Hi “Iris”,
Part 5.
Sitcom idea.
Love,
Dad
David, a 60-year-old retired autistic man, finds himself living in a house full of international students, setting the stage for a sitcom full of quirky, unexpected, and often hilarious situations. His life is far from the glamorous image of the Playboy Mansion; instead, it’s more of a humorous contrast between a retired senior and young university students living on a budget. From the day he moved in four years ago, David’s environment has changed drastically—from living with three male roommates who kept the house bustling with activity, to his current setup with three female roommates, where the atmosphere is now much more peaceful and almost meditative. The daily interactions between David and the international students offer a rich tapestry of comedic moments, from cultural misunderstandings to the strange assortment of food everyone eats, including David’s plain Canadian meals.
The sitcom would follow David’s journey from a man with severe autism symptoms to someone who no longer displays any symptoms, all while attempting to prove that his autism diagnosis is inaccurate. His obsession with disproving his diagnosis leads him to write a book about why autism isn’t true, adding to the odd charm of his character. Over the years, his roommates witness his transformation, even as they have no idea what David actually does. To them, he’s a mysterious figure who leaves the house every day, with some even believing he’s a secret agent. One student even follows him to the library to watch him write, only to find it disappointingly boring.
The house itself is a character in the sitcom, located next to a busy transit station and a large bridge. The Wi-Fi constantly cuts out, becoming a never-ending struggle that David turns into a comedic routine, leading to an ongoing joke about his belief that some of the international students are actually spies sending secrets back home. The house is also due for demolition in a few years, so the landlord isn’t too concerned with upkeep. David’s eccentricity adds to the humor, as he plays pranks on his roommates, like refilling their hand soap for six months straight and then suddenly stopping, or playing invisible chess in the backyard to see if anyone will question him. No one does.
David’s financial struggles are another theme woven throughout the show. Being poor and retired, he lives just like the students, taking the train and adhering to a tight budget. His simple pleasures, like eating deep-fried chicken wings in a hotel room while watching Netflix, become the stuff of legend among his roommates. His Keto diet and refusal to wear anything other than black t-shirts, jeans, and shorts add to his lovable, idiosyncratic persona. While his roommates often mistake him for a university student due to his frugal habits, they also can’t help but speculate about his love life—or lack thereof. Is David gay? Celibate? Or just an autistic loser? The big mystery keeps everyone guessing.
Throughout the series, episodes would focus on the various autistic traits David has supposedly disproven, while also offering hilarious stories about the lives of the international students. Whether it’s the fire alarm constantly going off because someone insists on cooking on high heat, or David saving the tenants from a landlord trying to raise the rent unlawfully, the show blends humor with heartfelt moments. David’s roommates bring in a whirlwind of cultures, and their contrasting lifestyles, personalities, and beliefs collide in the most comedic and endearing ways. Whether it's navigating language barriers, dealing with noisy nights, or questioning whether the house is haunted, the dynamics between David and the housemates make for endless entertainment.
All in all, David’s life in this international household, paired with his unique quirks and relentless quest to challenge his autism diagnosis, creates the perfect backdrop for a sitcom full of laughs, bizarre pranks, and surprisingly touching moments. The big question of whether David will ever truly find peace with himself—and maybe even a love life—adds a layer of depth to the humor, making his story one that viewers will want to follow every week.
Hi, I'm David - Part 5