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DETOX

Comedy - Development 2022

Rafik Johnson wants to heal the world from the patriarchy by dismantling toxic masculinity - one bear hug at a time, whether you want one or not

- Year of production
- 2022
- Genres
- Comedy, Drama, TV Series
- Countries
- CANADA
- Languages
- ENGLISH-CANADA
- Duration
- 30 mn
- Writer(s)
- Roberta MUNROE , Alison DUKE
- Producer(s)
- Alison DUKE (OYA MEDIA GROUP), Ngardy CONTEH GEORGE (OYA MEDIA GROUP)
- Synopsis
- Rafik Johnson is an underachieving but beloved neighbourhood Professor of gender studies at Dalhousie University whose life’s work is teaching other guys how to become better men. He has a special gift. It's like he can tell what a man is going through by just looking at him. His bear hugs are legendary around town, not just because he lays them on unsuspecting strangers in need and not because it's usually accompanied by a monologue guised as a critical anti-oppression intersectional theory - his bizarre techniques actually work (don’t worry, the popo’s onboard)! He always finds a way to address their unique male issue. Men react to his inappropriate gestures in different ways (his gym workouts have become the absolute most!) and, by the end of that 30 sec bear hug they all become putty in his arms. But this is just step one. To do this right, he then recommends that they book an appointment with his younger brother, Dr. Alan Johnson, a therapist in Halifax who focuses on healing folks who struggle with toxic masculinity. Alan is a trans male.
  
  Season One’s main patient is Sinclair Diggs. He’s an overachieving divorce lawyer who is terrified of sharing custody of his 8-year-old daughter Dolly, with his ex-wife Serena, and her current wife, Crystal. He and Rafik have been "brothers from another mother" since grade school. Rafiq steps in to save the day, when a brand new custody arrangement forces Sinclair into an emotional corner that he is ill-equipped to handle. The series follows Rafik as he gets down to the bottom of Sinclair’s baggage all while navigating the dysfunctions inherent in his own beautiful black family. Part comedy and one part drama, Detox explores both the light and dark side of a topic that has transformed the way we interact with each other.