The CBC would like to introduce you to their stars

CBC LIVE ! 

Thursday, September 23

The CBC is introducing it's best talents in a full day of live broadcasts, music and events where there will be Q & A plus a chance to meet and greet CBC's radio and television personalities. 

The event takes place at Yonge Dundas Square in the heart of Toronto.  If you are in the GTA try to stop by and check it out!

It begins at 9 am, runs all day and wraps up with a two hour concert ending at 9:30pm.

It starts with Jian Ghomeshi hosting Q live with Mark Critch (22 Minutes), Erin Karpluk (Being Erica), Robert Herjavec (Dragons’ Den), City and Colour (Dallas Green) and Zeus.

Following that  the Q & A panel include Matt Galloway, Jian Ghomeshi, Anna-Maria Tremonti , Bob Mackowycz, Peter Armstrong and Anne-Marie Mediwake.

There will be time to meet them and other personalities from the CBC 

Steven and Chris go Live at noon. You may know their guests Debbie Travis, Kari Osmond, Joe Mimran (Joe Fresh) and cast members from Battle of the Blades

Then you can meet them after the show.

The afternoon includes Shakespearean play fighting, CBC Kids Live and Here and Now Live.

Meet them and more!

at 7:30 CBC Live! A Music Event hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, Bob Mackowycz and George Stroumboulopoulos. 

Featuring Great Lake Swimmers, Bedouin Soundclash and Sloan.

More details can be found on CBC Events group on facebook

It's the week of December 13th!

Are you ready for Christmas or are you already participating in Chanukah festivities? Are your halls decked? Cookies baked? Shopping done...or even started? The two weeks leading up to Christmas always seem to be the busiest weeks of the year. But, in all the holiday hustle and bustle, you must recharge your batteries with a little downtime. Speaking of (ya, crappy segue), this is the last week that The Hour will be taping until January 2010. I just checked and as of now there are still some tickets available for this week.

As always, the week begins with a new edition of The Strombo Show on CBC Radio 2. Find your frequency here.

Unfourtunately, we have not yet received a list of the guests scheduled to appear on The Hour this week. Therefore, the following may be subject to change...time will tell.

Monday, December 14th

Head of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, Paul Kennedy.



Canadian heavy metal band Anvil.

Tuesday, December 15th

Portuguese-born, Toronto raised actor in Stargate Universe, Louis Ferreira.

A few weeks ago, George had mentioned the story of six year old Elena Desserich. Elena, suffering from brain cancer, knew she was dying. In the time she had left, she began leaving hundreds of notes hidden everywhere in her family home. Her parents, Keith & Brooke Desserich have compiled these notes into a book, Notes Left Behind 135 days with Elena. Keith will be on The Hour. I could write more, but instead I would ask that you watch the brief clip below, as it will preview Elena's story far better than I could.

Wednesday, December 16th

Founder of Samasource and Huffington Post contributor, Leila Chirayath Janah.

Canadian musician, author and activist Matthew Good makes a return visit to The Hour.

Thursday, December 17th

Actor, writer, animator, director and Monty Python alumni Terry Gilliam.

In case you missed the memo, the world will be coming to Vancouver in February! No one is more aware of this fact than John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Presumably, Mr. Furlong will be providing an update on the Vancouver preparations as the Olymic Torch is currently making its way across Canada. This week "the flame" will be passing through my community. Has it come to your town yet? Let us know!

Friday, December 18th

This "best of show" includes Stephen King, Shawn Ashmore and Anika Noni Rose.

In other news...

Did you happen to catch the holiday special Deck the Halls with Steven and Chris? You can watch it here. George participated in the show and created a rather 'interesting' gingerbread house, now up for auction on Ebay. Proceeds from the sale of George's creation will go to Serve Canada, an organization that "empowers youth to become caring, confident, and contributing members of their community through experience-based learning". Also still up for grabs on Ebay is that infamous Toronto Maple Leafs jersey!

~ ~ ~ ~

CBC Learning has released a five volume DVD set of The Hour for use in the classroom. The set includes "The Hour’s best interviews on key curriculum-relevant subjects, including politics, civics, the environment, business and character education". If you are an educator, you may want to check it out. Also, if you have someone on your gift list who is a fan of CBC programming, be sure to check out the CBC Shop Online.

~ ~ ~ ~

And finally...don't forget to cast your vote for The Moose Award.

and the Gemini Award goes to?

Tuesday October 20 th.
Wait! The Gemini Awards are not until November 14th.
You know this because Calgary is hosting and you have your tickets booked for it because you love the hilarious host Ron James and you love Calgary. Total assumptions on my part...

Well there are a couple of industry award nights that are currently happening.
There were some Geminis given out last night Oct 19th for News and Sports /Documentary and lifestyle and there will be some given tonight Oct 20th for Children and Youth/Drama, Variety and Comedy.In the Variety category this night,
The Hour (p. Jennifer Dettman, David Freeman, George Stroumboulopoulos) is up against
The After Show (p. Garrett Wintrip, Pam de Montmorency, Alex Sopinka) and
Steven and Chris (p. Jennifer Dettman, Krista Look, Susan Taylor) This show is coming back in January!
Are all nominated for Best Talk Series.
May the best show win!
This just in The Hour Won Best Talk Series!
Also
One Million Acts of Green (The Hour) is competing in the Best Cross Platform Project category
This just in... One Million Acts did not win in it's category

George is also nominated for a Gemini for Best Host in the Nov 14th Broadcast Gala show.