Looks like the plug’s been pulled on the Toronto-based hot-mess-of-a-reality-show, Lake Shore, before it even got turned on (no pun intended. Well, maybe a little). The Star reports that the show is a no-go after producers couldn’t secure a network to pick it up. We’re not all that surprised, considering the recent controversy it begat, but we can’t help but wonder what could have been if Lake Shore did make its way into our homes, into our lives.
Below, a vision of Toronto’s future, had Lake Shore actually come to pass.
1. Toronto gets Real-er. Toronto, which hasn’t been home to too many reality shows before, goes reality crazy. Lake Shore takes off, and a slew of other Toronto-based MTV-esque reality shows hits the airwaves, including Cherry Beach, The G.T.A. and The Forest Hills. Toronto wastes hours upon hours watching television.
2. Cast members become big time (D-list) celebrities. Torontonians hang on the edge of their seats as they wonder who is going to be the next The Situation: Joey Violin, Downtown D, or Tommy Hollywood. With Jersey Shore cast members doing everything from pistachio commercials to Dancing with the Stars, turning on the television in Toronto becomes synonymous with seeing Downtown D hawking walnuts. Tommy Hollywood appears on Being Erica as the new love interest.
3. Blatant racism becomes acceptable. Producers continue to insist that the “multi-cultural” Lake Shore is different than the Italian-American Jersey Shore because it focuses on tensions between various cultures. Toronto eats it up. Political correctness becomes a thing of the past, and formerly offensive remarks by city politicians become revered for eternity.
4. The entertainment district gets worse. With Lake Shore relying heavily on nightclubs for its drama, the John and Richmond ‘hood sees a resurgence of glow sticks. Puking on sidewalks becomes even more commonplace. Obnoxious brawls outside bars become Toronto’s favourite pastime.
5. Toronto the good becomes Toronto the bad. The outlandish antics of the Lake Shore crew quickly spreads around the world (or at least the world wide web). Toronto’s reputation for being clean and polite quickly transforms into something more boozy, blingy and bronzed.
