18 to Life: Season 1 (2010)

What would your parents do if you announced that you were going to be getting married at 18 years old? Would they be supportive, and treat you as the adult you technically are? Or would they do everything in their power to prevent this matrimony from ever occurring? This scenario is explored weekly on the CBC series 18 to Life. The first season was recently released on DVD.

Stacey Farber (best known as Ellie on Degrassi: The Next Generation) stars as Jessie, a young woman just out of high school who decides to marry her long-time neighbour and 18 yearold Tom, after a proposal brought on by a game of truth or dare.

Jessie and Tom come from two completely different families. Jessie's parents are hippies, and while they do have concerns about the impending nuptials, and the institution of marriage in general, are supportive of Jessie.

Tom's parents, on the other hand, are on the conservative side, and seek to put the kibosh on the wedding. Tom's father is played by Peter Keleghan, a veteran of Canadian series such as Red Green, The Newsroom and Made in Canada. He may be the highlight of the show.

Eventually, after much arguing and scheming, the marriage actually does take place. Then the two youngsters must deal with a few minor details — chiefly where they are going to live, and how they are going to pay for it. These are of course big issues for any couple, especially ones with the handicap of being so young, and trying to work school into the equation.

The series was actually criticized by some when it aired on the CW network in the U.S. for showcasing such a young married couple. Go back a few decades, however, and 18 wasn't considered that young to be getting married. Go back even further, and someone 18 years old was considered middle-aged!

The young couple eventually find a home, in the attic of Tom's parent's house. But with that obstacle out of the way, there are still plenty more to face, including meddling parents.

There is not exactly a rich history of successful Canadian sitcoms. In the 1970s, King of Kensington fared very well. Then there was nothing much to speak of for the next three decades before Corner Gas premiered. 18 to Life definitely has an uphill struggle, fighting against a history of failure in the genre; however, it has a very interesting premise and a great cast, so it has a chance to break the Canuck sitcom curse. Season two premiered earlier this month on CBC, so go out and grab the season one DVD and get caught up.