Life with Derek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Life with Derek | |
|---|---|
 Life with Derek title card |
|
| Format | Sitcom |
| 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 | Performed by Unsensored |
| Country of origin |  Canada |
| No. of episodes | 52 (49 aired) (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | approx. 0:22:00 (per episode) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Family Channel Disney Channel Nickelodeon |
| Original run | September 18, 2005 – TBA 2009 |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Life with Derek is a Canadian sitcom that is currently being aired on Family Channel (English) and VRAK.TV (French) in Canada. It is aired on different networks internationally, such as Nickelodeon in Australia and Asia, Boomerang in the United Kingdom, and Disney Channel in Asia, Central America, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, South America, Spain, and the United States. It is currently in its third season, and is expected to be produced until at least 2009.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
A divorced man named George Venturi, who has custody of his two sons Derek and Edwin and daughter Marti, marries a divorced woman, Nora, who has two daughters, Casey and Lizzie.
Up until that point, Casey McDonald was perfectly content with her life. Growing up as the oldest child in a household 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. The series is also based on Casey and Derek's rivalry.
The family is revealed to live in London, Ontario when George is reading a newspaper titled London Chronicle in episode "Don't Take a Tip From Me." Also, in another episode, "All Systems No Go," he refers to himself as "George from London," and in "Dinner Guest," when Lizzie explains how her dad's been to London and Paris, George remarks, "I've been to London and Paris...Ontario."
Season 1 episodes of Life with Derek were filmed in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.[1]
[edit] The rivalry
Prior to becoming members of a blended family, Casey and Derek were firmly comfortable in their roles as first-born children, including having a major influence on how family decisions were made. When their families blend, each strives for dominance: Casey by "sticking to the rules" and Derek by asserting himself with both force and manipulation. This is further complicated because Derek and Casey are in the same grade in high school; the situation is harder for Casey, who's making new friends. Both teens aren't afraid to speak their minds, especially when trying to recruit their respective parents to be on their side.
The sibling rivalry grows intense at times, and it causes them to constantly try to one up the other in order to get their way. It often involves getting really sneaky and having to risk being grounded by the adults. They are persistent, no matter who gets in the way, whether it's friends or family. In their struggle to find their place, both at home and at school, Casey learns to "loosen up" and break a rule or two, while Derek learns to occasionally "walk the straight and narrow" and put family interests ahead of his own gain, even if it means that Casey benefits.
The show includes several cut-scenes, where various members of the family (usually the ones involved in a problem) interact with one another in a way that is symbolic of their current issue, performed in a nondescript setting with no background.
Despite Casey and Derek's constant bickering and disagreements, they have been known to come together to cooperate toward a common goal, or to use one another to further their own selfish agendas. Although the rivalry continues, they sometimes try to help each other in the series. This not only benefits their relationship, but their parent's relationship, as well. It is questioned whether they might actually like each other in a romantic way.
[edit] Cast of characters
[edit] The McDonalds
[edit] The Venturis
- John Ralston as George Venturi
- Michael Seater as Derek Venturi
- Daniel Magder as Edwin Venturi
- Ariel Waller as Marti Venturi
[edit] Family
[edit] McDonald relatives
- Sarah Gadon as Cousin Vicki
- Tara Manuel Rigal as Aunt Fiona
- Rick Roberts as Dennis McDonald (Nora's ex-husband / father of Casey and Lizzie)
[edit] Venturi relatives
- Jennifer Wigmore as Abby Venturi (George's ex-wife / mother of Derek, Edwin, and Marti)
- Barbara Gordon as Aunt Madge
- Lisa-Marie Bonotello as Cousin Mary
[edit] Friends
- Shadia Simmons as Emily, Casey's best friend who had a crush on Derek. She is now dating Sheldon Shlepper. She and Derek went on a date once, but decided it wouldn't work out.
- Arnold Pinnock as Paul, Casey's guidance counselor who never actually "gives" Casey advice.
- Kit Weyman as Sam, Derek's best friend and Casey's ex-boyfriend.
- Lauren Collins as Kendra, popular girl and Derek's ex as of Misadventures in Baby Sitting. She's in the grade ahead of Casey and Derek.
- Robbie Amell as Max Miller, the school's quarterback and Casey's boyfriend as of Misadventures in Baby Sitting. He seems to put his friends and team before Casey. They break up in Allergy Season.
- Shane Kippel as Ralph, one of Derek's friends and band member
- William Greenblatt as Sheldon Shlepper. He is now dating Emily. He is very quirky, and all his other siblings won the election for school president. But, during the election, Emily won.
- Keir Gilchrist as Jamie, one of Lizzie's friends 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.
- 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 loses the bet when she finds out Trevor actually liked her best friend, Emily.
[edit] Guest stars
- Ryan Cooley as Frank
- Hannah Lochner as Michelle
- Megan Park as Amy
- Lara Amersey as Lucy
- Cameron Ansell as Teddy
- Cyrus Aazam as Clink
- Adam Butcher as Noel
- Robert Clark as Patrick
- Michael Kanev as Tinker
- AJ Walsh as Jake
- Sarah Slywchuk as Crystal (in "Cheerleader Casey")
[edit] 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 of 2007, Naturally, Sadie was pulled off of the air, but Life with Derek was left on. In India, Disney Channel India premiered the show along with Wizards of Waverly Place as a part of the May-hem summer special. Naturally, Sadie was taken off air and replaced by Life With Derek, but will restart soon. The Show premiered on May 5, 2008.
[edit] 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 (21 aired) | March 11, 2007 | TBA 2008 |
| Season 4 | TBA | 2008 | TBA |
[edit] Films
- Camping Road Trip
[edit] Trivia
Many fans of the show are believing in the "Dasey"-Theory. Meaning that -despite the fact that Casey and Derek are stepsiblings- they would make a great couple. Same with the "Lizwin"(Lizzie and Edward)-Theory. These theories are of course only fan fiction.
[edit] References
- ^ New television series to be filmed in province. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved on 2004-07-16.
[edit] External links
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