From a media release:
Thunderbird Films Announces Cast & Start of Live Studio Audience Production for Original Comedy Series, Some Assembly Required
Corus Entertainment’s YTV and Thunderbird Films announced today that production on the new original multi-camera comedy Some Assembly Required has begun. Shooting in front of a live studio audience in Burnaby, British Columbia, the 26-episode, half-hour series will be produced by Thunderbird Films and the creative team behind the international teen hit Mr. Young. Some Assembly Required creators Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) are back in the studio. Full broadcast details to be announced at a later date.
Kolton Stewart plays 14-year-old Jarvis Raines, an average teenager who becomes a boss overnight after he sues a toy company over a defective chemistry set that blows up his house. Kolton played Young Simba in the North American tour of Lion King, as well as appearances in TV and movies (The Art of War, What’s Up Warthogs!). Jarvis’s first act as CEO of Knickknack Toys is to recruit a diverse group of kids from his high school to help him run the company. His first hire is computer-savvy “hacker chick,†Piper Gray, played by singer/songwriter Charlie Storwick (winner of YTV’s The Next Star, Season 4).
Rounding out the cast is Jarvis’s best friend, Bowie, an engineering wiz played by Harrison Houde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid); Sydney Scotia (Spooksville) playing the gorgeous personal assistant Geneva; Knox, an extreme sports daredevil played by Dylan Playfair (Mr. Hockey: the Gordie Howe Story), and Aster, the most fashionable guy in school, played by Travis Turner (Marley & Me: The Puppy Years).
Running a toy company is going to take more than one kid, it’s going to take all six kids. And while this group would not normally be friends, they must work together and get to know each other better as they run the world’s first teen-owned game company.
“After the international success of Mr. Young, we’re excited to be working with Dan Signer, Howard Nemetz and Thunderbird Films again,†said Jocelyn Hamilton Vice President, Programming and Original Production, Corus Kids. “Some Assembly Required celebrates the antics of an unexpected group of kids living every child’s fantasy, running a toy company. We’re thrilled to make this fantasy a reality.”
“We are so excited to be back in the studio with Dan, Howard, and the extraordinary writing team and crew that delivered 80 amazing episodes of Mr. Young. The talent we have assembled is extraordinary and we cannot wait to share the news†said Thunderbird CEO & President Tim Gamble.
The next live audience taping of Some Assembly Required takes place on Friday, August 30 and continues on most Friday evenings (with the exception of September 6th) from 5 to 9 p.m. in Burnaby, B.C. For more information about studio location and to reserve seats, viewers can email someassemblylive@gmail.com
