11-year-old Jake Thompson has created N..L's only puppet talk show

It may be the fastest-growing talk show in Newfoundland and Labrador — it features some of the province's biggest stars — and it's hosted by two puppets.

Jake Thompson, and 11-year-old St. John's resident, is devoting himself to NL Now, a YouTube talk show he's created with the help of his two puppets, Gary and Wheeseltin.

The show has played host to YouTuber Matt Shea, comedian Snook and musician Terry Rielly.

"Gary, he interviews local celebrities, and musical guests perform," Jake told the St. John's Morning Show. "And Wheeseltin goes out and checks out local places around the province."

In September, CBC's Cecil Haire visited NL Now as part of the second season of the series. He spoke about new technologies that affect his job each day, and managed to take a selfie with Gary.

Jake says he spends hours each day writing and creating NL NOW — "As soon as I get home from school, up until when I go to school the next morning."

So far, his show has won about 160 subscribers, but the 11-year-old is eager to see it grow.

The YouTube series began in March, but Jake says his love of puppets began much earlier: since he was just two years old

"I got season one of The Muppet Show, and I kept watching it over and over again, so much it actually broke," Jake explains.

On the show, Gary and Wheeseltin are in fact father and son. Wheeseltin, 30, was drafted into the family business, and forced into the role of roving reporter.

"I sort of had no choice to do this, cause dad really wants me out of the house all the time," the puppet said, through Jake.

Puppet club

Alongside his directing and producing duties, Jake is looking for like-minded children (between 8 to 12) to start a puppet club.

The participants will learn all about puppets, and what goes in to producing NL Now.

"So far only two people have signed up, so we need more people," he says.

Anyone interested in the club can email Jake, or find his page on Facebook.