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Hiccups (TV series)

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Hiccups
GenreSitcom
Created byBrent Butt
Starring
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26 (and 10 webisodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Brent Butt
  • Laura Lightbown
  • David Storey
Production locationsVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Running time30 minutes
Original release
Network
ReleaseMarch 1, 2010 (2010-03-01) –
August 28, 2011 (2011-08-28)

Hiccups is a Canadian television sitcom created by Corner Gas star Brent Butt, who is also the writer, show runner, and executive producer of the program.[1] The series was produced by Laura Lightbown and David Storey and airs on CTV and The Comedy Network. The pilot was shot in late March 2009 with the rest of the series to begin shooting in September 2009. The show premiered on CTV on March 1, 2010; the same night as Dan for Mayor, a series starring fellow Corner Gas alumnus Fred Ewanuick.[2][3][4][5] Hiccups returned for a second season on May 30, 2011 at 8pm ET.[6][7] CTV did not renew Hiccups and Dan for Mayor for a third season.[8]

Synopsis

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The series stars Nancy Robertson (a Corner Gas co-star and Butt's wife) in the role of Millie Upton. Millie is the successful author of a series of children's books about characters called "Grumpaloos". Millie has anger management issues, which are referred to as "hiccups," giant outbursts and could be described as a giant fit of depression. These outbursts are immediate, so they are prone to happen at any time. After being told that she needs some help controlling her anger issues, Millie finds a man named Stan Dirko (Butt), whom she hires as her life coach. Stan is significantly underqualified for his profession, which Millie never notices.

Characters

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  • Nancy Robertson as Millie Upton, a neurotic, emotionally-unstable children's author who is often happy but quick to anger.
  • Brent Butt as Stan Dirko, Millie's life coach. Stan is a bit of a loveable loser, geeky, and quirky.
  • Laura Soltis as Joyce Haddison, Millie's publisher; a serious, thriving businessperson surrounded by colourful characters.
  • David Ingram as Taylor Rymes, Millie's literary agent; a slick, smooth-talking, conceited guy who is more interested in women than his job.
  • Emily Perkins as Crystal Braywood, a spoiled, sarcastic rich girl who strongly dislikes her job as Joyce's receptionist.
  • Paula Rivera as Anna Dirko, Stan's loveable wife, a professional gardener.

Episodes

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Season 1 (2010)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"Millie, Meet Stan"David StoreyBrent ButtMarch 1, 2010 (2010-03-01)101
After causing a public disturbance at a coffee shop, children's author Millie Upton seeks help from Stan Dirko, an inexperienced but enthusiastic life coach. Despite his ineptitude, Stan manages to gain Millie's trust as a client, just as her publisher Joyce threatens to cancel an important event unless Millie finds the help she needs.
22"Strata's Fear"Robert de LintBrent ButtMarch 8, 2010 (2010-03-08)102
Stan aids Millie when she gets in trouble with her condo council. At Haddison House, Joyce promises to look at some of Taylor's clients if he promises to find someone to save her dying plants.
33"Office Clothes"David StoreyBrent ButtMarch 15, 2010 (2010-03-15)103
Millie wreaks havoc on Haddison House when Joyce makes her work in the office until her latest manuscript is finished. Stan enlists Taylor's help in proving to Anna that he has good fashion sense.
44"Speed Ball"David StoreyDylan WertzMarch 22, 2010 (2010-03-22)104
Stan helps Millie expand her social circle by introducing her to speed-dating, but she takes the "7-minute date" concept to a whole new level. Joyce and Crystal plan a party at Haddison House but can't decide on the budget.
55"Hot Luv"James DunnisonAndrew CarrMarch 28, 2010 (2010-03-28)105
Stan is concerned with Millie's competitiveness when she and Taylor go head-to-head in a hot-food-eating rivalry. Meanwhile, since Joyce isn't a good judge of fantasy-romance manuscripts, she hands the job of picking their next book to Crystal, who proclaims herself an expert on the genre.
66"Carry on Camping"David StoreyChris FinnApril 5, 2010 (2010-04-05)106
Joyce books Millie on her favourite daytime talk show but soon regrets her decision when Millie speaks before thinking. Stan takes a reluctant Anna on a camping trip and she deals with his lack of wilderness skills.
77"Thanks For Nuttin"David StoreyAndrew CarrApril 12, 2010 (2010-04-12)107
Millie becomes disillusioned after not being thanked for returning a lost wallet and Stan tries to convince her that doing a good deed is its own reward. At Haddison House, Crystal stocks up on Joyce's favourite snack to prevent her from turning into a total witch and Taylor wrangles Anna into helping him buy a bobblehead online.
88"Watch and Learn"Brent ButtBrent ButtApril 19, 2010 (2010-04-19)108
When Millie hires Crystal to re-decorate her condo she gets into another tiff with her neighbour Lewis and vows to beat him at his own persnickety game. Stan attempts to help Joyce with one of her issues in order to prove that he's capable of being Millie's life coach.
99"Hippy Anniversary"Carl BessaiDavid MosesApril 26, 2010 (2010-04-26)109
Stan is in the doghouse with Anna after refusing to accept an extravagant anniversary gift from Millie. Meanwhile, Joyce and Taylor have to deal with a head shop that's selling illegal Grumpaloo merchandise, and Crystal is up to her neck in Millie's fan mail.
1010"Model Patient"David StoreyDylan Wertz & David MosesJune 7, 2010 (2010-06-07)110
Taylor is having personal issues so Millie happily recommends that he see Stan. But she soon realizes that the more time Stan spends with Taylor the less he spends with her. Joyce must find a model for an upcoming book cover and her choice to use Anna does not sit well with Crystal.
1111"Autograph Hound"Robert De LintDan RedicanJune 14, 2010 (2010-06-14)111
Stan accompanies Millie on a mission to give a young fan an autograph. Joyce and Taylor negotiate Millie's contract, and Anna and Crystal see this as a golden opportunity to mess with Taylor's head.
1212"Dream Gig"James DunnisonDylan WertzJune 21, 2010 (2010-06-21)112
Stan attempts to analyze Millie's dreams but he grows concerned when they depict him in a negative light. Joyce is nervous when Taylor signs her uncle to be the first client at his new talent agency.
1313"You Schmooze, You Lose"Brent ButtAndrew CarrJune 28, 2010 (2010-06-28)113
Stan tries to teach Millie how to be successful at losing when she's nominated for a Literary Award. Taylor shows Joyce a thing or two about schmoozing a potential client while Anna and Crystal spend the evening over-embellishing stories about their lives to strangers.

