Week 9 FA 3850

TH E WO N D E R F U L, H O R R I B L E CBC+

Page 2:CBC - Canada's Public Broadcaster

  • Provides radio, television, Internet, and satellite services

  • Aims to be a cultural institution for all Canadians - One of Canada’s largest cultural institutions

  • Focuses on high-quality content reflecting and enriching the Canadian experience

  • Aims to be something to everyone

Page 3: CBC - Radio

  • Sole place in Canada for radio comedy

  • Platform for young troupes to develop skills through radio series

  • Many troupes start with radio series, allows young troupes to hone their skills

Page 4: CBC - Radio

  • Not currently seeking sketch comedy “officially”

  • BUT Encourages pitching shows in a non-traditional way — there is loop holes, find a way to pitch a “sketch” show

Page 5: CBC Mandate

  • Be predominantly and distinctively Canadian

  • Reflect Canada and its regions to national and regional audiences

  • Actively contribute to the flow and exchange of cultural expression

  • Be made available throughout Canada

  • Reflect the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canada

Page 6: Troupes on the CBC

Features comedy troupes like: (Have notable TV series and specials on CBC)

  • Peppiatt and Aylesworth

    • After Hours first comedy TV series on CBC

    • On Stage and The Big Revue directed by Norman Jewison

  • Wayne & Shuster

    • CBC Radio

    • CBC Television Specials

Page 7: Nightcap

  • Aired on CBC TV from 1963 to 1967

  • Late-night sketch comedy series lampooning daily headlines

  • Late-night series aired weekly Wednesday nights (11:30pm) and changed to Tuesdays (11:40pm)

  • Gender balanced troupe (not common)

Page 8: Royal Canadian Air Farce

  • Active from 1973 – 2019

  • Started on CBC Radio

  • TV Series on CBC TV in 1993

  • Formed in Montreal as The Jest Society

    • Play on words from Pierre Trudeau’s goal of Canada becoming a “just society”

  • Moved to Toronto and renamed to Royal Canadian Air Farce

    • Play on words of Royal Canadian Air Force

    • play on words a huge part of their comedy

  • Radio show was one of the most popular on CBC

    • Most shows recorded in Toronto

    • Traveled the country to record shows when they became more popular

Page 9: Royal Canadian Air Farce

  • First foray onto TV was in the early 80s

  • Read their radio scripts in front of a microphone

    • Didn’t translate well to the format

  • Did a satirical New Year’s Eve Special - 1992: Year of the Farce for CBC TV

    • Performed their sketches in front of an audience

    • Ratings success

  • Permanent move to television

    • Radio show cancelled in 1997

  • Regular TV run ended in 2008

    • Replaced by yearly specials until 2019

Page 10: Royal Canadian Air Farce

  • Comedy is Topical and Political

    • Topical Humour:related to current events

    • Political: poke fun at elected officials

  • Heavily influenced by Wayne and Shuster

    • Lots of puns, wordplay, clean material (not offensive at all)

  • Characters based on politicians and “everyday” Canadians

Page 11: Baroness Von Sketch Show

  • 2016 – 2021

  • Aired on CBC TV in Canada, IFC in the USA

  • All female comedy troupe (and series)

  • Comedy based on irreverent takes on social issues

  • Like Kids in the Hall but with 40-year-old women

  • Sketches made for a second life online

    • Fast-paced, absurd

Page 13: Why CBC?

  • As the national broadcaster CBC is always a target for criticism

  • Maclean’s 2018 opinion piece on CBC Comedy (their internet division)

    • Argues that CBC Comedy is no longer relevant

    • Previous shows were more hitting

    • CBC has a universalist tone: must appeal to everyone

    • CBC Comedy’s jokes are too broad for

  • Has the CBC gone stale?What’s the solution