Topic: EXPLANATION FOR CANCELLING

[lanfisher]

[Tiggy Puddin]

"We definitely have to thank our fans for everything. I mean, I remember one time, this guy came up to me in a bar, and he was kind of yapping at me, saying, `Your show's a joke, you can't act, and you suck' and stuff. And one of our fans overheard him, followed him outside and he f---ing whacked him with a bottle," says Smith. " `Don't you f---in' ever talk that way to Bubbles.'

All right, which one of you was it? 

[lanfisher]

I wish it were me. I'll always have their backs, hard. In fact, whenever I hear anyone diss the show I lay into them.

I generally disagree with violence, but I fully condone smashing a bottle on anyone who disses Bubbles.

[CrashMatrix]

agreed lan fisher... 

[Wolfman]

It would be cool to know exactly who decided to pull the plug. I have a suspicion it was the network - too much censorship pressure or something?


Wolfman

[lanfisher]

Harper's Conservative government probably threatened to cut funding to Showcase due to all the drugs, etc. In any case, this is whack.

[TheFave]

That's within the realm of plausible.

Harper's Conservative government probably threatened to cut funding to Showcase due to all the drugs, etc. In any case, this is whack.

[tyuiop]

I'm not sure the Tv industry works but as it seems the actors were expecting another series, couldn't they just go to another network, or is showcase the only network that will payroll the production?

[lanfisher]

Showcase probably owns the rights to it, but I don't really know how it works either.

[daftpunk]

I'd say it was the producers ending it early. such a shame. all the actors want to keep it going.

[shake]

I think we deserve to know whose decision it was to cancel the show.

I posted this before in another topic in the TPB news forum

For the record the show wasn't cancelled, that paper put out another article later saying that it was Clattenburg's decision to not continue on with the show.

Here is the article...

http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/movies/story.html?id=957723

The text...

Mr. Lahey, We hardly knew you

Creators pull the plug on Trailer Park Boys

Adam McDowell,  National Post  Published: Friday, November 14, 2008

Ricky will soon munch his last chicken finger and stub out his last joint. Julian will drink his final rum and Coke, and Bubbles will steal shopping carts no more. There will not be an eighth season: Following a Dec. 7 special, and a movie to follow next October, Trailer Park Boys will come to an end.

Mike Clattenburg, the irreverent TV comedy's creator and showrunner, broke the news at Showcase's Sideshow blog on Wednesday.

"Over the past few months there has been a lot of discussion among our fans and those in the media about the future of Trailer Park Boys," he wrote. He mentioned a one-hour special to air Dec. 7 and a second major Trailer Park Boys movie, tentatively titled Countdown To Liquor Day, due to be released in theatres in October, 2009.

"After that, there will be no more," he continued. "Yes, it's the end of Trailer Park Boys. Our fans have been so supportive and inspiring that we wanted you to be the first to know. Much love and thanks from all of us at Sunnyvale Trailer Park."

The show presents a satirical and oddly endearing portrait of the Nova Scotia underclass. Lead Boys Ricky (Rob Wells) and Julian (Jean Paul Tremblay) made their first appearance in a 72-minute film that premiered at the Atlantic Film Festival in 1999. The Showcase program started scamming its way into the nation's hearts in 2001; it was immediately noteworthy for not bleeping out the copious number of swears in the dialogue.

"When it started on Showcase, [it was] a cult or niche show. It really took a while to pick up momentum," said Tara Ellis, vice-president drama content for Showcase (which shares a parent company, Canwest, with the National Post), in an interview yesterday. "Season Three is when it really popped right into the mainstream ... into a somewhat guilty pleasure for some viewers, seeing these three nutbars swear and toke up."

Ellis said ending the show was Clattenburg's decision, and that Showcase will probably work again with some of the people involved before long.Mike Clattenburg, the irreverent TV comedy's creator and showrunner, broke the news at Showcase's Sideshow blog on Wednesday.


He actually broke the news here at the Org first  :)

Showcase probably owns the rights to it, but I don't really know how it works either.

I doubt that shows have been known to change networks before.

Harper's Conservative government probably threatened to cut funding to Showcase due to all the drugs, etc. In any case, this is whack.

Yes the Cons kowtow to the moral majority and are proponents of bill C-10.  They may not have behind this situation with the TPB and Showcase but if they have their way there will never be another show like it produced in Canada.  Get them out of power!

[lanfisher]

Well the Conservatives may not be in power for much longer. Good riddance! Steven Harper doesn't have much of a sense of humour when it comes to drug stuff, or anything for that matter. It's too bad, because Trailer Park Boys is the best Canadian export ever.

[shake]

Well the Conservatives may not be in power for much longer. Good riddance! Steven Harper doesn't have much of a sense of humour when it comes to drug stuff, or anything for that matter. It's too bad, because Trailer Park Boys is the best Canadian export ever.

Oh we can only hope they won't be in power for much longer!  Yes TPB is a great Canadian export

[golfinwithflames]

Wow. Great, informative post, Shake. Even for those who have seen/read it earlier, a refresher is always welcome!

I'd say it was the producers ending it early. such a shame. all the actors want to keep it going.

