As Canadian As Possible...Searching for Canadian Popular Culture

Aniko Bodroghkozy's "As Canadian As Possible" examines the way Canadians lack a strong, national culture when compared to Americans and suggest that Canadians simply mimic American trends. This argument is illustrated by the fact that Canadians often rely on American TV shows as their primary source of entertainment. In fact, the top ten programs from the 1994-95 season were American shows, with one major exception. While American film emphasizes the American dream, glamour and adventure, Canadian shows are more conservative, elitist andconcerned with reality. Economic historian Harold Innis even claimed that "Canada is an economic and cultural dependent of the United States." On the other hand, the article also explains how different people from various countries watch the same, or similar, TV shows and are able to interpret it in their own ways. Cultural studies theorist John Fiske explains how Canadians are able to take foreign commodities and turn them into their own culture. Certain TV shows help develop this concept. SCTV experienced cross-border success and allowed Canadians to mock the both the portrayed Canadians and ugly Americans. Street Legal, another show, was criticized for being too nice and too dull (Canadian) but was also criticized when producers tried to spice things up, which was considered "un-Canadian."Another successful Canadian show, Due South, was the first Canadian-made TV program to make it into American prime-time. It too allowed Canadians and Americans to mock their stereotypes. Personally, when I think of Canadian culture I immediately think of unethically harsh winters, hockey, moose, and their lingo. However, I visited my friend in Toronto over new years and it wasn't any colder than Ohio, nor much different than visiting New York City or Chicago. The only "Canadian" stereotype that my friend exhibited was thatshe frequently said "eh." Therefore, I chose this picture because I thought it demonstrates one aspect of what Americans immediately think about Canadians, and because it is indeed unique to Canadian culture.