It's the week beginning August 31st...

Coming up this week on The Hour...

Monday, August 31st

Green transportation enthusiast Shai Agassi.

"Mr. Big" himself...Chris Noth.


Vancouver native, actor Joshua Jackson.

Tuesday, September 1st


Actor Jason Mewes.


NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
[Hey, it's a Lego Stanley Cup! The Leafs should build one of those in their off season ;-)]


Musician Darius Rucker.

Wednesday, September 2nd


The very funny Eugene Levy.


Tattoo artist Kat von D.

Former Canadian Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Joe Clark.

Thursday, September 3rd


The Killers.


Improv master Colin Mochrie.


Economic theorist Richard Florida.

Friday, September, 4th


Reading Rainbow superstar LeVar Burton.


Canadian author Margaret Atwood.


Canadian journalist and former George W. Bush speechwriter, David Frum.

The Nominations Are In!

And what can we say? Once again The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos has represented themselves well at the 24th Gemini Award nominations announced this morning at a press conference in Toronto. So what are they nominated for?

Best Talk Series

The After Show
Garrett Wintrip, Pam de Montmorency, Alex Sopinka

The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
Jennifer Dettman, David Freeman, George Stroumboulopoulos

Steven and Chris
p. Jennifer Dettman, Krista Look, Susan Taylor


Best Writing in an Information Program or Series

Bob McKeown
CBC News: the fifth estate
The Code

Gillian Findlay
CBC News: the fifth estate
A Death in the Family


David Freeman, Paul Bates, Diana Frances, Ken Hegan,
Nick McCabe-Lokos, Carman Melville, Scott Montgomery,
Adam Nicholls, Randy Potash, George Stroumboulopoulos
The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
Sarah Palin

Ryan Leigh
INK: Alter Egos Exposed
"Villains"


Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or
Talk Program or Series

George Kourounis
Angry Planet
Island Caving

Austin Stevens
Austin Stevens Adventures
In the Shadow of Armoured Giants


George Stroumboulopoulos
The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos

Les Stroud
Survivorman Third Season

Matt Wells
Where You At Baby? Huey Lewis


Best Cross Platform Project

Being Erica Interactive
Shawn Bailey, David Fortier, Jessie Gabe, Ivan Schneeberg
(Temple Street Productions)

CBC News: Ormiston Online
Susan Ormiston, Allison Brachman, Karl Delgadillo, Paul Hambelton, Jeff Wyonch
(CBC)

I Prophesy: The Future Revealed - Interactive
James Milward, Sissy Federer-Less
(Henry Less Productions)


One Million Acts of Green - Interactive
Jennifer Dettman, Julie List, Alex Liu,
Paul McGrath, George Stroumboulopoulos
(CBC-The Hour)

Pop It! - Interactive
Susan Nation, Nina Beveridge
(Hop To It Productions Inc.)

Congratulations to everyone that works on The Hour, these are well-deserved nominations among a field of very strong competition. The awards will be handed out on the following dates:

Best Writing in an Information Program or Series will be presented on October 19th.
Best Cross Platform and Best Talk Series will be presented on October 20th.
Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or Talk Program or Series will be presented on November 14th.

The Gemini Awards telecast will take place in Calgary on November 14th. Stay tuned to the Stroumboulopouli for more information and the results!

Hour Books: Creating a World Without Poverty

It was serendipitous that I started reading this book the week that Muhammad Yunus received the Medal of Freedom from President Obama. At the ceremony on August 13, President Obama gave the following outline of Yunus' work:

Thirty-five years ago, a young economics professor at a university in Bangladesh was struck by the disconnect between the theories he was teaching in class and the reality of the famine outside. So, determined to help, Mohammed Yunus left the classroom for a village, and discovered that just $27 would free dozens of artisans, vendors, and rickshaw pullers from debt. Offering himself as a guarantor, he withdrew a loan, paid off their debts, and founded Grameen Bank -- a bank that has disbursed over $8 billion, lifting millions of people from poverty with microloans. Mohammed Yunus was just trying to help a village, but he somehow managed to change the world.

