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Life with Derek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Life with Derek | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Creator(s) | Daphne Ballon |
| Developer(s) | Daphne Ballon Bernice Vanderlaan |
| Starring | Michael Seater Ashley Leggat Daniel Magder Jordan Todosey Ariel Waller Joy Tanner John Ralston |
| Opening theme | Performed by Unsensored |
| Country of origin |  Canada |
| No. of episodes | 26 (As of December 15, 2006) |
| Production | |
| Running time | approx. 0:22 (per episode) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Family (TV channel) |
| Links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Life with Derek is a Canadian sitcom that is currently being aired on the Family channel in Canada (English), on VRAK.TV (French), in Germany, Italy, Israel, France and Mexico, Toonami in the UK, Disney Channel in the United States, and Nickelodeon in Australia.
The series is produced by Shaftesbury Films. The third season of the series is going to be released.
Contents |
A divorced man named George Venturi; with custody of his two sons (Derek and Edwin) and daughter (Marti), marries a divorced woman (Nora) with two daughters, Casey and Lizzie.
Up until that point, Casey MacDonald was perfectly content with her life. Growing up as the oldest child in a household with only her mother and sister had suited her well and brought her up as a self-sufficient and independent young woman.
With the addition of a father, two brothers, a sister, new school, new house and overall a whole new life, Casey struggles to find her place within the new family.
Prior to becoming members of a blended family, Casey and Derek were firmly comfortable in their roles as first-born children, including having a major influence on how family decisions were made. When their families blend, each strives for dominance: Casey by "sticking to the rules" and Derek by asserting himself with both force and manipulation. This is further complicated because Derek and Casey are in the same grade in high school; the situation is harder for Casey, who's making new friends. Both teens aren't afraid to speak their minds, especially when trying to recruit their respective parents to be on their side.
The sibling rivalry grows intense at times, and causes them to constantly try to one up the other in order to get their way, even if it involves them getting really sneaky and have to risk being grounded by the adults, and sometimes no matter who gets in the way, whether it's friends or family. In their struggle to find their place, both at home and at school, Casey learns to "loosen up" and break a rule or two, while Derek learns to occasionally "walk the straight and narrow" and put family interests ahead of his own gain, even if it means that Casey benefits. In the rivalry, Derek and Casey sometimes make deals with each other to prove that he or she is better. Also, Edwin often chooses to be on Derek's side.
The show includes several cut-scenes, where various members of the family (usually the ones involved in a problem) interact with one another in a way that is symbolic of their current issue, performed in a nondescript setting with no background.
Despite Casey and Derek's constant bickering and disagreements, they have been known to come together to cooperate toward a common goal, or to use one another to further their own selfish agendas.
- Ashley Leggat as Casey Macdonald
- Jordan Todosey as Lizzie Macdonald
- Joy Tanner as Nora Macdonald
- John Ralston as George Venturi
- Michael Seater as Derek Venturi
- Daniel Magder as Edwin Venturi
- Ariel Waller as Marti Venturi
- Shadia Simmons as Emily Davis, Casey's best friend, has a crush on Derek and kissed Derek once.
- Arnold Pinnock as Paul Creepy, Casey's guidance counsellor
- Kit Weyman as Sam, Derek's best friend, once Casey's boyfriend
- William Greenblatt as Sheldon Schlepper (was Emily's Boyfriend)
- Lauren Collins as Kendra (Derek's girlfriend)
- Ryan Cooley as Frankie (Derek's former associate)
- Sarah Gadon as Vicki (Cousin)
- Tara Manuel Rigal as Fiona (Aunt)
- Rick Roberts as Dennis (former husband of Nora/Father)
- Abby (former wife of George/Mother)
- Ryan Cooley as Frank
- Shane Kippel as Ralph
- Alex House as Trevor
- Robbie Amell as Max
- Keir Gilchrist as Jamie
- Hannah Lochner as Michelle
- Kate Todd as Jennifer
- Kayla Mills as Amy
| Life with Derek |
| The Children |
| The MacDonalds |
| Casey MacDonald | Lizzie MacDonald |
| The Venturis |
| Derek Venturi | Edwin Venturi | Marti Venturi |
| The Parents |
| Nora MacDonald and George Venturi |
| Friends |
| Emily Davis | Sam | Paul Creepy |
| Episodes |
| List of Life with Derek episodes |