This is a Canadian show shot in Calgary. Yet I hope this finds syndication in the American market. You can either learn more about Canada or you can enjoy fresh references to things you already knew (like me). My call to America: pick this show up.
If you're not watching this series already then you need to get with the program. Bruce McCulloch gave us all a gift with this 1980's set show. As far as the current crop of sitcoms go, this is actually quite grounded material. It is timely, and timeless, in that it deals with a boomerang kid and other hardships of transitioning into adult life.
The show focuses around two friends and one of the friend's family. The friends are Ian McKay (Tim Carlson) and Andrew Shinky (Atticus Mitchell). The family (Ian's) are Lloyd McKay, the father (Bruce McCulloch), Helen McKay, the mother, (Tracy Ryan), and Belinda McKay, the sister, (Allie MacDonald). All the characters get impressive screen time. Bruce McCulloch plays the grounds-keeper for the residential community in which they live, Brae Vista.
I came to this series because of Allie MacDonald. The series presents her in generous doses. Her character is one of those that's adorable and cute when angry, so if you can appreciate that sort of thing then you should love it as there are some golden moments in that vein. Allie MacDonald and Tracy Ryan also have some fun scenes of inter-generational tension.
Ian and Andrew face many obstacles in their comic attempts to shirk social norms and take a short-cut to the the big time and independence. Prodigious job loss, van culture, a potential calling as a hairstylist, strange encounters with punk band roadies, and many other misadventures are explored.
Two episodes are definitely 10-star episodes: four and eight. Allie MacDonald is pivotal to, and particularly well used in, both episodes. In episode four, the men of the house get wrapped up in the world of personal beauty to the annoyance of Belinda, which results in one of those golden moments. In episode eight, Allie MacDonald makes an appearance reminiscent of 1980's workout video Jane Fonda in which she does yet another colorful protest/grand speech.
I'm sure there are going to be other scenes for other people but this is a show that deserves a chance.
