This week in Strombo Mar 31 - April 4

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight this week

There are only two more weeks of show tapings, then the crew wrap it up and prepare for whatever is next for them. The show will still air on CBC until mid summer. The CBC website will still have all the video archives of The Hour/ George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight for now. Please keep checking in with strombo.com and with us. Strombo will be found on HNIC in the fall every weekend. Any hockey fans dream job. Proud of you Strombo!
George is also talking about doing specials on CBC. He plans to continue The Strombo Show on radio. Details of that you can find here when we know more. 

I have been blogging about The Hour and GST now going on 8 years and it's the end of a great show that I love dearly and this makes me sad. There are so many talented members of  George's team (writers, researchers, producers, technical production staff and audience wranglers) that I would like to thank for their contributions to a great show day in and day out. Also I want to thank all the talented members past and present of this blog for contributing to it over the years.
  
You could say I have been blessed because I met so many great people through George, whether it be in line to see a taping, or online through people who follow G's tweets and posts. It probably happens with any fans of anything anywhere, but it feels uniquely Canadian, as an experience, to be in this club by supporting a national TV talk show and radio host.  I have made a lot of good friends by networking with these good people. Thanks George for being the catalysts.

For those who are curious how this blog was named,  Stroumboulopouli is a name coined by someone at CBC Newsworld to describe George's fans. We took that name and ran with it.  What I didn't know when I took on this creative Stroumboulopouli group blog is that it would guide/flavour/colour/shape my future. Part of me still can't believe I took it on. What a ride! 

If you ask people who like George what do they like about him they will say things like, he is so down to earth. Really friendly. Smart. Charismatic. Thoughtful. Remembers their name on second meeting. Is a talented interviewer. Knows his music, sports, politics, films. Makes a huge effort for charities. Is a good/* bad role model. Takes time to give back to broadcast/journalism students. Is a loyal friend.
What do you say when people ask you what it is about George that you like? You can comment below.


Monday Mar 31
at 7 and 11:30
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird

At 7 pm GM of The Raptors Masai Ujiri

Tuesday Apr 1
Leader of the Federal Liberals The Honourable Justin Trudeau

Wednesday Apr 2 
Olympic medalist and world champion figure skater  Patrick Chan

 At 7 pm Olympic curler Jennifer Jones

Thursday Apr 3
Maple leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke

at 11:30  Documentary Filmmaker David Douglas

 
Friday Apr 4 
Singer/Musician Loreena McKennitt

11:30
Afflicted Filmmakers Derek Lee and Clif Prowse
Trailer for Afflicted

Tonight! Kevin Drew and Kurt Cobain!

No one can accuse Kevin Drew of not being accomplished. He co-founded Broken Social Scene with Brendan Canning, and before that, K.C. Accidental with Charles Spearin.  He assisted in the founding of the video direction company, Experimental Parachute Movement, which directed several Broken Social Scene videos, as well as videos for  Apostle of Hustle, Constantines, Stars, Still Life Still,  and The Most Serene Republic.  Drew wrote and directed a short film inspired by and starring his former wife, Leslie Feist, called "The Water".  Along the way, he has also managed to carve out a solo career, having just released his second solo album, Darlings.  Darlings is on the Arts and Crafts Label, which, you guessed it, he co-founded, along with Jeffrey Remedios.  Tonight, Kevin stops by the Broom Closet to perform an acoustic set of tunes from his new album.

Hard to believe, but it has now been twenty years since the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.  Tonight will feature a tribute to Cobain, featuring such guests as Randy Bachman, Coeur de pirate, Jann Arden, Nardwuar the Human Serviette and Lana Gay of CBC Music. 

As always, there will be The Magnificent Seven, the top seven new tracks of the week, 

a Nod To The Gods Of Rock and Roll,

 Ten O'Clock With Tom (Waits),

and lastly, George tucks you into bed with  for The Big Lie Down, or The Collective Horizontal, with the mellowest of tunes.

You can hear The Strombo Show on CBC Radio 2 on Sunday nights, from 8 to 11 pm.
See you there!  ;)

The Red Book Diaries

You must have seen the Red Book at the end of the show. I recommend that you check in to the back story on the link below.

http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/red-book-diaries-volume-7

This week in Strombo Mar 24 - 28

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight this week
This week the 7 pm show will be preempted from Tuesday to Friday however George will debrief you at 11:30. 

