New TV Show Set in Vancouver

crazyjoeda · June 18th, 2005, 02:44 AM

Follows, McKinney up in Arms
By BILL BRIOUX, Toronto Sun

If you like quirky, anthology dramedies (anybody still reading?), you might like Robson Arms. It premieres tonight on CTV, with back-to-back episodes starting at 10 p.m.

The series, which dates back B.C.G. (before Corner Gas), stars several familiar Canadian faces, including Margot Kidder, John Cassini, William B. Davis, Megan Follows, Mark McKinney and Will Sasso. Corner Gas regulars Gabrielle Miller and Fred Ewanuick also grab some face time.

I vaguely recall doing a phoner with Kidder over a year ago about her episodes; wish I could find that tape (and an analogue machine that could still play it). I do remember her telling me the show was sexy and offbeat and fun.

All true, judging by the pilot I screened (Dancing the Horizontal Mambo, featuring Follows and McKinney).

Follows plays a newly separated mom who moves into the broken down B.C. apartment where the anthology takes place. Follows' character is beyond stressed and depressed. Her light fixtures are full of bugs. The lid to the toilet tank is missing. Her ex-hubby, according to her precocious 10-year-old, is in Burnaby, "shacked up with jail bait."

The Boy overhears the sleazy superintendent say all his mom needs "is a poke" and sets out to match her up with the widowed lawyer upstairs (McKinney).

Hilarity ensues, sorta. Like the ramshackle apartment building it is named after, Robson Arms is a real fixer upper. The script coulda used a little more hammering and polish. Split up with commercials, that indie film thing thing gets old fast.

Follows and McKinney gamely make the most of their roles. There's a spark of something here, a little Arrested Development or even Corner Gas potential.

CTV seems to have lost interest, however, burning it off on Fridays during the summer doldrums. "Canadian Television," thanks for the cheque, back to being the Jerry Bruckheimer network next September.

Bottom line: If you like hearing kids swear, or just always wanted to hear the F-word come flying out of Anne of Green Gables' mouth, this show is for you.

Tonight also marks the Canadian debut of Beauty and the Geek, (8 p.m., CTV, also Wednesdays on The WB), a new reality series from Punk'd producer Ashton Kutcher. The premise: Seven hot but brainless babes are hooked up with seven nerdy brainiacs. There's a spelling bee for the girls, (Bimbo: "B-I-M-B-O"), massage lessons for the guys, even a go at actual rocket science.

Will the geeks suddenly become cool or will the babes all become losers? Will Kutcher burn in hell for this someday? With TV, so many questions.

Show Website

Westcoast604 · June 18th, 2005, 04:59 AM

Just looking at the pics on that website, I officially hate Canadian television. Nobody in the West End looks like that. These shows just continue to insult our country over and over again by making us out to be the cheesiest people on the planet. What they should do is just follow around a group of real West End residents, not make up some show that plops characters typical of some hick Canadian town into a Robson St apartment and call it Vancouver. Angers the blood. Don't make the show at all if you cant even get the characters right.

Nutterbug · June 18th, 2005, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westcoast604

Just looking at the pics on that website, I officially hate Canadian television.

Does Trailer Park Boys bring about some redemption?

rt_0891 · June 18th, 2005, 07:38 AM

Makes the West End look like a bunch of spoiled brats living in the heart of bland suburbia.

crazyjoeda · June 18th, 2005, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutterbug

Does Trailer Park Boys bring about some redemption?

The Trailer Park Boys insults Atlantic Canadians but its the best show ever.

mr.x · June 18th, 2005, 07:58 AM

What happened to that tv drama series that's suppose to be made in Vancouver, directed by that Taren Tarantino (maker of Survivor, Apprentice, Kill Bill) dude? I probably spelled his name wrong........and btw, soon there's gonna be a Survivor British Columbia.

