Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Robson Arms Renewed for Third Season


Some of you might have started to put things together based on some of my previous posts but it's now official. As TV, eh? reported today we've got a third season.

For those of you who watched RAII, thanks very much. It was a tough spot to be in opposite HNIC so if you did, you must be a big supporter of the show... or really, really, really hate hockey. Either way.

For those of you who never saw it, how come? Did something put you off? Do you just not watch canadian shows on principle? Was it personal? You a hockey fan? Was it the time slot? Or maybe you just didn't have room on the TIVO. I get that, my DVR space is precious too.

For those of you who watched and said, "meh", could you be a little more specific?

As far as the writing goes, it feels like there are a number of factors that are shaping the new season.

1) I gotta say, for me, there's been a very different energy in the writer's room this time around. I think all of us were pretty grateful (not in a whiney, spineless way) and frankly maybe just a little surprised to be renewed so late in the season and it's added a little spice to the room. The RA Writer's Room's never been what you would call a slack or self-satisfied place, but there's definitely been an invigorating and disciplined edge to the story-breaking this time round that makes me excited about the coming season.

2) Process-wise, this will be the first season going to camera when we didn't have at least a first draft of all our scripts finished. This definitely raises the heart-rate... and the adrenaline might be making it on to the page.

3) The Cast is going through some changes. Based on normal, boring circumstances that none of us could have foreseen the "who" of the stories is changing as well as the "how". It's mixing up the kinds of stories that we're going to be telling a little bit.

4) There have been some shake-ups in the story department, nothing awful, just talented people moving on to other projects. They'll be missed, but it also provides us with a chance to work with some newer... and some more experienced writers.

5) A New Time Slot. It looks like we're going to be on earlier in the evening which will make for changes. Some obvious: like language. Some subtle: like tone. That said, the show certainly isn't going through any contortions to fit the time. If anything it feels like the show's voice, although still unique, is coming into its own, becoming more confident... and entertaining, I hope.

So here's to the challenging months ahead. I hope I can keep folks that are interested abreast of the progress, without spoiling any of the surprises.

It's weird. I was just over at Denis's blog. There's definitely a strange, end-of-school, feeling through the industry. Summer's coming and everybody's graduating. Feels a little like we're in the third act of a coming-of-age story...

... or the first act of a teen-sex-comedy! YEAH!

6 comments:

hewhocutsdown said...

Nothing for or against; had never heard of RA, due to living in the States at present; found out about it from TV, eh?, which I subscribe to...

I can't actually get access to the show directly, but maybe I'll try and catch something from it online. Sorry I can't be of more direct support.

wcdixon said...

Congrats Mr. Moses...it's BTC time.

Kelly J. Crawford said...

Here a copy of the email I sent to the producers of RA last week, just moments after the season finale aired, David.


Now that Robson Arms has finished its second season run on CTV, I'd like to take a moment to thank and congratulate the entire cast and crew of the show for a job well done. Season One was awesome but you guys totally outdid yourselves this time around with fantastic scripts, cool guest stars, and above-par production values.

Kudos also to your official website, which was jam-packed with intriguing and informative content, including the hilarious podcast interviews and the "Meet Your Neighbours" videos.

It is my most ardent wish that you all get the go-ahead for another brilliantly executed season. Perhaps you could even extend it to an hour-long? That would be great.

KJC (who wishes that Robson Arms was a real place so she could live there)

Halifax TV/Film said...

Get a room.

Kelly J. Crawford said...

LOL!

Anonymous said...

I had seen the show once or twice during season 2 but I didn't really understand what was going on with different main characters every episode. But I found that RA was available online for viewing so I recently watched it from beginning to end (excluding a few episodes that are unavailable) and I really liked it. I think it's hard to follow if you haven't seen every episode. I'm disappointed that all of the episodes weren't available to watch online. Anyways, congrats on getting renewed for season 3... I'm looking forware to seeing it.