For lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan Will Arnett, understanding heartbreak is second nature. That deep-seated resilience, forged through decades of sports disappointment, is now channeled into his most personal project yet: the divorce comedy Is This Thing On?, which opens in Toronto on December 19 before expanding across Canada on January 9.
From Sports Heartbreak to Personal Healing
Arnett, the Toronto-born comedian and co-host of the popular SmartLess podcast, recently reflected on how being a fan of the Leafs and Blue Jays has shaped his outlook. "I think that being a Toronto sports fan teaches you to be resilient," he stated during a promotional visit to the city. He believes the eventual Stanley Cup victory will be "all the sweeter" for the long-suffering fanbase. This theme of enduring pain and finding strength directly parallels the journey of his new film's protagonist.
A Seven-Year Journey to the Screen
Is This Thing On? is a passion project for Arnett, who co-wrote the script with Bradley Cooper and Mark Chappell, with Cooper also directing. The film is inspired by the real-life story of British comic John Bishop. Arnett was moved after Bishop shared how he stumbled into stand-up comedy as an unexpected coping mechanism during his divorce. "From the time I met John Bishop to our first screening was seven years and a month. It was a long road," Arnett revealed.
In the movie, Arnett plays Alex Novak, a struggling father of two who attempts stand-up to process his separation from his wife, Tess, portrayed by Laura Dern. The role demanded significant preparation, both for the stand-up performances and the raw emotional acting required. "There was prepping for the standup and prepping as an actor; stripping away everything I thought I knew about acting to portray this character in an authentic way… That was probably the most daunting part," he admitted.
A New Chapter in a Storied Career
This film represents one of the most demanding roles for Arnett, whose career spans from his breakout as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development to narrating the Amazon docuseries All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs. Drawing from his own life experiences, including his 2016 separation from actress Amy Poehler, Arnett brings a layer of authenticity to the story of finding humor and catharsis in life's lowest moments.
Is This Thing On? promises to be a poignant yet funny exploration of modern divorce, middle-age crisis, and the unexpected ways people rebuild their lives, proving that sometimes the microphone can be as powerful a tool for healing as any therapy session.