Westcoast604 · June 18th, 2005, 08:32 AM

People hanging from trees playing banjo's and acordians? Yeah cause I see that everyday in the WestEnd. If they wanted to really capture the demographic they would have some gay guys, and rich chachi bitches with little dogs going to Starbucks.

renthefinn · June 18th, 2005, 11:19 PM

I think it looks alright, I'll try watching a couple episodes, and go from there. I don't think it's supposed to be a true reflection of life in the WestEnd, I mean what TV show is really a true reflection of life in a certain area? Even reality shows don't really show reality, it's too boring to put on TV. I'll give it a try there's boobs in the preview!

npinguy · June 19th, 2005, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

What happened to that tv drama series that's suppose to be made in Vancouver, directed by that Taren Tarantino (maker of Survivor, Apprentice, Kill Bill) dude? I probably spelled his name wrong........and btw, soon there's gonna be a Survivor British Columbia.

WTF???????!!!!!!

Overground · June 19th, 2005, 05:41 AM

Mark Burnett the producer of Survivor had mentioned last year that he would like to do a Survivor up here during bikini friendly summer season but it was never confirmed. If they were going to do one they would have to start filming it here this summer which would then not premiere till February(usually). The next Survivor-Guatemala premieres in Sept. I haven't heard a thing about Survivor filming here this summer. It definitely would be cool if they did but perhaps next year.

mr.x · June 19th, 2005, 08:11 AM

I always get Burnett and Tarantino confused.

Wallbanger · June 19th, 2005, 09:56 AM

Isnt it Quinten Tarrantino?

Mock · June 19th, 2005, 12:14 PM

Summer...bikini season?
I've always maintained the need for a Survivor to be done in the Winter, in the Rockies. Enough of these boring tropical/sub-tropical areas...

I seen some ads for Robson Street, and it doesn't look as bad as that website makes it out to be.

npinguy · June 19th, 2005, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.x

I always get Burnett and Tarantino confused.

yeah hence my "WTF"??

there is absolutely nothing in common whatsoever between Burnett and QUINTEN Tarantino (and how hard would it have been to look that up)

Nutterbug · June 19th, 2005, 08:07 PM

Make that QUENTIN Tarantino.

crazyjoeda · June 19th, 2005, 09:35 PM

A Survivor in BC would be great, I would watch it for sure.

stickynorth · June 21st, 2005, 11:01 PM

CTV, also has the drama Whistler in the works for next season, at least it did until it found out the CTF didn't give it the cash. I believe it was going to be a sexy young drama ala The OC or North Shore.

As for Robson Arms, this was to be released like 2 years ago. Its been sitting on the shelf for a while so either its not very good, or CTV really didn't think it was a priority, which is a shame, since its one of the few Canadian shows besides Canadian Idol, on CTV. This is exactly why we need CBC.

mr.x · June 22nd, 2005, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickynorth

CTV, also has the drama Whistler in the works for next season, at least it did until it found out the CTF didn't give it the cash. I believe it was going to be a sexy young drama ala The OC or North Shore.

As for Robson Arms, this was to be released like 2 years ago. Its been sitting on the shelf for a while so either its not very good, or CTV really didn't think it was a priority, which is a shame, since its one of the few Canadian shows besides Canadian Idol, on CTV. This is exactly why we need CBC.

"Whistler"? That sounds awesome. Hopefully, it'll be something exactly and as good as the OC. the OC is one of those really rare American tv series that's not crap and surprisingly, it's made by FOX.

Westcoast604 · June 22nd, 2005, 03:59 AM

"Whistler" may be a no go now? That would suck, it sounded promising. Maybe they should do an OC knockoff called "West Van" lol.

mr.x · June 22nd, 2005, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westcoast604

"Whistler" may be a no go now? That would suck, it sounded promising. Maybe they should do an OC knockoff called "West Van" lol.

lol, or how about "the V.I." and we have a character called "Bryan", who is from Whalley, and who gets adopted by the lawyer "Randy."

