What's not new? Who's not sleeping.

So....

As of this moment.... there is absolutely nothing on the "Upcoming on the Hour" portion of the website...

We have heard that the show will be back on the air on Jan 2, 2008.

So instead of fascinating guests bio's and pictures... I bring you a link to http://www.strombo.com

Go check it out...

George is Sleepless in Vegas.

We also have an interesting debate happening still under our guest poster Tracy's post. Regarding Ike Turner... go check it out and comment.

With that being said...

We at The Stroumboulopouli wish you all a :

Very Happy New Year and all the best to you in 2008!

If we were Santa Claus...

The guests that I would like most to give a gift wish to this season.

My choices are for a man that works tirelessly for others around the world and here in Canada and a woman who brings us humour about daily life into our lives everyday.

Stephen Lewis is talking with George at the Newsstand... Stephen is on The Hour each season and I would not mind if he was on each week.

A gift I would wish for Stephen Lewis would be many many donations to the Stephen Lewis Foundation . I would also like him to be heard by Canada's politicians about the poverty issues in Canada and worldwide.

Lynn Johnston interviewing George half way through.... I love this interview.

Lynn Johnston is in remission from spasmodic torticollis... my Christmas wish for her is that it stays in remission or they find a cure or treatment that works.

I wish all the guests and everyone Happy Christmas, Merry Holidays and continued good health and success for the New Year. ;-)

Barbara

~~~~~~~~~~~

Well...when I started thinking about my "gift wish", several recipients came to mind...

...to Christie Blatchford, a wish that she will continue to tell the stories that so desperately need to be told.

...to Anne Murray and Paul Anka, I wish continued career longevity. These individuals have set the bar high for the future of Canadian music.

...to Nigel Fisher, Stephen Lewis and Master Corporal Paul Franklin...the most elusive 'gifts' of all...an end to poverty, disease and war.

May love & happiness surround you. Merry Christmas!!

Steph A.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"If we were Santa Claus...." We would provide a hopeful future to the lives of Pakistanis, in the wake of yesterday's absolute tragedy.

Thinking of past guests I would want to help & what to post, I stumbled onto the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in the news.
She may not have been a guest on the show, but I believe this falls into one of the shows themes, of people making a positive impact on the world.
How overwhelmingly sad. My heart is heavy for her family, her followers, and the potential of what could have been.

She was an amazing woman who held a bright tomorrow in her hands, her voice and her heart. I find it hard not to compare her situation, with that of JFK, but obviously with present affairs at stake, for not only Pakistan's future, but for the rest of the world's. Within her vision and grasp, she held hope for what her beloved country could be as a united front, contributing to the fight against terrorism and poverty with an unwavering goal of democracy for her people.

One of her quotes that will now stay with me:
"Democracy needs support and the best support for democracy comes from other democracies. Democratic nations should ... come together in an association designed to help each other and promote what is a universal value — democracy."
— 1989 speech at Harvard University.


To quote from a recent CBC News article:
"Perhaps, sadly and ironically, her death may have a more productive impact on the political future of her beloved Pakistan than her election victory might have."
I'm saddened to say, I certainly hope so.

May we hold closer, this season, the ones we love,
and look beyond our borders to embrace what we have here;
our "peace" of the globe.

Jenuine

Pinball makes an impression.

So, Did anyone else just really LIKE Michael "Pinball" Clemons?!?!?!?!?!?!?

WOW! He was so great to listen too.
I think that what he said about giving back to the community was genius!
I so wish more Canadians felt that way about our country and communities and tried to make them better places to live.

Wait, isn't that what our government is supposed to be doing.....!??!??!!?!?!?!?


The funny thing here is... Is Pinball a Canadian!? or is he Landed? and if he is Landed...

WOW! the irony.

'Twas the week before Christmas...

Here is what's coming up this week on The Hour...

Monday, December 17

Former Afghanistan Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Abdullah

New CEO and former coach of the Toronto Argonauts

Mike "Pinball" Clemons

Tuesday, December 18

Mandalay Entertainment executive and talk show host Peter Guber

Award winning Canadian R & B singer and songwriter Jully Black

Wednesday, December 19

Check here for up-to-date details.

Thursday, December 20

"The Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver

Humanitarian and member of the Order of Canada Judy Feld Carr

Quick note...

In preparation for this post, I stumbled upon a "mystery" on The Hour's Blog. Check it out.

The Hour this week starting with Dec 09

The Strombo Show will be back in Toronto live from The Edge studios this Sunday

But who is on The Hour this week?

Monday December 10 th

Actor Homayoun Ershadi who plays Baba in The Kite Runner

The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien who took on the role of the Prime Minister of Canada.

Tuesday December 11 th

One of my favourite Authors Mitch Albom

For One More Day
Albom’s tribute to family and particularly motherhood is his second novel and the first to feature a female protagonist. It explores questions of regret, divorce, and how we would spend one special day with the ghost of someone we loved.

Please comment on what you would do with one more day with a loved one who has passed on. I got the idea from Jim Richards' CFRB radio show and I have been thinking about it since then...

plus

“The Sceptical Environmentalist” Bjorn Lombourg


Wednesday December 12 th

Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace

and also (maybe)

Dave Bidini of the Rheostatics

Thursday December 13 th

Nigel Fisher, President of UNICEF Canada

This Hour Has 70 Minutes

It's official. The "After the Hour" website officially launched today. What is "After the Hour"?
I'm glad you asked.

Media in Canada published the following article on their website:

Strombo virtually bumped to 70 minutes

by Kara Nicholson

Yesterday, CBC launched a 10-minute online after show to complement The Hour. The aptly named After the Hour is being sponsored by Labatt Breweries of Canada, and will feature behind-the-scenes footage, including out-takes and extended versions of host George Stroumboulopoulos's interviews with guests. Each episode will be available on-demand and also streamed at cbc.ca/thehour.

The sponsorship is a great way for the company to reach consumers, says Labatt media strategist Ben Seaton. "Both the Keith's Family and CBC Television's The Hour are wholly committed to supporting our Canadian roots and culture, which makes this partnership a natural fit."

Adds CBC GM of media sales and marketing: "By offering viewers exclusive digital content, we are furthering our connection with our audiences and engaging them at another important touchpoint."

http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/online

Interesting tidbits include Chris Jericho's "Best Story Ever", more interview viz with Steve Earle, Stroumboulopoulos' doctor of laws acceptance speech and a very bizarre video about humans and animals doing pushups.

Vancouver's upcoming shows

Monday , Dec 03

Matthew Good
The outspoken singer has a new album motivated by personal struggle.


Robert Bateman
The famous artist is bringing kids closer to nature.




Tuesday , Dec 04

Adam The Dream Healer
An alternative healing source from this student and best selling author.



Brent Butt
Founder and star of the popular show, 'Corner Gas'.




Wednesday, Dec 05

Nazanin Afshin Jam
Campaigning to end child executions in Iran.



Lynn Johnston
The creator of the famous cartoon 'For Better of For Worse'.




Thursday , Dec 06

Tricia Helfer
A Canadian born supermodel who is carving out her own niche.


Chris Turner
In search of environmentally friendly innovations.

Live from Vancouver

Tune in today to hear George's interview with Matthew Good, some fine, fine music & call-ins.
You can go to Strombo.com to put in any song requests or to see if he posts any videos of songs he's playing.

I've got one:
"Winter Wonderland" by The Brian Setzer Orchestra