Canadian Comic Gerry Dee Gets CBC Sitcom

TORONTO -- The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. has handed out a full-season order to Mr. D, a sitcom that stars Toronto school teacher-turned-comic Gerry Dee (Last Comic Standing).

The comedy pilot from Topsail Productions was produced by Michael Volpe and Gerard Donoghue, with Steve Wright as director.

The CBC also gave a full season order to the Rhombus Media comedy Michael Tuesdays and Thursday, from writer and actor Bob Martin.

The pilot starred Martin, Martha Burns and Jennifer Irwin, and was directed by Don McKellar. Sari Friedland produced.

In all, the CBC renewed 17 series for new seasons, including Little Mosque on the Prairie, Being Erica and Battle of the Blades.

The CBC gave no renewals Friday to 18 to Life, a Montreal-set sitcom from Galafilm, or the Men With Brooms comedy from Entertainment One Television and Serendipidity Point Films.

The pubcaster was also tight-lipped about other CBC pilots in its development hopper, including Henry Starts Again from Entertainment One Television, The Lowe Life, from veteran indie producer Bernie Zukerman and his production shingle Indian Grove Productions, and Trust, a one-hour drama from indie producer Jennifer Holness at Hungry Eyes Film & Television.