Grand Benders
Mickey, heavily accented, gives his take on the Grand Bend summer tradition: "People come here to hang out. Blow off some steam. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy." And, hopefully precautions are taken. The beach. For generations people have flocked there to rest, tan and hook-up. Beach life is slower, hotter, and more carefree than the rest of the year - but it doesn't last long. Near the Canada-US border, on the shores of Lake Huron, lies a classic beach town - a hot-spot destination for over 100 years, Grand Bend is also a legendary party place - one of the last of its kind. Part dance club, hotel, bar and restaurant, Cocos is a family-run business that's been packing crowds in for a generation, after the sun sets. Its success depends largely on Mickey Rapaport - a.k.a. Mick Coco, the eccentric Polish-Jewish showman/trickster who created it. Coco's crew of 18- to 24-year-olds will undergo a unique beach town boot camp, involving sleep deprivation, caffeine and cigarettes, liquor, love stories, misbehaving, hard work, and lifelong friendships. By the time Labour Day weekend ends and it's time to shut down, the goodbyes will be bittersweet.
- 2012-2014
- 3 seasons
- Documentary
Mickey, heavily accented, gives his take on the Grand Bend summer tradition: "People come here to hang out. Blow off some steam. Boy meets girl, girl meets boy." And, hopefully precautions are taken. The beach. For generations people have flocked there to rest, tan and hook-up. Beach life is slower, hotter, and more carefree than the rest of the year - but it doesn't last long. Near the Canada-US border, on the shores of Lake Huron, lies a classic beach town - a hot-spot destination for over 100 years, Grand Bend is also a legendary party place - one of the last of its kind. Part dance club, hotel, bar and restaurant, Cocos is a family-run business that's been packing crowds in for a generation, after the sun sets. Its success depends largely on Mickey Rapaport - a.k.a. Mick Coco, the eccentric Polish-Jewish showman/trickster who created it. Coco's crew of 18- to 24-year-olds will undergo a unique beach town boot camp, involving sleep deprivation, caffeine and cigarettes, liquor, love stories, misbehaving, hard work, and lifelong friendships. By the time Labour Day weekend ends and it's time to shut down, the goodbyes will be bittersweet.
Season 3 Episode Guide
7 Episodes 2014
Episode 1
Hang Over
May 2-4 Weekend, Victoria Day. Time to slam the door on winter and launch another party season. Mickey and Justin Rapaport - father and son nightclub owners, DJs, and perpetual teenagers - are back at it. But Mother Nature tosses them a lemon, and once again they have to improvise.
Episode 2
Rain Rain Go Away
Bad weather is keeping the crowds away from Grand Bend, and the summer at Cocos is in danger of going up in smoke. Not even the notorious High Kick can get the party started, so Mick pulls out the surest weapon of all. Can a burlesque-themed night turn things around?
Episode 3
Second Wind
The bad weather is ruining the summer season, and Mick is so on edge, his family sends him away for some enforced R'n'R at the Digital Dreams Music Festival. He comes back inspired, and puts on the best party of the season. The crowds come back, and Cocos is hopping once again.
Episode 4
Trouble In Paradise
The sunshine is back, but for Cocos there are more clouds on the horizon. Justin's girlfriend, Amelia, is questioning their future together, and planning a trip to Greece without him. Mick's niece Natalie is also wondering if it's time to move on from her job managing the cottages next door.
Episode 5
Luck
As this terrible summer season comes to an end, everyone in the Cocos family is looking for something to change their luck. In preparation for her adventures in Greece, Amelia and Justin part ways, Justin sees no other option but to join his parents in Mexico.
Episode 6
Hasta La Vista
After a miserable season, Mick, Justin and Nancy are licking their wounds in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Justin is unhappy after splitting with Amelia, who also turns up in Playa and doesn't seem to miss her ex-boyfriend. A chance meeting between Justin and Amelia is inevitable.
Episode 7
Life Goes On
Justin and Mick are still moping around Playa Del Carmen, while Amelia settles in as a beer-shack bartender. Determined to help her son, Nancy sets up an "accidental" meeting for Justin with a top nightclub owner, which leads to an opportunity to get his life back on track.