June 18th, 2005, 02:44 AM	#1
crazyjoeda Mac User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,006 Likes (Received): 0	New TV Show Set in Vancouver Follows, McKinney up in Arms By BILL BRIOUX, Toronto Sun If you like quirky, anthology dramedies (anybody still reading?), you might like Robson Arms. It premieres tonight on CTV, with back-to-back episodes starting at 10 p.m. The series, which dates back B.C.G. (before Corner Gas), stars several familiar Canadian faces, including Margot Kidder, John Cassini, William B. Davis, Megan Follows, Mark McKinney and Will Sasso. Corner Gas regulars Gabrielle Miller and Fred Ewanuick also grab some face time. I vaguely recall doing a phoner with Kidder over a year ago about her episodes; wish I could find that tape (and an analogue machine that could still play it). I do remember her telling me the show was sexy and offbeat and fun. All true, judging by the pilot I screened (Dancing the Horizontal Mambo, featuring Follows and McKinney). Follows plays a newly separated mom who moves into the broken down B.C. apartment where the anthology takes place. Follows' character is beyond stressed and depressed. Her light fixtures are full of bugs. The lid to the toilet tank is missing. Her ex-hubby, according to her precocious 10-year-old, is in Burnaby, "shacked up with jail bait." The Boy overhears the sleazy superintendent say all his mom needs "is a poke" and sets out to match her up with the widowed lawyer upstairs (McKinney). Hilarity ensues, sorta. Like the ramshackle apartment building it is named after, Robson Arms is a real fixer upper. The script coulda used a little more hammering and polish. Split up with commercials, that indie film thing thing gets old fast. Follows and McKinney gamely make the most of their roles. There's a spark of something here, a little Arrested Development or even Corner Gas potential. CTV seems to have lost interest, however, burning it off on Fridays during the summer doldrums. "Canadian Television," thanks for the cheque, back to being the Jerry Bruckheimer network next September. Bottom line: If you like hearing kids swear, or just always wanted to hear the F-word come flying out of Anne of Green Gables' mouth, this show is for you. Tonight also marks the Canadian debut of Beauty and the Geek, (8 p.m., CTV, also Wednesdays on The WB), a new reality series from Punk'd producer Ashton Kutcher. The premise: Seven hot but brainless babes are hooked up with seven nerdy brainiacs. There's a spelling bee for the girls, (Bimbo: "B-I-M-B-O"), massage lessons for the guys, even a go at actual rocket science. Will the geeks suddenly become cool or will the babes all become losers? Will Kutcher burn in hell for this someday? With TV, so many questions. Show Website __________________ Vancouver, site of the next Winter Olympic Games in 2010! British Columbia, Canada. "The best place on earth."

June 18th, 2005, 07:58 AM	#6
mr.x Ex-mod Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: █♣█ Vancouver Posts: 8,072 Likes (Received): 1	What happened to that tv drama series that's suppose to be made in Vancouver, directed by that Taren Tarantino (maker of Survivor, Apprentice, Kill Bill) dude? I probably spelled his name wrong........and btw, soon there's gonna be a Survivor British Columbia. __________________ "My Homer is not a communist. He may be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a communist, but he is NOT a porn star." - Abe Simpson "Preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics are progressing so well, it's boring. We'd like there to be some challenges, so we [the IOC] could shout at them." - IOC (Sept. 2007) "In medieval Europe if you didn't like somebody's argument and couldn't think of a real response you called them a witch and demanded they be burned at the stake. In the US you call them unpatriotic, and in Canada you call them racist."

June 19th, 2005, 08:11 AM	#11
mr.x Ex-mod Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: █♣█ Vancouver Posts: 8,072 Likes (Received): 1	I always get Burnett and Tarantino confused. __________________ "My Homer is not a communist. He may be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a communist, but he is NOT a porn star." - Abe Simpson "Preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics are progressing so well, it's boring. We'd like there to be some challenges, so we [the IOC] could shout at them." - IOC (Sept. 2007) "In medieval Europe if you didn't like somebody's argument and couldn't think of a real response you called them a witch and demanded they be burned at the stake. In the US you call them unpatriotic, and in Canada you call them racist."

