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Maybe the U.S. broadcast networks should just collectively outsource their summer scripted programming to Canada. The CW, which has been barely keeping the lights on with all-repeats this summer, has acquired the rights to the Canadian comedy series 18 to Life, described as a modern-day (and comedic I presume) take on Romeo and Juliet. The network will start double-pumping two back-to-back episodes from the series’ 12-episode freshman season on Tuesday nights at 9 PM and 9:30 PM.
The CW had been exploring the idea of importing British reality series for this summer. Going with Canada instead is understandable (no accents!), but the choice of genre – a scripted comedy series – is surprising. The CW exited the comedy business a year ago when it cancelled its last half-hour series.
18 To Life joins fellow summer Canadian imports Rookie Blue on ABC and Flashpoint and The Bridge on CBS. The comedy has American roots: in the pilot stage, it was a co-production between Canada’s CBC and U.S.’s ABC, but ABC ultimately passed on the pilot, while CBC picked it up to series.
On the CW, I’m sure the hope is that 18 To Life would provide some support to the network’s sole original offering this summer, reality series Plain Jane, which debuts July 28. And if 18 To Life does well, there are more episodes in the hopper: the show has just begun production on Season 2 in Montreal. It is created, written, and executive produced by Derek Schreyer, Karen Troubetzkoy and Arnie Gelbart and is distributed internationally by ITV Global Entertainment.
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No accents? Watching shows like Degrassi is hilarious because of the accents.
Is that why they Degrassi is hilarious? If that’s all it takes then Canada must get a real laugh out of True Blood.
Really CW? We already know you suck ASS! But to pour salt in the wound of the falling number of American based productions is low! OH and thanks ABC – Didn’t realize American Broadcast Company was Canadian for film here and not in America.
The US should adopt the French law where 90% of their programming MUST be French based/produced etc. Maybe Californians would have more jobs and the state wouldn’t be in such debt.
Just a thought!
are you retarded? 90% of the tv shows we get in Canada are from the US, and likely most of the world is in the same situation. Switch to decaf and don’t post unless you know what you’re talking about.
Chris you are a moron. I could give a rats ass about how much programming in Canada is US based. I care about the US. Try to keep up!!!! And YES France does have a law about their tv programming and films released in their country being 90% Native. You have no idea what you are talking about.
Google it, you idiot.
So your saying the US should be as insecure about their culture as France?
Hollywood has done a great job at exporting America, why be afraid of some competition?
California is in such debt because you have an idiot Republican governor.
Key word being “Republican”.
Wow, real mature having such an imaginative username like yours. It shows your comments should not be read because of your small mind.
Suck it dude! There’s far more talent north of the US border than you could ever dream of. And we have 1/10 the population!
I’m pretty sure that about 99 percent of American television is already American-made. You can count the Canadian shows on American TV on your fingers. Canada doesn’t even make many Canadian shows, since most of its programming is U.S. imports.
Anyway, there’s not a single prime-time Canadian show on the fall line-ups, so you can breathe easy come September. It’s just a summer romance.
I’m suprised they went with a comedy instead of a canadian drama or british reality series. but if it is a suprise hit will the cw really do sitcoms again. If so will they rebroadcast other canadian comedys for midseason and just forget about hms.
this is what happens when your executive team “can’t get it done.”
Import the work of others… props to CBC for having a group able to develop material.
Props for getting a Canadian sitcom on a US network in primetime. Corner Gas aired on WGN in primetime very briefly before being relegated to late night, and then discontinued.
F*Canada – do you drive a car made in Mexico or Japan? Have you noticed 90 percent of the stuff you buy is made in China? Come across most service calls being answered in India?
No? Well, welcome to 2010 and the legacy of corporate greed and consecutive governments screwing over their own. 50 years of being able to buy crap cheaper at a Walmart is coming home to roost and all that’s left is mostly paper pushing or service jobs. Maybe it’s time a 90 percent rule applying to everything comes into effect here then we might see some real jobs coming back.
Very well said, I completely agree!
This is a really, really funny show. When y’all get over your xenophobia, you might actually enjoy it.
This is a great show from what I’ve seen. Definately worthy of being shown on networks outside of canada. “F* Canada” – I wouldn’t worry about Americans being left without jobs in the film buisness. You have the largest film industry in the world, and it’s never going to slow down. If you’re all about keeping jobs within the States that’s fine, but you should be more worried about losing manufacturing jobs and such, not a lack of American- made TV. You’re argument is weak, and based on your classy user name you obviously have some sort of grudge agaist canada which makes no sense because Canada does nothing bad to the United States. Try watching the show before you go off on a tangent, it’s a good show.