{{short description|British internet personality (born 1975)}} {{distinguish|Jonti}} {{Multiple issues| {{BLP primary sources|date=March 2022}} {{Unreliable sources|date=March 2022}} {{Third-party|date=March 2022}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use British English|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Jonti Picking | image = Weebl Jonti Picking.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Picking in 2003 | birth_name = Jonathan Picking | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|5|17|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Doncaster, South Yorkshire]], England | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = {{flatlist| *Weebl *Mr. Weebl *Jonti }} | occupation = {{hlist|Internet personality|flash animator}} | years_active = 2002–present | known_for = | notable_works = {{flatlist| *[[Weebl and Bob]] *Savlonic *[[Badgers (animation)|Badgers]] }} | spouse = {{marriage|Sarah Darling|2007}} | children = 2 | website = {{url|www.weebls-stuff.com}} }}
'''Jonathan''' "'''Jonti'''" '''Picking''' (born 17 May 1975), also known as '''Weebl''' and '''Mr Weebl''', is a British [[Internet personality]] and [[Flash animation|Flash animator]] and is the creator of ''Weebl's Stuff''.
His animations are known for repetitive melodies and surreal dialogue; the majority feature a catchy tune with silly lyrics, paired with a looping animation. He does most of the voices in his animations himself, and several feature himself in live action, including "Haricots Verts", "Chutney", "Boogie", "CAMRA", "Stock Market", "We Are Mature", "Tangerine" the [[Weebl and Bob]] episodes "DJ" and "Safety", the fourth [[Weebl's cartoons#On The Moon|On The Moon]] episode, and "Jazzmas". He has also worked with other animators on YouTube, such as [[Edd Gould]] in the video "Nuts (feat. MrWeebl)".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gould |first1=Edd |title=Nuts (feat. MrWeebl) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCrdJO9O5ns |website=Youtube |date=22 June 2010 |publisher=Eddsworld |access-date=1 December 2024}}</ref>
==Career== Picking is a trained sound engineer and artist, and he has worked on 3D visual effects for the film ''[[Resident Evil (2002 film)|Resident Evil]]''. In 2003, he made several advertisements for [[Anchor Milk|Anchor Butter]] in the style of his Weebl and Bob animations (but featuring cows) which were broadcast in the UK. The television program ''[[Totally Viral]]'' on [[Dave (TV channel)|UKTV G2]], consisting of video clips and cartoons from the internet, has an animated title sequence and links made by Picking.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
Picking set up his own production company called Sumo Dojo, which he later left to set up Weebl's Stuff Limited, also known as Weebl Ltd. Weebl's Stuff Ltd was dissolved in 2014, and Jelly Penguin Productions Ltd was set up in its place shortly afterward.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} In 2009, Picking produced several radio and television advertisements based on the tune of the first "Magical Trevor" for the ''118 24 7'' service of [[Yellow pages|Yell.com]]. These appeared on the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] television channel,<ref>{{cite web |title=118 24 7 and Magical Trevor, what a team |url=http://www.118247.com/inspiration.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716020941/http://www.118247.com/inspiration.html |archive-date=16 July 2012 |access-date=24 March 2009 |work=Yell.com}}</ref> amongst others. It was voted 6th Most Irritating Ad of 2009 by Marketing Magazine.<ref>[http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/News/MostRead/977046/irritating-ads-2009/ The most irritating ads of 2009]. Marketingmagazine.co.uk (12 January 2010). Retrieved 3 January 2012.</ref> He is also an admitted fan of [[Wesley Willis]] and created an animation for Willis' song "Merry Christmas".<ref>[http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/Merry+Christmas/ Merry Christmas – Weebl's Stuff] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111124229/http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/Merry+Christmas/|date=11 November 2006}}. Weebls-stuff.com. Retrieved 3 January 2012.</ref>
=== Weebl's Stuff === {{Main|Weebl's cartoons|Weebl and Bob}} Weebl's Stuff is Picking's personal website. Whilst initially starting with his own creations (The show "Weebl and Bob" was previously hosted on [[Newgrounds]] before moving to Weebl's Stuff), it quickly grew to incorporate numerous series and numerous staff. As well as providing the site with animations, usually at least twice a week, Weebl's Stuff also provides animation services to companies. Clients have included [[E4 (channel)|E4]], [[Yellow Pages]], and [[Anchor (brand)|Anchor]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
=== HuHa === In 2012 Picking began contributing to the YouTube comedy channel HuHa under the name of Jelly Penguin. He produced several shorts, including Evil Guy (a parody of super-villains from comic books and Saturday morning cartoons), Beef House (a parody of [[the A-Team]] in which the protagonists are butchers) and BAD Advice (a parody of public information films from the 1970s and 1980s). As of 2014, no further works for HuHa have been produced, either by Picking or others.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
