Nuanced. - 151. Nancy Robertson: Acting, Corner Gas and Comedy

Episode Date: April 2, 2024

Nancy Robertson takes us through her acting journey, highlighting her initial struggles leading up to her iconic role in Corner Gas. She delves into the show's unique chemistry and her own personal development in a conversation filled with nostalgia and laughs, hosted by Aaron Pete.Nancy Robertson, celebrated for her role as Wanda in "Corner Gas," Canada's most-watched sitcom, has earned a Gemini Award, Canadian Comedy Award nominations, and Leo Awards for her versatile performances across TV, film, and stage, including a gender-transforming role in "Alice" and critical acclaim for "The Delicate Art of Parking." Recently, she shone as Billie in AMC's "Lucky Hank," adding to her impressive legacy and recognition as one of MORE Magazine's "Most Compelling Women."Send us a textThe "What's Going On?" PodcastThink casual, relatable discussions like you'd overhear in a barbershop....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the shownuancedmedia.ca

Welcome back to another episode of the Bigger Than Me podcast. Here is your host air. As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Corner Gas. I've spoken with Brent Butt, Lauren Cardinal, and now I'm speaking with a comedic genius who played Wanda. We explore her background, passion for acting, the journey onto the set of Corner Gas, and the impact that it had. My guest today is Nancy Robertson. Nancy, I've been looking forward to this interview. I have watched Corner Gas so many times.

I'm such a huge fan of the show. It had such a big impact on me growing up. Would you mind briefly introducing yourself for listeners who might not be acquainted with your amazing work? Oh, my name is Nancy Robertson. I played Wanda on Corner Gas for six seasons. and, and do other shows and just, um, just abroad. Just abroad. Fantastic.

Would you mind telling me what got you interested or passionate about acting? Um, it just kind of, it always, sorry, I'm drinking tea. So, um, it just because it was just something I was, I always wanted to do. I was always horsing around growing up, and I grew up with a very, my older sister and brother were really funny or are, and my dad was a riot. And it just, we were just always making plays and doing things. And it just, I could not think of anything else I wanted to do, but it just seemed like

it was impossible to do. But when I graduated high school, I thought, all right, so I went to secretary class. I went, no, this isn't going to do. I'm not going to do this. And not that there's anything wrong with that. And I just knew I wanted to make my own way. So it just took a while. And then I went to theater school and, yeah, and just finally took a leap.

I worked for the cable company for a while. And then I said, no, can't do this. And I left and just jumped in and got really fortunate. that I, you know, I started landing work because it's such a hard business to do that. And there's always people way more talented and that are, you know, beside you, ahead of you, behind you. And so sometimes there's no rhyme or reason why something works out. And I'm just grateful that so far so good. Where do you think the authentic, passionate energy comes from for you? Because that seems to be like a very unique trait for you that you bring this this great energy oh well that's

nice um i don't know i i that's hard for me to say i don't know uh because you know when it's something that i say that you know that that's attributed to yourself you kind of you don't know anything different so i i don't know but you you must have met people over the years who are very bland, very vanilla, very check the box, life is so-so. And you don't bring that energy to your work professionally, but just in conversations, you just don't have that type of energy. You seem high-spirited and positive. I am. I'm kind of extreme. I can be very up and positive and full of energy when called for.

But I can also be pretty low-key and reserved at the same time too. So I think it's like everybody. Just like if you meet people that you may think are kind of, you know, bland or whatever, they're probably not. It's just the circumstance. is maybe that you meet somebody in and, you know, maybe in their own private world, they're, you know, they're a blast. So I don't know. I'm just saying I don't know a lot. It's a very thoughtful, I don't know, though. There's a lot of information tied in with it.

When did you start to find your path? When did you start to realize how you were going to make your way in acting? I don't think I ever knew how I was going to make my way. The only thing that I knew was that if I didn't keep moving at it, it wasn't going to happen. And there were lots of times where you're thinking, well, I've got to give it up. You know, I've sold my bike. I've, you know, I've done all these kind of things, you know, trying to make my way and feed myself while doing this. It's kind of the same old story, but it's true. I mean, it's, it's feast or famine in this industry, and most of it is famine. And so there's a lot of times, you know, you just feel like this just isn't going to happen.

I'm not going to get this. And it's tough. And like I said, the most incredible actors and performers are ones that we'll never know. And because it's just so difficult. But I just knew that I just couldn't think of anything else I would do. And I think that's one of the key things. things. Was there a moment that it clicked?

