Saskatchewan has had a rough week: losing the Grey Cup to the Montréal Alouettes and the loss of one of its favorite sons.
Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen died at the age of 84, leaving two different kind of acting legacies. If you only knew Nielsen as a dramatic actor, that would be enough. But his comedy proved to make an even deeper mark.
Nielsen made his comedy debut in "Airplane" and from there, the TV show "Police Squad" and the Naked Gun movies. For all the attention from the movies, Nielsen did so well in "Police Squad" and the show deserved a much better fate.
Even though the show lasted only 6 episodes, a victim of juggled time slots, Nielsen was nominated for an Emmy.
Nielsen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and grew up in Regina, Edmonton, and towns in northern Canada near the Arctic Circle. He was the son of a Mountie.
The actor received the Order of Canada in 2003. Nielsen's brother was a former Conservative MP for Yukon and deputy prime minister under PM Brian Mulroney.
picture credit: Allen McInnis, Montréal Gazette file photo
Unlike in the last few years, where I get to enjoy the Grey Cup with a bunch of Canadians and Canadian wanna-bes, my only option was to watch the 98th Grey Cup from Edmonton via my computer.
As regular readers can tell you, I don't live near an America One outlet nor can I pick up Altitude (Denver)'s backup channel. So ESPN3 was my only option to watch the TSN feed. (ESPN owns 20% of TSN.)
Hooking up the laptop to the HD set was easy, and it was nice to control the volume with the TV remote.
For the few people who got America One's coverage, and those near Denver, who got Altitude's backup feed, you probably had better coverage and you got to see a nice concert. The computer people weren't so lucky.
Here is the video that the computer viewers weren't allowed to see: the halftime show of Bachmann and Turner, doing a montage of the greatest hits from BTO.
A few observations of the ESPN3 coverage of the Grey Cup:
-- The taped versions of the games were commercial-free, but the live version of the Grey Cup had commercials.
-- While the commercials filled the screen, we still only got a small screen, SD feed for the game.
-- There weren't that many different commercials. The Gillette ad ran numerous times, but was rather odd because the company paid for ad time to slam its previous product in addition to praising the new product. The overall impression was that the new product couldn't stack up to anything from the competition: money not well spent.
-- We got commercials, but no halftime coverage. Bachman and Turner performed live but the computer viewers saw nothing.
-- There were a few glicks, such as cutting off audio before the segment was over. And when the Adobe Flash crashed in the early part of the 4th quarter, I lost the feed. Doesn't usually happen with cable.
The preference would have been for U.S. viewers to be able to stream TSN.ca. We might not have had a HD feed, but there wouldn't have been awkward cutoffs and we would have seen the halftime show.
This inadequate coverage was disappointing because for the second year in a row, the CFL championship game was very exciting.
Versus carried the TSN feed in 2008, and the channel would have been a great destination the last two years for the CFL. America One's coverage is rather lame. At least let America One's Web site stream the TSN feed.
The game itself
The Montréal Alouettes became the first team to win back-to-back Grey Cups since the 1996-1997 Toronto Argonauts, led by Doug Flutie. The Alouettes edged Saskatchewan for the second year in a row, 21-18. The Roughriders won in 2007, snapping a 18-year string of its own.
Montréal struggled in the first half, but was only down 11-8 at the half. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo poured it out in the second half, completing a bunch of short passes to give him room to complete the longer passes later in the half.
The two teams played close games in the regular season, and this game did not disappoint. The only turnover of the game came in the final minute, when Darian Durant threw an interception.
Montréal has now won 3 of the 8 Grey Cups the team has appeared in during the 21st century.
Calvillo, one of the best quarterbacks in CFL history, announced after the game that he will undergo thyroid surgery.
Chris Berman's annual homage to the CFL
Per tradition, Chris Berman of ESPN paid tribute to the CFL and the Grey Cup by featuring the game on his NFL wrapup.
Berman utilized most of his French and described Calvillo as "the Kurt Warner of Canada" — both 38, wears #13, spindly legs, and what was unsaid — champion.
The four highlights shown were a long pass from Calvillo to Grey Cup MVP Jamel Richardson, a long Durant pass to Andy Fantuz and the subsequent TD, and the last-minute Durant interception following a great scramble.
Chris mentioned that the Alouettes had not done as well in the Grey Cup, now up to 3-5 in Grey Cups in the 2000s during Calvillo's tenure.
Last year, Berman had a #13 Montréal jersey (Calvillo's number) with Swami (Berman's nickname). This year, Berman showed the same jersey.
One drawback: ESPN didn't air the segment until after 1:40 am Eastern.
picture credit: me and my TV. The picture is of Montréal Alouettes GM Jim Popp holding the Grey Cup after the Alouettes win.
