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

Have you noticed that the shows, that everyone is talking about, are all comedy programs? Goes to show you that we Canadian love to laugh and it's not hard with programs like Corner Gas, Little Mosque, Trailer Park, Mercer Report, etc. Canadian comedy on television is definitely improving and is now enjoyed world-wide. I, personally, love to laugh and have always enjoyed Canadian comedy shows in the past (Red Green, This Hour has 22 Minutes, Just for Laughs, etc.). Canadian television is finally making a mark in the world.



Keep up the good work, Canada!!!!!

Answer 3

I like most of the Canadian documentaries on CBC and the news. They have far more in depth coverage and are more natural and with more compassion. I also like to watch Little Mosque on the Prairie, but I don't watch any other shows. As a matter of fact, we just canceled cable TV, the programs over all suck a lot, seem to get more stupid all the time and the commercials take over. So to me TV in general is mind numbing and stupid.

Answer 4

Canadian comedies have traditionally been pretty good, but to say that Canadian television in general is getting better is a bit of a stretch. Comedy has always been our strength. If you look back at shows like Four On The Floor, Kids In The Hall, Wayne and Shuster, SCTV, This Hour has 22 Minutes, Air Farce, Red Green, and Tom Green, you'll see why. Shows like Corner Gas, TPB, and Little Mosque are continuing our strong tradition of good comedy TV. As for it getting better, I think its just getting more popular.

Answer 5

I would say yes and no. As a Canadian I would say I am proud of Little Mosque and Rick Mercer, but I must say you couldn't pay me to watch the trailer boys.The new shows are a good addition however; you forgot the fantastic comedy and political satire. Rick Mercer and '' Raj Binder'' are additions to Canadian television that make me proud to be Canadian. Thank-you

Answer 6

I don't think it is. Yes there are some good Canadian TV shows. I don't like Little Mosque on the Prairie or the Trailer Park Boys, but Corner Gas is good and I like the Rick Mercer Report too. But two good shows don't cut it. And I don't find their that popular out of Canada. For example, shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives, their both big hits in the US and Canada, but their not Canadian TV shows. I live in the states and I barely ever hear about any Canadian shows being popular here. The only way I know about them is because I'm in Canada alot. I even think that Corner Gas isn't the greatest, just good. And I know alot of Canadians who hate that show and other shows like Little Mosque on the Prairie. I hate to say it, but Canadian television still produces that cringe.

Answer 7

Canadian t.v. continues to be totally predictable. Predictable ideas, stories, characters and predictably bad acting. The idea for Little Mosque was fantastic but, as I expected, the delivery has been horribly bad. Everything comes out feeling like it was produced by a bad high school drama group.

Answer 8

Canadian television has certainly improved. Trailer Park Boys is one of my favorite shows and im honestly surprised it has yet to catch on in the states. Corner Gas, Little Mosque etc.. are also alot catchier than previous network attempts to capture the canadian tv audience during prime time. The quality of our news, sports and documentaries are also much better than 10 years ago. But most of this improvement is on the major networks. If you look at some of the filthy, ridiculous garbage showing up on the cable networks, particularly the comedy network and showcase, and the fact that they advertise these low budget sexed up sitcoms at all hours of the day when our children are watching shows me that canadian television is going in the wrong direction and certain segments of society are sure to follow.

Answer 9

Corner Gas and the other shows are a return to making people laugh

Answer 10

While I appreciate Corner Gas, I have yet to see, or even here of, Little Mosque on the Prairie, and have little appreciation for shows like Trailer Park Boys. Canadian television is sadly lacking in content for the most part and, while humorous and having a quintessential Canadian feel, generally does not deal with anything on a broader scale.

Answer 11

For years Canadian television - with a few exceptions (i.e. Front Page Challenge, Marketplace, W-Five, The Fifth Estate, and the like) - was a major snoozefest.

Recently programs like Mysterious Ways, Sue Thomas F.B. Eye (both of which I really miss), Little Mosque on the Prairie, and Robson Arms have turned things around 180 degrees. Not only are they infinitely watchable, they are highly marketable around the world as well.

Keep up the great work!! (And bring back Sue Thomas!)

Answer 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

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.

Answer 21

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?

Answer 22

I have always preferred Canadian documentary shows and sports coverage to the American equivalent. So to say that Canadian TV is finally emerging from the doldrums is a bit of a misnomer as Canada has always had some areas of excellence in this medium.



But for entertainment TV, it has traditionally been a bit bland - - with the exception of the Mercer Report, Royal Canadian Air Farce, Red Green, and early episodes of This Hour Has 22 Minutes. But I do believe that Canada is finally starting to show it's true potential in the entertainment TV arena with shows like Corner Gas and Little Mosque on the Prairie. They triumph over anything US TV currently has to offer. And while they can't match some of the US comedy classics of the past, we are certainly heading in the right direction.



One thing I love about our shows is that they don't have to rely on laugh tracks to remind us to laugh like the US shows. You just can't help but laugh, laugh track or not!!!

Answer 23

I feel that TV shows were hugely better in the past. The Littlest Hobo, Royal Canadian Air Farce, still running, The Big Sweep, Inside the Box, Coronation Street, now these are and were good shows. These shows that show women being subservient to men, I can't stand it. It is the 21st century where women have rights and can do what they want! They want to follow their religion , fine, but I shouldn't have to see it on a tv show. Corner gas, just so boring! I mean Steven Harper is an actor now lol I know whoever reads this must be thinking that I am a racist for that first comment about Little Mosque on the Prairie, but I watched one show and no thanks. There is nothing funny about seeing that on TV! I find Canadian shows are not fun, they are too boring, so blah, even depressing.

