Television without cable isn’t so bad. I live downtown and I get CTV in HD over the air (but not through the ocean), Global and CBC most times, and sometimes I can get City-TV and Omni 1/2. I also get several French channels. Now I like to think of myself as a bilingual couch potato if nothing else, so given my paucity (WTF? Paucity?) of channels I sometimes stroll over and see what the French have going for them. This rarely works out for me.
I don’t know if it’s my disconnection with my French heritage (It’s pronounced Go-BAY, people!) or my inability to fully understand the subtleties of the French language. Somewhere between me not really “getting” French culture and me just not translating fast enough, it becomes hilarious. Most of the time they are gameshow-style shows not seen on English Canadian prime time in decades, dramas I can’t follow (I really need to speak French more often…) or news programs.
Well imagine my surprise the other day when I turn to channel 34 (I have no idea what channel that is on Cable…I think the channel is just called “V”) and I see Wipeout. My first instinct was to just keep going, but I stayed on it just long enough to see that it was not normal Wipeout. If you have ever watched the show you will hopefully understand when I say that the balls weren’t quite right.
So here I am, watching a version of Wipeout produced completely in Québec, and I’m thinking “How come they get Wipeout? I know the contest rules in this country, there’s probably no chance of me being allowed to join.” After a short moment of sheer outrage (I would rock that show. I would destroy it.) I just sat back and watched what I am telling you is the second funniest thing on TV, net to actual Wipeout.
It is not without its problems. Overall the sets seem a little…less ambitious than the American version. A smaller budget is obvious, but why is this version only half an hour long? What, I have to watch the Qualifier and then wait a week to see the Wipeout Zone? Fine. Second week, straight to the WZ, and why were they voting on a fifth person to do it? Stick to the format, people.
Here’s a prime example of my ignorance when it comes to Québécois culture:
Okay so the first guy is pretty good, the girl is fine but what the hell is up with that third guy? Is this supposed to be the French version of John Henson? Why did they feel the need to have a guy with a moustache and comically huge glasses? Is this what a “funny” guy looks like in Québec? I have no idea why this is funny.
Other than a dirty frenchman from the 70’s and some obvious French Canadian douchebags (or would they be translated to…showersacs?) this show is actually just a much shorter, less glossy version of the Wipeout you know and love. Only this one has phrases like “Mais c’est du fun ça”, my personal all-time favourite.
