MovieChat Forums > The Twilight Zone (2002) Discussion > THE CANADIAN TWILIGHT ZONE

THE CANADIAN TWILIGHT ZONE

posted 10 years ago by Bobby Briggs Briganza
5 replies | jump to latest

I can’t believe how few people wise up to these Canadian shows, but go on about how they are “off.”

Yes, of course they are “off” -- they are Canadian. If the show was made in (say) Germany, it would really feel off. Anglo-Canadian is a more subtle difference from USA, but it is still there.

So next time you watch this and think, “Hmm, this is odd. It feels somewhat like softcore porno production (to reference a post on this board)!” or whatever, just remember CANADA. Canada, the place with very few Black people and Mexicans. Canada, where they still watch "Friends.” Canada, where everything is written in English and French. Canada, where every block in a city has a restaurant specializing in crepes. Canada, where people watch from the sidelines and figure they are “basically the same,” culturally, as USA, but where the bordering USA culture is droopy Washington…which IS basically the same as Canada. LA and New York, the traditional homes of American TV, are far off and the people are quite different, giving the shows a different feel.

Your film gods: Lee Van Cleef and Laura Gemser
http://tinyurl.com/pa4ud44

[–] ToliBera2 9 years ago

uh, yeah, of course a lot is shot in Canada, we have a stable and healthy film and television production network that provides the basis for many American funded productions because the American dollar stretches a bit further while still looking like parts of the US. There are also many domestic series that are culturally rich and test well internationally. (Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, basically anything 1800's-y.) not to mention the plethora of sketch comedies, and political satires that came about in the 90's and 2000's. Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Fredericton, Halifax, all of these cities have pulled double duty to fill the role of American locales. Vancouver itself has been New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Los Angeles, and many other backgrounds.

Canadian actors, musicians, and behind the camera talent have also been quite the boon for Hollywood even before 'Hollywood' was a concept. it's not like it's a sudden encroachment on US media. it's always been there, and will be for the foreseeable future.

[–] Bobby Briggs Briganza 9 years ago

Who said it was a sudden encroachment? Why this speech on the glory of The Great Northern TV Legacy?

I merely explained why this Twilight Zone iteration feels off. And yes, when Vancouver, etc. plays New York, etc (Why not just play Vancouver?) it feels very off.

Your film gods: Lee Van Cleef and Laura Gemser
http://tinyurl.com/pa4ud44

[–] WWFoverWWE 9 years ago

I understand why so many filmmakers and production studios do it, but I also understand the frustration of watching a video knowing how far the actual setting is from what the powers that be expect you to believe. It's kinda sad that every time I see a movie or show that is set in Seattle I automatically know there is at least a 75% chance the filming actually took place in Vancouver not Seattle.

[–] tjerj1 8 years ago

Not to mention Trailer Park Boys

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

The new series and the last season of the 80's version were also shot in Canada.