Simply the Best 25 Schitt’s Creek Secrets Revealed

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

In the realm of television comedy, few shows have captivated audiences quite like Schitt’s Creek, a gem that shines brighter than the Rose family’s most ostentatious bling. Behind this sparkling spectacle stands the visionary mind of Dan Levy, a creative force who has masterfully weaved a tale as rich and layered as the fabrics that adorn Moira’s ever-changing wigs.


Wow, Davis! It’s hard to believe that over 10 years have passed since our initial trip to Schitt’s Creek, isn’t it?

On January 13, 2015, a cherished comedy series from Pop TV made its premiere, showcasing the Rose family to audiences. This family was portrayed by father-son duo and future Emmys hosts, Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, along with Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy. The Rose family were a wealthy group who had to relocate from their luxurious lifestyle to a small town when they ran out of money.

Throughout the span of six seasons, “Schitt’s Creek” grew into a powerful influence in pop culture – a small Canadian production that defied expectations, if one likes to put it that way – due to its intricately layered characters, outstanding acting, and quick, witty dialogue.

Following its final episode broadcasted in 2020, “Schitt’s Creek” shone brightly at every awards ceremony. The principal foursome reigned supreme across acting categories at the Emmys, also securing a prestigious Outstanding Comedy Series award. Subsequently, at the 2021 Golden Globes, this sitcom was honored with the Best Television Series (Musical or Comedy) accolade, further demonstrating that the Rose family’s fortunes had truly blossomed.

And while gossip is the devil’s telephone, there’s no harm in a bit of reminiscing.

As the duo who create the beloved Schmidt family prepares to accept an Emmy award, we’re sharing exclusive insights about Annie’s memorable “A Little Bit Alexis” scene, the surprising love story between David and Patrick (Noah Reid) and the popular character who almost didn’t make it to the show when filming began in 2014.

Feel free to continue exploring the fascinating facts hidden within Schitt’s Creek, a journey we’re confident will intrigue you! Enjoy the read.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

Those who followed MTV’s “The Hills” might recall Dan Levy as the co-host of the post-show. In a 2015 interview with Out magazine, Toronto-born Dan shared that his reality TV experience sparked the creation of “Schitt’s Creek”. As he put it, “It all began when I was in Los Angeles, with the desire to write. I had been consuming some reality TV and pondering what might occur if one of these affluent families lost everything. Would the Kardashians remain the Kardashians without their wealth?

2. The idea behind Johnny Rose buying a small town stemmed from the true event where Kim Basinger purchased a town in Georgia back in 1989.

3. Previously, Dan had never sought his well-known father’s aid. However, he shared with Variety that he eventually approached Eugene Levy about collaborating on the series. He admitted, “I proposed the idea of a wealthy family losing their fortune and asked, ‘Would you like to work on this with me?’ To which he responded, ‘Yes,'” Dan recounted, suggesting that the offer was something he had hoped would come up much sooner.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

4. It was the father’s suggestion to ask Catherine O’Hara, who is both Eugene’s friend and a fellow SCTV cast member, to play Moira. At first, she was reluctant, but eventually agreed to do just the pilot presentation as a favor for her longstanding collaborator.

Dan shared with Variety that when the show was renewed, he had to approach her again. She was hesitant, understandably so, as it was a significant uncertainty and television requires dedication. In the end, he asked Eugene to persuade her to try it for one season. Evidently, his strategy succeeded. The character of Alexis, played by Canadian actress Annie Murphy, completed the Rose family as David’s sister.

5. Catherine adopted Moira’s unique accent and tried to explain it via email. “I was essentially telling Eugene, ‘I don’t want to sound human,'” she shared with Variety. Throughout the show, she frequently enriched Moira’s dialogues using words from Foyle’s Philavery: A Collection of Rare Words.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

6. The reason behind Alexis’ famous exclamation “Ew, David!” originated because Dan often says it in real life, he shared. He tries not to consider the audience too much regarding their expectations. He feels that when a show becomes self-aware, he starts to disconnect. He simply enjoys hearing Annie say “David.