That I got work or? Anything where you realize that this is it and there's nothing else for you. Was there a moment when you were on stage or anything? Oh, yeah. Yeah. I think it started when I started when I was going to theater school and we would do, I don't know what they called it. We would have plays and showcases in the theater, and they went really well.

I had a lot of fun with them. And I thought, okay, maybe I'm, you know, maybe I can get by on this. So it was a little bit of a smattering of approval that came about. And that made me feel that maybe I was headed in the right direction. But you see, the thing is, too, is that you're never going to be everybody's taste. you know so but I knew um from the response in the audience from the first showcases and stuff that I had done um that um it felt really great and um and I got some approval from that and that I think that probably sealed it you know

because I honest to God I didn't know what I would do without it I honestly didn't know what I would do was my life that's really good to hear because I think some people can feel lost and then other people seem to find exactly where they're supposed to be and exactly what they're supposed to be doing. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I think so because the only way I can kind of, it's not necessarily based on my ability, but I've been able to feed myself. And that's a big deal in this thing. So I haven't had to go elsewhere for sustenance. And that's, yeah, it's, I'm just really, really fortunate, and I know that.

Is there a type of character that you enjoyed playing in those early days, a dark character, a happy character? Is there something that stood out to you about the people that you were playing? I kind of like, I always like a little bit of dark. in a comedy in a way that there's something kind of underlying a little bit and then when I did the series hiccups years ago she was such a I played such a happy character where she basically I always figured if she was one of those people like my dad that he woke up with this you know a great expectation for the day and happy and whistling and all it took was somebody just to put a damper on it that would just ruin it. So, but your first place to jump off is happy. And so it was

fun playing somebody like that, too. So, but when she, you know, when somebody made her unhappy, she would go dark as well. So I like a little bit of everything. I'm, I can, you know, I, I, I, I, I like dark as much as I like light. I don't know whether I, you know, it's just, uh, I don't know, I kind of go, don't, I don't go too introspective into it either, because sometimes it's just, you don't even know where you're going with something and it just kind of takes you, you know, depending on your, who you're acting opposite from and, and who's directing and the writing and, uh, and then just add a splash of what you bring to it. It's important that you do. That's our job to bring in our own flavor. Yeah. You have a long history with Fred Ewan Chuck. Would you mind taking us

all the way back to the art of parking? Oh, yeah, absolutely. Um, I did. I first, he, I used to do Vancouver Theatre Sports and he knew a lot of people that, that I would be performing with. And so I'd heard of him. And when we had the first read-through for Delicator to parking, he was there, obviously, because he was the lead. And we didn't have, I don't think we had any scenes together, actually, Fred and I, I'm trying to think. But we got to know each other, like at the rap party, at the reeds through and everything. And then a director that we had mutually worked with doing a short film asked if I would come and do a part on this film. And Fred was on it. And so we hadn't seen each other since the premiere of Delicate Art of Parking. And it was kind of funny because we were just sitting there in between takes. And he just said, you know, what are you up to?

And I said, oh, you know, not much. I said, I'm on hold for some TV show. I don't know whether I'm going to get it or not, but they've got me on hold. And he said, yeah, me too. And then we just kind of took a beat. And he said, what show are you on hold for? I said, it's called Corner Gas. And he went, I am on hold for that too.

So, lo and behold, you know, a few weeks later, we both got it. And he flew out, I think, a few days ahead of me. And when I flew in, I didn't know anybody except him. and he came and met me at the Regina airport. And, and, yeah, and then from then on, and he's my buddy. Fascinating. Would you mind walking us more specifically through that? I had Brent recount the casting for it, the process that they went through,

and then he mentioned that you were infamous for improv, that you were well known for being so funny and so likable, and that you were one of their top choices, when they were going in for auditions, would you mind recounting your own experience, getting that offer to come and audition for this opportunity? Well, when I, when I got the, you know, the agent, my agent at that time called and said,

you know, you want to read for this? I think they were looking older, not too old, but a little bit older. And so the casting director had mentioned to, the network people and to Brent and David and Virginia, the executive producers

about bringing in Nancy Robertson. And so I came in. I did it. I improvved this little tag at the end of it. Because you want to be careful enough to overdo it. It's just something that just kind of fell out naturally at the end of it. And I laughed

I didn't think anything about it. What is the tag? Sorry? It was something about it was in, obviously it was in the first season, but it wasn't the first episode, I don't think. It was, oh, I was asking if it was, I don't know whether it was the garbage person, the recycling person or the tech person or something, I can't remember, but somebody, a regular service person that would come into the gas station. and I said, which one is it? Is it the one with, I think, something with a mole on his neck or something? I don't know.

