Joe Flaherty, who got his start in Canadian sketch comedy show Sctv and was best known for his roles as Harold Weir in Freaks and Geeks, Donald in Happy Gilmore and Western Union Man in Back to the Future Part II, died on Tuesday after battling an undisclosed illness. He was 82.
His death was confirmed to the Canadian press by his daughter Gudrun Flaherty. As reported in February, Toronto’s Second City comedy troupe organized a fundraiser to facilitate with the late actor’s health.
The message on the fundraiser read, “Our beloved Sctv cast member, Joe Flaherty, is very ill. Joe is aware of the gravity of his failing health and would like to spend whatever time he has left at home rather than in a facility.”
Following the confirmation of his death, many of Flaherty’s co-stars and notable fans reacted to the news. His Freaks and Geeks co-star John Francis Daley,...
His death was confirmed to the Canadian press by his daughter Gudrun Flaherty. As reported in February, Toronto’s Second City comedy troupe organized a fundraiser to facilitate with the late actor’s health.
The message on the fundraiser read, “Our beloved Sctv cast member, Joe Flaherty, is very ill. Joe is aware of the gravity of his failing health and would like to spend whatever time he has left at home rather than in a facility.”
Following the confirmation of his death, many of Flaherty’s co-stars and notable fans reacted to the news. His Freaks and Geeks co-star John Francis Daley,...
- 4/2/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Between a “Mad Max” spoof, a fight between a sasquatch and a unicorn, and a pirate-ship scene, it’s clear fantasy will be a main feature of the upcoming “Corner Gas” animated reboot. Creator and star Brent Butt says the animated version that premieres April 2 on The Comedy Network will include the same types of fantasy sequences that were...
- 2/6/2018
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
This should be a gas, eh? Canada's The Comedy Network is reviving the Corner Gas TV show as an animated series. Watch a teaser, below. The original live-action comedy series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. A feature film followed, in 2014.Set in the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, Corner Gas features the only gas station around for miles. Brent Butt, Gabrielle Miller, Fred Ewanuick, Eric Peterson, Janet Wright, Lorne Cardinal, Tara Spencer-Nairn, and Nancy Robertson starred in the original series. Learn more from The Comedy Network, after the jump.Read More…...
- 12/21/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Where's everyone getting guns? This is Canada!
If your last name is "Butt", then there's really only two things you can be: a cigarette filter manufacturer or a comedian. Brent Butt took the latter route. Stand-up comedy took him into television with two Canadian series, Corner Gas (2004-09) and Hiccups (2010-11), and a feature film, No Clue (2013), that is basically a 90-minute pilot for a detective sit-com. It's a busy field especially and the light Canadian touch is certainly popular in American television at the moment. Shows like Better off Ted, Pushing Daisies, and Psych take the same gentle approach to laughs out of goofy awkwardness and verbal inanity as No Clue. However, this Butt vehicle is a step above those shows by looking sleeker and pushing the jokes without winking at the audience.
Read more...
If your last name is "Butt", then there's really only two things you can be: a cigarette filter manufacturer or a comedian. Brent Butt took the latter route. Stand-up comedy took him into television with two Canadian series, Corner Gas (2004-09) and Hiccups (2010-11), and a feature film, No Clue (2013), that is basically a 90-minute pilot for a detective sit-com. It's a busy field especially and the light Canadian touch is certainly popular in American television at the moment. Shows like Better off Ted, Pushing Daisies, and Psych take the same gentle approach to laughs out of goofy awkwardness and verbal inanity as No Clue. However, this Butt vehicle is a step above those shows by looking sleeker and pushing the jokes without winking at the audience.
Read more...
- 7/23/2014
- by Jason Ratigan
- JustPressPlay.net
Canadian sitcom Corner Gas is set to get a film spin-off.
The show, which ran for six seasons, was the top-rated sitcom in Canada with a record-breaking three million people watching the series finale in 2009.
The film already has funding from Canadian broadcaster Bell Media and film financier Telefilm Canada but is looking for an extra $100,000 from crowd sourcing to fund the spin-off.
Eric Peterson, Janet Wright, Gabrielle Miller, Fred Ewanuick, Lorne Cardinal, Tara Spencer-Nairn and Nancy Robertson are all set to return as their characters.
Writer and star of the show Brent Butt said of the 90-minute project: "I'm excited. The entire gang is back."
