A few readers were surprised that Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays made our Top 10 list of the best Canadian television during the 2010s. This included the 12 episodes in its original form in 2011 as well as 6 more episodes in 2017 under the title Michael: Every Day.
The roots of some of the program can be found in Slings & Arrows. Bob Martin, who co-created Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays, co-created the Shakespearean inspired show with Susan Coyne and Mark McKinney. The latter 2 wrote episodes of Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Don McKellar, the other co-creator, directs 6 of the 12 episodes of the original incarnation and all 6 episodes of the 2017 version.
The neuroses of Matt Watts, who was prominent in The Newsroom, the Ken Finkleman show and not the American program with a similar name, figure prominently in Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays. Watts plays Michael, who has been going to David (Martin), his therapist for 15 years. David is trying to write a book based on Michael, who has named him Miguel to protect his identity. At the start, David hasn't asked Michael for permission for his story to be in a book.
Claire (Tommie-Amber Pirie) is David's incompetent receptionist. Carlos (Pablo Silveira) is Michael's rival at work who tries to take advantage of Michael's insecurities. Jasmina (Martha Burns) and Samantha (Jennifer Irwin) are David's book publisher and editor.
The surprising co-star in the program is Ottawa, the relatively boring federal capital of Canada. The Nicholas Hoare bookstore, Parliament buildings, city buses are just some of the scenery in the background. Don't know of too many other Canadian television shows shot in Ottawa.
The joint fragile nature of Michael and David is what makes the show work. The therapist can be seen as the all-knowledgeable yet therapist and patient have significant issues.
David sees Claire as incompetent but she turns out to be more complex. Samantha has her own insecurities, managing sex within a professional relationship with David. The female characters aren't throw-away people.
We see guest appearances from Canadian icons such as Ottawa are native Sandra Oh as well as Samantha Bee.
You don't have to be in therapy or a therapist to get the show. The humour is subtle and dry, which is also true of the other shows we have mentioned.
The U.S. audience can see for themselves whether they think the show belongs on our list or is just a good show that should have been an honourable Canadian TV mention.
Top 10 best Canadian TV shows in the 2010s
Netflix picked up Season 1, which are the 12 episodes from 2011 but not the 6 episodes from 2017 (as Michael: Every Day). Hopefully, all of the episodes are available in Canada via CBC Gem.
CanadianCrossing.com CBC coverage
CanadianCrossing.com television coverage
Speaking of Canadian TV shows on U.S. streaming outlets, we had been complaining for some time that Hulu hadn't picked up Season 3 of Jann. That complaint feels insignificant now that Hulu no longer carries Jann in any form. If we hear news about Jann south of the 49th parallel, we will pass on that information.
video and photo credit: Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays/CBC Comedy
I believe The Best Laid Plans was also filmed in Ottawa. Great series. Shame it didn't run for longer.
Posted by: veronica | January 20, 2023 at 08:22 AM
A good example though that was about federal politics. The Border show shot some footage in Ottawa. Thanks for weighing in.
Posted by: Chad | January 20, 2023 at 03:58 PM