Testees

The Canadian television series Testees is a comedy about two men in their 30s who, due to financial troubles, are working as test subjects for a company called Testico. The range of side effects the two have to deal with from the experimental treatments and medication lead to the majority of humor in the series. Ron and Peter, played by Jeff Kassel and Steve Markle respectively, are written in as supine roommates who bring in little to no income. During a couch hunt for money in the first episode, they reluctantly decide to return to Testico after leaving it rather emphatically prior to the shows beginning.

Testees was created by Kenny Hotz. He also wrote and produced the show along with Derek Harvie. Hotz is noted as stating that his inspiration for the show was that he would likely do what his characters do if he didn't work in television. It was filmed in Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario; running from October 9th of 2008 to December 18th of the same year. FX debuted the series and it eventually ran on Showcase in Canada not long after its start. Shortly following its single 13-episode season, the show was not renewed by FX.

Much of the shows humor was based around the vulnerabilities people are subject to in a testing site for companies. Various other characters such as Nugget and Larry Robinson provide extra depth to the relationships on the show. Kate Allens character in particular adds some intelligence and a female perspective. Jeff Kassels character, Ron, justifies the work as a service to society, though just like his friend Peter, he wants a better life. Steve Markles character has a much more pessimistic outlook. Even when things seem like they could go his way, he usually ends up experiencing the worst of any side effects or treatment.