Picking up five years after the TV finale, residents of Dog River will discover their town has been mismanaged and they all have to move away.
Deciding to make one last rally to save Dog River, they discover a plan by a corporate chain...
The show, which ran for six seasons, was the top-rated sitcom in Canada with a record-breaking three million people watching the series finale in 2009.
The film already has funding from Canadian broadcaster Bell Media and film financier Telefilm Canada but is looking for an extra $100,000 from crowd sourcing to fund the spin-off.
Eric Peterson, Janet Wright, Gabrielle Miller, Fred Ewanuick, Lorne Cardinal, Tara Spencer-Nairn and Nancy Robertson are all set to return as their characters.
Writer and star of the show Brent Butt said of the 90-minute project: "I'm excited. The entire gang is back."
Picking up five years after the TV finale, residents of Dog River will discover their town has been mismanaged and they all have to move away.
Deciding to make one last rally to save Dog River, they discover a plan by a corporate chain...
- 5/20/2014
- Digital Spy
While the premiere of Hiccups' second season has yet to be announced by CTV, a Canadian TV network, its first season will be released on DVD on January 11.
This Canadian half-hour comedy, which was shot in Vancouver, tells the story of Millie Upton (Nancy Robertson), a successful writer for children books. She's also emotionally unpredictable. This is why her editor, Joyce Haddison (Laura Soltis), believes that Millie needs some help. This is why Millie sees Stan Dirko (Brent Butt), a self-proclaimed life coach. However, Millie doesn't know that she's Stan's first client.
The show also stars David Ingram, Emily Perkins and Paula Rivera.
This Canadian half-hour comedy, which was shot in Vancouver, tells the story of Millie Upton (Nancy Robertson), a successful writer for children books. She's also emotionally unpredictable. This is why her editor, Joyce Haddison (Laura Soltis), believes that Millie needs some help. This is why Millie sees Stan Dirko (Brent Butt), a self-proclaimed life coach. However, Millie doesn't know that she's Stan's first client.
The show also stars David Ingram, Emily Perkins and Paula Rivera.
- 12/27/2010
- by anhkhoido@gmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Two days ago, production began in Vancouver for the second season of Hiccups. For the moment, CTV, a Canadian TV network, hasn't announced any premiere date for this Canadian TV series.
In Hiccups, Nancy Robertson (Wanda from Corner Gas) plays Millie Upton a popular children's author who just happens to have anger issues and several other emotional "hiccups." On a whim, Millie impulsively enlists the aid of a life coach Stan Dirko (Brent Butt). Unfortunately, Stan isn't a particularly good life coach. In fact, Millie is his first client ever. So, essentially we have a woman with no idea how to behave, being guided by someone who has no idea what he's doing. It's the lost leading the lost, with the best of intentions, high expectations, and very little success.
The regular members of the cast also includes Laura Soltis (The Guard) as Joyce, David Ingram (Smallville) as Taylor Rymes,...
In Hiccups, Nancy Robertson (Wanda from Corner Gas) plays Millie Upton a popular children's author who just happens to have anger issues and several other emotional "hiccups." On a whim, Millie impulsively enlists the aid of a life coach Stan Dirko (Brent Butt). Unfortunately, Stan isn't a particularly good life coach. In fact, Millie is his first client ever. So, essentially we have a woman with no idea how to behave, being guided by someone who has no idea what he's doing. It's the lost leading the lost, with the best of intentions, high expectations, and very little success.
The regular members of the cast also includes Laura Soltis (The Guard) as Joyce, David Ingram (Smallville) as Taylor Rymes,...
- 9/22/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
Yesterday, CTV, a private Canadian TV network, announced that it will renew the sitcom Hiccups for a second season. However, CTV hasn't announce the premiere date for Hiccups's second season and CTV's other current four original series.
Millie Upton (Nancy Robertson), is a famous writer of children books. She has a tendency to burst into anger, which she refers as "hiccups". Despite that, Joyce Haddison, her editor, gives Millie a second chance by following the suggestion of Taylor Rymes (David Ingram), Millie's agent. Thefore, Millie sees Stan Dirko (Brent Butt), a life-coach. However, Millie is Stan's first client ever...
The show also stars Paula Rivera, as Stan's wife (Anna), and Emily Perkins, as the grouchy secretary of Joyce.
