My Life as a Dog (TV series)

My Life as a Dog
Based onMy Life as a Dog by Reidar Jönsson
Developed byReidar Jönsson
Donna Matson-Jönsson
David Brandes
Barbara O'Kelly
StarringMichael Yarmush
Callum Keith Rennie
Jennifer Clement
Joy Coghill
ComposerRandolph Peters
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes22
Production
Executive producersMartin Katz
Derek Mazur
David Brandes
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesAtlantis Films
Credo
Original release
NetworkShowtime[1]
ReleaseSeptember 8, 1996 (1996-09-08) –
February 2, 1997 (1997-02-02)

My Life as a Dog is a contemporary, half-hour Canadian drama series that ran for 22 episodes from September 8, 1996 until February 2, 1997. It was based on the 1985 Swedish movie of the same name and was developed for Canadian television by, among others, Reidar Jönsson, author of the original autobiographical book.[2]

It is the coming of age story of a young boy, brutally dragged away from his familiar universe into an unknown world. Though aimed at teens, it has been rated above the usual "infantile sitcoms".[3]

The series was shot on location in Winnipeg and Gimli, Manitoba. It was directed by Neill Fearnley and produced by Atlantis Films Limited and Credo Entertainment Group.[1]

Plot

After his mother's death and with his sailor father away at sea, imaginative 11-year-old Eric Johansson is sent to live in a small fishing village with his mother's twin brother, Johnny Johansson. Eric's adventures in Gimli will help him to feel at home with his new family and come to terms with some pre-adolescent uncertainties while Johnny, burdened with unexpected fatherly duties, has to make some choices he avoided to face before.

Cast

Awards

In 1997 Callum Keith Rennie won a Gemini Award for Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series for his role as Johnny Johansson. Michael Yarmush won the 1998 Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Leading Young Actor and was nominated for a YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama TV Series the same year.

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"The Arrival"Michael ScottBarbara O'KellySeptember 8, 1996 (1996-09-08)
2"Stranded"Michael ScottCharles LazerSeptember 15, 1996 (1996-09-15)
3"Root of All Evil"UnknownUnknownSeptember 22, 1996 (1996-09-22)
4"Smelly's Dark Secret"UnknownUnknownSeptember 29, 1996 (1996-09-29)
5"Tribe"UnknownUnknownOctober 6, 1996 (1996-10-06)
6"A Day in the Life"Michael ScottTony DiFrancoOctober 13, 1996 (1996-10-13)
7"Great Expectations"UnknownUnknownOctober 20, 1996 (1996-10-20)
8"Profile of the Artist"UnknownUnknownOctober 27, 1996 (1996-10-27)
9"The Fugitive"UnknownUnknownNovember 3, 1996 (1996-11-03)
10"Widgeon"UnknownUnknownNovember 10, 1996 (1996-11-10)
11"Once They Get a Taste"UnknownUnknownNovember 17, 1996 (1996-11-17)
12"The Puck Stops Here"UnknownUnknownNovember 24, 1996 (1996-11-24)
13"Soap Gets in Your Eyes"UnknownUnknownDecember 1, 1996 (1996-12-01)
14"Gimli Marathon"UnknownUnknownDecember 8, 1996 (1996-12-08)
15"The Why? Files"UnknownUnknownDecember 15, 1996 (1996-12-15)
16"Beauty and the Zit"UnknownUnknownDecember 22, 1996 (1996-12-22)
17"Return of the Undead"UnknownUnknownDecember 29, 1996 (1996-12-29)
18"All in Your Head"UnknownUnknownJanuary 5, 1997 (1997-01-05)
19"A Winter's Tale"UnknownUnknownJanuary 12, 1997 (1997-01-12)
20"Obsession"UnknownUnknownJanuary 19, 1997 (1997-01-19)
21"Blizzard"UnknownUnknownJanuary 26, 1997 (1997-01-26)
22"Where the Wind Blows"UnknownUnknownFebruary 2, 1997 (1997-02-02)

References

  1. ^ a b "'My Life As A Dog' Has New Life On Showtime". Orlando Sentinel. 18 June 1997. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  2. ^ New York Times, Canada, By Way of Sweden, a Boy and His Inner Dog, April 4, 1997.
  3. ^ New York Times, Canada, 'LIFE AS A DOG': FETCHING DEBUT, April 4, 1997. [dead link‍]