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[[Category:Television series by Bell Media]]
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[[Category:Gemini and Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series winners]]
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[[Category:Television series set in fictional populated places]]

Revision as of 19:48, 27 August 2019

Letterkenny
GenreSitcom
Created byJared Keeso
Developed by
Written by
Directed byJacob Tierney
Starring
Opening theme"Who Needs a Girl Like You" by Indian Wars
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes41 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Mark Montefiore
  • Patrick O'Sullivan
  • Jared Keeso
  • Jacob Tierney
ProducerKara Haflidson
Production locationsSudbury, Ontario, Canada
CinematographyJim Westenbrink
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time23–30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCrave
ReleaseFebruary 7, 2016 (2016-02-07) –
present

Letterkenny is a Canadian television sitcom created by Jared Keeso and developed and primarily written by Keeso and Jacob Tierney, with Tierney as director. The series began as a YouTube web series titled Letterkenny Problems and in March 2015, Crave commissioned it as a television series. It debuted in February 2016, and later also aired on The Comedy Network.[1] The show stars Keeso and Nathan Dales as Wayne and Daryl, two friends living in the small town of Letterkenny, Ontario,[1] a small community loosely based on Keeso's own hometown of Listowel, Ontario.[1]

At the 5th Canadian Screen Awards in 2017, the series won the award for Best Comedy Series.[2]

In October 2017, the series received a production commitment of more than 40 new episodes. The seventh season is scheduled to be released in October 2019.

In the United States, Letterkenny is distributed by Hulu and the first two seasons debuted on July 13, 2018.[3] Subsequent seasons were added on December 27, 2018.[4] In May 2019, it was announced that Hulu had acquired exclusive rights to the series and future seasons in the United States, and that season 7 would premiere on the platform as a Hulu Original on October 14, 2019.[5]

Overview

Letterkenny revolves around the antics of the residents of a small rural Canadian community called Letterkenny.

Expanding the cast from the web series, the series focuses on Wayne and Katy (created for the TV series, though obliquely referenced earlier, unnamed), siblings who run a small farm and produce stand, with help from Wayne's two friends: Daryl and "Squirrely" Dan (created for the TV series). It also focuses on a pair of local hockey players (Reilly and Jonesy) who are involved in a polyamorous relationship with Katy.

Episodes deal with life in a small town, amongst different types of people: the farmers (the "hicks"), the out-of-towners who make up the local hockey team, the town's minister, the local drug addicts (the "skids"), and members of the local First Nation (the "natives"). Often plots revolve around Wayne defending his reputation as "the toughest guy in Letterkenny", the exploits of the perennially losing local hockey team, Wayne's attempts to break up his sister's open relationship with two of the members of the team, schemes by "the skids" to rip off the residents of both Letterkenny and a nearby First Nations reserve, and Wayne's various attempts to find love after the breakup of his high school sweetheart relationship of five years. In later seasons, the scripts feature wordplay and puns as a running joke to convey the intelligence of the small town characters.

Production

Letterkenny is the first original series commissioned by CraveTV,[6] and premiered on that platform on February 7, 2016.[7] The show has its roots in Letterkenny Problems, a short-format web series created by Keeso and released on YouTube in 2013.[8] Letterkenny Problems garnered a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Fiction Program or Series Created for Digital Media at the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards in 2014.[6] The town of Letterkenny portrayed in the series is fictional, and not based on the actual ghost town in Renfrew County.[9]

Tierney and Michael Dowse are also involved in the production of the series.[1] Tierney also has a supporting role as Pastor Glen in the series, whose cast also includes Michelle Mylett, Dylan Playfair, Andrew Herr, Tyler Johnston, Lisa Codrington, Alexander De Jordy, Kaniehtiio Horn and K. Trevor Wilson.[10]