Monday Mar 24
7 pm and 11:30
Figure skating champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir

Plus a bonus at 7 pm  Elvis Stojko is in the building!

Tuesday Mar 25
7 pm preempted
11:30 
Canadian Singer composer of eclectic celtic music Loreena McKennitt

Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy

Wednesday Mar 26
7 pm preempted
11:30 
Canadian actress/director/producer (IMDb credits include Beachcombers & King of Kensington)   Helen Shaver

Thursday Mar 27
7 pm preempted
11:30 
American author and writing professor  Gary Shteyngart

Director (Black Swan, The Wrestler) Darren Aronofsky

Friday Mar 28
7 pm preempted
11:30
Gemini award winning TV and film actor (was in Dances With Wolves, also Beachcombers)  
Graham Greene

Olympic mogul skiers Dufour-Lapointe sisters

This week in Strombo Mar 17 - 21

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight this week
The television show will wrap up taping April 10th but will be on the air until the middle of the summer. The good news is The Strombo Show on CBC Radio 2 will continue on! As you know George will also be co-hosting Hockey Night In Canada on Saturdays and Sundays starting next season.  There is talk of George doing CBC TV specials in the future.

Monday Mar 17
7pm and 11:30 am
Celebrate St Pat's with George and  Michael Bublé  on location in the Pacific Rim National Park

Tuesday Mar 18
At 7pm
Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne

at 7 and 11:30  
The very funny and talented  Andrea Martin

Wednesday Mar 19
Both at 7 and 11:30
On location at Gros Morn National Park an interview with Allan Hawko

Thursday March 20
at 7 pm and 11:30
The iconic Miss Piggy

 and at 7 pm only
The Chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Martin Katz

Friday Mar 21
 at 7pm  Comedic actor (Kids in The Hall, Spun Out)  Dave Foley

at 11:30 more with Miss Piggy

Strombo Show Brings You Coeur de pirate!!

George welcomes both Québec recording artist Coeur de pirate, and CBC's Tara Henley to The Broom Closet.

Born Béatrice Martin, Coeur de pirate was playing piano by the age of 3, and by the age of 9 she entered le Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal. By the age of 15, Béa was playing keys for post-hardcore band December Strikes First.  She then briefly played for indie pop band Bonjour Brumaire, before adopting the stage name Coeur de pirate.  She released her eponymous debut album in 2008.  Coeur de pirate which was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Francophone Album of the Year in 2009.  Her next album was the English language Blonde, released in 2011. Her latest album is a soundtrack of cover songs she recorded for Trauma, the Canadian French Language television series. Trauma - Chansons de la série télé (Saison No. 5) was released in January.  She plays all of the instruments on the album herself, and the covers run the gamut from Kenny Rogers (Lucille), The Rolling Stones (Dead Flowers), Bill Withers (Ain't No Sunshine), Wayne Cochran (Last Kiss), The National (Slow Show), to Tom Waits (Bottom of the World), just to name a few.  Coeur de pirate will be playing an acoustic set featuring songs from her new album.  Here she is performing Bon Iver's Flume on Q:  

Also on the show will be Tara Henley to discuss the connection between music and prison,   in particular Louisiana's Angola Prison Farm.  Several musicians of note have been incarcerated there over the years, among them Freddy Fender, Mexican American country rocker, and blues legend Leadbelly, who served several years there on an attempted murder conviction.  Many songs have been written about Angola as well, from such artists as The Clash, The Neville Brothers, Gil Scott-Heron, and Dr John, to mention a few.  In 2010, Canadian Film Director Bruce McDonald filmed a documentary at Angola Prison featuring Canadian blues and roots musician Rita Chiarelli.  Music From The Big House featured three bands comprised of musicians serving time at the prison.  As you will find, there is a deep musical culture at Angola.  Here is the official trailer for Music From The Big House.

As always, there will be a Nod To The Gods of Classic Rock,

The Magnificent Seven, or the seven hottest tunes of the week, 

Ten O'Clock With Tom (Tom Waits)

and lastly, an across-the-airwaves tuck-in with the mellowest of tunes for The Big Lie Down or The Collective Horizontal.

You can hear The Strombo Show on CBC Radio 2 on Sunday nights, from 8 to 11 pm.
See you there!  ;)

... He Nails It!

