Things are less than sunny for the folks at Sunnyside; City has decided not to renew the Canadian sketch comedy series for a second season.
“We are extremely proud of Sunnyside and the 13 episodes of this fiercely original comedy that we were able to bring to our viewers,” a statement sent to TV, eh? on Wednesday read. “It was a privilege to work with the immense talent—both off and on screen —involved in this unique Canadian production. It was a difficult decision, but, despite critical acclaim, the series was unable to connect with the audience it needed to continue. We thank Canadians for their support of Sunnyside and look forward to bringing them more original content in the future.”
The news is a definite buzz-kill for co-creators Dan Redican and Gary Pearson and cast members Pat Thornton, Kathleen Phillips, Patrice Goodman, Alice Moran, Kevin Vidal and Rob Norman; the group captured a Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble) during Sunday night’s gala, besting This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Rick Mercer Report and The Second City Project. Sunnyside’s photographer, D. Gregor Hagey, won a CSA for Best Photography in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series and three other nominations.
Filmed in Winnipeg, the series followed the odd folks and characters who called the neighbourhood of Sunnyside home.
UPDATE: The poll has now closed. Thanks to everyone for taking part! You can still let us know your favourite Canadian TV show of 2015 by writing it in the Comments section below.
As the year winds down, it’s time to reflect back on 2015. What a year it was for Canadian TV. Yes, there was some sad news—the cancellation of Strange Empire, Remedy and Rookie Blue come immediately to mind—but there was plenty to celebrate as well.
Sci-fi in Canada is stronger than ever thanks to Orphan Black and newbies Killjoys and Dark Matter, we’re getting laughs from series like Still Standing, Sunnyside and Young Drunk Punk and dramas like This Life, The Romeo Section and Motive continue to entertain.
As we get ready to say hello to 2016, help us celebrate 2015 by voting for your favourite five (5) Canadian television shows of the year. (Vote by clicking the boxes to the left of your favourite shows, then click the shaded “Vote” button located just below and right of Young Drunk Punk.)
UPDATE: The poll has now closed. Thanks to everyone for taking part! You can still let us know your favourite Canadian TV show of 2015 by writing it in the Comments section below.
What are your five favourite Canadian TV shows of 2015?
Sunnyside is weird, wacky and wonderfully Canadian
It’s true: Life really can be so sweet on the Sunnyside of the street. But it can also be twisted, random and downright weird — and not necessarily in a bad way.
Sunnyside, a Canadian sketch-comedy/sitcom hybrid airing on City, isn’t for the faint of heart. Set in an urban neighbourhood that could be Anyplace, Canada, it’s chockablock with quirky recurring characters like an evil barista named Shaytan, a trio of lady meth addicts, and a cashier who can alter reality for a price. Continue reading.
Alice Moran is an actor, writer, and improviser who can be seen on shows such as The Ron James Show, The Next Step, Too Much Information, and Space Janitors. Currently she stars on City’s sketch comedy series Sunnyside.
She is the artistic consultant at The Bad Dog Theatre in Toronto. She’s created, produced, and performed in shows including Hungry Hungry Games, Final Frontier, and Throne of Games. She’s also been lucky enough to have performed in numerous other shows; favourites include Pad Set, Secret Origin, Whedonesque, and Doctor Whom.
As a teenager, she started working for The Second City as a writer and performer. Additionally she has received over 3 million views for her comedy featured on The Second City Network. Her sketch “Hogwarts:  Which House Are You?“ was featured on Topless Robot, The Huffington Post, CBS News, and Time.