The Zack Files

The Zack Files is a science fiction television program based on a book series of the same name. The series is based on a series of books with the same name, written by Dan Greenburg. This series was shot in Toronto, Ontario. In August 2004, Goldhill Home Media released the first season on DVD.

The Zack Files
Developed by	Kathy Slevin
Starring	Robert Clark Jake Epstein Michael Seater Katie Boland Noah Giffin Jeff Clarke
Country of origin	Canada
No. of episodes	52
Production
Running time	22 minutes
Production company	Decode Entertainment
Release
Original network	YTV
Picture format	480i
Original release	September 17, 2000 – May 5, 2002

Plot

The series revolves around a teenage boy, played by Robert Clark, who is a magnet for paranormal activity and attends Horace White High School for Boys along with his three friends Cam, Gwen, and Spencer. Zack manages to get himself into trouble with his paranormal adventures and it is up to his friends to help him set things straight.

Characters

• Zachary "Zack" Greenburg (played by Robert Clark): The main protagonist. A relatively normal kid but often becomes a magnet for the paranormal.
• Cameron "Cam" Dunleavey (played by Jake Epstein): One of Zack's best friends who will do anything to make a quick buck.
• Spencer "Spence" Sharpe (played by Michael Seater): Another of Zack's best friends and the keeper of The Zack Files who is obsessed with paranormal activity and is attempting to win the Nobel Prize by proving the paranormal exists.
• Gwendolyn "Gwen" Killerby (played by Katie Boland): Doesn't believe in paranormal activity and her father is headmaster of their school, which allows her to be the only girl at an all-boys academy.
• Vernon Mantueffel (played by Noah Giffin): The series' main antagonist. He is jealous of Cam, Spence and Zack. He is Zack's nemesis, the richest kid in school and is in love with Gwen. He also sweats a lot.
• Daniel "Dan" Greenburg (played by Jeff Clarke): Zack's father, divorced and kind of clueless.
• Jennifer "Woman From 302" (played by Collette Micks): Downstairs neighbor and sometime girlfriend of Zack's dad.

Episodes

Season 1

The First Season of The Zack Files was broadcast between September 17, 2000 and April 2, 2001.

• Robert Clark and Michael Seater appear in every episode.
• Jake Epstein and Jeff Clarke are absent for one episode each.
• Katie Boland is absent for three episodes.
• Noah Giffin is absent for five episodes.

