The Stroumboulopouli

The Stroumboulopouli

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Monday, October 23, 2006

Dear The Hour,

It’s not you, it’s me.

No, actually, it’s not me either; it’s whoever came up with that god-awful schedule this season.

Do you remember how last season and the season before, we would meet up every night at 9:00, which was a perfect time, as all the chores had been done and we could all sit down and enjoy each other’s company? The whole family would pile onto the couch together and we would discuss the news that you presented and we would debate the issues that you raised. It was perfect and we rarely missed an episode in two years.

Imagine our dismay when we found out that if we wanted to become engaged in our favourite show this season we had to watch at either 6:00 or 11:00pm. I don’t know about the rest of the world, but around our house those are pretty much the worst evening hours to attempt to watch television. The Hour might as well be on at 4:00am.

Frankly, I don’t see how anyone west of Manitoba or east of Quebec could routinely tune in to The Hour this year. In fact, if I were to subscribe to any sort of western alienation theory, this would be perfect fodder to fuel complaints of centralist bias in the CBC. I don’t think this is the case, but it sure looks bad from out here in the provinces.

And please don’t tell me I can tape The Hour and watch it at a more convenient time. For a variety of long and boring reasons, usually involving the necessity to watch the taped show in a cold grungy basement on a broken couch with a spring sticking into my ass, taping is just not a workable option. Lord knows I’ve tried; I keep taping the show and I keep not watching those tapes. But that, of course, is my problem, not yours.

I do appreciate the fact that you put each show in its entirety on the website. I’ve even watched parts of some of those shows. But The Hour is the type of program that you want to watch as a community. I want to be able to sit down with my entire family and really watch the show as a group, to use it as a springboard for some scintillating discussions. Huddling over a one-inch square video clip on a computer screen, sadly, just does not lend itself to that sort of activity.

We did manage to catch most of the special episode on Sunday night, featuring the Tragically Hip and that was great to see. And it is a little easier to make those sorts of arrangements on a Sunday night, rather than on a week night. Even so, I still had to move heaven and earth to accomplish that.

Please consider either making the 8:00pm episode to be on National Time, so that it is on at 8:00 across the country, much as the 11:00pm show is on at that time nationally, or adding some other options so that people who aren’t in the central time zones have an opportunity to enjoy The Hour, as we have in the past.

Otherwise, I’m afraid that, for our family anyway, The Hour will shift from being an essential program that we cannot miss, to one that we will catch occasionally, under special circumstances.

I really hate to say goodbye, but I fear this is The End.

Barbara B.

36 comments:

Toccata said...

I know all about taping shows and never watching them. I have the best job in the world with the only drawback being that my work hours are ridiculous. I teach from 2:30 to 9:30 so anything resembling a social life is out the window. Teaching through primetime means I'm forever taping shows I never watch.

I hope you sent your comment straight to CBC. CBC's scheduling habits of late are weirder than my work hours! Here's hoping they'll listen.

Take care and I sure hope you don't leave the Stroumboulopouli for I always enjoy reading what you have to say.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

That is so sweet of you to say, Toccata; I'm honoured that you like to read my ocassional blurbs. I had wondered if I could still play a role in the Stroumboulopouli to be honest, but I still do feel connected to the show through their website, which is really very good.

I completely sympathise with you about taping shows that never get watched. Taping is like the kiss of death around here. Hell, it took me three months to watch the final episode of the Hour from last season!

I'm not certain what the story is with CBC scheduling lately. Can we attribute the shifts to restructuring efforts, I wonder?

Allison said...

So, you finally did watch last seasons finale?

I'm basically watching this season online, and I feel a very strong disconnect not watching it in a group. I however, cannot break from work at 8 to watch with the rest.

Great post again Barb.

Anonymous said...

I would have to disagree. I like watching The Hour online. Well, I'm the only one in the house that actually like's to watch it. The rest of my family can't be bothered with any on tv shows. After a long and bad day, I sit down and log on to CBC's website and watch it commercial free. But hopefully CBC listens to you guys. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't watch The Hour.

Tammy

Serah said...

I very much miss that 8pm time slot, considered it a Western Canadian pleasure actually!

Who do you think slept in this morning and now has to pay for a cab to get to work? Why you ask would someone who is NEVER late experience this problem...ha. I stay up until 12pm to watch the show and I have to be up at 6am NO LATER or else! Dilemma is that yes, I could stream it the following day but then it would be the following day and not quite so relevant, you know what I am saying. And there is nothing better than watching the real deal. Also, I like my "viewership" (look ma I made up a new word!) to count!

And if anyone is listening. My little girl has taken to staying up late with me. Not good, not good at all.

I understand your pain. Drowning myself in coffee and running out the door.

Jas B said...

I thought I'd be able to catch either the 6:00 pm or the 11:00 pm show, but unfortunately that hasn't been the case with me either. Too many other chores to take care of at 6:00, or I am ususally not home from work at times...and at 11:00 pm, I can barely keep my eyes open and my mind focussed...sad sad sad...

And watching it at a later date beats the purpose...

Barbara said...

