Developed for Canada's Family Channel—and airing stateside on the Disney Channel—Life with Derek vaulted over the competition to become the number one show in its time slot, and must-see TV for both nations' ‘tweens. Essentially a reworking of The Brady Bunch—with considerably more “edge” than that nostalgic favorite—the show revolves around 15-year-olds Derek Venturi (Michael Seater) and Casey MacDonald (Ashley Leggat), who are thrown together when Casey's mom (Jordan Todosey) weds Derek's dad (Daniel Magder), and the two families are blended under one roof. Although the younger siblings find a way to peacefully coexist, Derek and Casey become locked in an immediate and ongoing struggle for the Venturi home's “alpha teen” title. The 13 episodes from the 2005-06 first season quickly settle into a comfortable groove, with favorites including “The Poxfather,” in which Casey suspects from Derek's odd behavior that he's involved in something illegal, and “Male Code Blue,” which finds Derek sabotaging Casey's budding romance with his best friend Sam (effective second banana Kit Weyman in a recurring role), thereby setting off a familial conflagration. There's no mystery about the show's appeal, which owes its success almost entirely to its two young stars: Seater is a charming schemer in the mold of Saved By the Bell's Zack Morris, while Leggat manages to be simultaneously feisty and adorable. DVD extras include interviews with cast and crew, a behind-the-scenes featurette, set tours, and a photo shoot. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
Life with Derek: The Complete First Season
Koch, 2 discs, 353 min., not rated, DVD: $29.98 Volume 24, Issue 1
Life with Derek: The Complete First Season
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