'Men With Brooms' headed for small screen as CBC-TV curling comedy
TORONTO - A sitcom based on the Paul Gross curling movie "Men With Brooms" has been picked up by CBC-TV.
The broadcaster says the ensemble comedy will be part of a slate of new series it plans to announce in the spring. The show is about a group of four guys who hang out in the same small-town curling club that was featured in the 2002 movie.
But the story takes place several years after the original tale and features all new characters and cast members.
Executive producer Paul Mather says Gross makes a guest appearance in the first episode as curling star Chris Cutter.
No air date has been set.
Mather, who wrote the pilot and serves as showrunner, says the cast consists mainly of young, unknown actors from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
"It's a really fast-paced thing and I think it's actually pretty modern and funny," says Mather, whose writing credits include CTV's "Corner Gas" and CBC's "Little Mosque on the Prairie."
"I'm quite happy with how it turned out, but it's definitely something that everybody can watch."
Mather is also the executive producer behind CTV's upcoming sitcom "Dan for Mayor," which debuts March 1. The 13-episode series is about a hapless bartender played by "Corner Gas" alum Fred Ewanuick and his run for mayor of a small Ontario town.
Mather says he may have to do some juggling if "Dan for Mayor" gets picked up for a second season while he's working on "Men With Brooms."
"Hopefully it won't conflict because it would be like choosing between your children," he says.