Success of the Canadian spin-off

Brad Smith Canada's first bachelor

Just this last week was the series premiere of Bachelor Canada, another attempt at a Canadian version of an American franchise television show. Growing up as a kid, I quickly learned one thing; Canadian television is dismal in comparison to American programming. Why though? Where is our creativity? Are we not able to create just as entertaining media? In the past, even our imitations have not been as successful as their American counter-parts.

The landscape of Canadian broadcasting has been a very well oiled machine for American producers. We would buy their content, adding both revenue and advertising dollars to their budgets. Season after season, this cycle would repeat. Their entertainment filled our primetime hours, and still is. Recently Canadian producers have seen a new breath of life in their work, it stems from co-national productions. A few of those TV shows:

·      Rookie Blue

·      Flashpoint

From left to right: Ronnie Seterdahl Negus, Christina Kiesel,
Jody Claman, Mary Zilba and Reiko MacKenzie.
Stars of Real Housewives of Vancouver.

The success of these shows has built the foundation for Canadian viewers to be interested in Canadian content. That’s why I believe new Canadian spin-offs will be more successful then their predecessors. Real Housewives of Vancouver, following the lives of 5 wives with intense drama and backstabbing, was met with mediocre reviews but successful viewership ratings. The same applies to the newest addition to the spin-off family, The Bachelor. The show had huge viewership, lots of press coverage and has been deemed a success in all aspects. There is more to come; Big Brother Canada is currently casting. What will come of these shows, and the future of Canadian spin-offs? No one can really know, these days the success of any TV show can quickly dissipate. What I do believe however is that there has been a change in tide, Canadian television may not be as dull as it once was and is slowly growing some muscle internationally.

Photos from: The National Post and Slice.ca

Toronto's Sleepless Night: Nuit Blanche 2012

The transition from being a suburban kid; born and raised in Ottawa, to a Toronto city gal is a tough one. There is so much to see and do that it’s difficult to figure out where to start! Lucky for me, I didn’t have to figure that out for myself, because a friend asked me to tag along to one of Toronto’s biggest art exhibitions, Nuit Blanche. Check out the public response to the event on  Twitter!
 

Photo courtesy of www.blogto.com
 

I’m no artist, but boy is their work ever impressive; and the art at this exhibition was of no exception. The entire city was lit up from head-to-toe, covered with the most intriguing pieces of art I have seen. Videos were being projected onto buildings, actors imitated artists’ depiction of human-life, and even raw meat was put on display.

Photos courtesy of www.blogto.com

You’re probably saying to yourself, raw meat, really? How on earth is that art? I too would have the same first reaction; however, this experience transformed the way that I define art, and the appreciation I have for it. Art is so many things – it is unique; it is limitless; it is a symbol of human-creativity; it is a part almost everything we do. With this being said, it is awfully hard to judge what is and what isn’t artwork; therefore, why must we judge at all? Instead, we should be grateful for the fact that it encourages diversity.

 
Photos courtesy of www.blogto.com

For those of you who are passionate about freedom of expression, I think it is important that you support artists, since their work is a product of this ability. So, get involved with the art community, whether or not you’re the next up and coming Leonardo da Vinci.  Toronto art exhibitions.

Feel free to share what art means to YOU. Do YOU think you appreciate art as much as you should? Cheers!

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Nuit Blanche 2012

Photos courtesy of www.theglobeandmail.com