A 1997 broadcast of the long running Chicago based radio show This American life unveiled the shock and discomfort Americans felt when they were told that many- so many- of the people at the epicentre of American culture were Canadian. The most outrageous reaction was reserved for the anchor of ABC World News Tonight Toronto-born Peter Jennings. “I can’t believe it,” said Peabody- winning This American Life producer Alix Spiegel. “He delivers information about America to Americans. He interprets our culture for us. It’s like having some Czechoslovakian as your vice president. It’s just wrong.”
What? Really? My fellow Americans, I ask you- do you really dislike Canadians so much? Particularly when all most Americans admit to knowing about Canadians are Hockey, moose, beavers, Justin Bieber, Jim Carrey and Mike Myers. The tasty hors d’oeuvres of facts in this book had me laughing and surprised. Drake starred in a Canadian soap opera? This is the strangest bit of trivia questions I’ve read. Weird mascots, strange children’s shows, a certain famous singer’s cut hair worth $40,000, truly! And what was the song Informer by Snow about anyway? Don’t lie, you know what song and you probably liked it!
This book is fun, silly and just for kicks. It ‘takes this piss’ out of Canada. What I did know was so much less than what I didn’t. I’m one of those Americans interested in Canada, my husband’s background is French Canadian (with a last name like Dandeneau, you bet). Laugh all you want, we Americans have plenty to laugh about in regards to our pop culture too. It’s okay Canada, we love you for your quirky nature!
For a fun read that makes you wonder, Is Canada for real?
Out Now!
Dundurn
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