Tag Archives: Crave

From a media release:

Crave announced today a 10-episode order for the new, half-hour adult animated comedy, SUPER TEAM CANADA, its first commission of an animated series. The Crave Original series is produced in partnership with Thunderbird Entertainment’s Atomic Cartoons (Max’s YOUNG LOVE), and Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue (SNAKE OIL, TWISTED METAL), and is currently in production with a premiere set for 2025.

Created by Canadian Emmy^®-winning writers, and brothers, Robert Cohen (HBO’s SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE, THE BIG BANG THEORY) and Joel H. Cohen (THE SIMPSONS), the animated comedy focuses on the exploits of six, little-known Canadian superheroes trying to save the world from evil giant robots, an unemployed octopus, and needy hardware store clerks. The stakes are high for these stereotypically underdog Canadian super-unknowns, who are called in as Earth’s last resort when all the other superheroes have been destroyed.

SUPER TEAM CANADA is produced by Thunderbird Entertainment’s Atomic Cartoons, and Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue, in association with Bell Media’s Crave. Showrunner Robert Cohen serves as an executive producer along with Joel Cohen, Atomic/Thunderbird’s Jennifer Twiner McCarron, Matthew Berkowitz and Kristin Cummings, Electric Avenue’s Will Arnett and Marc Forman.

Thunderbird Distribution and Brands oversee global media and consumer products rights for the series.

Featured, Late Bloomer

From Canadian comedy phenom Jasmeet Raina, the all-new Crave original series Late Bloomer debuts January 19

December 19, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

Comedian, storyteller, and content creator Jasmeet Raina makes his anticipated return to the screen with the debut of Crave’s new eight-part original comedy series LATE BLOOMER, premiering Friday, Jan. 19. Created by and starring Raina, LATE BLOOMER follows burgeoning content creator Jasmeet Dutta (Raina) as he tries to balance his ambitions for success with his commitment to his family, community, and culture.

Raina is joined onscreen by an eclectic ensemble cast including newcomers Baljinder Singh Atwal (DES PARDES) and Sandeep Bali as Jasmeet’s parents, Gurdeep and Supinder; alongside Ashley Ganger (GRAND ARMY) as Jasmeet’s sister, Maanvi; Sugenja Sri (THE HANDMAID’S TALE) and Sachin Mahashi as friends, Chippy and Sunny; and Ahamed Weinberg (INSECURE) as cousin Neal.

In the series debut, “NUDES,” Jasmeet’s laptop goes missing, along with his ‘tasteful’ nude self-portraits, and he needs it back before the photos leak and cause chaos. Next up, in “HOW TO BE VIRAL,” Jasmeet tries to network his way into levelling up his career, but a sale on milk stands in his way.

These first two episodes will hit Crave on Friday, Jan.19, followed by two new episodes dropping on subsequent Fridays.

Under the moniker Jus Reign, Raina reached global audiences across social media, including YouTube, and was one of Much Digital Studios’ first content creators in 2015. Raina became known for his deadpan comedic style and commentary on race and pop culture and is part of a group of storytellers who charted the way for increased South Asian representation in mainstream western media.

LATE BLOOMER is produced by Bell Media in association with Pier 21 Films and in association with Cineflix Studios, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, the Bell Fund, and tax credit assistance from of the Government of Ontario, and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and is distributed internationally by Cineflix Rights. Jasmeet Raina is Executive Producer, Star, and Creator, and Baljinder Dhawan is Executive Producer. Shebli Zarghami is Executive Producer and Showrunner. Laszlo Barna, Nicole Butler, Karen Tsang, and Vanessa Steinmetz serve as Executive Producers for Pier 21 Films. Russell Peters and Clayton Peters are Executive Producers and Robbie David is Producer. Lakna Edirisinghe is Co-Executive Producer. Peter Huang is Consulting Producer and also serves as Director for the series.

Featured, Letterkenny

Crave and New Metric Media ink exclusive overall content deal with Jared Keeso for all new series and to expand the world of Letterkenny

December 6, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

Following the record-breaking success of LETTERKENNY and SHORESY, Crave, and award-winning producer New Metric Media, announced today a new, multi-year creative partnership that expands the world of LETTERKENNY. The deal encompasses 49 new episodes for Crave, including LETTERKENNY spin-offs, and the development of all-new series with multi-hyphenate talent, Jared Keeso. In addition to the content commitment, the companies continue to collaborate on existing and new ancillary brand extensions, including merchandise and live productions.

“We are thrilled to extend the legacy of Jared Keeso through this creative pact with our partners at New Metric Media,” said Justin Stockman, Vice President, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media. “LETTERKENNY and SHORESY are consistently among the most-watched series on Crave, which is a testament to Jared’s creative vision, and keen ability to create groundbreaking, culturally relevant content. This deal marks a starting point of what’s sure to be another defining era in comedy.”

