A conversation with Jian Ghomeshi Part 1 & 2

Pictures are of Jian,
Shelley, Lorraine and Stephanie the She Asked crew.

Jian Ghomeshi has been among many things, a correspondent for The Hour the past three seasons... no word about this season. The man is pretty busy with his radio show Q .

I hope he does do a feature for The Hour this season because something fun happens when those two boys are on the set together.

This spring Jian was kind enough to invite us to his Q studio. He played the piano while we set up the cameras for our She Asked Jian Ghomeshi interview. Did Jian know what he was getting into? I have to say it turned into a very long circular conversation full of funny moments and surprises. We really enjoyed it!

The studio is lit for radio not for romantic effect... in other words, our apologies for the dark video. We are presenting it in two parts 15 minutes each.

Part 1

And for you, without farther ado, Jian from Q...part 2

What do you really think about Canadian television??

The idea for this post was inspired, in part, by the following comment left on our blog a few weeks ago: “Now Canadians can not watch the Geminis, just like they don't watch The Hour.” This got me to thinking, what do Canadians really think of Canadian television?

In preparation for this post, I compiled a list of Canadian television programs, both past and present. I was somewhat surprised by just how varied and substantial the list ended up being. I thought to myself, why wouldn’t Canadians watch the Gemini Awards? We have made some pretty awesome TV over the last few decades and our programming is getting better and better.

So...I have a few questions for you...feel free to answer one, some or all of them...

Do you remember what your first experience was with a Canadian television program?

What Canadian TV shows are you watching now? What have you watched in the past?

What do you consider the most unique quality of Canadian television?

Do you believe that television produced by our neighbours to the South is superior to our programming? What could make our programming better?

To answer some of my own questions...as a child, it never occured to me that Mr. Dressup and the Polka Dot Door (featuring the vocabulary-challenged Polkaroo) were home-grown. My first truly memorable Canadian TV series...the one I could NEVER miss...was Street Legal (apparently I have a thing for the law and lawyers). While my friends were engrossed in L.A. Law, I was tuning into the CBC to watch what I considered to be a far superior legal drama. Plus, I loved the fact that it was filmed in my hometown of Toronto. I also enjoyed Night Heat, The Newsroom, Da Vinci's Inquest, and Road to Avonlea.

Currently, my schedule does not really permit me a whole lot of television viewing time. In addition to The Hour, and when I have the opportunity to watch, I also enjoy The Mercer Report, W-Five, Hockey Night in Canada, a really interesting program called How It's Made and of course, the nightly news. For the purposes of full disclosure, I do watch 24 and The Amazing Race.

Do I think that US television is better than ours? No. What it is, is different. I've always thought that our programming is, even in make believe, more realistic. In some instances, perhaps more theatre based and less celebrity driven. Without a doubt, Canadian television tends to celebrate our regional and cultural diversity, just as our nation does. It is a good representation of us.

Just because it is Canadian, does not somehow make it second-rate.

The week starts with the Geminis!

GEMINI AWARDS GALA SUNDAY OCTOBER 28, 2007 Celebrating the best in Canadian Television and and Canadian talent.

Sunday night 8 pm The Geminis, hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos, produced by his production team and the CBC (and they worked their asses off to do this for you, so you should watch is all I am sayin')

One more link about the Gemini Awards from the Regina Leader-Post
OK another link from anonymous comment # 3 who suggests you view it from about 46 minutes in to see a behind the scene preview of the Gemini Awards.
and finally
Results of the Gemini Awards from the CBC site

What is on The Hour this week?


Tuesday October 30
Wyclef Jean While rooted in hip-hop, Jean takes in all of the musical spectrum, from rap to reggae, Miles Davis to Pink Floyd. Also, his lean childhood gave him a social conscience and keeps him from glamorizing life on the street the way other artists do.




Wedneday October 31
Kenny vs Spenny
Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice produce a hit TV show and some gonzo Documentaries.
also on the show
Vicente Fox


President of Mexico from 2000 to 2006.


Thursday November 01
Famous music producer has worked with U2 and Bob Dylan.

Daniel Lanois
Instrumental music "can speak louder than singing," Lanois explains

Coming this week on our blog
A conversation with Jian Ghomeshi

It's On, My Friends!

