YTV show encourages holiday giving
By Cheryl Minns, Arts Editor
At 9:30 a.m. on November 30, the cast of YTV’s upcoming comedy series, Some Assembly Required, gathered at Toys “R” Us in Coquitlam to go on a shopping spree. But this was no ordinary shopping trip—the toys these actors were searching for were to be donated to the Salvation Army, courtesy of funds raised by the Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Clubs, for children in need this Christmas.
“The shopping will be a blast, but I think when the kids get their stuff is what I’m the most excited about,” said Dylan Playfair, who plays the thrill-seeker Knox in the series.
“I’m excited for the cast to work together,” said Sydney Scotia, who plays the popular girl Geneva. “We’re so privileged to do something together with the Salvation Army.”
Armed with $4,000 and suggestion lists for various age groups and genders, the cast set out to find the perfect gifts in two hours of fun-filled toy shopping for a cause.
Some Assembly Required is a children’s sitcom about a group of teens that take over Knickknack Toys to make toys that kids will actually enjoy. It will premiere on YTV on January 6, but you can get a sneak peek by attending one of the live studio audience tapings in Burnaby.
“The entire point of the show is to leave people with a feeling of happiness. And there’s double-tiered jokes,” Playfair said. “There’s a lot of dialogue that goes over kids’ heads, so a parent or young adult could sit down and watch the show and be fully entertained.”
Such jokes include political humour or suggestive innuendos, some of which will never make it to air if YTV decides it doesn’t fit the show. So if you want to see all the crazy jokes and additional scenes in an episode, the cast recommends you attend a live taping.
“Regardless of the content of the show, I think it’s really beneficial for anyone in college or university, adult or child to come out and check it out because they get to see how TV shows are actually made,” Playfair said.
The cast describes the show as a dream job because it was created by Dan Signer and Howard Nemetz, the team behind popular Disney sitcoms like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Mr. Young.
“I watched Suite Life all the time when I got home from school. Now I’m a part of one of those shows where I know kids are rushing home to watch us,” said Harrison Houde, who plays nerdy Bowie. “It’s like a childhood dream being fulfilled.”
Live tapings happen every Friday at the show’s studios at 5828 Byrne Road in Burnaby. Tapings are scheduled for December 6, December 13, and January 10.
You can reserve a seat in the live studio audience by calling 604-433-0779 or emailing someassemblylive@gmail.com
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/someassemblytv or follow @someassemblytv.
