Everything about Degrassi, eh?

Degrassi, Featured, Trailer Park Boys

Television Shows That Impacted Canadian Culture

3 Comments

Canadian television is an interesting blend of homegrown material and foreign shows. Like anywhere else, some of these shows have managed to have a profound effect on pop culture here, and have proven to stand the test of time. These are some shows and series that have had a lasting effect in Canada.

Degrassi: The Next Generation
The Degrassi series was a smash hit in Canada and was picked up by Teen Nick in the states. Even after 20 years, the legacy and impact of Degrassi is still felt. Degrassi Junior High was one of the first drama series in Canada that was directed with the teenage market in mind, and Degrassi: The Next Generation expanded on the concept in the early 2000s. This was the groundwork for many different shows that came later, and it is credited with launching the careers of many actors and performers, notably the incredibly successful musician Drake.

Degrassi didn’t shy away from controversial topics, and in fact it was one of the first televised series to shine a light on these issues that would later become widely discussed. It has a way of teaching empathy, and helping people understand different walks of life. In another light, this series has also become a blueprint for other drama series as it illustrates how to grow and build characters, and keep a series going through cast changes over years while fighting to stay relevant. Degrassi has proven to be an impactful and important series in Canada that is likely to live on for generations.

Ed, Edd n Eddy
Ed, Edd n Eddy is the brainchild of Canadian cartoonist Danny Antonucci who is responsible for numerous animated series. The show was a massive success in Canada and globally, and became one of Cartoon Network’s most successful properties. Over a 10-year span, it had 70 episodes and won several awards like a Reuben Award, Leo Awards and a SOCAN Award.

If you ask people who grew up during the early 2000s, many remember this show fondly. It had a certain charm and an endearing structure that revolved around the main character’s whacky schemes to fund their love of Jawbreaker candies. There is something about this show that resonates deeply in Canada and if it were not for the success of Ed, Edd n Eddy, many later Canadian cartoons like Total Drama Island would never have had their chance to shine.

World Poker Tour
While it may not be specifically Canadian, the live World Poker Tour series certainly was a massive inspiration for people across the country. Canada is known globally as a massive hotbed for poker talent, and the boom can be traced back to this live series that brought the game into the households of millions of Canadians.

The World Poker Tour was very enthralling and found a way to keep the audience engaged, even during the tedious segments. One of the big reasons for this has been contributed to the entertaining chemistry between co-hosts Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten who kept things lively throughout the program. This series really managed to capture the intensity and suspense of high-stakes poker games and the long term effects of the WPT cannot be ignored.

Trailer Park Boys
Whether you love it or hate it, you cannot deny that TPB has had a lasting effect in Canadian culture. The long-running series has become a phenomenon at home and abroad, and there are legions of fans around the world supporting the many reboots, specials and spinoffs the comedy trio have produced. Somehow, even amongst claims of being stale and past its prime, TPB lives on.

Trailer Park Boys certainly does not represent all of the country, but it does have a specific Canadian charm that comes across in many of the jokes and dialogue that the series has become known for. Pop culture is rife with running jokes and references to characters that have appeared on the show and many millennials of today can say they grew up watching the TPB hijinks. The chemistry between the main trio of Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles and the oftentimes improvised script that plays out between the characters can only have proven to be a formula for comedy excellence that has managed to preserve over 20 years.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Degrassi

Link: ‘Degrassi’ co-creator Kit Hood dead; fans and series stars pay tribute

From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:

Link: ‘Degrassi’ co-creator Kit Hood dead; fans and series stars pay tribute
For “Degrassi” star Stacie Mistysyn, series co-creator Christopher (Kit) Hood was like another parent in some ways.

When Mistysyn performed in “Cabaret” in high school, Hood was there to support her, along with fellow “Degrassi” co-creator Linda Schuyler. Continue reading.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Degrassi, Heartland, Murdoch Mysteries

Popular characters who disappeared from Canadian TV shows

3 Comments

Throughout many modern-day television series, some of the characters written into production aren’t always going to make the show’s conclusion. While some actors may simply want to move on in their search for a new challenge, their character’s legacy will live long in the memory. We’ve even seen characters change actors, although that tends to happen to particular types of TV shows almost exclusively.

At the very heart of the success of series such as Degrassi Junior High, Heartland and Murdoch Mysteries are entertaining and relatable characters. As a result of that fact, we’re going to look at some of the most popular characters who have disappeared from Canadian television shows.

Mallory Wells  

Back in October 2007, Heartland, a Canadian family drama series aired for the very first time on CBC. Renewed for its 13th season in May of this year, the show has been the home to several iconic characters that have continued to capture the hearts of viewers. Following the show’s debut, we saw young Mallory Wells’ journey from season one right the way through to season ten.

