Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A New Obsession
(1) The show is SO Canadian. Aside from the subtle slowness (we Canadians don't like to rush a story) and the financial trouble of the festival, forcing them to always look for funding (ah, good times), it stars pretty much Canadian royalty: Paul Gross, Mark McKinney, Don McKeller, Martha Burns, Rachel MacAdams, Colm Feore, Stephen Ouimette and Michael Polley, who is, of course, the father of Sarah Polley who also pops up in season 3. I could spend the rest of the challenge just going through all the amazing things these people have done but I won't. It has the touches of bizarre which always feels so Canadian. And such great lines like "Darren, everybody cries when they get stabbed. There's no shame in that."
(2) Related to the first note, it's made me realize how much the theatre plays a role in Canadian culture and it's cinema and television. I mean, the majority of those actors listed above have done or got their start in theatre. And it's not hard to see the similarities between the New Burbage festival in the show and the Stratford Festival in real life. But in the first season, an American actor is sent to send in to play Hamlet in order to get crediability. It's funny because it's kinda how it works (and was inspired by Kneau Reeves playing Hamlet in Winnipeg) but that's not how it works in Canadian. Most actors here already have theatre experience, thus are more "legitimate". Or else they've started their own comedy troupe. In the states, they all just start on soap operas (just kidding - sometimes they don't even bother with them anymore). I'll leave everybody to draw their own conclusions about who has better actors...
Monday, December 28, 2009
Forgiveness
I was sitting around with my family, seeing what was on and any Christmas specials that were left on the eve before Christmas. I wasn't paying attention to we started watching an Andrea Bocelli special (he may or may not have been at the Vatican. I'm still not sure if it was referring to that show or advertising a different special). And then because my brother and sister have a tradition of always watching the Mormon Tabermnacle Choir so we were flipping back and forth. About half way through the Mormons, I realized what had happened. I blemished my perfect record with Mormons! So please, don't blame me. Blame the Mormons.
But don't worry. I'm back with Degrassi today and learning about gonorrhea. This is why I love Canadian content.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
A Reprieve
But now we are back to the cold hard reality of this challenge. At least now the pond of Canadian content I have to reach into has been refreshed. Here's to the next 4 months!!!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Torch!
On a television related note, The Hour's Christmas special is on tonight. Bunch of people singing. Should be good times. I know I'm excited.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Cheap Goods
But then I found it on ebay. And the current bid? $407. Seriously?! I mean, I could very well take that much off my credit line and consider it a worthy buy. Only $407??? I mean, I thought the Strombo fans alone would be shelling out mad cash for not only an item of his clothing, but a Maple Leafs jersey that he wore and signed. And then add all the autographs from Battle of the Blades? There is no way that this should be in my price range (mind you, it's not really. There just happens to be a possibility that I could buy it). I just think that this item happens to be worth more.
If you want to check it out for yourself, or have a Strombo fan that would appreciate it, here it is: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270498261278&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT. You have less than a day to make it your's!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Steven and Chris
Now, I wouldn't really call myself a fan of Steven and Chris but I don't hate them like I used to. Okay, I do really like Steven. He's cool. Chris...well, he was the one I didn't like in the beginning and not much as changed (have you seen his hair?? It's like a foot off his head!). I am sucker for lifestyle shows so they make a good replacement for Martha. I learn so much about fashion from watching! I even learned the proper way to apply lipstick the other day. Okay, so I never actually wear lipstick but I feel it's handy to know.
So overall, I do enjoy the show. Except for Chris. Though he can be okay sometimes. The best part of any show I've seen was from their Christmas special (which had almost everybody from the CBC there. It's like the Ceeb owns their souls). Scott Thompson was there and they were all in the kitchen. Scott is talking and turns to Chris and Chris jumps as if Scott was attacking him with a knife. I laughed and laughed and laughed! (for your own enjoyment, here's the whole special: http://www.cbc.ca/holiday/2009/11/deck-the-halls-with-steven-and-chris-1.html. Scott Thompson is in the fourth segment. That's my present to you all.)
Monday, December 14, 2009
American Cravings
I haven't given in and don't plan on it any time soon. I just find myself wondering what Meredith is up to and if Izzie and her stupid haircut will die soon. I don't find myself watching CTV too much and never really seem to see any promos for it when I do so I literally have no idea what is happening in this season. Some people have suggested that I can always just read the summaries online and ABC also has a writer's blog for the show so I can really follow the storylines whenever I want. I feel that would only make things worse. I think this is good for my relationship with Grey's. We were going through quite the rough patch there and now we're both taking some time apart to think about our decisions.
But don't think too highly of me for during this challenge. I plan on gorging myself on Grey's once it's done because I know I'll always keep going back to it.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Canadian Celebrities
And you can Ms. Jully Black tonight on Steven and Chris's holiday special. I am quite excited for it, even if that does make me lame!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Canadian Finales
But here's the problem with cliffhanger ends to a season with Canadian shows: you're never quite sure if the show is going to come back so you might never know. So when I see Erica going through the door at the end, I desperately want to know what's on the other side of the door (I have my own ideas and would like to hear what you think!). The state of not knowing is something I've come to live with since shows like jPOD and Defying Gravity have been cancelled. I have no idea if Kaitlin is dead or not. I don't know who this Babette is since she wasn't in the book. Was Douglas Coupland ever planning on becoming a character like in the book? The same happened with Defying Gravity which left so many questions unanswered when the show was cancelled. Thankfully the creator of DG revealed in an interview revealed what would have happened had the show been allowed to continue (http://www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/10/29/how-defying-gravity-would-have-progressed-straight-from-the-creator/). I know they don't always know in advance that the show isn't coming back and everything can't be tied up in a nice little bow but I hate the not knowing.
I just really want to know what's behind the door!
(ps Being Erica always seems to have this freakish ability to align itself with what's going on in my life. For example, when I started watching it in the summer, the night I was the premiere where she is fired from her call centre job, was the night before I was starting a job at a call centre. Last night was no exception. Weird.)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Flashpoint
But watching it, it looks more like an American show. It seems to have more of a smoothness and usually in Canada, we don't see shoot outs in the airports (not like this happens everyday in the States, but that's just how they are portrayed in their shows). One of the things that has made Flashpoint is the fact that many Americans who watch the show have no idea that it is actually set in Toronto. And though I'm happy that Amercians are actually watching Canadian shows since somehow this makes it seem more legitimate to most Canadians. But aren't we losing something when in order to get them to watch, we have to make it look like an Amercian show? I know people would find it hard to believe is that we do have a Canadian culture and it is something that we can lose.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Question Period
Here are some things I noticed:
-John Baird will stand up and talk about anything. Especially when he's not the one who a question is pointed at. He must love QP.