Millie Upton (Nancy Robertson), is a famous writer of children books. She has a tendency to burst into anger, which she refers as "hiccups". Despite that, Joyce Haddison, her editor, gives Millie a second chance by following the suggestion of Taylor Rymes (David Ingram), Millie's agent. Thefore, Millie sees Stan Dirko (Brent Butt), a life-coach. However, Millie is Stan's first client ever...
The show also stars Paula Rivera, as Stan's wife (Anna), and Emily Perkins, as the grouchy secretary of Joyce.
- 6/4/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
I’m so not a fan of the sitcom method of storytelling -- such as it is -- that it’s always startling for me to come upon an example of the format that isn’t so outrageously stupid that it makes me want to throw things at the TV. To come across one that is as gently unassuming as Corner Gas... well, I had to go to Canada for that. Even when they’re being mean here -- as is, apparently, de rigueur for sitcoms no matter whence they hail -- they’re being nice. Or perhaps this is merely a brand of Canadian passive-aggression that’s more agreeable than the American stripe. Perhaps we should call it passive-agreeableness... The characters here are stereotypes, as sitcom characters tend to be. Or so they appear to be, at first. In the remote rural town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, there’s...
- 5/12/2010
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Six hours ago, actor Brent Butt (Corner Gas) announced on his Twitter page that you no longer need a password to visit the web site of Sparrow Media, his production company. Isn't that great? In other news, the trailer of CTV's upcoming half-hour comedy Hiccups - which was created by Brent Butt - had been released online. Moreover, the show premieres on March 1rst at 8 Pm on CTV.
In Hiccups, Nancy Robertson (Wanda from Corner Gas) plays Millie Upton a popular children's author who just happens to have anger issues and several other emotional "hiccups." On a whim, Millie impulsively enlists the aid of a life coach Stan Dirko (Brent Butt). Unfortunately, Stan isn't a particularly good life coach. In fact, Millie is his first client ever. So, essentially we have a woman with no idea how to behave, being guided by someone who has no idea what he's doing.
In Hiccups, Nancy Robertson (Wanda from Corner Gas) plays Millie Upton a popular children's author who just happens to have anger issues and several other emotional "hiccups." On a whim, Millie impulsively enlists the aid of a life coach Stan Dirko (Brent Butt). Unfortunately, Stan isn't a particularly good life coach. In fact, Millie is his first client ever. So, essentially we have a woman with no idea how to behave, being guided by someone who has no idea what he's doing.
- 2/24/2010
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
A Canadian upbringing is about more than just playing lots of winter sports and having maple syrup instead of regular syrup on our pancakes. Regular exposure to Canadian television has long been an important part of what makes our childhood different from that of our brethren to the south. Now, Canadian television is decidedly less polished than American television. We grew up watching the genuinely awkward adolescents of Degrassi Street, not the beautiful airbrushed twentysomething "teenagers" of "Beverly Hills 90210." Bizarre, crudely drawn National Film Board short cartoons such as "The Log Driver's Waltz," "The Big Snit," and "The Cat Came Back" were a staple of the 1970s and 1980s, while American kids were tuning in to shows like the "Care Bears." One of our most revered television superheroes was Mr. Canoehead, a dude whose crimefighting "superpower" was to knock out criminals by, well, turning around and whacking them with the...
- 2/18/2010
- by Dustin Rowles
star-studded lineup of Canadian celebrities is coming together in support of Haiti relief efforts. Top personalities from the Canadian music, film, television and sports worlds have signed on for Canada For Haiti, a one-hour, commercial-free special produced collaboratively between CBC Television, CTV and Global Television. Broadcasting live from CBC headquarters in Toronto, Canada For Haiti’s stellar roster includes live performances from The Tragically Hip and K’naan, and features musical superstars Céline Dion, Justin Bieber, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Simple Plan, David Foster, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida and Measha Brueggergosman. Hollywood heavy hitters James Cameron, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Reynolds, William Shatner, Rachelle Lefevre, Joshua Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Jason Reitman, Eugene Levy, Norman Jewison, Tom Jackson, Will Arnett and Sandra Oh have signed on, joined by television stars Brent Butt, Hugh Dillon, Mike Holmes, Rick Mercer and Alex Trebek and humanitarian Craig Kielburger. MVPs Steve Nash and Wayne Gretzky will be participating,...