7. The quaint Canadian town where “Schitt’s Creek” is set, Goodwood, Ontario, has experienced an influx of tourists due to the popular series. “We significantly enhanced the town’s shabby charm,” Dan said in an interview with NPR.

In these challenging times of the coronavirus outbreak, I found myself appealing to our dear followers via Twitter, asking them not to visit our beloved town at present. The reason behind this request is the concern for the well-being and safety of our residents. I appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

As a lifestyle expert, let me share an interesting tidbit from the world of television: many viewers have wondered about the exact location of the quirky town depicted in Schitt’s Creek. However, the mystery was finally solved in 2018 when Dan Levy, one of the show’s creators, confirmed that this fictional town is nestled within Canada. He explained to Buzzfeed News, “Since we’re a Canadian production, it’s only natural that Schitt’s Creek is a Canadian town.” Although the exact location has never been explicitly mentioned on the show, Dan prefers not to specify a precise spot. But for those who insist on knowing, the town can be found within the beautiful landscapes of our beloved Canada.

9. The producers faced obstacles to preserve the show’s title during network pitches, eventually resorting to printing out pages to demonstrate it was a genuine surname. Dan said, “I wasn’t sure if there were many people in Canada or not, but only a few in Ireland.” Thankfully, those individuals existed, allowing us to retain our name. (Entertainment Weekly)

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

10. Among the show’s most memorable scenes was the uncovering that Alexis attempted a career in reality television and composed a theme song for her potential series. Fans were delighted, as the track “A Little Bit Alexis” quickly gained popularity online. Interestingly, Annie penned the song with assistance from her spouse, Menno Versteeg, aiming to create a hit reminiscent of the style that Britney Spears or Paris Hilton might have produced.

Dan shared with EW that he assigned his co-star with a task due to her being immersed in musicians, new people, and producers. He said, “‘Let me give it a try,’ she replied.” Later, Dan receives tweets mostly from men within the LGBTQ+ community who frequent clubs, indicating the song is played there. To him, this is the highest compliment as it’s similar to playing in gay bars and clubs.

11. Apart from composing the catchy tune, Annie additionally shared that she created Alexis’ dance routine, which she hadn’t disclosed before filming the scene. Speaking with EW, she admitted to keeping her fingers crossed that it would be good enough, and then went ahead and performed it.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

12. Initially, Annie tried out for the character Stevie Budd opposite Abby Elliott (daughter of Chris Elliott, also known as Roland Schitt from “Schitt’s Creek”) in the pilot presentation for Saturday Night Live. However, when Abby encountered scheduling issues and had to leave the show, Annie managed to secure the role after a tough competition against numerous other actresses. In fact, she even dyed her hair blonde specifically for this part. What an inspiring journey she’s had!

Prior to Emily Hampshire being chosen as Stevie, Lindsay Sloane initially played the role of David’s deadpan best friend and Johnny’s motel partner. However, during her audition, Emily made a striking first impression when she said, “I’m sorry, this is going to be terrible,” which Dan remembered vividly at the 92Y Talks in 2018.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

14. Before the casting of Noah Reid as Patrick Brewer, the specifics about his sexual orientation, relationship status, and role within David’s love life were still undecided. Dan expressed how exciting it is when creating television characters that haven’t been cast yet, only to have them fit perfectly, not just for their individual roles but also for how they interact with other characters. He added that the discovery was a delightful surprise, and it was clear from early on that this character would become a significant part of the storyline. Dan shared these thoughts with Entertainment Weekly.

