If you haven’t seen this truly local TV show, or even heard of the book, I highly suggest you watch it now!
Local author Douglas Coupland wrote JPod back in 2006 and it was picked up by CBC in 2008 as a TV show. With Alan Thicke’s name attached to the show, it seemed like a keeper. Unfortunately, the show only lasted 13 episodes and when CBC announced that it was canceling the show, fans protested. I guess it was inevitable – the show got moved to the dreaded Friday night 9pm slot, where almost all TV shows seem to go to die.
The show (and book) centres around a group of five game designers, whose last names all begin with the letter J. They work at Neotronic Arts (gee, doesn’t that sound familiar?), and they’ve pretty much figured out the system to do as much or as little work as they want… until a new boss shows up. The show is very clearly set in Vancouver, with SFU setting the stage for Neotronic Arts headquarters and various parts of North Vancouver as the main character’s home. Check out a very comprehensive preview below.
Bonus!! Some of you may recognize Kaitlin from her very, very brief scene in Battlestar Galactica (also filmed in Vancouver).
While the TV show got canceled, it did cover quite a bit of what happened in the book- albeit some parts were changed to create a slightly different storyline from the book. Since CBC took down their jPod microsite, I guess we’ll have to settle with jPod: Season 1 on DVD from Amazon.
6 Comments
First, I just came across your blog and I think it’s great
Second, it’s funny you mention Douglas Coupland because I just saw some of his designs in the window of my local Roots store. I guess he dabbles in more than just writing (maybe this is old news and I’m simply behind the times, which is very much a likely possibility =P)
Thanks for the comment, Mike! You’re absolutely right – Coupland does a lot more than just write. He went to art school and does a lot of satirical art. A lot of his work focuses around the satire of consumerism. But seriously, if you enjoyed Office Space, you definitely need to check this series out!
Loved both the book and the show! Sad it was cancelled. It was nice to see SFU being featured
Not a problem, Lesley! Like I said – it’s a great thing you’ve got here.
You know, I haven’t read the book, but I happen to work for Neotronic Arts =P I should really give it a read, and, as you mentioned, possibly give the series a gander at the same time
I’ll admit I have yet to read Coupland’s book, but I totally loved the TV show on CBC. Seeing it moved to Friday night was tough to take, because you’re right – it’s where forgotten shows go to die a lonely death.
Great show and book. I love Douglas Coupland’s work.