September 19, 2010 (2010-09-19) – December 2, 2013 (2013-12-02)[1]
Call Me Fitz is a Canadian television series produced by E1 Entertainment, Amaze Film & Television, and Big Motion Pictures.[2] The half-hour comedy stars Jason Priestley as Richard "Fitz" Fitzpatrick, a morally bankrupt used-car salesman whose consequence-free life is complicated by the arrival of do-gooder Larry (Ernie Grunwald), another salesman who claims he is Fitz's conscience.[3]
The series is co-produced by Movie Central (western Canada) and The Movie Network (central/eastern Canada), for airing on those two channels and their jointly owned channel HBO Canada (Canada wide).[4] The first thirteen-episode season of the show premiered on HBO Canada in September 2010, with subsequent seasons premiering in September 2011, 2012, and October 2013.
The show stars Priestley as Richard Fitzpatrick, a used-car salesman walking a fine line of acceptable behaviour on the lot alongside a new salesman, do-gooder Larry, who claims to be the embodiment of his conscience.[6] Fitz's idealisation of Frank Sinatra and his dysfunctional family have shaped him into the cocksure anti-hero he is proud to be. Fitz's ambition is to get out of 'slinging tin' at his family's used car dealership and open his own lounge, the Summerwind. In the meantime, he is content to make the Duncan Underwood Inn his watering hole. Fitz does not like the Ruptal cousins, whom he refers to as "9" and "11", and their used-car dealership across the street from Fitzpatrick Motors.
Fitz hits rock bottom when he crashes a GT while on a test drive and the customer ends up in a coma. Fitz meets Ali while in jail and at first believes her to be his lawyer until she says "mom", referring to Fitz's customer in the coma. In an attempt to avoid a pending attempted vehicular manslaughter charge Fitz decides to marry Babs, who comes out of her coma just in time to get married. Ali admits her attraction to Fitz after her mother tells him she wants a divorce and while they are making out in her car Ali accidentally steps on the accelerator and drives into and kills her mother.
In season two Fitz's attempts to open the Summerwind are thwarted by city council and Fitz is the prime suspect in the disappearance and suspected homicide of Sonja. Fitz decides to run for city council in season three. The news that Ali is pregnant with his baby does little to inspire Fitz to change his ways. Through an unfortunate series of mishaps Fitz ends up as mayor of Coverton. Fitz's rampant promiscuity is matched only by his corruption, which eventually lands him in prison. Fitz breaks out of prison just as Ali goes into labour.
With Ali having abandoned their son Fitz is left struggling with the challenges of being a single father in season four.
In an interview with RTÉ Jason Priestley described the show as "booze, blow and broads or Sunday night at Charlie Sheen's house."[7]
It was announced in November 2009 that principal photography had begun on the first season of Call Me Fitz and that filming would continue in the Annapolis Valley until mid-January 2010.[4] Subsequent seasons continued production in the Annapolis Valley, primarily in the town of New Minas, Nova Scotia. Season 4 was primarily shot in the Dartmouth area[8]
In order to achieve the feel of the Rat Pack era to which Fitz relates the soundtrack is primarily performed by Canadian jazz singer Matt Dusk.[9]
Prior to season four Priestley was critical of the promotion of the show, saying in response to people learning of the show via Twitter, "Traditional advertising is also still get a great way to get the word out, and I think that our broadcasters have not done a good job with traditional means for our show. I'm going to be totally frank with you about that: I don't think they've done a good job at all. I don't understand, we're the most awarded comedy in Canadian television history and half the people in this country don't even know we exist, and I can't fathom that.". Priestley later added, "It's frustrating when you feel like you're not being successful in getting the word out there, but I think a lot of that has to do with budget and money, and money being allocated to other places.".[10]
Broadcast
Call Me Fitz is co-produced by Movie Central (western Canada) and The Movie Network (central/eastern Canada), for airing on those two channels after premiering on their jointly owned channel HBO Canada (Canada wide).[4] The first thirteen-episode season premiered on HBO Canada in September 2010, the thirteen-episode second season premiered in September 2011, and the twelve-episode third season premiered on HBO Canada in September 2012.[11][12] The ten-episode fourth season premiered in October 2013.[13] All four seasons also have regular runs and reruns on Movie Central, The Movie Network and HBO Canada.
The series has been sold in over 60 foreign markets,[14] including its American debut on the DirecTV exclusive The 101 Network (since renamed Audience Network) on April 21, 2011, with two back-to-back episodes, and was shown Thursdays at 9 pm ET/PT.[15] Season 2 started on Audience on November 3 in the 9:30 pm time slot.
