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CBC Television Network

An American In Canada

Network: CBC Television Network

Broadcast Run: 2003 to 2004

Broadcast Medium: Television

An American in Canada starred Rick Roberts as Jake Crewe, acerbic host of Good Morning Phoenix, the “number one TV morning show west of Albuquerque”. After beating up his station manager, Jake finds a job in Canada hosting Wake Up Calgary, the third rated morning show in the market. For a fast rising star who dreamed of co-hosting Dateline with Stone Phillips, this was a nightmare.

This quirky look at Canadians through the eyes of an American received overwhelming response from both audience and critics alike when the pilot aired on January 18, 2002. It garnered the Gemini Award for best comedy show, marking the first time in Gemini history that a pilot received this award over a series.

Also featured was Helene Joy as Judy, the producer of Wake Up Calgary, who couldn’t trust a man who couldn’t commit to a country. Timm Zemanek was Bill, the Calgary station manager; Stewart Francis was Dennis, the current host of Wake Up Calgary; Matthew Ferguson was Derrick, the floor manager with anger issues, and Robin Brule was Mara, the insecure intern, with Sugith Varughese as Aftab, the spiritual owner of the donut shop where Jake drank bad coffee while receiving profound wisdom.

The first six part series played from February 28th to April 4th 2003, and a second, 10-part series aired between October 24th 2003 and January 30th 2004.  The series was directed by Shawn Alex Thompson, and created and written by Howard Busgang with Jebb Fink. Steve Smith wass the creative consultant.

Produced by Colin Brunton, an S&S production in association with CBC Television.
                                                                                     

Written by John Corcelli – February, 2004