The CBC's 22 Minutes presented a preview of George Stroumboulopoulos on Hockey Night in Canada last night to its viewers.  In this episode, George interviews Joffrey Lupul, and Jian Gomeshi joins them to add some commentary to George's commentary.  The result?  Mark Critch nails it.  Watch.  ;)

Watch

Meli's Rant: Strombo knows hockey!

G knows hockey!

I would like to start off by saying that I am an infrequent writer here at The Stroumboulopouli,  I am not a "fan girl" of everything George, but I am an admirer of the person and some of his work. What I am not a fan of, are some of the posts that I have been reading over the past few days maligning his character both personally and professionally because the man accepted a job with Hockey Night in Canada.

I find it incredulous that some people, Canadians specifically, seem so widely infected with Tall Poppy Syndrome.  Why do so many of us succumb to the tendency to speak without getting all the information? 

For all of you who are flooding CBC fan sites and newspaper comment sections voicing your dismay that a "punked out hipster" is not qualified to be a sports broadcaster, you need to get your facts straight.  The CBC and Rogers are first and foremost corporations, they are not going to employ someone that doesn't, in some way, add to their bottom line.

Being offered, and accepting, a job is about qualifications!  Everyone's resume has a list of educational and work related experiences that qualify them for a job.  George Stroumboulopoulos is no different. A diploma from Humber College's Radio Broadcasting program? Education check.  Working at a sports radio station as a broadcaster/reporter/producer and interviewing NHL execs and players through radio and television? Work related experience, check. Other qualifications that would lend one to the position? How about, a career spanning over 20 years in broadcasting, one that includes discussion on topics like sports, music, politics and popular culture. How about a recognizable face in the media world, and a capability of bringing in new viewers which translate to ratings? Some employers might want to know if the applicant has a personal, or vested interest, in the position.  Well, George's holy trinity has always been sports, music and politics ... much like a chef would claim the onion, carrot and celery trinity, the mainstays of the kitchen.  The man absorbs information on these topics, keeping in the know, much like a good chef at a farmer's market, knowing all the ins and outs of finding, procuring and reveling in the best ingredients.  G's ingredients being knowledge of his trinity. He has been a life long Habs fan and he plays hockey in a rec. league, like so many other Canadians do that have a passion for the game and are now questioning his ties to the sport.

There are also those of you commenting that you do not want him on HNIC, because of the loss of his nightly presence,through the telly, in your homes. You are comfortable with his role as an interviewer, enjoying how he humanizes the celebrity. Following the other direction, but same track, of the Tall Poppy cutters, some fans are ired that he is moving on in his career path. One of his tag lines is that he is Canada's boyfriend, but that doesn't mean we own any part of him, or any other public figure.  He is a professional, doing a job, full stop. I can commiserate with these nay-sayers slightly more than those saying he is not qualified.

Although I am not a regular viewer of George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight I do watch the late night version of it, from time to time. The Debrief being my favourite part of the show, it is a descendant of the Mile-a-Minute from his original late night show The Hour.  The Hour, showcased George at his best. An intelligent, this my opinion and I am going to share it, sink your teeth into a good conversation, about an important story or interesting person ... interviewer.  The Hour remains, IMHO, the best Canadian late night, or any time of day, talk show to date. It combined comedic sketches, musical talents and news of the day with interviews that ranged from broadening our global awareness to celebrities sharing their political views and personal stories, not just hawking their latest projects.

I am, however, a true believer in professional development and the ideology that people should expand their professional experiences every 7-ish years.  So, I congratulate George on his new adventure, look forward to seeing him as I watch mes Habs kick some ass ... also watching him cringe from time to time as he needs to be on air when we fail, as we sometimes do. 

I would hope though that the CBC, or some other Canadian broadcaster, harnesses the many talents G has and utilises them in other programming, or television specials, enabling us to share in his talent as an interviewer in other arenas, sharing his knowledge of music and politics ... the other two thirds of the Strombo trinity. 

Bonne Chance G and looking forward to what you create next!!! :)

This week in Strombo Mar 10 - 14

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight this week
You may or may not know that season 10 of GST wraps up taping April 10.  There are rumblings that there may not be another season. No official word on that yet. If you had it in your head to go see a live taping you better book it Now!
 Rumours abound about George moving to HNIC in the fall and that's a possibility. Is it a fact? I asked George what he had to say about the rumour and he responded with ;)...  
Monday March 10
*Look for the show at 7 pm and 12:30 all week because of the Paralympic Games coverage.

