This week, an eight-minute "sizzle reel" was released on YouTube promoting the upcoming TV show Lake Shore, Toronto's take on the MTV hit Jersey Shore, which will follow eight buff, hard-partying, night-clubbing, Grey Goose-guzzling wannabes trying to live together under one roof. With the majority of characters coming from GTA suburbs, Mark Schatzker takes a look at the cast and wonders: 'This is a reality show. So what would it be like if it was filled with the real people you'd find along the lakeshore?'
Lake Shore character:
Tommy Hollywood - "The Czech"
"I'm lovin' life so much that I'm going to rip up the whole weekend! My name is Tommy Hollywood a.k.a. Lakeshore Tommy a.k.a. Prettyboy Floyd a.k.a. Money Mayweather Tommy. I came to Toronto when I was three years old and started taking over ever since… I got my crew, I got my entourage, I'm feeling good. Lake Shore, Lake Shore, Lake Shore! It's all about location, location, location."
Actual Lake Shore character:
Al - "The Commuter"
"Lake Shore has been a disaster ever since they closed the Gardiner's Jameson exit…They're not repairing the Jameson bridge, they're re-building it. Can't the sign just say that?… I get my traffic updates from CFTR. Best in the city, no question…What's the deal with airport limos, anyway? Would it kill them to signal?"
Lake Shore character:
Joey - "The Italian"
"I'm from Whitby, Ontario, and I'm Italian… No. 1 wop, baby. That's what it's all about. I party too much, spend my money too much… I bring the energy, I bring the fun, and I think I have an addictive personality… I'm crazy, I'm funny, I'm cocky, and I'm sexy. And also I'm super outgoing, baby. I'm ready to go. Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it!"
Actual Lake Shore character:
Mike - "The Urban Fisherman"
"People see you with a rod and tackle box on the Bathurst streetcar and think you're nuts, but sport fishing is Ontario Place's best kept secret. You can get bass, perch, sunfish, and the odd pike. I hear there's this weird prehistoric fish called gar over on the Islands. I might try catching one next summer."
Lake Shore character:
Downtown D - "The Albanian"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, how you doin', baby! … I'm very well connected in the club industry.… And I'm always downtown. Friday, Saturday. Thursday - maybe. Sunday - possibly.… There's no boring moment with me. When I'm out, I'm fully loaded. Doesn't matter if it costs 100 bucks, 2,000 bucks, I'm going all-in.… Liquor me up a little bit, get on my bad side, see what's gonna happen!"
Actual Lake Shore character:
Emma - "The co-op resident"
"My big thing is bike lanes. This city needs a lot more. I go to all the protests… I'm not into partying or anything. I like to chill out at HTO Park and watch the planes take off from the Island Airport. It's like simultaneously experiencing the best and worst of urban planning."
Lake Shore character:
Karolina - "The Pole"
"I'm 23 years old and I'm from Mississauga… It's gonna be wild, oh my god. Whooo!… Oh my god, I'm sick and I have a fever it's 40 degrees and I'm drinking and I'm in the pool!"
Actual Lake Shore character:
Anne - "The Condo Dweller"
"I'm 28. I bought a condo near Rogers Centre four years ago to be closer to work, but then the office moved to North York.… I like Firkin pubs. Trivia night is a hoot… It can be hard to meet guys."