-(Text about this TV show): 'For many viewers, the most authoritative news show during the first decade of Quebec television was 'Point de mire'.
For many viewers, the most authoritative news show during the first decade of Quebec television was 'Point de mire'. From 1956 to 1959, this half-hour program devoted to national and international news attracted many loyal viewers - particularly after it moved from a thankless time slot (11:15 to 11:45 p.m.) to earlier in the evening. Numerous people were discovering the subtleties of political life and current issues for the first time. The show was hosted by future Liberal government minister and Parti Québécois founder/leader René Lévesque. He had been a first-rate journalist since World War II, which he covered in the field as a liaison officer and war correspondent for the U.S. Army. Then in the early 1950s, he became head of reporters for the Radio-Canada television network. 'Point de mire' was the swan song of his journalism career, as well as an invaluable springboard for his extraordinary political career.
'Point de mire' might be what Umberto Eco had in mind when he coined the expression paleotelevision to describe the first two decades of the small screen, specifically in countries with a public television system and, thus, public service programming (e.g., France, England and Canada, unlike the United States). The idea of a TV audience gathered in a vast virtual classroom, with hosts tasked with increasing general knowledge levels via an educational communication model, was perfectly embodied by 'Point de mire'. The formula of the show had René Lévesque playing the role of a news professor. He was often next to a blackboard, using a pointing stick and diagrams to make complex information more accessible. Subjects included everything from the Algerian War to Canadian economic problems or the Suez Crisis.
If the idea had only been to help people make sense of world events during a pivotal period in Quebec history, others may have succeeded as well as René Lévesque. The extra thing he brought to 'Point de mire', making it a reference, is more difficult to grasp. It could be simply described as being telegenic. True, he looked disorganized, had tics and was seemingly always holding a cigarette, which became his trademark. But what truly made him a legendary television personality is his incredible charisma and intelligence. He was already well on his way to becoming the most important Quebec person of the 20th century. (Words by Pierre Barrette, on the web site 'tiffcanadaonscreen').
