Canadian TV

[palitoy]

Somewhat on topic, there is a really well done series of Youtube Documentaries about the early days of Nickelodeon programming. I was drawn to it because a great deal of these shows are Canadian imports and the host has really done his homework, so if you remember "You Can't Do that oN Television", "Today's Special" or "Adventures in Rainbow Country", you were watching Canadian TV as a kid.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL63ushetAZ-xoXYf46MkIywbmLq_3qXRw

[Makernaut]

Very cool to read about your involvement with "Corner Gas", Brian.

I saw mention of "Trailer Park Boys" and "Letterkenny". I was and remain a huge fan of TPB's first 7 seasons, but it's gone on a little too long with increasingly diminished results since they brought it back, in my opinion, so I don't really bother keeping up with it.

"Letterkenny" is a fairly recent watch for me and I took to it immediately. I've only caught the first 3 seasons, though. I believe Hulu has all seasons available now so I need to get caught up.

Common thread through all three of those shows....quirky characters in their own universe plus ridiculous situations that could only happen there and to them leads to funny stuff being said. UK TV is pretty darn good at that kind of thing but Canadians do that better than anyone.

[Brazoo]

"Made in Canada" was a real fave of mine in the 1990s, it was a pretty funny parody of film and television production in Canada, they mainly made a Hercules/Road To Avonlea type knock off shows that really weren't too far from the truth. Rick Mercer was the star.

I don't know it and should check that out!

I typically really dislike parody stuff "aboot" Canadians, and not because I don't think we can be made fun of but because it's usually done SOO badly. Like, there's this grab bag of ideas from Bob and Doug McKenzie that everyone just swipes from and they're not even current ideas.

The one I liked best was the ongoing sketch on Kroll Show called "Wheels, Ontario". It does the easy/broader "aboot" gags too, but it's also got a ton of great specific details.

[Brazoo]

Somewhat on topic, there is a really well done series of Youtube Documentaries about the early days of Nickelodeon programming. I was drawn to it because a great deal of these shows are Canadian imports and the host has really done his homework, so if you remember "You Can't Do that oN Television", "Today's Special" or "Adventures in Rainbow Country", you were watching Canadian TV as a kid.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...kIywbmLq_3qXRw

I'm going to check that out for sure! I LOVED You Can't Do that on Television. I was well aware of Nickelodeon in its early days and have always been kind of fascinated by how the You Can't Do That's green slime has morphed into such an icon over the years.

[palitoy]

I don't know it and should check that out!

I typically really dislike parody stuff "aboot" Canadians, and not because I don't think we can be made fun of but because it's usually done SOO badly.

Oh my gosh yes, it should be illegal to use the word "hoser". looking directly at Kevin Smith.

Made in Canada pretty much takes a really cynical look at Canadian TV, all of their shows suck. The big brass of the company was "Chuck the Security Guard" in the early 80s, kind of funny.

PS I've seen some Degrassi, my wife adores Degrassi, I don't get it and never will.

[LonnieFisher]

Take off, eh.

[Wee67]

Somewhat on topic, there is a really well done series of Youtube Documentaries about the early days of Nickelodeon programming. I was drawn to it because a great deal of these shows are Canadian imports and the host has really done his homework, so if you remember "You Can't Do that oN Television", "Today's Special" or "Adventures in Rainbow Country", you were watching Canadian TV as a kid.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...kIywbmLq_3qXRw

I remember "You Can't Do That On Television" being a Canadian production, but I didn't know about the other shows.

I also had no idea that Nickelodeon dated back to 1979 ('77 if count Pinwheel on Qube). That documentary's first episode is very cool.

[palitoy]

I remember "You Can't Do That On Television" being a Canadian production, but I didn't know about the other shows.

This guy does his homework, I totally remember YCDTOT when it was called "Whatever Turns You On" in primetime during the late 70s and he even has clips.

[PNGwynne]

I watched Degrassi (first series) on PBS and some episodes really spoke to me, I liked it.

Huge fan of Kids in the Hall.

I recall the early Nick well, particularly "You Can't do That on Television". Thirteen-year-old me had a big crush on one of the cast members lol.

[SeattleEd]

We love Kim's Convenience. Glad it's on Netflix. What we find interesting are the commercials on CBC. Every time we go to Canada which is once a year we have fun with watching TV shows and commercials. Good laugh.

[Brazoo]

I watched Degrassi (first series) on PBS and some episodes really spoke to me, I liked it.

Huge fan of Kids in the Hall.

I recall the early Nick well, particularly "You Can't do That on Television". Thirteen-year-old me had a big crush on one of the cast members lol.

Haha - me too! Moose is my earliest TV crush I can remember.

[palitoy]

Haha - me too! Moose is my earliest TV crush I can remember.

Same here but I'm sure she gets that a lot.

Speaking of Canadian TV, my friend's sister is marrying one of the cast members from "Circle Square". He's a really nice guy, he told me they never get paid for almost a decade of shows.

[samurainoir]

I enjoyed Slings and Arrows a lot.

Slings and Arrows is brilliant. Co-created by Mark McKinney, formerly of Kids in the Hall IIRC. An amazing cast, and Paul Gross is at his best and funniest here. A great send up of the real-life Stratford Festival (and the Canadian Theatre scene).

For context, the Shakespeare based Stratford Festival was early stomping grounds for William Shatner, Lorne Greene, and Christopher Plummer (go back and look at the scene in Star Trek 6 in that context).

[samurainoir]

Made in Canada pretty much takes a really cynical look at Canadian TV, all of their shows suck. The big brass of the company was "Chuck the Security Guard" in the early 80s, kind of funny.

PS I've seen some Degrassi, my wife adores Degrassi, I don't get it and never will.

I think it's an age thing... my wife is a few years younger and was big into Degrassi. I just attended my film school reunion (where the alumni from all years gather every half decade), she's thrilled that we always end up chatting with the Degrassi head writer. There is a big Degrassi Convention coming up in Toronto where fans get to have lunch with dozens of cast-memebers and creators/crew.

Having known people who were working for/with Sullivan Entertainment and Alliance/Atlantis back in the day, Made In Canada really nailed it.

[cjefferys]

I just downloaded the CBC Gem app on my Amazon Fire Stick, I'm going to start streaming some recent CBC shows that I've overlooked until now. Any recommendations?