The concept of microcredit is simple: loan a small amount of cash to start up their own business, let them make some money and then pay back the loan within a year. And it worked. But now there's another layer to add to this concept: social business.

Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism takes the concept of microcredit that Yunus lined out in his first book, Banker to the Poor, and introduces a fairly simple idea: harnessing the power and opportunities offered by the free market to eradicate poverty.

When I think of poverty and trying to eradicate poverty it boggles my mind. It just seems so complicated and hard to do. But reading this book made me realise that it is possible, that we could eradicate poverty though the tools that microlending and social business offer. It just makes sense.

As with all the other Hour Books I've read, I do suggest this book, for the simple fact that it makes sense. It outlines a plan that could actually work.

Muhammad Yunus has visited The Hour twice. Once, just after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 and then in 2o08, just after the release of Creating a World Without Poverty.

What's on repeat... August 24th- August 29th

Monday, August 24th

Former President of the United States Jimmy Carter
Spiritual Teacher Eckhart Tolle
Tuesday, August 25th

Actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segel
Nickelback
Wednesday, August 26th

The Smashing Pumpkin
Comedian and Game Show Host Howie Mandel
Director James Cameron

Thursday, August 27th

Activist Erin Brockovich
Musician and Artist David Byrne
Motivational Speaker Tony Robbins

Friday, August 28th

Musician Lily Allen
Acclaimed Film Director Gary Marshall
UFC's Dana White

Hour Books: Cook With Jamie

I've followed Jamie Oliver's tv career since it launched with The Naked Chef in the late nineties. It's been amazing to watch how he's taken his philosophy regarding food and created an empire of good food and eating well. One of his recent books, Cook with Jamie continues to build on his philosophy of maximizing the character and flavour of food.

I'll admit it... I devour cookbooks. I love to see how people play with traditional recipes and put their own unique stamp on food. I've read all of Oliver's books because I enjoy the "voice" he writes with and how he puts recipes together. I always find myself bookmarking half of the book for future dinner parties. I could honestly see myself cooking my way through Cook with Jamie in a similar fashion to the character Julie in the movie Julie and Julia.

Another thing I liked about this book is that it is designed to help people who may not be well-versed in the kitchen accomplish more than just toast and boiling water. I'm always on the look out for cookbooks that would suit my friends who are not so comfortable in the kitchen, and I think this book offers readers a good basic look at preparing some ingredients that might scare novices in the kitchen, such as squid, mayonnaise fresh pasta or cake that doesn't come from a box.

The photography is amazing and makes the book, which weighs in at over 400 pages) a treat to flip through. There are a few recipes in the book that have become "go to" recipes in my kitchen, such as the recipe for the lightest potato gnocchi, the mushroom risotto, the roasted cauliflower with cumin, coriander and almonds and Oliver's nan's lemon drizzle cake.

If you're looking for an addition to your cookbook collection or just like drooling over food photography, check out Cooking with Jamie. When Jamie Oliver appeared on The Hour he cooked George up a little gem of a dish in the office kitchen... check out his "masterpiece". Then once you've regained you equilibrium, check out what happened when he sat down in the red chair to chat with George.

Birthday Wishes...

The Stroumboulopouli would like to wish George a Happy Birthday!

A few things that happened today in history:

1945 - The War Measures Act is cancelled
1954 - The first copy of Sports Illustrated is published.
1962 - Pete Best is replaced by Ringo Starr.
1966 - George Chuvalo becomes Canada's Heavyweight Champion
1969 - Woodstock Festival begins in New York States
1989 - A massive solar flare causes havoc and stops trading on the Toronto Stock Market
1991 - Bryan Adams' hit "Everything I Do" stays at No. 1 on the Billboard Charts for the 5th week

Newhart, A Mighty Heart and More on The Hour

This Week on The Hour... revisit some favourites as the summer hiatus continues.