Now I feel guilty for having a TV free at 8pm and watching it then in total peace, content that once a month can go down to the studio and watch it live. It only took moving to Toronto to have that little bonus but hey.
You tell 'em Barbara B. They can't be keeping the west up late or the west won't be productive the next morning... then where would we be?
Is it a conspiracy?
All kidding aside I want everyone to be able to watch The Hour at a time they like. I wish it was still 'live', but hey we can't have everything.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

I did watch the last season's finale just before watching the first show of the new season, Allison (which I had to madly tape at the last second when I realized it was no longer on at the old time). So I made the trek to the basement to view those and ultimately thought that the old show held up surprisingly well after three months.
I know I had told Jeremy I would write a comparitive piece between the two episodes, but was too disheartened by all the changes to do so.
Now you find it hard to watch at 8:00, so I guess there is no ideal time for everybody, is there?

Teddy, thanks for your suggestions, but as I mentioned, taping is not a viable option for me. With the Hour streaming each episode on the website, there is no need to record it to your hard drive if you are prepared to watch it the following day, except perhaps that you can then watch it on a screen that is more than an inch square.
And The Hour may be a great show, but I am not getting a satellite dish just to accommodate it. Sorry.

Tammym, I'm glad watching on the website is working for you, although it is a shame that the rest of your family won't watch with you. The show is best when you can discuss it with others.

Oh Serah, bad start to the day! And it's all the CBC's fault! Many parts of the show do stay surprisingly fresh (even after three months!), but the real news parts less so, so yes, I completely understand what you are saying about how next day viewing is somewhat less relevant.

I find exactly the same problems, Jas. 6 is too early, 11 is too late.

Don't feel guilty, Barbara W. Be glad that you have life perfectly figured out!
A conspiracy you say? Possibly, and I point the finger at Ralph Klein. By the time he steps down, the entire province of Alberta will be sufficiently exhausted from staying up till midnight, that we will once again run into a deficit and he will be able to say "see what happens when I am not there to look after things". You might be onto something.

Becky said...

I know what you mean, Barbara. I mean, I try and catch them at six, but if I want to have a life I have to tape them. Taping them means that the next night I have to watch two hours of it, not exactly ideal for scheduling homework. I think they have something against us Albertans :P

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

you posted way more elegantly and nicer than i did...:).. and i'm in a middle on another blurb about right now.

you think six is bad.. try 5pm! and among other things, i am totally lost now at 8pm. i keep thinking i am supposed to be doing something but alas....:(

i did send in a complaint letter and i do know someone at the cbc read my blog on it. but i'm not holding my breath that things will change.

Barbara said...

Good news is George will be in Calgary this weekend. He likes Calgary and has nothing to do with the conspiracy I am sure.
Here is the link with that info
http://www.thecareershow.ca/

Anonymous said...

Barbara B.

OH NO!!! I feel so bad for you.
I to, am a Calgarian and I realized half way through reading all the comments that we live in the same city...

I am always and forever saying up to late to watch The Hour as I am so rarely home at 6pm, I am lucky if I am home by 8pm.

What an issue!! I keep hearing how George has nothing against Calgary and it was out of his own mouth!!!... however... it seems as if CBC does. Or just Alberta in general. Maybe is it because we are debt free, but I think your Ralphie comment was the truth... (too funny btw)
I think when he steps down we should all just sleep for a week... When does that happen again?

I know there are at least four other people I know who are "Alberta Stroumboulopouli Wannabe's" and maybe we can start a group...we can meet once a week and watch the epi's together? Then you have the community part.. Meh, I am just like you... I like watching the day of.

Well, maybe you can start a petition for CBC.

"Free George in Alberta."

Are you going to see him this weekend? Maybe mention it to him then.

I feel your pain.

Signed Another Tired Albertan just wanting to Watch the Hour,

J

Anonymous said...

I too am from Calgary and I think I have seen the hour once this season. I do miss the 9 pm time, I get home from work at 5:45 if I am lucky and then by the time I get around and get stuff done and eat dinner its after 7. And I have to be at work for 8:30 so I have to be up at 6:30 which means I'm not staying up for any show past 10:30. I tried taping a soap which I love daily and I just forgot about it and ended taping over it. I miss the 9 pm time. CBC needs to bring it back!

Anonymous said...

George in Calgary? So jealous...

Tammy

Justin Beach said...

I assume you all have already expressed your concerns to George, and I'm sure he reads this regularly. But have you contacted CBC Audience Relations? George, after all, doesn't have much say over what time slot his show is in.

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

umm, i didn't send my concerns to george as i really don't think he has that much power.... :)

i sent my thoughts to the cbc directly and also to the hour.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

It is brutal, isn't it, Becky? Imagine the poor folks in BC, trying to watch at 5:00 - ridiculous!

668, we were just talking about you! I can't imagine you catch too many 5:00 episodes. Good job letting your complaints be known. Maybe if enough of us raise a stink, we can coax some changes, but like you, I am not holding my breath.

I wonder if anyone will bring it up at the career show, Barbara W.