And I don't remember what I said, but it was something about a handsome one. And I don't remember what it was. It's Rash Wednesday or something like that. It's something like that. And that was the end of the scene. And we did another scene in the show, but I don't remember what it was. was, but I know it was just kind of a tag. And then I was told that I was being considered, and they would like me to come back in

and do a callback. And I had come in, because everybody kind of went in looking really shabby. And they asked, they said, you know, these people aren't. shabby they're just they just live in a smaller town and so they said just come back basically clean up a little bit and then come in and reread and the head of ctb at that time had before i had read he had um another actress that had worked on one of their shows in mind and uh for wanda and she apparently looked very similar to

Gabe who played Lacey and they said that it's too you know and they were you know like I think they did for all of us they just they were the executive producers were really really great about sticking with who they really wanted

and so I came in and read it again and waited about another 10 days didn't hear a thing and then I got it. And I think it was basically 10 days later I'm on a plane to Regina. What did you think of the character when you first started preparing?

I kind of took it literally at first. I took her to be kind of like, originally I kind of had her as she was smart and more, normal than I and then I think I kind of started moving her to be you know

juvenile in a arrogant way that makes sense making her you know her brains a little obnoxious and juvenile responses to Hank and everybody and then the thing is too is when you start a series

The beauty of it, and it's such a privilege. You get to, you grow, the actors and the writers grow together because we all see, we see what we're given as, you know, from the writing room, and they see what we're giving, you know, the actors are giving. And then we grow. The characters grow together. And it's, it's really cool. And it's, that's the real blessing of a, you know, of a series, because you can help grow and you can help change and everything. Like if it's a film or if you're just on as a guest star and stuff. stuff like that. You've got one shot to, you know, to come up with a character, but with a

series, you can make the character grow. So, yeah, it was just a really good time. I've spoken to Lauren and I've spoken to Brent. And one of my question was, did you ever see it going the direction it did when you did the first read, when you're flying out to Regina? Did you ever have any clue? No, none at all. I know that we had a really good first table read-through with everybody when everybody got out there and we were all settled into Regina and we had the big read-through. And there was kind of like a little bit of a silence after we read the first script because normally you read two scripts at a time because we're shooting two at a time. But after we read the first one, there was kind of like a, oh, this was fun. And everybody was enjoying each other.

and what they were, you know, the read and what was coming out. So that was really kind of nice. And then I think, I can't remember how many episodes we shot back then. I think it was 10. And we were told by one of the executive producers with a network that you're going to have to get, you know, 500,000 viewers for it to stay. And back then in Canadian television, that was pretty much unheard of. And we're like, whoa, uh-oh. And so we didn't think of any.

We didn't think about it. And then the reviews started coming out. They were really great. And, oh, I know when I thought it might be good. It was when we saw the promos. And whoever did the promos, and I forget, they looked different back then. They were sharper. The images were sharper.

It was, it just kind of grasped. your interest and the and the twangy um background music that went with it it was like oh this looks like a good show and then when we got the numbers from the first night that it aired we were like oh my god and then the next ones came in and and at that point i mean we never sunk below a million viewers in the whole sixth season and in fact you know it got even bigger and um and that just wasn't happening. We actually were, see, I shouldn't have had tea because now I'm hyper on the caffeine. The Big Bang Theory, when it came out, they bumped us behind it because it was a brand new big U.S. show. And the ratings weren't great for the Big Bang Theory originally.

So they put us back as a lead-in to the Big Bang Theory. And then, of course, the Big Bang Theory or you just blew everything up, literally. And their numbers were great. So we were really lucky that we had the audience that we did back then, really, really lucky. And just so, and how they've kind of kept with us, it's just been fantastic. I don't know what that's about, but we'll take it. There's real loyalty there. When did you and Brent start to work together?

When did you start to have conversations? When did the spark take place? Oh, I'm not going to go into too much detail about that. that. But by the end of the season, and, you know, at that point, you're thinking, well, this will never go anyways. We've all been, you know, most things don't go again, and especially if it's a Canadian show. It doesn't, you know, it's hard. And so we just quit. We like the same things. We like the same humor. I like the same films. And, and, you know, and, it was just the perfect time in our life to meet.

And when we wrapped the season one, we started dating. And I'm here in his garage right now, years later. Brilliant. And what were the next steps? Were you guys excited going into the future of what things were going to take place? Were you confident in season two once season one wrapped? Yeah, you know, I don't remember feeling confident, but I also don't remember feeling nervous about this.