The series is filmed in Sudbury, Ontario.[11] On March 10, 2016, Letterkenny was renewed for a second season of six episodes.[12] On August 8, 2016, just weeks after production wrapped on Season 2, CraveTV announced that they had ordered a third season.[13] On March 17, 2017, a St. Patrick's Day special episode, "St. Perfect's Day" was released.[14] The third season, shot during the winter season, was released on Canada Day, July 1, 2017.[15][16] A Halloween episode was announced on October 2, 2017, which was released on October 20, 2017.[17] The fourth season of six episodes was released on December 25, 2017.[18] On October 23, 2017, it was announced that the series has a new media partner which has agreed to a production commitment for 40 new episodes, a 26 city Letterkenny Live! tour beginning in February 2018 and the expansion of Letterkenny merchandise.[19] The six-episode fifth season was released on June 29, 2018.[20]

In 2019, Bell Media announced the launch of Littlekenny, a six-episode animated spinoff. The series, an origin story focusing on the main characters as children, premiered on June 28.[21]

Cast and characters

  • Jared Keeso as Wayne
  • Nathan Dales as Daryl
  • Michelle Mylett as Katy
  • K. Trevor Wilson as Squirrelly Dan
  • Dylan Playfair as Reilly
  • Andrew Herr as Jonesy
  • Tyler Johnston as Stewart
  • Alexander De Jordy as Devon (seasons 1–2)
  • Dan Petronijevic as McMurray (season 2–present; recurring season 1)
  • Melanie Scrofano as Mrs. McMurray (season 2–present)
  • Jacob Tierney as Glen (season 2–present; recurring season 1)
  • Lisa Codrington as Gail (season 2–present; recurring season 1)
  • Kaniehtiio Horn as Tanis (season 2–present; recurring season 1)
  • Evan Stern as Roald (season 3–present; recurring seasons 1–2)
  • Mark Forward as Coach (season 3–present; recurring seasons 1–2)
  • Sarah Gadon as Gae (seasons 3, 6; guest star season 5)

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
16February 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
26December 25, 2016 (2016-12-25)
SpecialMarch 17, 2017 (2017-03-17)
36July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
SpecialOctober 20, 2017 (2017-10-20)
46December 25, 2017 (2017-12-25)
SpecialMarch 23, 2018 (2018-03-23)
56June 29, 2018 (2018-06-29)
SpecialNovember 23, 2018 (2018-11-23)
66December 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)
SpecialFebruary 1, 2019 (2019-02-01)

Season 1 (2016)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Ain't No Reason to Get Excited"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyFebruary 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
A group of small town hicks try to help their friend get over a breakup.
22"Super Soft Birthday"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyFebruary 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
Wayne tries to maintain his status as the toughest guy in Letterkenny. Katy throws Daryl a birthday party.
33"Fartbook"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyFebruary 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
Letterkenny becomes enveloped in social media culture when the boys create a fart-sharing website.
44"Wingman Wayne"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyFebruary 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
The boys hit the bar to pick up women. Jonesy and Reilly get in shape.
55"Rave"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyFebruary 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
Wayne and Daryl start a pest control business. Stewart cleans himself up to impress Katy. The hockey team plays a road game against the Natives.
66"A Fuss in the Back Bush"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyFebruary 7, 2016 (2016-02-07)
The Skids rip off the Natives on a dart deal. Letterkenny turns into a war zone when the Natives swear revenge.

Season 2 (2016)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
71"A Fuss at the Ag Hall"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2016 (2016-12-25)
The Hicks attempt to establish order at Ag Hall while Reilly and Jonesy make the jump to Senior Hockey.
82"The Election"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2016 (2016-12-25)
The Hicks, Skids, and Hockey players participate in a Letterkenny election.
93"Relationships"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2016 (2016-12-25)
Wayne doubles down on finding love.
104"The Native Flu"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2016 (2016-12-25)
Reilly and Jonesy have an away game on the Rez.
115"Uncle Eddie's Trust"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2016 (2016-12-25)
Wayne and Katy inherit some money. Folks from Letterkenny pitch them on why it should be theirs.
126"Finding Stormy a Stud"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2016 (2016-12-25)
Tension rises around Letterkenny while Wayne looks for a stud to breed with his beloved German Shepherd "Stormy".