I can see all the negative thoughts I will be getting but I hate TV today. No more fun, it is kind of scary that I think like this being Canadian.

I mean they do try, these shows might appeal to some and not to others. That is why there is a remote control, turn it on or off.

Answer 24

Oh wow! Did some dolt actually imply that all Canadians do is copy American shows??? Someone isn't doing their homework...naughty naughty!

Take American Idol as an example. This isn't American! It was taken from the UK!

The US continually takes ideas from other countries! Big Brother didn't originate in the US either. Surprised? Don't be.

Some people don't bother to look around the world to see what's going on outside of their bubbles before they speak.

And to the issue of "copying" the US? This sounds like an old kindergarten complaint...."Teacherrrr, he copied me!!!"

In the grown up world, we consider copying a great idea a compliment. Look at the success of some of the giant shows on TV nowadays. Why shouldn't Canada get on the bandwagon?

And...to the subject of Canadians having their own ideas...they've had plenty. Maybe some people on this forum are too young to know it. Anyone remember SCTV with Bob and Dog Mackenzie? The US absolutely loved that show and used many ideas from it, on Saturday Night Live! In fact several Canadian actors were ON Saturday night live...but that's a whole other topic...



Canada might copy US ideas but we have our own content. Don't anyone tell Sass Jordan she's an American wannabe!



Later dudes

Answer 25

There are some nights that are just great. Comedy is certainly the strength of Canadian TV. I love Air Farce, Rick Mercer, and Corner Gas and Little Mosque on the Prairie.



I think that Canadian TV needs to promote itself more as the show Corner Gas did. Some of the shows like Fifth Estate are second to none. Canadian Idol is as good if not better than American Idol. I would like to see more mysteries and documentaries. We need to be a middle ground between the US and the British.



I would like to see more in the Cold Case type of shows. We have great stories in Canada and the best actors in the world. We need to make more stars as well.

Answer 26

Yes it is definitely getting better. We'd like to see even more Canadian game shows and reality series' with Canadians. I love the fact that there is a Deal or No Deal for Canada...thank you Howie, Canada's Next Top Model and Canadian Idol. Now, what about some of the other high profile shows? Don't tell me we don't have anyone good enough in Canada to have our own Apprentice, Survivor, Big Brother or Amazing Race! Reality shows are a hit these days and Canada could really increase visibility and popularity by continuing to move into this genre.

Answer 27

Canadian acters are very good acters and canadian tv, in the past has been dull. In this awful period of time, terriosts attacks and the polictal b.s , people need a laugh. Corner gas gives that to the public, mosque brings an understanding between many cultures. Trailer park boys is a good series targeting younger audinces, but the content is conversational.

I feel that canadian made tv has improved, and this is the beginning of a renaissance. What canadian made tv needs is funding, and lots of it to help the producers and writers bring good programming to combite with the USA.

Answer 28

Better, but not great. Compared to contemporary Brit tv shows (Little Britain, The Office, League of Gentlemen, Bo Selecta, Ali G etc....), Canadian humour is extremely mediocre (despite Canadians being extremely appreciative of good comedy). I'd personally blame CanCon for creating false barriers and allowing this to happen. Because there's no level playing field, it's tough to foster enough competition to develop a comedic elite.



Brits probably have the best quality tv (not just comedy), mainly due to their tv licencing system. In addition, money's put towards encouraging great talent no matter where it comes from, rather than keep non-domestic talent out.



And Krackers.....TPB has a v. late night obscure spot on tv in the UK, because there's far funnier stuff to watch, and when I ask people back in the uk about the other shows I get a "Corner what?"



And I appreciate the objective marking by the Yahoo.ca staff, if you don't agree that CA tv is dragging itself out of the gutter they give you a thumbs down. I believe that epitomises the whole issue.

Answer 29

I think that Canadian T.V has come a long way, but it still has a ways to go. Typically, the comedy shows that seem to hit a cord with viewers have a common theme, something that the vewer can identify with. Canadian viewers, for various reasons seem to identify more with American comedy shows, due to the fact that those who star in the shows are more in the spotlight than their Canadian counterparts.

John Candy, Eugene Leavy, Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas and I could go on, didn't get the proper recogniztion they deserved until they made their mark in American movies.



Canadian T.V for years, made either documentary style shows or dry T.V sitcoms. Although I have never watched the TPB's, it has reached a cult status which is essential for a show to be hugely popular. Corner gas does not follow the lives of those in the cast every day, Monay- Friday, but instead focusses on issues that a small town ( blink and you've driven through it ) as well as Canadians face. One episode that comes to mind is when the " Tax Man " comes to Dog River. Stars in todays shows are increasingly getting exposure in Canada, and thus Canadians are becoming more familar with them.



Canada, please, don't let some of our greatest treasures escape! Canadian television is on the right track, please lets not do anything to derail it!

Answer 30

Although, I am a proud Canuck forever, The only thing good on Canadian television is Saturday's Hockey Night In Canada. I am genuinely embarassed to watch most other Canadian T.V shows. Why do we want to portray ourselves as some dope smokin, alcoholic rednecks? I can honestly say I cannot tolerate even 2 minutes of the Trailer Park Boys. Most of the current Canadian T.V shows depict some abnormal behavior in one way or another. What ever happened to normal people in funny or awkward situations? I think the current writers of todays programs are looking for the easy way out, with this new brand of Canadian T.V. I will continue to avoid Canadian T.V until things turn around.