I think we were all really excited to get back at it. And so thrilled we got, you know, that we're going back for season two with such nice ratings and reviews and everything. And I think, you know, there's always a trepidation because everything gets measured from the first. And so, you know, I think once we wrap season two, we're like, oh, I hope it's people enjoyed as much as he did season one. And there's been growth to different characters because Suzanne Boyce, who's so wonderful,

she was one of the heads of CTV. And she called and me one time, it's season one. And she was looking at some of the dailies And she said that if there's a season two I would like to see more of your character And I would like to see more of Davis and Carrion The cops And I thought well that would be lovely

But you know it's a big cast So we all started to get to grow a little bit And that was exciting There was you know More to do and, yeah, it just, it was fun. But I don't, I think just always being grateful that I was never, I didn't really think about not getting picked up when we went into the second season

because it was just all so much gravy that even if it didn't, what a riot we had, you know? We broke some rating records and, but then we ended up going for six. That's such a healthy mindset. And Brent shared the same kind of sentiments that like everything after that was, kind of like, just be grateful that you had this opportunity and not setting too much expectations on things. And maybe we get stuck as people in the expectations to where are we going rather than enjoying the ride. Yeah, that's it, you know, and that's so true. And it was kind of that because we really were enjoying the ride. And, and, and, you know, and as the seasons

went on, you had to kind of, you know, by the time we got to like, say, season five, it's kind like, well, season four and five, it was kind of like, well, this is the norm. And that's where you've got to be careful because it's not the norm. It can be taken away at any moment. And so you just, you know, as the longer we were in it, the more we just had to kind of like go, hey, we're really lucky. I wouldn't say lucky. I'm just very grateful, you know, I kind of don't know about luck. I think things happen, you know, that are meant to happen.

And I, but I'm just very grateful because, like I said, there's so many amazingly talented people out there behind and in front of the camera that you're just like, wow, you know, why aren't you a bigillionaire and in everything? So we were fortunate. Do you think that there was something about all of you having fun in the process? that it wasn't just checking a ball because it wasn't just doing a scene. It seemed like there was genuine chemistry there of enjoying the process. I think so.

I mean, in my opinion, I think we all felt that. I think that there was chemistry. And there was something to be said about being planted in Regina together. You know, we lived in the same condo building. We were driven in the same vans to set for the first couple of years. It was like you, you, that I think, really assisted in it. And also the more popular it got, the more we traveled together because we were going to, you know, we would be meeting in Toronto for press. We'd be doing things. We went down to New York when the show was nominated for an international Emmy. So we were in New York together. And, you know, we've just spent so much time together. And like I said, living in the same condo, we're going out for dinner. We're going out to Hanlon's pub in Regina when we wrap on a Friday. It's pretty hard not to get to, you know, to feel really, really comfortable around your castmates.

Did you have a family, you know, barred each other? A favorite, like, moment as Wanda. Did you have a time where it stood out to you? Yeah, I think I really liked season five for Wanda. And I'm speaking selfishly, like, for my character. I felt that I mean, I had fun with her all seasons, and we were just blessed with these amazing writers, you know, Brent's and his crew and everything. But, Bava really liked it because she had the contagious fortune, the Pink Eye episode, Buzz Driver, when Oscar is driving the bus and Wanda's getting all wound up on the haywire juice. And there's another one.

I forget where she's the bartender and she ends up tearing Davis and Karen apart. Yeah, I just thought that was a really good, you know, a really good season for her. And I have to say, I think shooting the, I can't pick a favorite. I have a hard time watching myself now and I don't necessarily watch it when I go by.

I spend like maybe a minute on it because I'm so much younger. My favorite, I think, is buzz driver and for that exact reason, because I think as a young person, like we all have that experience where we've had way too much energy drink. And that was like such an accurate representation of how you feel when you're on it. And to see some of the dramatic moments was just kind of pulled everything together. Yeah. And it was fun because, you know, they had me up on. the roof of the gas station and flipping down, you know, below. I was terrified of that. It wasn't

that high, but I still wasn't thrilled about it. So I had, you know, I had Roger, I think, one of our crew holding onto my ankles. So I didn't, you know, I didn't fall off when I flipped down there. But it was, no, it was, it was fun. I liked, yeah, there was so much fun. And you kind of, sometimes you forget it, because, you know, they're long hours. And the weather, you know, it's either really, really hot. And so we're kind of, you get kind of, I know, you can, you got to have to check yourself every once in a while and go, you know, there's other jobs that you could be doing that aren't so great.

