The Stroumboulopouli

The Stroumboulopouli

The place to get the latest news on what’s coming up on #Gtonight. Find out what Canada’s boyfriend is up to. Share stories, pictures, favourite tv and radio episodes.

CBC TV & Radio shows plus HNIC

His work with Artists for Peace and Justice

UN Ambassadorship for The World Food Programme

Friday, February 23, 2007

An equivalent?/ Un équivalent?

I tried something, a post in French and in English, there should not be too many differences between the 2 versions… Je tente quelque chose, écrire en français et en anglais, il ne devrait pas y avoir trop de différences entre les 2 versions, quoi que la version française est un peu plus longue… Bonne lecture

It’s reading week, I have a week off and I’ve been watching a lot more tv than I usually do (and being home means watching a lot of French speaking channels). Because my dad barely understands English, I try to avoid The Hour with him; if we watch it together, I’ll get a lot of “He’s speaking way too fast” (you get use to it!) and “What did he say?” (When I met George in Montreal he told me to tell my dad that he said some stuff about Jesus, and that I should be fine). But you know what, I haven’t found anything like The Hour on any French channels, there are not that many shows during which you can get news from all around the world, a little bit from Canada, politics, entertainment news, the environment, interviews with, for example, the Auditor General, with John Cusack, where you can hear about ex-gay and former ex-gay, the Junos, etc. Sure there are shows with interesting guests, we get the news too (don’t worry) and we get Entertainment news on too many shows, but I haven’t found a show with a mix of all of these. I haven’t found something similar to The Hour.

C’était la semaine de mise à jour, ce qui signifie que j’avais une semaine de « congé ». Passer du temps chez mes parents signifie que je regarde beaucoup plus la télé que lorsque je suis chez moi et étant donné que mon père ne comprend pas très bien l’anglais, j’évite d’écouter « The Hour » avec lui. Si, par malheur pour lui, je décide de regarder « The Hour », mon père ne peut s’empêcher de me dire « Il parle trop vite! » et « Qu’est ce qu’il a dit? ». Quand j’ai rencontré George l’an passé durant l’enregistrement de « The Hour » à Montréal, il m’a dit de dire à mon père qu’il parle de Jésus, et que mon père devrait arrêter de me poser des questions (ça marche plus ou moins bien). Ce que je trouve particulier, c’est qu’il n’existe aucune émission semblable à « The Hour » sur aucune chaine francophone. Aucune émission durant laquelle on pourrait entendre parler de politique, de nouvelles internationales, de l’industrie du show business, de ce qui se passe au Canada, de l’environnement. Aucune émission durant laquelle il y a des entrevues avec la vérificatrice générale du Canada, avec John Cusack, où on peut entendre parler d’ex-gay et d’ancien ex-gay, des Junos, etc. Oui, il y a des émissions avec des invités intéressants (je pense à Tout le monde en parle, Il va y avoir du sport), il a les nouvelles (le téléjournal), et aussi des émissions qui parlent des vedettes (Infoplus, Flash). Par contre, je ne suis pas encore parvenue à trouver une émission qui est un amalgame de tout cela, rien qui puisse ressembler à « The Hour ». Pour avoir des informations sur autant des sujets variés, il faut regarder beaucoup d’émissions ou lire différents journaux ou sites internet. « The Hour » permet de savoir ce qui ce passe en général dans le monde.

The show makes me laugh, sometimes it drives me crazy (“Why did he say that?”), sometimes I just want to turn off the tv, sometimes I don’t like the guests but overall I like it. Because I grew up in a French speaking house, I lack all that “English pop culture” references (that can be useful when you spend a lot of time with English speaking people): Hunter S. Thompson – never heard of him until last year when they did a piece on him, Christian Amanpour – who?!? I’ve already watched CNN, but not enough to know who she is, I’m glad that she was on the show, 24 – it’s playing in French and it is very popular but the translated version isn’t as good as the original one, the characters sound stupid, Rick Mercer – I know, I should have known him but there are some pretty funny shows in Quebec, so there were no need to find one in English, but the guy is funny and I’ve heard about him on The Hour (I remember the interview with him when The Hour was in Montreal, I loved it) and I could write a lot more examples, but I won’t, I guess that you understand what I mean.

