"Trailer Park Boys" (2001) TV series 2001-2008

User Rating:

9.3/10   

Writers:

Jackie Torrens (writer)
Jonathan Torrens (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | unknown

Release Date:

20 April 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

More brawn, less brains.

Plot:

Two petty felons have a documentary made about their life in a trailer park.

Plot Keywords:

Trailer Park | Mockumentary | Rapper | Grow Op | Megalomaniac

Awards:

3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

John Paul Tremblay	...	Julian (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Robb Wells	...	Ricky (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
John Dunsworth	...	Jim Lahey (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Patrick Roach	...	Randy (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Lucy Decoutere	...	Lucy (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Sarah Dunsworth	...	Sarah (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Jonathan Torrens	...	J-Roc (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Barrie Dunn	...	Ray (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Mike Smith	...	Bubbles / ... (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Jeanna Harrison	...	Trinity (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Tyrone Parsons	...	Tyrone / ... (56 episodes, 2001-2007)
Shelley Thompson	...	Barb Lahey / ... (49 episodes, 2001-2007)
Michael Jackson	...	Trevor (46 episodes, 2001-2006)
Cory Bowles	...	Cory (46 episodes, 2001-2006)
Garry James	...	Detroit Velvet Smooth (27 episodes, 2003-2005)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Canada:18A | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company:

Showcase Television

Trivia:

Bubbles' and Ricky's porno costumes are Ricky and Jason's mall security uniforms from "The Cart Boy".

Quotes:

Ricky: I'd say we got about a ten per cent chance of gettin' out of this one boys.
Officer George Green: [from out the window] Attention, this is the police. Come out with your hands up...
Ricky: Is that George Green?
Bubbles: That's definitely George Green.
Ricky: Wicked. Okay, forget what I said, our chances just went up to about ninety five per cent.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Past Perfect (2002)

Knock Knock...F%@k Off.

While I respect the opinions of those who criticized the show (not surprisingly the comments rated "least useful"), it appears that their views are so concrete that they just don't get it.

This brilliant series is not intended to reflect the "reality" of trailer park life in Nova Scotia, but is instead a wonderful artistic compilation of many extreme, bizarre, and mundane experiences that are interesting on an entertaining and (feigned) voyeuristic basis. There are operas, soap operas, space operas, and now "park operas".

Consider how difficult it must be to act improv style not only on the set, but to act "in character" during all media interviews and public engagements, as is the expectation. Not many actors would have the commitment or stamina to carry this through for the benefit of the production image. Mike Smith, who plays the character Bubbles, apparently can only wear the thick glasses for 15 minutes at a time without extreme fatigue.

Let's consider the acting quality and skill. Would Deniro or Pacino make this a better series? No! The charm is in the rough edges, the improv, the humility, and the belief that these are low rung thugs. It is totally believable and a credit to the acting and direction.

How is Canada or Nova Scotia being insulted if we recognize that this series is a parody and that we should not take it so seriously. According to the on-line polls I have viewed for TPB of the episodes to date, the average rating has been 9 out of 10. Most of those voting were from Canada followed by participants from the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. We should be proud that we have had an impact on others, especially on those outside of our country.

If given a chance, you will see how the brilliance shines through the layers of carefully placed sh#@. It is meant to look amateurish!