NOTE: Looks like the NFL Network will NOT carry the Grey Cup. Don't even think there will be a tape delayed version. You are stuck with the limited options, though the computer, hooked up to a TV, isn't that bad a deal.
You have to imagine that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been salivating for this moment. Not just getting back to the Grey Cup, but playing the Montréal Alouettes once again.
Last year's unusual ending, where Damon Duval had missed the winning field goal, but Saskatchewan had 13 men on the field (normally 12). Duval got another chance to kick the winning field goal and he made it, giving the Alouettes the Grey Cup.
This will be the 8th Grey Cup Montréal has played in since 2000. Unfortunately for the Alouettes, the team has only won two of the previous seven: 2002 and 2009. Despite Saskatchewan's relatively recent success, the Roughriders have won only two Grey Cups since 1967. Saskatchewan won in Toronto in 1989 and 2007.
Montréal won the East Division final by crushing the Toronto Argonauts 48-17 at Olympic Stadium. The Alouettes showed off Avon Cobourne leading their running attack, something the team will need next week in Edmonton.
One criticism of Montréal in its run is having relatively cushy Eastern teams to beat and doing so indoors. The East Division final was the only indoor game outside of Toronto in the entire season. With the Grey Cup in Edmonton, Montréal will have to play a tough game outdoors in the coldest of CFL cities.
Saskatchewan had to put up with the extreme cold and the loud Stampeders' fans. Though the West final was more about Calgary mistakes than anything Saskatchewan did. Henry Burris threw an ill-timed interception late in the first half, leading to a Roughrider touchdown. And Calgary had a chance to recover a punt late that would have put the Stamps in the red zone or even the end zone. Allowing Saskatchewan to recover the punt sealed Calgary's fate.
The Roughriders have a chip on their shoulder from last year; Montréal's chip has lasted most of the last decade — a back-to-back Grey Cup run would add to the team's dynasty credibility.
If you live in Canada, the game is on TSN. In the United States, the rag-tag network along with ESPN3 will carry the game, though some of the outlets will show the Grey Cup tape-delayed. Bachman and Turner — yes the guys from Bachman Turner Overdrive from the 1970s — will be the halftime artist.
When you think Canadian and "sexiest man alive," you can't be blamed if your brain malfunctions. Perhaps a lumberjack or a Canadian mountie has walked by that might fit that description.
Since People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" only focuses on famous people, well, who is there? Jim Carrey? Michael Myers? William Shatner?
No, People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive title goes to Ryan Reynolds.
Who, you might think? "Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place." "The Proposal." Mr. Scarlett Johansson.
Okay, male attractiveness is not something I get, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Reynolds was born and raised in Vancouver. Congratulations to Reynolds and Johansson (why not?) on the honor. And since one of my cable channels will finally carry "The Proposal," I'll be writing about that when it comes out.
In other recent Canadian celebrity news ...
-- Canadian teen heartthrob Justin Bieber won four American Music Awards on Sunday, including the favorite entertainer of the year, the top AMA award. Bieber went 4-for-4: entertainer of the year, breakthrough artist of the year, favorite pop/rock male and favorite pop/rock album for his album "My World 2.0."
-- Lawrencia "Bambi" Bembenek passed way this week at the age of 52. Bambi was convicted of killing her husband's ex-wife and sentenced in 1982. In 1990, Bembenek escaped with her prisoner boyfriend to Ontario in 1990, holding up in Thunder Bay for three months.
She requested refugee status in Canada. Her conviction has plenty of holes, and she convinced the Canadian government to look into the case. As a condition for releasing Bembenek back to Wisconsin, the Canadian government obtained a commitment for a judicial review.
Because she pleaded no contest to a lesser charge (for time served), getting a pardon became more difficult. And she died before the case was ultimately decided.
NOTE: There has been speculation that the NFL Network will carry the Grey Cup. When/if that happens, we will let you know. It isn't clear whether the NFL Network will carry the game live or on tape delay.
Since I am not in an area with an America One affiliate nor has my local cable sports channel come through for me, I am stuck watching the games on ESPN3 on my computer.
I should be fortunate I have a well-known Internet provider that is on ESPN3's list. However, if you are going to watch ESPN3 for the Grey Cup, here are a few new tips besides what we have already covered.
ESPN3 gives you an option to watch the game live. You can't join the game in-progress until the game is over and well past that mark, as posting the game takes time. The appalling part of watching the CFL division finals on the computer is that I wanted to watch the first game (Toronto at Montréal) but the system reverted to the live second game (Saskatchewan at Calgary) instead of the saved first game.
So I had to wait until after the second game to watch the first game: unbelievable!!
For the Grey Cup, you won't have to worry about that since there will only be one game, but recognize that the postgame will end up on the tape, so the process to post the game won't start until after the postgame coverage.