Ironically enough, in the case of our favorite show, a percentage of the producers are also actors. Okay, one. Still, the cancellation must be causing some mixed feelings within, as well as without the ranks.

Jump The shark tends to agree with most of us, Lan. It never has, er, jumped.

[Wolfman]

Wow, what the hell were they doing on this site then? This show was never bad. Ever.

Man, I've loved the show ever since I first laid eyes on it and while I wish it would continue...yeah, we gotta respect what Mike Clattenburg and those guys decided to do. You never know, one day the show might get revived...

We got seven awesome years of TPB, which is a lot more than I thought we were ever going to get. There were a lot of heavy metal dicks out there trying to shut the boyz down for a long time after all.

[Clatty]

Yes you do deserve an explanation. All shows run their course. I made the descion to end the show on a high note. We all had an incredible time shooting the sequel film this summer. It's probably the most fun we've had on set - ever. But please consider that we have been doing TPB for almost 10 years now and I need to move on. Everyone is going in new creative directions and have been for a while. There was some press on a 'sudden cancellation' where press made it appear that the cast had no idea the show was ending. Robb, JP and Mike were furious when they saw this angle and contacted me right away to tell me these stories were spun. All our cast knew that season 7 was the last season and production was drawing to a close. People started to move on. It's not a surprise to anyone in our camp.

So yes, it's the end - but you have two gigantic TPB explosions coming your way soon.

Mike

[shake]

Thanks for the clarification Mike.  It has been a great run, you all should be proud!  Looking forward to the explosions

[Tiggy Puddin]

There was some press on a 'sudden cancellation' where press made it appear that the cast had no idea the show was ending. Robb, JP and Mike were furious when they saw this angle and contacted me right away to tell me these stories were spun. All our cast knew that season 7 was the last season and production was drawing to a close. People started to move on. It's not a surprise to anyone in our camp.

I posted some of those articles and (probably publicly stated) "What in the fuck? They didn't know?" I should have known better than to believe everything I read in the press, I guess they are always looking for the most controversial angle and spin the story to suit. I stand corrected and apologize!

Reminds me now why I didn't pursue a career as a journalist.   

[lanfisher]

Thanks very much, Mike! You've given Canada and the world a great gift, and I'm sure it won't be the last. As well, I'm looking forward to tonight's farewell and next year's movie! I will continue to spread the gospel of Trailer Park Boys to all who will listen.

[shake]

There was some press on a 'sudden cancellation' where press made it appear that the cast had no idea the show was ending. Robb, JP and Mike were furious when they saw this angle and contacted me right away to tell me these stories were spun. All our cast knew that season 7 was the last season and production was drawing to a close. People started to move on. It's not a surprise to anyone in our camp.

I posted some of those articles and (probably publicly stated) "What in the fuck? They didn't know?" I should have known better than to believe everything I read in the press, I guess they are always looking for the most controversial angle and spin the story to suit. I stand corrected and apologize!

Reminds me now why I didn't pursue a career as a journalist.   

Yeah that is pretty bad that journalists would spin a story like that.  I do remember at the season seven premiere party I was getting the impression from some of the cast that the show was over. 

[Wolfman]

Thanks for the clarification, Mike, and thanks a whole lot for the fantastic gift you have given us.

.... and it goes without saying man, that if you are ever out my way in Vancouver here,and ya wanna look me up, the beers are on me buddy 

Mike (the Wolfman) Wolf
Vancouver

[Shit machine gun]

Time to start our own production company.  You think the actors would work for baloney sandwiches and homemade garbage liquor? 

[Lucy Decoutere]

Hey there,

To be really honest, I am very ready for TPB to be finished production. Not because I hate making the show, and not because I think the men and women I work with are jerks, but because over the last decade my life has changed a great deal and my priorities have shifted. I would make the show as long as Mike C. was interested and, thankfully, he wants to do other stuff, which frees me to do other stuff. And there are other cast who feel the same way. This is the right time.

Sorry to disappoint folks who love the show so much, but glad to have made (under Mike C. gentle whip) something that folks noticed. 

Peace

[Shit machine gun]

We love you all for making the show.  Even Seinfeld had to end, and this show is just a bit better.
Thanks Lucy.

[emotionmachine]

I think in TV history we've all seen shows run too long. I mean I used to worship Night Court back in the day, as did a lot of people, but even the die hard fans of the show have to admit that the last three or four years were just not very good at all. They began to repeat themselves, and it became almost painful to watch at times.

Having said that, I don't think that I could ever get board of new episodes of TPB, I could probably watch it forever. But Mike makes a good point in this thread. You really do wanna end on a high note. You don't want to be repetitive or stale. If you do, you run the risk of alienating fans, critics, and raising the bar so high (especially in a show like this), you can't overcome it in each successive season. That's just the way it works.

There's a lot of great talent in TPB in front of as well as behind the camera, and it's time for them to see what they can do with it next. They have the opportunity to take the notoriety and experience they've gained and move onwards and upwards, which is what we all want for ourselves in our own lives.

So while I'm personally devastated :: whimpers :: I completely see why this decision was necessary for everyone involved with the show. My best wishes to you all, and my heartfelt thanks for making this show a part of my life

Now, I'll go and watch the special a fourth time!