The CanCon rule does seem like a recipe for mediocracy.
On the other hand, Forever Knight and Made in Canada are two of my all time favorite shows. It's enough to make me miss TV. I may need to start saving money for box sets.
Last time I checked a huge majority of television shows hit you over the head with being about their location. The various CSIs anyone?! NYPD Blue. Grey's Anatomy. I could go on. I think the only reason Rookie Blue stays hush on being Canadian is otherwise it wouldn't draw an American audience. I think Toronto should be prominent, the people there would be proud to see their city represented instead of being nameless. The show Being Erica, which is awesome, takes place there and it's no secret. Or Bon Cop, Bad Cop - it kicked ass. If there was no Cancon, imagine Ori having any financing or any audience for his films. We have some outstanding content in the arts (and yes, some crap too, but the U.S. churns it out at a much higher rate), and I can't believe you want them to "American wash it". I see no problem in showcasing our talent, our cities, our people. Just look at all the Degrassi shows. Proudly Canadian - internationally renowned.
I am not saying in this thread that government shouldn't support the arts, I will save my beliefs on the government wasting money on things it shouldn't be involved in for another post, but since it is spending money on the arts, the funding should go to things which are of quality rather than because they are deemed Canadian enough because of meeting the right criteria.
The difference between the US crap and the Canadian crap is that 1. the US crap is generally privately funded and 2. aren't regulated, forcing broadcasters to have a minimum amount of Canadian content.
Degrassi doesn't have an audience because it is Canadian. It happens to be Canadian, but it is watched because it is an institution. Same with SCTV, same with Kids In The Hall. Same with Friendly Giant, Mr. Dress-up Racoons. Porkey's, Cube and of course the soon to be released Tucker and Dale vs Evil.
I also resent the remark about if people know it's Canadian it cheapens the experience. If people knew the restaurant was Kosher after they ate there (just using your own comparisons), would it cheapen their experience? I highly doubt it. In fact, it might enhance it, give it a whole new level of respect instead of keeping it under wraps.
My issue with Cancon is that its selling point, is the fact that its Canadian.
The selling point should be that it is quality enjoyable entertainment. I don't really think the fact that it is Canadian should even be a selling point, if it has to be one, definitely not the primary selling point.
A perfect example is the movie The Whole 9 Yards, which takes place in Montreal. That is just where it takes place. But it isn't depending on its location to get an audience.
The Tragically Hip are an astoundingly shit band that really would have no market except for the fact that it is Canadian.
Rush on the other hand, other than the song Take Off from the Great White North OST have done it without having to play the Canada card.
My point is the restaurant wouldn't be ashamed of being Kosher, the same way a piece of entertainment shouldn't be ashamed of being Canadian. It's not about pushing anything, it's that there shouldn't be a problem with it being openly known.
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On the other hand, Forever Knight and Made in Canada are two of my all time favorite shows. It's enough to make me miss TV. I may need to start saving money for box sets.
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The difference between the US crap and the Canadian crap is that 1. the US crap is generally privately funded and 2. aren't regulated, forcing broadcasters to have a minimum amount of Canadian content.
Degrassi doesn't have an audience because it is Canadian. It happens to be Canadian, but it is watched because it is an institution. Same with SCTV, same with Kids In The Hall. Same with Friendly Giant, Mr. Dress-up Racoons. Porkey's, Cube and of course the soon to be released Tucker and Dale vs Evil.
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My issue with Cancon is that its selling point, is the fact that its Canadian.
The selling point should be that it is quality enjoyable entertainment. I don't really think the fact that it is Canadian should even be a selling point, if it has to be one, definitely not the primary selling point.
A perfect example is the movie The Whole 9 Yards, which takes place in Montreal. That is just where it takes place. But it isn't depending on its location to get an audience.
The Tragically Hip are an astoundingly shit band that really would have no market except for the fact that it is Canadian.
Rush on the other hand, other than the song Take Off from the Great White North OST have done it without having to play the Canada card.
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