- 1/22/2010
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
From a press release
Corner Gas alum Nancy Robertson (photo) cast in lead role.Brent Butt returns to helm his latest project as creator, writer, show runner, executive producer and co-star.Production now underway in Vancouver, BC.
Vancouver, BC (October 19, 2009) – CTV, in association with The Comedy Network and Sparrow Media, announced today that principal photography is underway on the original comedy series, Hiccups, in Vancouver, BC. From the star and mastermind behind CTV’s hit comedy Corner Gas, Brent Butt returns to helm his latest project as creator, writer, executive producer and co-star. The 13-part, half-hour series stars the hilarious Nancy Robertson (Corner Gas) as the lead character and will continue production through November. Hiccups is the second CTV/The Comedy Network comedy series to begin production this month, the first being Dan For Mayor, starring Fred Ewanuick (Corner Gas, Robson Arms).
In Hiccups, Robertson plays the role of Millie Upton,...
Corner Gas alum Nancy Robertson (photo) cast in lead role.Brent Butt returns to helm his latest project as creator, writer, show runner, executive producer and co-star.Production now underway in Vancouver, BC.
Vancouver, BC (October 19, 2009) – CTV, in association with The Comedy Network and Sparrow Media, announced today that principal photography is underway on the original comedy series, Hiccups, in Vancouver, BC. From the star and mastermind behind CTV’s hit comedy Corner Gas, Brent Butt returns to helm his latest project as creator, writer, executive producer and co-star. The 13-part, half-hour series stars the hilarious Nancy Robertson (Corner Gas) as the lead character and will continue production through November. Hiccups is the second CTV/The Comedy Network comedy series to begin production this month, the first being Dan For Mayor, starring Fred Ewanuick (Corner Gas, Robson Arms).
In Hiccups, Robertson plays the role of Millie Upton,...
- 10/20/2009
- by anhkhoido@hotmail.com (Anh Khoi Do)
- The Cultural Post
While revealing its fall 2009 schedule last week, CTV also confirmed two half-hour comedies that will be in production for air in the 2010-2011 broadcast season.
The first, Hiccups is creative, executive produced and written by Corner Gas creator Brent Butt. Gas alumnus Nancy Robertson stars as a children’s author with anger issues. Butt will co-star as her life coach.
Fred Ewanuick, another Gas vet, is a 30-something bartender who runs for the mayor of his hometown in Dan for Mayor, coming from writers and producers Mark Farrell, Paul Mather and Kevin White.
The first, Hiccups is creative, executive produced and written by Corner Gas creator Brent Butt. Gas alumnus Nancy Robertson stars as a children’s author with anger issues. Butt will co-star as her life coach.
Fred Ewanuick, another Gas vet, is a 30-something bartender who runs for the mayor of his hometown in Dan for Mayor, coming from writers and producers Mark Farrell, Paul Mather and Kevin White.
- 6/8/2009
- CinemaSpy
Toronto -- "Corner Gas," the little Canadian sitcom that dared to feature maple syrup and mounties before a wave of Canadian series hits like CBS' "Flashpoint" started crossing the border, comes to an end Monday after six seasons and 107 episodes.
Created by and starring Canadian comedian Brent Butt, "Gas" averaged 1.4 million viewers at home on the CTV network and sold into 26 markets, including to Superstation Wgn stateside.
"It made Canadian audiences willing to give Canadian shows a shot," Butt said Monday.
Before the 2004 launch of "Gas," which revolved around a host of oddball rubes at a gas station in fictional Dog River, Saskatchewan, Canadian networks regarded homegrown series as a money-losing regulatory obligation.
But the sitcom, whose unapologetically Canadian first episode surprised by drawing 1.2 million viewers, so altered network development units that a resulting wave of Canadian dramas and comedies like NBC's "Howie Do It" and "The Listener" and CBS' "The Bridge,...
Created by and starring Canadian comedian Brent Butt, "Gas" averaged 1.4 million viewers at home on the CTV network and sold into 26 markets, including to Superstation Wgn stateside.
"It made Canadian audiences willing to give Canadian shows a shot," Butt said Monday.
Before the 2004 launch of "Gas," which revolved around a host of oddball rubes at a gas station in fictional Dog River, Saskatchewan, Canadian networks regarded homegrown series as a money-losing regulatory obligation.
