Canada’s CTV Announces New Half-Hour Original Comedy Children Ruin Everything

OTTAWA (January 30, 2020) – Canada’s leading television network, CTV, announced today from Prime Time in Ottawa its newest original series CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING. The new, half-hour MADE®-in-Canada comedy showcases one couple’s efforts to reclaim a piece of their old lives which are continually thwarted by their young children in surprising and absurd ways. But somewhere in the toy-filled, pee-stained wreckage of what they once had, they find a new life that’s pretty good, too.

The series has been in development at CTV since 2016 and is now set to begin production in Spring 2020 in and around Toronto. Casting is underway. From award-winning L.A.- and Toronto-based producer New Metric Media, 

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING

 is created by veteran comedy writer and producer Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK, KIM’S CONVENIENCE). Alongside Smeaton, one of television’s premier comedy writers, Chuck Tatham (MODERN FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) joins multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (LETTERKENNY, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?) as executive producer, with Beth Iley (KILLJOYS) serving as producer. “This is a hilarious series with broad, universal comedy at its heart, from an amazing creative team in Kurt and Chuck together with our talented partners at New Metric Media,” said Mike Cosentino, President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. “Commissioning this new series also provides the opportunity to deliver a hit series for CTV while simultaneously expanding the roster of titles for our Bell Media Distribution catalogue.” Cosentino also confirmed that Bell Media Distribution has stepped up to become the series’ International Distributor, and has subsequently named New Metric Media as its exclusive Sales Agent for the program. 

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING

 joins LETTERKENNY in New Metric Media’s growing comedy catalogue. “We are thankful to Bell Media for continuing to double down on unique Canadian voices and excited for CTV to amplify them,” said Mark Montefiore, President of New Metric Media. “Kurt is a comedic genius with an authentic point of view around being a modern parent that's as funny as it is relevant." “When I first became a father, some people told me my life was over and others said I would love every second,” said Kurt Smeaton, Creator and Executive Producer. “It’s been such a privilege to make a show about how both sides are right.” 

CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING

 is a New Metric Media and Bell Media Studios production, and is produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund. Bell Media Distribution is the international rights holder. New Metric Media is the series exclusive Sales Agent. For CTV, Chris Kelley is Production Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Director, Comedy Original Programming; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media; Pat DiVittorio is Vice-President, CTV and Specialty Programming. Mike Cosentino is President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media.

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