=== Team Badger === {{Main|Save The Badger Badger Badger}} In 2013, Picking teamed up with [[Queen (band)|Queen]] guitarist and [[animal rights]] activist [[Brian May]] and actor [[Brian Blessed]], along with a number of animal rights organisations including the [[RSPCA]], to form "Team Badger", a coalition against the British Government's [[Badger culling in the United Kingdom|proposed badger cull]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About TeamBadger |url=http://www.teambadger.org.uk/about_teambadger.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629142202/http://teambadger.org.uk/about_teambadger.html |archive-date=29 June 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Picking, May and Blessed recorded a single, ''[[Save The Badger Badger Badger]]'', a [[Mashup (music)|mashup]] of 2003's ''[[Badger Badger Badger|Badgers]]'', and Queen's ''[[Flash (Queen song)|Flash]]'', featuring vocals by Blessed. Picking also animated [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EllYgcWmcAY the music video], which parodied elements of the original "Badger" animation, as well as a scene from the 1980 film ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]'', in which Blessed played Prince Vultan, and for which Queen provided the [[Flash Gordon (soundtrack)|soundtrack]]. On 1 September 2013, ''Save The Badger Badger Badger'' charted at No. 79 on the [[UK Singles Chart]], No. 39 on the UK [[iTunes]] chart<ref name="digitalspy">{{cite web |date=30 August 2013 |title=Brian May's 'Save the Badger Badger Badger' song climbs iTunes chart |url=https://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a511347/brian-mays-save-the-badger-badger-badger-song-climbs-itunes-chart.html |access-date=2 September 2013 |work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> and No. 1 on the [[iTunes]] Rock chart.<ref name="theguardian">{{cite web |date=30 August 2013 |title=Badger protest song by Brian May reaches charts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/30/badger-protest-song-brian-may |access-date=2 September 2013 |work=[[Newsquest|The Guardian]]}}</ref>
=== Savlonic === Savlonic<ref>{{Cite web |title=Savlonic – Weebls Stuff |url=https://weebls-stuff.com/toons/category/toons/savlonic/ |access-date=23 May 2017 |website=weebls-stuff.com |language=en-US}}</ref> is a synthpop/synthwave [[virtual band]] consisting of singer Rosco (formerly Roscoe Thunderpants) portrayed by Picking, singer/keyboardist Eve (formerly Evangeline D'isco) portrayed by Sarah Darling, backing vocalist/drummer Kandi Flaus (portrayed by Katt Wade<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kandi in the Studio – Weebls Stuff |url=https://weebls-stuff.com/toons/kandi-in-the-studio/ |access-date=23 May 2017 |website=weebls-stuff.com |date=25 May 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref>), and guitarist Kaspar Funk (Daniel Dobbs).{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
As of March 2019, nine Savlonic songs have been made into music videos: "Electro Gypsy", "Tiny Japanese Girl", and "Action Causes Reaction" were all animated by Picking, the latter-most being animated in the Unity engine as a VR experience. The videos for "Wandering Eye", "The Driver", "Computer Guy" and "Spelunker" were animated by Peabo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peabo's Newgrounds Page |url=https://peab0.newgrounds.com/ |access-date=16 July 2020 |website=Newgrounds}}</ref> "Broken" and "Hi-Lights" were animated by Kr3id.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kreid's Newgrounds Page |url=https://kreid.newgrounds.com/ |access-date=16 July 2020 |website=Newgrounds}}</ref>
The band has released four full-length albums: ''Red'' (2014), ''Neon'' (2016), and ''Black Plastic'' (2019) ''Ultraviolet'' (2024). The fourth album, ''Ultraviolet,'' was successfully funded through crowdfunding website [[Kickstarter]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Picking |first1=Jonti |title=Tweet from @TheWeebl dated 30th of October 2024 |url=https://x.com/TheWeebl/status/1851541845085458444 |website=Twitter}}</ref> ''Emulat0r'' (2017) and ''Emulated'' (2020), two cover albums, were released in 2017 and 2020 (these do not count towards Savlonic's numbered releases). They have also released a five-song EP named after the band's animated frontman Rosco, and multiple tracks released as singles ("Sweet" and "00:00:00").<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weebl's Stuff |url=https://weebl.bandcamp.com/music |access-date=23 May 2017 |website=Weebl's Stuff}}</ref> The ''Red'', ''Neon'' and ''Black Plastic'' albums were funded by the fans of Weebl and Savlonic through the crowd-funding website Kickstarter<ref>{{Cite web |title=Red, Savlonic's 1st Album |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/weebl/the-savlonic-album |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=Kickstarter |language=en-US}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Neon, Savlonic's 2nd Album |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/weebl/neon-savlonics-2nd-album |access-date=23 May 2017 |website=Kickstarter |language=en-US}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Plastic, Savlonic's 3rd Album |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/weebl/black-plastic-savlonics-3rd-album |access-date=15 June 2018 |website=Kickstarter |language=en-US}}</ref> The campaign for ''Red'' raised £34,768 from 1,320 backers, the campaign for ''Neon'' raised £40,778 from 1,276 backers, and the campaign for "Black Plastic" raised £37,055 from 847 backers.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
==Personal life== Picking married Sarah Darling, a radio presenter on the station [[Xfm]], on 31 March 2007.<ref>[http://www.weebls-stuff.com/news/658/im-married I'm married! – Weebl's Stuff] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410181924/http://www.weebls-stuff.com/news/658/im-married|date=10 April 2007}}. Weebls-stuff.com. Retrieved 3 January 2012.</ref> On 23 December 2008, Picking announced his wife's pregnancy on the Weebl's Stuff forums. On 13 July 2009, Picking's wife gave birth to a girl. {{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} Picking and Darling also have a son together, born 2 June 2011.