St. Patrick's Day special (2017)

No.
overall
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
13"St. Perfect's Day"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyMarch 17, 2017 (2017-03-17)
Sitting around the produce stand recalling the events from the night before at the St. Patrick's Day Party at the Ag Hall. A Legend is born.

Season 3 (2017)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
141"Sled Shack"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJuly 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
The Hicks build a sled shack on the sleddin' trail. The Hockey Players, now leading goal scorers, try to motivate the Irish to get a W.
152"Puck Bunny"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJuly 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
Wayne attempts to lure Up Country Degens to the sled shack but choosing the bait proves problematic.
163"MoDeans 2"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJuly 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
MoDean's Grand Re-Opening gives Wayne the opportunity to confront Jivin' Pete, who's "no longer a good guy".
174"Les Hiques"Jacob TierneyJonathan TorrensJuly 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
The Hicks go fishing on the Quebec border and meet their French doppelgangers.
185"The Battle for Bonnie McMurray"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJuly 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
Bonnie invites the Hicks for a hot tub party and Dan, Daryl and Katy compete for her attention. Wayne and Rosie are #relationshipgoals.
196"Bradley is a Killer"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJuly 1, 2017 (2017-07-01)
Gail's cousin Bradley returns to Letterkenny to be a bouncer at MoDean's. The Hicks love Bradley. Gae and the Skids reach a crossroads.

Halloween special (2017)

No.
overall
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
20"The Haunting of MoDean's II"Jacob TierneyLynne KammOctober 20, 2017 (2017-10-20)
Wayne and the Hicks help their old pal Gail get to the bottom of a strange brew happening at the local bar.

Season 4 (2017)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
211"Never Work a Day in Your Life"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2017 (2017-12-25)
It's Gail's birthday but in an effort to forget Rosie, Wayne is non-stop chorin'.
222"A Fuss at the Golf Course"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2017 (2017-12-25)
The Hicks and McMurrays defend the majestic Canada Goose at the local golf course. The turf war for the Dollar Store continues.
233"Way to a Man's Heart"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2017 (2017-12-25)
Tanis recruits the Hicks, who recruit the Hockey Players, to help with a feud on the Rez.
244"Letterkenny Talent Show"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2017 (2017-12-25)
Letterkenny locals put their special skills on display with their own talent show.
255"The Letterkenny Leave"Jacob TierneyJesse McKeownDecember 25, 2017 (2017-12-25)
The Hicks attend a hot tub party at the McMurray's. The Hockey Players decide to do whatever it takes to get gains.
266"Great Day for Thunder Bay"Jacob TierneyJonathan TorrensDecember 25, 2017 (2017-12-25)
The Bay Brothers, James and Hudson, return home for Hay and all of Letterkenny wants to be the one to throw them a party.

Easter special (2018)

No.
overall
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
27"Super Hard Easter"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyMarch 23, 2018 (2018-03-23)
It's Easter and it's Daryl's turn to hide the eggs. Glen and his unlikely sidekicks put on a Passion Play.

Season 5 (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
281"We Don't Fight at Weddings"Jacob TierneyTrevor Risk & Jared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJune 29, 2018 (2018-06-29)
The Hicks, Skids, and Hockey Players attend a Letterkenny wedding.
292"The Ol' College Try"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJune 29, 2018 (2018-06-29)
Wayne tries on a new relationship. The Skids get deeper into the Dark Web. The Hockey Players meet their new team.
303"Hard Right Jay"Jacob TierneyJesse McKeownJune 29, 2018 (2018-06-29)
An out-of-towner causes a ruckus in Letterkenny.
314"Letterkenny Spelling Bee"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJune 29, 2018 (2018-06-29)
Competition heats up at Letterkenny's Adult Spelling Bee.
325"Back to Back to Back"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyJune 29, 2018 (2018-06-29)
The Hockey Players try to win their first championship and Stewart is visited by some old friends.
336"Bock et Biche"Jacob TierneyJonathan TorrensJune 29, 2018 (2018-06-29)
The Hicks and Hockey Players travel to Quebec for Anik's pre-wedding party.

