We are 100

It's a bit of an anniversary around here.

This is the 100th post to be penned by the Stroumboulopouli, 100 posts in which we've attempted to celebrate the value of a unique show called The Hour, to discuss the issues that have been raised on the show, and to salute the appeal of a certain charismatic and intelligent host.

We began this blog in May 2006, as The Hour was wrapping up its second season. By this point, it had garnered much critical acclaim and a loyal audience, with its compelling combination of insightful investigations and sassy observations. And of course, with Season Three came many changes in format. How has The Hour fared so far this season, compared to last year and the year previous? What are your feelings about how the show is presented, and do you still have the same relationship with The Hour that you did at the end of Season Two?

We asked ourselves the same questions and thought that the best way to start answering some of them would be to take a look back and indulge in a little nostalgia.

So dear readers, we are happy to present to you, our very first Stroumbouloulouli post from May 2006: "Why We Love The Hour".

Please enjoy.

- Barbara B

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I can't recall a news show where the host befriends his viewers, "Hi, I'm your buddy George, and this is The Hour." I think that is what got me hooked. I vaguely recall a time in childhood where the same invitation for friendship was extended by The Friendly Giant or Mr Dressup.

Ok, so I was hooked on my buddy George but, what kept me watching was the content. I did not always agree with the subject matter but that is what makes it interesting. I found myself reacting to the issues presented whether my reaction was positive or negative, it did not matter to me. I might be smiling one segment and growling the next or just plain fascinated (or not). George's gesture of friendship with an invitation to interaction with the show could not be resisted. A plea from George to email was too tempting not to reply to. So email I did.

An invitation on the website to see The Hour being taped soon followed so I booked a seat and went to the taping in Montreal. After the show I met George but that is another post for another day. I am sure he could not pick me out in a lineup after meeting me but, I will be at the taping of the season finale next Thursday representing the Stroumboulopouli. After that he may have a chance picking me out of a lineup. Just hopefully not a police lineup.

My regular emails are usually nice and complimentary. Then, George ran a segment about the use of the F-word. I wrote and told him as politely as I could that there are alternatives to using the F-word like swearing in French. He read my letter on the air. If I wanted to be funny right now I would say 'That was F-'en great!" But I would never say that! Whenever I tell other fans about George reading the letter I wrote on air about the F-word they say 'That was you!" Yup.

I don't always agree with the Man but I do admire the heck out of him.

Barbara W. of the Stroumboulopouli
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Why do I watch The Hour? It's easy to answer! George is a talented host sharing his view of the world with us. He's not the conventional tv guy, have you ever seen an other CBC Newsworld's host wearing white Adidas, jeans and a studded belt? No, George is like you and I, and cares about important issues that matter to us too. He's also friendly and invites the viewers to say what they think. And, he's still a kid at heart, remember how he loves little animals and that he called his mom during the show? And there's more than that, George knows a lot of things about a lot of subjects from pop culture to politics. And he cares about the viewers, he went on the road to meet us!

And it's not only about George; it's also about the content. It covers a variety of subjects, it's not only about the news of the day. Sometimes The Hour makes you smile, sometimes you're really angry and you wished he hadn't say that, but after all he is allowed to think whatever he wants. And by the end of the show, you're glad you watched because you learned stuff and were not feeling like that you just had a good time watching the show.

Evelyne

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As a student of The New Music and The Punk Show, I started out watching The Hour purely on a "Well I enjoyed him there basis," and besides, talking about current global issues I just needed the TV Guide to tell me what channel do I turn to, and I was on board. Even during the first couple of shows, and my gravol induced stomach - due to the camera movement - nothing could take me away from the 8pm time slot. George and company managed to marry the success of what made him so popular on MM - the no bullshit attitude, along with new music tips and witty commentary - and bring all of that while sitting down and talking about socially relevant issues.

There are times when I do the 'Oprah nod' and find myself not completely engaged in what is being said, but for the most part I'm fully animated in the content. The topics brought up always, without fail, produce heated 'dinner talk.' And really, what more can you ask for out of a news program, then a reason to throw food at someone if you don't agree with them? The Hour is like an extended member of the family, and each night George enters into our collective spaces and gives us all something to talk about the next day besides who was last voted off the latest reality show. And for that I thank you.

Allison

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I am a Beatles fan, so on December 8, 2005 (The 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death), I switched to Newsworld to see if they were covering the ceremonies in New York. I came just in time to see one of The Hour's many contributors (Nick McCabe-Lokos) talk about what a "sanctimonious crybaby" Lennon was, and how his 'working class hero' was ironic, as Lennon was worth millions. This sparked some sort of rage in me, something I had never gotten from a TV program before! That contributor made my feel like I should do something about it, e-mail in, something!

Well, I never did e-mail in, but I did get hooked on 'The Hour', I think I've only missed six episodes since then (five of which a family member has taped for me). I am, as a teasing classmate likes to call me, a Strombohead (I should put a copyright on that...).

