Hiccups (TV series)

Hiccups
Title card
Genre	Sitcom
Created by	Brent Butt
Starring	Nancy Robertson Laura Soltis David Ingram Emily Perkins Paula Rivera Brent Butt
Country of origin	Canada
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	26 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Brent Butt Laura Lightbown David Storey
Location(s)	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Running time	30 minutes
Release
Original network	CTV The Comedy Network
Original release	March 1, 2010 – August 28, 2011
External links
Website

Hiccups is a Canadian television series created by Corner Gas star Brent Butt, who is also the writer, show runner and executive producer of the program.^[1] The series was produced by Laura Lightbown and David Storey and airs on CTV and The Comedy Network. The pilot was shot in late March 2009 with the rest of the series to begin shooting in September 2009. The show premiered on CTV on March 1, 2010; the same night as Dan for Mayor, a series starring fellow Corner Gas alumnus Fred Ewanuick.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Hiccups returned for a second season on May 30, 2011 at 8pm ET.^[7][8] CTV has not renewed Hiccups and Dan for Mayor for a third season.^[9]

Synopsis

The series stars Nancy Robertson (a Corner Gas co-star) in the role of Millie Upton. Millie is the successful author of a series of children's books about characters called "Grumpaloos". Millie has anger management issues, which are referred to as "hiccups," giant outbursts and could be described as a giant fit of depression. These outbursts are immediate, so they are prone to happen at any time. After being told that she needs some help controlling her anger issues, Millie finds a man named Stan Dirko (Butt), whom she hires as her life coach. Stan is significantly underqualified for his profession, which Millie never notices.

Characters

• Nancy Robertson as Millie Upton, a neurotic, emotionally-unstable children's author who is often happy but quick to anger.
• Brent Butt as Stan Dirko, Millie's life coach. Stan is a bit of a loveable loser, geeky, and quirky.
• Laura Soltis as Joyce Haddison, Millie's publisher; a serious, thriving businessperson surrounded by colourful characters.
• David Ingram as Taylor Rymes, Millie's literary agent Taylor; a slick, smooth-talking, conceited guy who is more interested in women than his job.
• Emily Perkins as Crystal Braywood, a spoiled, sarcastic rich girl who strongly dislikes her job as Joyce's receptionist.
• Paula Rivera as Anna Dirko, Stan's loveable wife, a professional gardener.

Episodes

Season		Episodes	Originally aired
			Season premiere	Season finale
	1	13	March 1, 2010	June 28, 2010
	2	13	May 30, 2011	August 28, 2011

DVD release

Entertainment One released Season One on DVD in Region 1 on January 11, 2011.^[10]

Reception

Rob Salem of the Toronto Star stated that, "What the network may perceive as Hiccups' greatest asset turns out to be its greatest liability. Butt's appearance onscreen – which he was, I gather, reluctantly persuaded to do by the network – is a distraction from this singular showcase for his wife's considerable comedic skills."^[11]

Canadian ratings

Seasonal ratings

Season	Timeslot	Season Premiere	Season Finale	TV Season	Viewers (100'000s)	Rank
1	Monday 8:00PM	March 1, 2010	June 29, 2010	2010	9.72	#1[12]

Episodic ratings

#	Episode	Viewers (millions)	Rank (Week)
1	"Millie, Meet Stan"	1.90	15[13]
2	"Strata's Fear"	1.16[14]	n/a
8	"Watch and Learn"	0.49[15]	n/a
10	"Model Patient"	0.30[16]	n/a
13	"You Schmooze, You Lose"	0.50[17]	n/a

Awards and nominations

Year	Presenter	Award	Work	Result
2010	Gemini Awards[18]	Best Photography in a Comedy, Variety, Performing Arts Program or Series	Anton Krawczyk	Nominated
2011	Canadian Comedy Awards[19]	Best Performance By a Female - Television	Nancy Robertson - Hiccups	Nominated
	Leo Awards[20]	Best Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	Brent Butt, David Storey, Laura Lightbown, Nancy Robertson, Arvi Liimatainen	Won
		Best Direction in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	James Dunnison	Won
		Best Screenwriting in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	David Moses	Won
		Best Picture Editing in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	Lisa Binkley	Won
		Best Performance or Host(s) in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	Nancy Robertson	Won
2012	Leo Awards[21][22]	Best Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	Brent Butt, Nancy Robertson, David Storey, Laura Lightbown, Arvi Liimatainen	Won
		Best Screenwriting in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	Brent Butt	Nominated
		Best Performance or Host(s) in a Music, Comedy, or Variety Program or Series	Nancy Robertson	Nominated

References

1. "CTV Orders New Comedy Pilot From Brent Butt" (Press release). CNW Group. October 2, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
2. "'Gas' leads to 'Hiccups' for comedian and TV star Brent Butt". The Canadian Press. CP24. October 2, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
3. "Strategic stability: CTV and 'A' Fall 2009 schedules announced". Bell Media. June 2, 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
4. "All-new original CTV programs 'Hiccups,' 'Dan for Mayor' and 'The Bridge' to premiere in March". CTV. February 2, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
5. "All-new original CTV programs 'Hiccups,' 'Dan for Mayor' and 'The Bridge' to premiere in March". CTV. February 2, 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
6. "Second season to premier May 30th 2011 at 8pm ET". Channel Canada. May 9, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
7. "'Corner Gas' creator Brent Butt puzzled by Gemini snub". CTV.ca. 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-08-26.
8. "CTV Announces Industry-Leading 2010-2011 Canadian Television Package". StockMarketsReview.com. 2010-06-03. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
9. "CTV axes 'Hiccups,' 'Dan for Mayor,' 'So You Think You Can Dance Canada'". The Canadian Press. September 13, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
10. Lambert, David (December 23, 2010). "Hiccups - The Canadian Comedy Comes to DVD in Mid-January". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
11. Still a few Hiccups, Toronto Star, 01 March 2010, http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/article/773102--salem-still-a-few-hiccups-to-overcome
12. Jun 01 2010 (2010-06-01). "TV, eh? » Ratings: Most-watched for 2009-10". Tv-eh.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
13. "Top Programs – Total Canada (English) March 1 - March 7, 2010" (PDF). BBM.ca. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
14. Brioux, Bill (2010-03-10). "TV Feeds My Family: House Call Bad Medicine for Hiccups, Mayor". Tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
15. Brioux, Bill (2010-04-21). "TV Feeds My Family: Hockey Hammers Hiccups, Dan For Mayor". Tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
16. "TV Feeds My Family: Break No Boost for Hiccups, Dan For Mayor". Tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.com. 2010-06-08. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
17. Jun 30 2010 (2010-06-30). "TV, eh? » Ratings: Hiccups, Dan For Mayor get 1/2 million for finales". Tv-eh.com. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
18. "2010 Winners - 25th Annual Gemini Awards". Tribute.ca. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
19. "Nominees". Canadian Comedy Awards. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
20. "2011 Leo Awards Official Winners by Program" (PDF). Leo Awards. June 7, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
21. "2012 Leo Awards Official Winners by Program" (PDF). Leo Awards. May 20, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
22. "2012 Leo Awards Official Nominees by Program" (PDF). Leo Awards. May 4, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2012.

External links

• Official website
• Hiccups at CTV.ca
• Hiccups at the Internet Movie Database
• Hiccups at TV.com