It had long been a matter of uncertainty for some as to whether the show was scripted or filmed, or was in fact real life events being documented. Many people seemed confused, especially during the first two seasons on this issue.
The boys, in character, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, in the summer of 2009.
There were countless articles and references that the show was orchestrated and not 'real', but the issue became clouded by the actions of the actors who played the main characters. John Paul Tremblay, Robb Wells and Mike Smith quickly decided that whenever they would appear on television interviews or in public, that they should be in character. As a result, they would behave and act as Julian, Ricky and Bubbles whenever the circumstances allowed it, for example, hosting the East Coast Music Awards in 2006 never breaking character.
Even in portions of the DVD 'behind the scenes' features, steps are taken to imply that the film crew is there to document real life. On several occasions, Mike Clattenburg and other members of the crew interact with the actors as though they were talking to the characters.
Indeed, their method acting intertwined with the events of whatever season was most recently released. The three main actors performed two stage shows during the last few years of the show's run. The first, called "The Ricky, Julian and Bubbles Community Service Variety Show," had them fulfilling a court order to instruct various audiences that drugs were bad, and took place after the last special on Showcase and before the theatrical release of "Trailer Park Boys: Countdown To Liquor Day." Indeed, there were reports that the actors did not stay in hotels while they were touring around the country, instead sleeping in the trailer they traveled in, but this has not been confirmed.
In 2010, they reprised their roles for "The Ricky, Julian and Bubbles, Drunk, High and Unemployed" tour, which took place after the DVD release of "Countdown..." it was only then, at the end of the show, that they re-appeared on stage without their character personas, and this was to shift attention away from the TPB franchise and onto their new series, "The Drunk And On Drugs Happy Fun Time Hour."
John Dunsworth and Patrick Roach also performed a slew of live performances as their characters Jim Lahey and Randy, however they tended to drop their personas once the show was over, in order to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans. There were fan complaints that starting Season 3 the show started to show a little unrealism, especially in the first Trailer Park Boys movie, where there was not a single reference to a camera crew.