How to Fail as a Popstar
How to Fail as a Popstar is a Canadian comedy web series, which premiered on CBC Gem in 2023.[1] Adapted from Vivek Shraya's stage play and subsequent book of the same name, the series dramatizes Shraya's early attempt at becoming a pop music star in the 2000s before finding greater success as a writer.[2]
The series stars Chris D'Silva as Shraya in childhood and Adrian Pavone as Shraya in young adulthood, with Shraya personally narrating and appearing to her younger selves in dream sequences.[2] The supporting cast includes Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves, Nadine Bhabha, Arwen Humphreys, Eric Johnson, Vanessa Matsui and Aayushma Sapkota.[1] Matsui was also the director of the series.[3]
According to Shraya, the idea behind the play, book and series adaptation was to normalize talking about failure, an experience that many people share but which is rarely depicted in scripted entertainment.[4] Concurrently with the series premiere, Shraya also released an album of music from the series, including both older tracks recorded during that era of her life and newer songs.[5]
The series had a theatrical preview screening at the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival,[6] in advance of its CBC Gem premiere in October 2023.[2]
Awards
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Work | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Screen Awards | 2024 | Best Original Program or Series, Fiction | Elise Cousineau, Caroline Habib, Laura Perlmutter, Bruno Dubé, Jennifer Kawaja, Vanessa Matsui, Vivek Shraya | Won | [7] |
Best Lead Performance in a Web Program or Series | Adrian Pavone | Nominated | |||
Best Supporting Performance in a Web Program or Series | Nadine Bhabha | Nominated | |||
Picture Editing in a Web Program or Series | Tiffany Beaudin, Pauline Decroix | Nominated | |||
Writing in a Web Program or Series | Vivek Shraya, "The Producer" | Won |
References
- ^ a b Naman Ramachandran, "Vivek Shraya Comedy Series ‘How to Fail as a Popstar’ Set at Canada’s CBC Gem". Variety, January 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c Hina Imam, "‘How to Fail as a Popstar’ asks us to make space for failure". Xtra!, October 13, 2023.
- ^ Victoria Ahearn, "How to Fail as a Popstar takes off as a limited series". Playback, January 24, 2023.
- ^ Jenna Benchetrit, "How Vivek Shraya made a TV show about her failed childhood dream of becoming a pop star". CBC News, November 4, 2023.
- ^ Nika Petrosian, "Vivek Shraya Details 'How to Fail as a Popstar' Compilation Album". Exclaim!, September 12, 2023.
- ^ Eric Volmers, "Vivek Shraya leans into 'failure' with CBC Gem series about not becoming a pop star". Calgary Herald, October 7, 2023.
- ^ Greg David, "Nominations announced for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards". TV, eh?, March 6, 2024.
External links
- How to Fail as a Popstar at IMDb
- v
- t
- e
- Arctic Vets (since 2021)
- Allegiance (since 2024)
- Bollywed (since 2023)
- Back in Time for Dinner (since 2018)
- Black Life: Untold Stories (since 2023)
- CBC Docs POV (since 2017)
- CBC Music Backstage Pass (since 2013)
- Canada's Smartest Person (since 2012)
- Canada's Ultimate Challenge (since 2023)
- Coroner (since 2019)
- Diggstown (since 2019)
- The Detectives (since 2018)
- Dragons' Den (since 2006)
- Endlings (since 2020)
- Exhibitionists (since 2015)
- Extraordinary Canadians (since 2017)
- Fakes (since 2022)
- The Filmmakers (since 2017)
- The Great Canadian Baking Show (since 2017)
- Halifax Comedy Festival (since 1995)
- Heartland (since 2007)
- High Arctic Haulers (since 2020)
- Hockey Night in Canada (since 1952)
- Humour Resources (since 2021)
- The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down (since 2024)
- In the Making (since 2018)
- Moonshine (since 2021)
- Murdoch Mysteries (since 2012)
- The Nature of Things (since 1960)
- Northern Rescue (since 2019)
- One More Time (since 2024)
- Plan B (since 2023)
- Push (since 2023)
- Race Against the Tide (since 2021)
- Run the Burbs (since 2022)
- SkyMed (since 2022)
- Son of a Critch (since 2022)
- Sort Of (2021-23)
- Still Standing (since 2015)
- Stuff the British Stole (since 2023)
- This Hour Has 22 Minutes (since 1993)
- True North Calling (since 2017)
- Under New Management (since 2019)
- Winnipeg Comedy Festival (since 2002)
- Wild Cards (since 2024)
- You Can't Ask That (since 2019)
- The Art Show (since 2017)
- Aunty B's House (since 2023)
- Beat Bugs (since 2016)
- Becca's Bunch (since 2018)
- Big Block SingSong (since 2012)
- Big Blue (since 2021)
- Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (since 2012)
- Dino Ranch (since 2021)
- Dot. (since 2016)
- Holy Baloney (since 2018)
- Jessie & the Gumboot Kids (since 2018)
- Kingdom Force (since 2019)
- Lazoo (since 2017)
- Molly of Denali (since 2019)
- PJ Masks (since 2015)
- Remy & Boo (since 2020)
- Scout & the Gumboot Kids (since 2015)
- The Studio K Show (since 2017)
- Super Agent Jon Le Bon! (since 2018)
- The Thrillusionists (since 2018)
- True and the Rainbow Kingdom (since 2017)
- Ukulele U (since 2022)
- Wandering Wenda (since 2017)
- Will's Jams (since 2014)
- You & Me (since 2014)
- Canadian Reflections (since 1978)
- Absolutely Canadian (since 2012)
- CBC News Network (simulcast; 2016)
- The Fifth Estate (since 1975)
- Marketplace (since 1972)
- The National (since 1954)
- The Passionate Eye (since 1993)
- Rosemary Barton Live (since 2020)
- Locals Welcome
- North of North
- Saint-Pierre
- Small Achievable Goals
- Snotty Nose Rez Kids
- 21 Black Futures
- The 410
- Best in Miniature
- Bit Playas
- Broad Appeal: Living with E's
- Canada's a Drag
- The Communist's Daughter
- Decoys
- Detention Adventure
- For the Record
- Ghosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan
- Good People
- Hey Lady!
- How to Buy a Baby
- How to Fail as a Popstar
- I Hate People, People Hate Me
- Ming's Dynasty
- The New Wave of Standup
- Overlord and the Underwoods
- Queens
- Revenge of the Black Best Friend
- Save Me
- Telling Our Story
- Undisrupted
- Utopia Falls
- You're My Hero
- Zarqa
![]() | This article relating to a comedy television series in Canada is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e