Canadian Entertainment, Music and Catch All II

[SpongeG]

Alan Frew released a patriotic song for the times

• Video Link

[elly63]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Andrew Frew released a patriotic song for the times

Alan Frew

[SpongeG]

right, I was not thinking, I have his album from back in the day, always liked his stuff

[Gresto]

Good to see that old Scot Frew again, and the song isn't bad. David Foster should put together something really memorable, like the bombastic instrumental he did for the Calgary Olympics.

Originally Posted by elly63

Aside from smells being retained in our memory so is obscure music. I think we have more of a recall for TV themes and music in promos or commercials because they are repeated so often.

I read about Pol Martin and remembered he had a cooking show but I don't recall what he or the show looked like. Then I found this promo and remembered the theme to the show.

That's a little before my time, but as far as cooking shows go, I liked that easygoing old bearded guy from Vancouver.
How about the nostalgia-stirring tune that is the "Littlest Hobo" theme, which was, cheesy show aside, a wonderful piece of music.
• Video Link

[Coldrsx]

Alan Cross. Fascinating, insightful, genuine and wonderful.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Gresto

How about the nostalgia-stirring tune that is the "Littlest Hobo" theme, which was, cheesy show aside, a wonderful piece of music.

I grew up with the black and white show from the 60s (which aired in the 70s). I preferred the theme to it, something an old friend and I wail together for a laugh sometimes. I couldn't stand the washed out videotape look of the 80s remake and the cheesy acting. The original series was shot on colour film but aired in B&W and IIRC usually had a more serious tone (aside from this episode).

When I look at the opening shot of this episode and the tight of the dog, I think a decent remake of this show would kill it today. People really love their dogs.

• Video Link

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Gresto

David Foster should put together something really memorable, like the bombastic instrumental he did for the Calgary Olympics.

He certainly got lots of mileage from Can't You Feel It?

• Video Link

Personally I had two other preferences from the games. I don't know how many people remember kd Lang's performance at the closing which I preferred more than her better known performance in Vancouver. I am probably alone in that, but it was such a feel good, organic performance with the athletes that made if for me. Great ending to it which I find surprisingly emotional and patriotic for some reason.

• Video Link

And speaking of patriotic, I think the Tommy Banks choral arrangement of O Canada is the best version I know of. Starts slow and revs up with a perfect bilingual arrangement leading to the crescendo. Start at 1:35

• Video Link

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by elly63

I grew up with the black and white show from the 60s (which aired in the 70s). I preferred the theme to it, something an old friend and I wail together for a laugh sometimes. I couldn't stand the washed out videotape look of the 80s remake and the cheesy acting. The original series was shot on colour film but aired in B&W and IIRC usually had a more serious tone (aside from this episode).

I had no idea there was an earlier version. I agree, the cinematographic look and serious timbre is much better than the shot-on-video look and altogether schlocky feel of the '80s version. I still much prefer the theme music from the '80s one.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by elly63

When I look at the opening shot of this episode and the tight of the dog, I think a decent remake of this show would kill it today. People really love their dogs.

Just found this, thought it was interesting.

The History of the Littlest Hobo and its Iconic Theme Song in Toronto
blogto.com August 6, 2022

Rumours continue to churn that a modern version of The Littlest Hobo is in development — in fact, it is remarkable that in our remake and reboot cluttered industry this hasn't happened yet — but until then there are plenty of vintage episodes on YouTube to look at

[Architype]

Originally Posted by elly63

I grew up with the black and white show from the 60s (which aired in the 70s). I preferred the theme to it, something an old friend and I wail together for a laugh sometimes. I couldn't stand the washed out videotape look of the 80s remake and the cheesy acting. The original series was shot on colour film but aired in B&W and IIRC usually had a more serious tone (aside from this episode).

When I look at the opening shot of this episode and the tight of the dog, I think a decent remake of this show would kill it today. People really love their dogs.

[youtube]J0S3QzLKLRk[/ youtube]

It's a Canadian show, but based on an American film, filmed in BC; does it seem very "American" to you? Do they ever actually state where it's supposed to be?

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Architype

It's a Canadian show, but based on an American film, filmed in BC; does it seem very "American" to you? Do they ever actually state where it's supposed to be?

The dog is a US sovereign citizen as he is constantly "traveling" from town to town.

I think we are (or should be) long past the era of having to hide locations either in script or real life. A quality product is a quality product. I heard a guy say once it costs the same to make a good show as a bad one and with equipment costs at a price we could only dream about when I was on the scene, content production has been democratized to a great extent.