If at all possible, pick up the live coverage. The game itself starts about 6:30 pm Eastern Sunday, 4:30 pm in Edmonton, home of the Grey Cup.
So for the Grey Cup as the Montréal Alouettes try to defend its Grey Cup championship against the two-time Western Division champion Saskatchewan Roughriders in a rematch in Edmonton, here is where you can watch it outside your computer. Bonne chance!!
LIVE • WVVH Southampton, NY • KFLA 8.1 Los Angeles, CA • WZBN Trenton, NJ • GEUS 34 Greenville, TX • Altitude 2 Denver • KWVT Salem, OR • WREP Martinsville, IN • KUTA Logan, UT • WOTH (WBQC5) Cincinnati, OH • WNEG Toccoa, GA • Time Warner 13 Buffalo (Alternate – Ch. 87) • KJEO 32.2 Fresno, CA • Time Warner 3 Albany, NY • LMU-TV/W18AN Harrogate, TN • WYAT Martinsville, VA • KDAO Marshalltown, IA • Time Warner Sports 26 Rochester (Alternate – Ch. 98) • WBCF Florence, AL • W43BR Baraboo, WI • KSPK Walsenburg, CO • WTSN Evansville, IN • WBEK Augusta, GA • Image Sports Erie, PA • KGCS Joplin, MO • KDMD 33.4 Anchorage, AK • WKFK Pascagoula, MS • KHQA 7.2 Hannibal, MO • KCJY Twin Falls, ID DELAYED • Altitude Denver (Nov. 29) • Comcast SportsNet Northwest • The Comcast Network - Philadelphia (Select games on delay) • CSS/Comcast Sports Southeast • Bright House Sports Network - Tampa Bay • The Comcast Network - Mid-Atlantic (Select games on delay) • Cox Sports New England – Ch. 3 (Grey Cup – Dec. 2) • SWX 6.2 Spokane, WA (same day delayed)
As expected, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was named the National League Most Valuable Player. Votto received 31 first-place votes and 443 points, finished far ahead of St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols (who got the only other first-place vote and 279 points) and Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (240 points).
Votto becomes the third Canadian to ever win the award, along with Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins, 2006) and Larry Walker (Colorado Rockies, 1997). Votto is the first Canadian outside of British Columbia to win the award; Joey is from the Toronto area.
Votto led the Reds to its first division title and playoff appearance since 1995. The Reds' first baseman hit .324 with 37 HR and 113 RBI and led the league in OPS at 1.024.While Votto didn't win any of those top offensive categories, the Reds 1B did lead the league in OBP (.424) and slugging percentage (.600).
His excellent leadership skills definitely influenced the writers who vote for the award. This is only Votto's third full season in the major leagues.
Even though Votto clearly won the NL MVP, he didn't make the first cut for the All-Star Game. As you may recall, Votto barely made the All-Star team as a vote-in candidate in the National League. Being the current MVP, perhaps Votto will be treated better for next year's All-Star Game.
Former Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay finished 6th in the voting, rather well for a pitcher, to go along with his Cy Young Award. Halladay was traded by Toronto to the Philadelphia Phillies in the off-season rather than risking losing him to free agency.
BMO Field in Toronto was the site of the 2010 Major League Soccer championship, the first time the MLS Cup had been determined north of the border.
BMO Field is located in the Canadian National Exhibition grounds — Exhibition Place — just west of downtown, right on Lake Ontario. The Colorado Rapids edged out FC Dallas 2-1 in overtime.
The announcers were a mixed set of North American and Europeans, but the American sideline reporter for ESPN made a lame Celsius/Fahrenheit joke. He noted that the temperature was 5C, about 41F. The other announcers were complaining about the wind, but the stadium is right near the water.
They kept pointing out that the conditions were Canadian cold, even though the MLS Cup has been held in Foxborough, geographically north of Toronto. Besides, the league schedules a championship game in late November at night; cold will happen. Still the weather could have been worse.
I walked past this stadium on my trip to the CNE Fairgrounds in September. Baseball and Canadian football fans might remember Exhibition Stadium, home of the Toronto Blue Jays and Argonauts. BMO Field is built on the site of the old stadium.
Canadian mounties carried the MLS Cup around the sidelines, sparking memories of handling the Grey Cup. The Toronto Sun sports section got a lot of publicity through the sideline ads.
Since soccer doesn't offer too many commercial breaks, shots of Toronto were limited, but there was some good overhead shots of downtown Toronto. The play-by-play and color gentlemen talked about the view from the CN Tower, as the MLS threw a party for the media up there. The shot of the stadium from the CN Tower was very cool.
Having seen the stadium from the outside in person, the inside is marvelous. The lovely grass surface is surrounded on all four sides with what look like nice sight lines for the action with the downtown Toronto skyline looking east.
