I am Bernard "aka CYRUS" Robichaud from The Trailer Park Boys. Ask Me Anything!

Who would win in a dirty dancing contest, Cyrus or Patrick Swayze?

Hahahahaha, yeah right Indianapolis Jones, I already beat Ricky, and I'd have to raise Patrick from under the table during a fuckin seance!

Thank you to Reddit for there hospitality and having me on this evenings AMA, it's truly appreciated and an honour to have spent the time with all of you and thank you all for taking the time out of your evening and busy lives for me. I also want to thank you for your years of support its been a wonderful ride and I've met many friends who have taken the time to get to know me. I also want to thank Atticus138, and Hero0fwar for putting this event together and moderating it for all of us to enjoy. Good Night to you all, its been my pleasure. B

2 hours and only 9 comments?! gree, hee, eassy.

Bernard, big fan here, though you'll have to forgive that I've only seen you in TPB and that one standup on your website. Anyway, a few questions:

1) Who did you get along with most on the set of TPB?

2) In the scenes with Terry and Dennis, was their junk really hanging out during filming?

3) Do you drive a red corvette in real life? That car suits you really well.

We all got along on the set thats the beautiful thing about the show it had a great cast and we were a great team that worked well together! LOL no Terry and Dennis junk wasn't really hanging out, at least not in front of me! No I don't drive a red corvette but if you know someone that wants to give me one to drive and use for promotion, shit, let me know!

Thank you for doing this AMA.

1) How much freedom did you have with the Cyrus character?

2) Who came up with the "Safety always off" line? I know that a lot of the dialogue isn't scripted.

**BTW, Here is a pic of me,my wife and The Boys at a show back in October. When your name came up at the show the reaction from the crowd was great! Everybody was screaming and booing!!

My pleasure! Well we had a great director in Mike Clattenburg who allowed us more freedom than most which helped with the creation of the character! SafetY Always Off was actually something Mike Clattenburg asked me to say during the filming of my interview in the very first episode. Good question Thank you! Oh thats very cool man, its very humbling to know the character has brought that much attention and animosity to the show!

What was the song that was always playing when you pulled up in the car?

You ever get your grade 10?

Im Old You're Young by Rick Jeffrey from the CD Twice As Hard!

I want info on the possible TPB movie filming in the fall. Are you going to be in it? What are the chances it will actually get made? and fuck off!

Yes there is talk of TPB3 filming this fall, but when I couldn't speculate on that, sorry! Will I be in it? Thats also been rumoured but again I can't confirm, I don't have a contract yet but it's too early to talk to much on the subject. I hope I will be part of it. Theres a petition online apparently so if my character is one you'd like to see, voice your opinion and sign and fuckoff yourself!

What was it like being there at the very beginning of the series - before any episodes had be aired or even filmed? Was there a lot of optimism that the show would be a success or did you think that it wouldn't really turn into much of anything? Also, how in your opinion has the series changed over the years? And lastly, what's your favorite episode?

It's always exciting in Canadian Film and Television to work! We were happy to be working and have a job, we had no idea the show would turn into what its become, even after we were hired for season 2. Well At least I felt that way when season 2 happened. Its hard to say hjow its changed, we've grown in character, scripts, etc. And I don't really have a favourite, I get pleasure out of doing the character and if that brings a smile to others than I've done my job.

How hard has it been getting new jobs being that Cyrus was such a defining role? I love the character Cyrus, but I feel like I would think of you as Cyrus in anything I saw you in.

Love your work. now fuck off I got work to do

Ive worked while I was Cyrus, check out my filmography on my websites or IMDB! Yeah well no offence Lady ra ra but I hope your not hiring.

I've got a couple things...

1 - Aside from the possible upcoming TPB movie, do you have any new or interesting projects in the works?

and 2 or 3, or whatever the fuck number we're on, have you seen the Trailer Park Boys Drinking Game? SmartWentCody posted it here last month.

I have the Adventures of Black Bart in development, along with two screenplays Kitchen Sports and A Woman Scorned which are both in the draft phases of development. I haven't seen it but great its great to have the tribute to the show even though I don't think I'm part of the game but then Cyrus is a drug dealer not a bootlegger!

I really want to know the origin of the line "Fuck off, I got work to do". Such a great line; I'd love to know if it was some random adlib or if there's some story behind it.

edit: I just realized from the TPB flair we have here that it might be weird that I'm asking you a question with a picture of your face next to my name.

I said it in the first scene and it stuck. I don't think I was the first to ever say it just the first to make it stick. No shit no man don't feel weird I'm getting use to being called J A Sterling!

