18 to Life

This show had potential and I like Peter Keleghan but it just wasn't very good. The writing was not up to snuff and the jokes were all of the done before or you can see it coming variety. The acting was OK but just OK.

This was a typically bad Canadian TV comedy filled with bad jokes and lots of bad writing and acting and it just has a cheap look to it like they didn't have enough money or simply didn't care enough to make it a good show.

Michael Seater really has the magic touch with teen sitcoms. Up until now, the greatest Canadian sitcom with teen appeal was "Life With Derek"; the show was of high enough quality that Disney picked it up for its channel. Now, Michael Seater (who played Derek) stars on the next best teen sitcom to come from Canada and is arguably the best teen sitcom on the air today. Michael plays a teen newlywed married to the girl next door played by Stacey Farber. This new "Life" series is hilarious. The supporting cast, especially the four parents, are played to perfection. My favourite character is Michael's father played by the incomparable Peter Keleghan. US viewers will recognize him as Ranger Gord from "The Red Green Show". Keleghan's square-jawed good looks and comic timing make him perfect for sitcoms. Some might remember him as the pretentious boss Alan Roy in "Made In Canada". Many who know this character will find Roy Donaghy's character in "30 Rock" less than impressive as Keleghan puts Alec Baldwin to shame. I hope "18 to Life" lasts longer than "Made in Canada" did. I watched the pilot quite by accident when I turned to CBC waiting for "Little Mosque" and I have been hooked ever since. I don't watch a lot of television anymore but "18 to Life" is going to be a Monday evening ritual, just like "Corner Gas" was.

Next door neighbors Jessie Hill (Stacey Farber) and Tom Bellow (Michael Seater) impulsively get married at 18. Her parents are hippies while his parents are conservative. The two families are forced together.

Everybody's extremely likable. The young actors are sweet and attractive. The only problem is that it's a rather safe 8 o'clock show. It lacks the edge that could have distinguished it. It did last 2 years on CBC. That's better than most shows.

This was not a bad show, the comedy was really stupid but I think the show was mostly meant for kids/tweens/teens. I thought it was OK. Peter Keleghan is always great.