==Discography== Picking has produced several mini-albums, most of which feature extended versions of songs featured in his animations. Many are available for purchase on the music streaming site [[Bandcamp]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://weebl.bandcamp.com/music |title=Weebl's Stuff |website=Weebl's Stuff |access-date=23 May 2017}}</ref> or to stream on [[Spotify]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/5byiTcED6BRjdAYn49iOlR |title=Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/7pETuaIYf8FhFQCjCayguS |title=Savlonic |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref>
*''Pure Yak Frenzy'' (produced with [[Rob Manuel]] from [[b3ta]]) (2003)<ref>[http://www2.printshop.co.uk/Weebl/Shop/CDs/Pure_Yak_Frenzy/Product.html Weebls Stuff Store: Amazing Horse, Cat Face, Badger Toys, clothing and Accessories]. .printshop.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2012.</ref> *''Hands Over Pastry'' (6 April 2009)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1Q60wUCTcXAQIwUua21A26 |title=Hands Over Pastry, by Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Yesterday's Lemon'' (26 October 2009)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7EJFkVWkepScJ9nNsKbuor |title=Yesterday's Lemon, by Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Magical Chalk Toilet'' (17 November 2010)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5XGgP9CL4UTYF4Mww5M3K8 |title=Magical Chalk Toilet, by Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Shabby Bacon Hut'' (2 November 2011)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/5Pw5SnsyJIwcxlZrpLxKEK |title=Shabby Bacon Hut, by Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Ooh. Waffle Dog'' (23 November 2012)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3L9TjLjmSUqQ2OezmdAwH9 |title=Ooh. Waffle Dog, by Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''On Board the Beef Bus'' (16 January 2014)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1Lg6MbWzV40dUFjBdUThBh |title=On Board the Beef Bus, by Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Red'' (as Savlonic) (18 August 2014)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0Z39aY7UiB0qYn5e1x5HHs |title=Red, by Savlonic |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Neon'' (as Savlonic) (19 September 2016)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/0rIfO5lyQ291KkoOPZ72cC |title=Neon, by Savlonic |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Emulat0r'' (as Savlonic) (21 September 2017)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/65vIZHjByvMJPquRQ33kCB |title=Emulat0r, by Savlonic |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''A Right Festive Northern Christmas'' (14 December 2017)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7nSNcRacPZf3Qt7EfB2HGE |title=A Right Festive Northern Christmas, by Mr Weebl |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Black Plastic'' (as Savlonic) (19 March 2019)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4uKK7uTBGywQnz0CZiv2ch |title=Black Plastic, by Savlonic |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Emulated'' (as Savlonic) (14 May 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4pLbpa4dzceLT4uARG26ow |title=Emulated, by Savlonic |website=Spotify |access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref> *''Ultraviolet'' (as Savlonic) (9 December 2024)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/50Y1ZDJRVqXgSsCfjDdpHe |title=Ultraviolet, by Savlonic |website=Spotify |access-date=4 May 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== <!-- per [[WP:ELMINOFFICIAL]], choose one official website only --> * {{Official website|http://www.weebls-stuff.com/}} * {{IMDb name|1203846}} * {{cite web |url=http://www.sumo-dojo.com |title=Sumo-Dojo |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040926074926/http://www.sumo-dojo.com/}}
{{Weebl's Stuff}} {{Newgrounds}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Picking, Jonti}} [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Male actors from Doncaster]] [[Category:British Internet celebrities]] [[Category:English animators]] [[Category:British animated film directors]] [[Category:English businesspeople]] [[Category:English comedy musicians]] [[Category:English male singer-songwriters]] [[Category:English singer-songwriters]] [[Category:English male video game actors]] [[Category:English male voice actors]] [[Category:Flash artists]] [[Category:21st-century English singers]] [[Category:YouTubers from Yorkshire]] [[Category:British YouTubers]] [[Category:Newgrounds people]] [[Category:Surreal comedians]] [[Category:21st-century English male singers]]