-the Conservatives main defense seems to be that all the bad things started when the Liberals were in power. All their problems are based on the previous government. Despite the fact that that previous government was now, what, almost 4 years ago?
-the Opposition apparently hate the troops
-The Minister of State in charge of the status of women reminds me of Sarah Palin.
-The Speaker of the House mostly sounds like a teacher in a classroom.
-There are a few attractive MPs. Not many, mind you, but some.
Makes me kinda wish that I had actually gone to a QP when I still lived in Ottawa. I really just want to see somebody thrown out!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Other Really Cool Stuff Online
Well, thanks to our accelerated and highly interactive culture, Teletoon is asking for you to decide. The Teletoon Detour Pilot Project is asking you what you want to see. They put out an open call for writers and animators to submit their idea for a show. Eventually this lead to 10 pilots being produced. These pilots are now online where any old person can stop by and vote for which one they think is the best. Each week one more pilot is premiered, I think only to help build suspense. 6 have already been posted so far, leaving only 4 yet to be seen.
I think this is a really awesome idea and probably one of the best ways for a network to take advantage of the interactivity in a good way. Your actually making the viewers feel like part of the process instead of just dictating what they will see. Plus you're building an audience before it even really premieres. I would only be more excited if I was more into animation.
So go vote!
http://www.teletoon.com/teletoon3/detour.php?language=En&func=php|/misc/detourPilotProject/pilotProject.php|0
Monday, November 30, 2009
Online CanCon
http://www.survivethehouse.com/
And it's made in Canada. Now I've found 2 ways to survive and have been killed multiple times. It's a fun time. My favourite is the guy in the basement. He's a good man. You should go meet him! All the cool kids are doing it.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Rick Mercer
I know that some people think that he was gotten over-hyped and seems to own the CBC (in partnership with TD) but that man still makes me laugh. The ridiculous things that he does on the show. I particularly liked when he went bungee jumping with Rick Hanson and you could tell that he really didn't want to do it. It was hilarious.
But the thing that makes me such a fan is how much he truly loves Canada. You can see it in every show and every page of his book. And his job is pretty much what every Canadian does anyway: critique Canada. But that in no way should imply that he (or all the other Canadians) don't love Canada. In fact, it's because we love Canada that we can point out it's faults. Just because you love something doesn't mean it's perfect. In fact, it's even harder to love something because it's imperfect.
George may be Canada's boyfriend but Rick is Canada's faithful husband, who despite all the issues and the fights, he'll always be there for. No matter how dysfunctional the relationship may be.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Gobble Gobble...Grumble Grumble
Sidenote: from watching Being Erica, I have a strong hypothesis about where the Goblins cafe should be. Based upon the streetcar and a street shot, it should be around the corner of Queen and Spadina. I think a field trip is in order.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Being Erica - Listed below are the other shows that the 15 stars of Being Erica (as determined by how many episodes they have appeared in) and beside it, the number of actors from Being Erica who appeared in that show, even if just for one episode.
Flashpoint - 5
1-800-Missing - 4
Degrassi - 3
Regenesis - 3
Heartland - 3
The Border
Wild Roses, The Guard, Falcon Beach, Durham County, The Listener and Canadian Idol - 1 each.
It's kinda sad. 1/3 of the cast have appeared on Flashpoint. Are there really that few shows in Canada that actors always end up on the same ones? And these aren't just limited to other shows on CBC. There's some CTV and even The Movie Network. And if you look at the cast of jPOD, it's like they just went through the list of people who have appeared on Stargate.
Come on Canada, let's get some more shows so that the actors have a better chance. And so we don't have to see the same actors again and again in different roles. Erica's older brother would never threaten to kill another student!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Mmm...mmmm...good!
This rediscovery of the Food Network is handy since many of the shows I started watching have finished. There are more shows debuting in January but for now, I don't quite know what I'm going to do. A girl can only watch so much news, you know. But I look forward to seeing some new shows. Maybe this will give CTV and Global a chance to improve? We shall see.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
So Much More
But if you just look at the programming available, there's very few music videos actually being played. I miss the music video. If the early 2000's are defined by the 30 sec youtube video, the 90's will be all about the music video. I know videos aren't are important as they used to be and I was actually surprised that bands still make them but look at the way they are now presented on MuchMusic. While airing the premiere of an Honour Society video, there was a little box at the side that still showed the band actually at MuchMusic. There was something else along the bottom of the scene. Above that, there were little facts about the band, including the fact that they are all single. They also had (have?) the PunchMuch channel were viewers text in the videos want to see and they have the ones with the top votes listed at the bottom and then "shout outs" that people text in along the side. I suppose this is just another example of accelerated culture but I kinda miss actually watching a video and not all the stuff that's going on around it. I don't need to know how the lead singer of Hedley is dealing with his fame. Just let me watch the video!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Why I Like Degrassi
And now look at me. I watch Degrassi every day of the week! Sometimes I even manage to catch the new ones on Sunday. But here's the thing, Degrassi ain't like Saved by the Bell in the least. My friend lent me her copy of the book Growing Up Degrassi and the authors come the show to both Saved by the Bell and 90120 and all say the same thing: the American shows lack the realness of Degrassi. On the Next Generation alone, I've seen them deal with eating disorders, teen pregnancy, lesbianism (and learned that the proper way for a man to come out to his father is in the middle of a school play), a predatory coach, cheating parents, and my favourite storyline of all:
Libery and JT: An inter-relational Couple
Liberty is a over-achiever and on the student council. Her parents disapprove of her relationship with JT, who lives with his grandmother and has to work 2 after school jobs. When Liberty gets pregnant, she is worried that her parents are going to kick her out so the two decide to get an apartment together. JT isn't able to afford the rent along with all the other costs of having a child so he begins to steal drugs from the pharmacy where he works and sells them to a drug dealer. Now, which one is Black and which one is White?
The answer may surprise as Liberty is African American and JT is a ruggedly handsome Causasian (I may also have a crush on JT). It's things like this where they flip the stereotypes around that makes me less ashamed to admit to liking Degrassi. It's not just cheating boyfriends or who's sleeping with who. It's stuff that happens in real life that teens have to deal with. And just so you all know, Liberty and JT give the baby up for adoption. But don't worry, other characters have had abortions and kept their babies. All options are equally represented here. But that's the thing about Degrassi, the characters have to live with their decisions. It's not a one episode per issue type show. The main characters are the ones who have to deal with the tough stuff.
So if liking Degrassi is wrong, I don't want to be right.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Giller
Congratulations Linden MacIntyre and Canada. You done me proud.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Extra Extra!