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production code
1	1	"The Library of No Return"	E.J.Thompson	Kathy Slevin	September 17, 2000	1.01
Zack forgets to return Alice in Wonderland and the characters come to life. Spencer and Cam must become Zack's lawyer and find proof who disculp him and identify the real thief: Vernon. Absent: Gwen. She appears in the next episode.
2	2	"You Don't Say"	William Fruet	James Nadler	September 18, 2000	1.02
When Principal Killerby starts his career at Zack's school, he meets his daughter Gwen. Meanwhile, when Zack picks up a book on ventriloquism at a magic shop and learns to throw his voice, his voice escapes from his body.
3	3	"It's a Wonderful School"	Michael DeCarlo	Kathy Slevin	September 25, 2000	1.03
Zack loses the class president election and is so angry that he breaks the voting machine which sends him to an alternate future in which he is a junkie while Vernon is now the headmaster.
4	4	"Quiet Please, I'm Reading Your Mind"	John Bell	Kathy Slevin	October 2, 2000	1.04
An incident causes Zack to read other's minds.
5	5	"Sock World"	William Fruet	James Nadler	October 9, 2000	1.05
Zack finds himself in a world which is dominated by socks while trying to obtain a sock which reminded him of the time when his parents were together. Absent: Gwen.
6	6	"Total Rewind"	Michael DeCarlo	Kathy Slevin	October 16, 2000	1.06
Dan buys a Digital Video Recorder from Vernon's father but the machine has aliens who want an human specimen: Vernon.
7	7	"Loose Lips: A Dog's Story"	John Bell	Kathy Slevin	October 23, 2000	1.07
Zack discovers he can only talk with dogs if they're in a vehicle which functions. Absent: Cam and Vernon.
8	8	"Crypt Seeker"	Ross Clyde	Chris Dickie	October 30, 2000	1.08
It's video game week and Zack buys a new game that is called Crypt Seeker. While playing, he allows Tara Bond arriving in the real world while Spencer ends in the game world. Zack and Cam must find a way to send Tara back and deliver their friend before Tara can seduce Dan.
9	9	"Misfortune Cookie"	John Bell	James Nadler	November 13, 2000	1.09
Chinese cookies can sometimes done the wrong prediction. That's the thing Zack learns when he discovers that all his wishes will be granted. As Gwen faints while waiting her idol with Zack, Spencer and Cam end in a car's cemetery.
10	10	"Run Zack Run"	Ron Oliver	Kathy Slevin	November 20, 2000	1.10
When Zack buys magic shoes, he can't stop running.
11	11	"Deja Vudoo"	William Fruet	Kathy Slevin	November 27, 2000	1.11
When Gwen celebrates her birthday, Zack immediately falls in love with a girl named Rita and tries to seduce her but fails. While manipulating Spencer's camera, he goes back in the time each time he wants. He is naturally the only one to notice it.
12	12	"But I'm Too Young to Be My Dad"	Ross Clyde	Kathy Slevin	January 15, 2001	1.12
Zack receives a visit from his future son (played by Daniel Clark who is Robert's older brother in real life). Absent: Vernon
13	13	"Photo Double"	Craig Pryce	Kathy Slevin	January 8, 2001	1.13
When Zack gets a photo class, his soul is stuck in the photo, leaving him in a zombie state.
14	14	"One Bad Seed"	Ron Oliver	Sheila Presscott Vessey	December 4, 2000	1.14
When Zack complains about his height, he accidentally swallows an orange seed and becomes taller.
15	15	"Fiber!"	Gail Harvey	Katayoun A Marciano	January 1, 2001	1.15
When Dan insists that Zack should only eat sane food, he buys old cereals whose date of expiration come the day after. Zack eats it and becomes older and older. But his friend have to help him and reverse the process before Zack turns into dust. Absent: Vernon.
16	16	"Anchovy of Doom"	Craig Pryce	Kathy Slevin	January 22, 2001	1.16
Zack, while working on a scientific project, commands an anchovy's pizza. He discovers he has the power to shrink people (Gwen, Dickie, Tad, Todd and Vernon) and to put them in a terrarium.
17	17	"Exit, Stage Fright"	John Bell	Kathy Slevin	January 29, 2001	1.17
Zack and his friends lose their pants while trying to vanquish their stage fright.
18	18	"Talented Mr. Talisman"	William Fruet	Chris Dickie	February 5, 2001	1.18
After borrowing Gwen's lucky guess, Dan becomes extremely lucky while Gwen receives all the bad luck.
19	19	"This Is Your Conscience Calling"	John Bell	Kathy Slevin	February 19, 2001	1.20
Zack receives a call from his conscience after he forgot his promise to spend less money.
20	20	"The Switch"	Harvey Crossland	Peter Colley	February 26, 2001	1.21
Zack accidentally switches place with Vernon and begins to enjoy great life while Vernon must confront ordinary life. After that, Charles (Vernon's butler) intervenes which causes Vernon to find his body back and Charles to switch his with Zack. Absent: Gwen.
21	21	"The Bottom Line"	Ross Clyde	Lorianne T Overton	March 5, 2001	1.22
Zack obtains glasses which allows him to see the future.
22	22	"Sparkin'"	William Fruet	Kathy Slevin	February 12, 2001	1.19
Zack and Rita break-up and Zack creates some weird sparks who bring love between Cam and Gwen, Spencer and his reflection and Zack with a girl named Sarah. Absent : Vernon
23	23	"Gone"	Ross Clyde	James Nadler	March 12, 2001	1.23
Zack drinks Gwen's ink and becomes invisible. Absent : Dan
24	24	"It's a Jungle in There"	William Fruet	Michael Maurer	March 20, 2001	1.24
Zack forgets to feed his neighbor's cat and plants which turns her apartment into a jungle.
25	25	"A Place of My Own"	Craig Pryce	Sheila Presscott	March 27, 2001	1.25
When Zack finally receives the key for his own apartment, he leaves his father and seems to enjoy adult life. That's until he organizes a party and gets expelled by mistake. Not even that, but he can't return to his old place since Dan converted his room into an office. Meanwhile, Dan tries again to seduce Jennifer.
26	26	"Dinner with Grandpa"	John Bell	Kathy Slevin	April 2, 2001	1.26
Zack and Dan have a familial dinner in which Zack's deceased grandfather Maurice wants to participate too. Notes: This is the last episode to feature Grandma Leah and Charles. Absent: Vernon.

