Episode 023 - Canadian Drama? episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 22, 2006 · 2 MIN

Episode 023 - Canadian Drama?

from The Phil Blog · host Phillip Hong

Why, in this whole wide world, must we Canadians be abandoned from homegrown soap operas? Whilst the Japanese have doramas, and Latin-origin Canadians get to watch novellas acted out in their language, we English-speaking Canadians must live in a drama-less life. But this is everyone's fault, of course. The government's handling on the issue is at best, ambiguous. The definition "Canadian Drama" could mean a plethora of series, where even comedies count as long as the regulators think they count. Very depressing. In this cost-cutting world, the best drama I've ever watched in this decade was the courtroom drama "This is Wonderland", starring none other than young adult startlet Cara Pifko. It was the best series in years, at least until public broadcaster CBC cancelled it earlier this year. It had the serious moments that another series, Street Legal, was famous for; coupled with the more bashful comedy of Red Green, but more city like. Must I remind you that a few of the great stars that front "This is Wonderland" happen to star in Street Legal? Though they are two separate series, it twinkled the CBC's logo while they lasted. Officials at the CBC believe that low ratings caused its cancellation. It's a whole new world now that the public broadcaster attempts to act like its commercial rivals. The result? Utterly depressing. I have to admit: I am no fan of the new Degrassi, nor Falcon Beach. When there seems to be a new drama with meaning, its broadcasters suddenly shy away from it, leaving flamour skeletons like the former on air. And that is just plain sad.

Why, in this whole wide world, must we Canadians be abandoned from homegrown soap operas? Whilst the Japanese have doramas, and Latin-origin Canadians get to watch novellas acted out in their language, we English-speaking Canadians must live in a drama-less life. But this is everyone's fault, of course. The government's handling on the issue is at best, ambiguous. The definition "Canadian Drama" could mean a plethora of series, where even comedies count as long as the regulators think they count. Very depressing. In this cost-cutting world, the best drama I've ever watched in this decade was the courtroom drama "This is Wonderland", starring none other than young adult startlet Cara Pifko. It was the best series in years, at least until public broadcaster CBC cancelled it earlier this year. It had the serious moments that another series, Street Legal, was famous for; coupled with the more bashful comedy of Red Green, but more city like. Must I remind you that a few of the great stars that front "This is Wonderland" happen to star in Street Legal? Though they are two separate series, it twinkled the CBC's logo while they lasted. Officials at the CBC believe that low ratings caused its cancellation. It's a whole new world now that the public broadcaster attempts to act like its commercial rivals. The result? Utterly depressing. I have to admit: I am no fan of the new Degrassi, nor Falcon Beach. When there seems to be a new drama with meaning, its broadcasters suddenly shy away from it, leaving flamour skeletons like the former on air. And that is just plain sad.

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Episode 023 - Canadian Drama?

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This episode was published on March 22, 2006.

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Why, in this whole wide world, must we Canadians be abandoned from homegrown soap operas? Whilst the Japanese have doramas, and Latin-origin Canadians get to watch novellas acted out in their language, we English-speaking Canadians must live in a...

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