Hiccups (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Hiccups is a Canadian
television series created by Corner Gas
star Brent Butt
, who is also the writer, show runner and executive producer of the program. The series was produced by Laura Lightbown and David Storey and airs on CTV
and The Comedy Network
. The pilot was shot in late March 2009 with the rest of the series to begin shooting in September 2009. The show premiered on CTV on March 1, 2010; the same night as Dan for Mayor
, a series starring fellow Corner Gas
alumnus Fred Ewanuick
. Hiccups returned for a second season on May 30, 2011 at 8pm ET. CTV has not renewed Hiccups and Dan for Mayor for a third season.
issues, which are referred to as "hiccups," giant outbursts and could be described as a giant fit of depression
. These outbursts are immediate, so they are prone to happen at any time. After being told that she needs some help controlling her anger issues, Millie finds a man named Stan Dirko (Butt), whom she hires as her life coach. Stan is significantly underqualified for his profession, which Millie never notices.
stated that, "What the network may perceive as Hiccups' greatest asset turns out to be its greatest liability. Butt's appearance onscreen – which he was, I gather, reluctantly persuaded to do by the network – is a distraction from this singular showcase for his wife's considerable comedic skills."
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
television series created by Corner Gas
Corner Gas
Corner Gas is a Canadian television sitcom created by Brent Butt. The series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. Re-runs still air on CTV and The Comedy Network in Canada; it formerly aired on WGN America in the United States....
star Brent Butt
Brent Butt
Brent Butt is a Canadian stand-up comedian actor and writer. He is best known for his role as Brent Leroy on the CTV sitcom Corner Gas, which he also created. The series was an instant hit when it made its debut in 2004....
, who is also the writer, show runner and executive producer of the program. The series was produced by Laura Lightbown and David Storey and airs on CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
and The Comedy Network
The Comedy Network
The Comedy Network a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media specializing in comedy programming.The channel operates two time shifted feeds, East and West ....
. The pilot was shot in late March 2009 with the rest of the series to begin shooting in September 2009. The show premiered on CTV on March 1, 2010; the same night as Dan for Mayor
Dan for Mayor
Dan for Mayor is a Canadian television sitcom starring Fred Ewanuick that debuted on March 1, 2010 on CTV and The Comedy Network. It premiered the same night as Hiccups, a show created by Corner Gas star Brent Butt that also features fellow Corner Gas alumna Nancy Robertson. On June 7, 2010, both...
, a series starring fellow Corner Gas
Corner Gas
Corner Gas is a Canadian television sitcom created by Brent Butt. The series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. Re-runs still air on CTV and The Comedy Network in Canada; it formerly aired on WGN America in the United States....
alumnus Fred Ewanuick
Fred Ewanuick
Fred Ewanuick is a Canadian actor of Ukrainian and Italian heritage, known for his role in the television series Corner Gas as Hank Yarbo. He was also a regular in a CTV anthology series, Robson Arms.-Early life:...
. Hiccups returned for a second season on May 30, 2011 at 8pm ET. CTV has not renewed Hiccups and Dan for Mayor for a third season.
Synopsis
The series stars Nancy Robertson (a Corner Gas co-star) in the role of Millie Upton. Millie is the successful author of a series of children's books about characters called "Grumpaloos". Millie has anger managementAnger management
The term anger management commonly refers to a system of psychological therapeutic techniques and exercises by which someone with excessive or uncontrollable anger & aggression can control or reduce the triggers, degrees, and effects of an angered emotional state...
issues, which are referred to as "hiccups," giant outbursts and could be described as a giant fit of depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
. These outbursts are immediate, so they are prone to happen at any time. After being told that she needs some help controlling her anger issues, Millie finds a man named Stan Dirko (Butt), whom she hires as her life coach. Stan is significantly underqualified for his profession, which Millie never notices.
Characters
- Nancy Robertson as Millie Upton, a neurotic, emotionally unstable children's author who is often happy but quick to anger.
- Brent Butt as Stan Dirko, Millie's life coach. Stan is a bit of a loveable loserStock characterA Stock character is a fictional character based on a common literary or social stereotype. Stock characters rely heavily on cultural types or names for their personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics. In their most general form, stock characters are related to literary archetypes,...
, geeky, and quirky.
- Laura Soltis as Joyce Haddison, Millie's publisher. Joyce is a serious, thriving business person surrounded by colourful characters.
- David Ingram as Taylor Rymes, Millie's literary agent. Taylor is a slick, smooth-talking, conceited guy who is more interested in women than his job.
- Emily PerkinsEmily PerkinsEmily Jean Perkins is a Canadian actress, known best for her co-starring role as Brigitte Fitzgerald in the movie Ginger Snaps and its two sequels, Ginger Snaps II: Unleashed and Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning. Since the late 1980s she has appeared in various films and television series.-Life...
as Crystal Braywood, Crystal is a spoiled, sarcastic rich girl who strongly dislikes her job as a receptionist for Joyce.
- Paula Rivera as Anna Dirko, Stan's loveable wife who is a professional gardener.
Reception
Rob Salem of the Toronto StarToronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
stated that, "What the network may perceive as Hiccups' greatest asset turns out to be its greatest liability. Butt's appearance onscreen – which he was, I gather, reluctantly persuaded to do by the network – is a distraction from this singular showcase for his wife's considerable comedic skills."
Seasonal ratings
| Season | Timeslot | Season Premiere | Season Finale | TV Season | Viewers (100'000s) | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monday 8:00PM | March 1, 2010 | June 29, 2010 | 2010 | 9.72 | #1 |
Episodic ratings
| # | Episode | Viewers (millions) |
Rank (Week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Millie, Meet Stan" | 1.90 | 15 |
| 2 | "Strata's Fear" | 1.16 | n/a |
| 8 | "Watch and Learn" | 0.49 | n/a |
| 10 | "Model Patient" | 0.30 | n/a |
| 13 | "You Schmooze, You Lose" | 0.50 | n/a |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Presenter | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Canadian Comedy Awards Canadian Comedy Awards The Canadian Comedy Awards, founded by , are an annual awards ceremony celebrating notable English speaking Canadian comedians for achievements in Live, Radio, Film, Television and Internet media over the previous year... |
Best Performance By a Female - Television | Nancy Robertson - Hiccups | |