Canadian television comedy series
Son of a Critch is a Canadian comedy television series, created by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe, that premiered on January 4, 2022 on CBC Television.[1] Based on the memoir of the same name by Critch, the semi-autobiographical series follows an adolescent Mark as he grows up in the 1980s in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.[2]
Premise
The series is a coming of age story based on the childhood and adolescence of Canadian comedian Mark Critch. At the start of the series, 11-year-old Mark is growing up in 1980s Newfoundland, where he navigates starting junior high school (at St.Brigit's), making friends, and connecting with the small group of people in his limited world.[3]
Cast
Main
- Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Mark Critch, who is starting junior high school in the first season
- Mark Critch as Mike Critch, Mark's father, a news reporter for radio station VOCM
- Mark Critch narrates the series as his adult self
- Claire Rankin as Mary Critch, Mark's mother
- Malcolm McDowell as Patrick “Pop” Critch, Mark's grandfather
- Colton Gobbo as Mike Critch Jr., Mark's older brother
- Sophia Powers as Jennifer Fox, called "Fox" and in Mark's class, whose family are bullies. She has a crush on Mark, but hides it by bullying him.
- Mark Rivera as Ritche Perez, Mark's best friend, and a Filipino Canadian who is the only person of color at St.Brigit's school
- Richard Clarkin as Dick Dunphy, Mike's coworker at VOCM
Supporting
- Nora McLellan as Sister Rose, the Principal of Mark's school
- Lawrence Barry as Mr. Chafe, the Vice-Principal of Mark's school
- Petrina Bromley as Sister Margaret, and later Ms Fowler, Mark's homeroom teacher (seasons 1 & 2)
- Pete Soucy as Officer Butt, the local constable
- Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll as Father Garcia
- Stephen Payette and Teigan Follett as Silver Fox and Middle Fox, Jennifer Fox's older brothers
- Nicole Underhay as Suzanne, Fox's mother
- Steve O'Connell as Fox's father
- Nate Penney as the youngest Fox sibling
- Daisy Harris as Tina, a student in Mark's class
- Caroline Mangosing as Mrs Perez, Ritchie's mom
- Eugene Sampang as Mr. Perez, Ritchie's dad
- Rory Lambert as Mr Byrne, the gym teacher
- Kate Corbett as Sister Perpetua, Mark's homeroom teacher (season 3)
- Mack Barfoot as Mr. Murphy, owner of VOCM
- Susan Kelsey as Gertie, secretary at VOCM
Guest stars
Development
Conception
In 2018, Critch published a memoir about his childhood in Newfoundland.[4] Following its release, McAuliffe suggested developing the book into a television series, which led to him and Critch creating scripts to pitch to various networks.[5] In June 2021, CBC announced they had ordered Son of a Critch to series.[2]
Production and distribution
The series made its Canadian broadcast premiere on CBC Television on January 4, 2022, as well as CBC's streaming platform, CBC Gem.[6]
Production companies involved with the series include Project 10 Productions, and Take the Shot Productions. Lionsgate distributes the series outside Canada.
On February 28, 2022, CBC renewed the series for a second season.[7]
On March 23, 2023, the series was renewed for a third season[8] with The CW joining CBC and Lionsgate to co-produce.[9]
On May 23, 2024, the series was renewed for a fourth season which will air in Winter 2025. [10]
Episodes
Season 1 (2022)
Season 2 (2023)
Season 3 (2024)
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 100% based on six critic reviews.[23]
Son of a Critch was watched by an average of 941,000 viewers on its January 4, 2022 Canadian debut, and was the 28th most-watched program in Canada that week.[11]
In 2023 at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards Son of a Critch was nominated for 4 awards and 1 audience award. The show was nominated for 7 awards at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024 and won the Cogeco Fund Audience Choice.
Accolades
International broadcast
Paramount+ acquired streaming rights to the series in the British Isles in 2022.[24]
In the United States, the series premiered on July 24, 2023, on The CW (although some US markets near the Canadian border who receive CBC Television are ahead in episodes). Season two premiered on October 26, 2023.[25] Season three premiered on January 25, 2024.[26]
References
- ^ Hadaya, Margot. "CBC announces Winter 2022 premiere dates". CBC.
- ^ a b "Son of a Critch! New CBC Comedy series based on Mark Critch book coming soon". CBC.
- ^ "Son of a Critch". CBC.
- ^ Ahsan, Sadaf. "Comic Mark Critch on reliving childhood in his father's shoes in 'Son of a Critch'". Saskatoon Today.
- ^ Hullender, Tatiana (31 December 2021). "Mark Critch, Malcolm McDowell & Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Interview: Son Of A Critch". ScreenRant. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Escandon, Rosa. "Lionsgate And The CBC Team Up For 'Son Of A Critch'". Forbes.
- ^ White, Peter (28 February 2022). "'Son Of A Critch' Renewed For Season 2 At Canada's CBC". Deadline. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (23 March 2023). "'Son Of A Critch' Renewed For Season 3 By CBC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ Mittovich, Matt Webb (14 July 2023). "Son of a Critch: The CW Acquires Hit Canadian Comedy for Summer Run". TVLine. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ X.com https://x.com/SonOfACritchTV/status/1793676631896100885.
- ^ a b Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 03, 2022 - January 09, 2022 - numeris
- ^ Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 10, 2022 - January 16, 2022 - numeris
- ^ Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 17, 2022 - January 23, 2022 - numeris
- ^ Premier Peckford's pickle palace
- ^ Diana: The Disenchanted Princess
- ^ Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 31, 2022 - February 6, 2022 - numeris
- ^ Mount Cashel Orphanage Abuse Scandal
- ^ a b c d "Son of a Critch – Listings". Zap2It. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ The Newfoundland Beer Strike of 1985
- ^ 'The second coming of the ice age' in St. John's in 1984
- ^ Memories of The Papal Visit
- ^ Ches's Famous Fish and Chips
- ^ "Son of a Critch: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (August 5, 2022). "Paramount+ UK & Ireland Taps Lionsgate, NBCU, Sony & Dynamic Television For Scripted Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ White, Peter (8 May 2023). "The CW Moves Into 'Schitt's Creek' Territory With Acquisition Of Canadian Comedy 'Son Of A Critch'". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (2023-12-12). "The CW Midseason Premiere Dates Set For New & Returning Series, 'I Am' Documentaries". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
External links