June 19th, 2005, 09:35 PM	#16
crazyjoeda Mac User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,006 Likes (Received): 0	A Survivor in BC would be great, I would watch it for sure. __________________ Vancouver, site of the next Winter Olympic Games in 2010! British Columbia, Canada. "The best place on earth."

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June 18th, 2005, 04:59 AM	#2
Westcoast604 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 564 Likes (Received): 0	Just looking at the pics on that website, I officially hate Canadian television. Nobody in the West End looks like that. These shows just continue to insult our country over and over again by making us out to be the cheesiest people on the planet. What they should do is just follow around a group of real West End residents, not make up some show that plops characters typical of some hick Canadian town into a Robson St apartment and call it Vancouver. Angers the blood. Don't make the show at all if you cant even get the characters right.

June 18th, 2005, 07:38 AM	#4
rt_0891 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto, Hong Kong, Vancouver Posts: 2,697 Likes (Received): 0	Makes the West End look like a bunch of spoiled brats living in the heart of bland suburbia.

June 18th, 2005, 08:32 AM	#7
Westcoast604 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 564 Likes (Received): 0	People hanging from trees playing banjo's and acordians? Yeah cause I see that everyday in the WestEnd. If they wanted to really capture the demographic they would have some gay guys, and rich chachi bitches with little dogs going to Starbucks.

June 18th, 2005, 11:19 PM	#8
renthefinn Who? Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Victoria Posts: 87 Likes (Received): 0	I think it looks alright, I'll try watching a couple episodes, and go from there. I don't think it's supposed to be a true reflection of life in the WestEnd, I mean what TV show is really a true reflection of life in a certain area? Even reality shows don't really show reality, it's too boring to put on TV. I'll give it a try there's boobs in the preview!

June 19th, 2005, 05:41 AM	#10
Overground Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 1,592 Likes (Received): 0	Mark Burnett the producer of Survivor had mentioned last year that he would like to do a Survivor up here during bikini friendly summer season but it was never confirmed. If they were going to do one they would have to start filming it here this summer which would then not premiere till February(usually). The next Survivor-Guatemala premieres in Sept. I haven't heard a thing about Survivor filming here this summer. It definitely would be cool if they did but perhaps next year.

June 19th, 2005, 09:56 AM	#12
Wallbanger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego/Temecula Posts: 252 Likes (Received): 0	Isnt it Quinten Tarrantino?

June 19th, 2005, 12:14 PM	#13
Mock Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 141 Likes (Received): 0	Summer...bikini season? I've always maintained the need for a Survivor to be done in the Winter, in the Rockies. Enough of these boring tropical/sub-tropical areas... I seen some ads for Robson Street, and it doesn't look as bad as that website makes it out to be.

June 19th, 2005, 08:07 PM	#15
Nutterbug Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,053 Likes (Received): 0	Make that QUENTIN Tarantino.

June 21st, 2005, 11:01 PM	#17
stickynorth Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5 Likes (Received): 0	CTV, also has the drama Whistler in the works for next season, at least it did until it found out the CTF didn't give it the cash. I believe it was going to be a sexy young drama ala The OC or North Shore. As for Robson Arms, this was to be released like 2 years ago. Its been sitting on the shelf for a while so either its not very good, or CTV really didn't think it was a priority, which is a shame, since its one of the few Canadian shows besides Canadian Idol, on CTV. This is exactly why we need CBC.

June 22nd, 2005, 03:59 AM	#19
Westcoast604 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Vancouver Posts: 564 Likes (Received): 0	"Whistler" may be a no go now? That would suck, it sounded promising. Maybe they should do an OC knockoff called "West Van" lol.