Sincerly,

Normality.

Answer 31

These shows are a lousy representation of Canadian television. I decided not to watch "Little Mosque" after the premier - it made Canadians look like stupid hicks and Muslims look like intolerant and racist snobs. Corner Gas and Trailer Park continue to capitalize on the "stupid hick" theme.



Really, the only Canadian comedies worth watching are the Rick Mercer Report, Air Farce and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. At least there's some indication of intelligence to them.

Answer 32

Finally yes it is!!! People with writing and directing talent are finally getting attention!!! Canuck tv for so long has been made up of dull no talent drivel because the crtc would force broadcasters to give everyone a chance.....just because they're Canadian, not because their talented. NOW we have the Trailer Park Boys, Corner Gas, many others, that are actually pleasurable to watch. When CBC starts becoming more choosy about who it lets produce tv, people just might tune in!!

Answer 33

I think our Canadian programming is definitely getting better. Corner Gas and Little Mosque on the Prairie are hilarious! The only drawback is that it is all Canadian humour and may not mean much to Americans so will only ever stay in our market.

Answer 34

Yes there has been progress. Corner Gas, very good, Little Mosque, not so good, but still better than a lot of stuff put ot by Canadian networks. (making it on hype and not much else, ratings heading backwards). That speaks to mainstream networks. Cable and specialty is another story. One after another these networks (Showcase etc.) are brining out more and more edgy, interesting material. This is the future of Canadian TV. Mainstream, not so much.

Answer 35

I watch Little Mosque on the Prairie whenever I can. I was so happy to hear it is a popular show. I think with this kind of attention for Canadian television, it will spur others to watch Canada for more up and coming shows.

Answer 36

I still cringe watching some Canadian made shows. There is a certain lack of quality that makes it easy to tell that a show is Canadian.



There are some shows that I do enjoy. "Corner Gas" is one of them, simply just to turn the brain off and enjoy a little levity; but of the comedies, Corner Gas is about my limit. The others are just too banal or the characters just aren't likable.



However most Canadian productions are clearly Canadian. They simply don't have the polish as you see with British and American shows. This is probably because most Canadian productions are seriously budget limited so sets, actors and effect are skimped on. Writing is generally good. Plus I find it gets a bit tired when you see too many of the same faces from other shows. Star power? Kiss of death in some cases.



Crime Dramas or dramas in general, the Brits usually have this in spades. What annoys me is that BBC has series of 6 shows a season. What's with that? Although they are often 6 really good shows but it leaves you wanting quite a bit more. Another gripe, Why are we so far behind to shows being shown in Europe?



A lot of US made shows have production quality but content quality tends to wane the longer the show drags on. They could benefit of following the Brits in telling complete stories instead of hoping the perpetual machine to keep churning. A lot of shows, not just dramas, devolve to Soap Opera status and that's the death knell of a series.



Period dramas we've done fairly well especially Green Gables and Avonlee shows. Canada is pretty capable in this genre. But then so are the Brits and Americans.



Informational shows, Canada does fairly well. US shows are often slug fests and come off as juvenile and frustrating. I makes me wonder how anyone can 'enjoy' watching chaos on serious topics. Children. Too bad we don't get any Brit shows here of this nature.



Music channels, they are all bad. Do they even show any music or 'talent' anymore?



I suspect Australia has a decent film industry, probably has that similar Canadian flavour-like quality but why aren't we seeing anything Australian made?



Renaissance in Hoser-made TV? Nah. Situation normal...

Answer 37

I have to admit that I am one of the offenders...when hear the phrase Canadian program...I usually don't stick around long enough to even catch the opening credits...but I've been a fan of TPB since day one....might have something to do with the fact that I'm originally from Nova Scotia...but that's besides the point. I'm also a fan of Corner Gas, and have been caught watching Degrassi...the Next Generation once or twice. I really do hope that this is the kind of programming that we can look forward to from now on.

Answer 38

No, because I CRINGED a few nights ago when I tried (and I stress tried) to watch little watch Little Mosque on the Prairie. It is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!!!! My comment to my father was "Well Canadian television sure hasn't gotten any better!" It's such a shame because we have so much talent in this country and they have to go South of the Border to be quality productions. Having said that, I believe the comedy shows such as 22 minutes, Air Farce and Rick Mercer Report are amazing!!! The best on television, anywhere!

Answer 39

TPB is a guilty pleasure. I started watching because I used to work with Jonathan Torrens (aka 'J-Rock') - I knew him as 'JT', at Quinpool Rd McD's. I was quickly hooked; I love those guys! Great show-very original, fantastic characters.



'Little Mosque' I haven't seen enough to form an opinion, and I've never seen 'Corner Gas'. But my all time fav has to be 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes'. 'Made in Canada'... also fantastic, and very original. And hey, how about 'Kids in the Hall'?? 'The Passionate Eye'??? Don't be too quick to discount Canadian television. I used to watch 'The Beachcombers' years ago, and that wasn't too bad either (of course, I was only 8, but even then I could appreciate the beautiful scenery!).

