New series a blend of live-action, animation
With Canada-centric programming fervently marking the country’s 150th birthday (see: The World Without Canada, Canada: The Story of Us and the upcoming Canada in a Day, among others), it only seems right that kids are invited to the party. Consider Canada Crew their RSVP.
The new series, a blend of live-action and animation, features three puppets: Bebe the Beaver, Mo the Moose and Gavin the Canada goose. Over 26 seven-minute episodes, they travel to each province and territory to explore the things that make the country super-cool, like specific foods, pastimes, animals and the national anthem.
For show creator Ben Mazzotta, the series fills a hole in the kids TV landscape. “I didn’t see enough TV shows for kids that are quintessentially Canadian,” he says. “Canada Crew represents everything I love about my country.”
In one episode, Bebe and Mo build a canoe and meet Olympic kayaker Adam van Koeverden. A hockey-based instalment features NHL legend Darryl Sittler, while the Canada Day one gets face time with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.
“All the guest stars were amazing. I get a kick out of watching a celebrity being interviewed by puppets,” says Mazzotta. “Madame Sophie Grégoire Trudeau was a joy to meet. Charismatic, smart and easygoing. And, of course, my childhood hero Darryl Sittler. The man’s a legend.”
Geared toward four- to six-yearolds, Canada Crew debuts Monday on TVO in Ontario. New episodes air Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It’s also available on the TVOKids YouTube channel.