From CTV:
- Celebrity owner buys Robson Arms to kick off third season
- Robson Arms teams with Two and a Half Men Mondays on CTV this Fall
Dave Foley (Kids In the Hall, News Radio) is the new kid on the block on Robson Arms. CTV and Omni Film Productions Limited announced today that Foley is the first of many new and intriguing characters who join CTV’s Robson Arms for its third season, now in production. Thirteen, half-hour episodes shoot through late November in Vancouver, B.C. Scheduled to air Mondays at 9:30 p.m. later this Fall on CTV, Robson Arms bookends the network’s all-new Monday night comedy line-up, which starts with Corner Gas at 8 p.m. and continues with Big Bang Theory at 8:30 p.m. and Two and a Half Men at 9 p.m. (all times ET).
Things get off to a rollicking start in Season 3 of the critically-acclaimed, original series when an eccentric American (Foley) buys the apartment building known as Robson Arms. As Chuck, Foley’s faux charm can’t conceal his big plans – plans that will shake up the already turbulent lives of the building’s eclectic tenants.
“Dave Foley joins a cast that is one of the most impressive and diverse collections of talent on Canadian television,†said Susanne Boyce, CTV President of Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group. “Much of the critical acclaim for Robson Arms is a result of the ensemble cast that breaths life into its quirky but lovable characters.â€
Returning for Season 3 is John Cassini (Intelligence, Final Days on Planet Earth) as Yuri Kukoc, the appealing but sleazy superintendent; Gabrielle Miller (Corner Gas, One Dead Indian) as Bobbi; and Fred Ewanuick (Corner Gas, Just Friends) as Nick.
Also returning are: Alisen Down (The Life, Mysterious Ways) as Sault; Zak Santiago (Young Blades, Intelligence) as Hal; David Richmond-Peck (Married Life, Traveler) as Geoff; Kevin McNulty (Supernatural, Snakes On A Plane) as Stanley; Jane McGregor (American Venus, Flower & Garnet) as Alicia; and Haig Sutherland (Slither, The Colt) as Fred. Returning guest stars include: Joe Flaherty (Happy Gilmore, Snowboard Academy) as Ramon; Linda Kash (Cinderella Man, Best In Show) as Carol; Patrick McKenna (Trudeau, Duct Tape Forever) as Jason Rogerman; and Will Sasso (Mad TV, Happy Gilmore) as Bark.
“We’re excited this season because we’re going to see more of our favourite tenants on a regular basis,†says series co-creator Susin Nielsen. “We also have some surprises in store, in
terms of who moves in right off the top, and who moves out — and who shows up throughout the season.†Co-creator Gary Harvey adds: “We’re delighted to be able to continue to go behind the doors of the tenants who call Robson Arms home.”
Robson Arms follows the lives of tenants inside a fictional low-rise in Vancouver’s vibrant West End – the most densely populated neighbourhood in Canada. In addition to shooting on location in the West End, Robson Arms will return to Taylor Manor in East Vancouver, which on many levels is home to the production, providing the exterior and interior apartment locations, as well as space for the production offices. As in Season 2, additional footage will be gathered as part of the production process for video-extras such as behind-the-scenes documentaries, bloopers and minis for potential broadband use.
Recent praise for Robson Arms includes two wins at the 2007 Leo Awards for “Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series†(Haig Sutherland) and “Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series†(Gabrielle Miller). Praise in 2006 included a Gemini Award for “Best Individual Performance in a Comedy Program or Series†(Mark McKinney) and Leo Awards for “Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series†(John Cassini) and “Best Screenwriting – Dramatic Series†(Jesse McKeown).
Encore broadcasts of episodes from Season 2 can be seen Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET on CTV, beginning July 23 and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. ET on The Comedy Network (visit CTV.ca to confirm local listings). Episodes from Season 1 and 2 can also be viewed on demand on the CTV Broadband Network at CTV.ca and thecomedynetwork.ca.
Series co-creators and executive producers Susin Nielsen and Gary Harvey return to helm Season 3 of Robson Arms along with producer/executive producer Brian Hamilton. Louise Clark is CTV’s Director, Western Independent Production. Tecca Crosby is Acting Senior Vice-President, Dramatic Programming for CTV. Ed Robinson is Senior Vice-President, Comedy and Variety Programming, CTV Inc. Susanne Boyce is President, CTV Programming and Chair of the CTV Media Group.
Nielsen’s and Harvey’s creative pairing goes back to the successful teen drama Madison, where they worked as writer and director respectively. Crossing paths numerous times over the following years on shows like The Adventures of Shirley Holmes, Edgemont and Nothing Too Good For A Cowboy the two eventually found a home together at CTV co-producing Robson Arms and Alice, I Think.