I've got a few questions. 1) How much of the scenes you were in were fully scripted and how much of what we saw was improvised? 2) what influenced your acting style and helped you develop your character? 3) Any chance of seeing you in the upcoming movie? I hope so! love your character and thanks for doing this AMA.

Good question but hard to remember a percentage but if you like how it was done then we did it well. My character is based on several I grew up with as for my style its something I envision while reading the character I'm portraying and therefore changes with every role.

I have no questions for you, Mr. Robichaud. I just want to tell you that you have aged magnificently since first I saw you on TPB. Please feel free to remind me that I should fuck off, I know that you've got work to do.

Ok thank you, that's very kind, and please fuckoff I have work to do!

My 2 main burning questions have yet to be answered. 1) whats in julians cup? 2) did the actor who played Jim ever get wasted or is that the best acting ever?

Coca cola, and he's very talented!

Who actually drew the cock on the trailer in season 5? Quality work, for sure.

No idea, not sure I want to know, I can't draw a cock.

I recently went to the TPB stage show in Melbourne, Australia. They asked for audience participation to play out a skit from the show. Ricky and Julian asked for "the biggest dickhead in Melbourne', and proceeded to use the 'dickhead' for your part. Having said all that, is it all in good fun, even after all these years and do people come up to you and tell you to fuck off because they've got work to do? Is it still fun to be the 'hated guy'?

Also, how was the atmosphere on set? A good environment with free range to improv or was it strictly set to script?

Thanks for your part on the show! Great character.

The boys have toured and done that i believe you can see a lot of footage on Youtube. I think it would've been funnier with me, but yes all in good fun, and yes people say that all the fuckin time. It's always fun to play the bad guy.Yes as I stated above the set environment was a healthy one which transformed onto the screen.

Verified

THX FOR THE TALKTHRU BUD!

BE BACK TOMORROW!

Were you on set for the Steve French episode?

Are you friends with Dennis outside of TPB?

Were the camera men that filmed TPB actors acting as cameramen or cameramen acting as actors?

Nope. We haven't talked in about a year and then it's been on Facebook. They were cameramen acting as cameramen.

One of my favorite things about TPB are the fight scenes...i like how shitty they are and how no one even attempts to make them look real. Fighting Randy with his pants off was one of them that killed ...what was the atmosphere on the set before and during these shitty fight scenes?

-Safety always off!

Well they were all fun to be apart of, Randy and my fight was fine until he actually did hit me and then he was very apologetic for hours afterward.

All right I got one for ya, heavy-metal dick.

You're character rarely (if at all, my memory is fucky, I may remember you drinking in Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys, but that's it) drinks on camera. In a show where basically everyone else drank! Was that to make you seem like more of an outcast/asshole type character or did the boys just not even bother having Cyrus drink?

No Cyrus is a drug dealer, and I don't drink and drive. How am I sposed to sell drugs out of my car if I'm half in the bag!

I always wondered: why IS the safety always off?

To make easier to put a cap in your ass!

1. Do you still have the safety always off?
2. Will you have anything to do with the rumored new TPB movie?
3. How's Ricky's homegrown?

Yes, it's always off. Possibly, I can only hope, it would be a pleasure to work with the cast and Mike Clattenburg again.

Mike Smith posted this link on Facebook yesterday - are you (going to be) involved with the upcoming project, as well as anything with the boys in the future?

e: Also, what was it like working with John Dunsworth? I read somewhere that he rarely drinks, so he's an amazing actor to pull it off so well and consistently, and from the interviews I've watched he seems like a great guy.

I couldn't say for certain. Yeah Johns a great actor and we've known one another over 20 years.

I love the song that is always playing in Cyrus' car! how did they choose that song? Also, where can I get a copy of it?!

Mike Clattenburgs father was very food friends with Rick Jeffrey, I believe they played together, and I'm sure thats how it came about but couldn't confirm but likely.

Which episode(s) were your favorite to film and why? Which person from the cast did you relate with the most, off screen?

Of screen we all have rooms to hang out in and relax, Barrie Dunn and I have been friends for years so we often hung out on our down time.

1. Was the gun a prop, or real?
2. Do you still have the original gun?
3. Was it always the same gun we saw on the show, or were there multiple?

Breaking from the gun questions:

1. Do you smoke buds? If not, did you back then (during Season 1)?
2. Are you close with The Boys? Any plans to hook up with them for any potential future projects?
3. What is your favorite performance, of yourself, from anything besides TPB?

Guns real fires blanks. No I have something very similar. There were multiple. No. Not sure, it's possible I guess.

Hey Cyrus do you like fishing?

Fishing fuck yeah deep sea with one a them fly rods!

