Ah, Canada. Our neighbors to the north are something of an enigma to most of us here in the US. Other than stereotypes about poutine and politeness, what is Canada really up to? Luckily for us, it’s creating some of the best comedy shows the world has ever seen, and the latest example is the unbelievably hilarious Letterkenny.
Focusing on the fictional small town of Letterkenny, Ontario (modeled after series creator Jared Keeso’s hometown of Listowel, Ontario), the main characters are local farmer Wayne, his younger sister Katy, and their farmhands/best friends Daryl (usually called “Dary”) and Squirrely Dan. They belong to the hicks, one of the four groups mentioned in the first episode’s cold open. Their interactions with the town meth heads (skids), hockey players, and Christians form the basis of the show.
I’m sure the show has been compared to Trailer Park Boys by now, and it’s not that there aren’t similarities. However, the comedy in Letterkenny is derived from the understated and often deadpan style, as opposed to TPB’s unhinged lunacy. Jared Keeso as Wayne is a tour de force; his facial expression almost never changes from one of stern disapproval, and his self-proclaimed status as the “toughest guy in Letterkenny” is constantly challenged by local ne’er-do-wells with names like Sled Ted, Rat Ass, and Joint Boy. Other eccentric locals include the “upbeat and horny” bartender Gail, Serbian-Scottish agricultural enthusiast McMurray, and Pastor Glen, who, like Gail, harbors an unrequited lust for Wayne.
The real meat of the laughs in Letterkenny is the lightning-quick dialogue, impeccable wit, and the Canadian slang. Terms like “big shoots,” “snipe,” “Schmeltz,” and “donnybrook” (respectively, someone who is trying too hard, a score in a game of hockey or an attractive girl, a rookie hockey player, and a fight involving more than two people) are just the beginning. There is simply too much to discuss all in one article, so you’ll have to check the show out yourself for more glorious examples of Letterkenny slang. Suffice it to say that the hockey players’ chemistry and their own unique idiom will make your face hurt from laughing (Squirrely Dan and his storytelling have a similar effect).
As the series progresses, many of the jokes are intertwined with each other and develop new facets while maintaining the original punchline, much like Arrested Development. As the gags get more and more absurd, more of the characters get in on them, creating a surreal feeling, as you wonder how many times you’ve seen a given bit and can’t even remember where it started. The characters develop their own specific idiosyncrasies over time, such as Squirrely Dan’s tendency to needlessly pluralize words, the hockey players’ puffed-up macho act (and the barely-contained rage of their coach), Gail’s near-constant state of arousal, and the escalation of simple topics between Wayne, Dary, and Squirrely Dan into esoteric discussions on the differences between tabletop condiments in Canada vs. the US.
Hopefully we have many more years of Letterkenny ahead of us; the first two seasons have arrived on Hulu, and there are three more waiting in the wings. Like I said before, there is simply not enough room in this article to discuss the various intricacies of the show in the detail they deserve, so you’ll have to dig in for yourself and see what it’s all about. Or as Wayne would say: Figure it out.
Overall rating: 9 out of 10