Tonight at 9pm on Bravo are the Scotiabank Giller Prize Awards. What is the Giller, you may be asking? It's a literary prize given to a Canadian author of a novel or short story collection published (in English) in the previous year. This year's short list include:
- Kim Echlin, The Disappeared
- Annabel Lyon, The Golden Mean
- Linden MacIntyre, The Bishop's Man
- Colin MacAdam, Fall
- Anne Michaels, The Winter's Vault
Birthday/Christmas List
-Robson Arms (seasons 1-3)
-Corner Gas (seasons 1, 3-6)
-Being Erica (season 1)
Now the rest of these are a bit risky since I've never actually watched any of these shows and might actually end up hating them. But with the limited amount of Cancon on these days, I would probably end up watching them anyways. I really wish that I could find more Cancon online since then I would have a better idea of if I would like them or not. Somebody needs to start the Canadian Hulu!
-Slings and Arrows (seasons 1-3)
-Made in Canada (seasons 1-5)
-The Newsroom (all 5 seasons )
And of course, Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High which I believe comes in a box set. Please, I don't think my siblings hate me enough!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Quantity
At the same time, a lot of the shows I watch have or are ending. SYTYCD-C is over and that took care of a good couple of hours a week. Battle of the Blades is finished next week. This leaves me Being Erica from the list of shows that I really started watching at the beginning of this whole thing.
Another factor is that my siblings have things that thy want to watch as well. Where as before I would just throw things on in the background, I now have to physically leave the room so they can watch How I Met Your Mother and Glee. Oh the politics of TV watching. Speaking of which, my sister commented about how she has never watched more news than we have lately. There will literally be nothing else on so we will throw on the CBC News Network or CTV News Channel and learn more about the world. It's not a bad thing but it would still be nice to have more variety to choose from. Just saying.
However, I still watch The Hour religiously and am looking forward to the new shows that will be premiering in January but that is still a long way away.
ps Really, Dubreuil and Richer?? I have no idea what Canada sees in them. They better not win. Shae-Lynn and Claude all the way!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Pitching Fun!
(1) A Last Comic Standing-isque show where they hold auditions and select the top 10 pitchers across the country and week after week they have to complete challenges and escape elimination. Challenges would be things like creating a sitcom that involves a fiddle playing monkey and Dan Akroyd. But then again, that one just writes itself! The prize would be some sort of development deal with whatever network it is associated with.
OR
(2) A Dragon's Den type style where the nervous pitchees come in and have to pitch their ideas to a panel of professionals (I really want Norman Jewison in there). This wouldn't just be focused on just writers but would include producers and the rest of the circus as well. That way there would be another source of funding for filmmakers and already established filmmakers could give back in the form of money and advice. The downside to this is finding people who would be willing to be on the panel and put their money towards the projects. You don't find too many billionaire filmmakers around these days. But it sure would be interesting.
Moral of the story: there really isn't anything on Thursday nights.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Rawr
I would say that it does so well on a major Canadian network in prime time because it's roots lay in our documentary/journalist/informational programming but like most things in life, it originated in Japan. Go figure.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Family Ties
There’s just something I need to share with you all: Last night, I had a dream and I was dating Ethan, Erica’s boyfriend from Being Erica. Not only was he my boyfriend, at one point she tried to get him back but he stayed with me. Take that, Erica Strange. I think this is proof that the Cancon has started to permeate my subconscious.
But in other news, I have gotten my siblings hooked on some good ol’ fashioned Cancon. We now all watch Take This House and Sell it and Style by Jury, they’ve started watching Being Erica and
Though there is a certain level of unfairness built into it. I mean, I limit what they can watch when we are all together and though they can watch the shows I want to watch, I can’t watch the shows they want to watch. There’s no real sharing going on. And there will be times when somebody will suggest watching some Futurama/Arrested Development/Family Guy and I just shake my head. Even right now, my sister is out in the living room watching NCIS and I’m in my room…alone. But so far it hasn’t worked out too badly and though it takes some adjusting, we all seem to be managing. At least they haven’t killed me yet.
Now I just have to get my brother hooked on Degrassi…
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Oops
-Daneyko and Higgins got kicked off Battle of the Blades.
-Strombo is going to be skating with Kurt Browning wearing a Maple Leafs jersey.
-Erica learned the appropriate times to interfere.
-And Vincent didn't win SYTYCD-C but I was okay with Tara Jean wearing. I think she deserved it. But I will miss the way Vincent moved his hips when he would dance across that stage. Sigh.
But do not fear. Despite my lack of blogging, no American show has been watched in the meantime. In fact, I usually end up watching Degrassi now at noon. I may in fact be hooked and it makes me feel kinda dirty.
And I will provide my details dealing with watching TV with non-Cancon limited persons at a later date. Once I can stop painting and lifting heavy boxes.
Friday, October 23, 2009
MIA
Now, because I am essentially a nerd, I'm very interested in seeing how this will affect my challenge. For the past months, I have been in my own apartment but now I'm moving in with two other people. There is a big difference between me, squirreled up in my tiny basement apartment by myself, watching whatever I want whenever I want. Now there will be other people there that I'll either have to fight with to watch what I want to watch or spend a lot more time in my room. The main problem will be the fact they are not limited to watching Cancon. The temptation here is rather small since I can just simply not watch American shows. Plus, TV is also a social thing. It brings people together (if only to sit quietly together in the same room) and gives them something to talk about. Do you know how sad it'll be while I'm squirreled in my tiny little room while my brother and sister are out there watching NCIS or Grey's? (I don't think either of them watch Grey's but I think the sound of my sobs would force them to stop anyway). I've largely been able to ignore most of the social aspects of TV up till this point since I have nobody else to really talk about the shows with anyway (except you blog, you care, don't you blog?). But now I'll be like those kids whose parents won't let them watch The Simpsons.
The upside? My housemates will probably end up watching more Cancon with me. Hurrah!
But don't worry! I'll be watching the SYTYCD-C finale on Sunday. Even if I have to fight my siblings for it. I want to see Vincent crowned Lord of the Dance!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
All's Fair
(1) In these commercials, they say that the CRTC is going to be making the common people pay an extra $10 a month. This is not entirely true. In fact, it is pretty much not true. The CRTC would only require that the cable and satellite companies to pay the broadcasters a fee for carriage. The cable companies are the one who say that they will pass the cost onto the consumer. Which I have always thought was a rather childish way to deal with it (but frankly, everybody in this whole debacle seems to be playing the childish card so it doesn't really matter anymore). Or they say that the networks themselves are proposing the monthly cost. To be clear, the cable companies are the ones who intend to make you pay if they have to pay.
