Robson Arms: SPECIAL AIRING

Just got word: in addition to the regular airing times (CTV Saturdays at 9pm, Comedy Network 8:30pm ET, 9:30pm ATL) there's going to be a special airing Tues. Feb 27 right after American Idol.

I think folks are assuming CTV is doing it to see how it boosts or does not boost our numbers... and most likely whether we'll get another season or not.

The episode is going to be "Pest Control" and it'll feature Fred Ewanuick, Zak Santiago, Peter DeLuise and guest starring.... Joe Flaherty! So if Hockey is getting in your way or you just aren't home on Saturday night check it out and tell us what you think.

Don't miss this week's podcast. Susin Nielsen interview props master, Tyler Smith and his assistant Dave Righton... a very funny BTS interview. (Flash required)

Robson Arms: New Web site is up!

The new and improved Robson Arms website is up.

And not a moment too soon!

What wonders await you? How 'bout special "webisodes", podcasts, behind the scenes stuff, and character blogs and such.

Also: E-Talk watch! Show-runner Susin Nielsen interviewed last night.

Robson Arms Marketing Watch 2007 Part IV: Be Careful what you wish for.

John Doyle's review of the first three episodes of RAII in the Globe and Mail today.

It was thrilling to be singled out again. Although Mr. Doyle, whose opinion I greatly respect, wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about my work this time... "what happens is just slapstick."

Damn... It the "just" that kills me. I thought it was Totally Slapstick!

Seriously though. I think that most writers, for all our bluster and complaints about people meddling with our stuff, are our own toughest critics. And there's nothing (good or bad) that someone else is gonna say that hasn't crossed my mind already. You do your best, learn from your experience and hope for the best. I can promise you this: I honestly think there's gonna be laugh out loud moments in it... and there are gonna be some really sweet moments too... Alisen and Fred (that's right I'm name-dropping the "A"-bomb and the "F"-bomb*) are kickasso in this episode and if there are any shortcomings in the ep. I'll be happy to take responsibility for them because I'm still laughing at my own joke a year later... Ah writers: Our arms never tire patting our own backs, nor our voices hoarsen singing our own praises.

Of course, that'll have to wait until next week. Tomorrow night, that's Saturday folks, 9pm, it's Episode One: Ordinary Assholes guest starring Leslie Nielsen. I'll go on the record right now that he gonna get a Gemini nomination for his performance.

See what you've done, John, I'm getting all feisty! I'm even more excited to hear what people think.

Robson Arms Marketing Watch 2007 Part III: Two more sleeps

From Diane's TV, eh? website (the website if you want to know about what canadian shows are on, or going on air): articles from Vancouver papers and tabloids.

But so far, nothing more than a couple of spots on CTV and the Comedy network-- is Vicki Gabereau still on? Is there someplace I haven't been looking?

Some good posts on Dix's and Denis' blogs about the truth about writing for television. Basically: you write and it's everybody else's job to mess with it. And the kicker... your stuff is better for it. Amen.

What the Lofty Archons at CTV Know...

I am a lowly, grateful writer.

I am thrilled to be part of what I think will be a pretty darned entertaining show, Robson Arms. And hey, guess what? It'll start airing in a couple weeks on CTV. The show is a half-hour comedy/drama aimed at maturer audiences. It's got some adult themes, but the language is grown-up but not unlike the first season not HBO grown-up, and it stars some of the funniest, most talented actors working in Canada today.

It's got a lot going for it.

And did I mention it was airing, Feburary 10th on CTV?

Feburary 10th, that's, let's see... oh...uh... ahem... a Saturday night. Hmn.

Well, okay, there's lots of folk who stay home Saturday night. And it's not like there's anything else --- what? Hockey Night in Canada... rightrightright. Still though. It's not like CTV just threw it up there. There are people, important, well-dressed people who get big bucks carefully working out the exact right time for a show to be scheduled. They've got stats and formulae that'd make a lowly writer's head spin... I assume.

I mean, they're not going to just toss it out there and see what happens, right? There's a huge marketing department behind this. Maybe not Little Mosque big, which due to its subject matter got all kinds of publicity that you can't pay for--not a lot of canadian pilots highlighted on CNN-- still... CTV is the big leagues. Okay?

I guess what I'm saying is, don't worry, it won't be just a couple of "coming soon" spots on the tele and one of the writers chatting it up on his blog is what I'm saying.

So please let me know everytime you read/hear/see anything about the show between now and Feb 10th.

Because everybody really wants the show to do well... right?