Is Canadian TV finally emerging from the doldrums?

Question

Too often, the words Canadian television produce a cringe among TV viewers, making the current situation all the more rare: a handful of top notch Canadian series currently on the air that have attracted both critical praise and built audiences ('Corner Gas,' 'Little Mosque on the Prairie' and 'Trailer Park Boys'). Is this the beginning of a renaissance in Canadian-made TV?
Read more: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070312/entertainment/tv_mosque_versus_gas

Answer 1

I am from Canada and have lived in Britain for about 6 years now. As far as television goes, historically Canadian television has been guilty of trying too hard, but I think it's getting there.

'This Hour Has 24 Minutes' and 'Royal Canadian Air Farce' are undeniably enjoyable television.

The Red Green show is a classic because it picked up on classic Canadian traits and became a part of the culture. A very special show indeed.

Being honest, I've seen only clips of Little Mosque on the Prairie, and it looks ok. The basic idea is genius, and from what I saw the production is very good and the script is good. Perhaps the actors will settle in to become a little more comfortable in their characters' skin. Over all it has loads of potential.

Trailer Park Boys is another that I've watched more of because it has screened on UK television. Again, although it's not my cup of tea, it captures a very real setting that I think many Canadians will relate to in a way. Here in Britain I have heard many people comment on the program and that they find it hilarious. I think they appreciate the tongue in cheek approach to the 'trailer park community' as they don't have that section of culture here. I've also seen Bubbles face on many a t-shirt.

One thing Canadian television is evidently doing is remaining committed to Canadian culture. This can be difficult to define at the best of times considering we are heavily influenced by both our Southern neighbours and European historical roots.

For a long time Canadian television was tedious because it targetted an audience who had highly developed intellectual capacities (in my opinion). But as people watch television more for entertainment, it's nice to know that tax-payers money is being used to indulge this side of the Canadian character.

Thanks

Edited to add: I see many references to British television programs being 'so much better'. Well - not necessarily. There are some absolutely brilliant British comedies and dramas - but there are some extremely LAME ones as well. In my opinion, there is a general decline in the quality of British programs. Secondly, Canada is not British and it is not American. That is why you can only compare against Canadian standards. Look at how many Internationally reknowned comedians and musical stars Canada has produced. I think that says an awful lot for the Canadian media - even though we may not have the same cash flow with which to work as many other countries.

Don't forget - the British pay a yearly 'television tax/license' ontop of our regular taxes. Regular taxes subsidise the BBC and their tv tax/license goes to the BBC also. Go figure!

I wouldn't complain about productions not having enough money to pump up the productions. You might regret it!

Answer 2

I was reading over the responses from others regarding the state of Canadian television. It is such a shame that people that seem to be of such a low level of intelligence can respond. ie. To quote Marty Mcfly - why can't Canadian television stop copying british and american programs. We were discussing Corner Gas and Little Mosque. I don't recall ever seeing anything at all similar to these programs from either of these two countries. Those two as well as Rick Mercer, This Hour has 22 Minutes, Red Green, Air Farce and many others are uniquely Canadian shows, with Canadian writers and completely Canadian content. Do I detect a bit of envy on this Brits part on the success of these totally Canadian television programs?

You may not like the television programs and that is just fine. It is not necessary to make disparaging remarks about Canadian television like he did, especially when there are no home truths about his statement of copycating other shows. Trailer Park Boys is canadian and I really don't find it funny. I certainly am not going to start spewing garbage about the show. It is of a certain type of humour that not everyone will appreciate. The same goes for many other shows, including british and american television. To each his own.

Answer 3

Trailer Park Boys is nothing more than a take off on an old formula that was once known as "The Three Stooges" Sure, it's entertaining, but so is Jackass and the mindless, moronic **** you see on YouTube videos. Corner Gas is decent, but it wasn't always that way. It had to have a couple of seasons of adjustment. An American-made show would be cancelled due to poor ratings long before this could happen, but not in Canada. like all Canadian-made television shows, even if it is lame and poorly put together with no comic timing - much like Little Mosque is, we would be forced to see it on the airwaves because Canadian producers have deep pockets and no brains. The worse part of Canadian television, from a Canadian perspective, is that it is so incenstuous.... the same actors do comedy, drama, advertisements etc etc etc. For Heaven sakes there must be some real talent out there. Canadian comedy features actors with no comic timing. All our best comedians are in the US on American television. Little Mosque is embarrassing

Answer 4

I have only seen one episode of Corner Gas, none of Little Mosque on the Prairie, but I have seen every episode of Trailer Park Boys, as well as the Christmas special and the movie. I really like it and I would say it is as good or better than a lot of the American stuff that is on right now. The actors on TPB seem very humble, whereas the actors from Corner Gas, when I have seem them interviewed, are always bragging that their show is the best thing to happen to Canadian TV since Beachcombers. Canada has a lot of talent - acting, music, everything. We should be proud of the talent we have here and be glad that Canadian TV is finally emerging from the doldrums.