[elly63]

One of the early (50s) Canadian TV "stars" was an unlikely one. Like the Plouffe family, she could go easily go back and forth between the two networks (CBC/Radio Canada).

Unlike the "hot/anorexic" food celebrities of today, Jehane Benoît was a matronly, 50+ woman, an author, speaker and journalist. Her age belied her ability to be ahead of the curve.

She was an early pioneer in vegetarian cooking and also unlike most cooking celebrities of the time she had a high enough profile to be a mainstream product spokesperson. She hawked Panasonic microwaves and Frig O Seal plastic containers.

She was one of my earliest TV memories and probably the reason why I have always loved cooking shows.

Wikipedia: In the 1950s, 60s and 70s, Benoît was Canada's cook. In both French and charmingly accented English, she was on radio and television, trying to improve how Canadians ate and how they cooked.

She appeared on TV frequently, sometimes seeming somewhat uncomfortable and not "in" on the joke if she had others getting in the way of her efforts. She took what she did seriously even if the sometime goofy hosts around her didn't. It was her mission.

No one called her Jehane, she was deferentially known as "Madame Benoît"

• Video Link

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Acajack

"Jehane" is such an odd given name as well. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone else with it.

Cool name though. The best name in sports is Canadian goalie Emerance Maschmeyer. Now that's a handle.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Pretty lady too! Just looked her up.

Sorry to any guys, she is of the gay.

[elly63]

Speaking of pretty Canadian goalies and sexuality. Does anybody remember the interview Manon Rheaume had with a pervy, cringy David Letterman. She fended him off like a Bobby Hull slapshot with humour and grace. Love how she won over the audience talking about when she stopped the puck with "my face"

• Video Link

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by elly63

Cool name though. The best name in sports is Canadian goalie Emerance Maschmeyer. Now that's a handle.

• Video Link

[elly63]

Never heard this great piece of trivia before, concerning HHoFer Steve Shutt and the band Rush. (Start at 0:35)

• Video Link

[SignalHillHiker]

That's an unexpected headline.

Son of NTV CEO Shot Dead in California by Police

The son of the province’s top television mogul has been shot to death by California police.

Geoffrey Shyam Stirling, the son of NTV’s CEO Scott Stirling and grandson of the late Geoff Stirling, was shot on his motorcycle after he became “uncooperative” with police.

Police say the 45-year-old got “violent” after a traffic stop in Newport Beach and removed the officer’s taser. Stirling then allegedly tried to use the taser against the officer.

He was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

California’s Department of Justice is now investigating the incident.

https://vocm.com/2025/04/19/267861/

[elly63]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

That's an unexpected headline.

There will likely be body cam video and if he did what he did, he would have got shot. If he has the taser he can incapacitate the officer and take their firearm, that can't happen. Buddy was probably drunk or something.

I've watched a million cop videos and whenever cops (as humans do) do stupid things, it's usually to their own detriment. either by giving the perp an escape route or putting themselves into danger.

The amount of disrespect people show to cops is outrageous and they do exceptionally stupid stuff and lie and act. You'd be amazed how many "pregnant" women and men who've just had shoulder surgery have been arrested. The Internet law school they attended also teaches that non stop jabbering will somehow get you released.

I'll come back and recant if this guy did nothing wrong but he was probably the author of his own death. He had choices and likely made the wrong ones.

[Architype]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

That's an unexpected headline.
https://vocm.com/2025/04/19/267861/

Originally Posted by elly63

There will likely be body cam video and if he did what he did, he would have got shot. If he has the taser he can incapacitate the officer and take their firearm, that can't happen. Buddy was probably drunk or something.

I've watched a million cop videos and whenever cops (as humans do) do stupid things, it's usually to their own detriment. either by giving the perp an escape route or putting themselves into danger.

The amount of disrespect people show to cops is outrageous and they do exceptionally stupid stuff and lie and act. You'd be amazed how many "pregnant" women and men who've just had shoulder surgery have been arrested. The Internet law school they attended also teaches that non stop jabbering will somehow get you released.

I'll come back and recant if this guy did nothing wrong but he was probably the author of his own death. He had choices and likely made the wrong ones.

I think the thing most people here will wonder, with good reason, is "would that happen here in Canada?" Most probably not, and it may play a bit into current feelings of distrust towards the US. I know nothing about the guy, but his grandfather was an iconic figure in Newfoundland, a Canadian media mogul who had some pretty outspoken social and political ideas.