« The Hour » me fait rire, parfois me fâche et je me demande pourquoi il a dit ça, parfois ça me fait réfléchir, parfois je veux juste fermer la télé, parfois les invités ne m’intéressent pas du tout mais, en général, c’est bien et ça m’intéresse. J’ai grandi dans un milieu archi francophone où la majorité des gens ne parlent pas anglais. Étant donné que mes parents sont francophones, ils m’ont élevé en français et on écoutait la télé en français (en grandissant, j’ai découvert MuchMusic et j’ai commencé à m’intéresser à cet univers anglophone, mais ça a pris du temps avant que je parvienne à comprendre George durant le « Punk Show »). Par contre, cette éducation francophone ne me permet pas de comprendre toute la culture populaire anglophone (et j’étudie dans une université anglophone). En écoutant « The Hour », j’en apprends beaucoup sur ce monde anglophone, par exemple : Hunter S. Thompson – je n’avais jamais entendu parler de lui avant qu’il y ait un reportage sur lui l’an passé, Chrisitan Amanpour – Hélas non, CNN ne fait pas partie de mon quotidien donc elle ne me disait absolument rien, 24 – Oui, « 24 heures chrono » est très populaire au Québec aussi, mais je trouve que la traduction ne rend pas justice à l’émission, je trouve que les personnages semble stupides, mais avec toute les références faites à 24 durant « The Hour » j’ai décidé d’acheter la saison un en dvd et depuis je suis accro, Rick Mercer – j’aurais dû savoir qui c’est mais, au Québec il y a beaucoup d’humoristes et d’émissions d’humour donc, pas de réel besoin de trouver quelque chose de mieux en anglais, par contre, je me souviens de l’entrevue avec Rick Mercer quand « The Hour » était de passage à Montréal, c’est à ce moment que j’ai vraiment accroché et que j’ai découvert quelqu’un de vraiment drôle. Beaucoup plus d’exemples pourraient figurer dans ce « post », mais je crois que le message est clair.

But there are things that I can easily relate to, things that are part of my life as well as your life, no matter where you live in Canada; the Top 5 Mario Songs (when I’ve heard that it brought back so many memories, you can’t be wrong with Mario, and I’d say Luigi too), politics (the Quebec elections are coming soon), Adam Beach, James Dyson, John Cusack, Sheila Fraser, Al Fayed

Par contre, il y a aussi des sujets qui touchent tout le monde, qui font partie de la vie de tout le monde, peu importe où on vit au Canada; le Top5 des chansons de Mario (que de souvenirs! On ne peut pas se tromper avec Mario et Luigi!), la politique touche tous les citoyens (et les élections québécoises approchent à grands pas!), Adam Beach, James Dyson, John Cusack, Sheila Fraser, Al Fayed, peut importe où on vit au Canada, peu importe la langue que l’on parle c’est des sujets dont on a déjà entendu parler.

It is really great to say how we don’t like the show, that we should get more of this, less of that, get that person on the show, criticize George for what he says, but there’s one thing that I wanted to remind you, we are “lucky” to have this show, it is not the kind of show that you’ll find on every network. As said in the comment section of the previous posts, there is room for improvement, but I’m pretty sure that the show can get better, different guests...

C’est bien de dire à quel point on n’aime pas l’émission, qu’il devrait y avoir plus de ceci, moins de cela, que cette personne devrait faire partie de l’émission, que cet invité n’aurait pas dû y être, de dire que George n’aurait pas dû dire ceci ou cela. Mais j’aimerais vous rappeler que vous, nous sommes « chanceux » d’avoir « The Hour », ce n’est pas le genre d’émission que l’on peut trouver sur toutes les chaînes. Comme il a été mentionné dans la section des commentaires des billets précédents, ils peuvent s’améliorer, je suis certaine qu’ils vont s’améliorer, recevoir de meilleurs invités, moins d'Américains…

When I talk about The Hour with some of my French speaking friends the reaction that I get is “Wow, why don’t we have something like that in French?” I don’t know, but I’d like to have some better tv shows, something that people watch when they are 12 or when they are 90 years old, something that makes tv interesting, but alas there’s no such thing as The Hour in Quebec. The concept of The Hour is great, I’d like to see something similar on Radio-Canada (CBC), but I cannot think of a host for it. So guys, even if we don’t like every part of the show, we are lucky to have it.