Answer 5

For your information: Trailer Park Boys is nothing more than a take off on an old formula that was once known as "The Three Stooges" Sure, it's entertaining, but so is Jackass and the mindless, moronic **** you see on YouTube videos. Corner Gas is decent, but it wasn't always that way. It had to have a couple of seasons of adjustment. An American-made show would be cancelled due to poor ratings long before this could happen, but not in Canada. like all Canadian-made television shows, even if it is lame and poorly put together with no comic timing - much like Little Mosque is, we would be forced to see it on the airwaves because Canadian producers have deep pockets and no brains. The worse part of Canadian television, from a Canadian perspective, is that it is so incenstuous.... the same actors do comedy, drama, advertisements etc etc etc. For Heaven sakes there must be some real talent out there. Canadian comedy features actors with no comic timing. All our best comedians are in the US on American television. Little Mosque is embarrassing, it's so bad. Who even identifies with this nonsense? Beer commercials are funnier and give me a better sense of Canadian identity. The brilliant Canadian comedies - 22 minutes, Kids in the Hall, SCTV, get panned by these same "critics" who acclaim this other drivel we are forced to accept.
Give us a break. Get some real ideas.

Answer 6

I don't think that Canadian TV was ever as bad a people have been prone to say it is. I grew up watching shows like: Degrassi, Mr. Dress-Up, The Raccoons, The Wayne and Shuster Show, You Can't Do That on Television, The Beachcombers and The Littlest Hobo. I have always thoroughly enjoyed Royal Canadian Air Farce and This Hour has 22 Minutes for their intelligent comedy. Shows such as the Passionate Eye bring the most thought-provoking documentaries to my home. Finally, the recently made series entitled "The Last Chapter" totally blew me away; so much so that I purchased the series. If you have any doubts, I would recommend visiting this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English-language_Canadian_television_series . Check out all the quality Canadian programs that have been produced. I truly believe that Canadian TV has always been superb. It may not have been appreciated, but it was always thoughtful and creative.

Answer 7

Okay, everyone knows that Canadian shows/studios do not have anywhere near the budget that American ones do. So people can't throw that back in our faces - producers, directors, etc. work hard with what they're given. Period.

I have this secret delight in older, bad Canadian television shows...I like wathcing the reruns of the original after-school-special-esque "Degrassi Jr. High" and the feel-good "Littlest Hobo". Call me crazy, but for so long bad television was a staple of Canadian culture - and I strangely became proud of that! Yeah, we make crappy t.v. shows that no one in the US would watch - so? Whatcha you gonna do about it?

I personally like many Canadian shows already mentioned (Rick Mercer Report, This Hour, etc.) they are clever and generally pretty funny. Corner Gas has a really nice feel to it - I'm not saying it's Golden Globes material or anything, but it has subtle humour - and if you've ever been to/lived in a small town, you can relate to it (and if you're from Saskatchewan - this show is huge!)

Trailer Park Boys - when I first started watching it, I hated it! The language took me a while to get used to, but once I got past that, I came to see the show as a really unique and well written comedy. People can say what they want about Canadians not having television shows on the same level as the US, but I can guarantee that you'll never see a show in the US that pushes the envelope like the TPBs. And for that, I applaud Mike Clattenburg.

Little Mosque...I'm still on the fence on that one, I like that the show is going into avenues that other shows are not exploring (again, when would you see Muslims portrayed in this way on a US television show?), however I'm not sure I find it that hilarious.

Answer 8

As a Canadian Muslim, I would like to acknowledge Little Mosque on the Prairie as a knee slapping comedy. I love to watch it with my family and point out the inconsistancies. I am somewhat worried however that non-muslims watching the show will form an imprression based on this comedy. With everything that is going on in the world, forming a different impression about muslims might not be such a bad thing. However, my concern is that viewers take information from this show at face value. I encourage viewers to go beyond this show and find out on their own about Islam and its culture.
To answer the posed question, I think Canadian TV is getting better. Not to say that it was bad before. It is going from good to better, which is great to see. TPB, Hour, Just for laughs are great. I think people are forgetting about other genres of Candadian TV. When I think of Canadian TV, I usually think informative! How 'bout the classics like David Suziki, and Motoring on TSN? Motoring has been on since forever I think.
I think that Canadians belittle themselves too much, especially when it comes to Americans. It is usually a big deal to American TV shows when they come to Canada. Ie: Conan O'brien, Deal or no Deal. Stop giving U.S.A soo much credit and start being a little more proud of being CANADIAN EH! I mean its a wonder how some of these American shows made it on TV.

PS: Can't forget about those Brits.... Why did they stop showing 'Keeping up Appearances'? I think thats what it was called. I loved that show.

Answer 9

Are you kidding me?

Little Mosque on the Prarie is a disgrace. The jokes are old and flat, and the content is just ridiculous. Same goes for Corner Gas. The Trailer Park Boys was brilliant, but the idea has long since run its course. Canadian television, as would everything else in this country, would do well to allow new, interesting and different voices produce its product, rather than making mediocre, cheap hokey tv that either directly rips off American TV(Intelligence, Canadian Idol, Canada's next Top Model), or makes itself so homely it becomes distinctly Canadian (Corner Gas et. all).

Answer 10

Absolutely! Canadian television has progressed during the last 5 years, to the point where there is more than just hockey to watch. Programs such as "Trailer Park Boys" have brought attention to canadian programing, and paved the road for newer programs like "Corner Gas" and "Little mosque on the Prairie." The overall creativity displayed on these shows is simple, yet that is exactly why they are so amazing. These shows address their stereotypes head on with an amazing ability to not only make light of sensitive subjects with humor, but discredit these sterotypes and enlighten viewers.