced to Toon City Animation in Mandaluyong and Vancouver.
 * This is the first episode to feature production credits at the beginning and the end.
 * When Mammon claimed that "women aren't funny", the "Written by Vivienne Medrano" credit briefly flashes on the screen.
 * This is the first episode to feature a non-diegetic musical number, specifically the song "Crooked", where the characters don't sing in-universe, but rather as part of the musical.
 * As previously implied by Robo Fizz, Asmodeus and his factory are responsible for creating the Robo Fizz sex toy line for Mammon, albeit the former is against the practice.
 * It is revealed that the present day within this episode is Fizzarolli's tenth time participating in Mammon's annual clown pageant.
 * It is revealed that Fizzarolli has the ability to communicate through sign language, shown when he speaks to a deaf imp fan.
 * Closed captions appear at the bottom of the screen during scenes relating to sign language.
 * Due to YouTube's restrictions on profanity, the word "cunt", which Mammon used several times throughout the episode, was censored with a honk sound effect.
 * This is the first time two of the Seven Deadly Sins appear in one episode, and the first time there is conflict between them.
 * This is also the first episode to have a Deadly Sin debut whose title card directly features the Sin in question, whilst Asmodeus' was merely his logo, and Beelzebub's only features her silhouette within her logo.
 * As of this episode, Asmodeus and Fizzarolli have officially publicized their romantic relationship with each other.
 * Additionally, it is revealed that Fizzarolli and Asmodeus' ship has two in-universe names, "Ozzarolli" and "Fizzarozzie", with the latter only being used within a hashtag.
 * This episode marks the first time Fizzarolli's broken horns are shown in current time that he normally hides with his jester hat.
 * Sterling Richter made the designs for a bunch of Fizzarolli's merchandise, including: a gallon of industrial lube, Fizzarolli's hat, Funko Pop-esque figures, and the anime body pillow. She also redesigned Blitzo's sniper rifle.
 * Sterling also made the designs for both a block of cheese with hot sauce and a horse pattern bowl of cereal.
 * This episode aired the day after Vivienne Medrano's 31st birthday.
 * It is revealed in this episode that each Robo Fizz costs $69.99.

Cultural References

 * When the audience members look at their phones to spread about Asmodeus' relationship with Fizzarolli, one of them has a GIF of a Fizz-esque puppet waiving his arms. This is a nod to the infamous Kermit the Frog meme.
 * One of the users on the Clownporium messages goes by the name 'Doug_Dugs', a possible allusion to the Namco game .
 * The pose Fizzarolli does at the end of his song shares a striking resemblance to Alexander Hamilton's pose from the musical play of the same name, which in turn is based on iconic pose.
 * The horse show Blitzo is seen watching on TV might be a reference to .
 * Blitzo assumes iconic upside-down web string pose while protecting Fizzarolli.
 * The image of Fizzarolli on the industrial lube is a reference to a Blink-182 album cover.
 * Fizzarolli's phone case reading out "Queen Clussy" is a reference to a meme format wherein people combine the word "pussy" with a defining characteristic or trait, in this case "clussy" would be a combination of the words "clown" and "pussy".
 * The sequence where Fizzarolli is coated in pie cream has strong similarities to the scene in which is covered in pudding in .
 * One board game in Fizzarolli's dressing room is based on .
 * During the Robo Fizz advertisement, where a Robo Fizz was falling in line, one of the background characters is holding a plastic bag labeled "Hellmart", a parody of Walmart.

Continuity

 * The young versions of Blitzo and Fizzarolli appear to be the same ones in the picture that was seen on Blitzo's phone in "Ozzie's, implying the flashback is on the night the picture was taken.
 * Additionally, Fizzarolli having won the annual clown pageant nine years in a row would make the advertisement take place nine years prior to the present day within this episode.
 * Blitzo eating cheese with hot sauce is a callback to episode "The Harvest Moon Festival".
 * Blitzo is shown wearing his bodyguard outfit from "Loo Loo Land" when he is hired by Asmodeus as Fizzarolli's temporary security.
 * Asmodeus brings up the events of the previous episode "Oops" where he mentions how Fizzarolli got kidnapped by Crimson, his mafia, and Striker for extortion until Blitzo helped him escape.
 * One of the imps in the audience during Fizzoralli's final performance is the impsona of Cécilia Goncalves, making this her third appearance in Helluva Boss.
 * One of the imps in the audience during Fizzarolli's final performance is the impsona of Logan Niblock, making this his fourth appearance in Helluva Boss, and first appearance without Skye Henwood in the same episode.
 * The way Mammon catches himself before he could say the word "exploit" could be a callback to how Wally Wackford does similarly during "C.H.E.R.U.B".

Errors

 * In a few scenes (around 17:23 and 17:36), Blitzo is shown with his usual attire instead of his bodyguard outfit.
 * When Asmodeus first appears in his true form, the positions of his ram and bull heads are reversed.
 * After Mammon transforms, the number of his smaller eyes has changes between three and four pairs among scenes.
 * When Burnie cups his face at the awe of seeing Fizzarolli in the flesh for the first time, the white dots on the former's cheeks disappear for a split second.
 * When Asmodeus shows his side profile during the scene where he says he dislikes freaks swarming up to Fizzarolli, he is drawn with an indent on his face, resembling a nose. This detail only ever appears during that one scene.

Transcript
View the episode's transcript here.

Gallery

 * MAMMON'S MAGNIFICENT MUSICAL MID-SEASON SPECIAL (ft Fizzarolli)/Gallery