Season 2

The Second Season of The Zack Files was broadcast between September 17, 2001 and May 5, 2002

• Robert Clark, Michael Seater, Jake Epstein and Katie Boland appear in every episode.
• Jeff Clarke and Noah Giffin are absent for seven episodes each.

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Production code
27	1	"Blast from the Past"	Ross Clyde	Julie Lacey	September 17, 2001	2.01
While working on their class project, Zack and his friends turn the clock back in order to stay longer in the library. They travel in 1912 and manage to rediscover their time with a bonus: a past student who has fallen love with Gwen.
28	2	"Searching for Zack Greenburg"	William Fruet	Heather Conkie	September 24, 2001	2.02
When Zack receives an F on his physics quiz a day before a huge test, he agrees to participate in an experiment which suddently makes him smarter and smarter. After getting accused of cheating by Mr. Munk and Vernon after he gets an A+ on the test, Zack agrees to enter a physics competition due to his high level of sudden intelligence, causing a rift between him and Spence.
29	3	"The Terrible Truth"	Don McBrearty	Steven Wresten	October 1, 2001	2.03
30	4	"Groovin'"	Harvey Crossland	William Nadler	October 8, 2001	2.04
Gwen desperately searches for a DJ and both Zack and Vernon want to participate. However, they both get possessed by an evil spirit.
31	5	"What's Eating Zack Greenburg"	Ross Clyde	Julie Nadler	October 15, 2001	2.05
When Dan finally decides to join Zack in his camping tips, he, Spence and Cam find themselves into a parallel world.
32	6	"In Your Dreams"	William Fruet	Esta Spalding	October 22, 2001	2.06
33	7	"Captain Sonic"	Don Shebib	David Young	November 5, 2001	2.07
Zack quickly develops telekinetic powers.
34	8	"Zack Zero"	Anthony Brown	Ann McNaughton	November 12, 2001	2.08
35	9	"Zack Girl"	Don McBrearty	Dennis Foon	November 19, 2001	2.09
36	10	"Dead Men Do Wear Plaid"	Don McBrearty	Peter Smith	November 26, 2001	2.10
Dan decides to coach Zack's football team but is possessed by an evil ghost of a former player whose only wish is to win.
37	11	"Frog Prince"	Craig Pryce	Gail Collins	December 3, 2001	2.11
When a swim team is organized to the school, both Cam and Zack want to join in but Zack's competences are terrible. As Cam makes fun of him, Zack finds a frog lucky charm which turns Cam into a frog. However, Spence and Zack must find the way to restore Cam before Vernon takes his place on the swim team.
38	12	"Things to Do at Horace Hyde White When You're Dead"	Don Shebib	Steven Wresten	January 7, 2002	2.12
When a ghost named Gilbert mysteriously reappears at school, he begins to wreak havoc by making several stupid pranks. As Zack is the only one to see him, he gets blamed by Mr. Munk and Dan and must find Gilbert's reason to come back before getting expelled.
39	13	"Bionic Zack"	Ross Clyde	Steven Barwin	January 14, 2002	2.13
Cam and Zack are on the same sports team when Zack complains about his lack of energy. However, when he saves his father's life by preventing a car from crushing him, he becomes stronger and stronger.
40	14	"Attack of the Killer Zack - Uum"	William Fruet	Denise Fordham	January 21, 2002	2.14
While cleaning up his room with Spence, Zack and his friend are swallowed by the vacuum and it's up to Cam and Gwen to save them before an enormous spider eats them. Absent: Vernon.
41	15	"Once and Future Zack"	John Bell	Heather Conkie	February 3, 2002	2.15
Zack becomes the new king of Broceliande after he rescued Merlin. Absent: Dan and Vernon.
