Ruby Reborn

I know I've been a bit slow, but I'm finally getting this done.

As previously mentioned here, I was going to start reviewing a Canadian Television Show, Corner Gas. The first episode of the show is titled Ruby Reborn.

This is the first episode of the series. Lacey Burrows had recently moving into town after inheriting the coffee shop from her Aunt Ruby. Lacey's been spending the last several weeks making changes, such as repainting the walls. For the record, the color was Desert Rose.....not pink, according to Lacey anyway.

What kind of name is Lacey, anyway?

Lacey has to put up with some rather idiotic stuff, including the local paper (The Howler) claiming "Woman Destroys Local Landmark"......something along those lines. The Howler is known for being so inaccurate, "woman" is the only word that's accurate.....which is good for the Howler.

Since this is the first episode, we learn different things about each character. Fortunately, we're talking about simple character traits. It helps that Corner Gas was intended as a light hearted show.

Anywho, the coffee shop is attached to Corner Gas. Corner Gas is owned & operated by Brent Leroy, who took over the business a year earlier from Oscar. In this episode, Brent has decided to do video rentals at the store, stating that people would have to drive to Wullerton (*spit*) if they wanted to rent videos.

Once Oscar learns of this, he flips out, accusing Brent of turning Corner Gas into a movie house.....and doing a bad Ed Sullivan impression. Oscar makes references to Brent trying to turn the station into a circus as well.

Emma Leroy finally convinces him to rent a video before making a fool of himself. Brent convinces Oscar to rent Jaws, leaving Wanda to question if this is a good idea, stating "he's wound tight enough as it is." Brent makes states that Oscar doesn't even know own a VCR. Why they were renting VHS was really beyond me, as DVDs were already more commonly used anyway. I'm probably over thinking this, so I'll move on.

Meanwhile, Davis and Karen end up in an argument over who's Car 1. This is one of the few episodes where two squad cars are used. Davis keeps insisting that he's always Car 1, despite Karen's car actually having a 1 on it.

When they aren't squabbling over car numbers, Davis convinces Lacey to brew some coffee. Hank claims the coffee at Corner Gas tastes like it's been filtered through a wig. Once Lacey agrees to brew a fresh batch, Davis informs Karen (running radar at the "surveillance bush") that good coffee is being made.

In a big hurry to get that fresh coffee, Karen has lights & sirens on. When using the radar, she clocked a bird "doing 40".

Once Lacey's done remodeling, Hank complains that the place looks like a gay bar. Being clueless, Oscar asks "Who's gay?" Hank ends up boycotting The Ruby because of a variety of small changes made (paint color, table clothes, salt & pepper shakers). At the end of the episode, Brent becomes ticked when he finds out the chili cheese dogs were removed from the menu, as that was his favorite food order.

During a scene at the local bar, Brent & Lacey manage to give Oscar a load of crap involving his rental of Jaws, convincing him that the shark has a sword fight with the sheriff before going back to its home planet. Oscar also thinks he needs a variety of tools to help him hook the VCR to the TV. When Emma shows him how to do it (Oscar thinks she's gonna blow it up), he's convinced she did something wrong when he doesn't see the sword fight.

At one point, Wanda & Hank suggest to Lacey that "egging" The Howler is a perfectly acceptable response to the misinformation they're spreading about her. They go so far as suggesting a few melons as well because "they make a good splat".


Since I'm not used to reviewing anything, this review is going to be lousy. I realize that and I apologize for that.

Overall, I find this to be a good start for the series. Characters were established. Storylines were kept basic. Simple humor was involved. To a certain degree, I can relate to the show. Some of the aspects of the show could relate to my life, at least to the point that I've seen a lot of real life humor from idiotic moments.

Corner Gas doesn't work on a huge budget, by any means. Doesn't seem to hurt the show one bit. For me, having great production or elaborate sets really wasn't necessary. Since the show was based in small town Canada, simplicity was key. No need for a huge budget on anything.

I find that whether you live in Canada or America, many of us could relate to the show to one degree or another. This is especially true if you've ever lived in a smaller community. A lot of small town traits are played up on in the show.

Where I found it refreshing is that Corner Gas catered more to those who understood small town living. I find that so many shows today show aspects of large city living, forgetting that many viewers still live in rural areas.

If you appreciate a more simplistic approach to TV viewing, Corner Gas is worth watching.

Corner Gas (television series)

In the coming weeks, I’m going to be doing a retrospective on a variety of movies, TV shows, and whatnot. Depending on how bored I am, I may or may not do this on a frequent basis. If I’m so inclined, this could be done for different wrestling DVDs at my wrestling blog, located here!

