‘Schitt’s Creek’ stars talk about final season of their cult hit
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‘Schitt’s Creek’ stars talk about final season of their cult hit
Chris Pozzebon knew what others needed a little more time to discover.
Schitt’s Creek was a special TV comedy.
Pozzebon, a Sault Ste. Marie native, worked on the CBC show starring Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara for its first two seasons.
The St. Basil Secondary School graduate penned four episodes, including Surprise Party and Allez Vous, and served as executive story editor for 26.
“It was pretty clear from the get-go it was a pretty special group of people and a pretty fun show, a pretty relevant show,” Pozzebon told The Sault Star during a recent telephone interview from Los Angeles. “I think when you’re working on a show like that, you get a feeling, and you are waiting for everybody to catch up and discover it and realize it is what you think it is, too.”
Johnny Rose (Levy) and his family hit hard times when they’re bilked by their business manager. All they have left is Schitt’s Creek, a town purchased for Rose’s son, David (Daniel Levy). They move to the community.
Pozzebon knew Daniel Levy when he was a student at York University. They worked together at Rogers Video. That connection was remembered when Pozzebon and Levy crossed paths on a ferry to Toronto Island. Levy extended an invitation to Pozzebon to be part of the program.
“It went from there,” said Pozzebon. “Right person at the right time.”
He’s most fond of The Drip, the first episode he penned for Schitt’s Creek.
“I like that one a lot,” said Pozzebon.
Schitt’s Creek has gained a wider audience, thanks to being seen on Netflix, and a slew of awards, including 18 Canadian Screen Awards alongside Emmy (outstanding comedy series), Screen Actors Guild (comedy series ensemble) People’s Choice (comedy show of 2019) nominations.
“It’s really caught fire the last two years, hasn’t it?” said Pozzebon. “It seemed like they really found their stride the last few years.”
He appreciates the show’s creative team’s decision to end Schitt’s Creek after six years rather than trying to extend its run – and possibly tarnishing the comedy’s reputation.
“It gives people the chance to end their story on their terms and end their show the way they want to end it,” said Pozzebon. “The worst thing in the world is to drag something out beyond the point of interest just to keep going. I think to end something when you want to end it is important. Plus, it makes people look forward to your next idea. They want more, so hopefully they come to your next thing, too.”
Next up for Pozzebon after Schitt’s Creek was Blindspot, a crime drama NBC started to broadcast in 2015. The final season airs later this year. From start to finish, Pozzebon’s been there as a staff writer .
“Blindspot has been a pretty amazing experience,” he said. “It’s been pretty incredible to be part of all 100 episodes, that’s for sure.”
The show has evolved over its five-season run from a “big, dark, conspiracy mystery thriller” to a family drama, revenge story and a cross between Mission: Impossible and a James Bond tale.
“You’ll see what it’s going to turn into,” for its final year, said Pozzebon.
He credits the show’s longevity to a creative team that’s largely remained consistent over the five-year run.
Now, Pozzebon waits to see where his career will take him next.
“I always knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry,” he said. Just what he would do “shifted and moulded” over time. In high school, he imagined writing for Saturday Night Live and directing movies. He opted to be a writer.
“You don’t really need anything other than a pencil and some paper,” said Pozzebon. “You don’t have to be reliant on anybody else.”
He plans to follow Schitt’s Creek “and see how it all ends.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together,” he said.
