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George Stroumboulopoulos - From Much Music VJ to Interviewer of Icons: The Story of Canada's Most Unlikely Broadcaster

10/21/2013

14 Comments

 
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It seems to be a normal pattern in the world of broadcasting that when a host takes on a new gig or show, the critics from very early on tend to deem them ill-suited for the position and almost uniformly find fault with their performance. "They're in over their heads!" they cry "They'll never possibly grow into the role."  This has been a pattern that has played itself out for even the most iconic broadcasters of our time, from Johnny Carson and Stephen Colbert to Peter Gzowski and Michael Enright.

But of all the CBC personalities that we've interviewed for this series, I don't think any were received with quite the level of raised eyebrows and doubts when they first came to the Mother Corp as George Stroumboulopoulos.

Indeed, back in 2005 when he arrived at the CBC with the launch of The Hour, the critics were seemingly everywhere - and none too thrilled. Their concerns ranged from doubting his abilities as a serious interviewer, to musings that this was a misguided attempt by CBC to attract a younger demographic at the cost of substance.

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And to be sure, George didn't exactly have the background or style that one might expect for a host at a public broadcaster known for such figures as David Suzuki, and Linden MacIntyre. He loved heavy metal music, had a penchant for motorcycles, sported several piercings, and had just spent the past few years as a Much Music VJ - not a station necessarily known for its serious journalism.

In fact even George himself thought he was a questionable fit for the CBC, and after he somewhat hesitantly accepted their offer to host his own talk show, he fully suspected he might find himself off the air within a month or two, when they realized that they had made a terrible mistake!

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But fast forward to 2013 and the beginning of George's 10th season on CBC and things certainly look differently. George has earned a loyal following of viewers across the country, and has proved himself as a thoughtful, sharp and insightful interviewer. And because of his diverse interests, he's incredibly well-rounded too, and can discuss intelligently topics ranging from music and film to politics and larger societal questions.

The program has won four Gemini awards for best talk series in Canada and the list of figures he's interviewed in the years since he first came to the CBC is truly remarkable. It includes the likes of Hillary Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Noam Chomsky, Patti Smith, Oprah, and virtually every renowned Canadian figure out there.

I spoke to George Stroumboulopoulos about his life growing up in a single parent household in the rough outskirts of Toronto, his unlikely path into broadcasting, and his thoughts on the importance of the CBC and the telling of Canadian stories.

Listen to ourinterview with Geroge here, and for more exclusive interviews with CBC personalities don't forget to subscribe to our podcast in iTunes!

14 Comments
Shawna Milne link
2/20/2014 12:09:12 pm

I am a single mom, and resent this term being used to somehow reduce the value of the family situation. Parenting is hard, and harder as a single parent, but I don't think it determines the outcome of the child's life. I know plenty of two parent families who fail their children, while also knowing plenty of single moms and dads who are rockin it. My son will succeed, not in spite of his upbringing, but because of it. My two cents.

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John Willette
2/20/2014 01:20:54 pm

I don't think "single-parent family" reduces the value of the family situation. I agree with everything else you say.

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Ana
2/20/2014 06:02:38 pm

Thank you.

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Susan
2/20/2014 08:08:46 pm

Yes I agree with you Shawna. Many single parents do a fine job and we can't say that's true of all dual parent families. Single parent shouldn't be shorthand for problematic.

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sheila bryan
2/20/2014 10:08:08 pm

I agree Shawna. "Single parent" is often shorthand for troubled kid from a less than stellar family. Today a single parent family is not the big deal it was when I was one. I raised two children alone, had a great career and retired as a Executive and both of my now adult children who have gone to have their own fulfilling careers and are raising their own children - all of whom are doing extremely well in school. Now in my late 60s, I can attest to the success of many kids from single parent families - and trust me when I tell you it was a different world when we were raising them alone. The story of George is the story of so many who were raised in a single parent family - they are no different in their dreams, aspirations and success than those from two parent homes.

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Milton
2/22/2014 02:43:24 am

Facts are facts and the fact of the matter is that kids from single-parent family homes tend to do much worse in life than kids from dual-parent homes. They get worse grades, have more behavioral issues, are more likely to develop a mental illness, more likely to enter a life of poverty, more likely to end up in jail, etc.

I'm not saying this will happen to all kids from single-parent home, but statistically speaking, it's a lot more likely to happen and for that reason, the negative connotation isn't necessarily undeserved.

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bob mackenzie link
2/20/2014 10:39:19 pm

with parenting,as much or more than in many other things, it is quality , not quantity that determines the outcome!

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B Pettett
2/21/2014 12:49:30 am

I too was a single parent until my son was fifteen . .. we had our hardships, but every family does, regardless of whether there are two parents present or not. As a result, we have a deep abiding love for each other, based on trust and respect, and the fact that we not only survived, we thrived. Now widowed, I thank God every day that my only child turned out to be the person he is and that our relationship is as close as ever. . . and as a bonus, I now have grandchildren!

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Sheila Barrett
2/21/2014 09:05:59 pm

Single parenting was financially tough but fun nevertheless.

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Leigh
2/24/2014 05:09:25 am

I'm one of the "dozens"...?!? I love George. Thanks for the questions that provided a lot of insight into my favourite interviewer!!

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Doris
2/24/2014 10:07:19 am

Excellent interview...thanks for opening up to us George.

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mp3 download link
2/24/2014 02:57:27 pm

After a long time I got something fresh and quality content on related topic. I searched a lot for the related material but got almost replica work. Keep it up! It is really very informative.

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Edie Hicks
2/25/2014 01:51:53 pm

I now know why I have love George from the first night I saw his show on CBC, though I have always been able to watch it , I have found George to be a thoughtful and wise interviewer. This was a great interview!

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William Burpee
6/22/2014 09:25:01 am

I first saw Strombo a couple of years ago, while visiting a family member who lives in Vermont, close enough to the border to pick up CBC Montreal. From the first I liked him. I'm only sorry his CNN show didn't last longer and wasn't given more of a chance by them. Canada is lucky to have him to themselves!

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