'I'm Not Targeting Anybody'

It's the first week of George Stroumboulopoulos' return to television, as the host of the fast-paced CBC show The Hour.  He has been taping live studio shows, all his voice mailboxes are full, he is swamped with press interview requests -- and he is loving it. 

"My life is my work and I like it." Stroumboulopoulos told The Tyee.  "So for me, the pressure that exists, you don't really think about it.  Although probably at night, you know, because I don't sleep a lot."

What keeps him going?  It might be a Canadian-made energy drink called Guru.  "I drink it like you wouldn't believe, man."

There is also the energy that comes with plain old drive and a good, inspiring idea.  The difference between this new deliver-the-goods broadcasting job and his old one as a Much Music host is, The Hour is done his way. 

"It's a no bullshit current affairs show, that's personality-driven," said Stroumboulopoulos.  "And everything has to fit into that.  It has a different take on the news.  And nothing is sacred."

Catching up with Coupland

The Hour folds together international news clips (with rapid-fire editing and edgy music), updates on the entertainment world gossip and Stroumboulopoulos occasionally sharing some of his music knowledge.  In his second show, he pointed out that the day marked the anniversary of Pink Floyd's first day of recording "The Wall" album. 

Stroumboulopoulos proved his popularity with the tuned-in crowd when he hosted The New Music on Much Music. And it's no national secret that the CBC has been trying to boost its image among youth viewers.  After realizing that the under 50 viewership had dropped considerably throughout the 90s, CBC launched ZeD in 2002.  The show and affiliated website showcase work by the nation's up-and-comers (and viewers just like you) in animation, music, film, photography, performance, and essentially everything else that can be seen or heard. 

So what has the former music channel VJ (video jockey) done with a current affairs program that wants to go younger without sacrificing loyal CBC watchers?  For starters, contributing video journalists are called … VJs. Certain other twists set it well apart from The National with Peter Mansbridge, or even CBC News: Sunday with Evan Solomon.  

The Hour's news reports have covered topics like the differences between Canadian and American beer and the prevalence of mental disorders on TV sitcoms.  In the latter, frequent contributor Jian Ghomeshi (former host of >play and current host of a couple of other shows on CBC) interviewed author Douglas Coupland on the Vancouver writer's claim that everyone has autism.  There was some awkwardness in a clip that didn't really seem to be saying much -- other than maybe everyone is a little crazy.

No boring pundits allowed

With a laidback attitude, Stroumboulopoulos insists that the chatty, upfront format is not meant to attract any particular audience -- just people who want to watch. "Something that I am very conscious about doing this particular show is that I am not targeting anybody," said Stroumboulopoulos.  "I am aware of not being exclusive.  A lot of times shows go out of the way to target people, and they sort of miss everybody else because they are so busy targeting other people."

Political commentary, as practiced on The Hour, tends to steer clear of the stiff, staid pundit. Casual discussion on red sofa chairs is the order of the day. And the angles are quirky. In Thursday's show, Stroumboulopoulos interviewed a nationally syndicated sex columnist on Stephen Harper's claim about the link between gay marriage and polygamy. 

Another lively moment was a debate between, Larry O'Donnell, a television writer for the West Wing, and George Gorton, Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign manager.  Stroumboulopoulos asked (referring to U.S. President George W. Bush):  "Fact or Fiction?: As Jenna and Barbara become hotter, Bush becomes hipper."  The seemingly light question sparked a debate on whether the draft-age ready Bush girls should be making a military commitment to their father's war.

Shades of Jon Stewart

At times the whole thing comes off as just a bit odd. There was a strange clip with National Post journalist, Andrew Coyne taped in a coffee shop.  Coyne opined on U.S. President George W. Bush's contribution to building foreign democracies to a woman sitting across from him. The audience never gets to see her face (Was is a love interest?  Is there some kind of romantic subplot on The Hour?).

When it's on target, The Hour is funny, informative and captivating.  Then it has the same charisma as Stroumboulopoulos himself -- who seemed a bit nervous in the first couple of shows.  Although not as outwardly satirical, The Hour has a similar entertainment value as shows like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. 

While that flavour may attract the younger viewers, it doesn't seem to work on older conservative politicians from oil-rich provinces. Alberta Premier Ralph Klein reneged on his decision to appear on The Hour after realizing that he wasn't being interviewed by ABC News' George Stephanopoulos.

Dumbed down?

Stroumboulopoulos makes an effort to appear accountable to his audience.  As part of the "nothing is sacred" dogma, he reads emails from viewers, both supportive and critical.  More than a few have been snarky comments on his dress or piercings. Others have accused the jean-clad host is dumbing down the news.

Personally, after a week of watching, I found The Hour to be accessible to a wide ranging audience, and consistently candid, even brave. 

Stroumboulopoulos says he is enjoying the ride "as long as it feels right."  Adding, "I don't want to do things that I don't like."  Let's hope that his show can also live by its own rules, work out a few kinks and stay engaging, tough-talking, and honest for just as long.

The Hour airs at 5 p.m. PST and repeats at 8 p.m. PST, Monday to Thursday on CBC Newsworld.

Journalist Caroline Dobuzinskis is an intern with The Tyee.