The arts have always had the ability to move and inspire people mentally, physically and spiritually. Whether it be a painting by an old master, a song by a modern pop star or even a small television program based on a bunch of drunken criminal assholes who live in a trailer park in Nova Scotia, the arts are an important part of not just human culture but human existence.
I first heard about TPB a couple episodes into the second season. I could have lied and said I was there from the very beginning but I have, as Ricky would say, "vice principals." I wasn't quite sure what I was seeing on the screen. Was this a reality show? Was everyone in Sunnyvale retarded? There were more questions than answers. I was not sure if this show was the best thing I had ever seen or the dumbest fucking show on television.
I continued to watch religiously for the rest of the season and when it was all over I realised that I needed to get the word out about this ridicuously masterful show. I began telling everyone that TPB was a must watch. I even held a couple viewing parties at my place for friends who did not have access to Showcase (The cable network on which it was aired) May 27, 2003 was a huge day at my house. It marked the release of Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD. I threw a TPB themed bash that night where everyone dressed as their favourite character, ate pepperoni and donairs, drank rum and cokes and listened to Helix and April Wine. It was one of the best parties I have ever thrown. I felt I had done my part to help this little tv show make its mark in Canadian culture.
By then I had read all the history of the show, its main characters, its minor characters and had even tracked down a copy of the original TPB movie that was shown in 1999 at the Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I had also discovered a little 'easter egg' bonus on my Seasons 1 and 2 DVDs that featured a short called "The Cart Boy" which was a character created by Mike Smith that evolved in the character Bubbles. I was a full on TPB junkie.
I continued to watch throughout the run of the show. I rarely missed a new episode. I once quit a shitty job because I was always scheduled to work on the nights when new episodes were being aired. I am not saying I was obsessed but I was bordering on a Swayze Express-like trance whenever it was on. I can even remember when a girl asked me out on a date I said "You looking for a date? Ten bucks or six Dairy Queen coupons..." I could not help referencing the show in basically every conversation.
The beautiful thing about my Conky-esque compulsion was that by now most of Canada was also in the same Shitmobile. Everyone in my life who mattered to me was also a fan. And I could basically figure out if I would be friends with someone simply by making a TPB reference to see their reaction. Not laughing when I say "One person's garbage is another person's ungarbage"??? Fuck you... I can't hang out with you. It was a fool proof way of deciding who was garbage and who was ungarbage. Even my mom was a fan. My grandmother was a fan. Everyone who had ever visited a trailer park or was related to some drunk asshole who did stupid shit all the time was a fan. TPB was a television sensation in Canada not seen since the days of the Tommy Hunter Show and The Friendly Giant.
Since the show ended, I have continued to watch every episode over and over. I have been on the internet message boards. I have followed them on Facebook and read the TPB quotes on Twitter. I have gone to the theatre to see the movies and I still host the odd theme party... without the Helix (I've stepped it up to Rush.) I never thought that a small, low budget television show based around the shenanigans of a bunch of drunken, cheeseburger eating, dope growing, rap listening, cop uniform wearing, gas stealing, hash smoking, porn filming rejects would change my outlook on life but surprisingly I think that through their lunacy, I have become a better person. A more complete person. Someone who has finally figured out my path to happiness and the ability to stick to my "vice principals."
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