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Reviews
The Osbournes (2002)
This is reality TV
I hate reality TV. I hate Big Brother, Survivor, American Idol, The Big Race, Fear Factor, they are all poor excuses for television. However, I do like the Osbournes. So what if some of it is fake? You can't fake the way the family interacts with one another or how they do care about each other.
I hope in 100 years time, the Osbournes is still on the air and is used as a "time capsule" type item where you could say this is what life was like in the early 21st century. Dysfunctional families were everywhere, it wasn't just the dirt poor who lived in trailer parks, the middle class, it was also the extremely rich who lived in Beverly Hills. The Osbournes are a real family and are a perfect example of the material, corrupt world we live in. And through it all, they still love and care for each other.
Coupling (2000)
One of the best shows ever made
To summarize the plot of this show in one word - Sex. And what is wrong with that? It's not like real life is any different now is it? The characters are extremely funny due to fabulous acting, the storylines are hilarious and the show is just plain good.
I absolutely love the character of Jeff! Don't we all know a Jeff in this world?
I think NBC just should have shown the British version rather than making their own American one, I don't think they'll be able to do it justice with new actors but maybe I'll be proven wrong :)
Made in Canada (1998)
If only ALL Canadian shows were this good
Forget John Candy, Jim Carrey, Catherine O'Hara - the funniest Canadian to ever live has got to be Rick Mercer. On 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes', Mercer was lost in the other talent & brilliance of the rest of the cast, and wasn't able to shine or showcase his true talent. Until Made In Canada came along.
Critics say it's like the Newsroom. Well, sure, that is slightly true in that both shows have the same leading actor and that both are set in the Canadian television mold where they take a satirical look at them. But Made in Canada is edgier AND funnier (not sitcom laugh-out-loud funny, but rather more intelligent humour)
One of my favourite aspects of the show is the way it pokes fun of the CBC & all Canadian television in general - Beaver Creek is the flagship show of the "network" and the premise sounds an awful lot like that horrendous 'Road to Avonlea' show that seemed to be aired on CBC for about 30 years. 'Sword of Damacles' is a take on the Hercules/Xena syndication garbage that was television in the 90s.
Made in Canada is probably my personal favourite show of all time, and also I would hope that it continues to be aired in years to come on Showcase or CBC or other channels that come along to give good quality Canadian shows a second chance. Not only is the writing & storylines on the show absolutely brilliant, but the acting as well. From Rick Mercer's portrayal of the greedy, ambitious, intelligent script reader-turned head of television production right down to Alex Carter's portrayal of the dimwitted, clueless star of 'Sword of Damacles' there isn't a weak link in the actors on the show, and that is probably another reason the show is as fantastic as it is.
Watch it once, you'll be hooked - trust me. I am only sorry this will be the last season of the show, however it is always good to go out on top. I hope Rick Mercer & the rest of the cast go on to bigger & better things, and I also hope the rest of the seasons end up on DVD like Season 1 has.
This Hour Has 22 Minutes (1993)
The how-to think & talk like a Canadian show for newcomers
Brilliant, biting, truthful, hilarious - just a few of the many words I could use to describe one of the CBC's finest shows. As Canadians, we so often look at ourselves and think that we're somehow "inferior" because we don't live in the USA. A show like 22 minutes actually makes me proud to be Canadian & proud of all things Canadian - like Tim Horton's, the CBC, those delightful McCain's commercials etc etc. And 22 minutes brilliantly portrays these types of things in hilarious sketch or editorial comedy that should make us all laugh.
I agree with one of the comments below that said if you're an American, you won't get it. That is entirely true. 22 minutes is a show by Canadians for Canadians, using only topics & types of humour we would understand. Plus Americans only get American news, so they wouldn't have a clue what's going on in Canada (see 'Talking to Americans')
The cast is fabulous - as much as I love Rick Mercer, I think Colin Mochrie (whom I also adore) has done a fabulous job as he had some big shoes to fill. Plus he's not an Atlantic Canadian like the rest of the cast, but he still fits in nicely.
I say Air Farce & 22 Minutes are probably the best shows of their kind and I hope they continue on for a long, long time. And if you don't like the shows, then just turn the channel. We're in the age of 1000 channels now, not just 1!!