Season 2 (2011)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		CAN. viewers
(millions)
141"Hollywood Makeup"David StoreyBrent ButtMay 30, 2011 (2011-05-30)2010.574[9]
When Stan and Millie travel to Hollywood to preview a Grumpaloo movie, Millie beats up a guy dressed in a Grumpaloo costume for being drunk and crabby. Anna and Crystal test homemade skin-care products from Joyce. Trying to get bids from other studios, Taylor learns he's speaking to low-totem-pole people.
152"Talking Points"David StoreyAndrew CarrJune 6, 2011 (2011-06-06)2020.386[10]
When Millie is turned off from speaking publicly, Stan must dig up a coaching trick to help her. Taylor tries to convince Joyce and other Haddison House employees to buy into his scheme.
163"Gym Dandy"Carl BessaiBrent ButtJune 19, 2011 (2011-06-19)2030.344[11]
Millie makes a gym in her condo and invites others to join her. Taylor reacts to Joyce questioning his masculinity.
174"Commercial Success"David StoreyBrent ButtJune 26, 2011 (2011-06-26)2040.370[12]
Taylor and Millie venture to make a television commercial. Stan doesn't like Anna helping Joyce with her business.
185"Hypnofish"David StoreyDavid MosesJuly 3, 2011 (2011-07-03)2050.465[13]
Millie encourages Stan to learn the art of hypnotism so he can make her quack like a duck. Anna cares for Haddison House's new aquarium, and Taylor turns the whole office against Joyce and her fish.
196"Novel Idea"Carl BessaiChris FinnJuly 10, 2011 (2011-07-10)2060.193[14]
After being insulted by a mystery author, Millie tries to write a novel to prove her worth as a writer, and Anna proves more helpful than Stan at coming up with story ideas. An older Frenchwoman teaches Taylor a lesson in sex appeal.
207"Flirt Locker"James DunnisonDavid MosesJuly 17, 2011 (2011-07-17)2070.294[15]
Millie discovers a storage locker at her condo and decides to use it for a clubhouse; Joyce and Anna try to stop Taylor's latest scheme: getting girls to do him favours.
218"Sexual Healing"Rachel TalalayAndrew CarrJuly 24, 2011 (2011-07-24)2080.326[16]
Joyce and Anna ask Millie to detoxify her system with a cleanse; they join as a sign of support but suffer the consequences. Taylor asks Stan for help with his sex addiction.
229"Home Swapping"James DunnisonDylan WertzJuly 31, 2011 (2011-07-31)2090.439[17]
Millie moves in with Stan and Anna when her ant farm is destroyed, but she doesn't fit in and must go elsewhere. Taylor helps Joyce find the perfect receptionist.
2310"Moving Pictures"Brent ButtDylan WertzAugust 7, 2011 (2011-08-07)2100.296[18]
Millie insults a celebrity dog, which embarrasses Joyce. A new couch takes over Stan and Anna's apartment; and Stan tries to get Taylor to move furniture without taking advantage of, or bonding with, him.
2411"Car Pool"David StoreyAndrew CarrAugust 14, 2011 (2011-08-14)2110.314[19]
Seeking revenge on her neighbour Lewis for beating her at billiards, she turns to Taylor and Anna to improve her game. Stan gets involved when Joyce's carpool buddies criticize her driving skills.
2512"Welcome Back Potter"David StoreyAndrew Carr, David Moses & Dylan WertzAugust 21, 2011 (2011-08-21)2120.492[20]
Crystal returns to work and takes advantage of Millie's good nature; meanwhile a file Joyce needs gets shredded. Stan and Taylor attend a pottery class with Anna.
2613"Wake the Baby"Brent ButtDavid Moses & Dylan WertzAugust 28, 2011 (2011-08-28)2130.341[21]
Attending her mentor's funeral makes Millie want a living funeral for herself; offering to help struggling Crystal and her boyfriend gets Stan stuck babysitting.

