High Fidelity

I am sure most of you have heard about this "TV Tax" that may or may not be imposed. Well, shame on you. Even hearing about this means that you have been taking precious time away from studying to kill your brain cells watching television . Who am I kidding? I love television more than the next fat kid. In fact, most of my creative ideas (including topics in High Fidelity) come from watching television. With that in mind, I have tried to determine the top television shows made in Canada.
At first, I thought this would be relatively easy; however, I had forgotten what great shows have been produced in Canada. I have based this ranking on a number of criterions. The first is longevity, as popular shows will usually last longer on the air. The next is the amount of awards it received (usually in the form of Gemini's), the average viewership and finally the impact it has had on Canadian television. As you will see in the honourable mentions, there are a plethora of great Canadian shows. I almost wish High Fidelity went back to the "Top-10" for this topic! 5.) This Hour has 22 Minutes - Genre: Satire Comedy (Mock News) - Aired: 1993-Present
The show has been awarded 24 Gemini Awards, 11 Canadian Comedy Awards, and has launched the careers of Rick Mercer, Shawn Majumder, Mary Walsh and Cathy Jones. This Hour has 22 Minutes has had a number of specialty segments and stunts that have become engrained in Canadian popular culture.

4.) Corner Gas - Genre: Comedy - Aired From: 2004-2009
Corner Gas gave me an insight as to what it would be like living in Dog River, Saskatchewan. Reviews of the show agreed that the comedic take on this was spot on. The real problem with this show were the previews, as they often made the show seem cornier then it actually was. Regardless, the show had an average of one million viewers per episode, won six Gemini Awards and has an official "Corner Gas Day" in Saskatchewan (celebrated on the show's final episode, April 13th, 2009).
3.) Degrassi High School - Genre: Teen Drama - Aired From: 1979*- Present
Degrassi started out initially as "The Kids of Degrassi Street" (1979-1986). The show then took a year off and then came back with Degrassi Junior High (1987-1989), then Degrassi High (1989-1991). The show then went on hiatus for 10 years, which was followed by the creation of "Degrassi: The Next Generation". The rich history of Degrassi is only matched by its award winning episodes, ranging from AIDS, abortion, teenage pregnancy, the environment, eating disorders and drugs. The Next Generation is in its ninth year of production and draws in just under one-million viewers per episode.

2.) Trailer Park Boys - Genre Comedy - Aired : 2001-2008 - Plus Two Movies
Ricky, Julian, Bubbles, Mr. Lahey, Randy, Cory, Trevor, Lucy, Trinity, J-Rock, Tyrone, Sarah, Ray and Philadelphia "Phil" Collins. This cast of characters (and I use that term lightly), created one of the greatest shows on television, which currently airs in a number of countries. The show was the highest-rated Canadian series on Showcase, and has won countless Gemini Awards. For this show, it was all about "Supply and Command", "denial and error", and countless other Rickyisms.

1.) Mr. Dress-Up - Genre: Children's Television Series - Aired: 1967-1996
Two words: "tickle trunk". This television show kept me entertained for hours as a young lad in the hills of Fonthill. The show was filled with drawings, costumes and puppets that truly engaged the viewer more so than any of the shows before it. Tragically, Mr Dress Up (played by Ernie Coombs) passed away of a stroke in 2001, at the age of 73. Although currently not airing, CBC has decided to release special episodes on DVD.
Honourable Mentions: Little Mosque on the Prairie, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Big Comfy Couch, Just For Laughs (Gags), Due South, Fraggle Rock, Holmes on Homes, Kids in the Hall, Kenny Vs. Spenny (my personal favourite), Red Green Show, Tom Green Show and SCTV.