Sunday, February 28, 2010

Canada's Game

I have to admit, as much as I love Canada and everything, I never watch hockey. Well, actually, I only watch hockey at the Olympics. And then it's just too intense for me. I usually end up getting far too emotionally involved in all the sports but for some reason, hockey is the worst. Maybe it's because it's supposed to be Canada's game. And my favourite commercial Olympics has been Coke's commercial about letting the world know whose game they're playing. But it does mean that I will probably be whimpering on the couch this afternoon as we watch the game. My heart can't handle things like this.

But for all those who were criticizing Own the Podium, I have to say, looking at our 25 medals so far, I'm pretty happy with that. And considering we currently have 13 gold medals, the most a host country has ever won in games, I'm very pleased.

And I will be happy to see the closing ceremonies tonight. Now I can happily go back to my regularly scheduled programming and leave all this stress behind me.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Prejudices

So I've never been to believe that you shouldn't judge something before you see it. Sometimes you just can't help it. Especially in this situation with Hiccups and Dan for Mayor (which shall just be referred to as Dan from here on).

I want to go into these shows with an open mind and I'm going to try my hardest to but my head is already filled with ideas about these shows. First of all, I think Hiccups is going to be too much like Corner Gas. Maybe not exactly like it, but the tone and dynamics will be the same. I'm also afraid that eventually the show is going to rotate around Brent Butt instead of Nancy Robertson (in which case I will yell "Usurper" every time I see Brent Butt). I also have a deep fear that it will fail, utterly and completely, going down in flames.

As for Dan, it just makes me sigh. I originally was really excited to see this series but now that it's here, it just leaves like every other role Fred Ewanuick has played. You know, the slacker. Though it's interesting because Corner Gas was set in Saskatchewan, Robson Arms in Vancouver and now Dan is set in Ontario. At least he's covering a lot of ground. Though Hank and Nick weren't that similar in personality, they did have similar situations (often unemployed, one very close friend). So I'm just worried it's going to be more of the same.

So I know it doesn't sound like I have an open mind since it is hard to keep these thoughts in behind, but I'm going to do my best on Monday night. I'm always willing to be pleasantly surprised. I guess we'll see if there really is life after Corner Gas.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Better Late then Never

I would just like to take the time to thank CTV for finally joining this challenge. Despite watching the Olympics on there for the past while, I hadn't seen spent much time with CTV lately. But this is all going to change next week. CTV is premiering 3 new Cancon shows! Wow! I'm impressed. Here they (although if you've watched any Olympics at all, you've probably seen the promos):

(1) Hiccups (Monday, 8pm): Millie is a children's writer with anger management issues who hires a life coach. But of course it's starring Nancy Robertson and Brent Butt, who also created and is the story runner for the show. It sounds interesting but what bothers me is how much buzz Brent Butt is getting as the star of the show. Indeed, he is not. Nancy Robertson is the star of the show! In fact, Butt wasn't even supposed to be in front of the camera at all.

(2) Dan for Mayor (Monday, 8:30pm): Dan is a bit of a loser in his small town but then decides to run for mayor. I'm a bit foggier on this show except that it stars Fred Ewanuick. Oh and Benjamin Ayres who was Cowboy from jPOD. I'll be happy to see his face again.

(3) The Bridge (Friday, 9pm): A gritty cop drama. Okay so it's about corrupt cops and a man who's trying to fight it and eventually is appointed the head of the Police Union. I'm a little less excited about this one, personally. Over the course of this challenge, I've realized that I'm becoming more and more the epitome of my demographic. I'm not the audience they are going for but I'll give it a chance and see how it goes ...

Welcome back, CTV. It's nice to see you, old friend.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Not a Failure

In Canada, our national chant always seems to be "We're #4!" And some people will sit around and complain about how we're always so close but we can never seem to quite get there. Or we comfort ourselves that4th in the entire world is pretty damn good. And it really is.

