Marketplace

Marketplace has been a staple of Canadian television watching for nearly fifty years. From it's early days when "Stompin' Tom Connors" sang the opening theme song "...You save a lot of money spendin' money you ain't got!" through a string of hosts, many of whom went on to be national news anchors. "Marketplace" was a show we turned to for the low down on publicity trends, product safety and confidence men praying on unwary consumers. Many people turned to the "Marketplace" team for justice or to expose crooked business men and women. Often large corporations would settle out of court with victims of fraud rather than be exposed publicly on the show. Terrific television.

This was once a relevant show which found issues in the marketplace, chased down the story and often solved problems through corporate or government intervention. They had teeth and were not afraid to use them. Viewers watched because they got results. Now they are just another CBC Woke inspired production who are no longer respected and don't really solve anything of relevance and avoid any controversy at all costs. Today issues get government/corporate responses of "No Comment" or "Not our problem". As a show they have changed from Guard Dogs of the marketplace to defanged pussy cats with blindfolds.

Marketplace used to be an excellent hard hitting look at consumer issues. In its heyday, there was no advertising and thus the show could target any product or company with impunity. Alas in recent years the show is interrupted my numerous ads, and one can presume they will not bite the hand that feeds them. The show has also taken on more of a reality game show persona, instead of hard hitting investigations. Other new gimmicks include disturbing scene changes involving shuddering or stuttering video effects, I suppose to appeal to younger viewers, but perhaps invoking epileptic siezures in the susceptible. I hope they regain what they once were!