Brothers TV
Encyclopedia
Brothers TV is a Canadian
comedy variety television series originally broadcast on Access
in 2004 and then OUTtv
in 2005. The series was created by and starred real life brothers Andy and Josh Rimer
and included sketch comedy segments, hidden camera pranks, conversations with strangers, and comical debates.
. From combining Josh's passion for acting and Andy's love of pranks came the pitch for the series. When it was suggested they make a demo a 15 minute video was produced and sent to various production companies. That led to an offer to send the brothers to Hollywood to pitch their series. Television executives were receptive to their idea but concerned about their lack of experience. It was suggested they make a few episodes and then try again. Brothers TV began production in August 2004 and was filmed in Calgary, Alberta. After making three episodes they thought to air them themselves so they purchased airtime on Access, Alberta's public television station. The series debuted at 1:30am on 2 October 2004. A total of eight episodes were made.
describes the series as "a mixture of Tom Green
, Saturday Night Live
, Candid Camera
, and The Tonight Show
." Having viewed early footage of the series Stephen W. Smith of FFWD Weekly described the series as "lowbrow comedic stuff that is ever-so-watchable". He went on to say that "Josh and Andy don’t have to stoop to the Jackass
level of depravity to garner legitimate laughs."
After airing on Access the show was bought by OUTtv
in 2005 and began airing on the cable channel on 4 September 2005. Though only eight episodes where produced the series continued to be shown on OUTtv through the summer of 2008.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
comedy variety television series originally broadcast on Access
Access (TV channel)
CTV Two Alberta is a Canadian English language entertainment, information, and educational television channel in the province of Alberta...
in 2004 and then OUTtv
OUTtv
OUTtv is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that airs entertainment and lifestyle programming for LGBT audiences.OUTtv's licensee is OUTtv Network Inc. which is 55.9% owned by Shavick Entertainment, 24.94% owned by Pink Triangle Press, 15% owned by Peace Point Entertainment...
in 2005. The series was created by and starred real life brothers Andy and Josh Rimer
Josh Rimer
Josh Rimer is a Canadian comedian, video actor, and producer. He is most commonly known for his video work on YouTube and is currently a YouTube Partner.-Early Life & Career:Originally from Red Deer, Alberta, Rimer later moved to Calgary...
and included sketch comedy segments, hidden camera pranks, conversations with strangers, and comical debates.
Production
Brothers TV was inspired by Andy's desire to make a website for himself and a 30 second sketch was recorded via a webcamWebcam
A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...
. From combining Josh's passion for acting and Andy's love of pranks came the pitch for the series. When it was suggested they make a demo a 15 minute video was produced and sent to various production companies. That led to an offer to send the brothers to Hollywood to pitch their series. Television executives were receptive to their idea but concerned about their lack of experience. It was suggested they make a few episodes and then try again. Brothers TV began production in August 2004 and was filmed in Calgary, Alberta. After making three episodes they thought to air them themselves so they purchased airtime on Access, Alberta's public television station. The series debuted at 1:30am on 2 October 2004. A total of eight episodes were made.
Reception
Laura Tester of the Red Deer AdvocateRed Deer Advocate
The Red Deer Advocate is a daily newspaper in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.Published by Black Press, the newspaper was first established in 1901 as the Red Deer Echo, changing its name to Alberta Advocate in 1903 and Red Deer Advocate in 1906...
describes the series as "a mixture of Tom Green
The Tom Green Show
The Tom Green Show is a North American television show that first aired in September 1994 on Rogers Television 22, a community channel in Ottawa, Ontario, until 1996, and was later picked up by The Comedy Network in 1997...
, Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, Candid Camera
Candid Camera
Candid Camera is a hidden camera/practical joke reality television series created and produced by Allen Funt, which initially began on radio as Candid Microphone June 28, 1947...
, and The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
." Having viewed early footage of the series Stephen W. Smith of FFWD Weekly described the series as "lowbrow comedic stuff that is ever-so-watchable". He went on to say that "Josh and Andy don’t have to stoop to the Jackass
Jackass (TV series)
jackass is an American reality series, originally shown on MTV from 2000 to 2002, featuring people performing various dangerous, crude, ridiculous, self-injuring stunts and pranks...
level of depravity to garner legitimate laughs."
After airing on Access the show was bought by OUTtv
OUTtv
OUTtv is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that airs entertainment and lifestyle programming for LGBT audiences.OUTtv's licensee is OUTtv Network Inc. which is 55.9% owned by Shavick Entertainment, 24.94% owned by Pink Triangle Press, 15% owned by Peace Point Entertainment...
in 2005 and began airing on the cable channel on 4 September 2005. Though only eight episodes where produced the series continued to be shown on OUTtv through the summer of 2008.