-Is tpb 3 actually happening and please for the love of god tell me Cyrus is making an appearance? -Is it fun working with the "boys" and when you guys start the swearing at each other how hard is it to keep a straight face? -Last, what's next for you as far as acting, writing, directing? What can we look forward to?

-Thanks buddy for doing this, it means a lot to the little guys. Keep up the good work.

I've been told it is a ago not sure when, see above. No we all swear like troopers. It's normal we all read Websters Collegiate Dictionary prior to doing the show and that where we got all our fuck words.

"Fuck off, I got work to do"

Just wanted to say that part cracked me up every time, especially when Cyrus gets his ass kicked, says that, and peels out in his car. My question (if you're allowed to answer): Was there ever real weed smoked on the show?

never.

Why does Cyrus listen to "I'm Old, You're Young" by Rick Jeffery everytime he's in the car?

Why is Cyrus so damn cool?

Well its the only song I have and the 8 track is broken. And Cyrus is so damned cool cause he's the only guy in the show driving a fuckin sports car.

Just logged in to say my last name is the same as yours. I totally flipped out when I first saw your name in the titles. I'm American, but my family's from New Brunswick originally. What part of Canada are you from?

I live in NB now.

• What was your favorite episode you appeared in?

• Did you come up with the "hubble-bubble telescope" nickname for Bubbles or was that a writer?

• What is your favorite meal?

Loved your work in the show, and good luck with your stand up! I'll come see you if you can make your way down to Chicago.

I didn't have a favourite they were all fun, but season 45 seems to be most everyones favourite. No did not come up with that line but its very clever. Anything Italian. I love Chicago so I hope so too.

Any thoughts on the actress who plays Terry and Dennis' Grandma? What do you think she thinks of the show and her role in it?

I don't know I don't speak Japanese. She does make a great cookie.

Where'd you get that sweet-ass jacket?

Seriously though, you fit the part perfect and I love seeing you in the few episodes you are in.

Thank you that jacket I bought while I was living in LA at a place called Thieves Market!

Mr. Robichaud Which do you find more challenging. Augusta or Peeble Beach?

I haven't played either but have been invited to play Peeble Beach. Augusta is very hard to get onto.

Hey Bernard, I appreciate you doing this AMA but alot of people are expecting it over at http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/ maybe you could move it over there :)?

Also where did you grow up? Did you grow up in New Glasgow like Mike or are you a Halifax native?

I grew up in Halifax.

What is the status of your project "Black Bart" ? ANy idea when we might see that on tv. Sounds interesting.

Still in development not sure when but we'd like to think we will go viral with about 10 mins of the first episode late summer. We are trying to raise about 5k to facilitate that at the moment. If any or all of you want to generously donate to that, 20 dollars I'll send out autographed 8x10's.

Hey Cyrus, how much of a sports fan are you? Have a favorite NHL or CFL team?

Thanks, and hope to see you swing by Regina sometime.

Boston had always been my fav hockey team and no I don't watch much CFL regardless of the guys I know in the league or have been apart of the league.

Ad founder of /r/trailerparkboys I'd like to thank Bernard and those who made this possible.

Thank you!

Will there ever be a spinoff centered around Cyrus' character?

I could only wish that to happen.

What do you enjoy more.. Filming TPB or doing your live touring show and why?

they both have their merits, I enjoy, one is in front of the camera and one is live and requires a state of mind which in my opinion makes stand up one of the most difficult mediums to work in.

Thanks for doing this!

If you don't mind answering a couple of questions about TPB,

1. Who was your favorite character and why?
2. What was your favorite scene from TBP with you in it?
3. What about a scene that you weren't in?

Thanks so much again!

EDIT added more questions!

My pleasure! I don't really have a favourite character tiger than my dirty dance girls they were awesome. And all scenes with them were the same.

1: I've seen photo's of Bernard playing hockey and golfing in his Cyrus Character with his leather jacket on! WTF is that about?

2: Does Bernard often get people coming up to him while he's doing everyday errands because they recognize him as Cyrus?

3: Who has inspired Bernard the most in the entertainment profession? And if he could meet one famous celeb who would it be?

Well I participate in many fundraising events for the under privileged. Not if I'm wearing a ball hat. Many have inspired me over the years I was under privileged but if i was able to meet one celebrity it would be Clint Eastwood.

I was just introduced to TPB about 3 months ago, it is by far the funniest shows I've seen in a long time! Anyway:

Where did you get your start?

How were you introduced to the role of Cyrus?

What are you working on now?

Thanks!

I got my start in theatre school. I auditioned for it. Barrie Dunn called me the night before and asked if I would.

