Nirvanna The Band The Show "The Beginning" (lost stealth episode of Canadian mockumentary TV series; 2018)

Promotional poster for Nirvanna The Band The Show.

Status: Lost

Nirvanna The Band The Show is a 2017 Canadian mockumentary television series created by and starring Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol as they attempt to get a gig at the Toronto venue The Rivoli, despite not actually having any material to perform. While the show only aired two seasons on Viceland consisting of 16 episodes, the series has maintained a dedicated cult following and is currently available for streaming in Canada on CBC Gem.^[1]

Current Status

A third season has been completed, however no networks have expressed interest in the series due to complex legal issues stemming from the series’ heavy utilization of fair use law and incidents where the crew filmed on private property without permits. Notable examples being when the duo "stole" a map from the Royal Ontario Museum, recorded a bootlegged copy of Star Wars: The Force Awakens at a movie theater and filmed an entire episode at the Canada’s Wonderland amusement park without consent.

Stealth Broadcast

During production of the unaired third season, Viceland Canada decided to air an unfinished version of the Season 3 premiere "The Beginning" on March 2nd, 2018.^[2] While not much is known about the episode, the plot supposedly revolved around an origin story involving Matt and Jay’s friendship.^[3] Prior to the broadcast, series cinematographer Jared Raab encouraged fans not to watch or distribute the episode, as Vice had scheduled the airing against the crew’s wishes. The episode was not rebroadcast and Viceland Canada would shut down later that month on March 31, due to Rogers and Vice Media breaking off their agreement.

No recordings of the broadcast have surfaced and as of 2023, "The Beginning" remains the final episode of Nirvanna The Band The Show to be aired.

Gallery

Jared Raab's first Facebook comment concerning the stealth season premiere.
Jared Raab's second Facebook comment concerning Nirvanna The Band The Show's third season premiere, after contacting Viceland directly.
Videotron PVR listing of the episode.