“We are excited to break new comedic ground on this landmark pact with creative powerhouse Jared Keeso and our content partners at Crave,” commented Mark Montefiore, Founder and CEO, New Metric Media. “This deal exponentially builds our 360-degree comedy ecosystem strategy for many years to come.”

As Crave’s first-ever original series, LETTERKENNY premiered in 2016 as a breakout hit, and quickly solidified a loyal fanbase. Since then, it has delivered 81 episodes and eight specials, amassed 12 Canadian Screen Awards, international critical acclaim, and an exclusive first window U.S. streaming partnership with Hulu for both LETTERKENNY and its official spinoff SHORESY, which was recently renewed for a third season for a total of 18 episodes.

Beyond the small screen, the Canadian phenomenon has expanded its reach with highly sought-after merchandise including Funko POPs, Letterkennyopoly, the popular Puppers Golden Lager, as well as live productions including the sold-out Letterkenny Live! North American tour, and the recent live standup comedy shows, Letterkenny Presents. The series is based on the internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, a five-part series of shorts, which to date has garnered more than 21 million views.

New Metric Media handles the international distribution for LETTERKENNY and SHORESY and has licensed it in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, and Scandinavia. For any new projects to come out of this comprehensive pact, Bell Media is the distributor, while New Metric Media is the exclusive sales agent.

The deal was negotiated by: Bell Media’s Carlyn Klebuc, Dianne Vernon, and Justin Stockman; New Metric Media’s Mark Montefiore and Jayme Alter (Dentons LLC); and Jared Keeso’s representatives Trina Allen (Play Management), Gordon Gilbertson (Gilbertson Entertainment), and Jeffrey Hynick (Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer).

Featured, Industry News

Crave announces new short-form original comedy series, My Dead Mom

November 9, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

Crave announced today, the new, six-part short-form comedy series, MY DEAD MOM. From LoCo Motion Pictures, creator Wendy Litner, and executive producer Lauren Corber, the Crave Original series is currently in production in Toronto, and stars Megan Follows (ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, REIGN) and Lauren Collins (DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION, SLIP).

Emmy wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail after her mother died, she was just really busy. But three years on now, her grief is catching up with her. As she questions her lipstick and life choices, her dead mother, Fern, pops into her life to voice her opinions and tell her red really isn’t her colour. Even death hasn’t stopped Fern from being fabulous. Emmy is trying to live her best life, but how do you let go of something that is so present? With sharp wit and aching tenderness, MY DEAD MOM explores the complicated nature of grief through mothers and daughters, and death.

Rounding out the cast for MY DEAD MOM are Rainbow Sun Francks (HIGH FIDELITY), David Reale (THE BOYS), Daniel Maslany (MURDOCH MYSTERIES), Daniel Kash (SLASHER), and guest star Matt Murray (IN THE DARK).

MY DEAD MOM is produced by LoCo Motion Pictures, in association with Bell Media, with the participation of Independent Production Fund, Ontario Creates, and the Bell Fund. The series is distributed internationally by Blue Ant Media. Wendy Litner (HOW TO BUY A BABY) is creator and executive producer, alongside executive producer Lauren Corber (DETENTION ADVENTURE) of LoCo Motion Pictures. Chandler Levack directs (I Like Movies), Palmer Baranek is supervising producer, and co-producer is Moe Rai.

Featured, Letterkenny

Letterkenny returns for a twelfth and final season, December 25 on Crave

November 2, 2023 Greg David

From a media release:

After 75 episodes and eight specials, and amassing 12 Canadian Screen Awards, international critical acclaim, a U.S. streaming deal with Hulu, high-profile brand extensions, some beauty celebrity fans, and an official spinoff, Crave’s award-winning original series LETTERKENNY drops its twelfth and final season, on Monday, December 25. The iconic Canadian series is created by, and stars, Jared Keeso, and is produced by New Metric Media in association with Play Fun Games and Crave.

As Crave’s first-ever original series, LETTERKENNY premiered in 2016 as a breakout hit and quickly solidified a loyal fanbase. The series continues to be a top-performer on Crave, and, overall, is the most-streamed Canadian show on the platform for the past several years. The series is based on the internet sensation Letterkenny Problems, a five-part series of shorts, which to date has garnered more than 21 million views.

In Season 12, the small town contends with a comedy night at Modean’s, a country music hit, the Degens’ bad influence, a new nightclub, and an encore at the Ag Hall. And that’s just for starters.

LETTERKENNY is produced by New Metric Media, in association with Play Fun Games and Bell Media, with the participation of Canadian Media Fund, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the Bell Fund, with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and Ontario Creates. The series is distributed by New Metric Media. Jared Keeso is executive producer, co-writer, star, and creator. Jacob Tierney is executive producer, director, and co-writer. Mark Montefiore is executive producer and Kara Haflidson is producer for New Metric Media.