Obviously when Lahey kissed you on the lips you weren't expecting that. What happened after that was shot and what was said? Can't help but rewind every time I see it! haha

no i wasn't but nothing happened we all laughed and had listerine!

how do you feel about Sonny jocking your style? seriously that motherfucker has all your trademarks

Very flattered, nice work.

1) What's Black Bart all about? Will it be aired in the US? Mistaken for a school teacher but moves from town-to-town? More info!

2) I know there has been some bad blood between Clattenberg and some of the cast before (Corey and Trevor), what is your take on their claims (assuming you saw the thing that Mike Jackson wrote). It's been asked if you are going to be in 3, but do you know if they are?

How did you get into acting? From the stand-up? Any formal training? Did you learn anything from working with Dunsworth and the others?

Its about a dumbass parolee who owes a Drug Kingpin money and he tries to avoid that and Fabrizio the cross dressing collector by hitchhiking across the country and by doing so fucks up others criminal activity but helps some poor sole along the way. Its kind of breaking bad meets the littlest hobo. I really couldn't tell you anything about that or the claims you're referring to sorry. I went to Dal theatre school and then worked with Dot Ward who taught at Stratford and now George Brown and she was instrumental in getting me hired at Neptune Theatre in Halifax where I learned my craft. I believe you learn from every job you take on like you would with every other thing you do in life.

I have heard that most of the dialog is improvised. Do you guys have to do a lot of takes from cracking up a lot?

No we don't that's expensive.

1 Will you be in TP3 that is being filmed this fall

2 how did you get the gig as the nemesis.

3 Does that corvette really drive

4 what's his favorite roll you have ever played (minus tpb part)

5 does it drive you nuts when people recognize him in the streets as cyrus and yell out "FUCK OFF"?

6 Any teenage memories in your life seem similar to a scene from tpb

7 did you watch every episode and season of tpb

8 have you ever thought of getting online sponsors and starting his own internet podcast with a few friends making side money between gigs, if so would that be a decent pay? if not what about charging per download? something like 75 cents a video. (too low to bother pirate.) edited Sorry I copied and pasted another post I did in the prep thread of this, legit questions I wanted answers to, but had to change some details

Not sure, I hope to be. I auditioned and got the role. Yes the corvette drives or at least it did. They were favourites I don't put anymore or less into any role despite its size. I use to people saying that or at least I fucking better be. hahahahah They all do. I grew up in a similar neighbourhood.

Have you ever gotten recognized? Were you feared or loved?

Aaaaaaaah Yeah I've been recognized, and of course I was loved, but I had my gun on me.

Did you think you would return so many times as our beloved antagonist after the First Episode of TPB?

Never, but thankfully I did something right.

I've always been curious if you knew early on that you'd get to play a recurring character on the show. I always thought I'd seen the last of you after early in Season 1, but then you showed up and just kept showing up throughout the series. Was this always the plan or just the effect of you nailing that character and really being a great presence on the show?

I had no idea that would happen but I guess the proof is in the pudding.

I LOVE TPB so much, I have the box set and have seen the series through twice now, and me and my family watch an episode almost every night still (just last night finished the episode with the big gun fight in the trailer park) I've always thought Cyrus's character was hilarious too. I'll seriously be soooooo happy if a cast member of TPB responds to me and my family will be shocked too!!! Anyway for my questions: 1. Marijuana is obviously a huge part of the show, but did any of the cast actually smoke during production? It's obviously okay if you don't want to talk about something personal like that, but it's been a point of debate in my family for years.

1. How did you like working on TPB? Was the cast and crew friendly? I remember reading the actor who played Cory's blog about how he hated it, and everyone treated him terribly. Did you feel the same way? Were you good friends with the boys? I really really really hope you can take some time to answer my questions Mr. Robichaud. I've always wanted to talk to someone that was part of TPB sooo much!

no they never did to my knowledge, and Mike Clattenburg is totally against that sort of behaviour. I loved working on the show. I never felt that way, no. We are friends yes. I hope that answered your questions.

What happened to cory and trevor in the last season?

I shot them so they had toy go and get their arms worked on!

What was your reaction when first presented with TPB? Were you ever considered (or thought about considering) for a different role in the show?

Well I was flattered to be considered for one role but never another at least to my knowledge.

Are you as greasy of a dirty dancer in real life too??

no I don't think so but you'd have to ask my dance partners that!

What do you value in life? As a real person, and as Cyrus.

Honestly that question takes less time to write than it does for me to answer. Get to know me on Facebook and you'll get to know who I am.

How do I become one of your Dirty Dance Girls???

hahahahaha well you only have to audition.