Answer 40

No. It used to be pathetic and laughable, especially CBC tax money used as make-work projects for the industry. Now, it's just bad television. Corner Gas & Little Mosque have grade 10 drama class - level dialogue while trailer park was interesting at first due to language & attempts at far out story lines - it would be nice utube material - not a regular tv spot. Thankfully we still have investigative journalism that can easily compete with the best the U.S. has to offer. Sitcoms? No. The popularity of your noted shows just demonstrates how desperate Canadians are to force a chuckle while watching very juvenile scripts - with acting (or lack thereof, OR OVERacting seems to be the norm) talent to match.



G.

Answer 41

Canadian TV emerging from the doldrums?



Surely you jest? I would gladly pay to just watch CNN the BBC and ITV programs all day. Canadian TV executives have no clue and besides the stations have been completely taken over by feminized-politically correct interests. if you don't believe it look at CTV the so-called "independent" one. They might just as well merge with the far left CBC into one liberal interest -controlled monstrosity that nobody watches.



Ottawa Dad

Answer 42

Yes, I think "Corner Gas" and "Little Mosque on the Prairie" are great. "Little Mosque" is not only funny it is informing, I learn something every week about Islam that I did not know.

Trailer Park Boys is really not my type of entertainment, I really don't like the language, so I don't watch it.

I sincerely hope that this is the start of something, I do enjoy Canadian shows, Street Legal was one of the best, Black Harbour.

-- Keep them coming__

Answer 43

Canadian tv is dull and cheesy. Corner Gas and the Rick Mercer report sum up how crappy Canadian TV is. There is so much wrong with our tv that I don't even know where to start.



All I know is that if we continue to use garbage (like Corner Gas, Rick Mercer Report, Red Green, Comedy Now,etc) to set the bar, episodes and actors will continue to conform to such low standards. Any Canadian show, act, or actor with talent and/or promise hightails it to the US ( eg Russel Peters). Can you blame them?



I'll leave you with this: How many people actually enjoy Canadian programming? Not too many. Wanna know why? Because Canadian Brodcasters don't give the viewers what they want.

Answer 44

LOL...the shows listed like Corner Gas and the TPB are horrendous at best. The humor is trashy and best suited for pre-teens.

Little Mosque is an embarrassment to Canada and in no way offers any positive feel to Muslims or Canadians. Trying to create a TV show to humor a Religion is at best dumb...whats next? My favorite Priest? Could be shown in an all boys dormitory in downtown Toronto!

Canadian TV continues its slide into the murky depths.

Pull the plug on CBC for sure...CTV is just hanging on.

Answer 45

I've been as huge fan of Trailer Park Boys since the first episode, just got into Corner gas last season....obviously I didn't know what I was missing. This speaks very well for Canadian programming.....until Little Mosque, sorry boys I think ya missed the boat on this one....I'll watch Gilligan's Island re-runs before I'll watch this drivel.

Answer 46

Coming from the UK and being a Brit in Canada, I can honestly say that I just cannot believed how BAD Canadian television is. Your comedy is dire and your drama a comedy!



In my opinion, there are only two good shows on Canadian television and they are 'The Hour' and 'The Rick Mercer Report'.



Any brit that I know who has seen Canadian television thinks the same - my wife thinks the same and she is Canadian.



Also, can't Canada come up with any good shows of it's own without ripping off shows from the UK and U.S. Every other show I see these days on Canadian TV is just a Canadian 'Copy' of a British or American Show, with just a different name and no where near as good. And then there's 'Canadian Idol'!! Does 'Canadian Idol' really matter on any 'World Stage'. How many people actually watch this cheap *** version of 'American' and 'UK' Idol. Are the judges even fit to judge anything?? How many people actually watch this dreadful show??



Canadian Television getting better? All I can say, is if these three shows listed are 'Canadian Television getting better', then I would have hated to see it when it was 'Bad'.



Do yourselves a favour and learn some lessons from the Americans or Brits and for God Sake, stop stealing our TV shows!!

Answer 47

Canadian TV shows are better yes, but Canadian cable still sucks. All you can really hope for is an ok movie, and even those have been butchered by editing. I think reality shows killed TV with all their over dramatic bitching at one another. Now every TV show is a drama. What happened to all the good action shows. Who's gonna get voted off? Who gives a ****.

Answer 48

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.

Answer 49

A lot of American productions are filmed in Canada. Using Canadian crews as well as Canadian talent. If they put as much money into Canadian shows as gets spent on American productions perhaps that would make a difference. But the shows would loose there Canadian style.

Answer 50

Period dramas we've done fairly well especially Green Gables and Avonlee shows. Canada is pretty capable in this genre. But then so are the Brits and Americans.



Informational shows, Canada does fairly well. US shows are often slug fests and come off as juvenile and frustrating. I makes me wonder how anyone can 'enjoy' watching chaos on serious topics. Children. Too bad we don't get any Brit shows here of this nature.



Music channels, they are all bad. Do they ev

Answer 51

To be honest.....television hasn't been worth watching for a long time. TV shows like Little House On the Prairie, Full House, Growing Pains, Good Times, Facts of Life etc....were all good programs. They were all age programs that taught something to people, young and old....they also left something to the imagination. Where have all the good shows gone.......out the window and in come the "its all good" and "anything goes" shows. I am embarrassed to let my children even watch half of the programs on the air now. It is all about how you look and how much money you have or how popular you are.........not about who you are and really showing what is right and what is wrong.