(2) What I also find kinda funny in these commercials is how they keep referring to them as the "big" broadcasters. Yes, they are clearly "living large." And they are just closing local stations for fun. But then they claim that these "big" broadcasters made a total of $400 million last year. Wow, that's a big number. But that covers the 3 biggest networks in Canada? Maybe it's just me but considering that covers the 3 main networks in Canada...it doesn't seem like a lot. I mean, I wish these broadcasters were the wealthy giants that the cable companies are making them out to be (I know that they aren't poor by any stretch of the imagination, but after Global is applying for bankruptcy protection and seeing all the people who've been fired this year at CBC and the other broadcasters, I find it hard to believe that they are just bleeding cash).
(3) Though, despite all this, what really made me chuckle is how on the commercial online, portrays the CBC. It's postively rolling around in it's own gluttony. And worse yet, it's all from YOUR money. Just look at all the money flowing into the CBC. How could they possibly need any more?! Well, as my teacher told the class this year, the CBC is one of the worst funded public broadcasters in the world. In fact, I think the only one that was worse was New Zealand but I'm not entirely sure on that. And considering that the CBC doesn't purchase the majority of it's primetime schedule from the foreign markets and instead produces it's own content which is more expensive (Or at least that's what I hear from CTV and Global), I wonder why they need all that money? Possibly to produce Canadian content? How bizarre.
But here's what I think should happen. If the CRTC does allow this whole fee-for-carriage thing to go through, I think the broadcasters should then have to stop trying to reduce the amount of Cancon they have to carry. I'm tired of CTV and Global arguing that they can't afford to produce Cancon. Also, there should be a provision so that the money actually does go towards local television. If we could guarantee those, I'm all for the fee-for-carriage because then it might actually mean more local television. You know, television that matters.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Never too old
The other thing I disovered today was Instant Star. I had heard of it but never really bothered watching it since I'm not really the target audience. But it just happened to come on after Degrassi (okay, I realize I need to stop watching shows at teenagers. I know, I know) and I actually found it really interesting. It follows this teenage girl who wins a singing constant show and shows how she deals with being an instant star. First of all, I thought it was a really interesting idea to fictionalize a reality show like that but also showing the downside to becoming instantly famous. Which is probably something that most kids should know since everybody these days thinks they should be famous. Secondly, it's an interesting counter-part to Hannah Montana since this show has a much more real vibe to it (possibly because it seems to be aimed at a slightly older audience but still). Though Hannah experiences times in which it isn't fun to be famous, the consequences never really seem to appear. Thirdly, the issue on this episode was that the media started questioning her virginity which is something that all female pop stars seem to have to deal with. But she refused to answer the question, leading to everybody thinking that she isn't but later on reveals to one of her friends that she's still a virgin. I admire that she was able to take such an adult stance on this issue and that the show dealt with a very real issue.
Now I just have another show that I either have to find online or buy on DVDs.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
All Night Long
6:30 - Style by Jury (W Network)
7-8 - Rick Mercer and 22 Minutes (CBC)
8-10 - SYTYCD-C (CTV)
10-11 - Being Erica (CBC)
11-12 - The Hour (CBC)
God bless time shifting channels. What's nice is that I can actually have a night of CanCon without having to watch a show online. Usually if there's nothing on, I'll flip on The Listener or Corner Gas but this way, I get to see 5 hours of brand new CanCon! SYTYCD-C is on the final 4 and I'm really looking forward to this episode of Being Erica since she spends the whole day with that other guy whose in therapy (he has a strange name...). It'll be good times!
...and Bruce just kissed the woman on Style by Jury. Where can I sign up for this show?
Monday, October 19, 2009
A Battle Indeed
One on the first episode of Battle of the Blades, there was a very clear team that came out on top: Barb Underhill and Ron Duguay. They skated wonderfully, Barb hasn't figure skated in a long time and has a rather sad history, and Ron the hair and the Studio 54 past, they were the clear favourites. Even though I didn't like them, I thought that they were going to go far.
...But apparently they would only stay until tonight. They actually got beat out by Tuffy and Tie. Mind boggling, almost. I mean, if you look at the CBC website for the show, Duguay and Underhill have the most fans! I really have no idea what happened. I mean, yes, they didn't quite have the same showmanship as Tie and Tuffy or even that they did in their first performance but to fall this quickly out of favour and be eliminated? Canada is apparently a very fickle mistress. And how can the team with the largest amount of fans online be in the bottom two? It just seems bizarre. Too bad there's no french judge to pin it on this time.
Personally, I think it's going to come down between Lemieux and Bourne vs. Simpson and Sale. But who knows? They might just be the bottom two next week! (I will once again state my apathy when it comes to reality shows. I will do absolutely nothing to keep them safe. They are on their own).
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Slacker
I'm excited since today is another episode of Battle of the Blades and the competition is starting to heat up because now the hockey players are taking it much more seriously and getting more competitive which is great! Plus Strombo will be a guest judge tonight which is more of an incentive to watch. But watching the interview on The Hour with Glenn Anderson and Isabelle Brasseur, I learned something that makes me reconsider the competition. So we all saw how Glenn fell last week and it made me very sad. That damned toe pick! Originally, I was impressed since Domi was the only one still wearing hockey skates as the rest of them all switched to figure skates which is quite the adjustment for them. Then in this interview, Glenn revealed that the majority of them (excluding him and I believe he said Craig Simpson) has filed the toe pick off their skates! That seems unfair! I mean, even though Glenn fell, at least he had the decency to man up and face the toe pick. The rest just seem like cowards now. I think that they should all have to use regulartion figure skates with the toe picks. It's part of the sport. And if you fall, that's part of the sport too. Suck it up men, it's to put on the real figure skates.
p\s I just want to give a shout out to my brother. As I'm sure you all watch the Hour, remember when Stephen Lewis was on? And in his bio, there was a clip of a public service announcement with K-OS working at the Bay? Yeah, that was done by my brother's company, The Corner Store (http://www.thecornerstore.tv/ check out the Fast Food link). I don't mean my brother owns the company, he works for them so it's not "his" in the sense he owns it...this is going on too long. Anyway, good job bro!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
If I had a million dollars
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Final 4
My pick to win? Either Vincent or Tara-Jean. I just love his hips so much! Mesmorizing really. Even though I do love Everett a lot, I would probably pick Vincent. And I think Tara-Jean has really been awesome the past couple of weeks and really shown that she wants and deserve it.
But will I vote at all next week to have my say in who should be Canada's favourite dancer? No. It's a proud Canadian tradition to be apathetic. I'll just save my votes for when Harper tries for a majority.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Listener
I will admit. I unfairly judged the show. Mostly because of SNL. They did a skit once mocking The Closer, by having a man dressed as Penny Marshall starring as The Looker (really terrible quality but here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ljinko1KCA&feature=PlayList&p=E750B66F70A0BC37&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6_). And whenever I heard "The Listener," that's what I think of.