42	16	"Kleptomanizack"	Mary Lewis	Elta Spalding	February 10, 2002	2.16
When Zack decides to buy a birthday present for Sarah, he opts for a CD. He becomes a magnet field which attracts so many items that the policewoman accuses him of thief. He is finally released but in exchange is forbidden to return to the store. Notes: Noah Giffin is credited but does not speak. Also, the last appearance of Shadia Simmons as Sarah.
43	17	"Zack Times Two"	Don McBrearty	James Nadler	February 17, 2002	2.17
Zack joins almost every club in high school when a new mirror is installed and his reflection comes to life. However, Zack's double appears to be very arrogant and ruthless. And he tries to join more and more clubs.
44	18	"Pop"	Ross Clyde	James Nadler	February 24, 2002	2.18
Zack's mother decides to pay a visit and brings him his favorite soda. However, Zack is torn between his two parents sice his father wanted to spend more masculine time with him. Every time Zack burps, he can teleport where he wants but Spence discovers his new power is limited. Absent: Vernon.
45	19	"Zack and White"	Harvey Crossland	David A Young	March 3, 2002	2.19
When Zack and Spence both have a hard time choosing between Cam and Gwen in the election for class president, Zack admits that making a choice is very difficult until Spence suggests him to participate in a experience which has drastic effects as Zack finds himself in a black and white dimension where choices do not exist. Zack decides to become a rebel and enlist the help of Orwell, a new student who admires him because he has decided to lead and not to be a sheep. At the end, Zack finally chooses to run too for the class president and Cam and Gwen dislike him while Spence complains about how his choices are now harder to make. Absent: Vernon.
46	20	"Little Big Zack"	Graeme Lynch	Julie Lacey	March 10, 2002	2.20
It's time for Zack to have his Bar-Mitzvah. But because he is afraid to grow up, he regresses back to his childhood and is now seven. Spence has to convince him to become a teenager again by saying to him that if he does not leave his kid status, he never will know how to drive, get a girlfriend or have forest trips. However, when the rabbi tells young Zack that everybody is afraid of unknown, but heroes have to face their fears while coward always hide, Zack is convinced and is back to normal. Absent: Vernon.
47	21	"The Eyes of Gwen Killerby"	Ross Clyde	Steven Wresten	March 17, 2002	2.21
48	22	"Zack Greenburg's Day Off"	Don Shebib	Michael Kramer	March 24, 2002	2.22
49	23	"Almost Famous Almost"	Gail Harvey	Mary Crawford and Alan Templeton	March 31, 2002	2.23
50	24	"The Zack Show"	William Fruet	Skander Haley	April 7, 2002	2.24
Zack receives a magical TV in his room and learns that the last channel shows his live on another dimension. Unless he wants his planet to be destroyed, Zack has to fight with Vernon while Cam must express his feelings for Gwen and Spence has to make more experiments. However, Vernon decides to finally give up his rivalry with Zack and become his friend.
51	25	"Who Did You Say I Was?"	Stuart J C Williams	Jennifer Conway	April 14, 2002	2.25
52	26	"Zackeo and Juliet"	John Bell	Peter Lieberman	May 5, 2002	2.26
As the series finale, Zack must learn Romeo's role in order to pass his English theater exam. However, he has learnt nothing, even the story, he finds himself in another dimension where he plays Romeo while Gwen is Juliet, Cam Tybalt and Spence the monk.

External links

• The Zack Files at IMDb
• The Zack Files at TV.com