MLA declares Canadian shows as “shit.” June 16th, 2010
With all the celebrities at this week’s Banff World Television festival, you knew that someone was going to say something stupid that they would probably regret later!
It is just too bad that it had to be Alberta MLA Lindsay Blackett.
Speaking on a panel Monday afternoon, the Culture Minister was quoted as saying: “Why do we make such shit here?”, speaking in reference to Canadian television and film productions.
Obviously that is a piece of shit statement in itself, so on Tuesday night, he tried to backtrack by saying that Canadians make great programming and used Heartland as an Alberta-filmed show that is number one in the ratings. Only 50% of that statement is true. And if you ask me, his apology didn’t sound too sincere.
So in honor of Blackett’s ignorance towards Canadian productions, I thought I’d remind him of some of my favourite Canadian shows that definitely do not suck.
The Racoons
You Can’t Do That on Television
Degrassi
Being Erica
Flashpoint.
And for no particular reason, this commercial:
What is your favourite Canadian television show or movie?
Ready or Not!
1 Girl5 Gays!
Kids in the Hall, Due South, Slings and Arrows, Billable Hours, Less Than Kind, Durham County….
Ummm, for the most part he’s right!! Flashpoint and a few others are good- but come on!! He’s correct that we have canadian talent and we need to get some good shows going!
Corner Gas isn’t shit.
For movies, what about Last Night? Or really, anything Don McKellar and/or David Cronenberg are involved in? And for one currently in the works (that I’m sure will be awesome) Neuromancer?
Glad to add to this chatter; Less Than Kind, Durham County, Heartland, Slings and Arrows, Billable Hours.
There’s a new one starring Jason Priestly that I can’t wait to see.
T’aint shite, none of ‘em.
Departures! Fantastic show.
I agree with Kellie on this one: Less Than Kind, funny and poignant. Durham County, Dark and compelling. Slings and Arrows, great story telling. Trailer Park Boys, just damn funny. Corner Gas, made me smile. Lot’s of great Canadian T.V. out there.
90% of Canadian shows are what he said they were. Sorry, have to agree on this one.
[...] the Gulf of Mexico. – Culture & Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett has apologized for describing Canadian television as “shit.” It was rude and condescending for Minister Blackett to say those things during [...]
I loved Road to Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables, Trailer Park Boys, Kids in the Hall, my kids love Degrassi and I did too
Here are some of my favourite shows when I was growing up:
The Edison Twins, Putnam’s Prairie Emporium, The Littlest Hobo, The Raccoons, Droids.
Now? The Border, Flashpoint, ZOS.
Don’t even get me started on all the badass shows that are in the pipes. I know so many people who’ve got AMAZING shows written but the broadcasters crap all over their pitches. The content exists the hard part is talking these places into taking the risks necessary to get some of it made.
Degrassi is my #1, and Road to Avonlea is up there… but what about Are You Afraid of the Dark, Danger Bay and Edison Twins.
Being Erica? The Racoons? Really?
Hate to throw reality into the mix, but pretty much everything on the CBC would be considered not good enough for most other broadcasters in the free world.
I mean, King of Kensington? Little Mosque on the Prairie?
Shite, my friend, pure shite.
[...] Mike’s Bloggity Blog Posted in TV Talk « Bootleg Baby You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]
[...] what Culture & Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett may have said at the recent Banff World Television Festival, nothing can beat classic Canadian-filmed televison [...]
DaVinci’s Inquest and Intelligence are still two of the best TV shows ever for me. I’m in the US and went to *ahem* other arenas to procure Intelligence when it didn’t get picked up here. I was very grateful WGN gave DI and DCH a full run. I will always love Due South. And I thought (until its very dark final season) that that ReGenesis was awesome TV.
Lindsay BLackett is a peice of @#%&. Culture Minister my ass. He is a homophobe “bill 44″ can’t stand this loser. Stelmach is a close second, sorry not true, Stelmach comes first in the loser category.
Our culture minister just demonstrated how clueless he is, and how he doesn’t know his lines. How is his negativity productive in any way? Is he implying that American television is so much better or television from any other country for that matter? There are good and bad programs everywhere, and sometimes it is jut a matter of interest or taste. My poor elderly father canceled his cable because he couldn’t stomach the “shoot shoot kill kill” programs that abounded. A better approach would be to focus on what is good about Canadian television and then present a vision as to what we could be doing better. I love the diversity of Canadian programs. I also appreciate hearing the “Canadian voice”.
Lindsey Blackett speaking his mind gave us all a clear picture of what little is going on up there!
[...] asked a panel at the Banff World Television Awards “Why does Canada produce such shit?” (watch video) Ugh. Sure you do. I’m still mad about it. Apparently so are a lot of people, and [...]
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