Overall, I'm impressed with the show but we all know that's not the interesting part so here are the problems I have with it:
As much as I love a man in uniform (especially when it's Craig Olejnik), Toby completely oversteps the boundaries of being a paramedic. I'm pretty sure the police would have been much more violent towards him than just the distain Charlie shows towards him. And as a character, he seems kinda one dimensional. I dig the dark, mysterious and brooding man but I find him kinda flat at times. I would just like to see him happy every once and a while.
What I do like? That his best friend Oz is Turkish and his love interest Olivia is Asian. How Canadian. And Toby's apartment. And that in the one shot, you could see the spot where I used to wait for the bus all the time. It was good times. Generally I'm not a fan of cop shows (you notice the lack of Flashpoint and The Border in this blog) but I do like the twist that he is a telepath. That keeps me interested. And how did I get this far without mentioning Colm Feore? I love that man.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Giving Thanks
When I first heard about this issue, I assumed the cable companies would win and the networks would get screwed. But now I'm not thinking it will end like this. This commercial campaign is first of all, going to (hopefully) get the public on their side. Everyone already hates most cable companies already (personally, I'm already not a fan of Rogers...) and the possibility of having to pay more for cable. But the truth is, with all the different local stations that have had to close over this year, I think people are actually paying attention this time around. Especially since even during times of economic crisis, people aren't canceling their cable since that's their escape from the real world. So while the networks growing through a crisis because of the economy and lack of ad revenue (damn you internet!), the cable companies are still in a good place.
What I find most awesome about these commercials? Most people are watching these commercials on their cable! The cable companies have to carry these networks and so in fact, the cable companies have to air these commercials against themselves. Frankly, if I didn't have cable, I wouldn't have seen these commercials at all.
Plus the networks have a catchy song: http://localtvmatters.ca/. What have the cable companies got?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Who killed JR? (Er, I mean Canadian History)
I just finished reading J.L. Granatstein's "Who Killed Canadian History?" and it is a really interesting read. For the most part, I find myself agreeing with him though at times, I feel dirty about it since he can go further and ends up sounding like my father or grandfather. Basically, the argument is that Canadian history is not being taught in schools as much as it should be and that when it is taught, it's not done properly. Mostly it's now through the many social, politically correct lens that permate academia. So we don't learn so much about the different battles of WWI but the roles of women and minorities during the war. Who needs to learn about a bunch of old dead white men anyway?
The problem with this? Most of the history is made by old dead white men and it's hard to ignore that. Yes, we need to learn about those who didn't have any power and what they still managed to accomplish that but I don't think we need to throw out all the facts that those old men did too. It needs to be taught in context, to understand why there were no 'mothers' of confederation but still teach who the fathers of confederation were too.
The other really interesting point that he raises and I agree with him on the most part (I'm hesitant with how far he goes with some of the examples sometimes...) is that Canadians have a habit of painting our history with the darkest brush. We never commited any sort of genocide. We didn't start any major wars. We fought when we needed to fight but we didn't go killing sprees all the time. Yes, there are blemishes on our record and these need to taught. But there is no way that the fact that we turned away Jewish immigrants during WWII makes us as bad as the Nazis. We should be proud of our history when compared with those of other nations, instead of trying to bring ourselves down to their levels. It's like being the smartest kid in school but not wanting to draw attention to it so we downplay our marks. That A doesn't really mean anything. Yes, the treatment of the Natives was terrible. But did we try to turn it into a genocide? No (well, not actively anyway. The diseases the Europeans brought weren't exactly a great welcoming present). There just needs to be a better perspective on our history.
I think the best way to put is, in Granatstein's words, we have "a generally usuable past" and we need to utilize it properly.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
TD CBC?
(1) As previously mentioned, the whole Little Mosque - TD scene.
(2) TD now sponsors "The World of Good News" for The Hour.
(3) On Being Erica, Judith's husband not only works for TD but had to give a speech with large TD banners behind him. And the large green chair. And the point of the speech? "Promoting diversity in the TD Canada workplace."
...And all of this was just in one week. I mean, I know that neither of the two scripted shows revolved around TD and it would have been easy to slip in references to the bank into the shows. But I find that once shows actually start inserting the names of products in the shows (without the type of ironic self-awareness as in shows like 30 Rock) it becomes too much. It's a dangerous road, CBC. Please be careful.
I really wonder what kind of deal the CBC struck with TD.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Hour ...
First of all, now they tend to show more of the audience or behind the scenes type shots. Which really isn't too bad except when I see the guy telling the audience to clap. That just doesn't seem classy. And they do these different camera angles before he does Mile a Minute which I don't care for. Or the new woman who does the voice-over for the bios. Or the "Tomorrow's Headlines Tonight." I miss when George would end the show with "And that's time." I much preferred that.
But those are all little things that I suppose aren't a big detail. What I dislike is how George now insists on playing games with the guests. I mean, true or false with Drew Barrymore is one thing but I don't really care what type of music Richard Dawkins listens to. For me, I find it takes away from the seriousness of the show. It always had the fun/cool edge but was still a credible show. Now it feels like it's gone down a few pegs.
...excuse me now, I have to go spend some quality time with George.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Cheaters
But here's the thing, I totally would have confessed that I had cheated. Some people were convinced that I would end up cheating and not tell anyone. But that would ruin the whole integrity of this project. If it gets to the point that I do cheat and watch an American show, I want to know why it was that time and what lured me over to the side of evil. It's all part of the challenge and the experience. So if I cheat, I will let you know. Rest assured.
The moral of this story: Peer Pressure? Just say no.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Way of the Future?
Now, I've always been okay with product placement as long as it doesn't play an active role in the show (unless it's like in Josie and the Pussycats where it almost becomes another character). I mean, the money for these shows has to come from somewhere so if there occassionally has to be Snapples in the shot, I can deal. Of course there is an intersection of art and business, the problem becomes when you notice the business more than the art. But it's a fine line when it becomes distracting. Little Mosque was walking the line because I think anything more would have been too much.
But am I more likely to go to TD now??? Not really. I hate their commercials with the old men.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Battle of the Blades
"Hm, I think we should do a Canadian Dancing with the Stars."
"But Canada doesn't have any stars (especially b-list stars)."
"What do we have?"
"Hockey players."
"I know! It'll be Dancing with the Stars...on ice!"