Toronto FC entered the MLS in 2007, playing its home games in BMO Field. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be one of two expansion teams in 2011, joining Toronto FC as Canadian representatives. The Whitecaps will be in the refurbished B.C. Place, sharing the facility with the CFL's BC Lions. And the Montréal Impact arrive in the MLS in 2012, playing at Saputo Stadium in the Olympic village area, as well as playing some games at Olympic Stadium.
Good to see that the MLS appreciates how much Canada is into soccer. Would be fun to see what happens when a Canadian team is playing in the MLS Cup — someday.
Given that the NFL Network had a working package of games, having no cable outlet to carry the CFL playoffs seems inexplicable.
I watched the Eastern semi-final on ESPN3. I was particularly looking forward to the matchup since I saw the two teams — Toronto and Hamilton — play in that same stadium this year. The hometown Tiger-Cats gave up 5 turnovers and lost to the Toronto Argonauts 16-13. The Argos travel to Montréal for the East final; the wind was a factor in Hamilton but not in the confines of Olympic Stadium next week.
The picture quality was bad to OK. The sound wasn't great. And the picture was only in SD. By contrast, the highlights from CFL.ca had a better, more consistent picture, much better sound, and the picture filled the screen. If only ESPN3 could have pulled that off.
The other issue ESPN3 should consider is a fast-forward button. You either have to manually move the game forward or sit there while a screen goes up during the commercial breaks and halftime. The cable network Web site is probably geared more for live games, but a 30-second fast forward button would make the experience much more enjoyable.
The West semifinal was also amazingly exciting. The BC Lions, the only losing record team in the playoffs, forced overtime in Saskatchewan before the hometown Roughriders won in double OT 41-38. Saskatchewan travels to Calgary for the West final next week.
If we spoiled the finish for you, sorry. But check out the highlights on CFL.ca.
The two games were really exciting and American audiences deserved a better way to see these thrilling games.
There is a smattering of low-power TV stations (via America One) and cable sports channels that are carrying some or all — some of that live or delayed — of the CFL playoffs.
For most of the country, your best shot is still ESPN3, provided you belong to the correct Internet provider.
The luck of the draw may determine whether you can watch the CFL playoffs on TV or your computer or not at all.
LIVE • WVVH Southampton, NY • KFLA 8.1 Los Angeles, CA • WZBN Trenton, NJ • GEUS 34 Greenville, TX • Altitude Denver (Playoffs), Altitude 2 Denver (Grey Cup) • Comcast SportsNet Northwest (Playoffs – Nov. 21 only, Grey Cup delayed) • KWVT Salem, OR • WREP Martinsville, IN • KUTA Logan, UT • WOTH (WBQC5) Cincinnati, OH • WNEG Toccoa, GA • Time Warner 13 Buffalo (Alternate – Ch. 87) • WYLN Hazelton, PA (Playoffs only, Grey Cup not available) • KJEO 32.2 Fresno, CA • Time Warner 3 Albany, NY • LMU-TV/W18AN Harrogate, TN • WYAT Martinsville, VA • KDAO Marshalltown, IA • SWX 6.2 Spokane, WA (Playoffs – Nov. 21 & 28 same day delayed) • Time Warner Sports 26 Rochester (Alternate – Ch. 98) • WBCF Florence, AL • W43BR Baraboo, WI • KSPK Walsenburg, CO • WTSN Evansville, IN • WBEK Augusta, GA • Image Sports Erie, PA • KGCS Joplin, MO • KDMD 33.4 Anchorage, AK • WKFK Pascagoula, MS • KHQA 7.2 Hannibal, MO • KCJY Twin Falls, ID DELAYED • Altitude Denver (Grey Cup – Nov. 29) • Comcast SportsNet Northwest (Grey Cup) • The Comcast Network - Philadelphia (Select games on delay) • CSS/Comcast Sports Southeast (Grey Cup only) • Bright House Sports Network - Tampa Bay (Playoffs – Nov. 21 & Grey Cup delayed) • The Comcast Network - Mid-Atlantic (Select games on delay) • Cox Sports New England – Ch. 3 (Grey Cup – Dec. 2)
Journalists who rely purely on anecdotes are usually lazy in their approach. But there is something to be said for having anecdotes be part of the story.
Tourism between the United States and Canada is down in the last 10 years. The efforts to do this for security have ignored the impact on tourism.
On the way to Windsor, Canadian customs brought a dog onto the bus. The questions were really tough but fair. And this was the easiest of the journeys. On the way to Detroit, they went through my suitcase and bags after having attended a film festival.
But there are countless stories that are worse. The guy — standing next to me — who was being sternly addressed for lying to customs officials has a much worse story to tell.
The irony was that U.S. officials, including the customs officers' boss Janet Napolitano, were in Canada at the same time. They probably weren't going through Napolitano's luggage.