But then there are situations like with Melissa Hollingsworth. She was 2nd in the skeleton and then in the last race, she slipped to 5th. You know, we were all a little upset since we had been so close to a medal. But realistically, whatever we felt was no where near what she felt. Then later on, she went on TV and pretty much tearfully apologized to the country. But she has no reason to apologize! She did the best she could. She didn't deliberately set out to raise our hopes and then deviously crash them down. All she did was try her best and it just so happened that, on that day, it didn't turn into a medal for her. She didn't disappoint the country at all.

Or take Jeremy Wotherspoon. He's been in pretty every Olympics I can remember (that's technically a lie though Nagano was the first Olympics I paid a large amount of attention to) and so when I see him compete in the games, I expect big things from him. But at the same time, I'm only judging these athletes based on their performances at one event. I mean, in 2003, he became the most successful male skater in the world cup history with his 49th victory of his career. 49! And that was 7 years ago. But most Canadians won't care because he didn't win a medal. But he is not a failure in the least.

I think the Olympics just needs some perspective sometime. No athlete is a loser here.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Boo to the Americans

Right now, as the Canadian hockey team plays the American hockey team, I wonder if the rest of the world hates the Americans as much as Canadians.

Okay, maybe not hate. And definitely not in the love-to-hate type of way. But for some reason, I'm fine with any other country beating us but if it's an American? It just makes it so much worse. It's like the whole "Anybody but Harper" mentality. Maybe it's because they always win all the medals and they always seem so much more arrogant. But then again, chances are, no matter what they do, I will attribute it to them being arrogant.

Though what really pissed me off is Shawnee Davis talking about 'Own the Podium' and saying that it cost Deny Morrison a medal. And their whole 'you can own the podium, we're just going to rent it.' What is up with them?

Even though this hockey game isn't for a gold medal, I hope they kick those American asses.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Rationality of Sports Fanship?

I love watching the Olympics and cheering for team Canada. If you hadn't guessed, I'm pretty big with being a fan of Canada. But ever since I read one of Chuck Klosterman's books, I have one of his essays hanging in the back of my head. It was about how he feels no real emotions for the Olympics since he sees no point in cheering for the American team. And I can see his point. I do not know any of these athletes personally. I have not helped any of them succeed. I'm only cheering for them by virtue of the fact that they happened to be born within the same borders I did. It doesn't matter if they are actually any good, I want (and think they deserve to) win just by virtue of the fact we are both Canadian. It doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.

And this has made me wonder a lot about how people become fans of their favourite sports team. I mean, it seems illogical to cheer for the same team year after year since the players themselves change and the teams can be completely different each year. You don't want to cheer for whatever team is technically or statisically the best, you want to cheer for your team. From what I can tell, this is mostly developed by geography. You cheer for whatever team is closest to your hometown. Or from your parents. You either cheer for the same team they do or for whatever team they hate, depending on your relationship with your parents. And after you start cheering for a team, you are pretty much stuck with them no matter how they perform. It's the whole 'you gotta leave with the one who brung you' mentality.

So I will continue to cheer for Team Canada. I know it isn't really logical to cheer extra hard for people like Kristina Groves just because I once lived in her hometown but I will anyways. Go Team!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Commentate This!

Ever since the narrator of The Week the Women Went, I've been paying more attention to the commentators of different events. I really thought that CBC was just crazy most of the time and thus had the best commentators (when they referred to the one figure skating team as "gyrating to first"). And I was a little disappointed that CBC didn't have the Olympics since I can only imagine the shenanigans that they would get up to.

But I have to admit, CTV has had some pretty good commentary. I love the harsh judgments they pronounce on these athletes. I know they really aren't being that harsh and it's really the truth but it's just so much fun to listen to. David Pelletier has had some bizarre comments and seem very concerned about the costumes of the figure skaters. The best was really the moguls commentators. When they were talking about Dale Begg-Smith (who CTV has had so much villainizing), the man said: "He just has no human emotions." Which though appears to be true, made me laugh so hard!

