Canadian TV "IS" Crap

According to Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett, the Canadian television industry produces nothing but crap and I have to agree with him. I can "probably" count on 1 hand the number of Canadian made shows that I believe merited any type of accolades for being worthy of watching.

"I sit here as a government representative for film and television in the province of Alberta and I look at what we produce, and if we're honest with ourselves … I look at it and say, 'Why do I produce so much shit? Why do I fund so much crap?'" Blackett told the panel, to ripples of laughter....Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett

Let's face it, when it comes to watching high quality television programming, Canadian tv is miles behind what comes out of our southern neighbours studios. Granted there have been some pretty good movies made here in Canada (The Hulk with Edward Norton wasn't too bad) but there's a lot of work to do to get the same quality as that of American television.

Just for the record, what I considered pretty good Canadian television programs were...1) The Beachcombers (From what, the 1970's?)...2)The Red Green Show...3)Corner Gas (I've always been a fan of Brent Butt though)... 4) The Murdoch Mysteries (Not to bad but could be better)....5) Royal Canadian Air Farce (Was great at first but after John Morgan died and they brought in Alan Park and the other 2, it just went downhill fast).

I could have listed "The Rick Mercer Report" but to me he's nothing more than a comic trying to do a video blog. Trailer Park Boys is crass, rude, and panders to the Canadian version of a hillbilly redneck. Others include...

• Kids in the Hall....Boring inane nonsense.


• Mantracker...Not too bad at first but how of many times can you watch 2 guys on horseback chase down 2 people on foot usually with the same outcome.


• Da Vinci’s Inquest....Snore, Snore.

One Canadian show I can't really comment on is Slings and Arrows with Paul Gross. I've only seen a couple of episodes (it's hard to get in this area without paying through the nose.) but what I have seen looks pretty good. Then again, Gross is a fine actor whose comedic timing rates right up there with Leslie Nielsen.

To those who disagree with Minister Beckett and myself, just ask yourself this, "Would Canada be able to produce shows like N.C.I.S., Numb3rs, or even something as sappy as Ghost Whisperer and have it come out just as good?" My answer is, I doubt it.

On a side note, there is a new news show coming out from the Sun media outfit that is nothing more than a CNN clone but geared for Canadians. Will it fly? Doubtful. We'll just have to wait and see.