The boys are back!

Robb Wells, John Paul Tremblay and Mike Smith — better known as Ricky, Julian and Bubbles of the Trailer Park Boys — have begun work in Halifax on the new Showcase sitcom The Drunk and on Drugs Happy Funtime Hour.

The six-episode series is slated to air early next year on the Canwest-owned cable channel.

It follows the trio as they shoot a sketch-variety TV show in a sleepy town when a new actor — hired to play a wacky scientist — causes chaos on the set by synthesizing a powerful drug. Maury Chaykin (Entourage, Less Than Kind) guest stars as the scientist, while Wells, Tremblay and Smith will play a total of 24 characters throughout the series.

Also guest starring in Funtime is Jay Baruchel (The Trotsky, Tropic Thunder), and Trailer Park Boys alumni Pat Roach and John Dunsworth.

The Trailer Park Boys ran on Showcase from 2001-2007, while the trio also produced two successful movies based on the popular series that were distributed by Alliance Films.

Funtime is directed by Ron Murphy (Dan For Mayor, Being Erica). Smith, Tremblay and Wells are also writers and producers of the comedy.