Overall, I enjoyed it though. I do enjoy figure skating and am glad to see Kurt Browning again. What I noticed and expected though, is that it is mostly the women skating around the men who occasionally throw them in the air. But I know that as they improve, the performances will get a lot better. And I'm looking forward to it.
The one thing I notice though, that makes me smile is that when the men make a mistake, they all shrug their shoulders and shake their heads. It's just such a change from professional skaters where they just keep on going without even a facial expression. It does draw a lot more attention to it even though I know I would probably do the same thing. And the men are so out of breathe when they finish.
The part that made me a little was the technical errors that kept occurring. The judges' monitors weren't working (which I thought worked out better since they had to say their scores aloud which I liked). Kurt messed up at one point. But it all just made it fall into the Canadian stereotype of poor production quality. At least there was no boom mikes.
(sidenote that probably only my family will appreciate: While I was watching it, the hockey players kept having problems with the toe picks. And I thought to myself: "Toe picks? This all sounds vaguely familiar. OH MY GOD! It's the Cutting Edge!" And then suddenly I enjoyed the show so much more).
Sunday, October 4, 2009
2 Boos and 1 Yay
(1) I was quite mistaken that DG would be posted on Space. At least not yet anyways. I'll check back in a few days but for now there are just episode previews posted. This makes me more sad since I dislike leaving things incomplete.
(2) I tried to be all cool and watch some of the Battle of the Blades stuff online since I thought it would be funny. But for some reason, all the clips are skipping and stuff which makes them unwatchable. This makes me sad.
Yay:
(1) Battle of the Blades start tonight. Since I saw Domi and Probert on The Hour, I'm all excited. As a former figure skating star, I've been looking forward to this for a while. I'll let you know how it goes.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Mysterious Disappearance of Defying Gravity
So here's the deal: Apparently now the rest of the shows (episodes 10-13) are only being aired on Space. Which means that both CTV and ABC have dropped the show from their line-ups. This is a similar story to The Listener which NBC pulled mid-season due to low ratings. What a sad day for co-pros. After all the hope and optimism of Flashpoint, we all believed in a new era. I just hope that Americans don't give up on Canadian TV after this. Especially since Canadians have given up on so long ago.
The only silver lining in all this is that Space will be posting the remaining episodes of DG online so I can actually watch them. Even though I didn't care for the show, I still need to know what happens!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Shows I wish I were watching
(1) Flash Forward: A mysterious global event causes everyone on the planet to simultaneously lose consciousness for 2 minutes and 17 seconds (137 seconds), during which people worldwide see what may be visions of their lives approximately six months in the future, April 29, 2010. The event results in deaths from accidents and leaves the survivors wondering whether what they saw will happen. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FlashForward_(2009_TV_series)
-It's based on a Canadian novel and stars Joseph Fiennes. That's pretty much all I needed to know to start with but it just sounds so fascinating.
(2) Eastwick: The show follows the lives of three strangers, Roxanne, Joanna and Kat, who meet at a wishing fountain and soon become friends. A mysterious man named Darryl Van Horne has moved to Eastwick and has sinister plans for the women, but befriends them. Even more dangerous, he unleashes their supernatural powers. By igniting their hearts' desires, he might just be opening Pandora's box. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastwick_(TV_series).
-And who plays that mysterious man??? None other than Mr. Paul Gross. Despite never having been interested in the book or the movie, having Mr. Gross involved definitely piqued my interest in the show.
(3) Glee: Really, it looks like a TV version of High School Musical. That's all I needed. I think everybody needs a little more HSM and even better if it's in a weekly dose! Though when I put it in perspective, watching a bunch of teenagers sing isn't exactly what I would call a good time. But then again, for a while I was watching HSM 3 once a week. Sometimes I question my own judgement.
And of course, there is the old favourite America's Next Top Model. I just got addicted to it last year. It's a shame to have to say good-bye so soon. At least I had Canada's Next Top Model throughout the summer.
But please, if you watch any of these shows. Let me know how they are. My fingers are crossed that they are terrible so I'm not missing anything.
Just think of how nice Thursday would have been with Flash Foward and Grey's...sigh.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Month in Review
But here's the other part of the truth: It's been easy because I've had Corner Gas to fall back on. Whenever there wasn't something on, I could just throw one of them on. Now that I'm finishing up the sixth season, it's going to be rough times soon. I mean, I have jPOD lined up for next (I realize that most people don't plan out their television watching this much or make notes during the shows but then again, I've never been one for being normal) but I'm beginning to get worried for what lies beyond that. I suppose only time will tell for that.
ps how much do I love Vincent? SO much!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Appt. TV
Now I can appreciate how the internet makes it so that you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want. There's no old men sitting around determining when I have to watch anything. But to tell the truth, I still am a fan of appointment TV. I like having things probably spaced out for me (I have a problem that if I can, I will sit down and watch a whole season all at once). Maybe it's because I like rules and organization. I just like having my time parceled so that I know that no matter what, I will take 2 hours aside from everything else that is going on and everything I have to do tonight, and just watch my shows. It's a nice break from all the craziness.
So I will happily keep my appointments with CTV and CBC tonight. And it'll be good times.
(Now a quote from Degrassi: "You just can't handle that I'm a sexual being." Seriously?)
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Hour
This all changed one summer when I started watching The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. He was my only resource for the news (this was before I started my affair with Seamus). Now aside from just watching it to see George every night, what I like most about the show is that I was introduced to things that I would never have been otherwise. From learning more about Right to Play to the fact that my mother bought In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan because she saw him on the show. Plus I get to see ex-prime ministers and Rick Mercer. I like a nice variety.
There are 2 segments of the show that I really love. First off, was last year when they introduced "The World of Good News" where they would share stories of happy events occuring in the world to balance all the end-of-the-world gloom of the recession. The other segment is the classic "Best Story Ever." I'm not going to lie: part of it is the opening claymation and children singing. But I just find it fun to see these celebrities sharing what they think is their best story ever. Though I was upset when I saw one person give two best story evers. Everyone should only get one chance, it's just the way it should be.
So I'm happy to see The Hour premiere tonight. I look forward to once again seeing George every night ... Okay, so I'm willing to admit that I'm too lame to actually stay up until 11 every night to watch (some of us have to work in the morning, you know!) so I will most likely be watching it the next day online. Still I look forward to seeing my boyfriend once again.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Worth Less?
Then I found something that made me both excited and concerned. There was a copy of Robson Arms season 2. I'd seen a couple episodes of it and enjoyed it so I was excited, especially when I saw that it was only $20. Then I thought about it and that seemed extremely cheap for an entire season of a show. Having previously bought DVDs of Grey's, I know how much a season can go for. I decided to pick up a movie (Lars and the Real Girl) just to compare prices. Lars was at least $30. Now this confused me since they were both from approximately the same time (2007) so you would assume the TV show should be more, right? This disturbed me but not nearly as much as when I found a copy of jPOD season 1 in a bin at HMV with a "2 for $10" sticker on it. I know that jPOD might not have been wildly successful but it's only been off the hour for one year and hardly deserves to be only$5.
