“Practically born on the ice, thanks to dad”
A Canadian family will make a loud curling-themed appearance on a TV game show next week.
Armed with curling jackets, brushes and a mock stone, the Routledge clan from Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Que. will try their luck on Family Feud Canada. Their show, hosted by comedian Gerry Dee, airs Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET on the CBC network.
“This whole adventure was such an incredible experience for our family, and we are so excited for the episode to air,” said Jill Routledge, the ringleader behind the family’s appearance on the show.
“I applied to the show by submitting a video; I didn’t even run it by my family first,” said Routledge. “But I knew they would be on board. I’ve been organizing at-home ‘Family Feud’ games with family and friends since I was a kid, so it felt like the natural next step to take a shot at the real thing.”
The family has a championship pedigree. Jill and her sister Alanna won the 2020 Quebec STOH championship, with Alanna also competing at the 2023 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Alanna, who is the Executive Director of Curling Quebec, also won national mixed bronze with skip and TCN contributor Mike Fournier in 2013.
In the audition, Jill shared that hers is a curling family that was “practically born on the ice thanks to our dad… and really, what is more Canadian than that?” said Routledge.
“Not long after sending the video, I heard back from the casting team and from that moment on we were ready.”
The Routledge sisters and their brother Adam are “now well into our 30s” and they still curl together every Thursday night in a mixed league.
Routledge says the squad rounded out their Family Feud team with their longtime better halves, Fred and Dee. “They don’t curl themselves but we actually met them both through our curling club, so it felt like the perfect fit to have them join us.”
Proud dad Gerry, their “forever coach, on and off the ice” was cheering from the audience, proudly wearing his matching Routledge jacket.
In a fun behind-the-scenes moment, host Gerry Dee showed off his best curling delivery stance. Routledge reports that Dee is a fan of the game, and mentioned that he has met Lisa Weagle, the former member of Team Rachel Homan who placed top four at the Olympic Trials in mixed doubles with John Epping.
Team Routledge’s episode of Family Feud Canada airs Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBC, or folks can stream it on CBC Gem.
Families have the potential to play up to three episodes, if they continue winning.
“I can’t share the outcome of our episode,” Routledge confirmed, “but let’s hope for the best!”