Si je parle avec des amis et que je mentionne “The Hour”, la première réaction qu’ils ont la plupart du temps c’est « Wow, mais, il n’y a rien qui ressemble à ça au Québec! ». J’aimerais bien qu’il y ait de meilleures émissions, le genre que tu peux écouter à 12 ans ou à 90 ans et trouver intéressant, le genre d’émission qui est intéressant et qui amène les gens à discuter. Hélas, il n’y a rien comme « The Hour » au Québec. Le concept est excellent et j’aimerais voir quelque chose de similaire sur les ondes de Radio-Canada, mais qui pourrait être l’animateur? Même si vous n’aimez pas totalement l’émission, il faut apprécier ce qu’ils font, apprécier la chance que l’on a d’avoir quelque chose d’aussi bien sur nos ondes.

Totally unrelated to the post but the Paris Hilton free month is a great idea, could we get a Britney and Lindsey Lohan free month too?

Aucun lien avec tout ce que je viens d’écrire, mais le mois sans Paris Hilton est vraiment chouette, pourriez-vous faire de même pour Britney Spears et Lindsay Lohan?

What's up?

Last night if you watched the show you saw Jian Ghomeshi singing in the elevator.... nice!
He has a new radio show launching in April. The show needs a name. Follow the link and suggest a name for his new baby...

Friday the 23rd
http://www.cbc.ca/winnipegcomedy/
George hosts a comedy show?

Don't forget the Sunday best of The Hour is now on Friday night...
If that makes sense..

For next week click here I know that's just lazy.
this is what they say will happen maybe...
Monday:Top 5 ways to celebrate Black History Month. Lang Lang the pianist, Frank Luntz... and electric cars.
Tuesday: Stan Lee (or so the rumour goes) Maybe not Stan Lee called in sick. Stephane Dion and Ron Sexsmith will be on The Hour
Wednesday:Gerard Butler and
Thursday: The US ambassador to Canada David Wilkins will be on the show.



This a pic of George #12 of the Chart Attack Hack

ready to put it in the net for you...

Well that was the plan in any case.

Monday, February 19, 2007

The Making of The 'Best Story Ever'

Bloggers have stories to tell.


It may be about themselves, or it may be about other people.

Sorry guys this one's about me.


I was intrigued about the invitation by The Hour for the audience to submit their


Celebrities have a lot of great stories to tell and they probably practice telling them so they will have something to amuse their fans with without having to think about it.


You and me on the other hand, may, or may not, be so practiced.



I work with a woman who has lead an amazing life and she always has great stories to tell.


So my idea was to film her telling one of her amazing stories and submit it to The Hour as her Best Story Ever. This way I could learn how it's done and what goes on in the process of creating the tape and submitting the tape. A simple plan.


The wonderful lady who was going to be my talented story teller, kept putting it off. She was not ready to go on camera. She still told amazing stories to everybody in the mean time.
God love her. But she is going through cancer treatments and may have been self conscious about being on camera. Or just not feeling up to it. Completely understandable. She never said no she would not do it, and I still hold out hope she will feel like it one day and call me over to film her. I was not going to push her into it.

I had to find a subject whom I know was willing to go on camera and tell their best story for me.
I volunteered reluctantly...

Why am I doing this?
I really just wanted to experience the process.
I am not the talented story teller, or the great writer, but I do like operating the camera.
It's harder when your in front of it.

I have ever more respect for the on air talent that makes it look so easy.

I tried several takes over several days with my story. I tried taping with my cell phone, and my video camera. The video camera works best. I tried takes with a friend operating the camera, and tried takes on my own... I found these lesson on another blog (Deadthingsonsticks) that helped me with the rewrite of my story. It's a true story, but in writing it all down (me not being able to memorise lines) I read my own story in front of the camera.
It is what it is, an amateur production. But hey, no one is paying me.
I just wish I had a teleprompter... and a staff to help me.

I do have a staff that helped me. I was in contact with Paul McGrath the web producer of The Hour. I consulted him about everything in relation to doing this production. What kind of stories they had gotten so far, what are they looking for, what they can't air... Technical questions as well.

With my video camera I could not figure out how to upload the video to download it to the CBC. I could have just sent them the tape in the mail... Naaa. I wanted to see what they do with the tape. So I booked Paul (no not the stand-up comedian Paul, the website Paul). Thank you Paul, I know you are a busy guy.

When I got to CBC today I called Paul. He told me The Hour is running late and he will be busy because the show is still taping for the next half hour (this is at 5:30) . Perfect! I was granted special permission to go watch the rest of the taping while Paul is busy....

I came in for the second part of Terri's interview. I understand quite a bit about grief... I can relate to her.