And this is really great. So. Was that at all strange to be brought out to the middle of nowhere to do some of these shots in comparison to being in Vancouver or doing some of the shots? Um, yeah, I mean, it, it, it was my first location, uh, uh, shoot. And, um, it, it was kind of odd. And, uh, because I'm used to the water, being born and raised in Vancouver, that, to go out somewhere where there's no water, you can't see it was a little claustrophobic. And, uh, and then I, you know, and I'd never been there before. And, um, and I remember saying to somebody, I went, I, I, I just know nothing about, you know, in general. I don't have any connection to it. And then I had to stop and go, yeah, I do. My dad was born in Saskatoon and then brought when he was a young boy into Vancouver. And my dad and mom and older sister, I had to go out before I was born because dad got a job just outside in Regina. And my brother was born in Regina before I was born. So I realized, yeah. So all the men in my life are from Saskatchewan. My brother, my dad, my husband. Was there a standout moment with the live show? It's Stephen Harper, like the morning news one.

Was there a standout moment to you of the whole show that was somewhat unique? Well, it was unique having Stephen Harper and Paul Martin. And Paul, I didn't, I wasn't on set with Paul Martin, but I met him later that evening and he was lovely. And, but when we were shooting the one with Stephen Harper, we're pulling up into this little dirt triangle that was the corner gas set. Like, it literally is in the middle of nowhere. And it's just this gas station built to, you know, to shoot in and outside of. But there was black limos all the way down the dirt road, security limos.

And that's just bizarre when you're pulling in it, you know, six in the morning and you still sleep and then there's all these limos there. And then standing outside my trailer was a secret security guy. And he wouldn't look at me because he has to keep his eye out. So I remember going up to my trailer. I said, oh, you know, excuse me, but I actually have to get in behind you. This is my trailer. And he said, all right. And then I just leaned into him. And I went, what are you looking at? And he said, pie shape, ma'am, pie shape. And I said, what do you mean?

He goes, we all take every secret service person takes their vision into a pie shape. And they're responsible for that piece of pie. So if anything happens on their watch and that slice of pie, it's on them. And so I went, oh, cool. So I went in and I got into my wardrobe heading to, and I was getting out of my trailer. And I was just standing outside talking to somebody. I don't know who, and it was on my way to hair and makeup. And I hear this big tap on my back, and I turn around.

And it's just a big hand coming at me going, Stephen Harper. And I went, oh, hello. And I see these piercing wolf-like eyes. And so that was, and that was my introduction to Stephen Harper. And was that your favorite one? Or like Brent mentioned the tragically hip performing for you guys almost privately. Oh. that's that's my favorite and I think it was I mean we had everybody he probably told you that

everybody that wasn't working that day just happened to turn up first thing in the morning so we shot part of that in studio in Regina and then we had to go out and drive to Rollo to do the exterior where we're coming into the garage and to do the turnaround and and while we're all hanging out in the studio waiting for things to get going they're just playing they're just playing their guitars, singing, just doing what they do, I guess, to make themselves comfortable. And they were all so great and so funny. And when we were, we were separated into two vans, of course, the tragically hip kind of one van. And then Brent and, I think it was just maybe Fred and I in the van heading out to where we're doing the next shot for the exteriors with them. and I just started talking to them on the radio back and forth from one van to the other and pretending that they couldn't hear me in just saying things,

oh my God, they're dreaming. All of the stuff, so they're laughing. So they were great. They were wonderful. It was just so surreal because I used to, I had their CDs when CDs were the thing. I also had the CDs of the odds. Like Craig Norley, he does all the music. So it was just so cool to me.

these people and work with them if I you know who'd have thought when I was listening to their CDs in my beatbox that I'd be working with them was it hard for season six to come and for that chapter to come to a close harder than I thought it was going to be yeah I think um uh in in some ways it was time I think you know it was a long time for a lot of people that had families that were away because, you know, we were gone four and a half months at least. And I mean, as the series went on, we got lots of flights home for the weekends or whenever we had days off during the shoot. We would, you know, a lot of us would fly home. But a lot of the people can't. Like a lot of the writers couldn't fly home. Brent could never fly home. And

It was just, it was, I think it was the right time, you know, I mean, there's the financial end of it, you know, you think, oh, well, you know, more money wouldn't have been such a bad thing, but that's not why you do it, because then it just gets all, if that's what it's all about, then it's the charm and everything goes. So I think, I think it, I know it ended when it should have ended, but it still didn't make it any easier when it was happening. And I think the, but it didn't really hit until we were shooting the very last episode. And we shot it as the very last episode because sometimes you don't run them in sequence. And we did. And it was, the reader was pretty tough, the rap when you finished your final scene. Because all of us were wrapped at a different, depending what scene you're in, we're at a different time. Fred and I were wrapped together. and yeah, it was, it was very emotional.

