By Scott Campbell
Paul Rabliauskas says the long, hard work of making a television sitcom like CTV’s Acting Good did surprise him.
But with 40 episodes out for viewers to watch at the end of this season, he feels that is an accomplishment.
“Not every show gets four seasons,” Rabliauskas said during a phone interview.
“There’s a feeling of being grateful to be a part of it, and honestly, we worked so hard on it. There’s no time to reflect because we are always go, go, go. We get a month and a half off between seasons before we are writing again and editing.”
Viewers may have come across some stand-up comedy done by Rablauskas. He is a member of the Poplar River First Nation. The sitcom films on location in Winnipeg and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, which then puts on screens the ups and downs of reserve life at the fictional Grouse Lake First Nation.
Along with being in the cast, he is also the co-creator of Acting Good along with Amber-Sekowan Daniels, Eric Toth and Pat Thornton. Rablauskas also outlines the stories for each season, which writers would come in and flesh out.
“I was obsessed with television,” said Rablauskas. “I was kind of a chubby kid who didn’t want to go outside. We lived in the bush, and all my brothers and cousins would go swimming and go play. I wanted to stay home and watch Married with Children.”
“I just wanted to watch sitcoms all day. I kind of studied sitcoms and comedy, it was like comfort food to me to be around comedy … when I was 16, I had hosted a show on APTN called Cool Jobs for three seasons. I had the ability to be funny on camera even at a young age.”
“So, I always fantasize about having a show, that didn’t mean I didn’t think I would get into acting … then the stand-up thing happened and met Pat Thornton at a show, he said, ‘Hey man, your story about being from the rez that’s pretty unique.’ And that’s all it took…”
For being a stacked Indigenous show on television, says Rablauskas, the process of making a season is a long one. The writing process starts in January, and with the season presently airing on television, work continues until December.
Rablauskas gives much credit to the team that put together the show, including the directors, such as Michael Greyeyes, who also plays Cousin Leon, and the cast and crew.
On the acting front, there’s trying to remember the line and making sure you hit your mark, as well as being aware of your eyeline. However, the hardest work is maintaining the energy. That scene, he said, which you shot at 8 a.m., has to have the same energy when you shoot at 10 p.m.
“I wasn’t prepared for (the work and time),” he said. “Michael said you’ll come home and cry, and there’s no reason for it. And I’ve done that eight times since he said it, because I’m so exhausted.”
“I think what makes it worthwhile is all the Native kids that message me,” said Rablauskas, “And pitching show ideas, they want me to add characters. All the kids on the rez want to be included. I think the fact that so many young kids on my reserve are excited about it, I think that’s my favourite part of it.”
Another cool aspect of the show, although sometimes overwhelming, is the fan reaction. Rablauskas can see the trajectory of the fans’ investment in the show. During the first season, they went from asking, “Aren’t you that guy?” To now, asking what’s going to happen to characters.
“I can talk to them as a fan myself, which I love to do,” he said. “I would not trade any of this for stand-up comedy. This is such a cool world to be a part of; the fact that we get to keep doing this means so much. The stand-up is always there. It’s not like I’m going to forget how to be funny or perform … I couldn’t ask to be in a better place right now.”
Acting Good airs Mondays at 10:30 p.m.on CTV Comedy Channel, CTV.ca and the CTV app and streams next day on Crave.
Images courtesy of Bell Media.