Answer 52

I'm personally not a fan of Corner Gas and I've never seen Trailer Park Boys but I love Little Mosque. I live and work in a town that size on the Alberta prairies and the simmilarities are scary. It's hilarious watching a bunch of rednecks blend in with different cultures. In my town we have a lot of Cowboys, Middle Eastern and Mexicains and to see the "White Redneck Folks" be near them is crazy. It's about time that I actually want to watch a program on the CBC. Good Job Folks!

Answer 53

You must be kidding

Corner Gas Barf City

Little Mosque If we said half the things they say about Canadians we would be considered a racist It should be canceled

Trailer Park Boys The most valuer show on TV

Have watched it Will not allow my children to watch

Answer 54

Canadian Television improving? well hell it just could not get any worse.

The fools at CBC try to rewrite history to fit into their narrow elitist perspectives and to hell with truth.

Canadian shows are just a copy of the best selling and marketed British and American shows, no originality at all.

I watched Little Mosque on the prairie for about 10 minutes and realized it was just a rewrite of All in the Family.

The only good shows on television are the news weather and sports, they are the true reality television.

Answer 55

What, pray-tell are these titles you have shown? Corner Gas, Little Mosque on the Prairie, and Trailer Park Boys. I have to admit to having heard of the Trailer Park Boys. I turned it on while channel-surfing and in the 20 seconds to which I was exposed, it was enough to impress upon me the fact that we have run out of ideas for T.V., as well as our language has been reduced to potty-mouth, no wonder the youth of today has no morals, manners or scruples when exposed to this kind of vulgarity. Insulting ones intelligence is what that show seems to do, I rate it with The Simpson's, another winner in my books. The de-sensitizing of our young minds is turning out bullies and foul-mouthed brutes who have lost all respect for their peers, their parents, and each other. To call this dribble by such a distinguished name as Renaissance gives it importance, why not call it what it is by a more common, yet full-of-meaning word.....TRASH.

Answer 56

Yes I believe so. TP boys is probably the funniest show on television today. What makes these shows good is that they ignore the daft attempt to try and make them appealing to Americans, ending up with some watered down sad-sack of a show. They instead fly in the face of that, by flaunting what is uniquely Canadian. Add 22 Minutes in there, and Rick Mercer ,and you'd have all my favourite comedies, outside of My name is Earl and The Office. US comedies do not try and appeal to Canadians, British comedies to not try and appeal to Americans, so why should Canadian comedies cater to others? To heck with them!



The problem previously, with made in Canada for Canadian type shows, is that they were so sickly sweet, they would rot your teeth just by watching them. Or, they were made for a uniquely Maritime audience, or people over 80.



These new ones finally get over that.

Answer 57

Finally Canadian TV shows are starting to become credited and that we (Canadians) are finally seeing something that isn't American influenced in todays society. Also, the humor is different the the neighbors to the south and is finally a nice change to see on TV.

Answer 58

Watched Little Mosque but did not find it humerous so have never gone back to watch it. Trailer Park Boys I find to be Very Trashy! Did not know until last week that it was Cdn. I'll give it another whirl.

However, I love Corner Gas and believe this is the final season. How can they do that to me. The humour is so very clever.

Answer 59

Finally emerging?.....Come on, we have great TV...what about when North of 60 was on, they had very talented writers and how about the great decorating shows currently on HGTV....Design Inc. Debbie Travis, How not to decorate, Holmes on homes......I am living in the states now and guess what....I have satellite TV and that's what I watch,.....there aren't any good decorating shows in the states...they play the Canadian shows...go figure.

Answer 60

Is there anything at all on Canadian t.v. worth watching? I can't find a funny or interesting show on any Canadian network.



Has all the Canadian talent absconded to America? It sure appears that way.



Canadian televisions are dull, boring, and self absorbed. Funny they are not.

Answer 61

Finally there is quality television on canadian networks exspecially Corner Gas. I beleieve that we need more local film and television production as it shopws the talent of canadians and not so relient on the US stations to put out television.

Answer 62

I love Little Mosque..... it is great to see a show that shows Muslims in a positive light... I think Canadian Comedy is far better than anything on US tv

Answer 63

Not to make any enemies but those shows aren't that great. Personally I still prefer South Park, Simpsons, Family Guy, or other types of American shows. They are still pretty funny and aren't all just comedies, some like CSI can also be kind of very well done. Also, the reason a lot of the shows on T.V don't do very well could be because like Dudesons, they are just trying to be another one of the zillions of Jackass ripoffs. Not everybody finds people getting their brains splattered across a pavement or eating dog feces funny.

Answer 64

Hello:

Corner Gas, Little Mosque, and Trailer Park are in the stupid comedy mode. These showes do not last long before they become boring. The porn that shows at night and weekends had a better plotline and dialog.

thanks

wayne

Answer 65

I think so. I mostly watch Canadian made shows over American ones. Little Mosque on the Prarie is in my top three shows not to miss.

Answer 66

I think so. The Canadian sense of humour has not been appreciated in the past and it is good to see so many good Canadian actors putting on such funny shows. I also have started to watch Robson Arms. Even though many of the actors are from Corner Gas, they are very good in other character roles. I especially enjoy unexpected personalities such as Terry David Mulligan and Leslie Nielson.

Answer 67

No, it's not getting better it's getting worse! The trailer park boys? are you kidding me? What kind of person actually watches that embarrasment of Canadian TV.



Little Mosque on the Prairie? What, did they know it was going to be a failure so they named it closely to Little House on The Prairie?



All I ask is to get real!!! and have me watch some kind of entertainment that is worth watching.