After being heavily involved in the show for the first six seasons, Mallory eventually disappeared in season seven as she left for Paris with her at-the-fiancé, Jake, who was the young cowboy that she had fallen for. While Mallory would spend a few seasons away from Heartland, she would return as a 21-year-old woman in Season 10 where she and Jake would get married before later disappearing once more for the following two series.

Dr. Emily Grace

Murdoch Mysteries is another immersive television show that peaked the interests of Canadian viewers, as well as many fans abroad. The drama is centred around the character of William Murdoch, who, to this day, still seeks to solve the city’s most gruesome crimes. However, it would be Dr. Emily Grace who would eventually disappear from the show.

After being introduced as the second female lead in 2005, the character of Dr. Emily Grace went through on a roller coaster journey before choosing to leave as the city’s coroner in Season 9. After George Crabtree, Dr. Emily’s love interest, is arrested for the murder of Edna’s husband in season eight, and Emily becomes involved in women’s rights, she opts to disappear to London in the following series and is subject to an emotional good-bye with George before leaving the train station.

Stephanie Kaye

Much like Mallory Wells in Heartland, Stephanie Kaye’s disappearance from Degrassi Junior High occurred for all the right reasons. Stephanie, who was elected as the class president, attended Degrassi Junior High for two years before eventually moving to a private school when her mum won the lottery in Season 3 of the show.

While being fortunate enough to win the jackpot was rare back in 1986 when Stephanie was attending Degrassi Junior High, modern-day services offer a better chance of success. As platforms such as Lottoland offer lottery betting, online games, and scratchcards, private education may be something that can be enjoyed by people other than just Stephanie.

Iconic Characters Have Moved On

Ultimately, although they may be loved by the masses, some of our favorite television characters inevitably must go their own way. Whether it’s as a result of marriage, a politically driven journey, or maybe even because of a big jackpot win on the lottery, many iconic Canadian television characters have moved on.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Degrassi, Industry News, Little Mosque on the Prairie

Back for more Canadian TV and films

3 Comments

From a media release:

As of today, Canadian and world audiences will have a renewed access to memorable Canadian film and TV content from years gone by. Key Canadian audiovisual industry organizations announced the launch of a YouTube channel which provides free access – anytime and anywhere – to a wealth of iconic content in the age of digital connectivity. Visit Encore+ at youtube.com/EncorePlusMedia.

The new channel was launched at Google Canada’s offices with talent in attendance that contributed to titles now available on Encore+, including actresses Liane Balaban, Jennifer Dale, Karyn Dwyer, Sheila McCarthy, Cynthia Preston and Michelle St. John; actors Henry Czerny, Aiden Devine, Shawn Doyle, Pat Mastroianni, Tony Nardi, Michael Riley, Michael Theriault, and John Wildman; as well as producers Bernard Lajoie, and Rayne and Bernie Zuckerman.

Encore+ already offers over 300 videos across 100 award-winning feature films and television series in both official languages, including comedies, dramas, children’s and youth shows, documentaries and short films. Every week, dozens of titles will be added as part of an ongoing editorial calendar, including a number of Canadian feature films premiering on Encore+ in newly re-mastered versions. All digitizing, encoding and remastering of works is provided by Deluxe Toronto.

Among the top titles featured on Encore+, audiences will find fan-favourites that transcend generations, including Cornemuse, Da Vinci’s Inquest, Degrassi High, Due South, I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing, John A: Birth of a Country, La Petite Vie, Le Vieil Homme et la Mer, Little Mosque on the Prairie, Moi et l’Autre, Maman Last Call, Moccasin Flats, Mr. Dressup, New Waterford Girl, The Corporation, The Littlest Hobo, Watatatow and dozens of other exceptional productions reflecting Canada’s history and stories from coast to coast to coast.

Managed by service-provider BroadbandTV (BBTV), Encore+ will generate worldwide exposure and seek to stimulate demand for Canadian content and talent, particularly from young audiences who access media primarily via mobile devices.

Using a non-exclusive approach, Encore+ will complement the offerings of Canadian stakeholders already active in online distribution. This channel is a Canadian content discoverability and visibility tool, at a time when we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Through this industry-wide effort, the presenting partners also seek to ensure that rights holders and Canadian creators are the first to benefit from views of their works on YouTube, as well as test new business models for catalogue content.

Working closely with Canada’s film and television producers, distributors, broadcasters, unions, guilds and other industry associations, Encore+ is spearheaded by the Canada Media Fund (CMF) with support from Google Canada, Bell Media, BroadbandTV (BBTV), and Deluxe Toronto. Telefilm Canada is also a key partner in this endeavor, providing financial and promotional support.

Enjoy hundreds of Canadian productions today. Subscribe at youtube.com/EncorePlusMedia and get the latest updates on Encore+ by following on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

 Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail