# Life with Derek (2005)

> Two teenage step-siblings wage constant rivalry for dominance over the five kids in their newly combined household.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/4413

## Facts

- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 70
- Episode runtime: 30 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: comedy, family
- Network: Family Channel
- Cast: Michael Seater, Ashley Leggat, Jordan Todosey, Ariel Waller, Joy Tanner, John Ralston, Daniel Magder, Sarah Gadon
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0438719/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: breezy, comforting, playful, light, warm

## What critics say

Critics have not broadly reviewed the series; its audience reception is modestly positive as a light family sitcom.

## Synopsis

Life with Derek (2005-2009) is a Canadian family sitcom created for the Family Channel. Fifteen-year-old Derek Venturi (Michael Seater) and fourteen-year-old Casey MacDonald (Ashley Leggat) are the oldest siblings in their separate households until their parents marry, merging five kids under one roof. Their constant rivalry for top dog status drives each episode, as the two teens plot schemes at school, with friends, and against their younger siblings in a series of funny family battles. Principal supporting cast includes Jordan Todosey as Lizzie MacDonald, Ariel Waller as Marti Venturi, Joy Tanner as Nora McDonald Venturi, and John Ralston as George Venturi. The series runs four seasons and seventy episodes of thirty minutes each, a sitcom built on episodic household mishaps rather than a continuing plot. Its tone is light, breezy and warm, with a focus on everyday domestic chaos in a middle class home. Fans of The Brady Bunch, Malcolm in the Middle and Sabrina the Teenage Witch will find familiar comfort in its family antics.

## Shows like Life with Derek

- [Sister, Sister (1994)](https://ember.film/tv/3574)
- [Life Unexpected (2010)](https://ember.film/tv/18487)
- [I'm in the Band (2009)](https://ember.film/tv/19944)
- [Bonus Family (2017)](https://ember.film/tv/61854)
- [Even Stevens (2000)](https://ember.film/tv/3043)
- [I Didn't Do It (2014)](https://ember.film/tv/48718)
- [Greek (2007)](https://ember.film/tv/1163)
- [Fam (2019)](https://ember.film/tv/71137)
- [The Dumping Ground (2013)](https://ember.film/tv/40705)
- [My Perfect Landing (2020)](https://ember.film/tv/82198)

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