15. Originally, it was written for Patrick to initiate the first kiss between him and David in the season three finale. However, after discussing their personal experiences regarding coming out with a friend, Dan felt that the scene should be reversed. He revised the script on the spur of the moment the night before filming, sharing the new lines with Noah during their drive to the set.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

16. In season four, Patrick’s captivating rendition of “Simply the Best,” a standout moment for the series, was originally penned as “Patrick performs an unexpectedly enchanting cover.” However, the unique acoustic style was all Noah’s creation, as the talented musician spent numerous weeks perfecting it before bringing his interpretation to the Tina Turner classic.

In an interview with EW, Dan expressed that if the particular song wasn’t present or if he hadn’t performed it as he did, the impact and emotional depth of that scene might not have been as powerful, and his character may not have undergone the transformation it did.

17. The sincere emotional reaction of Moira during the performance left Catherine in tears. Therefore, Dan decided to include this scene in the final edit, as he felt it emphasized “the authenticity of television…it was a touching moment for me personally, as it symbolized a parent’s pride and support for their child.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

18. Later on, David reciprocated Patrick’s kindness by performing a dance routine to the same timeless song. As an actor, Dan confessed that shooting that particular scene was “the most precarious I’ve ever been…such uninhibited disregard for how it would look or come across on camera.

Before starting the filming, Dan and Noah shared a bottle of prosecco during their lunch. Originally, Dan planned the scene for humor, but later discovered its deeper impact as both cast members and crew on set were emotionally moved: “I thought I had made a mistake, and there are instances in TV production where things occur that aren’t anticipated.

19. Although it had a modest fan base when it originally aired on Pop TV, Schitt’s Creek didn’t truly gain wide recognition until it became available on Netflix in 2017. According to Variety, the show ranked as Netflix’s second most-watched acquired series, trailing only The Office.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

20. Initially, Moira and David’s Christmas performance was intended to be a solo act for the Rose family’s leading lady, but Catherine persuaded them to perform as a duo instead. As Dan recounted to EW, “Her gaze when she shared the news with me was like she was saying, ‘You’re going to do this.’ I replied, ‘When will I have another chance like this to be forever etched into television history?’

Dustin Milligan, the actor who portrayed Alexis’ romantic interest Ted, first crossed paths with Dan many years ago during an audition for the same unclaimed role that neither of them ultimately got.

On the set, Dustin admitted that he began incorporating puns into his lines without asking for permission. He explained, “I simply started saying these puns without consulting anyone, but they managed to get a chuckle out of the crew… I’m not sure why Dan allowed me to continue doing it, but he did.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

22. Assembling a stylish yet extravagant wardrobe for the Rose family on a limited budget was quite a challenge, as Dan explained to Entertainment Weekly, “It involved a constant search through eBay, second-hand shops, vintage stores, and various consignment apps all year round.

23. (As an Obsessed Fan) Throughout the entire series, I’ve been captivated by Catherine’s incredible transformation as Moira, where she sported over 100 distinct wigs! This character quirk was even requested by her in the show. She once shared, “I know two women who switch wigs during an evening,” and sometimes, when there wasn’t a scripted name for a wig, she would use her friends’ names instead.

Simply the Best 25 Schitt's Creek Secrets Revealed

24. Initially, Dan planned for Schitt’s Creek to have five seasons, but later altered his plans when he stated, “Given the chance, we could do two seasons, and I decided, ‘I can wrap up this story in 28 episodes.’

25. He hasn’t completely dismissed the possibility of going back to Schitt’s Creek or delving into the Rose family again in the future. In an interview with EW, he said, “I feel quite certain that we’ve exhausted all possibilities. But the show doesn’t end with a big bang. If a suitable idea arises in the future that seems worth exploring and brings our cast back together, we might continue the story. I’m not one to rule things out permanently. This is just the end for now.

According to his statement made to TopMob News in December 2023, he expressed his affection for the desire of people to have more, but emphasized that it must surpass what they’ve already accomplished, which is quite challenging. Until a suitable idea arises, he remains uncertain.

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2024-09-15 04:20