So much for Canadians always being nice!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Thus Far

Sadly I missed the first 2 hours of the opening ceremonies so I don't have too much to comment on from there. But I can tell you that I have not watched anything else but the Olympics since Friday night. But here are my observations thus far:

(1) CTV is terrible at coming up with names for segments! "Difference Makers." Okay, so that's the only one I can remember off-hand but there was also one about community that was no good. Clearly CTV spent all their money on the bid to air the Olympics and didn't bother hiring anybody to come up with good titles.

(2) I cannot express how happy I was to see Brian Williams!!! Literally the first thing I thought of when CBC wasn't going to be airing the Olympics was how sad it would be without him. To me, he is the Olympics. It just wouldn't be the same without him. It also made me happy when he accidentally said CBC instead of CTV. I didn't see it myself but I smiled when I heard.

(3) I never realized how much I like the moguls! And give me three weeks and I will completely forget what they are.

(4) I'm also really happy to see Darrin Jones back. I had no idea that he had gone to MTV. I also enjoy the other two MTV hosts that have been rounded up. I don't think that they are utilizing Seamus as much though. I feel he should play a larger role. I also don't really like the broadcasters they have for the afternoon or night. Then again, I tend to hate everybody first and then learn to like them. It's not a good strategy at all.

I am very happy to see Canada win gold on our own soil!! It's about time. And I was happy to say I saw it when it was happening though have already seen it too many times. I can only watch that moguls run so many times!!!

But I must go now. I have to finish watching the figure skating pairs!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Big Day!

I don't have much to say since it's the opening ceremonies tonight and I know we'll all be watching. I just wonder why CTV felt the need to have 9 hours worth of coverage leading up to the ceremonies tonight. That seems like a bit much.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjiwBwBL4Qo

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Doctor, Doctor

So the other day, I was flipping through channels, looking for something to watch. It paused briefly on the Dr.Oz show and I heard him ask: "So have they come up with a vaccine for the bubonic plague?" (okay, my memory is a bit hazy so it might have either been vaccine or cure, whatever). You have no idea how tempted I was to stay there and see how that conversation continued!

My first thought was: why are they looking for a vaccine for the bubonic plague? Are we that close to another outbreak? I understand the need to be prepared and everything, it just seemed like an odd choice to be worrying about. But chances are, if I were a doctor, I would probably want to study the bubonic plague so I do understand.

Secondly, I started thinking about why we don't have shows like this in Canada. I mean, why don't we have Canadian doctors on there everyday discussing the threat of Bubonic plague? If there were an outbreak, then I would feel very unprepared since I can't watch the Dr. Oz show. I mean, the Americans have both the Doctors and the Dr. Oz show. They technically should be the healthiest people ever. But I'm always weary of these shows. I mean, it's good to know about your health but do you literally need to watch 5 hours a week about what health problems you should be aware of? I'm sure it's all very interesting but I'm tend to be afraid of the more you know about illness, the more you'll think you have it. One of my best friends thought she was schizophrenic when she was taking a psychology course in school. And since we as a species always seem to jump to the worst case scenario, shows like this seem kinda dangerous. Combined with all the medication commercials on TV these days too, it'll give you both the disease and the cure (quite handy indeed).

But really, the people that watch these shows and care about their health are already the ones who would probably go to the doctors anyways, if something were wrong. And I know I fall into the category of those who like to diagnose their own problems before even seeing a doctor, and I know I am what's wrong with society. And assume the worst ("what?! my left arm hurts. I must be having a stroke!").

But people should be informed because it could save their life one day. I just wish people took more things with a grain of salt (but not too much salt since too much sodium can raise your blood pressure).

ps I was reading the other day on the CTV website that one of the most viewed shows was the Dr.Oz episode where he talked about the best orgasm after 40.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Late Night TV

Last night I couldn't get to sleep. So at 1am I wandered back out to the living room to see what I could see. I thought it would be fun to see if there was anything I could watch.