I'm glad you are able to catch the late episodes, J (aka Another Tired Albertan Just Wanting to Watch the Hour). I don't really think it's a case of the CBC being intentionally centralist, more a case of passively assuming that if 8:00 is fine for Ontario, that covers the main demographic.
I won't be going to that career thing this weekend, but if you happen to make it there, please say hi for me.

I know exactly what you are going through, Monica. I think a lot of us are in the same position, and it comes to a point where it's just too much effort to even try to watch it. And then of course, you get out of the habit...

Yeah, it's some sort of career fair, Tammy.

Justin, I have not contacted George directly. As you so correctly state, he is not responsible for scheduling. But contacting CBC Audience Relations is an excellent suggestion. Thanks, I shall do that.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Perfect, 668, and as Justin suggested, Audience Relations is appropriate as well.

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

actually i lied.. i believe i contacted cbc newsworld, not cbc. :)

Anonymous said...

I like the new time slot, actually. I can catch it before the wife decides to take over the TV with Gilmore Girls and the like.

*shudder*

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

if it is a content thing, it doesn't really make much sense to me. i happened to catch the 5pm newsworld broadcast today and the language was..rather risque for that time of day {not that i care.. :)}

and perhaps it wouldn't bother me as much if newsworld was actually showing something at 8pm. but two hours of the national?

i'm perfectly fine with the cbc airing it at 11pm. it's the newsworld scheduling that bothers me.

if this sounds bitchy, it isn't meant to be... i'm just overly tired these days...:)

Serah said...

668, my sentiments exactly on the two hours of the National. Not that I'd don't watch it but 2 hours is a bit much and I do want my time slot back. I might not be so grumpy about this if I had been getting more sleep LOL!

greenteaicedtea said...

I hadn't watched The Hour at all, until this season, because I don't have cable.

The 11pm time, it's too late for me. However I work late, so at least I can watch it, if I want to stay up late.

Barbara said...

Green Tea, at least watch it on Wed. night it has our buddy Jian on it that night.
It's funny it's as if he has become the Wed. corespondent for The Hour like Chris Murphy was the Wednesday corespondent for Sounds Like Canada. How was your Wednesday or how was your week? This past week was not a nice one for Jian, his car was broken into and they stole his ipod.

Melissa said...

I know! The Hour used to be on about 3 times a night, and you could always find at least one convenient time to watch it. The 9pm re-run worked pretty well for me.

After I started playing soccer again, I'd end up watching the first half of the 6pm show and the second half of the 9pm one, haha.

I know what you mean about taping shows and then not watching them though, I do that all the time...

They can put it on at all sorts of weird times these days because they don't even film it live anymore. I hope you asked the CBC to put The Hour back to its old hours...At least on newsworld!

Anonymous said...

i agree. I live in Alberta go to school during the day and work at nights. The only time i got to watch the hour was at 9;00.. I hardly ever catch it anymore becuase my schedule doesn't allow it.. and i can't stay up till 11;00 to watch it...Please Please Please can't they put it back on at 9;00 a reasonalbe time to watch it..

Barbara Bruederlin said...

It would appear that, with the exception of Tydes, who is interested mainly in escaping the clutches of the Gilmour Girls, we would all really like either more options for viewing times or our old schedule (which worked just fine thank you very much) back again.

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

oh wait, in bc i can watch it at 4am in the morning on cbc... yah, that's pratical...:)

Toccata said...

4:00 in the morning! I had no idea. That's too funny. So maybe it's not a conspiracy against Alberta but against all of Western Canada!

Well, I had really better get ready for my next class. Cheers all.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

4:00am BC time, 668? Hey that's 5:00am here. I can do that, just set my alarm 45 minutes earlier and I am good to go.
Or maybe not...

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

oddly enough, i just found out that this showing is actually useful to me. it's the only time my brother can tape the show for me. so i shall not mock the 4am taping anymore. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Barbara,

I've had troubles with tapping due to the fact that I live with other people and I'm not always gauranteed that my show will tape because others may have taken my tape out or be watching a movie during the that time.
I also found watching The Hour on-line frustrating. It's nice to watch it on a larger screen and not have to worry about your computer screen timing out.

I'm not sure that's it's necassarily CBC's fault The Hour is on at a crappy Hour. It's sometimes the programs choice of when they want the show to air.

I know here in Alberta it was nice having The Hour on at 6pm & 8pm.

Who knows?! Maybe if enough people complain to The Hour they'll change the show time to something more appropriate.

Cheers
Jen

Anonymous said...

I'm from BC and it plays 3 times a night from what i can tell. maybe 4 times. i usually catch the 11 pm show. Its on 2 channels here at least. one channel has it playing around 9ish (i work until 9:30 so i usually catch the 11pm show on a different channel). i believe it plays earlier though as well i'm just never around to see it.

668 aka neighbour of the beast said...

hey dave,

what channel are you seeing it at 9? i can live with nine.

Anonymous said...

I saw your show, and I instantly enjoyed it. News, entertainment, good guests - I'm staying up till' 11 just to watch it, and although I wish it were earlier, I'm still going to tune in regardless.

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