Now, I don't know the reasons why these TV shows are so much cheaper than pretty much most other things. Maybe there are some high tariffs on American DVDs (okay, so I have no idea what tariffs really are, either). I'm hoping there is some reasonable explanation for why Canadian shows seems unbelieveably cheap. I know they are not as popular as the American shows, but is that really the only determining factor? And if you know why, free feel to enlighten me. I would really like to know how this system works.
The upside to all this? I might actually be able to afford some of these shows on DVD. I mean, I pretty much would only need like $500 to own the entire Canadian canon. Sweet deal.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Hannah vs. Alice
Having said goodbye to these shows, I had to find something to watch. Now sometimes I throw on The Littlest Hobo or Valerie Pringle Has Left the Building. But I am pleased to say that I have replaced Hannah Montana with a new show: Alice, I Think. I never really cared for it before but I have to say, I'm really enjoying it. I always enjoy watching weird families.
And on the surface, it would seem to be impossible to find two shows as different as Alice and Hannah. A young girl trying to hide the secret that she is also a pop star vs. a young girl being raised by uber new age hippies. The bizarre thing however, seems to be the emphasis placed on being normal. Alice is continually trying shrug off the albatross of her family in order to fit in more. Miley hides her pop star identity in order that she can lead a normal life (and apparently the movie is extremely sad as she learns to deal with this...according to one of my friends). Of course, the theme always becomes that fitting in is overrated and you should be yourself and blah blah blah. At first I found it odd that the theme still always seemed to be that you should want to be normal but then, isn't that what high school is all about anyway? I mean, one of the truest songs about high school I've ever heard is "Stick to the Status Quo" from High School Musical. The true difference between these songs is just that we don't have flashy Canadian pop tarts. We just have werid hippies. But don't we all just need to belong???
(ps I was watching an animated version of Anne of Green Gables this morning and everything was going fine until this bizarre green alien/fairy appeared and suddenly it was like an acid trip. I've read the books and I'm pretty sure that never actually happened).
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Hardest Cut of All
Now, my relationship with Grey's is an intense love/hate. It's the only show that I regularly watch and was pretty much my only "appointment" TV left. I remember when I started watching it in my tiny rez room from the very beginning and then getting my friends hooked too. I related to Meredith as if she were actually me (from the dark and twisty bits to the Asian friend Christin(a)). We had a happy time together.
That was the love side of it. Now it's pretty much all hate. I spent the majority of last season yelling at my TV (even this summer when watching a rerun, I started yelling at the Chief for telling Meredith that Derek was going to propose. Seriously?! SERIOUSLY?!). Izzy was having sex with a ghost and even though I knew I was supposed to be upset that she had a brain tumour, I couldn't wait for her to die.
It took me awhile to figure out why I so angry with it. Here's my theory: we all know that the networks and the business side of everything effects the show. It's not all just what is best for the characters or the story as there are all these outside sources pulling the strings. And with Grey's, the strings really began to show. First, the whole Isaiah Washington incident and Burke was gone. And then Erica Hahn just randomly disappears at the end of one episode and it's never explained what happened to her (and she then got replaced by a younger, blonder lesbian for Kallie...). Katherine Heigl turns down an Emmy nominations because she hasn't gotten enough interesting storylines. And suddenly Denny returns (because Izzy's only interesting storyline is Denny apparently). Heigl wants off the show so Izzy gets a brain tumour. TR Knight wants off the show and suddenly he barely has any storylines. Heigl doesn't want to leave the show so we know that Izzy didn't really die at all. Suddenly it's like the actual story doesn't matter at all (since apparently the show is all about keeping Katherine Heigl happy). As much as I know that this is pretty much what happens with all shows, it just breaks my suspension of disbelief. And I just really hate Katherine Heigl now.
Despite all this, it is taking all of my willpower to not flip it over to CTV right now. I just need to know what is happening! And what do I get to watch instead? Battle of the Arctic...it's just not the same.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Being Erica
And I wasn't disappointed. I was really upset when I thought Dr. Tom wouldn't be coming back so I was quite pleased when he did. Nadia just wasn't the same. One of the things I like most about this show is that it oddly feels aimed solely at me. Like it was designed just for me, which is something that hasn't quite happened with other shows (even jPOD, may it rest in peace). With it's references to Philip Larkin, Antigone, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and last night, a nod to Coyote Ugly, among many others. And how she worked in a call centre. I mean, I know it's not aimed just at me but it does make me like the show more.
The one thing I don't like about the show in general is that it bears some striking resemblances to one of my other favourite shows Wonderfalls (don't worry if you've never heard of it. It was cancelled after only 4 shows aired). The whole high school reunion plots are forgiveable. The main issue I have is Tyron Leitso. Now, I have no actual problem with him. Frankly, I am in favour of him being on every show. But let's compare the characters he plays on each, shall we?
Wonderfalls - Eric: goes on honeymoon to Niagara Falls with wife, wife cheats on him, he stays in Niagara Falls, becomes Jaye's love interest, wife comes back, tries to work things out, dumps wife for Jaye.
Being Erica - Ethan: married to Claire and lives in Montreal, Claire cheats on him, he moves in next door to Erica in Toronto, becomes love interest for Erica, Claire comes back, tries to work things out, dumps wife for Erica.
Let's try something other than the puppy dog dumped husband next time, shall we Tyron?
(ps check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zcOFN_VBVo ....how come my school(s) never did anything this cool???)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Watching Online
...Except I would still like a moment to rant. I, like most younger people these days, watch a hefty amount of my TV online. When I thought I was faced with choosing between Being Erica and SYTYCD-C to watch online, the choice was easy because of one simple detail: I absolutely HATE the CTV online player. With a passion of thousand fires.
Firstly, they break up the show into different sections. Not really a problem since shows are always broken up into acts anyways and there are commercial breaks on TV. So I could deal with that. Secondly, they then usually have a commercial in-between each segment. Okay, you have to deal with on regular TV and I know that they have to make money some how ... but still, it's the internet. But I'm willing to forgive them on that too. On top of all this, and the worst part of all, when watching in full screen and each segment ends, it goes back to regular screen (...I'm so high tech it hurts) and then the commercials play at a louder volume. What is up with that? There really has to be a better way. In fact, I know there is a better way. Even watching Corner Gas on youtube has proved to be a better experience. Start each show with a commercial, that's fine. And how hard to make them all the same volume? I'm seriously not impressed, CTV.