For now, I’m going to start with a Canadian television show, Corner Gas. Based in Saskatchewan, Corner Gas is about the daily lives & activities of the people who lives in the fictional town of Dog River. Anything filmed indoors was done in Canada/Saskatchewan Production Studios in Regina. Exterior shots were done in Rouleau.

Corner Gas was created by Brent Butt, who also was a writer, showrunner executive producer, actor and occasionally directed the show.

Each episode typically revolves around 2-3 story lines, with the primary story line opening & closing each episode. Story lines do intertwine at times.

Regina is often referred to as “The City”.

The Howler is the local paper, which is known for frequently getting stories wrong, sensationalizing headlines, inaccuracies, and idiotic misspellings.

The police department has two squad cars. In most episodes, only one is actually used.

Dog River residents have a hatred for the people of neighboring town, Wullerton. Whenever Wullerton is mentioned, people have an unconscious habit of spitting. Their hatred is never discussed during the TV show, though is brought up on the 2014 movie.

Corner Gas is a good show for those looking for a family friendly programming. There’s plenty of dry humor The worst you’ll hear for language is “jackass” from Oscar Leroy. In the Pilates Twist, Paul (bartender) mentions how Wanda was “pissed” at Lacey.

Outside of that, I can’t think of anything that would be viewed as bad language.

The regular cast members are as follows:

Brent Leroy (Brent Butt):

Owner of Corner Gas, having inherited it from his father, Oscar Leroy.

Sarcastic & fun loving.

Participates in curling, softball, and baseball.

Reads comics.

Loves chili cheese dogs.

Fans of the Saskatchewan Roughriders & Minnesota Vikings.

Best friends with Hank.

Implied that Brent & Lacey have feelings for each other. Not acted on during the series.

Lacey Burrows (Gabrielle Miller):

Inherits the coffee shop from her Aunt Ruby, which was previously unnamed.

Names the coffee shop after her aunt.

From Toronto.

Constantly trying to fit in with the small town life, typically with bad results.

Terrible liar.

Jumps to conclusions quickly.

Poor winner.

Thinks everyone has a crush on her.

Thinks of herself as a sweetheart.

Knowledgeable about hockey.

Insecure.

Has regrets about where her life has gone.

Frustrated she can’t find a stable man in town.

Implied that Lacey & Brent have feelings for each other. Not acted on during the series.

Richard Henry "Hank" Yarbo (Fred Ewanuick):

Best friends with Brent.

Chronically unemployed.

Enjoys hanging out at Corner Gas, talking to Brent.

Frequently borrowing money from others, rarely paying them back.

Works various jobs, never holding anything down long term.

Can’t focus on anything long term.

Loves the CFL, especially the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Hockey fan (Vancouver Canucks).

Jack-of-all-Trades.

Not known as being bright.

Screws up constantly.

Wonda Dollard (Nancy Robertson):

Cashier at Corner Gas.

Self-professed smartest person in town.

Has a sardonic, caustic personality.

Loves to remind everyone of how smart she is.

Single mother to 6-year-old Tanner.

Tanner is a hell-spawnish child.

It’s implied that Hank is Tanner’s father.

Has a degree in linguistics and comparative religion.

Has a mild case of agoraphobia.

Oscar Leroy (Eric Peterson):

Brent’s father.
Previous owner/operator of Corner Gas.

Stereotypical elderly father (grouchy, irritable, signs of senility).

Uses “jackass” as an all-purpose word. Episode 1 of the first season is the only time he doesn’t say it.

Frequently wants the cops to arrest people who annoy him.

Exclaims “Holy Hell!” when dealing with something new or things that surprise him.

Brain capacity is similar to Hank’s.

Often schemes with Hank.

Like Hank, Oscar is known for making frequent mistakes.

When dealing with government employees, he exclaims “my taxes pay your salary!”

Likes to build and fix things, only for his handy work to fall apart easily.

Emma Leroy (Janet Wright):

Mother to Brent.

Wife to Oscar.

The brains of the family.

Argues with Oscar constantly.

Usually has to fix Oscar’s problems, often making things worse.

Known for being strong.

Still manages to love Oscar, despite his faults.

Reacts poorly when it looks like other people are “taking her place” in Brent’s life.

Hobbies include knitting, crocheting, and gardening.

Active in various committees in town.

Others look to her for advice.

Cunning.

Domineering personality.

Quick tempered.

Sergeant Quinton Davis (Lorne Cardinal):

Senior officer.

Overly sensitive.

Naps on the job.

Tends to misspend the budget.

Makes up laws as he goes.