But the sitcom, whose unapologetically Canadian first episode surprised by drawing 1.2 million viewers, so altered network development units that a resulting wave of Canadian dramas and comedies like NBC's "Howie Do It" and "The Listener" and CBS' "The Bridge,...
- 4/13/2009
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto -- Canadian broadcaster CTV ordered its second comedy pilot in as many weeks from the team behind the top-rated sitcom "Corner Gas."
On Wednesday, CTV gave the green light to pilot "Dan for Mayor." The sitcom is the brainchild of "Gas" writing-room veterans Mark Farrell, Paul Mather and Kevin White and stars "Gas" co-star Fred Ewanuick.
Last week, CTV ordered a pilot for another sitcom, "Hiccups," from Brent Butt, who created and starred in "Gas," now in its sixth and final season on CTV and Superstation Wgn.
In "Dan for Mayor," Ewanuick plays a 30-something bartender in a campaign to become mayor in a fictional Ontario town filled with his childhood friends.
Indie Sad Glasses and Qvf will produce the pilot, with Sue Murdoch as producer and Ron Murphy directing.
On Wednesday, CTV gave the green light to pilot "Dan for Mayor." The sitcom is the brainchild of "Gas" writing-room veterans Mark Farrell, Paul Mather and Kevin White and stars "Gas" co-star Fred Ewanuick.
Last week, CTV ordered a pilot for another sitcom, "Hiccups," from Brent Butt, who created and starred in "Gas," now in its sixth and final season on CTV and Superstation Wgn.
In "Dan for Mayor," Ewanuick plays a 30-something bartender in a campaign to become mayor in a fictional Ontario town filled with his childhood friends.
Indie Sad Glasses and Qvf will produce the pilot, with Sue Murdoch as producer and Ron Murphy directing.
- 10/8/2008
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- Canadian sitcom star Brent Butt will receive the 2008 Sir Peter Ustinov Award at the upcoming Banff World Television Festival, it was announced Thursday.
Butt, who created and stars in "Corner Gas", Canada's top-rated comedy on CTV that's set to wrap in 2009 after its sixth season, will receive the honor June 9 at the annual confab held in the Canadian Rockies.
Butt, who created and stars in "Corner Gas", Canada's top-rated comedy on CTV that's set to wrap in 2009 after its sixth season, will receive the honor June 9 at the annual confab held in the Canadian Rockies.
- 5/15/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- Canadian comics Brent Butt and Paul Mather on Monday night picked up trophies for best comedy writing at the 2006 Canadian Screenwriting Awards, which were handed out in Toronto. Butt picked up his award for work on Corner Gas, the hit feel-good CTV comedy that he stars in and executive produces. The Writers Guild of Canada, which organizes Canada's screenwriting awards, also honored Suzette Couture with the best TV movie and mini-series writing award for her work on The Man Who Lost Himself, while giving Wil Zmak the best feature film script for The Dark Hours, the 2005 psychodrama that starred Aidan Devine and Gordon Currie.
- 4/25/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- The Showtime series Queer As Folk will challenge Da Vinci's Inquest, Canada's most popular drama, for the best drama writing prize at the Canadian Screenwriting Awards in April, the Writers Guild of Canada said Monday. Also joining Da Vinci's Inquest's Chris Haddock and Queer As Folk's Shawn Postoff in the best drama category are Alex Epstein (Naked Josh), Jason Sherman (Regenesis), Wayne Grigsby (Snakes and Ladders) and George F. Walker (This Is Wonderland). Queer As Folk is produced in Toronto and also airs on Showcase Television here. In the best comedy competition, CTV's Corner Gas, which is co-written by series star Brent Butt, will face off against The Newsroom, a CBC comedy from Ken Finkleman.
TORONTO -- Montreal's Just for Laughs comedy festival unveiled plans Tuesday for a North American comedy tour that will include October dates in Boston and Burlington, Vt. Canadian comic Harland Williams ("Dumb & Dumber") will host the tour, which will travel to 16 Canadian cities, introducing such stand-up comics as Chicago native Emo Phillips, Australians Louise McClatchly and Jai Simeone, Canadians Brent Butt and Mike Wilmot and Texan Ron White, a member of Jeff Foxworthy's Blue Collar Comedy Tour. The Just for Laughs tour will begin Oct. 15 in Victoria, British Columbia, and finish its eastward swing Nov. 9 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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