...but this doesn't really matter since I won't have to use it.
Monday, September 21, 2009
2 out of 3 ain't bad
(1) The CBC: Not surprisingly, I can pretty much watch the Ceeb at anytime. The shows I'm looking forward to watching the most are Being Erica and Battle of the Blades. Then there are the usual Rick Mercer, 22 Minutes and Little Mosque. (sidenote: I just noticed that Sophie is missing from the line-up. Did they really cancel it?) The one episode I've seen of Dragon's Den seemed entertaining. And of course, I'll always have The Hour. And who knows? Maybe I will even start watching The National like a good Canadian.
Grade: A+ (you're gone far beyond those C's and B)
www.cbc.ca/programguide/weekly/2009/09/28/cbc_television/
(2) CTV: I'll give CTV points for giving me Canada's Next Top Model this summer and Canadian Idol in the past. And now I've gotten hooked on the SYTYCD-C (even the acronym is too long). Defying Gravity is my replacement Grey's so they also get points for trying there. Flashpoint is still their biggest, current claim to CanCon and I suppose I will eventually try to catch up on that. But really CTV, I'm starting to get tired of just recycling reality show formats. They may be cheap and easy, but you don't want that kind of reputation, do you? I think we both know that you can be better.
Grade: B- (but only because you try...kind of).
www.ctv.ca/generic/generated/tvlist/CJOHtvlist.html
(3) Global: ....crickets. Truthfully, I was shocked when I looked at the Global primetime line-up. Until I got to Saturday at 8pm for Project Runway Canada. Yep. That's it. I mean, really, Global? Am I just missing something? I thought maybe this would give us time to bond since the amount of channels I have to choose from are limited, but then you do this to me? I don't know, Global, I just don't know.
Grade: F (for not even trying...really, Saturday night at 8pm?!)
www.globaltv.com/entertainment/schedule/index.html
Okay, I will admit that I might be slightly biased because of my crush on the CBC (is it possible to have crushes on television networks?) but the others aren't giving me much to work with here. Oh well. Time to go see what's on tonight...
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Horrible News!
I suppose it will be okay though. I end up missing them every other year anyway (usually because I'm on a bus). Last year, I was even lucky enough to hold a real Academy Award. I just thought that now that I'm done with school, I would always be able to catch them. Oh well, at least I still have the Genies, Junos and Geminis.
...I'm not going to lie, this upset me far more than it should have.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Canadian Soap?
But for the life of me, I can't imagine what a Canadian soap opera would look like. I know what the farcical version it would look like. What would a real, serious Canadian soap opera look like? I feel that this is something that is severely lacking and needs to be remedied. I'd watch it. I also think it should be set in Newfoundland. Now wouldn't that be a good time?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Jury is In
And now Bruce just took a woman to Niagara Falls. It was sad how excited I was to see the oh-so-familiar highway signs. This is why we need more Canadian TV.
What I find interesting, though, is that the people on this show, I don't want to say are more deserving but for lack of a better phrase, we'll go with it. The last two people were cleaning women. Before that, it was a woman who worked in a nursing home. I like it because it's people who don't get to feel glamourous like this often ... or ever, really. I mean, have you seen some of the closets on What Not to Wear?
I'm really looking forward to next week though. Shows are starting to premiere on CBC which means that I might actually have something to watch! The hopes are high.
...and are people really that sensitive about their teeth??? That always seems to be the one thing they are happiest about.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Spelling for your life
This is of course good and bad for this challenge. It's good because I end up throwing on something that I might not have watched otherwise (ie The Nature of Things). The bad side is that there sometimes is nothing really on. Which is why I'm now watching Canada's Super Speller. This really just seems cruel since I'm a terrible speller. What is it with Canadian television and showing off smart children? From this to Reach for the Top (hells yeah!) to Canada's Next Prime Minister. Are there really that many people wanting to see smart kids/young adults compete for stuff?
...and that's when I realized that I'm really just waiting around to see the time-shifted results show for SYTYCD-C. Somehow attractive people dancing around will always beat out kids spelling. Maybe the kids just need more sequins.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Rxns
(1) "Watching Canadian television? Don't you do this anyway?"
-Indeed I did. However once I explained that I would be losing shows like Simpsons, Friends, and even Jeopardy, he began to understand. The truth really hit home though, when I would have to give up 30 Rock. Then he really understood.
(2) Many have suggested that I should also have limited my movies and music to solely Canadian. My other friend took it even further and said I should only visit Canadian websites. Besides being insanely difficult to do so, it would mean having to give up facebook and there are very few things that would actually make me give up facebook. Almost all of them include bodily harm.
What I really like though is that it is making people think about what is actually Canadian produced. One person suggested I could watch Harper's Island because it was filmed in Canada. My mother suggested Lost in Austen because she thought it might be a co-production (actually, she properly used the phrase "co-pro" which was kinda cute). Most people think it's not a big deal since people who did not grow up on a border town like I did only have access to Canadian networks. However, Canadian networks do not equal only Canadian productions. I just want people to take a second and think about what they are watching. I'm not saying that everyone should only watch Canadian television (now there's a dream) but just to consider how much television they watch isn't made in Canada. And maybe make a few changes to their nightly selections.
...but I see my threats of kitten deaths on facebook seem to be working. Good job, people.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Rainy days and Mondays
Oh well ... maybe I'll watch a scary movie. And by scary, I mean "scary" like Scared Stiff or Clue.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Saskatchewan Conspiracy
Here's my theory: Nobody has any strong feeling towards Saskatchewan either way. Everybody hates Ontario, mainly because of Toronto. We all know how people feel about Quebec. Ever since the whole oil fields in Alberta, it hasn't been the same and everybody hates BC because of the nice weather and mountains. All the Atlantic provinces get lumped together and the Newfies just bring down that whole crowd. Manitoba doesn't really have much but at least they have Winnipeg. Saskatchewan's got nothing. It's pretty much the middle of nowhere of Canada. Which, apparently, makes it the best place to set everything ... plus there are probably some sort of tax credits for shooting there.
What I want to know, is why nothing is ever set in the East. Toronto has Sophie and Being Erica. jPOD was set in Vancouver. Quebec has all it's own TV anyway. The Prairies have Wild Roses and Little Mosque now (I would also guess that Heartland is set there too because of all the horses but have not confirmed this). What's in the East? Don't try to sell me on all the Anne of Green Gables stuff. That's all based on novels. Where is the original, fictional programming set in the Atlantic provinces? That's what I want to see. I'm thinking that maybe New Brunswick should become the new Saskatchewan. I'd watch that.
...but really, Saskatchewan?