Doesn’t take his job seriously.

Obsessed with Cosmopolitan magazine, retro-TV and classic cartoon shows.

Loves sci-fi.

Believes the original Battlestar Galactica legitimately happened.

Commonly blurts out “All Right!” enthusiastically.

Fan of the Saskatchewan Prairie Fire.

Fan of the Hardy Boys books.

Obsessed with Cosmopolitan magazine.

Cree Indian.

Divorced during the series, eventually marrying at the end of the series.

Constable Karen Pelly (Tara Spencer-Nairn):

Ambitious junior officer.

Can be neurotic at times.

Ranked 5^th in Canada for static apnea.

Good cook.

Doesn’t know how to ride a bike.

At least 10 years younger then most of the other characters.

Wide range of skills (martial arts, drawing, cooking, drumming, etc.).

Takes her job seriously.

Tends to have petty disputes with Davis.

Along with the regular characters, there’s a short list of recurring characters. They are:

Fitzy Fitzgerald (Cavan Cunningham):

Mayor of Dog River.

Takes his job seriously.

Thinks everyone else wants his job and will sabotage him to take his job away from him.

Personal life is largely unknown.

Has 1 child, possibly a son.

Wes Humboldt (Mike O’Brien):

Owns & operates liquor store and insurance agency.

Father died saving his platoon during Korean War. Was told he ran off to join the circus.

Paul Kinisto (Mark Dieter):

Bartender at the Dog River Hotel.

Cree.

Does speak some Cree.

Claims to have masters in History.

Replaced by Phil Kinisto (relations unknown) in season 4.

Josh the Cook (Josh Strait):

Chef at the Ruby.

Silent & reserved.

Quits temporarily so he can be a llama farmer.

Helen Jensen (Jean Freeman):

Fitzy’s grandma.

Myrtle Runciman (Gwen Seed):

Elderly neighbor of Oscar & Emma.

Batty.

Participates on Oscar & Emma’s curling team.

Vague & senile.

Corner Gas is an easy show to enjoy, as far as I’m concerned. The humor is dry and simple. There’s no complex set up just to get a cheap laugh. Anyone that gets the chance should give the show a chance. I believe the episodes are on YouTube for those who are interested.

If you’re interested in a clean cut show, Corner Gas is worth watching.

how is the economy really doing?

Currently, I don't know what the economic stats are. Quite honestly, trying to understand different aspects of the economy is like trying to learn Ancient Greek for me. Unless people are able to dumb it down, forget it.....I simply won't get it.

What I do understand is things that hit more on a personal level. If my ability to earn a paycheck is affected, I can grasp it. Cost of food goes up? Fuel costs? Can I afford to buy luxury items? Anything that affects me directly is something I can understand.

This brings me to stuff that I've been noticing more and more, as of late. Generally speaking, the local job market. Specifically? My brother's ability to get a job.

Over the last several months, he's been playing hell getting any kind of job. Part-time. Full-time. Seasonal. Doesn't seem to matter. Getting any kind of work is difficult to come by. Even with companies that are clearly advertising "WE NEED HELP" are dragging their feet, to put it nicely. If the stories I'm hearing are true, my brother isn't the only one suffering from this problem. We've been hearing plenty of complaints that companies need more help, yet there are people who can't land a job to save their lives.

From stories I've heard from various people, my brother isn't the only one suffering this problem. Most of what I hear is stuff that you don't hear about on a regular basis.....not unless you truly stop to pay attention to what's going on around you. I've heard people at different food banks mentioning that there's been a greater need for help during the last year or so. Depending on the food bank, some have been having problems keeping their shelves stocked long enough to make a difference.

I don't know if things are just slowing down in the area or if there are bigger problems that I'm unaware of. Maybe some of the issues I'm noticing are issues I simply didn't notice previously. That could just as easily be the case.

I would like to see real, actual stats on how well the economy is really doing. Where are the jobs at? Are they in retail? Food service? Financial? Public sector? Education? Manufacturing?

Are these jobs full-time? Are most of the jobs part-time? What's the under-employment rate? Are we keeping track of people who are collecting unemployment checks? What about the people who aren't getting unemployment checks? What about the people that the government isn't keeping track of?

Stats tell part of the story. How much of the story are we getting? How much are we missing?

Maybe we're smart for trying to be our own bosses. Perhaps self-employment is better then having a traditional job. Maybe this is just a string of lousy luck.

I'm confident that our fortunes will change eventually. It's just a question of time. We've hit some pretty low points in life before and managed to bounce back. We'll bounce back again. It's just a question of how long before things change for us. When our life improves, it'll be well worthwhile.