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in 1990, although the fact that it was seen as nomination-worthy was derided by critics as proof of the overall weakness of
Canadian television comedy in its era; in particular, the Geminis were criticized for imposing a new rule restricting the category to narrative sitcoms rather than sketch comedy
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Even MacDonald seemed less than enthused by the show, telling the press that "If they came up to me and said, 'Here's $ 300,000 an episode, go make what you want,' I would not make this. I'd make something that would be considered a little hipper, I think. This is a very normal show. It's on
Fridays
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also felt that the show had squandered its potential, opining that "the premise is fine – on paper. Cottage life, blustering
American tourists, the call of the wild, the summer getaway are things Canadians understand all too well. And, in MacDonald and Redican, the series has a couple of potentially
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wrote that "For the record, the show does have funny moments, some clever lines, and a cast that could be quite likeable. But the pluses are swept away like a floating dock in a bad storm under the barrage of moronic plots, clichéd characters and cheap sets." He compared the show to
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side. It's not, but it's OK. It's a little bit in the middle." Willis, the series creator, was also later quoted as saying that he regretted not having fought for greater creative control of the production, as he was never satisfied with the finished product either.
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The show produced 25 episodes, but was cancelled after 19 episodes had aired. Its cancellation was attributed to budget cuts rather than critical response. Reruns of the series, including the remaining six unaired episodes, aired on CBC in the early summer of 1991.
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could be set in
Michigan or old Detroit or Southern California. If CBC is going to make the expensive leap into situation comedies, why can't it follow through with something original, or at least something funny?"
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bright stars...so why constrain the talent here to scripts and situations so obviously derived from the
American model, and adapted so poorly? For all its blather about being a Canadian show,
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at 7 p.m. That's the kind of show it is. Everybody can watch it and not get freaked out. I would prefer to be a little more real towards the
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Bob
Remington, "Gemini nominees almost laughable; Canada's two best comedies don't even qualify to run, and other oddities".
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Despite its critical unpopularity, the show was more successful in
Canadian television ratings than its contemporary
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Christopher Harris, "E.N.G., Avonlea top Gemini nominees Awards in 54 categories will be handed out Dec. 2-4".
382:"Buzz on Mosquito Lake promising; Stand-up comic MacDonald says tame sitcom does manage its share of zingers".
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in the 1989–90 television season. The show, a family sitcom, starred comedian
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as Bob
Harrison, the father of a family spending the summer in a dilapidated
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as Ramona, the owner of the lake's marina. The show was created by
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as George, Bob's friend from the neighbouring cottage; and
474:"Comedy King clicks off TV; Mike MacDonald still sharp".
352:"Mosquito Lake: the worst of sitcoms past and present".
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The cast also included Mary Long as Bob's wife Rita;
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175:and Bradley Machry as their kids Tara and Brian;
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316:"TV introduces both the weird and wonderful".
570:1990 Canadian television series endings
414:"In Opposition loses its seat on CBC".
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565:1989 Canadian television series debuts
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334:"Mosquito Lake has no comic sting".
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367:"Welcome to Mosquito Lake".
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489:"Don't slam the screen".
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279:shows, which relegated
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575:1980s Canadian sitcoms
399:"La Troupe Grotesque"
322:, September 10, 1989.
195:Tony Atherton of the
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282:The Kids in the Hall
260:The Kids in the Hall
450:, December 4, 1990.
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420:, January 23, 1990.
210:meet the kids from
432:The Globe and Mail
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272:Best Comedy Series
219:Greg Quill of the
168:on Mosquito Lake.
517:Television portal
276:5th Gemini Awards
191:Critical response
156:, which aired on
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59:Country of origin
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94:Running time
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177:Dan Redican
152:television
81:of episodes
49:Dan Redican
554:Categories
459:"Stings".
304:References
97:30 minutes
89:Production
70:of seasons
29:Created by
46:Mary Long
238:Roseanne
150:Canadian
39:Starring
274:at the
166:cottage
132: (
128: –
122: (
117:Release
107:Network
208:Barney
154:sitcom
148:was a
62:Canada
403:ByNWR
288:CODCO
545:IMDb
285:and
257:and
206:and
204:Fred
134:1990
130:1990
124:1989
120:1989
543:at
216:".
79:No.
68:No.
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345:^
327:^
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84:25
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202:"
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73:1
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