Webisodes

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A series of 10 webisodes was produced and premiered on the official Hiccups YouTube channel.

No.TitleDirected byWritten by
1"Choco Bell"Brent ButtAndrew Carr
Stan attempts to get a point across to Millie using Pavlovian reinforcement.
2"Light Bright"Brent ButtAndrew Carr
Stan suspects that Seasonal Affective Disorder may be affecting Millie, and conducts a light therapy session with her.
3"Vanity Unfair"Brent ButtAndrew Carr
Millie tries out positive affirmation, to much success.
4"Meditation Blues"Brent ButtDavid Moses
Millie participates in an abruptly short meditation session.
5"Coming Up Rosie"Brent ButtBrent Butt
Millie's new crimson glasses relieve stress from her daily life.
6"In Stan We Trust"Brent ButtDavid Moses
Stan attempts to regain Millie's trust, after a failed trust fall.
7"Shock And Flaw"Brent ButtDylan Wertz
In attempt to reduce her use of profanity, Millie decides to treats herself with the use of a shock collar.
8"Placebo Domingo"Brent ButtDylan Wertz
Millie begins hallucinating immediately after taking a pill from Stan.
9"Guilt by Word Association"Brent ButtDylan Wertz
Stan attempts to help Millie through a case of writer's block through Word Association.
10"Ink Stink"Brent ButtShannon Komra Eert
Stan administers an ink blot test to a preoccupied Millie.

Home release

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Entertainment One released Season One on DVD in Region 1 on January 11, 2011.[22]

Reception

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Rob Salem of the Toronto Star stated that, "What the network may perceive as Hiccups' greatest asset turns out to be its greatest liability. Butt's appearance onscreen – which he was, I gather, reluctantly persuaded to do by the network – is a distraction from this singular showcase for his wife's considerable comedic skills."[23]

Canadian ratings

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Seasonal ratings

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Season Timeslot Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Viewers (100'000s) Rank
1 Monday 8:00PM March 1, 2010 June 29, 2010 2010 9.72 #1[24]

Episodic ratings

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# Episode Viewers
(millions) 		Rank
(Week)
1 "Millie, Meet Stan" 1.90 15[25]
2 "Strata's Fear" 1.16[26] n/a
8 "Watch and Learn" 0.49[27] n/a
10 "Model Patient" 0.30[28] n/a
13 "You Schmooze, You Lose" 0.50[29] n/a

