The setup is simple: A nerdy kid navigates Catholic school, first crushes, bullies, and the chaos of a blue-collar family in a quirky seaside town. 1. The setting is a character. Newfoundland isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the soul of the show. The showrunners lean hard into the specific cultural details—the accents, the saltwater humor, the resilience, and the "snowmageddon" level weather. Even if you’ve never been to "The Rock," you’ll feel the cold wind and the warm kitchens.
If you haven’t stumbled onto this CBC (and CW) gem yet, allow me to offer a recommendation: clear your Sunday evening. You’re about to get hooked. Based on the bestselling memoir by comedian Mark Critch (yes, the guy from This Hour Has 22 Minutes ), the show is a semi-autobiographical look at growing up in 1980s St. John’s, Newfoundland. Son of a Critch
Mark Critch (the adult) playing Mike Critch (the father) is a meta act of genius. He isn’t playing a sitcom dad; he’s playing a tired, loving, sarcastic 1980s everyman. He doesn’t give pep talks; he gives reality checks. When young Mark says he wants to be a writer, Mike replies, "You mean a starving writer?" It’s brutal, but it’s love. The setup is simple: A nerdy kid navigates
This isn't a laugh-track show where you’re told when to chuckle. The humor comes from character and misery. Young Mark’s attempts to impress a girl inevitably end with him covered in cafeteria slop. His attempts to fit in with the "cool kids" end with him accidentally starting a rumor about the principal. It is cringe-comedy done right—painful, but kind. A word on the heart Underneath the slapstick and the sarcasm, Son of a Critch is a deeply tender show. It deals with grief, financial struggle, and the fear of never fitting in. But it does so with a light touch. Newfoundland isn’t just a backdrop; it’s the soul
Yes, there are rotary phones, VHS tapes, and hair band posters. But Son of a Critch doesn't use the 80s as a gimmick. It uses the era to show a time when kids had actual freedom (and actual danger). The jokes about smoking behind the shed or trying to buy a Penthouse magazine at the corner store hit a very specific, very funny nerve for Gen X and elder Millennials.
Do yourself a favor: Grab a mug of tea (or a soda pop), put on a sweater, and spend some time in St. John’s. You’ll leave smiling.