Annette

Pickering Ontario

Answer 68

I watch little TV but when I do it has been CBC that I've turned to over the years. Corner Gas [on CTV] and now especially Mosque are great fun...and shed light on many contemporary Canadian issue.



Thanks for asking this question

Answer 69

Im british and use the BBC canada as a life line, until recently, some of the canadian shows I watch are getting better, though personly ive never really liked TPB,s.

rick mercer, and the hour with stombo, is something I watch, and enjoy.

I have to say to defend a American show, Arrested development is fantastic.

Answer 70

Unfortunately the only moment when I have time to watch TV is when I eat and not even then always. I am not very fond of the Canadian television, but of what I've seen recently, Huff seemed interesting.

Answer 71

I think those 3 shows are the most dumb shows yet on television. That is why Canadians cringe when they hear Canadian made TV show.

Answer 72

We have some great Canadian TV shows. Corner Gas, Trailer Park Boys, Blue Murder, to name a few. But we had other great shows that the predictable CBC terminated. Shows like "This is Wonderland", and one about hockey parents that I can't remember the name of. These were two great shows, but as usual, CBC cancelled them and continued with crap like "Jeff Limited" & "Fashion Files". It won't take long before the great minds at CBC cancel Corner Gas.

Answer 73

Canadian TV is always highly discernible compared to our American counterparts. Canadian acting & screen production is inferior in all aspects to the USA; in fact it's almost embarassing to see Canadian "actors" like those on Trailer Park Boys make fools of themselves in public. Canadian productions seem stiff & cold compared to the movie-like results of our American counterparts. The CRTC and the Federal Government should be ashamed of their "Canadian Content" legislation.

Answer 74

Canadian TV is still ho hum. Especially CBC. CBC really tries so hard not to look like american tv that they seem to go overboard every time. Also the amount of commercials, up to 10 per break at times, on tv are at the point now that they destroy the interest of myself, and other people I know, to keep on watching tv.

Answer 75

I look forward to Friday nite to watch Canadian TV I watch comedy festival rick mercer,just for laugh also i like this hr has 22minutes and most Canadian show s i don't think of them of being Canadian as much as just plain good entertaining TV

Answer 76

the last 1/2 hr sitcom I liked was Friends - Corner Gas and Little Mosque get my attention if there is nothing else on - please - never TP boys. Canadian Tv still does the best job with Fifth Estate, W5, Rick Mercer, Marketplace and The Hour. - and of course sports.

Answer 77

Canadian TV was never in the doldrums.Remember "The Kids in The Hall"?Then ther was great programs that nobody bothered to watch."Seeing Things" comes to minf.That show was funny as hell.

Answer 78

I will comment on the trailer park boys.....this program promotes garbage such as alcohol being taken in access, stealing and cheating and other garbage. The people that partake in such things are then promoted to be "cool." I do not think this is the way Canada is, wants to be, or should be. Some renaissance.

Answer 79

I now can choose between no tv and watch what is on tv and lately I have been choosing no tv. With the invention of pay tv, we are now paying to watch nothing interesting instead of paying nothing to watch not much interesting. I wish for the good old days when tv was free, fewer channels but a better variety of tv shows to watch. Too many shows are copying each other . Ex: Too many doctor's shows, too many reality shows, too many repeats.

Answer 80

The current crop of TV sit-coms are in a word "GREAT". Canadian TV is finally sheddin' its old image and steppin', into the spot light. Well Done!!

We should not forget, the "Beachcombers", Ben Gyatt's "Club 54" or "Red Green" These folks laboured long and hard pavin' the way for these successes.

"Dawg"

Answer 81

As a Canadian I'm very proud of our shows even if they're not the greatest.

However I love our show Still Standing.

It's on life channel at 5-6pm and 7-8pm and another channel from7-7:30.

Answer 82

I think it is. Those three shows appeal not just to a select few Canadians, but to wide audiences, especially in other countries, leading to success through international syndication deals and DVD sales. Producers and writers can learn from the programs before them, and how well they do, to develop new series, and if they're done right, they will be successful too.

Answer 83

I like these shows and that Canada is making them, and Americans are watching! What a turn that is! Proud of Canada and the people who work on these shows and the ones who were smart enough to get them on the air.

Answer 84

Sorry to disagree with the first two answerers. Did not find those 3 comedies any good. Little Mosque started to be promising and was looking forward to watching the next episodes but sadly I found it very lacking and the humour was lame. Gave up after 10 minutes.



Even the hugely popular comedy "green-red" (if I remember the name correctly) was nothing to talk home about. My opinion.



That said CBC Sunday News and the Fifth Estate are excellent programs. And I like Rick Mercer !



British programs and comedies are far more interesting and entertaining.



My honest opinion :-( !

Answer 85

Canadian television used to be embarrassing to watch. The production value and writing were equally deplorable.

Things seem to be getting brighter but I wouldn't call any of our current successes innovative or ground breaking just yet.

May we never have to watch another episode of SNOWJOB again.

Answer 86

Nope its still boring. Unfortunetly for us Canadians CBC could and its own shows could never compete with America's fine programming on Fox, NBC, or C-Span. It just ain't happinin

Answer 87

No! if cursing acting stupid and making fun of religions is good TV then we better keep searching it is mindless crap and it will not sustain it self. sorry but we need to come to a point where we can relax and expand or minds this is such an unbelievable tool but we use it to sell crap and entertain idiots for the most part.

