War on fun: CRTC wants stations to stop showing Jersey Shore, The Office, Project Runway Canada
The CRTC has a problem with Jersey Shore—namely that it’s being aired on MTV Canada, which is supposed to stick to original all-talk programming. “It would appear that several of your programs are not consistent with your nature of service, such as Jersey Shore, Cribs, Downtown Girls and Teen Mom,” the commission told the network in a letter on July 27. What? Snooki talks a ton! Turns out that’s exactly what CTVglobemedia VP Kevin Goldstein is arguing. He says the show “documents the private discussions of a group of young New Jersey residents as they navigate issues affecting their lives, including, but not limited to, dating, careers and parties.” Touché. But it’s not just MTV that the CRTC was after this summer.
On the same day in July, it sent a notice to Canwest Global regarding cable channel TVTropolis, a station that’s supposed to cater to over-50 viewers, pointing out that Project Runway Canada and Last 10 Pounds Boot Camp don’t live up to its mandate. But, what age demo does Last 10 Pounds Boot Camp appeal to, exactly?
It also sent Rogers a note reprimanding the broadcaster for its programming on G4, a channel that’s mandated to play shows about computers and the Internet but airs Mantracker, Which Way To and The Office. Harumph! They use computers in The Office, and remember when Ryan tried to convert Dunder Mifflin to a Web-focused sales team?
All three broadcasters have sent rebuttal letters, and the CRTC is considering its response.
• MTV Canada defends ‘Jersey Shore’ [The Hollywood Reporter] • Jersey Shore Threatened In Canada [Perez Hilton] • MTV Canada under fire for Jersey Shore [The Gazette]
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