Poll: What TV show best defines Canada?

There’s a subreddit for Canadian TV where some kindred spirit recently posed the titular question, looking for “examples of Canadian iconic shows that contributed to the Canadian identity.” Sounds like a poll to me!

How would you answer the question: What TV show best defines Canada? Pick one or leave your write-in vote in the comments:

What TV show best defines Canada?

  • Corner Gas (58%, 1,313 Votes)
  • Little Mosque on the Prairie (6%, 146 Votes)
  • Hockey Night in Canada (5%, 122 Votes)
  • Rick Mercer Report (5%, 118 Votes)
  • Trailer Park Boys (5%, 104 Votes)
  • Red Green Show (3%, 76 Votes)
  • Hinterland Who's Who (3%, 63 Votes)
  • Degrassi (2%, 50 Votes)
  • This Hour Has 22 Minutes (2%, 46 Votes)
  • SCTV (2%, 43 Votes)
  • Due South (2%, 40 Votes)
  • Beachcombers (2%, 39 Votes)
  • Kids in the Hall (2%, 39 Votes)
  • Littlest Hobo (1%, 18 Votes)
  • Heritage Minutes (1%, 14 Votes)
  • Road to Avonlea (1%, 13 Votes)
  • North of 60 (0%, 10 Votes)
  • Slings & Arrows (0%, 8 Votes)
  • This Hour Has Seven Days (0%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 2,264

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Dragons’ Den closes out Season 9 with special season finale

From a media release:

After an exciting ninth season that featured new Dragons, unforgettable pitches and record-setting deals, the DRAGONS’ DEN season finale takes viewers outside the Den to find out what it takes to get to the top. This special “Success” episode celebrates some of the Dragons’ most successful deals in the Den, as well as some of the biggest accomplishments in their own lives and businesses. Tune in as the Dragons reflect on their careers, each sharing their personal keys to success, and how they got to where they are today.

After eight seasons on DRAGONS’ DEN and a remarkable rise to success in the marketing industry, Arlene Dickinson has proven that any obstacle can be overcome with perseverance. In this special episode, Arlene recounts the devastating flood that wiped out most of Calgary’s downtown core, including the headquarters of Venture Communications, a company she transformed from a small marketing agency to a national firm.  Arlene will also update audiences on the progress of one of her most successful deals to date, as she visits Pur Gum’s manufacturing plant just outside of Zurich, Switzerland.

The special then visits Vikram Vij in his hometown of Vancouver, where through hard work and passion, he has turned a group of restaurants and consumer products into a global brand. Vikram’s latest venture is building a new flagship restaurant, a huge addition to an already impressive food empire. Audiences will have a chance to catch up with the husband-and-wife team behind Casalinga Foods’ cabbage rolls, who made a deal with Vikram this past season. Vikram shares his expertise, working with them to find ways to more efficiently manufacture their product.

From Toronto to the Bahamas, to Florida, viewers will witness Michael Wekerle applying his “all or nothing” attitude to both work and play, gaining insight into what really makes him tick. Michael reflects on his early days in the stock market, his secrets to success, and how philanthropy has come to play a pivotal role in his life today. One of his most notable deals, which happened early on in the season, was with Alicia Woods, owner of Covergalls, a brand of coveralls specifically designed for women. Michael travels to a Sudbury mine to check in on the progress of the company, and hears what women have to say about the product.

In the midst of a nationwide speaking tour, David Chilton reflects on the many deals he has made over the course of his three seasons on the show, explaining why he is such a hands-on investor. He checks in on one of his most recent deals, surprising the team from Nonna Pia’s Balsamic Reduction with some exciting news at a grocery store in Toronto.

Finally, the show catches up with Jim Treliving in Hawaii where he celebrates the 50th anniversary of Boston Pizza with hundreds of franchisees from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Jim shares his thoughts on what it means to be successful and why he has no plans to let up anytime soon. He also meets with the team behind Velofix to offer them business advice on growing a franchise, and to help them congratulate the company’s first group of franchisees.

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Link: Schitt’s Creek creators look ahead to Season 2

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Schitt’s Creek creators look ahead to Season 2
Against all their high hopes and wishes, the Rose family is not getting out of Schitt’s Creek any time soon. Equally disappointing for viewers, our time with them has come to an end, for this season at least. Patriarch Johnny (Eugene Levy) came close to offloading the town before his buyer fell through at the last moment, leaving the family trapped for the foreseeable future. David (Dan Levy) was last seen presumably headed for New York City, daughter Alexis (Annie Murphy) had her hands full juggling two men vying for her affection, and Moira (Catherine O’Hara) may want to get that fur coat back from Ronnie Lee before Season 2 next year. Continue reading.

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Review: Love, loss and family reunions on Open Heart

I’ve been consistently amazed by Open Heart‘s storytelling. Under showrunner Ramona Barckert, the YTV drama hums along at a breakneck pace, managing to mix family strife, romance, humour and mystery into each 22-minute episode. It’s made for a breathtaking ride and I’m sorry that it’s over.

Tuesday’s season finale, “Time Out of Mind” written by Barckert, served to close out the major mystery—the location of Richard Blake—while opening up the closet door on more angles to be covered if Season 2 is greenlit. I was glad Dylan found Richard by the end of the episode—it would have felt like a cheat if we hadn’t—and I was intrigued when their teary loft reunion was cut short by Richard, who implored Dylan to pretend he was dead “so that you can be protected.”

Protected from what? We don’t know, though I suspect it might have something to do with London’s final vision of the season where she was holding a baby in her arms. At first, I thought it was a doll, then perhaps a dead infant. But I think the baby is Dylan, and that she may not be London’s sibling by blood after all. That could mean the woman being carted away on the stretcher was her real mother, who perhaps had an affair with Richard. I could see Richard wanting that knowledge hidden from Dylan. It would, after all, throw her whole world into disarray.

“World in disarray” aptly described Wes, London and Hud too. After saying perhaps the most stupid thing in the universe to Dylan (“You are out of your mind!”), Wes redeemed himself by helping Dr. K and Hud save Dylan from Det. Goodis—clearly he was Det. BADis—and was stunned when Edward welcomed him into the Blake family. That will fill a hole in his life for a little while, but I suspect the experience won’t be as wonderful as he imagines it will be.

London, meanwhile, was finally at ease in her relationship with Seth when the two swapped “I love you’s” and kisses. But the long-simmering season-long looks Hud gave her came to a head when the desperate doc, reeling from making a mistake with a patient and being forced into PTSD counselling by Dr. K, planted a kiss on London’s lips and left her stunned. So, Open Heart fans, should London stick with geeky Seth or go for bad boy Hud?

What was your favourite scene in last night’s season finale? What have you thought of the Open Heart‘s first season overall? Comment or hit Twitter @tv_eh.

Notes and quotes

  • “I love you.” “Dammit. I love you too.” London and Seth are so painfully awkward. I love it.
  • Veronica has been wearing that leopard coat all season. Was she changing her spots when she talked to Dylan? Symbolism!
  • When three guys fall in a parking lot, does anyone hear? Yes, if a gun goes off between them.
  • Unfortunately, the fast-paced finale meant no screen time for Jared. Insert sad face here.
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