Upcoming CBC Season

This Fall, the CBC will apparently contain up to 175 fewer hours of original programming... at least according to an article in today's Toronto Star. It's set against the backdrop of the network having its funding cut over the next few years, and an ongoing debate over the network's role in Canadian culture.

There is definitely a role for the CBC as it comes to Canadian culture, and news.  They cover international news better than the other networks, and go into more depth on the national news than the  other networks.  On the fictional side I'm a huge fan of Republic of Doyle, and also the move to bring Murdoch Mysteries over from CityTV... in fact it's my dream lineup to have those shows on back-to-back on say Wednesday nights?? I wouldn't change the channel if that were to happen.  And based on that cliff-hanger ending I'm pleased Adam Beach is returning with Arctic Air as well.

I think like every other television network on the planet the CBC fell into the trap of too much Reality TV, because it was easy, and got lots of ratings.  I'm not surprised at the cancellations-I never watched Battle of the Blades or the Debaters.  Judging from the bits I've seen of Michael Tuesdays and Thursdays it seemed to be a very niche, very smart show and that doesn't always appeal to the mainstream.  I might have added This Hour has 22 Minutes to the cancellation pile; it was very hit and miss funny for me- sometimes I'd tune in and I'd spend the whole time laughing.  Other times I'd scratch my head wondering "how is that funny?"

There's plenty of decent homegrown shows out there.  Global's found them in Rookie Blue, CTV's found them in The Listener, and Flashpoint.  Space has found it in Sanctuary (shot in British Columbia), and Being Human (U.S.) shot in Montreal featuring mostly Canadian cast.  Showcase has found it in the Toronto-shot Lost Girl, and Bravo has found it in its co-production of The Borgias featuring Francois Arnaud (Cesare Borgia), and Colm Feore (Del La Rovere)

I know most of those shows have some hefty price-tags that come with them so given its cost-cutting mood that buying homegrown television shows isn't option.  But that still leaves developing its own talent- and perhaps that's where the network could excel and become a true voice in Canadian culture.  You could even make it a reality show- call it "Pitch Me, get people pitching their ideas for the next CBC hit.

Arcitc Air: Season Review

Arctic Air ended its first season on Tuesday.  It starred Adam Beach as a kind of wayward son type; Bobby Martin, who left home for school, and never looked back until he took a business trip to The Yukon from Vancouver on a business trip, and ends up staying to run the airline.   The series tells the story of his bid to readjust to life in the North, and as a co-owner of Arctic Air.

At first I wanted to give up on the show.  But I kept saying to myself  "it's Adam Beach, I've got to give it one more week."  And before I knew it,  I really got into it; loving the characters, stories and humour.  And the Northwest Territories plays just as much of a character was a plus too exposing many viewers to a place of beauty few know about.

Even though I loved the stories, they could be the show's weak point as well.  The writers would hint at one development; and then not deliver for weeks, and we would barely see the characters as well.  I'm thinking specifically of the storyline about Bobby discovering his kid.  They'd hint about them finding out about each other, and then nothing would happen.  I suppose it's meant to build the tension, and draw the viewers in, and it's worked for me.  But the only way the anticipation works if you see the characters on a regular basis and a few episodes would go by before we'd see either.

The season finale had a great payoff at the end. It ends with a kiss, and cliffhanger.  It was an emotional kiss between Bobby (Beach and Krista (Pascale Hutton) as her father lay dying on the operating table.  And the cliffhanger was just as the doctor came and talk to her.  Would her father live? Would she finally get it together with Bobby, a childhood sweetheart of sorts? These questions await the announcement of another season.

I hope there is one, because I'd love to know the answers.