This week for the Friday 5 in honor of the legendary Catherine O’Hara’s Birthday why not look a the Top 5 Canadian TV Shows. There have been plenty of standout shows over the years that Canadians can be proud to say our country made and I have narrowed it down to 5 somehow.
Now these are my person Top 5 so I’m sure some will not be happy with the list, but it is always a subjective thing. Let’s get the Friday 5 going.
5. Republic of Doyle
Republic of Doyle centres around a father and son private detectives who are both former cops. The dad Malachy a well respected retired cop and Jake who is a bit of a trouble making wild card as they solve issues in St. John’s Newfoundland often working with the cops. The show boasts a hilarious cast as they get into some crazy antics. The show had notable guest stars like the late Gordon Pinsent, Scott Grimes, Paul Gross, Victor Garber, Shannon Tweed, Alan Doyle (who provided the theme song with Great Big Sea), Kevin Durand and Russell Crowe. The show ran for 77 episodes over 6 seasons.
4. This Hour Has 22 Minutes
Next we have what could only be described as a Canadian version of the Daily Show, much similar to The Rick Mercer Report. This Hour Has 22 Minutes relies on a cast for many skits rather than just one person. The show is a satirical look at Canada and Canadian politics. The show hasn’t been scared to touch topics like Native issues as well as make fun of Canadian artists and politicians. The show has been going since 1993 for 30 seasons and shows no sign of stopping.
3. Schitt’s Creek
In the bronze spot is the most recent show and most critically acclaimed on the list Schitt’s Creek. The show stars iconic Canadian actors Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy while making stars out of Levy’s son Dan and actress Annie Murphy. It follows the trials and tribulations of the formerly wealthy Rose family. After their business manager embezzles the family business, Rose Video, the family loses its fortune and relocates to Schitt’s Creek, a small town they once purchased as a joke. Now living in a motel, Johnny (Eugene Levy) and Moira (Catherine O’Hara)—along with their adult children, David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) must adjust to life without wealth. The show was successful in Canada and after a couple seasons the show became a massive hit south of the border in the US. The show ran for 80 episodes over 6 seasons and Eugene Levy recently hinted that maybe will could see it come back. It was shot in not to far from my hometown in Orangeville, ON.
2. Due South
Coming in 2nd for this weeks Friday 5 is Due South. The Canadian show that starred Paul Gross, and the likes of Gordon Pinsent and Leslie Nielsen as recurring characters while featuring many actors before they got famous like Mark Ruffalo, Ryan Ryan Phillippe, Ray J, Dean McDermott and Carrie-Anne Moss. The show would run from 1994-1999 with 67 episodes from the 4 season run. The show follows the adventures of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Constable Benton Fraser, who first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of his father, and has remained, attached as liaison with the Canadian Consulate. He works alongside a detective of the Chicago Police Department to solve crimes. Both are aided at times by Fraser’s deaf white wolf, Diefenbaker. The show’s format mixed between elements of a police drama and comedy, derived from the stereotypical differences between Canadian and American culture at the time. The names characters after famous Canadians. It holds up to this day and can be seen on Netlfix if you want to watch this classic show.
1. Corner Gas
In the top spot is Corner Gas. The show about life in a small farming community in the fictional Dog River, Saskatchewan centred around the gas station and the diner attached. The show would have 107 episodes over 6 seasons from 2004-2009. The simple show is beloved by most if not everyone who watched it. The show attracted many notable guest stars like sitting Prime Ministers Paul Martin and Stephen Harper, Kevin McDonald of The Kids in the Hall, Colin Mochrie, Jennifer Hedger and her SportsCentre colleague Darren Dutchyshen, The Tragically Hip, Kiefer Sutherland and Michael Bublé just to name a few. The success of the show led to a fan funded Corner Gas movie and an animated show based on the show that ran from 2018-2021 with most of the original cast voicing their characters. Who knew a show set and filmed in small town Saskatchewan could be such a hit.
– Everett
