Second Jen
{{Short description|2016 Canadian television sitcom}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
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| caption =
| genre = Sitcom
| writer =
| director =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Amanda Joy
- Samantha Wan
- Munro Chambers
- Al Mukadam
- Janet Lo
- Atticus Mitchell
- Nile Seguin
- Lily Gao
}}
| theme_music_composer =
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| country = Canada
| language = English
| num_seasons = 3
| num_episodes = 18
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer =
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| editor =
| camera =
| runtime = 30 minutes
| company = Don Ferguson Productions
| network = City (first season)
Omni
| first_aired = {{Start date|2016|10|27}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2021|03|21}}
}}
Second Jen is a Canadian television sitcom that premiered on City on October 27, 2016.[http://www.570news.com/2016/06/06/city-unveils-201617-prime-time-schedule/ "City unveils 2016/17 Prime-Time schedule"]. 570 News, June 6, 2016. The series is produced by Don Ferguson Productions and stars Amanda Joy and Samantha Wan as Mo and Jen,[http://playbackonline.ca/2016/07/21/second-jen-starts-rolling/ "Second Jen starts rolling"]. Playback, July 21, 2016. two young East Asian Canadian women experiencing the ups and downs of being independent after moving out of their parents' homes for the first time.[https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2016/08/09/second-jen-breaks-sitcom-ground-with-two-asian-women-in-lead-roles.html "Second Jen breaks sitcom ground with two Asian women in lead roles"]. Toronto Star, August 9, 2016. Joy and Wan are also co-creators and writers for the series.
Following its release in 2016, the series received mixed reviews.{{Cite web|url=http://dorkshelf.com/2016/10/27/second-jen-review/|title=Second Jen Review|first=Susan|last=Stover|date=October 27, 2016|website=Dork Shelf|access-date=October 31, 2016}} In 2018, Omni Television announced it had commissioned a second season.{{cite web | url=https://www.straight.com/movies/989576/omni-renews-canadian-multicultural-tv-series-blood-and-water-second-jen-mangoes | title=Omni renews Canadian multicultural TV series Blood and Water, Second Jen, Mangoes | date=November 2017 }}{{Cite news|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2018/07/25/rogers-sets-second-jen-return/|title=Rogers sets Second Jen return|access-date=August 2, 2018}} It premiered on August 4, 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://www.tv-eh.com/2018/08/03/second-jen-returns-for-long-awaited-second-season/|title=Second Jen returns for long-awaited second season|date=2018-08-03|work=TV, eh?|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-CA}}{{Cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/television/second-jen-is-back-and-taking-aim-at-hot-topics|title=Second Jen is back and taking aim at hot topics|date=2018-08-02|work=Vancouver Sun|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-US}} On February 8, 2019, the second season was nominated for Best Comedy Series by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.{{Cite web|url=https://www.academy.ca/nominees/|title=Nominees - Academy.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-23}} The third and final season premiered February 14, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tv-eh.com/2021/01/28/second-jen-season-3-premieres-february-14-on-omni-tv/|title=Second Jen Season 3 premieres February 14 on OmniTV|language=en-US|date=January 28, 2021}}Greg David, [https://www.tv-eh.com/2021/03/24/second-jen-ends-after-three-seasons-on-omni/ "Second Jen ends after three seasons on Omni"]. TV, eh?, March 24, 2021.
Cast and characters
- Amanda Joy as Jennifer 'Mo' Monteloyola
- Samantha Wan as Jennifer 'Jen' Wu
- Munro Chambers as Nate (Season 1)
- Al Mukadam as Lewis (Season 1)
- Janet Lo as Bunny
- Atticus Mitchell as Garth (Season 1)
- Nile Seguin as Alister
- Lily Gao as Karen
- Lovell Adams-Gray as Marcus (Season 2)
- Oscar Moreno as Diego
- Andrew Bushell as Riley (Season 3)
- Isabel Kanaan as Scout (Season 3)
Episodes
{{Series overview
| color1 = #05A5BD
| link1 = #Season 1 (2016)
| episodes1 = 6
| start1 = {{Start date|2016|10|27}}
| end1 = {{End date|2016|12|1}}
| color2 = #AEDDE7
| link2 = #Season 2 (2018)
| episodes2 = 6
| start2 = {{Start date|2018|8|4}}
| end2 = {{End date|2018|9|8}}
| color3 = #AC1F24
| link3 = #Season 3 (2021)
| episodes3 = 6
| start3 = {{Start date|2021|2|14}}
| end3 = {{End date|2021|3|21}}
}}
=Season 1 (2016)=
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Couch Surfing
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Jenny Has the Gay
|DirectedBy =
|WrittenBy =
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|11|3}}
|Viewers =
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Re-Tales
|DirectedBy =
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|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|11|10}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Borrow-a-Buddy Forever
|DirectedBy =
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|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|11|17}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Pap Fiction
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|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|11|24}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Asian Night
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=Season 2=
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Forecast Calls for Wedding Showers
|DirectedBy = Romeo Candido
|WrittenBy = Carly Heffernan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|8|4}}
|Viewers =
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = The Break In
|DirectedBy = Romeo Candido
|WrittenBy = Carly Heffernan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|8|11}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Like a Girl
|DirectedBy = Romeo Candido & Samantha Wan
|WrittenBy = Amanda Joy
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|8|18}}
|Viewers =
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = The Book of Jenesis
|DirectedBy = Romeo Candido
|WrittenBy = Amanda Joy
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|8|25}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = No Escape Room
|DirectedBy = Romeo Candido
|WrittenBy = Carly Heffernan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|9|1}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = AEDDE7
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Wall Squirrelly
|DirectedBy = Romeo Candido
