Son of a Critch

Last updated
Son of a Critch
Sonofacritch.png
Genre Sitcom
Created by
Based onSon of a Critch
by Mark Critch
Starring
Narrated byMark Critch
Country of originCanada
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes39
Production
Executive producerAndrew Barnsley
ProducerAndrew Barnsley
Production location St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseJanuary 4, 2022 (2022-01-04) 
present (present)

Son of a Critch is a Canadian comedy television series, created by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe, that premiered on January 4, 2022 on CBC Television. [1] Based on the memoir of the same name by Critch, the semi-autobiographical series follows an adolescent Mark as he grows up in the 1980s in Newfoundland and Labrador. [2]

Contents

Premise

The series is a coming of age story based on the childhood and adolescence of Canadian comedian Mark Critch. At the start of the series, 11-year-old Mark is growing up in 1980s Newfoundland, where he navigates starting junior high school, making friends, and connecting with the small collection of people in his limited world. [3]

Cast

Main

Supporting

Development

Conception

In 2018, Critch published a memoir about his childhood in Newfoundland. [4] Following its release, McAuliffe suggested developing the book into a television series, which led to him and Critch creating scripts to pitch to various networks. [5] In June 2021, CBC announced they had ordered Son of a Critch to series. [2]

Production and distribution

The series made its Canadian broadcast premiere on CBC Television on January 4, 2022, as well as CBC's streaming platform, CBC Gem. [6]

Production companies involved with the series include Project 10 Productions, and Take the Shot Productions. Lionsgate distributes the series outside Canada. On February 28, 2022, CBC renewed the series for a second season. [7]

On March 23, 2023, the series was renewed for a third season [8] with The CW joining CBC and Lionsgate to co-produce. [9]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 13January 4, 2022 (2022-01-04)April 12, 2022 (2022-04-12)
2 13January 3, 2023 (2023-01-03)March 28, 2023 (2023-03-28)
3 13January 9, 2024 (2024-01-09)April 2, 2024 (2024-04-02)

Season 1 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateCanadian viewers
11"Old Soul, New School" Renuka Jeyapalan Mark Critch & Tim McAuliffe January 4, 2022 (2022-01-04)941,000 [10]
11-year-old Mark goes to junior high in 1986 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Mark meets Ritchie, a Filipino Canadian, and the only visible minority student at the school. Mark also meets a female bully named Fox, who comes from a family of bullies that all share the same nickname due to their red hair. Mark eventually defeats his bully with words rather than physical force. Mark is forced to stop watching The Raccoons by his father.
22"Lordy, Lordy, Look Who's Dead"Renuka JeyapalanMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 11, 2022 (2022-01-11)836,000 [11]
While at a funeral parlour, Mark meets Tina, a classmate. They hit it off and Tina kisses him on the cheek. She later calls him to meet at the park. Mark's friend Ritchie tags along, helping Mark use the bus system. Fox is on the bus and decides to tag along as well. At the park, Mark and Tina hold hands again and Tina again kisses Mark. Later that night, Tina calls Mark to break up with him, at the instigation of Fox, who is standing outside Tina's house, threatening to punch Tina.
33"Cello, I Must Be Going"Renuka JeyapalanMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 18, 2022 (2022-01-18)906,000 [12]
44"Cucumber Slumber"Renuka JeyapalanMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 25, 2022 (2022-01-25)N/A
55"Royal Visit" Deanne Foley Mark Critch & Tim McAuliffeFebruary 1, 2022 (2022-02-01)710,000 [13]
66"Candyland"Deanne FoleyAnita KapilaFebruary 22, 2022 (2022-02-22)N/A
77"Father Critch"Deanne FoleyMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeMarch 1, 2022 (2022-03-01)N/A
88"Merry Critch-mas"Deanne FoleyHeidi BranderMarch 8, 2022 (2022-03-08)N/A
99"Acting Normal" Jay Baruchel Anita KapilaMarch 15, 2022 (2022-03-15)N/A
1010"Misty"Jay BaruchelNadiya ChettiarMarch 22, 2022 (2022-03-22)N/A
1111"Particip-action" Anthony Farrell Cathryn NaikerMarch 29, 2022 (2022-03-29)N/A
1212"Circus"Anthony Farrell Romeo Candido April 5, 2022 (2022-04-05)N/A
1313"Save the Last Dance for Me"John VatcherAnita KapilaApril 12, 2022 (2022-04-12)N/A
As the school year ends, Mark plans to ask Fox to the school dance, but is confused when he sees Ritchie spending time with her; he only later finds out that Ritchie was helping Fox study math so she can pass the grade. Claire is upset when she discovers Mike Jr. wants to move away to attend the University of New Brunswick, but eventually supports his plan. Mike Sr. worries for his job after Dick tells him that the station would be introducing an all-music format, but it turns out the format is for VOCM's new FM station.