Christmas special (2018)

No.
overall
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
34"The Three Wise Men"Jacob TierneySonja BennettNovember 23, 2018 (2018-11-23)
The Hicks throw a Christmas party.

Season 6 (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
351"What Could Be So Urgent?"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)
Wayne and Marie Fred wonder about a stranger's urinal habits. Reilly and Jonesy begin a take down tourny with Dax and Ron. The Skids take a trip.
362"Bush Party Season"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)
The Hicks host a bush party. The Skids make an enemy.
373"The City"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)
The Hicks take a trip to the City, cause when a friend asks for help, you help them.
384"Dyck's Slip Out"Jacob TierneyJonathan TorrensDecember 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)
The Hicks attempt to help Noah Dyck and Anita Dyck find their daughters.
395"Different Strokes For Different Folks"Jacob TierneyTrevor RiskDecember 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)
It's the annual Century Club challenge at MoDean's. Katy is disturbed by McMurray. The Hockey Players deal with the consequences of their wager.
406"Yew!"Jacob TierneyJared Keeso & Jacob TierneyDecember 25, 2018 (2018-12-25)
There's trouble in paradise for Anik and Dary. Wayne makes a decision about Marie Fred. As Scottie Wallis would say, "Yew!".

Valentine's Day special (2019)

No.
overall
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
41"Valentimes Day"Jacob TierneyTrevor RiskFebruary 1, 2019 (2019-02-01)
Letterkenny hosts a speed dating event. Meanwhile, Wayne and Stewart bond over their love of hockey fights.

Reception

Critical reception

John Doyle of The Globe and Mail called the series "refreshing and intoxicating", and "funny, mad, droll, childish, and spiky." Focusing on the show's characteristic use of often thick Ontario dialect, he wrote that "Not since Trailer Park Boys launched have we heard the flavourful, salty Canadian vernacular used with such aplomb and abandon"; but also that "Almost all the conversations are raw comedy and utterly plausible as small-town guy talk, not just in Canada but in villages and parishes wherever the grass grows."[8] Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone called the show "marvelously goofy" and "strange, simple, [and] delightful".[22]

Ratings

CraveTV has stated that Letterkenny's debut was the biggest debut of any series on their platform since it launched in 2014, and that as of March 10, 2016, nearly one in three subscribers have watched the series.[12]

Accolades

Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2nd Canadian Screen Awards Best Original Fiction Program or Series Created for Digital Media Letterkenny Problems Nominated [6]
2016 Canadian Comedy Awards Best TV Show Letterkenny Nominated [23]
5th Canadian Screen Awards Best Comedy Series Mark Montefiore, Patrick O'Sullivan, Jared Keeso, Jacob Tierney Won [24]
Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series Jacob Tierney ("Super Soft Birthday") Won
Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series Jacob Tierney and Jared Keeso ("Super Soft Birthday") Won
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role Jared Keeso Nominated
Best Achievement in Casting Jenny Lewis and Sara Kay ("Rave") Nominated
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series Nathan Dales Nominated
Best Picture Editing in a Comedy Program or Series Erin Deck ("Super Soft Birthday") Nominated
Duncan Christie ("Ain't No Reason To Get Excited") Nominated
2017 WGC Screenwriting Awards Best Script From a Rookie Series Jared Keeso & Jacob Tierney ("Ain't No Reason to Get Excited") Nominated [25]
Best TV Comedy Jared Keeso & Jacob Tierney ("Super Soft Birthday") Won
6th Canadian Screen Awards Best Comedy Series Mark Montefiore, Patrick O'Sullivan, Jared Keeso, Jacob Tierney Nominated [26]
Best Direction in a Comedy Program or Series Jacob Tierney ("The Election") Won
Best Writing in a Comedy Program or Series Jacob Tierney and Jared Keeso ("Relationships") Won
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role Jared Keeso Nominated
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series K. Trevor Wilson Nominated
Best Photography in a Comedic Series Jim Westenbrink ("Relationships") Nominated
Best Picture Editing in a Comedic Series Christopher Minns ("The Election") Nominated
Best Sound in a Fiction Series Rick Penn, Jamie Sulek, Devin Doucette, Kieran Sherry, Rob Ainsley, Clive Turner ("Relationships") Nominated
Best Casting Jenny Lewis, Sara Kay Nominated
7th Canadian Screen Awards Best Comedy Series Letterkenny Nominated [27]
Best Lead Actor, Comedy Jared Keeso Won
Best Writing, Comedy Jared Keeso, Jacob Tierney Won