Vancouver

Winnipeg

Toronto

London

Hamilton


To quote his introductions:

THE STROMBO SHOW
"Hey it’s your old pal George....and it’s on my friends ....My brand new show every Sunday at (your time zone) right here.
So what's the new show all about?...Well it’s about...awesome music, celebrity guests, and your calls from across the country
It all kicks off Sunday November 4th. See you there!
George Stroumboulopoulous"

George is "Totally Stoked" to not pay off a Student Loan

Those of us Westie's (And by Westie's I mean Calgarians) have had an inside track on this for awhile now but were sworn to secrecy until it was publicly released.

Well, it was released.


George...
From All of us here at notpaid CONGRATULATIONS!


U of C Degree for G

Rock N' Roll.......Jesus!

What a numbskull!

Photo courtesy of reuters.com
Kid Rock arrested in Atlanta on Sunday, after fight in Waffle House.

Go to rueters for full article:

Never being fully convinced of liking or disliking the guy; he's always intrigued me in some deranged way.
Could be that he reminds me of an old boyfriend, or perhaps it's because of his unconventional career/life choices....not quite sure, but was really looking forward to his interview.
Hopefully it was pre-taped for the show, if not, should add a great comic twist for any rescheduled visits to The Hour!

The Weekly Dish

So Monday this week is a rerun. The Jason Priestley interview will be on.

Tuesday- Danny Glover
Wednesday- Kid Rock
Thursday- Rerun? We have heard a rumour Debbie Harry and AJ Jacobs will be on.


http://www.cbc.ca/thehour go there for daily updates as to who will be guests....

It is Gemini Week... George and his team are working hard to bring us the Gemini's so... not sure what this week in the Hour holds.


Oh yeah, The Gemini Awards air Sunday Oct 28th (a week today) on CBC, George is hosting. You should watch.

AND THE WINNER IS......?!?!?!?!

THE HOUR!!!!

We, here at notpaid knew yesterday that George and the Hour team had won but we wanted to see if George would say anything. We are glad he did. It meant we could...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! ON WINNING THREE GEMINI'S!

Best Production Design or Art Direction in a Non-Fiction Program or SeriesCallum MacLachlan - The Hour - Prime Time Special

Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or Talk Program or SeriesGeorge Stroumboulopoulos - The Hour

Best Talk SeriesThe Hour(CBC)Jennifer Dettman, George Stroumboulopoulos, Susan Taylor


Congrats! to Jennifer Dettman, Susan Taylor, Callum MacLachlan and George Stroumboulopoulos.

CBC Viewers' Choice Award

If you have been watching The Hour of late, you are aware that the 22nd Annual Gemini Awards ceremony will be hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos on Sunday, October, 28th.

There is an element of audience participation involved, as we can vote for "Favorite Canadian on a TV Series (Not Eligible for a Gemini)", in order to select the winner of the CBC Viewers’ Choice Award. The list of nominees for this category is huge, with twenty-six home-grown performers available for your consideration. Among this group are some recent visitors to The Hour including Adam Beach and the very funny Howie Mandel.

If contests are your thing, voting automatically enters your name in the draw for an “official Gemini Gift Bag”! Check the website for all the legal “mumbo jumbo”. The contest closes October 19th.

A lighter week Oct 15 th to the 19 th

Monday October 15
Legend Ronnie Hawkins . The Hawk will be on The Hour Monday and according to George the Hawk is looking for lots of chicks to be in the audience...

Tuesday October 16
I will be there on Tuesday in the audience with a date, and we will see...
Writer, filmmaker, photographer Elyse Schein & her sister Paula Berstein will be on the show.
Plus opera singer Paul Potts discovered on Britain's Got Talent
If you have not heard Paul Potts sing before check out this

Wednesday October 17
Model and business woman Iman is on the show
Did you know Iman is married to musician/actor David Bowie?
In addition to running a successful beauty company, Iman is actively involved in several charities including Mother’s Voices, Action Against Hunger, The Children’s Defense Fund and The All Children Foundation. She recently completed her first book, I AM IMAN (Universe, 2001), an autobiographical sketchbook of her working life.

Thursday October 18
Suze Orman hosts two TV shows about finance and had just published a book called 'Women & Money - Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny,'
Also on Thursday
John Leguizamo A multi-faceted performer and Emmy Award winner, John Leguizamo has established a career that defies categorization... so watch the interview and learn more.

and Friday is always good because its the best of the week.