Season 2 (2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [14] Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [14]
141"Growing Apart" Renuka Jeyapalan Mark Critch & Tim McAuliffe January 3, 2023 (2023-01-03)
152"You're Dead After School"Renuka JeyapalanMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 10, 2023 (2023-01-10)
163"Feast or Famine"Renuka Jeyapalan Perry Chafe January 17, 2023 (2023-01-17)
174"Beer Necessities"Renuka JeyapalanMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 24, 2023 (2023-01-24)
185"Family Tree" Deanne Foley Mark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 31, 2023 (2023-01-31)
196"Who Dares Dare Hudaro?"Deanne FoleyNadiya ChettiarFebruary 7, 2023 (2023-02-07)
207"The Perfect Storm"Deanne FoleyHeidi BranderFebruary 14, 2023 (2023-02-14)
218"Spirit Week"Deanne Foley Amanda Joy February 21, 2023 (2023-02-21)
229"European Vacation"John VatcherMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeFebruary 28, 2023 (2023-02-28)
2310"Old Friends, New Friends"John VatcherHeidi Brander & Justin RawanaMarch 7, 2023 (2023-03-07)
2411"Pope Visit"John VatcherAmanda JoyMarch 14, 2023 (2023-03-14)
2512"Details are Scanty"Vanessa MatsuiAnita KapilaMarch 21, 2023 (2023-03-21)
2613"Halley's Comet"Renuka JeyapalanMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeMarch 28, 2023 (2023-03-28)

Season 3 (2024)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [14] Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [14]
271"That Was Me in Grade Nine" Renuka Jeyapalan Mark Critch & Tim McAuliffe January 9, 2024 (2024-01-09)
282"Reach for the Top"Renuka JeyapalanMark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 16, 2024 (2024-01-16)
293"You're Full of It" Deanne Foley Mark Critch & Tim McAuliffeJanuary 23, 2024 (2024-01-23)
304"Growing Pains"Renuka JeyapalanStory by: Tim McAuliffe
Teleplay by: Mark Critch
January 30, 2024 (2024-01-30)
315"Bonfire Night"Renuka JeyapalanMark CritchFebruary 6, 2024 (2024-02-06)
326"My Funny Valentine"Deanne Foley Perry Chafe February 13, 2024 (2024-02-13)
337"Go into the Light"Deanne Foley Amanda Joy February 20, 2024 (2024-02-20)
348"Thanksgiving"Deanne FoleyMark CritchFebruary 27, 2024 (2024-02-27)
359"The Ghosts of Christmas Presents"Vanessa MatsuiKerri MacDonaldMarch 5, 2024 (2024-03-05)
3610"How to Succeed in Business"Vanessa MatsuiJustin RawanaMarch 12, 2024 (2024-03-12)
3711"Airing Out"John VatcherAnita KapilaMarch 19, 2024 (2024-03-19)
3812"Cabaret"John VatcherHeidi BranderMarch 26, 2024 (2024-03-26)
3913"Forever Young"John VatcherMark CritchApril 2, 2024 (2024-04-02)

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 100% based on six critic reviews. [15]

Son of a Critch was watched by an average of 941,000 viewers on its January 4, 2022 Canadian debut, and was the 28th most-watched program in Canada that week. [10]

International broadcast

Paramount+ acquired streaming rights to the series in the British Isles in 2022. [16]

In the United States, the series premiered on July 24, 2023, on The CW (although some US markets near the Canadian border who receive CBC Television are ahead in episodes). Season two premiered on October 26, 2023. [17] Season three premiered on January 25, 2024. [18]

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References

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  3. "Son of a Critch". CBC.
  4. Ahsan, Sadaf. "Comic Mark Critch on reliving childhood in his father's shoes in 'Son of a Critch'". Saskatoon Today.
  5. Hullender, Tatiana (31 December 2021). "Mark Critch, Malcolm McDowell & Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Interview: Son Of A Critch". ScreenRant. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  6. Escandon, Rosa. "Lionsgate And The CBC Team Up For 'Son Of A Critch'". Forbes.
  7. White, Peter (28 February 2022). "'Son Of A Critch' Renewed For Season 2 At Canada's CBC". Deadline. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  8. Goldbart, Max (23 March 2023). "'Son Of A Critch' Renewed For Season 3 By CBC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  9. Mittovich, Matt Webb (14 July 2023). "Son of a Critch: The CW Acquires Hit Canadian Comedy for Summer Run". TVLine. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  10. 1 2 Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 03, 2022 - January 09, 2022 - numeris
  11. Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 10, 2022 - January 16, 2022 - numeris
  12. Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 17, 2022 - January 23, 2022 - numeris
  13. Top Programs - Total Canada (English) January 31, 2022 - February 6, 2022 - numeris
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Son of a Critch – Listings". Zap2It . Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  15. "Son of a Critch: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  16. Whittock, Jesse (August 5, 2022). "Paramount+ UK & Ireland Taps Lionsgate, NBCU, Sony & Dynamic Television For Scripted Series". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  17. White, Peter (8 May 2023). "The CW Moves Into 'Schitt's Creek' Territory With Acquisition Of Canadian Comedy 'Son Of A Critch'". Deadline Hollywood.
  18. Pedersen, Erik (2023-12-12). "The CW Midseason Premiere Dates Set For New & Returning Series, 'I Am' Documentaries". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-12-12.