Jonovision

My friends and I used to come home everyday after school to watch this show. It came on at 4:30pm on the great Canadian network, CBC. It was the only station some of us would get on our antennas, living out in the boonies. Following the show would be The Simpsons at 5, and at one time, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air at 5:30pm. Ah, yes, we would gather and watch the wonder that was Jono.

It was a great show and quite popular among us Canadian teens. It was one of the few good Canadian teen shows that don't exist anymore:

Streetcents-a show about good and bad products on the market, companies to watch out for, scams.. and much more..

Degrassi-a drama-type show to help teens cope with growing up, high school, and issues like drugs and sex

Kidzone- you know? I'm not even sure what this show is about..still good though

Yes, us Canadians do have T.V. up here (although it's sometimes hard to get reception through our igloos...and don't get me started about when it starts to snow..) And we actually have some shows of our own, though lower budget..still, we can produce some quality television and every once in awhile come out with a show like Jonovision.

Jonovision was pretty much a cheap, variety show for teens. Some days he would have some guests to discuss a popular topic, sometimes it was a pop-culture quiz show, sometimes they had a "dating game". I was in the audience twice, and it was a band wars thing for unknown bands to show off their stuff and win a chance to appear at an ACTUAL band wars. It was a great show... depending on what particular episode you caught. It was one of my standard after school programs.

Jonathan Torrens is absolutely weird and hilarious. He's so funny in Trailer Park Boys as a struggling, white, hip hop artist. And i'm very excited that he is on Joe Schmo 2 as Gerald the "Gotta be gay" guy.

I miss him on CBC...

Johnovision was one of those shows that most teens have seen but seldom remember its existence. I was lucky enough to go to a taping of 2 episodes with some friends back in high school; during the show's final season. I even won the "Reach for the Pop" contest because it drew its contestants from the audience. The whole trip was a high light for a small town Canadian kid. Johnovision was one of those Canadian obsessions, just like the old school Degrassi episodes and Street Cents. Of course most people don't remember the time when CBC actually created original series that were aimed at Canadian youth and proved to be innovators (in particular, how cutting edge Degrassi was at the time, because it dealt with Aids, teen pregnancies, abortions, and other taboo subjects). Of most CBC programs, the one that still lingers on is Degrassi, thanks to the new incarnation and the fact that their is an American fan base.

Jonovision was one of CBC's best shows for teens. Although not many probably remember it or were into it, it had a hidden charm that I think most people didn't get. Jonathan Torren's sarcastic wit was usually left with blank stares, but his previous role on Street Cents lent him some credibility to host a show for the younger demographic. A lot of the panel discussions were relevant, but the skits and parodies are what will mostly be missed, as well as Jonopalooza which gave some of the small town bands a chance to play on national TV.

Out of all of this even a fanclub spawned for this wonderful machine known as the Jononation, and all who were able to identify with the subtle genius that was behind it all.