Was it nice to have the movie come back? Yeah, I mean, I was surprised that that was even going to be happening. Like I didn't know what I thought about that. I thought, oh, what's this going to be like? And back then, five years seemed like a long, long time. But now, when I look back at it, it doesn't seem that it was that far between wrapping the series and the film. But I guess it was it was timed pretty well, not that I had anything to do with that. But yeah, it was great.

And it was so weird because we went back to the same places where we used to stay at the condo. And it's like we had never left. And it was bizarre. It was like there wasn't a, there wasn't a beat, you know. So that's kind of nice, too, that it's. just all fell in completely naturally. It was being home in a way. What was the big difference between the live show and the animated show for you?

A big difference. I, the scripts were different because you could go wider and bigger. Do you know what I mean? So I felt that there was, which was good because we were, our characters were different than to a certain degree a little bit different than they were on the live action

because here we were animated and we could get away with more things and it was far less work for us the actors I mean we're so used to working together that we would just go in and record and out we went and so that was a positive and a negative

I missed being physically a part of it. I felt that it was hard not to, I mean, we would move our bodies almost like we normally would, you know, if we were, if we were doing the live action. But it's just, it's different. It's a, it's a whole different way of, uh, of acting. So I found that, um, I found it more convenient and, uh, and I enjoyed it. Um, but I, did miss the physical part of it of actually being able to contribute, even though they did copy

our mannerisms from the live action. So it was, it was a great new experience. I loved it. I could have done, we could have done more of those for sure. But that, if I had to say there was one thing that was strange to me is that is just not being fully body Wanda. Yeah, and that chemistry, I guess, would have lacked a little bit more in that regard too, right? Well, yeah, because we were separated a lot of times because in the sense that if you weren't in some scenes, you didn't come in at the same time. So it's not as if we're hanging out of the makeup trailer and we're seeing each other on set or anything before we're going on to scenes and stuff like that. And then when the pandemic hit, we were all in different rooms because we couldn't record in the same room. and so we're not beside each other

but our history together made that a lot easier we're thankful for that because we knew the beats and the timing of all the other characters and everything and it's um uh and we didn't have janet so that was different too because we'd lost janet and uh but koreen came in and she was amazing

but so those were different things you know It was, but it was fun to do. And we had great actors that do animation, I think, for the most part. And they're self-skilled. And they were great. Who played the townspeople? They were amazing. Lorne had talked about how one of his experiences from like the impact of the show that he got to see was that he had spoken to some veterans who were over in Afghanistan that were getting rocket attacked.

And they had come to him and said, we were watching corner gas during a time where we were scared. for our lives and we were just bunkered down. Brent had talked about how he heard a lot that it was a generational show where different people could watch it. They could watch it with their kids. What were your big takeaways from hearing from the public? What was the response you got in terms of the impact of corner gas? Just kindness. Just genuine kindness. Like it's not, you know, sometimes if you do something and somebody comes up, because, oh, I saw you in this. Good job or something like that. And it's just kind of like, it's nice. But it's not, you know, It's just a nice comment, but the one slip with a cornered gas, it was basically, I think when they would see us, I think we felt a bit, a bit like home to them because they always said that they watched you with their family because they could.

And we had every, every demographic. I mean, you can't get those numbers without having every demographic watching. And yeah, it was just a kindness and a warmness. I was never, never anything negative or sarcastic. It was just, you just felt, you just felt really lucky to be a part of something that is part of these people's lives that brought them, you know, and still to this day, brings them comfort and joy and everything like, how fortunate are we to be in something like that? Because we weren't nice to each other.