References

  1. ^ a b c d Szklarski, Cassandra (March 5, 2015). "'19-2' star Jared Keeso to helm original scripted comedy for CraveTV". CTV News. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  2. ^ Furdyk, Brent (March 12, 2017). "2017 Canadian Screen Awards: And The Winners Are…". ET Canada. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (June 6, 2018). "Hulu Nabs U.S. Rights to Canadian Comedy Hit 'Letterkenny' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  4. ^ Vlessing, Etan (December 17, 2018). "Hulu to Stream Four More Seasons of Canadian Comedy 'Letterkenny'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  5. ^ White, Peter (June 6, 2019). "Canadian Comedy 'Letterkenny' To Become Hulu Original As Season Seven Launches On October 14". Deadline. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Crave TV orders up first original series: Letterkenny". Winnipeg Free Press. March 5, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  7. ^ Adams, Blair (November 9, 2015). "TV Show "Letterkenny", starring Listowel's Jared Keeso, has a launch date". 570 News. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Doyle, John (February 8, 2016). "John Doyle: Letterkenny's a refreshing and intoxicating Canadian comedy". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  9. ^ "Letterkenny is coming to CraveTV and we couldn't be more excited". TSN. December 26, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  10. ^ Pinto, Jordan (May 28, 2015). "Why CraveTV didn't have a problem with Letterkenny". Playback Online. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  11. ^ Yeo, Debra (May 26, 2015). "Jared Keeso series Letterkenny shooting in Sudbury". The Star. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Letterkenny's Huge Launch on CraveTV Fuels Second Season Order". Bell Media. March 10, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  13. ^ "Told Ya this Was a Huge Deal Bud. CraveTV Orders a Third Season of LETTERKENNY". Bell Media. August 8, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  14. ^ Yeo, Debra (January 19, 2017). "Letterkenny to drop special St. Patrick's Day episode". The Star. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  15. ^ Yeo, Debra (June 6, 2017). "Letterkenny Season 3 brings a taste of winter to summer". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Letterkenny Season 3 arrives on CraveTV on Canada Day". Canadian Press. June 1, 2017. Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "CraveTV Alert: S-s-s-p-p-c-ecial Halloween Episode of LETTERKENNY Drops October 20 on CraveTV". Bell Media. October 2, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  18. ^ "Don't Even Needs to Sugar Coats It, Another Six-Pack of LETTERKENNY to Launch Christmas Day". Bell Media. December 11, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  19. ^ "CraveTV Enters into Comprehensive Multi-Year Partnership with New Metric Media to Build LETTERKENNY Brand Worldwide". Bell Media. October 23, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  20. ^ Daley, Dean (June 25, 2018). "Letterkenny season 5 comes to CraveTV on June 29". MobileSyrup. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  21. ^ Yeo, Debra (June 20, 2019). "Letterkenny gets an animated spinoff: Littlekenny". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  22. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (July 19, 2018). "'Letterkenny' Review: Wonderfully Weird Canadian Comedy Comes to Hulu". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  23. ^ "2016 Canadian Comedy Awards". Canadian Comedy Awards 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  24. ^ "2017 TV Nominees". Academy.ca. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  25. ^ "Announcing the WGC Screenwriting Awards Finalists" (PDF). Writers Guild of Canada. February 28, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  26. ^ "2018 TV Nominees". Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  27. ^ "2019 Canadian Screen Awards: Complete list of winners from TV gala". Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. Retrieved April 26, 2019.