Speaking of good I would like to know what you thing of Good Idea with Hilary Doyle.

Here is the link to the clip if you missed it...

The week ahead...

Monday, October 8

As today is Canadian Thanksgiving, I assume that The Hour will be a repeat broadcast. On behalf of The Stroumboulopouli, I would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, October 9

Stephen Lewis (former United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa and all around fine person) joins George at the Newstand.

Also, on the show will be Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks III and Ronnie Gene Dunn, better known as Grammy and Country Music Award winners Brooks & Dunn.

Wednesday, October 10

Super-talented Scottish singer and songwriter K. T. Tunstall.

Holocaust survivor and one of Canada's most controversial citizens Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

(Special reminder for Ontario residents...TODAY is Provincial voting and referendum day...please be sure to get out and vote!!!!)

Thursday, October 11

Hip-hop renegade M. I. A. will be on the program. Also joining George will be entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank O'Dea, co-founder of Second Cup.

The Vote Out Poverty night

The evening was hosted by Mary Walsh and she did an excellent job as host and sometimes political moderator.

The evening was interspersed with videos, live music and politicians. The highlight of the evening was an amazing speech by Stephen Lewis.

This is the the program for the evening.
The Nylons.

Then Ontario's political leaders were invited to speak for 3 minutes about what they would do to end poverty. Only one of the party leaders came up to speak, Howard Hampton of the NDP the other speakers were there as proxy for the other leaders. Green Party was a no show.
Jack Layton and Ken Dryden were also given the microphone for a minute. Mary Walsh kept them in line.

After the political fun The Hidden Cameras played.

Videos vignettes interspersed the entertainment with messages from people who live in poverty in Ontario.
The videos were produced by Deveaux-Babin Productions with help from Ryerson's Film and Television program.

The numbers of poor living in one of the richest provinces in Canada is shameful as the crowd kept chanting to reminding all the politicians and media who would listen...

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings also played some rockin' guitar.

In the second half of the evening George Stroumboulopoulos came on stage. He was there to introduce the most anticipated speaker of the evening. Even though G was in obvious pain he did an amazing job on the intro.
The crowd gave Stephen Lewis a standing ovation at the beginning and at the end of his speech.
Stephen Lewis spoke and everyone was totally enthralled. He talked about what we (as a nation) have committed to the world for poverty issues, and how far short we have come to those targets... or the fact that Canada has refused to even naming what we will contribute in future projects.
He talked about the studies done in Ontario about the disparity between the rich and the poor and how the gap has only grown.
He is an eloquent and passionate speaker and I wish he would address Parliament and Queen's Park once in awhile to remind them of their obligations to humanity.

Susan Aglukark did the closing songs for the most unique evening and date I have ever been on.
There is something so romantic about a political rally.

I can relate very well to the issues of living in poverty in the GTA . Choosing between paying the rent and buying food... pay the rent of course, it helps me keep thin. Many of the people I know count on overdraft and if they are lucky credit cards to get them through the month. I am sure the Banks love that. One paycheck missed is a crisis. I can only imagine how much harder it is for those who don't get a paycheck. That's all I am saying before I get more political than that...
Vote!
and if you can Vote Out Poverty!

On the show this week.....

Upcoming interviews:

Monday , Oct 01
Jason Priestley - The diverse and interesting celebrity is involved with a new show.
(Please tell me the coiffure is GONE!)


Monday , Oct 01
Creflo Dollar - Televangelist discusses his controversial message of material wealth.
(Would that message be: "Send money!" ?)

Tuesday , Oct 02
Parvez Sharma - A gay Indian Muslim exploring Islam and homosexuality.
(Some would say, proves Ahmadinejad wrong!)

Tuesday , Oct 02
Joan Jett - The rock guitarist and singer has a new album.
(Hmmmm....embarrassingly just sang; "I Love Rock N' Roll", at Karaoke this weekend.)


Wednesday, Oct 03
Tzeporah Berman - She has been arrested and even called an enemy of the state.
(Looking forward to seeing)

Wednesday, Oct 03
Carlo Rota - He stars in two hit shows on either side of the Canada - U.S. border.
(LOVE this guy!)

Thursday , Oct 04
Danny Glover - A famous actor but also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
(As long as there's no toilet scenes)