fourONEsixSTYLE

cntm_intro
Originally uploaded by DracoRed.

A couple things weirded me out about Canada’s newest borrowed TV format Canada’s Next Top Model, which debuted a couple weeks back. First, CityTV couldn’t seem to find a level for the audio, it was jumping all over the board. The worst thing however, was the location of the show. Fashion in the forest? I just don’t see it. The model’s retreat is a gorgeous spot on the lake outside of Victoria, B.C. where “Supermodel” Tricia Helfer flies in to meet the young models on a float plane. Sure, great shot, great scenery, but where’s the context?

Canada’s Next Top Model comes across as “Super” amateur because of this bad decision. The show should be pushing this country’s fashion-focused metropoli, Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal. That’s where the talent, the passion and the energy are, which sadly seem to be missing from the Canadian version of this show.

When George Stroumboulopoulos began his broadcast of The Hour at CBC I watched with great interest. Finally someone would speak meaningfully to people my age (a few years younger than George) about things that could hold our attention for longer than 5 seconds. At least that’s what I think the CBC was hoping for. I watched the first few episodes and then gave it a miss. It seemed amateurish. The set was kinda boring. George seemed still set in his rocker ways from his days at Much. I get the angst bit but I wanted good commentary, thoughtful commentary, not just “Awww c’mon”.

Now, a couple years in, George is strutting around Queen West in his slick new Beemer and I think he deserves it. I was watching the show tonight and was impressed that it finally nails what I hoped it would be in its first season. The CBC has pulled it off. The news was fresh and I got a kick out their segment on 4:20 (though I wished the camera person had thought of white balancing the outdoor interviews). I also think they’ve done much better with the set, street scenes of Toronto is more fitting than bookcases filled with nick-nacks.

I followed this by a visit to CBC’s site for The Hour and was happy to see fellow bloggers listed on the home page. Great way to get people involved, continue a discourse. (Apparently The Hour had to remove it’s own blog because of a nasty situation). Can my blog make it to his front page? Something to aspire to maybe. (I think I might have to offer a sweeter review).

Well, here it is… The Hour’s website does offer some juicy bits. Perfect for us after-work and weekend browsers. The video segments online were fantastic; could’ve loaded somewhat faster but were worth the wait. I watched George’s interview with Rick Mercer, a piece on June Callwood, and then for kicks his interview with ex-Crossfire front man Tucker Carlson.

While not too many Canadians paid attention to Tucker before (unless you caught video of John Stewart bitch slapping the poor guy on Tucker’s own show) they certainly are now…and if you don’t know why, check out the video for yourself. The man calls Canadians “the retarded cousin” of the States. I was impressed George took him on. Watching the interview like I might a boxing match, I hoped to God that George didn’t make it a fluff piece, that he nailed him on some of the bullshit, and he did. Thank you George.

So much to say about this piece, Tucker Carlson is a pretentious jerk and George slyly made comparisons to people like him needing slick sports cars to make up for …ehm…other stuff. George even got him to revoke the “retarded” bit.

However (you really gotta see this thing) Tucker has some points. He admits that only about 5% of Americans would know who our Prime Minister is (yep, he’d be right - doesn’t that say more about them) and that we think we’re morally superior (well, our policies often are).

I was drunk on a rooftop in Brooklyn for NYE where some of the party had moved to and I was yelling “Move to Canada” and some sweet American guy came to me to say how much he liked Canada and then asked “Who is your Prime Minister?” But Mr. Carlson was wrong about one thing and that’s that everyone wants to live in the States. Check out The Hour’s About The Show page, in all the sweet comments made about it, one guy from Chicago so loves Canada and The Hour that he thinks he might retire here. So much for Tucker’s point. While some of us might see better opportunities down south, when it comes to where to live the Golden Years some of us would still say Canada.

With the Canadian election this week I’m feeling very patriotic, even despite the Conservative win.

I was watching one show I don’t like to miss, Rick Mercer’s Report, today and Rick was all like “Wow, remember the good old days” and i’m thinking “Yeah. Wasn’t it cool” but then I’m thinking “Wow, I wish Rick Mercer was on ifilm, or maybe, like, Canada could have it’s own version of the cool site so we could see funny Canadian content video on an all Canadian owned website.” “Wow. That would be cool”, Rick said.

