Although filmed in Canada, I don’t think it’s set there. Maybe they never said, but as I recall in the first episode when they reveal they owned the town, I think I recall them saying in was in northern California.
No, they never actually say where the town is. Probably on purpose.
They never come right out and say where it is, but there are some times where it’s implied that they’re in Canada. Like Ray Butani saying he moved there from Winnipeg. And references to Canadian culture, like one of the characters mentioning being in a curling club. And if I remember correctly, there were some times where people were shown paying for things with cash, and if you look closely they’re paying with Canadian money.
I also remember seeing a sign with a speed limit of 50 on a quiet street.
On the other hand, there’s an episode where a police officer says that indecent exposure is a “misdemeanor”, which isn’t really a thing in Canadian law.
I grew up in a small town in western Canada that was almost entirely white-European. There were some people of Asian background - India and China. There was no-one of First Nations background in my school the entire time I was there. May have changed since then, but there’s a lot of little towns that are mainly European heritage.
This is a bit of a diversion from the original question but it was something that hurt my ability to enjoy the show so I think it fits. It’s a problem with the premise. I hope someone can help me with it.
The Rose family moves to Schitt’s Creek because it’s the last thing they own. What does it mean that they own the town? Do they own all of the property? Because it clearly shows they have zero income. If they own the town why is no one paying them rent? Owning the town seems to only get them two rooms at the motel but nothing else. And yet at one point they are about to sell to Steve Bannon (at least that’s who the character reminded me of). It’s apparently worth something even though it seems like there is no income associated with it.
We talked about the inconsistent approach to “owning the town” in a previous thread/topic. If they own the town, how is it that Stevie inherited the motel, or David had to lease the former general store location for his store?
I wouldn’t think too much about it. It was just a plot contrivance to get them to the town and stick them there. It doesn’t make any sense. Roland is the mayor, they have a town council, and the various businesses are owned by individuals.
It is really common in Canada to find small towns that are not only all white, but almost all from the same cultural background: Mennonite, Ukranian, etc. Especially true on the praries where large populations from the same regionnof Europe settled. Where I grew up in Saskatchewan, it was mostly Mennonites from Germany and Russia.
I remember once my grandfather had a fight with my grandmother, and later said that the problem was that they were in a mixed marriage.
Me: “Huh? How is yours a mixed marriage?”
Grandpa: “Why, she’s Mennonite Brethren, and I’m Mennonite Conference!”
Me: “What’s the difference?”
Grandpa: “Lots! For instance, when we baptize, you go right under the water. Her faith only sprinkles a little water on your head!”
That’s how much ‘diversity’ you’ll find in some Canadian towns.
Yeah–it seems to me like it’s a symbolic gimmick the town came up with in order to fill a budget shortfall at some point, a gimmick with no legal meaning. Some other rich asshole might buy it, because rich assholes like to have status symbols, and owning a town–even if it doesn’t really mean anything–is a status symbol.
Similar for me. My grandfather and my grandmother were both born in Canada. He was descended from Irish settlers on the prairies, she was descended from Scottish settlers on the prairies.
Clearly, a mixed marriage.
Now that I think about it, there was one guy named Côté, but whether he was Fransaskois, or Métis, or First Nations, I couldn’t say. With that last name, any of those options would be available, depending on his personal ancestry.
I’ve never seen the show, but because of this thread, I’ve started to. It’s available via streaming, and I’m about halfway through the first season.
What Sam said. What I am finding interesting, is that the town looks awfully familiar. A little research on filming locations told me that I know the town quite well, having passed through it hundreds of times. It’s Goodwood, Ontario, only ten minutes from Stouffville, where I lived for some years (and Stouffville is the home of the veterinary clinic, which I recognized immediately). Anyway, if they are using locals as background extras in scenes in the cafe, on the street, at parties and gatherings, and so on; then you’re not going to see a lot of racial diversity, because both of these towns are pretty much all-white.
It’s interesting–Toronto likes to tout itself as diverse, and it is, both racially and culturally. It’s likely the most diverse city on the planet. And yet, just 45 minutes or so northeast of Toronto are Stouffville and Goodwood–and Uxbridge and Unionville and Ringwood and Gormley and others–which most definitely are not.
Too late to edit: the motel is nowhere near Stouffville or Goodwood. It’s miles west of those, maybe an hour northwest of Toronto.
Yeah - think of it as the town selling an NFT to the Roses.
I share the OPs aversion to Chris Elliot, and I kept away from the show for the longest time just because of the title. I am a huge fan, and agree that all the characters get less obnoxious (minus Moira) as the show goes on, but if anyone isn’t into it after a few episodes, even in season 1, it’s not for them.
I watched two fucking seasons of Buffy The Vampire Slayer because fans kept encouraging me with all kinds of equivocated bullshit…what a waste of a few days. It just wasn’t for me. Learned early with The Wire, Arrested Development and Shameless.
I loved this show but don’t need to watch it again. I adore Moira and loathe Roland. Not too fond of Alexis. But every episode made me laugh/
I always got a bang out of the odd mannerisms of David and Alexis, and the way they would make their feelings known about things without being rude, like the trailing “So…” or the no-comment “Hmmm.”
Like most people commenting, I started with the show when it first aired, forced myself to watch 3 or 4 episodes, and gave up.
I loath Chris Elliot. Fortunately, he was softened slightly and given a ton less screen time. So, when I was told I should give it a second chance, I did, and ended up liking it a lot. Not as much as Arrested Development, but a good bit.
I like Moira. I really like Alexis, and Johnny is just such a sweet guy. David kinda got on my nerves a bit, but I could deal. Jocelyn was great, too.
My sister had to clue me in to what it sounds like if you say Roland’s first and last name fast.
Same with Jocelyn. And their baby.