Since December I have driven with my mom south to Calgary, where I saw one of George's shows (which was beyond cool). I have luckily met others (now the Stroumboulopouli) over the blogtracker on The Hour's website (I think my school friends were sick of me quoting George), and just recently I got an e-mail read on the air during 'The Strombo Show'. All this means so much to me because some people want to be authors or fashion designers, so they write stories or sketch outfits, I want to become a journalist, so I watch 'The Hour', and take part in it. It makes me feel like I'm always getting one step closer to my goal.

In the end, I don't watch George because of how he dresses, or because he's for a younger demographic, I watch him because he has a true passion for what he does (and let's admit it, the man's hilarious!), and because of him I feel like I can make a difference in the world. If I've had a terrible day, I know I just need to wait until 6 p.m., and I know that that music and those opening credits will instantly make me feel better. That's why I love and watch The Hour.

Thank god for Nick (and George, of course).

Becky

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One of my favourite first memories of George was from back when he VJ'd for Much Music. He was hosting a show called Fandemonium, where two contestants battle eachother to see who's the bigger fan of whatever given band/artist/group they love. I don't remember what artist the episode was focused on, but I do remember that it was two girls, and George was bombarding them with questions. He turned to one of the contestants and asked her, "Do you look in the toilet after you go to the bathroom?" and she replied, "I guess if I didn't, I wouldn't know about the colour green". I laughed uproariously as George responded with "Good answer!".

Since then, I've been hooked on the "rocker dude" and followed him as he left Much Music and ventured over to CBC Newsworld to host The Hour, which for me, is the perfect mix of news regarding both Canada and the rest of the world, and spectacular interviews that would never be seen on any other show, all in a context that truly allows you to decide how you feel about it without the forced opinions you may encounter elsewhere. And with just the right amount of music-driven conversation that lets you know what's fresh and upcoming in the music industry, George seams it all in effortlessly with everything you need to know about what's going on in the world around you, while providing you with information and interviews with everyone from the melodic Coldplay to the in-your-face Black Flag.

Where else can you go to learn about Brangelina's baby, which Vice President shot who in the face, and the onset of H5N1 without even changing the channel?

As fate has revealed, The Hour also brought us girls together, as we discovered eachother through The Hour's online Blog Tracker, having our own links showcased on the website. It was our love of George and The Hour that brought us together, so in turn we can show you the world of Mr.Stroumboulopoulos, and why you should be in it along with us.

Alana

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I admit I’ve always been both a CBC freak and a news junkie. So when it was announced that CBC Newsworld was launching a nightly current affairs show hosted by that cool guy from MuchMusic, naturally I had to check it out. The first episode of The Hour aired opposite the debut of Hatching, Matching and Dispatching, which I was also keen to watch, so I thought I would flip back and forth, but I have to admit, much as I love Mary Walsh and Shaun Majumder, the Much guy won out.

The thing I love about The Hour is the compelling mix of in-depth news analysis, interviews that really get to the meat of a story, and off-the-cuff sassiness and irreverence. We can be hearing about mercenaries in Afghanistan in one segment and, with a quick segue, be watching a clip of the 30-second bunnies performing The Shining.

And it is all presented in such a riveting and fresh manner by the force of nature that is George Stroumboulopoulos. This is not a talking head in a suit giving us the goods, but nor is it a vacant Much DJ with a fringe. Rather it is an intelligent, perceptive, magnanimous individual who just happens to be adorable. And with The Hour actively inviting participation from viewers – reading emails as they are sent in, taping shows in front of live audiences in other cities across Canada, linking blogs on the website, it’s no wonder The Hour can boast such a loyal following.

It’s been speculated by some cynics that George will be eventually lured into transforming himself for the American market. My understanding is that one of the main considerations underlying his move from MuchMusic to CBC Newsworld was that he was not expected to transform himself into a suit. Personally, I think that he is one of the most intelligent and interesting voices of Canadian culture, and I like to think that this staunch Canadian has too much integrity to be lured away.

Barbara B.

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I was introduced to “The Hour” and George S. by our very own Barb Bruederlin, who I have the pleasure of working with, about a year and a half ago. As I did not have a subscription to cable television at that point in time, my only source of information was Barb herself and the website. As well, I watched occasional shows while visiting my brother in Toronto. I do have a cable subscription as of March this year, and I was most excited about watching the show from the comfort of my home and my beloved couch. Well, lets get to why I watch the show. I like it mostly because of George himself. He is the most amiable host, he is smart, creative, very contemporary and unconventional. With his casual attire, he turns this news hour into something more, it feels like an interactive show, very unlike the other conventional news programs. Social issues, global problems to entertainment/music/art/films, he has got everything in his bag. And like other members of this blog, although I may not necessarily agree on all issues, I love this show. It is different. And dare I add that I love the way George S. speaks, his smile and his eyes. :)

Peace out.

Jas