This Week on The Hour (April 30th - May 3rd)

CBC-TV's THE HOUR Upcoming Guests*: April 30th - May 3rd

Some shows this week may be preempted by the Stanley Cup Playoffs on CBC and as such an encore presentation may be played on CBC Newsworld. I will update this listing as I get the information.

Monday, April 30th

Ishmael Beah (author & former child soldier)

Peter Krause (American actor)

Tuesday, May 1st

A hockey night - repeat with Martin Short and others.

Wednesday, May 2nd

Dave Thomas (Canadian actor & comedian)

Hamida Ghafour (Canadian journalist & writer)

Thursday, May 3rd

Pre-emption due to hockey.

Note: The website says the Lily Allen interview will air on Friday. This interview has not aired as part of normal programming as far as I know - and I have been aware that it has been coming due to the barrage of promotion it has been given (and because I like her music and was looking forward to it). So it is interesting that they are choosing to air it on Friday - typically a 'best of the week' show. I think it might have to do with her being popular yet canceling her tour.

*Guests subject to change / Information found on the CBC.ca Program Guide and/or the official site.

THE HOUR broadcasts Monday through Thursday on CBC Television at 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET on CBC Newsworld. There is a "Best of the Week" show on Fridays as well.

For more information on THE HOUR, visit http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/.

Strombo Show - Sunday, April 29th

According to George's website The Strombo Show is live tonight - 9-11PM Eastern. He will be joined by Alex and Bob (yes, it says Bob is back!).

You can tune in via the web at CFRB or via traditional radio at CJAD 800 in Montreal and CFRB 1010 in Toronto . You can post comments during the show on George's MySpace. As well, a group of us listen and chat over at the Strombo Forum.

Irshad Manji and Giovanni Ribisi

I know this is a bit late but at the time these guests originally aired I was working out of town and it’s been a bit wild since I’ve been back, so forgive me for going back in time a couple of weeks. I found both Giovanni and Irshad to be very interesting guests with thought provoking takes on totally different belief systems. I was particularly impressed with the way that they discussed their values, religions and beliefs without implying that anyone who didn’t agree with them was wrong. I’ve always thought that if you believe in your faith strongly enough – no matter what it is – that you should be able to debate and defend it without discrediting others. Irshad described a conversation with her mother saying that she could “engage in debate despite being devout”. I think that’s important and should be encouraged.

She went on to talk about being a writer and the freedom she found in that. There aren’t many people who would be able to find a silver lining in having to have bullet proof windows in their home and go so far as to call their life blessed. Irshad Manji is one author that I intend to learn more about!

Giovanni had a unique and for me at least new perspective on Scientology. He was raised in it which is so different from what we see and hear in the media. It was intriguing to here a non-Hollywood “sane” dialogue on a controversial subject. The interview was one of the best I’ve seen with him. I didn’t find him as introverted as I usually do. I’ve seen him in a number of movies and he’s been good in them all. My favourite is Boiler Room. For me though he’ll always be the kid from My Two Dads.