As it turns out, there isn't. There were lots of American shows that I would've liked to watch, like Jimmy Fallon, the Daily Show and the Colbert Report were on the time shifty channels, but not really any Canadian goods. Instead I watched some of The Hour online. Which was funny because I was watching the one with Kevin Smith who talked about how much he loved that show and how unique it was and how there couldn't be one like it in the States because it wouldn't be the same at all. And I've always been kinda proud of The Hour since it isn't really like any other late night talk shows of the American variety. But I do wish that we had more of a late night presence. I know it doesn't really make much sense since how many Canadians are up at 1am looking for Canadian Content? But I do still wish we had a late-late night show of our own. Or at least decent reruns in the middle of the night. Is that too much to ask for?

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Olympic Fever!

So last night, we programmed our favourite channels to all those covering the Olympics ... all the Canadian channels anyways. CTV, TSN, OLN, Omni, oh my! I'm truly excited. I'm a little sad though since I might be missing the first hour of the opening ceremonies because I'll be on the bus. Poor planning really. Who really needs to be home for Family Day when the opening ceremonies are on???

Now, I have no idea how this blog will look during the Olypmics when it's highly unlikely I'll be watching anything else. It's not the CBC is going to have any new episodes of anything on. But unlike Harper, I refuse to prorouge and plan on working through. It'll be tough but I'm sure I'll survive.

I'm just very interested to see how this whole 'Own the Podium' thing turns out ...

Monday, February 8, 2010

Shirtlessness

Is it just me or has Michael Seater taken off his shirt in every episode of 18 to Life? Oh, I'm not complaining or anything, there just seems to be a lot of shirtlessness. It's actually one of the things I like about Canadian TV. There's scenes of him and Jessie in bed together. Or Erica and Ethan on Being Erica last season. I remember the one time my sister said "Can they even show that on TV?" And I replied that of course they can, it's Canada. There just seems to be a lot more sexy scenes or even dirty jokes. And this isn't even Showcase on Friday nights! I think it's nice that we are much more lax in our morals (hehehehe). But there's just more freedom to show things that might be considered more risque south of the border.

The best line from 18 to Life tonight: "I like my religion like I like my women: organized."

Sunday, February 7, 2010

International TV

There other day, I had a mad craving to watch Extras since I love Ricky Gervais. And I got excited because for a small second, I thought I could watch it. I mean, it's not American TV at all! But then came the actual thinking part of my brain which said it still wasn't Canadian. Then the sadness came.

But here's the thing, I realized that my main problem is with the amount of American TV that is available to Canadians. I mean, I don't think I would have as much of a problem with there was more British or Italian or Russian shows on. I would find them rather interesting. I mean, I always tell myself that I should read more Russian literature but here I am, limiting my television habits to Canadian shows. In a world of globalization, this would be wrong. But globalization is one thing. What I'm really fighting is Americanization. I want to be able to watch TV from all around the world instead of just another cop drama set in New York.

So I guess I won't be able to watch the anime 'Shaman King' with my friend either until this is over. She'll just have to wait. (But I highly recommend if you haven't seen the show 'Extras', you should. And start with the one with Kate Winslet. You'll never be able to look at her the same way again after you here her talking about Sam Mendes polishing his Oscar).

ps Guess who isn't watching the Superbowl today???

Friday, February 5, 2010

Docs

I have 3 passions in life:

(1) CanCon
(2) Generation Y/Me/Millennials
(3) Stargate

Now I can wax philosophical for hours and hours on any of these topics (as many of you already know). So I was quite pleased last night to watch Doc Zone which was about Hyper Parents and Coddled Kids. And what I like most about watching docs like this is that they spark conversations and debates. Last week, we were all discussing pot and mental illness and this week is all about the ways in which we fit into our generation and then how we don't (and I realized that I'm probably more bitter than most Gen Me's, oh well). But this is what I like about the CBC, they give me the things I already love and introduce me to new things. We're good friends.

An interesting note: there is a facebook page called 'Can this onion ring get more fans than Stephen Harper?' And apparently the answer is yes, yes it can.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Doyle

Now generally, I like the Republic of Doyle. The accents, the houses, people getting hit in the face a lot. I mean, last night Mark Critch was on it! Mark Critch! From 22 minutes. It was weird. I find it funny that most of the guest stars are comedians since apparently only comedians come from the East coast. Even though I have mixed feelings about Mark Critch, it was interesting to see him in a more dramatic role. And he got beat up. It kinda made me feel good. Oh! And Gordon Pinsent was on it last night. What a good man.