Awards and nominations

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Year Presenter Award Work Result
2010 Gemini Awards[30] Best Photography in a Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts Program or Series Anton Krawczyk Nominated
2011 Canadian Comedy Awards[31] Best Performance By a Female - Television Nancy Robertson - Hiccups Nominated
Leo Awards[32] Best Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series Brent Butt, David Storey, Laura Lightbown, Nancy Robertson, Arvi Liimatainen Won
Best Direction in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series James Dunnison Won
Best Screenwriting in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series David Moses Won
Best Picture Editing in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series Lisa Binkley Won
Best Performance or Host(s) in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series Nancy Robertson Won
2012 Leo Awards[33][34] Best Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series Brent Butt, Nancy Robertson, David Storey, Laura Lightbown, Arvi Liimatainen Won
Best Screenwriting in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series Brent Butt Nominated
Best Performance or Host(s) in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series Nancy Robertson Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Young Actor 14-17 Donnie MacNeil Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "CTV Orders New Comedy Pilot From Brent Butt" (Press release). CNW Group. October 2, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  2. ^ "'Gas' leads to 'Hiccups' for comedian and TV star Brent Butt". The Canadian Press. CP24. October 2, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  3. ^ "Strategic stability: CTV and 'A' Fall 2009 schedules announced". Bell Media. June 2, 2009. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  4. ^ "All-new original CTV programs 'Hiccups,' 'Dan for Mayor' and 'The Bridge' to premiere in March". CTV. February 2, 2010. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  5. ^ "Second season to premier May 30th 2011 at 8pm ET". Channel Canada. May 9, 2011. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  6. ^ "'Corner Gas' creator Brent Butt puzzled by Gemini snub". CTV.ca. 2009-08-26. Archived from the original on 2009-08-28. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
  7. ^ "CTV Announces Industry-Leading 2010-2011 Canadian Television Package". StockMarketsReview.com. 2010-06-03. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  8. ^ "CTV axes 'Hiccups,' 'Dan for Mayor,' 'So You Think You Can Dance Canada'". The Canadian Press. September 13, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  9. ^ Brioux, Bill (June 7, 2011). "Returns in for Dan for Mayor, Hiccups, Heroes". TV Feeds My Family. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  10. ^ Brioux, Bill (June 15, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Canada goes hockey mad in record smashing Stanley Cup run". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  11. ^ Brioux, Bill (June 21, 2011). "The Brioux Report: 8.7 Mil see Bruins win while MuchMusic fans go Gaga for MMVAs". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  12. ^ Brioux, Bill (June 29, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Combat Hospital gets Global back in the ratings race". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on July 3, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  13. ^ Brioux, Bill (July 6, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Royals rock news ratings; Voice ends on high note". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  14. ^ Brioux, Bill (July 13, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Big Brother, Combat Hospital top ratings". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  15. ^ Brioux, Bill (July 20, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Flashpoint outguns Combat Hospital as Top Canadian TV draw". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  16. ^ Brioux, Bill (July 27, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Stephen Harper boosts Murdoch Mysteries in big week for Canadian drama". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
  17. ^ Brioux, Bill (August 3, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Big Brother back on top of Canada's weekly TV ratings". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  18. ^ Brioux, Bill (August 11, 2011). "The Brioux Report: hot week, cool ratings as America's Got Talent drowns out Canada Sings". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on August 27, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  19. ^ Brioux, Bill (August 17, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Rookie Blue moves to the head of the class". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on August 22, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  20. ^ Brioux, Bill (August 23, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Big Brother takes top 3 spots; Sun News a one-night wonder". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  21. ^ Brioux, Bill (August 31, 2011). "The Brioux Report: Big Bang, Big Brother and Doctor Who all winners". Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
  22. ^ Lambert, David (December 23, 2010). "Hiccups - The Canadian Comedy Comes to DVD in Mid-January". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  23. ^ Still a few Hiccups, Toronto Star, 01 March 2010, https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/article/773102--salem-still-a-few-hiccups-to-overcome
  24. ^ "TV, eh? » Ratings: Most-watched for 2009-10". Tv-eh.com. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  25. ^ "Top Programs – Total Canada (English) March 1 - March 7, 2010" (PDF). BBM.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 2, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  26. ^ Brioux, Bill (2010-03-10). "TV Feeds My Family: House Call Bad Medicine for Hiccups, Mayor". Tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  27. ^ Brioux, Bill (2010-04-21). "TV Feeds My Family: Hockey Hammers Hiccups, Dan For Mayor". Tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  28. ^ "TV Feeds My Family: Break No Boost for Hiccups, Dan For Mayor". Tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com. 2010-06-08. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  29. ^ "TV, eh? » Ratings: Hiccups, Dan For Mayor get 1/2 million for finales". Tv-eh.com. 2010-06-30. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  30. ^ "2010 Winners - 25th Annual Gemini Awards". Tribute.ca. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  31. ^ "Nominees". Canadian Comedy Awards. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  32. ^ "2011 Leo Awards Official Winners by Program" (PDF). Leo Awards. June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  33. ^ "2012 Leo Awards Official Winners by Program" (PDF). Leo Awards. May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
  34. ^ "2012 Leo Awards Official Nominees by Program" (PDF). Leo Awards. May 4, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
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