Sat. Jul. 29, 2006. |
Reality TV `fiasco' befalls CBC
Jul. 29, 2006. 01:00 AM
BRUCE DEMARA
ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

The One's number is up.

After two weeks of dismal ratings, ABC has abruptly cancelled the
reality series that stirred anger and outrage because of the CBC's
decision to pre-empt the National, its flagship news program, in
Ontario and Quebec.

The cancellation of the show, hosted by the CBC's own George Strom has
created a new quandary for the CBC — undertaking a rare foray into
reality television with a major U.S. partner — which was simulcasting
the program and had acquired the format rights in hope of airing its
own version of the program later this year.

A senior CBC executive said its plans are in "early development,"
giving the network lots of time to make a decision on the fate of the
Canadian clone, tentatively slated to debut in December.

"We need to take a look at what makes sense for Canadian audiences
going forward. We're under no pressure to make immediate decisions,"
said executive director of network programming Kirstine Layfield.

The One's fall means The National news program returns to its usual
time slot in Ontario and Quebec. Despite the show's bellyflop, the one
"bright spot" for CBC was the positive audience reaction to its host,
Canadian George Stroumboulopoulos, who anchors The Hour on CBC, said
Layfield. "People keep saying George (was) the bright spot of the show."

Stroumboulopoulos, who returns to his CBC duties in the fall, was
never intended to host the Canadian version of The One, a CBC official
confirmed.