22 Minutes tackles an unprecedented news cycle as the first Canadian satire returning to air during COVID-19
...Season 28 begins Tuesday, October 6 at 8:30pm (9NT) on CBC and CBC Gem
September 30, 2020 - Amidst a global pandemic, a looming election in the United States, and slew of government scandals and leadership changes here at home, no Canadian show is better equipped to make sense of 2020’s relentless news cycle than This Hour Has 22 Minutes (19x30). Wielding its razor-sharp political commentary and incisive social satire, the show returns for its 28th season on Tuesday, October 6 at 8:30pm (9NT) on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service.
Starring Mark Critch, Cathy Jones, and Trent McClellan, the iconic wit, sardonic attitude, and critical expertise of 22 Minutes remains an enduring staple for audiences across the country, and is now the longest-running comedy in Canadian history. Longtime cast member Susan Kent has moved on to new projects, though she will return for guest appearances throughout the season.
Season 28 of 22 Minutes is also introducing several new timely and responsive developments, both on and off screen. For the first time, a dedicated team will be embedded in the U.S. to cover the 2020 presidential race. Intrepid political comedy veterans Nik Sexton, Tom Stanley, and Jon Sturge (Rick Mercer Report) will contribute weekly pieces from the field as Donald Trump vies for a second term.
The new season also sees 22 Minutes adapting to COVID-19 restrictions by creating two writers' rooms in two provinces - one in Halifax, Nova Scotia and one in Toronto, Ontario - featuring some of Canada’s best and brightest talent. Representing a diverse range of voices from the country’s eclectic comedy scene, this year’s team includes - among others - Heidi Brander (Baroness Von Sketch Show), SiriusXM’s Top Comic 2020 winner Adam Christie, JUNO Award winner Sophie Buddle, Aisha Brown (The First Black Woman Ever), Nadine Bhaba (Letterkenny), Isabel Kanaan (Royal Canadian Air Farce), and Aba Amuquandoh (The Sketchersons) - several of whom will be featured players on the show.
Filmed in Halifax on Monday evenings - this year at its new home in the Light House Arts Centre - the television series continues to cultivate a large online following. While many shows typically see their audiences drop over the summer months, 22 Minutes garnered unprecedented digital reach and engagement in the off-season. As people looked for a funny and rational voice to guide them through these troubling times, new virtual content created by the team during lockdown and shared across the show’s social media platforms received more than 20 million views, generated nearly 90 million impressions, and resulted in close to half a million shares.
22M-Hour Productions (NS) 28 Inc. is produced by IoM Media (Executive Producers Michael Donovan and Mike Allison; Producers Carl Gosine, Dana Landry, Meaghan Clark, and Tracey Jardine). The series is written by Mark Critch; Cathy Jones; Trent McClellan; Heidi Brander; Kevin Shustack; Adam Christie; Sophie Buddle; Mayce Galoni; Jordan Foisy; Dean Jenkinson; Aisha Brown; Jeremy Woodcock; Matt Wright; Nigel Grinstead; George Westerholm; Adele Dicks; Tom Henry; Brandon Ash Mohammed; Alexander Saxton; Meg MacKay; Leonard Chan; Alessandra Vite; Aba Amuquandoh; Nadine Bhabha; and Isabel Kanaan. The series is directed by Jocelyn Corkum, Steve Wright, Mike Fly, Warren Sonoda, and Allison Johnston. For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Michelle Daly is Senior Director, Comedy.
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About IoM Media
Island of Misfits (IoM) is one of North America's leading animation studios, with a strong focus on original, premium content development and production. Founded in 2018 by industry veteran Dana Landry, IoM is based in Halifax with offices in Toronto and Los Angeles. At IoM's 17,000 sq. ft. facility, the team has produced series for many of the world's leading studios, including The Jim Henson Company, Mattel and WildBrain (formerly DHX Media). Series produced by IoM can been seen on major networks and streaming platforms including Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, CBC, and PBS Kids.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic and Chinese, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
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