Who'd have guessed?
The CBC is putting out some spectacular television series this season. Can you believe it?
I know, I know. Half my readers eyebrows just shot up and they're thinking I'm a liar. The other half have no idea what the CBC* is. Unfortunately the CBC has gained the reputation of having poor programming out of touch with the average Canadian. Some would argue that Canada is de-volving into a race of Philistines incapable of appreciating good stories. Regardless, Canada and the world have access to some outstanding, fresh and entertaining content. It's available for viewing both on old media and the web.
Firstly, I'd like to tell you about The Border. Taking place mainly in Ontario and Quebec, the show follows a Immigration and Customs Security (ICS) team as they police the 49th parallel, airports, and coastlines against smugglers, terrorists, and a meddling but beautiful Homeland Security officer. A combination of 24 meets Law and Order: SVU, The Border combines smart action/adventure with security issues that you see in the headlines every day. The acting is above average, the characters have complexity and depth. At least one person dies every episode, there's a fair amount of sex, and, my favorite, there's swearing in English AND French!
The Border airs weekly and episodes can be viewed online for free.
The second show is one I'm most excited about. Based on the book by Douglas Coupland, jPod is a wacky comedy set in Vancouver, 2005. Following the life of Ethan, a techno geek with a psychotic family and an unspoken debt to a womanizing Chinese mafia kingpin, Ethan is trying to produce a gore filled video game and score a co-worker. The acting is superb, the story is hilarious, and you will find yourself addicted to this weekly comedy. It's also conveniently available online.
If you preview any, then let me know what you thought!
*CBC stands for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and it is Canada's public broadcaster. Kind of like the BBC, except we get commercials.
12 comments:
oh, that CBC!
Which CBC did you think I was talking about? I wasn't aware there was more than one...
The security show sounds really good.
I read Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Copland,
and I think that this show will be really good.
There is a radio CBC,
they could have very well been bringing back the old audio shows,
which scare the heck out of me.
i like that old school british "keeping up appearances". it's still funny!
I gotta say, it's sad you didn't mention Little Mosque, probably one of the most well written shows I've seen in a long time. Love it to death!
I agree it's well written. But the acting is, well....leaving something to be desired. Something like good acting. I do watch it when it's on, however, and I enjoy it.
I didn't mention it because it is not available for online viewing on their website. They do offer a measly sampler less than 1:30.
I was skeptical when I started reading your post, but you did a good job of selling jPod. I'll try an queue it up on netflix.
What's Netflix?
I don't know if there is a Canadian equivalent. Basically, you pay a flat rent fee, order your movies online, and they ship 'em out to you in the mail. It's quick and easy. Blockbuster might have introduced a similar service in Canada, but Netflix was the first to do it.
Ahh. You won't have much luck with either of these shows. They're in their first seasons so box sets haven't been sold yet.
Save jPod! http://savejpod.ca
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