As a child growing up in Canada in the late 90s, 'My Hometown' was one of the serious shows syndicated on YTV. It was through this show where a lot of my first dramatic media memories started. I still remember certain moments vividly from watching it when I was three and four years old.
Jay Baruchel is the star of the show. It was also one of his very first acting gigs, as well as his most overlooked. So overlooked, in fact, my own random memory recalls triggered my interest to look back on this. I have downloaded all of the episodes from Youtube and have seen them all with a much more mature understanding than twenty years earlier.
'My Hometown' is centred around Baruchel's character named Thomas Thompson (yeah, that's his name). His family has lived in a teeny-tiny town outside of Montreal called Maplewood for generations. It consists of his handyman father, homemaking (I think) mother, little sister Tracey, older brother Dennis, and cousin Alex. Dennis appears in just a few episodes, with his character getting an academic scholarship to McGill University. Alex's mother died at birth and father moves too often, so the Thompsons eventually adopt him.
The best part of the show is Thomas' bond with his two best friends, Lisa and Simon. The friendship these three share is beyond enchanting. We know that no matter what, they would die for each other. They have a few other good friends that join them, but nothing beats these three.
Maplewood is a tiny town that reminds me a lot of where I grew up. I can see my own memories in some places. But the setting is also very beautiful and highly immersive; it takes the viewer straight into this rural community. And this is a town where everyone knows everyone, so the writing brings each character we meet to life. We feel like we are watching these people in real situations. Nothing is copped out.
The acting and characterizations are the first first-rate ones I had ever seen in a show and still remain one of the highest. Take my advice and watch this show as soon as possible!