Monday August 17th

Alanis Morrisette

One of the most successful recording artists of all time, Alanis keeps turning out music.

David Thewlis

Part of the Harry Potter cast - I think Thewliss would make a pretty good 'Freddy Krueger'.

Tuesday August 18th

Wayne Newton

This man's connected... love his role in Vegas Vacation where he woos Mrs. Ellen Griswold.

Bill Maher & Larry Charles

Maher and Charles explore the absurdity that is the world of organized religion in 'Religulous' now out on DVD.

Lee Thomas

Detroit based entertainment reporter Lee Thomas talks about his journey in the competitive and image based medium of television while coping with the skin disease vitiligo.

Wednesday August 19th

Malcolm Gladwell

Author Malcolm Gladwell takes his turn in the Red Chair to talk about his newest release, Outliers -- a great read!

Jamie Kennedy

Ghost Whisperer actor Kennedy is in the news more for his 'Love' life than his performing lately. I loved The Jamie Kennedy Experiment....

Charlie Kaufman

Film maker Charlie Kaufman has made some truly unique films. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich among them.

Thursday August 20th

Mariane Pearl

Many have been dealt tough blows in life, but Mariane's story is almost unthinkable. Her journalist husband, Daniel was captured and beheaded in Pakistan while Mariane was pregnant with their son. Her book was made into a film starring Angelina Jolie portraying Mariane.


Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett has struggled through career slumps and personal demons. Yet, his singular talent has seen his career rise to great heights again, under the managerial guidance of his son. He is truly an Icon and in my opinion - one of those singers that whatever your musical tastes -generations can agree that Tony has it going on. If you get a chance, don't miss his guest spot on Elvis Costello's show - Spectacle.

Friday August 21st

Bob Newhart

Do I really need to say anything? Well, how about that Newhart is proof that intelligent, dry wit is all you need to be truly funny. For Toronto folks... Newhart will be visiting Roy Thompson Hall in this upcoming 2009/10 season.

Valerie Bertinelli

Yes...she's the poster child for weight loss after calling Jenny. She's the ex of Eddie, mother of Wolfgang and isn't quite the good girl everyone thought she was as a teen.

Paul Martin

He's been a business leader, Prime Minister of Canada and a judge on Canada's Next Great Prime Minister. Maybe Paul will fill in for Paula on Idol?

2:20 with Steph

A 2:20 PC2PC chat with Steph~



1) If you woke up as the opposite gender, what’s the 1st thing you would do?
Likely get up, go to the washroom and leave the toilet seat up. :-)

2) Are you a morning or night person?
Definitely a morning person!

3) Do you have any cool/crazy scars & how did you get them?
Yes. When I was a teenager, my father was using an electric garden edger. It kicked up a stone, firing it directly at my upper thigh. I was only standing about 5 feet away at the time and did it ever hurt and it bled like crazy! It has faded over the years, but for the longest time it looked like I'd been shot.

4) What is your favourite thing about your Mom?
Pretty much everything. :-) I admire her strength of character.
My mom IS the BEST mom ever!!

5) Given a choice other than your present one, what career would you wish to be in?
In my teen years, I briefly considered becoming a Funeral Director, but realized that clientele would not always be elderly people who had lived a long life.
Having said that, I have ALWAYS wanted to be a architect. For years I would draw floor plans and various elevations. I LOVE ARCHITECTURE.

6) What is the best thing about your career?
The knowledge that each of the children I come in contact with, will take a small piece of me (be it a phrase or an idea) with them into their lives and maybe even pass it on to their own kids.

7) Who did you last get in an argument with?
The nurse at the doctor's office.

8) Do you have any bug phobias?
I don't like BIG spiders or June bugs or earwigs.

