Man, Derek!

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Television series
German title	Man, Derek!
Original title	Life with Derek
Country of production	Canada
original language	English
Year (s)	2005-2008
length	22 minutes
Episodes	78 in 4 seasons
genre	Sitcom
Theme music	Man, Derek!
idea	Daphne balloon
production	Daphne Ballon, Bernice Vanderlaan
First broadcast	September 18, 2005 (USA) on Disney Channel
German-language first broadcast	December 8, 2007 on Super RTL
occupation
Main actor: Michael Seater (Derek) Ashley Leggat (Casey) Daniel Magder (Edwin) John Ralston (George Venturi) Joy Tanner (Nora MacDonald) Jordan Todosey (Lizzie MacDonald) Ariel Waller (Marti) Supporting cast: Catherine Burdon (Linda Davis) Shadia Simmons (Emily) Kit Weyman (Sam)

Man Derek! is a Canadian sitcom by Family in cooperation with the Disney Channel , which is currently mainly broadcast on various branches of the Disney Channel. The fourth season has been broadcast on the German Disney Channel since November 17, 2008, and comprises 18 episodes of 23 minutes each.

action

A divorced man named George Venturi, who has custody of his two sons, Derek and Edwin, and daughter Marti, marries a divorced woman, Nora, who has two daughters, Casey and Lizzie.

Up to that point, Casey MacDonald was perfectly happy with her life. Growing up in a household with her mother and sister suited her well and made her a self-sufficient and independent young woman.

When she gets a stepfather, two stepbrothers and a stepsister, a new school, a new house, all in all a new life, Casey has to fight for a place in the new family. The rivalry between Casey and Derek is one of the main themes of the series.

In the episode "Don't Take a Tip From Me," George reads a newspaper called the London Chronicle to show that the family lives in London , Ontario . In another episode, "All Systems No Go", he refers to himself as "George from London". In a later episode, George speaks of Niagara Falls , which should not be far away, which would also speak for Canada as a place of residence.

The rivalry

Before joining a blended family, Casey and Derek were very happy with their roles as firstborn children, including the great influence they had on family decisions. When their families "mingled," everyone sought the upper hand: Casey by "obeying the rules" and Derek by force and manipulation. Complicating the situation is that Derek and Casey are in the same high school grade. The situation is more difficult for Casey as she has to make new friends. Both teens are used to speaking their thoughts out loud, especially when trying to get their respective parents on their side.

From time to time the rivalry intensifies, causing the two to constantly try to use the one-upmanship tactic to achieve their goal, even if that means they are sneaky and risking house arrest. Sometimes it doesn't matter who gets in their way, friends or family. In her efforts to find her place at home and at school, Casey learns to "loosen up" and break a few rules, while Derek occasionally "goes the right way" and puts family interests before his own gain, even if it does means it will help Casey.

The series includes several cutaway scenes in which different family members (usually those involved in a problem) deal with each other in a way that is symbolic of the current situation. These scenes are shown without script and background.

Despite Casey's and Derek's constant squabbles and disagreements, they know that it helps to cooperate for a common goal or to use the other for their own selfish agenda. Although the rivalry continues, sometimes they try to help each other. This benefits not only their relationship, but also that of their parents.

Characters

The MacDonalds

• Joy Tanner as Nora MacDonald

• Ashley Leggat as Casey MacDonald
• Jordan Todosey as Lizzie MacDonald

The Venturis

• John Ralston as George Venturi
• Michael Seater as Derek Venturi
• Daniel Magder as Edwin Venturi
• Ariel Waller as Marti Venturi

family

MacDonald relatives

• Sarah Gadon as cousin Vicki
• Tara Manuel Rigal as Aunt Fiona
• Rick Roberts as Dennis MacDonald (Nora's ex-husband / father of Casey and Lizzie)

Venturi relatives

• Jennifer Wigmore as Abby Venturi (George's ex-wife / mother of Derek, Edwin, and Marti)
• Barbara Gordon as Aunt Madge
• Lisa-Marie Bonotello as cousin Mary

Friends

• Shadia Simmons as Emily, Casey's best friend who had a crush on Derek. She is now with Sheldon Shlepper.
• Arnold Pinnock as Paul, Casey's advisor
• Kit Weyman as Sam, Derek's best friend and Casey's ex-boyfriend
• Lauren Collins as Kendra, popular girl and Derek's ex-girlfriend
• Robbie Amell as Max Miller, Casey's friend
• Shane Kippel as Ralph, one of Derek's friends and band member
• William Greenblatt as Sheldon Shlepper
• Keir Gilchrist as Jamie, one of Lizzie's friends who is secretly in love with her.
• Kate Todd as Sally, Derek's collaborator

Guest stars

• Ryan Cooley as Frank
• Alex House as Trevor
• Hannah Lochner as Michelle
• Kayla Mills as Amy
• Lara Amersey as Lucy
• Cameron Ansell as Teddy
• Cyrus Aazam as Clink
• Adam Butcher as Noel
• Robert Clark as Patrick
• Michael Kanev as Tinker
• AJ Walsh as Jake

school

Derek and Casey both go to Sir John Sparrow Thompson High School. The school mascots are "The Bears". With a few exceptions, each episode features at least one scene with Casey and Derek at their school. Casey makes frequent visits to Paul, the school psychologist. School is also the place where the popular Derek is dizzy while the perfectionist Casey strives for good grades and tries to find her place.

synchronization

role	actor	Voice actor
Derek Venturi	Michael Seater	Johannes Wolko
Casey MacDonald	Ashley Leggat	Andrea Imme
Edwin Venturi	Daniel Magder	Tobias John von Freyend
George Venturi	John Ralston	Gerd Meyer
Nora Venturi	Joy Tanner	Susanne von Medvey
Lizzie MacDonald	Jordan Todosey	Lara Alexandra Wurmer
Marti Venturi	Ariel Waller	Liv Wagener
Emily	Shadia Simmons	Katharina Berthold
Sam	Kit Weyman	Benedikt Gutjan
Kendra	Lauren Collins	Maren Rainer
Sally	Kate Todd	Marieke Oeffinger

Episode list

Web links

• Man, Derek! at fernsehserien.de
• Man Derek! in the IMDB (English)