Answer 88

I think Canadian television has started to evolve. We still have a ways to go!!

Answer 89

I love Canada TV. I work around the world, and Canada has the best homogeneous television on the planet. Period

Answer 90

seriously, trailer park boys is ****** awesome. i watched pretty much the entire series in a span of four days. i love it



corner gas is ****



haven' seen little mosque

Answer 91

Finally there is something good to watch but we need more programs like these. For the price we pay, we are getting ripped off, too many reruns and not enough programming for us over 50 gang. Commercials, why do they have to be louder than the program we are watching? Good grief, leave the sound the same as the show,it's maddening.

Answer 92

I love "little mosque on the prairie", it's so entertaining me and my friend watch it on youtube.com every Thursday ('Cause we live in the States)! And to answer your question, I really think Canadian TV is not that bad anymore...

Answer 93

Canadian TV has always been good.because we are the only ones that get the Humour in Canadian TV. and that's what makes us who we are {CANADIAN}

Answer 94

Trailer Park Boys......Suck



Little Mosque...........#1



Corner Gas.............#1

Answer 95

No, It's embarrassing

Answer 96

Absolutely not! are you kidding! all these shows are doing is stereotyping us and making us normal Canadians look rediculous

Answer 97

Just look at Degrassi, and , it is obvious that Canadian television is absolutely fabulous!!

Answer 98

are you people for real? the very fact that your making it publicly known to the world that those shows are from canada is embarrassing! like come, i wouldn't go around telling people that i enjoy corner gas. its not comedy it's stupididty. canada has made better shows then that.

Answer 99

yah I think canadian television is getting better because its really good shows and my whole imidiate (179 people) love all of the shows

Answer 100

No.

Still infantile, vaudevillian pap.

" It must be good, it's so Canadian" doesen't cut it.

Answer 101

It is somewhat getting better. I still prefer american shows.

I think deal or no deal canada was great for us!!

I really like trailor park boys too!!

Answer 102

We're just showing how great our talent is... it's no surprise to me. I've always known we had the potential.

Answer 103

It is sad that shows that we consider "hits" are shows that, were they on US Prime Time, would be considered C-Grade and would be lucky to get a second season... we have such low standards for things as long as we can call them Canadian.

Answer 104

Maralee Dawn sure is odd.

Answer 105

when US TV , put out bad TV like reality TV , and the same old,same old ,it makes anything new like tpb look great

Answer 106

these are three of the dimmest I will not even call them shows on the TV If people think that it resents life in Canada You are looking through the wrong classes

Answer 107

I am perhaps the wrong person to be asking, because I don't watch a lot of drama or comedy, Canadian, American, British,or Australian, and I also watch Quebec shows at various times, including some comedy series of a few years back in French such as "Victo Story" and "Chicken Swell", despite the names.

I have no regular fare, but did use to watch "Da Vinci's Inquest", in my beloved Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and its streets made for gritty fare when compared with elsewhere in Vancouver.

Sure, it is great to just sit back and laugh, but I can watch Canadian standup comics on the Comedy Network, ("Time Well Wasted"), and they are often quite good, especially some of the up-and-comers as opposed to some of the guys who suffer from being a big fish in a small pond,ie-overexposure.

There are shows on other networks that have loyal followings, think of "Falcoln Beach" on Global or "Whistler" on CTV. They may be soap operas, but "Whistler" mentions local towns and you get sort of an "O.C" feel for the ski and snowboard set, but I haven't been watching closely.



I did watch the Quebec mystery drama series "L'Or" (Gold) and fantasy drama series "Grande-Ourse" (Great Bear, or Ursula Major, as in the constellation) and I really enjoyed both although they came on late in the night. They had some comic moments too, it wasn't all straight drama or mystery, and were set in frontier towns in Quebec of the kind that I had been to in the distant past.



"Corner Gas" and "Little Mosque On The Prairie" are hits because they appeal to a segement of the Canadian television market that has been largely disenfranchised- I mean, what else has been on the prairie but "Little House On The Prairie", and the times have changed since the 1930s even on the prairies, brothers and sisters!



Even "Trailer Park Boys" appeals to people who know people like that, or like the "loveable loser" appeal of the show. It doesn't sound like the CBC, at any rate. I mean, there are shows such as "The Rick Mercer Report" which can be fun at times, too, and I loved his skewering of "The Pit Pony" type of historical drama the CBC ususally does.



I am old enough to remember "Razzle Dazzle" and "The Forest Rangers", and our production values have gone up since then. We may not have the big budgets needed for some productions, and has anybody thought of all the Canadian actors on American TV series these past few seasons? There are tons of them, from the most highly rated ("24", "Grey's Anatomy") and "Crossing Jordan" to stuff on YTV like that one about high school students in Montreal, or at least Quebec, that has a duo who remind me a bit of Snake and Joey in "De Grassi High" of years back.



The difference is some relatively guilty pleasures are on TV, like a "King of Kensington" for the prairies, whereas "SCTV" and the Lorne Michaels type of shows in New York have marketed Canadian talent in comedy mostly to the East Coast, and even in LA, Canadian actors network with each other. As well, my sister went to school with Mike Myers and Eric McCormack in Scarborough, who have both found their mark in Hollywood .



There is far more choice in Canadian-produced TV fare, even former cartoons like "Kevin Sullivan" which was an adult cartoon, with crude language and what on the Teletoon Network, produced, I think in Montreal, and there are other cartoons that are Canadian-produced, but so much work these days is farmed out- "The Simpsons", to cite a US comedy, is drawn in South Korea!