9) If your boyfriend were to order an entree for you in a restaurant, what would be his fail-safe?
Peppercorn steak with garlic mashed potatoes.

10) Did you ever sneak out of your house as a teen & if so, were you ever caught?
Nope. I was the perfect child...bwahahahaha.

11) Do you have a favourite "wild animal encounter" story?
Yes. What turned out to be a young squirrel became trapped in behind the wall in my front hall. How he got in, I still have no idea. I could hear it scratching away for a few hours and realized if I didn't help, it would die. I got one of those small humane traps and proceeded to cut a square out of the drywall. I held the trap up against the hole and waited and waited. Eventually, the squirrel ventured out of the wall and into the trap. However, I was so excited that I pulled the trap away from the wall prematurely and he fell out onto the floor and was now running amok on the main level of the house. It took me over an hour and half to get him directed to and out the front door. It was crazy!

12) What is one trait about yourself that you would like to improve?
In many situations, I am a worrywart.

13) If you were to enter & win a cooking contest, what dish would it be for?
I love to BBQ! My best dish is marinated pork tenderloin served with herb & shallot butter and grilled asparagus. I also make a mean grilled pear with chocolate.

14) What is your favourite childhood candy, and do you still indulge from time to time?
Reese Peanut Butter Cups...about once a month...sometimes in ice cream...SO good.

15) In the 80's, what fashion fad are you most embarrassed about participating in?
Big earrings and big hair.

16) What is your most passionate topic of conversation in regards to current political events?
Canada's participation in the war in Afghanistan. Typically this conversation includes Americans who have no clue we are even there.

17) Did you ever yell so loud that you lost your voice for a few days?
No.

18) If you went out to a club with some girlfriends, are you the type to dance or are you a point-and-laugher?
I am not a dancer (unless it's slow dancing and that is a different situation).
;-P
I applaud people who can get up and dance like no one is watching.

19) If you make an outrageously clumsy move, do you get embarrassed & hope nobody sees, or do you laugh at yourself & brush it off?
Oh, I laugh it off. People should not take themselves so seriously.

20) What are you most looking forward to about Autumn?
I live out in the country and when the leaves begin to change it is simply breathtaking.

Hour Books: Losing It

I'll be honest, this book was never really on my list to read. I thought the interview on The Hour was interesting, but not something I wanted to pursue beyond that one segment. However, I was at my local library last week and found "Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound At A Time" by Valerie Bertinelli staring at me from the featured book display. Since I was on Summer Vacation at the time, I was looking for a different kind of read so I picked it up.

I was surprised, it was a good read. It's an interesting journey through Bertinelli's life, from her first encounter with acting to the night her son started touring with her ex-husband as Van Halen's new bassist. I liked that this book didn't glamourize her issues unlike some celebrity biographies I've read in the past. I liked that she was seemingly frank about how her life felt totally different than how it was perceived by the outsiders.

I'm not sure how I feel about using the whole weight loss thing to tie the book together, but it's used as her catalyst to happiness. I did come away from the book with the notion that we all have a story to tell, and on some level everyone's story is similar.

Make sure you check out Valerie Bertinelli's 2008 interview on The Hour.

Weathering the stormy reruns of Hurricanes & Somers

A tad bit late posting....but, our weekly segment of 'What's Coming Up' on The Hour, for those of you needing a fix.
Or perhaps, you're on the couch settling in for a long night of television....
*In Count's accent*
Vanting to view a previously unviewed interview! Muah ha ha.

Whatever your reason, or state of mind....enjoy!

Mon, Aug 10.

Walter Gretzky, Ben Elton, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.

Tues, Aug 11.

David Cronenberg, Bradley Cooper.

Wed, Aug 12.

Gordon Ramsay, Moby, Norman Jewison.

Thurs, Aug 13.

Suzanne Somers, Kevin Smith.

Fri, Aug 14.

Malcolm McDowell, Robert Pattinson, Gene Simmons.