MovieChat Forums > 18 to Life (2010) Discussion > Love the show, but...

Love the show, but...

posted 14 years ago by probitionate
11 replies | jump to latest

Why is it necessary to obliterate the cultural details, to effectively 'bleach' it out for American viewers? (Or American networks)

'Lyle Lovett' stamps.

The postal carrier clearly not a Canada Post employee.

And other examples previously that I noticed, but didn't spend the energy fixating on at the time. (LOL)

It seems to me that only in Canada would this happen. Because of the proximity to the US. But this show isn't going to have any kind of impact 'down there', and besides; those Americans who've glommed onto it, love it for what it is. They don't need to be somehow mollified, made to feel more comfortable in such silly ways.

I hate this paranoid pandering on the part of some tv producers. It's a form of apology. And it's insulting.

We do enough 'filling in for the US' in movie production, making Vancouver look like Portland, Oregon, and Toronto look like Detroit or Chicago. I hardly think it's necessary that we pretend on to not be who we are on a tv show.

I've been really enjoying '18 to Life', but this is like finding out a person you've come to like picks their nose. And then uses it to supplement their diet. Ew.

[–] Emperor_of_Oranges 14 years ago

Canada doesn't have blaring representative symbols. Should people be playing hockey in the streets, riding moose and beavers, and downing maple syrup? What are you looking for? I don't even see why you have the idea it is for - even though it is non-existent - American viewers. Is the show even aired in the states?

[–] probitionate 14 years ago

You've entirely missed my point.

I'm not 'looking' for anything. I'm referring to elements that have already been in the show. So they're hardly 'non-existent'.

To address your final point: let's ask the producers. And further: why bother? If this was a British or an Australian show, they wouldn't. On this show, they even go to the effort of disguising the paper money.

As a Canuck, I find the practice offensive.

[–] Emperor_of_Oranges 14 years ago

I didn't notice these things at all so I'll have to look for it but, again, it isn't being aired in America so I don't see how your theory that the producers and/or writers are doing this deliberately for American audiences could be remotely true.

I'm Canadian too but even if you have caught on to an actual conspiracy then it's most likely that they are doing this so that the show is not dated or time stamped.

[–] probitionate 14 years ago

It wouldn't be a 'conspiracy'. It's marketing.

As for preventing it being 'dated' or 'time-stamped'...I'd bet a kajillion bucks (coloured ones, not boring green ones) that wouldn't be the reason. We live in a disposable culture; there's no reason to forestall any sort of 'use-by' date.

And from what I recall, they don't take this approach on other CBC shows like 'Being Erica'. And *that* show has managed some US penetration.

[–] Emperor_of_Oranges 14 years ago

I said conspiracy because I was mocking you. You're looking into this way too much.

It isn't even in the states.

[–] probitionate 14 years ago

Um... I never said it was in the States. Of course it isn't. It's not a home-grown show. If they're doing what I think they're doing, it's for future pickup. You know, 'foreign distribution'.

And as far as your belief that I'm 'looking into this way too much'...

Who do you think you are, my mother? LOL

Seriously; you don't agree? Fine. Don't agree.

But you don't get a vote as to what I post about. Only as to whether YOU care.

To quote you, "You're looking into this way too much."

[–] Emperor_of_Oranges 14 years ago

What a weak rebuttal. Let me quote you: "Well if you don't agree with me.... go away! I'm not going to share my toys with you". And then you started crying.

I never said you should stop posting about this and blah blah blah. You can keep making claims that don't make sense. Seeing the popularity of the Canadian shows that you have previously mentioned, why would there be any reason at all for the producers to "obliterate" the most trivial, unnoticeable Canadian symbols, marks, signs, or whatever if they didn't do that in the other shows and they were successful? And i'd say this show is far better than that petty Degrassi mickey mouse club boo hoo woo boo show too.

I just said you were really wrong and I'm free like a bird to tell you that all day long.

By the way, mothers don't smack their children upside the head - argumentatively speaking - like I just did to you.

Also, if you want people to take you more seriously you shouldn't respond to someone's criticisms of your 'theories' with YOUR NOT MY MOTHER! LOLOLOLOL!!!11!!1

I say good day.

[–] probitionate 14 years ago

Hey; if it brings you joy to 'argumentatively speaking' feel like you've smacked me upside the head, more power to you.

As for wanting people to take me more seriously...

Really?

That concept enters into your consciousness? (Clearly it does, otherwise you wouldn't have presented the notion...)

I don't post to gain validation.

I'm not looking for people to 'take me more seriously'.

I couldn't really give a rat's primary orifice as to whether -you- or other people take me more seriously.

And since when is this an arena for 'rebuttal'? There's no debate going on here. (Leastways on your end.)

You didn't 'criticize' my 'theory'. In fact, I'm not convinced at this point that you even understand what I was proposing. (And that's not because of a deficiency on my end, comprehension-wise, just so's you knows...)

"I say good day." What's that; your attempt to tell me to go to my room? LOL

As a good Canuck, I'll show my true colours and say "I apologize for you not getting my point and everything that followed. Have a good day."

[–] ncsteelersfan43 14 years ago

I am an American and I love shows from countries all over the world.[Canada,U.K. Australia and N.Z.
But I do believe a lot of CBC shows are generally homogenized and made to look more like they are set in what could be the U.S.
Don't hold it against them so much. Without foreign distribution monies I'll bet a lot of Canadian shows wouldn't last past 1 season due to lack of funds.
It's just a necessary evil as the big-bucks come from the U.S. TV networks.
I have to admit it annoys me somewhat too, and I'm American. But I understand why they do it. Many Canadian shows are now being run as U.S. original shows on our cable networks. To me that's just wrong and should be stopped. Being Erica is run here on the "Soap opera" network [Yeah I know sad] as their original programming.
People here in the U.S. believe "Being Erica" is a U.S. show.

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