The characters weren't nice to each other. It wasn't as if this was as sweet as I think people think it is. It's just that the characters, because that's all they're all they had, it would basically, nobody else can make fun of you, but we can't. We weren't a sucky group of people. Like, do you know what I mean? We weren't, it was just, I think, a nice story about people knowing each other too well in a small town existing. And nothing more than that. I think one of my favorite parts about the show is it reminds you to find,

beauty in the small moments that small things are really the big things when when we talk about wanting to go on a vacation to Mexico that's a week of your year or maybe two weeks of your year but the reality is you want to find beauty in the 365 days and you want to find fun and joy and humor and connection and you want to be able to joke around with people and not take things too seriously and not get offended by things and just have fun around each other yeah and that's a safety if you're a around people that you're safe with, like these characters were safe, because where were they going to go? And they found safety in knowing how, knowing each other characters

so well that nothing really shocked them and nothing, there was no damage done. Because like I said, they're in this small town. Where are they going to go? It's, you know, if you disliked everybody, then you wouldn't go out. So, yeah. And I think there was just comfort. in that, in over-familiarity, and we all have it. We all have it in our families. We have it no matter where we live, where you work. And yeah, I think it was, I think it was a nice little slice of life. And nothing disastrous happened. It was big problems, made out of little things. One of my favorite things about how you portrayed the character, and I, I think your genuine energy is that you can be serious.

You can be intelligent, but you don't have to be boring. And as somebody who's gone to law school, who's gotten the degrees, I find that people who go to law school want to come across intelligence so much so that I think they sacrifice parts of their personality in order to be perceived as the professional person. And I never want to become that. I always want to do my best to be intelligent or think things through. But to be fun. Well, you're doing that well?

but still to be lighthearted and not to take myself too seriously. And I found that Wanda and how you portray yourself is so thoughtful to that. You can be smart, you can think things through, but you can also be fun and silly, and that doesn't take away from who you are. It actually enriches who you are. Well, that's lovely to say. Yeah, I wanted her to have, I wanted her to have a weakness. And in not having power with her, that her power, her intent,

or her, you know, the intelligence that she thought she had, wasn't, wasn't the power she thinks it is. And, and you could always get her. Like, like, Hank could always get her. Could always, you know, and I think, I'm not sure. I think, I think, the first time Wanda jumps over the counter, I'm not so sure, but I think that was improvised. and chased him out of the gas station. Right. And because he just gets to her and like a sibling. And so we were given an opportunity to do things and to, I mean, well, it's your job.

It's actually, it's a smart thing to do is if you, is to, we helped mold what they were by dropping little things in. And then the writers were so great, then they'd pop a little, pop a little bit more onto it, and then you take it. And it's like, it's such a great collaboration. So, yeah, I like, I like playing Wanda. We have to get down to the crux of the issue, though. You're one of the only people I know who can cut somebody's hair and blow up so much on YouTube. Would you mind telling me about cutting Bryn's hair and how viral that video went for one of them? I didn't want to do it. I said, no, I'm not, first of all, A, I'm not getting your hair. And B, I don't want to do it.

I don't want to do this. But he talked me into it. And I didn't know it was that popular to tell you the truth. So that's interesting. But I didn't know that. No. No, I think it's got like over 20,000 views at least. Oh, really?

Yeah. Oh, that's so. funny. No, I don't, I, um, but it was fun and, uh, and I did cut his hair and I didn't do a good job. And, and, but I told him that was probably what's going to happen. So, but you know, it was such a weird time with COVID, wasn't it? I mean, it's like you just, it was, you know, maybe one of the reasons I, I did it, you know, that we did it is just some way to be creative and perform when we can't you know so it was such a weird time you know i don't i don't know if we've ever still fully recovered from it while it's still going on but yeah weird have you thought about

what next steps you want for your career i do find that you and brent watching that that video is so funny that you guys still have a dynamic do you have any plans in the future no um i mean Not at this point. No, I think, I mean, I like to do, we both like to do separate things. And because that's kind of what we do, you know. So, but I mean, who knows? I mean, there's certainly nothing in the plans right now. But, I mean, never say never.

I don't know. I don't know what my next gig is at any point in time, you know, which is maybe it's good and bad, you know, it's always feast or famine. Do you have any advice for young creators on how to get their message out and how to stay authentic in a time where I do see so many people trying to figure out how to fit into niches and into other people's boxes, how to stay authentic and continue to share their gifts? do you mean in the industry or just in life just in life just in life well i don't know you see

because it's hard to say that because i think it also depends on what age you're at i think at certain ages when you're younger i mean that's part of the thing is wanting to fit in but when you get older you look back at it and you go well that's not necessarily the coolest place to be you know like being who you are is um is the best you can be and because who you are is is great and i think the i think when you try really hard to be something else that you're not you're not happy and and i think sometimes maybe that brings out behavior in people that stops them from going forward and stops them from finding their people but you don't know until you get older.

