‘Shoresy’ creator Jared Keeso on casting Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger in new comedy series: ‘a good time’ - Toronto Star

In 'I Kill the Bear,' Keeso also plays Gabby Thibault, one of three bear-wrangling Franco-Ontarian brothers.

“I don’t want to be anywhere but (Canada),” said “I Kill the Bear” creator Jaren Keeso, who also plays Gabby Thibault.

Jared Keeso was known as a dramatic actor earlier in his career, winning a Gemini Award for portraying hockey coach Don Cherry in “Keep Your Head Up, Kid” and accolades for playing a street cop in “19-2.” But for the last decade, the Listowel, Ont., native’s name has been synonymous with Canadian comedy as the creator and star of the witty and profane series “Letterkenny” and “Shoresy.”

His latest, “I Kill the Bear,” debuts on Crave on Friday. In it, Keeso plays Gabby Thibault, one of three brothers carrying on their family’s century-old bear-wrangling business, overseen by their protective younger sister, Andrée (Sarah-Maude Beauchesne).

The brothers dress alike in sweaters, overalls, thick-framed glasses and Davy Crockett hats while speaking in exaggerated French-Canadian accents. Beset by greedy Hollywood producers, actors grasping at fame, scandalous rumours about their work and a rival wrangler with questionable methods played by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, brothers Gabby and Cedric (Jonathan Torrens) exhibit an uncomplicated, almost childlike kindness, while Olivier (Georges St-Pierre) is diverted by the darker aspects of the internet.

Keeso, centre, with Jonathan-Ismaël Diaby and Terry Ryan, also created the comedy series “Shoresy.”

The family lives by three principles: be kind; be respectful; mind your own business.

Keeso, 41, rarely gives interviews anymore, preferring to let his work speak for itself, but he agreed to an email Q&A with the Star.

Where did the concept for “I Kill the Bear” come from?

Multiple concussions as a kid, probably.

Pretend I don’t know anything about the show. How would you describe it in your own words?

It feels like it’s satirizing a lot of things: Hollywood, cancel culture, performative wokeness, fame, social media obsession … What made you want to take these on?

I don’t know the clinical term for it.

Why do you think it’s become complicated to be kind?

Because evil internet algorithms are systematically draining our humanity.

Are there any movies and TV shows you were inspired by as you were creating “I Kill the Bear”?

The casting is quite eclectic. You’ve got not only actors from the “Shoresy”-“Letterkenny” family and Canadian comic legends like Scott Thompson and Jonathan Torrens, but also MMA fighter-actor Georges St-Pierre and Chad Kroeger, who’s never acted outside of his music videos. What was it about these people that made you want to cast them?

I go on a hunch that people will do well in parts I’ve written for them. I’ve had good luck there.

I’m interested in Kroeger in particular. How did he end up on your radar?

If you think the lead singer of Nickelback would be a good time on a comedy show, you are correct.

What made you decide to centre “I Kill the Bear” on a Franco-Ontarian family?

I like the Quebecois accent, and I thought making these characters Franco-Ontarian would give us more freedom to have fun with it.

How did you and the team come up with the accents for Gabby and Cedric?

Jonathan Torrens and I listened to hours and hours of Georges St-Pierre interviews and compiled a list of his unique pronunciations of English words. Negotiate equals “nega-shate”; completely equals “complit-lee,” etc. I framed this list and gave it to Georges as a wrap gift.

How did you and the team come up with the look for the Thibault brothers?

It is critical to the story that the Thibaults be harmless, and I thought putting them in infantile wardrobe would help me keep them rooted there.

How important is it to you that you’re able to pursue a career making Canadian shows in Canada?

I don’t want to be anywhere but here. I love every second of it. I am grateful for every second.

Are your shows made specifically with a Canadian audience in mind?

I have to think about audiences outside of Canada as well, but it’s not polite to talk about money.

Have you had any personal experience with a bear?

I saw one on a quad trail in Merville, B.C., one time.

Debra Yeo is a freelance contributor to the Star’s Culture section. She is based in Toronto. Follow her on X: @realityeo.