Toronto content creator and blogTO video journalist, Taylor Patterson, introduces ICONS, a brand new half-hour satirical workplace comedy.
The Toronto media landscape has seen a rise in homegrown comedies as of late. There’s Sasha Leigh-Henry’s Canadian Screen Award-winning comedy Bria Mack Gets A Life, Anthony Q. Farrell’s Shelved, as well as Jasmeet Raina’s Late Bloomer and Jae and Trey Richard’s Office Movers, both of which were renewed for second seasons.
Now, there’s a new comedy entering the chat. ICONS is a half-hour satirical workplace comedy from local content creator and blogTO video journalist, Taylor Patterson. The series is set around a fictitious Toronto media outlet called The Buzz Room. The show follows a group of misguided “journalists” as they compromise their integrity in search of fame, no matter the price. Filled with pop culture references, physical comedy, and contemporary satire on real life stories, the series draw inspiration from shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Atlanta.
“The show is heavily inspired by the endless newsfeeds we scroll through every day…ICONS is the much-needed satire for the lunacies we’ve grown numb to.”
Although comedic, the series doubles as a commentary on modern day clickbait journalism, made famous by outlets like TMZ, WorldStarHipHop, and The Shade Room.
“The show is heavily inspired by the endless newsfeeds we scroll through every day”, Patterson explains. “Contemporary journalism is in such a bizarre state—where sensationalism takes precedence over research and critical thinking. The series pulls from real headlines we’ve all seen over the past few years—many so absurd you couldn’t make them up if you tried. ICONS is the much-needed satire for the lunacies we’ve grown numb to. Sometimes, you have to take a step back to see the bigger picture.”
The series, inspired by Patterson’s experience as a biracial content creator in Toronto, boasts an impressive cast, including viral comedian Tresor Gray, Made for TV’s Eden Graham, actresses Jewell Bowry and Jacqueline Ashton, with cameos by internet sensation Jesse Jaurji, MuchMusic’s Kwesi Kwarko-Fosu, and legendary singer, songwriter, and performer, Shawn Desman.
Still in development, Patterson has big aspirations for the series which extend beyond entertainment. In a time when representation is still lacking on our TV screens, ICONS features an all Black cast and looks to create “essential conversations about the evolution of Black media, representation, and cultural narratives”, Patterson said.
Looking at the preview and clips released thus far, ICONS is equal parts clever and entertaining, and exactly the kind of representation and funny that Canada needs.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 340 international voters for the 81st and 82nd Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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