Letterkenny

Letterkenny is unlike any other show on television right now, and possibly unlike any other television show ever. Right from the first episode, it feels as though the characters speak another language. Not because of any type of regional accent or dialect (though both are present), but the speed and nonchalance of the witticisms delivered primarily by the stars of the show. Fortunately, the show is an ensemble piece with distinct characters who all get their time to shine.

A significant thread of the series revolves around Wayne’s quest for love, though so much is going on that this observation hits as an afterthought. Most of the emotion is underplayed, with the effective exception of the Skids, including Stewart and Roald (Evan Stern). The Hicks’ cutting barbs wouldn’t have nearly the same comedic impact delivered with overdone expressions or raised voices. The show feels as though it allows its actors to play, yet such precise dialogue likely requires effort to nail the expert timing.

The show, shot in and around Sudbury, Ontario using a mix of interior sets and expansive landscapes, carries an intimate feel throughout. If you’re from a small town yourself, every location feels like someplace you’ve been and know extremely well, and that familiarity extends to the characters themselves. They speak to one another like they’ve been acquainted for years, as though we viewers have been dropped into the middle of their lives for a peek inside.

Proud of its Canadian setting, the show uses numerous jokes inspired by famous citizens like Don Cherry and Terry Fox, as well as more subtle references, like how the guys from Quebec are always dressed in blue (the main color on Quebec’s provincial flag). Music is an integral part of the show, with episodes often featuring a slow-motion montage set to a pounding beat. Keeso takes extra effort to include music by independent Canadian artists whenever possible.

Even with the decidedly Canadian feel, the themes of the show are universal enough to appeal to any audience. I grew up in semi-rural Saskatchewan, so each episode feels like a quick trip home. It’s an excellent escape show with endlessly quotable one liners that fans toss back and forth.