The star of films “Pineapple Express” and “Superbad,” actor and comedian Seth Rogen’s newest venture into the world of entertainment isn’t what you might expect. Instead of crafting jokes, he’s getting his hands dirty—quite literally—on the set of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down. The new reality TV show, adapted from Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down, its British counterpart, comes at a time of a surge in popularity of pottery and ceramics. The show is hosted by actress Jennifer Robertson, who played Jocelyn Schitt in the beloved comedy series Schitt’s Creek, with Rogen serving as an executive producer and guest judge alongside artists Brendan Tang and Natalie Waddell, who will also serve as judges.
From left: Jennifer Robertson, Seth Rogen, Natalie Waddell, and Brendan Tang. Courtesy of CBC.
The show brings together amateur potters from diverse backgrounds to compete in a series of pottery challenges. Potters from various areas of Canada will come together to show their skills, competing in challenges and tasks to create art and functional ceramics under the watchful eyes of judges and the occasional guidance of Rogen himself. Each episode features two challenges: the “Main Make,” and either a “Throw Down” or “Spot Test.” In the “Main Make,” potters are tasked with crafting a distinctive piece following a specific theme or brief. This challenge involves various essential stages such as building, drying, refining, glazing, and firing.
Rogen’s journey into the wonderful world of clay began with his wife, Lauren Miller, who introduced him to his first pottery class. Since then, he hasn’t looked back, often found working on pieces between takes on set and, in one episode of the new series, he even presents one of his own creations—a tribute to his hometown—combining his love for Vancouver’s landscape with his fondness for, as he puts it, “smoking a lot of weed.”
As one of the original practitioners of what Artnet’s Katie White dubbed “bro-ramics,” his commitment to the craft is evident, he has even conceptualized and designed pieces—from an ashtray set to sake drinking vessels—in a new collection on Houseplant. And according to two instructors at famed New York ceramics studios, he’s actually pretty good.
Pottery making is not only a creative and artistic pursuit but also a craft that requires patience, skill, and technical knowledge. It’s no wonder pottery has had a revival in our fast-paced lives. With classes filling up and social media platforms filled with pottery content, there’s a newfound appreciation for this ancient craft. As The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down unfolds, viewers can expect not only entertaining competition but also a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity.