BANFF, Alta. – Unusually Thicke has been an unusually successful venture for Canadian Alan Thicke, who says his pseudo-reality show has been picked up for a second season.
“Ratings have been very good in both the States and Canada. We’ve been happily embraced and we’re ready to march on,” Thicke said in an interview with The Canadian Press at the Banff World Media Festival.
“We’re in our pre-production phase right now plotting what the hell we’ll do for an encore. The audience seems to have bought into our wink, wink, nudge, nudge way of doing things.”
The reality/sitcom hybrid (which airs in Canada on Slice) follows Thicke, model-wife Tanya and their family — which also includes sons Carter and Brennan, owner of a marijuana dispensary — in Santa Barbara, Calif.
There are also occasional appearances by his pop-star son, Robin Thicke of Blurred Lines fame, whose own reality right now includes a highly public split and attempts at reconciliation with his actress-wife, Paula Patton.
READ MORE: Alan Thicke, wife Tanya have different views on becoming parents
Thicke brings plenty of self-deprecating humour to the 14-episode series, which also features guest appearances from Bob Saget, David Hasselhoff, Wayne Gretzky, John Stamos and Bill Maher.
And through each effort he has made it clear he is truly Canadian.
“I think it was an opportunity to do that and I’m a Canadian citizen after all these years and trying to get Carter his dual citizenship,” he said.
“I’m proud of that. It’s part of my identity and a unique thing I carry with me is my Canadian-ness and we’re good folk.”
A major part of season one was Tanya’s desire to have a baby and Thicke’s hesitation because of his age (he’s 67). He said that will likely play out again in season 2 and has blurred over to their real life.
“Daily. In real life the baby issue lives with us. It’s either the first thing we discuss in the morning or the last thing at night,” he said with a chuckle.
One guest star that he wants on the show in the second season is actress Melissa McCarthy, who bought a house from Thicke over a year ago.
Season two is likely going to be less than 14 episodes however.
“We may have to cut back to 12,” said Thicke, who is being recognized as the Canadian of Distinction at the Banff festival. “I’m on a tour for much of next year. Getting us together will be a bit of a challenge but we’ll figure it out.”
On the tour, he hosts a live show called Dancing Like the Pros which pits professional dancers from TV and the competitive dance world against each other for the votes of a panel of judges and a live audience.
“It’s a remarkable show,” said Thicke. “They’re doing it like a Broadway touring company. I will be hosting. I will not be dancing.”
Comments