Our shows take some time to find an international audience, and by then, they are usually at the end of a five-year run. But it is possible, in the US and elsewhere, to market Canadian shows.



Having some Canadian networks with edge such as Showcase, and film distribution companies, might help in the long run against homegenic American programming, and avoid cases such as my brother, who thought "The Brady Brunch" was reality for a long time!

Answer 108

everyone I know agrees that little mosque is lame at best and cbc is trying way to hard to push it...

Answer 109

yes !!....corner gas and lil mosque is awesome... ive never watched tpb tho but its getting better :DD

Answer 110

Not if those three abominations, pretending to be entertainment are any example.

Answer 111

No it is dull and boring and very low budget

Answer 112

no

Answer 113

Canadian TV is at an all time low due to the following blatant anti-male Programming and advertising that is being delivered to unsuspecting Canadians! I am Boycotting them and will not watch CTV and will urge my family and friends to boycott them as well, till they clean up their act.



From another abused Father in Canada



Domestic Violence Series on CTV Creates Storm of Protest



A four-part news series on domestic violence, due to begin nationally on the CTV network on Monday, March 12th, has created a storm of protest from Fathers' Rights activists throughout Canada and around the world. CTV is being deluged with emails and complaints from across Canada, the U.S., the UK and many other countries-even as far away as New Zealand.



Originally intended to be a single program issue covering Female on Male violence and the effect on Men and Fathers in society and in family-court struggles, CTV decided to expand the series into a four part series three parts of which would be violence by Men on women and children-with only one almost insignificant part at the end of the series covering the violence against Men. Canadian Fathers have exploded in protest.



CTV has contacted Ottawa area Fathers' Rights activist Jeremy Swanson, complaining about the number of emails and phone calls they are receiving in advance of the series' screening. "I want you to understand that viewer concerns are important to our newsroom. However, we simply cannot devote our time and resources to answering your numerous e-mails", We have your concerns on record. I believe we are now fully aware of your position ...." wrote one executive .



"Based on the spots I have seen on CTV promoting the series, and listening to the radio ads I am concerned this is going to be just another blatant attack on fathers and men in Canada, a misrepresentation of the truth and a deliberate continuation of the lies and obfuscation of the 'domestic violence industry'" said Mr. Swanson. "CTV refuses to allow Fathers Activists to preview the series and are silent as to whether the backgrounds and identities of the alleged female victim interviewees have been checked and verified. I do not believe CTV will cover the realities of this contentious issue. When one studies the official recognized data on record in reality for every 6 battered women there are 5 battered men and domestic violence accounts for only 11% of all violence annually. And what about the emotional abuse of husbands by wives? Where are the studies and statistics about that? And why are so many Canadian fathers committing suicide? For every 1 women who commits suicide in Canada 3 Canadian men commit suicide" he said.



CTV was earlier offered generous access to recognized authorities on female on male domestic violence, but refused to consult them or include them in the program. Several Men who were victims of domestic abuse were also made available to tell their stories but only one of these was chosen to be interviewed by CTV. One other Father approached CTV independently. The Fathers Rights Movement also supplied CTV news reporter Joanne Schurz with large quantities of researched material from professionals and experts in the field but this was also largely ignored.



A Canadian expert in the field of domestic violence studies who wishes to remain anonymous has quoted a comprehensive 2005 report on family violence released by Statistics Canada that stated an estimated 7% of women and 6% of men in a current or previous spousal relationship encountered spousal violence during the five years up to and including 2004. "When 94% of men and 93% of women report no DV at all in the past five years - not even of the very minor varieties asked about in the survey - it should be pretty obvious that domestic violence is not the tsunami of evil that warrants a four-part series every year, on every network" the expert said..



Mr. Swanson notes that on another recent CTV show, about so-called "deadbeat dads", a woman who claimed she and her children were victims of a 'delinquent father not paying child support was on air for close to four minutes with her children, and her story and an interview were prominently featured in the show. It was discovered the next day that her story was a fabrication and that she had engaged in a slanderous campaign to smear her husband by appearing on the show. "According to her husband who contacted me as soon as he became aware that she blatantly lied on national television", says Mr. Swanson. "I wrote to CTV informing them about this, but they did nothing and refused to answer" he said.



Some Canadian Fathers' Rights activists are considering an organized boycott of the television show's sponsors. American activists are currently engaged in a successful campaign involving potential advertising agencies vying for contracts with Volvo U.S. The campaign was mounted after one of the tendering companies produced and aired ads showing fathers in ridiculous and compromising situations. Volvo replaced those television ads with commercials made for Volvo by a rival company in Europe which depicted a caring and responsible father interacting with his daughter when driving her home from daycare.



There is currently a rising groundswell of Father's and Men's Rights activities around the world, primarily protesting widespread family court abuses that force fathers to automatically surrender custody of children to mothers, force only fathers to pay outrageous amounts of imputed income child support, refuse to charge divorcing women for engaging in blatantly false domestic violence and sexual abuse allegations and and refuse to enforce court-ordered access of children to their fathers.



Canadian Activists are urging CTV to cancel the series or delay it pending an enquiry into the sources of information and the intent of the program change. They are fearful of a negative and unnecessary backlash against Men and Fathers everywhere.



Contact: FathersCan: Tel: [phone] ext 2438 alternate-[phone]