But then Rick Mercer went and put up video on his own site and I’m thinking. “Yeah, That’s cool, who needs ifilm”.
So now I can check out Pierre Berton’s “How To Roll A Joint” piece any time I want and feel like nothing’s changed in this country at all; there’s still Canadian content on the airwaves and a man over 80 will still not get busted for wanting to smoke a little pot (See October 18, 2004 episode for How To Roll A Joint), but we can talk in a couple months and see if there’s still something called Canadian content.

Ps. The vids are in Quicktime, Windows and Real Media Player, but not for every piece.

industrial go karts
Originally uploaded by 416style.

The Amazing Race has long been a popular show in Canada. It’s certainly been a favourite of mine since the beginning. As a bit of a computer and TV geek a couple years ago I decided to particpate in a chatroom where TAR’s host, The Philminator, answered questions about himself and the show. There were some funny questions like “Who picks your wardrobe?” Just so you know, it’s not Phil. He wasn’t crazy either about some of the knit sweaters he was made to wear. Another question was “When are you coming to Canada?” He didn’t answer it. Well, now they’ve come and gone, and while it makes me happy they showcased this multifacted city in their final episode I think they could’ve done a bit better. The Bata Shoe museum wouldn’t have been my pick for a city landmark, though I suppose it is original. I also wasn’t so happy they profiled the Kajama, it was a bit too close to home: my friends and I like to get it for the night for some crazy on-board parties. They also showed Queens Quay Yachting, another place my friends and I like to rent boats. Just hope there’s still availability when we try to book it next summer.

I would’ve suggested a trip to the islands, perhaps in a canoe, or a visit to our little known Olympic Museum.

I did like their task while at the CNTower. Couldn’t have been easy finding the marker located in this Go-Karts area.

Hopefully the show will help this city’s profile. It appeared the American contestants enjoyed it…and in case there are any fan’s out there reading this…rolling lumber is not a national sport.

I’ve always revered what journalists do, and how they do it. Many put themselves in harm’s way because getting the story out is more important than anything else. Others, however, just chose to follow the ratings and pick the most salacious stories. And then there’s Geraldo, who tries to do both while embedded as a war correspondent in Afghanistan, but it didn’t really work out for him. In this day and age, when we are confronted with news from every angle, it’s increasingly more important to choose one’s sources wisely, and often to read the stories that don’t always seem most attractive, but can offer much perspective.

Toronto-born network news anchor Peter Jennings, who passed this week, was a journalist that tried to offer a view of the world, instead of feeding into the ratings frenzy. For an American audience - a small percentage of which actually have passports - digesting international news can be tough. Jennings decided he would deliver stories from around the globe anyway, because it was important for him to live up to the banner of his show, World News Tonight, even if it meant a decline in ratings. It was risky, but he made a name for himself in foreign affairs reporting. Part of me thinks this decision of his had something to do with his background in a country as multifaceted (and multicultural) as Canada. Canadians are known as frequent travelers, inquisitive about the world around them. Peter Jennings is an inspiring symbol of the worldwide curiosity we all share as Canadians.

Originally uploaded by Pipistrula.

Beauty Quest is a one-hour documentary which follows a female fashion photographer exploring where real beauty can be found. The streets of Toronto and New York are full of women: young and old, fit and phat, women of many cultures. Arline takes their pictures, then must chose “the one” that Dove will send on it’s Real Beauty photography tour, exhibiting here in Toronto at the Eaton Centre August 5th to 14th.

Working with the team that put the one-hour together, I was privy to a sneak peak at Camera Bar. Beauty Quest has inspired me, made me question my ideas of beauty and confidence and made me realize, shockingly, that most women out there do not think of themselves as beautiful. I hope everyone can tune in and watch Beauty Quest on one of the dates below, and then tell someone close to them how beautiful you think they are.

On the W Network:
Saturday, July 30 @ 8PM
Sunday, July 31 @ 3PM
Wednesday, August 24th @ 10PM

On The Documentary Channel:
Thursday, August 11 @ 5PM
Friday, August 12 @ 5PM
Saturday, August 13 @ 7PM