|WrittenBy = Carly Heffernan & Amanda Joy
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|9|8}}
|Viewers =
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}}
=Season 3=
{{Episode table |background=#AC1F24 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR={{cite web |title=Second Jen – Listings |url=https://tvlistings.gracenote.com/overview-affiliates.html?programSeriesId=SH02497981&tmsId=SH024979810000&from=TVGrid&aid=gapzap |website=Zap2It |access-date=February 22, 2021}} |viewers= |country=Canada |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Vive Le Conflict Resolution
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|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|2|14}}
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|EpisodeNumber = 14
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Happy Birthday
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Sense and Sensuality
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|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|2|28}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Exes and CEOS
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|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|3|7}}
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = In Session
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{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Balikbayan
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Development
Show creators Amanda Joy and Samantha Wan met on the set of the 2014 film Devil's Mile.{{Cite web|url=http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6931509-shot-and-set-in-toronto-second-jen-airs-thursdays-on-city/|title=Shot and set in Toronto, Second Jen airs Thursdays on City|website=www.insidetoronto.com|date=October 30, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016}} Tired of auditioning for the same stereotypical East Asian roles, they discussed creating their own work together.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yomyomf.com/canadas-new-sitcom-second-jen-stars-two-asian-canadian-women-in-lead-roles/|title=Canada's New Sitcom "Second Jen" Stars Two Asian Canadian Women In Lead Roles|website=www.yomyomf.com|access-date=October 31, 2016}}
Joy and Wan stated that their show was originally rejected at an unnamed Canadian pitch contest.{{Cite web|url=http://popj.ca/features/2016/amanda-joy-and-samantha-wan-debut-culturally-diverse-canadian-sitcom-second-jen-0012432|title=Samantha Wan and Amanda Joy debut culturally diverse Canadian sitcom 'Second Jen'|website=popj.ca|access-date=October 31, 2016}} It later went on to win Best Television Pitch at NexTV L.A. in 2013,{{Cite web|url=http://www.nextventertainment.com/blogs_view.php?id=387|title=Winners of the 2013 Writing & Pitch Competition|website=www.nextventertainment.com|access-date=October 31, 2016}} before being picked up for development with Rogers. Joy wrote the original pilot script,{{Cite web|url=http://films.blanksuniverse.ca/2014/04/reelworld-film-festival-2014-identity.html|title=ReelWorld Film Festival 2014: The "Identity" Shorts}} with Wan directing alongside Joseph O'Brien.{{Cite web| title=Asian heritage month festival 2014 | url=http://www.vmacch.ca/alpha/archives/documents/film2014.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031152110/http://www.vmacch.ca/alpha/archives/documents/film2014.pdf | archive-date=2016-10-31}} The original spec pilot screened at Toronto's Reelworld Film Festival in 2014,{{Citation|title=Katie Chats: ReelWorld, SAMANTHA WAN & AMANDA JOY LIM, FILMMAKERS, SECOND JEN|date=March 31, 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAe-xPXd4ts|access-date=October 31, 2016}} as well as Toronto's Asian Heritage Month.
Reception
Prior to the release of the show, Tony Wong of the Toronto Star published an article declaring Second Jen "groundbreaking" in its depiction of two female East Asian leads "as if we had already arrived in a post-racial world."{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2016/08/09/second-jen-breaks-sitcom-ground-with-two-asian-women-in-lead-roles.html|title=Second Jen breaks sitcom ground with two Asian women in lead roles {{!}} Toronto Star|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=August 9, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016|last1=Wong|first1=Tony}}
Brad Oswald of the Winnipeg Free Press praised Second Jen, calling it "Sharp, funny, slightly cheeky and smartly in tune with this country’s diverse demographic mix." Oswald wrote that "while it’s fair to say that attitude plays a bit part in this likable series’ early success, there are actually several elements that make Second Jen a must-see production."{{Cite news|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/TV/amusing-autumn-ahead-398737951.html|title=Amusing autumn ahead|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|date=October 27, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016|last1=Oswald|first1=Brad}} Oswald also praised the strength of the cast noting that Joy and Wan are particularly "likeable and relatable" in the lead roles of Jen and Mo.
Toronto Life
Brad Wheeler of The Globe and Mail hailed the show as "A Laverne & Shirley for the Digital Age" as it stars "two sparky second-generation Asian-Canadian millennial women coming of age in an era so economically challenging that Laverne and Shirley would be crying in their beers instead of merrily goofing off at the bottling plant."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/second-jen-a-laverne-shirley-for-the-digital-age/article32548177/|title=Second Jen: A Laverne & Shirley for the digital age|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|access-date=October 31, 2016}}
In contrast, John Doyle, also of The Globe and Mail, panned the show, calling it "light, slight, silly and only occasionally outright funny [...] Second Jen is notable for having two female Asian lead characters but it is not notable, nor funny, as a comedy."{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/john-doyle-diversity-good-comedy-mild-and-mediocre-on-second-jen/article32537055/|title=John Doyle: Second Jen's diversity is good, but its comedy is mediocre|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|access-date=October 31, 2016}}
References
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External links
{{Portal|Television|Canada}}
- {{IMDb title|5865052}}
{{City Network Shows (current and upcoming)}}
Category:Citytv original programming
Category:2021 Canadian television series endings
Category:Omni Television original programming
Category:2016 Canadian television series debuts
Category:2010s Canadian sitcoms
Category:2020s Canadian sitcoms