Awards
The first season of Call Me Fitz was nominated for 16 Gemini Awards and won seven, including Best Actress (Comedy) for Tracy Dawson, Best Supporting Actor (Comedy) for Ernie Grunwald, and Best Guest Actress (Comedy) for Rachel Blanchard. The show also swept other comedy categories including Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Picture Editing, and Best Sound.[16]
Jason Priestley took home the award for Best TV Performance (Male) at the Canadian Comedy Awards. The show was also nominated for Best TV Show and Best Writing. At the Monte Carlo Television Festival, the show received Best International Producing and Best Acting nominations for Jason Priestley, Ernie Grunwald, Brooke Nevin, and Kathleen Munroe.
In 2010, Jason Priestley received the Best Actor Award at the Roma Fiction Festival.
The show won Best Comedy at the Canadian Screen Awards in both 2014 and 2015 and was crowned Best Comedy at the Directors Guild Awards for all four seasons.
Reception
The New York Times called the series "A refreshingly original concept... It deftly draws a world in which sin and sexual charisma come at full new-model cost... [FITZ] is King of Front-Wheel Drive and Back-Seat Romps."[17]
Orange County, CA Film Commission President Paul Ruffino said about the series "A satirical demonic view of the menagerie of mediocrity called mankind. Bawdy and expertly written Call Me Fitz is TV platinum. HBO Canada? What about the lower 48...come on...we deserve genuine entertainment down here. A hit for sure!"
TV Guide wrote "The snappy, obscenity-filled dialogue was laugh-out-loud funny without being over the top. I call this one a hit."[18]
Fitz hits rock bottom when he crashes a test drive, puts a woman in a coma, and wakes up to find he's grown a conscience – a living/breathing do-gooder named Larry, who threatens to not only set Fitz straight, but undercut his run for a 10th straight "Fibbie."
When Larry purges Fitz of all his drugs and alcohol, Fitz tries to get Larry thrown in the nut house; after all, he claims to be his conscience. But at his intervention, in the throes of the DTs, Fitz is the one who ends up under psychiatric surveillance.
3
3
"Mama"
Scott Smith
Sheri Elwood
September 26, 2010 (2010-09-26)
When Fitz discovers Ken is leaving Fitzpatrick Motors to Larry, he needs to prove Larry is NOT his brother by paying a visit to his absentee, alcoholic mother Elaine at her weekly key party. Unable to get the closure he wants, Fitz instead steals her car.
4
4
"Long Con Silver"
Scott Smith
Pat Bullard
October 3, 2010 (2010-10-03)
Elaine returns in search of her stolen car. Desperate to reconcile mother and child, Larry encourages Fitz to team up with his Mom and scam the Ruptals, not realizing it's all part of a con Elaine concocted to finalize her divorce and steal Fitz's savings.
On the eve of Ken's birthday, Fitz has to blow Meghan's gift out of the water. So he shoots a tribute porno filled with all of Ken's favourite things; cars, baseball posters, and aging porn star Candy Box.
6
6
"Going Down Syndrome"
James Genn
Story by : Steven Cragg Teleplay by : Dennis Heaton
October 17, 2010 (2010-10-17)
With his attempted vehicular manslaughter trial impending, Fitz tries to hook Larry up with a drunk chick, only to end up sleeping with Janet, the drunkest girl at the bar. But the next morning Fitz discovers Janet wasn't inebriated, she's brain damaged.
With a comatose Babs now able to communicate, Fitz asks for her limp hand in marriage, hoping spousal privilege will protect him from her morse code testimony. Larry throws Fitz the lamest bachelor party ever, and arranges the nuptials just in time for Babs to wake up and say "I do."
Fitz is pleasantly surprised to discover his marriage to Babs fulfills his latent maternal longings. Appalled, Larry tries to get Ali to help break them up. But as the creepy love triangle unfolds, Fitz and Ali accidentally run over Babs, killing her instantly.
9
9
"The Upside of Matricide"
Shawn Alex Thompson
Dennis Heaton
November 7, 2010 (2010-11-07)
Ali learns Babs' dying wish was an organic burial – simple, tasteful, and completely illegal. If anyone can help her skirt the law, it's Fitz.
Fitzpatrick motor organized a charity event unfortunately Fitz and Larry get tangled up in a black market organ exchange. Which one will lose a kidney?
11
11
"This Business Has Been Homicide Free for __ Days"
Jason Priestley
Adriana Maggs & Jeff Detsky
November 21, 2010 (2010-11-21)
A sniper takes siege on Fitzpatrick Motors. Larry is convinced it has something to do with Fitz withholding his syphilis diagnosis from all his sexual partners, but as Fitz points out, it could be any one of the hundreds of people who want him dead.
