DVD REVIEW: TRAILER PARK BOYS - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

This show is a classic and it's nuts that it's taken this long to come to the US. The barebones US releases don't seem worth it at that price, especially when for $60 + shipping from amazon.ca you can have almost the whole series*, loaded with special features. Still - these US discs might serve as a gateway drug.


*It apparently doesn't include the Christmas Special, the two theatrical films, the pilot movie, or the final TV movie SAY GOODNIGHT TO THE BAD GUYS.

I know where you're coming from, reg. Our Play store have the first 6 seasons alone in a box set for under 25 quid. The value comparison is ridiculous. Definitely wanna check out the rest of this series now, especially considering our more reasonable pricing.

Wow. That was a surprisingly in depth and thoughtful review for a show like The Trailer Park Boys. Be warned, though. This is a show that gets more ridiculous every season. I still loved it, but the show is maybe not as deep as you think it is. Still, it's the kind of show that sometimes seems so dumb, yet is actually really clever. Some of my favourite qualities/moments:

- The way Ricky mangles the English language. And his obscenities. One of my favourite put downs of his is "Why don't you make like a tree and get the fuck out of here?!"

- Ricky's not at all safe for the road car.

- The running gag (well, in the first two seasons) of people calling Julian "Patrick Swayze", even though he doesn't look remotely like Patrick Swayze.

- Ricky trying to get his "Grade 10". It's a funny running gag, but they take it a step further by having Ricky actually attending a high school, and going to phys ed.

- The show does slapstick humour quite well. In fact, once Bubbles eventually became promoted to series regular, the three almost turned into the Canadian 3 Stooges.

- It should also be noted that a young Ellen Page played Mr Lahey's daughter for about a season.

The funny thing is I've never seen these guys out of character. Jonathan Torrens (J Roc) is probably the most visible of the cast, having hosted several Canadian shows over the years. I'd like to see these guys out of character, if only to gain a bit of perspective in regards to their acting.

It was really bizzarre seeing them do Jimmy Kimmel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCZOfmEYJ8s

I'm patiently waiting for "The Drunk And On Drugs Happy Funtime Hour" which ought to be coming out - um, at some point? They clearly aren't making that Fall 2010 date. That weird-ass show ought to answer a lot of questions about these guys' versatility.

Thanks!

I'm down for some sillier action, definitely.

Bubbles is an interesting one. He's literally front and centre on the box art, presumably because of his extra popularity 9 years down the line, but he's barely in the first season compared to Ricky and Julian. A lot of people bang on about it being a "three amigos" show, but the first season is unmistakably about Julian and Ricky first and foremost.

Still, you can see the potential for Bubbles even there.

The show definitely doesn't hit its stride until Bubbles is elevated to co-lead status. Rewatching the series, the first season feels a bit off-balance due to his low profile. But yeah, it gets sillier and a lot better from here out.