Will Trailer Park Presenters Turn ECMAS into the East Coast Expletive Awards? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jenya · 02-27-2006, 10:36 AM

Will Trailer Park Presenters Turn ECMAS into the East Coast Expletive Awards?

BY: BRAD WHEELER
Globe and Mail

Monday, February 27, 2006

The mild controversy over the choice of Bubbles, Ricky and Julian to preside over this evening's East Coast Music Awards gala troubles Geoff D'Eon. The executive producer of the broadcast (CBC, 8 p.m.) has heard the protests from outraged Easterners, the sensitive, decorous ones who don't see the stars of the Trailer Park Boys mockumentary as proper hosts. The thing is, he hasn't heard enough -- it's not the hullabaloo that concerns him, it's the meekness of it.

"It's a bit of a tempest in the potato patch," D'Eon sighs. In Charlottetown, site of this year's ECMA festival, The Guardian newspaper has published letters both denouncing and defending the comedic trio's prime role. According to D'Eon, though, the situation is too far from volatile. "I'm not aware that it's a tidal wave or anything like that. We knew there would be some people who wouldn't agree with the choice of these guys as hosts of the show, but it hasn't turned into a major source of controversy.

"I was hoping that it would be all over the front page," D'Eon says with a chuckle. "Because, you know, all ink is black."

The actors (Robb Wells, Mike Smith and John Paul Tremblay) are to appear in character, and so the worry from the complainers is that a nation of viewers will see these foul-mouthed, drug-dealing louts as representative of East Coasters in general.

The concern has little merit, according to the actors.

"It's not really about representing people from the East Coast," says Wells, who plays tough-luck Ricky. "We've got fans across the country, and a lot of people don't even know where it's shot. Most people out West just assume it's shot in Toronto."

The Gemini-winning show is broadcast nationally on Showcase and filmed in Halifax, and that is where Wells and his cohorts speak from. Like Wells, Mike (Bubbles) Smith doesn't see the show as an "East Coast thing" at all. "The characters are real down to earth people who love each other and care about each other, and that represents people right across the country."

D'Eon dismisses the notion that viewers will associate Maritimers with the white-trash personas of Trailer Park Boys. "I think it's nonsense. People across the country are much better informed than those nervous ninnies would think."

At the end of the day, according to D'Eon, it all comes down to the numbers. "I think these guys are funny, and part of their job is to bring people to the set. It's not brain surgery -- it's a television program."

02-27-2006, 10:36 AM	#1
Jenya Supervisor Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: Canmore, Alberta Posts: 3,359	Will Trailer Park Presenters Turn ECMAS into the East Coast Expletive Awards? Will Trailer Park Presenters Turn ECMAS into the East Coast Expletive Awards? BY: BRAD WHEELER Globe and Mail Monday, February 27, 2006 The mild controversy over the choice of Bubbles, Ricky and Julian to preside over this evening's East Coast Music Awards gala troubles Geoff D'Eon. The executive producer of the broadcast (CBC, 8 p.m.) has heard the protests from outraged Easterners, the sensitive, decorous ones who don't see the stars of the Trailer Park Boys mockumentary as proper hosts. The thing is, he hasn't heard enough -- it's not the hullabaloo that concerns him, it's the meekness of it. "It's a bit of a tempest in the potato patch," D'Eon sighs. In Charlottetown, site of this year's ECMA festival, The Guardian newspaper has published letters both denouncing and defending the comedic trio's prime role. According to D'Eon, though, the situation is too far from volatile. "I'm not aware that it's a tidal wave or anything like that. We knew there would be some people who wouldn't agree with the choice of these guys as hosts of the show, but it hasn't turned into a major source of controversy. "I was hoping that it would be all over the front page," D'Eon says with a chuckle. "Because, you know, all ink is black." The actors (Robb Wells, Mike Smith and John Paul Tremblay) are to appear in character, and so the worry from the complainers is that a nation of viewers will see these foul-mouthed, drug-dealing louts as representative of East Coasters in general. The concern has little merit, according to the actors. "It's not really about representing people from the East Coast," says Wells, who plays tough-luck Ricky. "We've got fans across the country, and a lot of people don't even know where it's shot. Most people out West just assume it's shot in Toronto." The Gemini-winning show is broadcast nationally on Showcase and filmed in Halifax, and that is where Wells and his cohorts speak from. Like Wells, Mike (Bubbles) Smith doesn't see the show as an "East Coast thing" at all. "The characters are real down to earth people who love each other and care about each other, and that represents people right across the country." D'Eon dismisses the notion that viewers will associate Maritimers with the white-trash personas of Trailer Park Boys. "I think it's nonsense. People across the country are much better informed than those nervous ninnies would think." At the end of the day, according to D'Eon, it all comes down to the numbers. "I think these guys are funny, and part of their job is to bring people to the set. It's not brain surgery -- it's a television program."