Safety always off.
If you’ve spent any time in Sunnyvale, you know that line. You probably also know the sound of a 1978 Corvette C3 pulling up, the bass thumping, and the immediate sense of dread that follows. Cyrus is easily the most iconic antagonist in the Trailer Park Boys universe, played with a greasy, over-the-top perfection by Bernard Robichaud. While Mr. Lahey is the tragic, drunken foil to the boys, Cyrus is something else entirely. He’s the guy who thinks he’s in a high-stakes action movie while everyone else is just trying to grow some weed and get through the day.
Most villains in mockumentaries are subtle. Not this guy. Cyrus is a walking caricature of 80s tough-guy tropes, from the slicked-back hair to the leather jacket that looks like it smells exclusively of cheap cigarettes and desperation. But why does he work so well? It’s because he’s a failure. Despite the "Grade 10" and the constant brandishing of his 9mm, he’s consistently outsmarted by a guy who lives in his car (Ricky) and a guy who lives in a shed with twelve cats (Bubbles).
The Origin of the Greasiest Man in Sunnyvale
Cyrus didn’t just appear out of nowhere. He was there from the very beginning, appearing in the pilot episode of the original series. He was the original "heavy." Before the show leaned hard into the absurdist comedy of the later seasons, Cyrus was a legitimate threat—well, as legitimate as a threat can be when your main adversary is Julian holding a glass of rum and coke that never spills.
Actually, if you look back at the early seasons, the power dynamic was way different. Cyrus had just finished a stint in jail and came back to find that Ricky and Julian had taken over his trailer. This sets the tone for the next two decades of conflict. He isn't just a random jerk; he has a legitimate (in his mind) grievance. He thinks he owns the park. He thinks he’s the kingpin. The reality? He’s usually broke, his car is beat up, and he can’t even pass a basic competency test without getting kicked out.
Bernard Robichaud, the actor behind the leather jacket, has mentioned in various interviews and fan conventions that the character was built on that specific brand of bravado that hides total incompetence. It’s a delicate balance. If Cyrus were actually competent, he’d kill the boys in season one and the show would be over. Because he’s a loudmouth who can’t shoot straight, he becomes a recurring gag that never gets old.
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The Red Corvette and the "Safety Always Off" Philosophy
Let’s talk about that car. The Corvette is as much a character as Cyrus himself. It symbolizes everything he wants to be: sleek, fast, and dangerous. In reality, it’s often rattling, dirty, and usually involved in some sort of embarrassing retreat.
Cyrus’s catchphrases are the backbone of his "tough guy" persona. "Safety, always off" is arguably the most famous line in the entire show. It’s incredibly stupid—carrying a loaded 9mm with the safety off is a great way to shoot your own leg off—but it perfectly encapsulates his recklessness. Then there’s "I got work to do," usually said right before he peels out of the park because he’s been humiliated.
He’s a man of very few moves. He pulls the gun, he says the line, he plays the music, and he leaves. It’s a ritual. Fans expect it. If Cyrus showed up and acted reasonably, it wouldn't be Trailer Park Boys.
Why Cyrus Matters to the Show's Structure
In storytelling, you need a pressure valve. Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles are constantly under pressure from Mr. Lahey and Randy. That’s the "internal" threat—the law and order of the park. Cyrus represents the "external" threat. He’s the criminal element that makes the boys look like the "good guys" by comparison.
When Cyrus shows up, the boys usually have to put aside their bickering to deal with him. He’s the common enemy. Think about the season finales where things escalate into massive shootouts. Usually, it’s Cyrus (often joined by Terry and Dennis, the Flappy Bird brothers) who triggers the chaos. He provides the stakes.
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Honestly, the show suffered whenever he was gone for too long. His absence in certain seasons felt like a missing ingredient. You need that specific flavor of "greasy" to make the Sunnyvale ecosystem work. He’s the predator that isn't actually very good at hunting, but he keeps the prey on their toes.
The Bernard Robichaud Factor
You can't talk about the character without acknowledging Bernard Robichaud. He’s actually a very fit, disciplined guy in real life—completely the opposite of the chain-smoking, junk-food-eating Cyrus. He’s embraced the fandom in a way that’s pretty rare. If you go to a comic-con in Canada or the northern US, there’s a good chance you’ll see him in character, leather jacket and all, telling people to "get the boat."
He brought a certain physicality to the role. The way he leans, the way he holds his gun, the constant adjustments of his sunglasses—it’s all intentional. It’s "tough guy" cosplay. The brilliance of the performance is that Bernard knows Cyrus is a loser, but Cyrus doesn't know he’s a loser. That’s where the comedy lives.
The Great Misconception: Is Cyrus Actually Dangerous?
People often debate if Cyrus is actually a threat. On one hand, he’s a convicted felon who carries a firearm and associates with international drug smugglers (the aforementioned Flappy Bird brothers). On the other hand, he’s been defeated by:
- A dog.
- A group of children with hockey sticks.
- Ricky’s sheer stupidity.
- His own inability to read the room.
The truth is, Cyrus is dangerous because he’s unpredictable and desperate. He doesn't have the "moral code" that Julian and Ricky (mostly) live by. He’s willing to ruin the park just to get what he wants. But his ego is his undoing every single time. Every. Single. Time. He spends so much time trying to look cool that he forgets to actually execute his plan.
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Remember the "Big Dirty" era? Cyrus was right there, trying to muscle in on the score. He’s a bottom-feeder. He waits for the boys to do the hard work of planning a heist, then shows up at the end to try and take the credit. It’s a classic bully move, and it makes it all the more satisfying when he gets sent back to jail.
The Legacy of the "F--- Off, I Got Work To Do" Attitude
Cyrus has become a meme. In the age of social media, his clips are everywhere. Why? Because everyone knows a "Cyrus." Everyone has encountered that guy who thinks he’s the main character, who wears too much cologne, drives a loud car, and treats everyone like they’re beneath him despite having nothing to show for it.
He is the personification of "fake it 'til you make it," except he never actually makes it.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the Cyrus lore or collect memorabilia, here’s how to do it right:
- Watch the "Cyrus" Essentials: If you want the pure essence of the character, revisit Season 1, Episode 1 ("Take Your Little Gun and Get Out of My Trailer"), Season 4, Episode 8 ("Working Man"), and the movie Trailer Park Boys: The Movie (2006). These showcase his peak villainy.
- Check the Podcasts: Bernard Robichaud has appeared on the Park After Dark podcast and various other TPB-related media. Hearing him talk about the character in his real voice is a trip.
- The Merch Game: Official TPB merch often features Cyrus’s iconic lines. Look for the "Safety Always Off" shirts—they’re a staple in the community.
- Autograph Etiquette: If you meet Bernard at a con, he’s famously nice, but he will absolutely "snap into" character if you ask him to. Just don’t actually bring a 9mm to the convention center; security doesn't find the "safety off" joke as funny as we do.
Cyrus isn't just a side character; he’s the dark mirror of Sunnyvale. He’s what happens when you take the ambition of Julian and the recklessness of Ricky but remove the heart. He’s greasy, he’s loud, and he’s probably going to tell you to screw off, but the show wouldn't be the same without him. He is the ultimate reminder that no matter how bad things get for the boys, at least they aren't Cyrus.
To understand the full scope of his impact, look at how the show’s writing shifted to accommodate him. He started as a one-note bully and evolved into a necessary catalyst for the show’s most absurd moments. Whether he's getting arrested (again) or trying to pass his high school equivalency, he remains the most entertaining disaster on television. The leather jacket stays on, the music stays loud, and the safety stays off. That's just the way she goes.