And, you know, that's a good thing. Well, there's lots of good things about getting older. But I, yeah, I mean, who you are, there's only one of you. There's only one of you. So just by that math, you're incredible and you're unique. And, you know, yes, you pick up things just five. your environment, but I think you're also born a certain way. And there's all these things, there's these chemicals, there's these genes, these experiences, everything that everybody goes

through is solely their own. So you're all you got. Have some fun with yourself. That doesn't sound right, but you know what I mean. Just enjoy yourself as you are. And I know that that's hard because it's hard. I mean, we're all tough on ourselves, but if you can step back and look at it, I think, yeah, you're great, just as you are, because you're you, you're you, and nobody is like you. That is an apt observation. I don't know about that. Thank you. That was really well said. Nancy, I want to thank you for doing this.

I watched Corner Gas as a kid. I used to use it to go to sleep at night. I would have it on into the background. And so I am a student of the work that you all put into that show. I am so grateful for all of the insights you shared. And again, for me, I always look at that show and go, it's okay to be silly. It's okay to be serious, but it's okay to be fun and easygoing and make a joke of yourself at times. You don't have to take yourself too seriously. You're not defined by the silliest thing you did. You're not defined by the most professional thing you did. You're a dynamic person and you're going to have different vibes and different moments and you should share all of yourself with the world because that's what's going to lift

others up to allow them to do the same. And I think corner gas is a reflection of that. So thank you for being willing to do this interview and share your journey. Well, it's such an honor to have you, you know, to have to have to have been a part of your life. And that's so wonderful. And look how wonderful you turned out. See? I don't know about all that. Yeah. No. And this is and so I'm, I'm honored to be a part of your podcast. This is so great. Thank you so much. Brilliant. Tim, how did we do? Fabulous. I'm just listening and smiling ear to ear. It's been great. Well, thank you so much. And I'm so sorry about the other day. I am the worst. My agent just gets... I frustrate him to no end. I frustrate all my friends from no end because I am

so forgetful. I'm just, yeah, and I apologize so much. So I'm so sorry about that. You were very much worth the way this was a fantastic interview. And as I said, you bring such an authentic energy to the conversation that it feels, I don't know, breezy. It feels easygoing. Sometimes people are really serious when they're on the other side of the camera. And this was just so much fun. Oh, good. I enjoyed myself, too.

Have you got Fred on yet? I haven't got Fred on, and I haven't had, my apologies, Oscar on either. Oh, Eric. Yes, Eric, well, both of those guys, you know, they're fantastic. all everybody's fantastic to talk to. You're all so sneaky on social media though. Like trying to find, like I tried to find you on Instagram, Twitter, and then I reached out, I figured out how to reach out to your agent and then I reached out through that means. But it's hard to find some people on how to contact them. Yeah, because, yeah, what is Fred? Fred

doesn't do a lot of social media. But no, that's not true. I think. it's like you can have social media but you can also have it turned off so people can't contact you oh i don't know that he does that i don't i i don't i just don't remember what his his tag is but he does have he is on um instagram he went off twitter and instagram for a long time and then came back on it eric is not on any of it i know he's not but um i know he's with characters in I think he's with characters

in Toronto and Fred is with with I think he's with Murray at Red Talent I'm pretty sure

but but I'm sure Fred I'm sure both of them would be very happy to do this brilliant so I'm just trying to

think yeah i wish i if i had my phone here i could give you his you know what maybe see if i can find it now that i've got your email i'll see if i can get there um i can get freds for you like his his instagram or whatever yeah yeah so and then uh for eric i think characters in uh in toronto that would be fantastic again thank you so much for being willing to do this i really appreciate it sounds like it was a little bit of work getting the studio all prepared by This is because I'm a Luddite. I'm just useless. I just, I'm horrible at this stuff.

And I get, I had to do my taxes this week. And I was just miserable because it all on the computer, everything, I'm, I don't. Yeah. Yeah. I hope there's not an apocalypse because I wouldn't do very well. It sounds like everything would go back to normal for you. Yeah. That's right.

That's right. There wouldn't be any electronic, so you'd be good to go. I would be good. Hey, that's who you follow on the apocalypse then. It'd be me. Exactly. Yeah. Well, thank you both so much. And I'll see if I can get his Instagram, not to you.

Find out, because I don't remember what his label is. Sounds good. I will go looking for it, and I can follow up with you. Thank you so much again. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Bye-bye. Oh, now I got to do this. Got it.

No, you're back. That was fun. That was fun.