It's funny I had messaged George yesterday telling him I was going to The Hour just to see Paul and I would catch him next time... George greeted me when he saw I had snuck in. You can't get anything by him...

After the show, and the audience was free to go, but didn't because George had them all enthralled. He's good at that. Sure part of me wanted to stay, but I went back down to my appointment with Paul.

Paul showed me around a bit. I got to see the new offices. In the meeting room where they decide what's on The Hour that day, is a part of the old set. It's a large section of that street picture... with the mammas pizza on it and all the personal friends and cats names incorporated within the picture
....this one from last season

That's George and me on the old set...good times
Where was I?

So... my tape got uploaded to the computer and I got to chat with Paul about the website, the blogs, the Hour's and this one. We also talked about Best Stories Ever in general... He likes the home made look of my tape... that's what they are looking for. :-)
Oh good 'cause that's all I was offering. ;-)

My story might make it on the Hour's website by Friday. I don't expect them to air it. If they do air it they better warn me...
I won't give you details of what my best story is at this point. You'll just have to check the website every once in awhile if you're interested.

Every CBC/Hour employee I talked to today loves our blog.
They thank us all for doing it, and I wanted the Stroumboulopouli to know that.

I'm Barbara W. and that is the making of my Best Story Ever

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Feb 18 to 23rd the stuff that's planned

The Strombo show is back LIVE tonight at 9pm EST !
See the details given to you by George himself on www.strombo.com

The listeners are invited to participate by listening online, or tuning in to CJAD and CFRB.
You can join everyone on Georges myspace page and join us in gabbly so we can all chat together behind the scenes while we listen...

This week on The Hour.
We will update this section as we get more info.


It looks like Terri Irwin but not her daughter Bindi will be on Monday.


Sir James Dyson {the vacuum guy} will be on Tuesday
as will Ralph Steadman. Here is a bit more about Ralph

Watch out for this; the auditor General Sheila Fraser is coming up Wednesday.
John Cusak will also be on.

Hey plans change... check out the changes on the link.

Comic book legend Stan Lee is on Thursday { Fantastic }


I am planning to write a post this week about the behind the scenes making of My Best Story Ever... we'll see how that turns out...

Barbara W.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

I want to hear what you think.

OK. Let's imagine the producers of The Hour are reading this blog.

Here is your chance.

Who would you like to see on The Hour?

Person or story... what do you want to see?

The Mayor of Vancouver...
Don Mckeller...
Neko Case...
Sports heros...
Taxi drivers on Baffin Island ... whatever.
I am just throwing these out there.
I want to hear your ideas...
Express 'em!

Saturday, February 10, 2007

The Hour in the UK

The fans of The Hour in London have booked their seats
for the first international taping of The Hour Feb 12th - 15th.


Monday in the UK..... Interview with activist filmmaker Tariq Ali

Tuesday in London, There is the controversial British Pop Artist Noel Gallagher
Also an interview with the owner of Harrods Mohamed Al Fayed.

It looks like Wednesday, George will be talking to the bravest lady on television news, CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

Kelly Osbourne will be somewhere in that week along with interviews with who knows who from the Brit Awards...



-----------------------------Blog tracking --------------------------
Some things other bloggers have to say about The Hour or George...
Stella to ground Control about balance
Corrie Canada about Johnny Briggs
Devlin the interweb nomad about CEO Ray Anderson
The Z Files about George Galloway

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Feb 5th to 8th on The Hour

It will be a Paris Hilton free month.. I can't wait for a KFed free season... I don't get that guy.


Your boyfriend George Stroumboulopoulos
is going to be going to the UK to do The Hour Valentines week.
For this week I'll tell you what they got on the main menu.


Monday the 5th
Singer Norah Jones

Also the winner of the Brit Awards contest will be announced Monday... I just know it's not me.

Tuesday the 6th
Actor Steve Buscemi. The man had done a lot of films...
Writer Chris Hedges talks about US politics.

Wednesday 7th CHANGED!
Actress Keri Russell in an interview from Sundance.

As a wise person once said Schedules change... Tonight is a best of show and I will tell you why.
I asked George if he was sick when I saw the change posted on the Hour's page.... his reply was 'we're on tape tonight so that we can get ahead for london... i am sick, but still working in the office :-)'
So there you go as far as I know there are no changes for Thursday.

Thursday the 8th, last day before your buddy takes off to the UK and the Brit Awards
It's fitting that he will be talking to Johhny Briggs of Cornation Street on that day...