Here's what I don't like about it. The sting. Everytime they go to commercial, they play the "Oh yeah!" from the theme song. I always expect the Kool-Aid man to make an appearance. It's just no good. And to me, the act breaks seem to be an awkward places. They always go to commercial and I'm left thinking, "Really? This is where you want to break it?" I had a conversation with my brother about this and he said that it's like an older style. To him, the whole show feels more like it belongs 20 years ago and really, what is that saying about good ol' Newfoundland?

But I did learn last night about a small group of islands (St. Pierre and Miquelon) that are just south of Newfoundland that are technicaly still in French control. Who knew?

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Stargate Fever

For some reason, no show gets me as addicted as Stargate. After finishing up Atlantis, we made the insane decision to go back and watch SG-1 from the beginning. For those of you who don't know, that's 10 whole seasons and 3 movies. This is something that will last me to the end of this challenge though I'm not going to let this blog into a Stargate blog. I'll try anyways.

First of all, I advise everyone not to watch Atlantis and go back and watch SG-1. It just won't be the same. After the Wraith, the goa'uld seem about as harmful as bunnies. Okay, maybe not bunnies but they definitely don't eat your soul like the Wraith. But it's fun to go back and be like "Aww...that's the first time that they experience an alternate universe." They were all so young and innocent back then.

And, the lame person that I am, I've been taking notes. As mentioned in my previous Stargare post, I have an interest in the sexual lives of SG-1. Yes, it's weird I know. But what I've realized this time around is that Sam was also the only member of SG-1 that was never married. Jack is divorced, Jackson is widowed and Teal'c is technically divorced on Chulak. Sam was engaged to Hansen before the show starts. And then she has that relationship with the Deluise (apparently it's Pete Shanahan played by David Deluise). But there's never a wedding for Carter...yet. But it seems unlikely there will ever be a Stargate Wedding movie, though I would definitely watch that!

The other interesting note I would like to mention is that Daniel Jackson has died 4 times within 1 1/2 seasons. Of course, died means actually dead, presumed dead or left for dead. Now this seems like a lot. Especially that he dies a whole lot more times during the rest of the series. And I mean, Buffy only died 2 during her whole show. But I'm not sure why Jackson has to die so much. My first thought is because it's to prove that nerds in fact are indestructable. Despite the fact that Jack plays the traditional hero, with all the military training and fire power, Jackson is the one who never actually dies. It at once makes him the most fragile but also the most strong since he never is really dead. I will contine to ponder this.

(sidenote: right now Degrassi is playing Your Lover is Dead by Stars and it makes me love both the song and the show so much more)

Monday, February 1, 2010

Love Letters

I would like to start off apologizing about the length of the previous post. Apparently some of us have an obsession with Mr. Coupland. Sometimes it gets out of control.

But I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Love Letters last night. I found it really interesting since essentially it's just people sitting around reading letters, that they didn't write, to each other. But for me, it just placed more emphasis on the words themselves and I found myself agreeing on how much I love writing/receiving actual letters. Especially since CBC classed it as a 'performing arts' piece. How often do you get to see something like that on a major broadcaster during primetime?

Personally, I also really liked learning about the couples who were reading the letters. I had no idea that Colin Mochrie was married to Debra McGarth who plays the mayor on Little Mosque. But my favourite couple had to be Samantha Bee and Jason Jones. Right from the beginning when Jason told her that if she died, he would save her fingers. But I also think they did the best reading. Maybe it was because they got the most dramatic section of the letters but there was something about the way Samantha read.

And I have to say, that this is something that I can say with about 85% certainty that I would not have watched had I not been doing this challenge. I would have seen the commercials (possibly, depending if I was watching any CBC at that point) and thought it looked interesting but then would have forgotten about it. In fact, we probably would have been watching The Simpsons. But it makes me really happy because now I'll be more likely to watch things like this in the future. And I look forward to them!