Life with Derek
| Life with Derek | |
|---|---|
 Life with Derek title card | |
| Created by | Daphne Ballon |
| Developed by | Daphne Ballon Bernice Vanderlaan |
| Starring | Ashley Leggat Michael Seater Jordan Todosey Daniel Magder Ariel Waller Joy Tanner John Ralston |
| Opening theme | "Livin' Life with Derek" Sung by Cheyenne Twiner of Unsensored, Performed by Gary Koftinoff, Written by Gary Koftinoff and Ron Proulx. |
| Country of origin |  Canada |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 70 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | approx. 0:22:00 (per episode) |
| Original release | |
| Network | Family  Disney Channel |
| Release | September 18, 2005 – March 25, 2009 |
Life with Derek is a Canadian TV show that is currently being aired on Family (English) and VRAK.TV (French) in Canada and on Disney Channel in the United States. It is aired on different networks internationally, such as Z@PP in the Netherlands, Nickelodeon in Australia, New Zealand and Philippines, Boomerang in the United Kingdom, and Disney Channel in Asia, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United States and, Latin America on Disney Channel Latin America.
Synopsis
A divorced man named George Venturi who has custody of his two sons Derek and Edwin and daughter Marti, marries Nora McDonald, a divorced woman, who has two daughters, Casey and Lizzie.
Up until that point, Casey was perfectly content with her life. Growing up as the oldest child in a household in Toronto, Ontario with only her mother and sister had suited her well and brought her up as a self-sufficient and independent young woman.
With the addition of a stepfather, two stepbrothers, a stepsister, new school, new house and overall a whole new life, Casey struggles to find her place within the new family. One of the primary points is how Casey must live with Derek, who has also held a dominant position in his family, and the rivalry that emerges as they try to assert themselves within their new family.
The family has been revealed in several episodes to live in London, Ontario. Casey was originally upset about having to move to London, Ontario from Toronto, a much bigger city ("How I Met Your Stepbrother"), for many reasons including Derek, but she eventually got over her own problems and agreed to move there for Nora and George's sake once she saw how much they cared for each other.
Cast of characters
The McDonalds
- Ashley Leggat as Casey McDonald, the eldest daughter and the overachiever.
- Jordan Todosey as Lizzie McDonald, Casey's little sister and her "sidekick"
- Joy Tanner as Nora McDonald, Casey's & Lizzie's mother.
The Venturis
- John Ralston as George Venturi, the father of Derek, Edwin and Marti.
- Michael Seater as Derek Venturi, George's firstborn, the eldest child, and the bad influence to his younger siblings.
- Ariel Waller as Marti Venturi, the youngest of the Venturi children.
- Daniel Magder as Edwin Venturi, Derek's younger brother who looks at Derek as a role model
Friends
- Shadia Simmons as Emily Davis, Casey's best friend and next door neighbor who had a crush on Derek. She dated Sheldon Shlepper who moved to Newfoundland. She and Derek went on a date once, but decided it wouldn't work out when Derek admits he only asked her out to bother Casey. However, they began to date again after Derek realize he did like her and asks her to the prom. She often tries to help Casey become more popular at school, helps her fit in and helps her figure out boys along the way. According to Casey, she has a "lighthearted way of dealing with (Casey's) many problems. She started dating Derek in the episode "Surprise".
- Arnold Pinnock as Paul, Casey's guidance counselor. She goes to him for advice; however he usually asks questions so that Casey can figure out her problem on her own. She will ask him questions and then immediately answer them herself.
- Kit Weyman as Sam Richards, Derek's best friend and Casey's first crush since she moved in with the Venturis. After receiving Derek's permission, they begin dating in "Male Code Blue" which Sam broke. After breaking up numerous times, they call it quits in "Middle Manic", but decide to stay friends in "Battle of the Bands" when Casey becomes the lead singer of Derek's band.
- Lauren Collins as Kendra, popular girl, friend of Casey's and Derek's ex after "Misadventures in Babysitting". But she still has a major crush on Derek, and tries to get back together with him in "Just Friends".
- Robbie Amell as Max Miller, the school's quarterback and Casey's boyfriend beginning in "Misadventures in Babysitting". He dated the head cheerleader Amy before asking Casey out. They break up in "Allergy Season". Casey wanted to get back together with him in "Two Kisses, One Party", but he had already moved on. He is now the love interesrt of Keke Palmer on True Jackson VP.
- Shane Kippel as Ralph Papadapolis, one of Derek's friends and fellow band member. In season 4, Ralph harbors a crush on Casey. Ralph is not the brightest kid around.
- William Greenblatt as Sheldon Schlepper. He dated Emily. He is currently living in Newfoundland. All of his siblings have once been class president except him.
- Keir Gilchrist as Jamie, Lizzie's best friend who harbors a crush on her.
- Kate Todd as Sally, Derek's co-worker who starts to like him after breaking up with ex-boyfriend, Patrick. They finally begin to date after Casey and Nora interfere and set up a plan. Sally and Derek break up after Sally decides to go to UBC, a university in Vancouver, date again soon afterward, then break up for good when Sally actually goes to Vancouver.
- Joe Dinicol as Truman French, a new boy in school that Casey has recurring dreams about. Casey denies her feelings for him, but in the end, finally agrees to date him. Truman first appeared in "6 1/2". They agree to go with each other in "No More Games" and they start going out in "Teddy's Back." They break up in "Trumans Last Chance" because Truman is seen kissing Vicki by Casey. Casey was upset, but reunites with Truman at the prom and they reconciled in "Surprise".
- Alex House as Trevor, a "punk" boy who goes to Casey's school. Derek bets Casey she can't get him to ask her out, and Casey takes the bet, soon developing a crush on him. She loses the bet after telling him about it due to Derek interfering and making her feel guilty for lying to him. She then finds out Trevor was only hanging out with her because he had a crush on Emily, but the two stay friends.
- Adam Butcher as Noel Covington, an "artistic" boy who Casey befriends when he auditions for the lead role in a play on a dare, and, surprisingly, gets it, which leads him to co-star with Casey. He develops a crush on her. In "Just Friends", Casey begins hanging out with him to prove to Derek a guy and a girl can be friends, but backfires when Noel thinks Casey asked him out on a date. He returns for his role in "Just Friends" one last time before the end of the series.
Book Series
A series of books for Life With Derek has been released in the U.K.
Filming Locations
The first season of Life With Derek was taped in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. Season 2-4 were taped in Toronto, Ontario.
Premiere
Life with Derek and another Canadian sitcom, Naturally, Sadie (also aimed at the 10-15 age group), were introduced together on Disney Channel. However in May 2007, Naturally, Sadie was pulled off of the air, but Life with Derek was left on.
Episodes
| Season | Ep # | First Airdate | Last Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 13 | September 18, 2005 | January 22, 2006 |
| Season 2 | 13 | July 1, 2006 | December 15, 2006 |
| Season 3 | 26 | May 11, 2007 | July 5, 2008 |
| Season 4 | 20 [1] | July 19, 2008 | March 25, 2009 |
The last episode of Life With Derek was aired, July 1, 2009 Canada Day
DVD Releases (United States and Canada)
Season Releases
| Name | Release Date | Ep # | Additional Information | Bonus Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season One | USA/CAN: October 14, 2008[2] | 13 | This two disc box set includes all 13 episodes from Season 1. |
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| Season Two | USA/CAN: August 11, 2009[3] | 13 | This two disc box set inclueds all 13 episodes from Season 2. |
Volume Releases
| DVD Title | Release Date | Episodes Featured | Bonus Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life with Derk: Let the Games Begin! | US\CAN: February 17, 2009[4] |
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