12
12
"Honesty, Integrity and Low Mileage: Part 1"
James Genn
Sheri Elwood & Tracy Dawson
November 28, 2010 (2010-11-28)
After a rough year, Fitz is out of contention for the Fibbies, so he needs to enter as a team with Larry. But before he can make it to the ceremony, Fitz has to help Larry investigate his mysterious past, talk him out of suicide, and eventually get himself kidnapped.
13
13
"Honesty, Integrity and Low Mileage: Part 2"
James Genn
Sheri Elwood & Tracy Dawson
December 5, 2010 (2010-12-05)
After a rough year, Fitz is out of contention for the Fibbies, so he needs to enter as a team with Larry. But before he can make it to the ceremony, Fitz has to help Larry investigate his mysterious past, talk him out of suicide, and eventually get himself kidnapped.
Season 2
Season 2 premiered on HBO Canada on September 25, 2011.[19]
Fitz is arrested for breaking into Sonja's apartment and putting on her lingerie. But this time he is actually innocent - he was drugged and abducted. No one cares. When Chester finds out that Fitz' alibi for the time that Sonja was abducted is Ali he vowes to get Fitz no matter what. Fitz learns that Chester is behind on his car payments and buys the lease and repossesses Chester's car, subsequently revealing the extent of Chester's money woes and corruption. Dot and Chester frame Fitz for the murder of Sonja, planting a bloody knife in Fitz' car.
For his abuses as acting mayor, prison break, and attitude in court the judge rejects Fitz' guilty plea, done in an attempt to avoid his crying son, and gives him a life sentence of parenthood. Fitz then gets the idea to trade his son for drugs and asks Josh to get some drugs and have the police witness the transaction. Fitz then realises his son is a great way to sell cars to women and decides to keep him, just as Josh and the police arrive. Again, the charges are dismissed but Fitz will be subject to visits from child services to ensure he is providing a stable home. He just needs to find a home.
40
2
"Baby's First Brothel"
Scott Smith
Derek Schreyer
October 14, 2013 (2013-10-14)
41
3
"Raising What's-His-Name"
James Allodi
Matt MacLennan
October 21, 2013 (2013-10-21)
42
4
"Pulling a Polanski"
James Allodi
Nikolijne Troubetzkoy
October 28, 2013 (2013-10-28)
43
5
"It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Loses a Fitz"
Story by : Kim Coghill & Matt MacLennan Teleplay by : Matt MacLennan
November 18, 2013 (2013-11-18)
46
8
"Brotherly Love"
Jason Priestley
Story by : Derek Schreyer Teleplay by : Josh Saltzman & Derek Schreyer
November 25, 2013 (2013-11-25)
47
9
"A Very Special Fitzmas - Part 1"
Derek Filiatrault
Story by : Sheri Elwood, Matt MacLennan & Derek Schreyer Teleplay by : Sheri Elwood, Sam Ruano & Derek Schreyer
December 2, 2013 (2013-12-02)
48
10
"A Very Special Fitzmas - Part 2"
Sheri Elwood
Sheri Elwood & Derek Schreyer
December 2, 2013 (2013-12-02)
Home video releases
Entertainment One released the first season of Call Me Fitz on DVD in Region 1 on September 27, 2011.[23] It was released on Blu-ray in Region B (The Netherlands) on October 26, 2011.[24] There was also a German Region B blu-ray of Season 1 released in 2015,[25] as well as on DVD, though no other seasons were released in that country.
Though not officially released in other regions, the Blu-ray for the season one release is available via import.[26]
Season 2 has been released in region 1 on DVD on March 13, 2012.[27] Entertainment One Benelux, the distributor of the season 1 Blu-ray, has indicated on July 9, 2012, that there are no plans to release season 2 on Blu-ray as well.[28]
Season 3 was released in region 1 on DVD on August 27, 2013.[29]
Season 4 has not been released on DVD in any territory so far (2018).
All four seasons are available as digital downloads from such sites as Amazon and iTunes in both SD and HD, but only in the USA.
^Hoegg, Jennifer (September 28, 2010). "Crooner fits Fitz soundtrack". The Kings County Advertiser / The Kings County Register. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
^Reply on inquiry (Dutch): "Helaas hebben we door tegenvallende resultaten van seizoen 1 moeten besluiten dat we seizoen 2 niet gaan uitbrengen in de Benelux." (English tr.: "Unfortunately, we had disappointing results from season 1, so for season 2, we decided not to release in the Benelux nations."