Update CBC confirms this will be the last season.
Oh and the other rumour... Rogers confirms the HNIC will include George. 

Author and philosopher  Dr. Cornel West

Tuesday March 11
Italian actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini

Olympic Speed Skater and romantic Charles Hamelin

 
Wednesday March 12
From Breaking Bad  Aaron Paul

Thursday March 13
 7 pm show is preempted today
Look for actress Taylor Schilling at 12:30

Friday March 14
At 7pm
Actress ( best known for Anne of Green Gable)  Megan Follows

Model/actress (Pretty Little Liars)  Shay Mitchell

 
Look for extended interview at 12:30 of Dr. Cornel West

The Strombo Show - March 9th, 2014

Tonight in the broom closet, George welcomes Broken Bells.  Broken Bells is a collaboration between James Mercer, frontman for The Shins, and Brian Burton, otherwise known as Danger Mouse.  Broken Bells recently released their second album, After the Disco. Although they tour with a band, Mercer and Burton  write and record as a duo.  This is the second album they have released in the past few years, along with an EP.  Check out the first single from their new album.  

Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Canadian actor/writer, stops by to discuss his new role in "The Husband". 

As always the Magnificent Seven Countdown brings the best new music, and the Big Lie Down set as we close out the show.

You can hear The Strombo Show on CBC Radio 2 on Sunday nights, from 8 to 11 pm.  

See you there.  ;)

Strombo will present at The Canadian Screen Awards

The Canadian Screen Awards CBC Broadcast Gala 
Sunday March 9th 2014 at 8pm

Canadian Screen Awards CBC Broadcast Gala

Sunday March 9, 2014 | Time 8 pm
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

- See more at: http://www.academy.ca/Canadian-Screen-Awards/2014-Canadian-Screen-Week-Schedule/Canadian-Screen-Week-Event/Canadian-Screen-Awards-CBC-Broadcast-Gala#sthash.lsZ9F5To.dpuf

Canadian Screen Awards CBC Broadcast Gala

Sunday March 9, 2014 | Time 8 pm
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

- See more at: http://www.academy.ca/Canadian-Screen-Awards/2014-Canadian-Screen-Week-Schedule/Canadian-Screen-Week-Event/Canadian-Screen-Awards-CBC-Broadcast-Gala#sthash.lsZ9F5To.dpuf

Canadian Screen Awards CBC Broadcast Gala

Sunday March 9, 2014 | Time 8 pm
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

- See more at: http://www.academy.ca/Canadian-Screen-Awards/2014-Canadian-Screen-Week-Schedule/Canadian-Screen-Week-Event/Canadian-Screen-Awards-CBC-Broadcast-Gala#sthash.lsZ9F5To.dpuf

 
The Canadian Screen Awards is the combination of the Geminis and Genies. The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television awards excellence in film, television and digital media productions.

Martin Short, who did such a great job in 2013, will be hosting again this year. George Stroumboulopoulos will have the honour of presenting at the Sunday Broadcast Gala but this year, to give others a chance to win I am sure, is not a nominee. His talk show as The Hour and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and George himself as a host have won around 8 Geminis and last year he won this CSA.

I hope you'll tune in and enjoy the broadcast and support our Canadian film, television and digital media industry. So much talent!

This week in Strombo March 3 - 7

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight this week
Now that The Oscars are over we turn our focus on The Canadian Screen Awards
You could say the theme this week is award shows.

Monday Mar 03
At both 7 and 11:30
Acclaimed Canadian actor Colm Feore

Tuesday Mar 04
7 pm
Canadian comedic writer and star of TV and  film  Brent Butt 

11:30
Canadian director Matt Johnson

Wednesday Mar 05
7 pm and 11:30 
From the US of A, award winning actor Jake Gyllenhaal

Thursday Mar 06
7 pm is preempted sorry!
11:30 the guest is Canadian filmmaker Michael Dowse

Friday Mar 07
at 7 pm 
(11:30 is undecided but will be epic!)
Guess who! The legendary Randy Bachman

 
Plus a Canadian music star that is more famous overseas than here, Raghav

But you may know this song!