Reality TV fans of American Idol may find this new show beginning on July 18 just what they need. The One: Making of a Music Star is already a hit in over twenty other countries, and buzz about the show has already taken over Canadian news, even though the program is based out of Los Angeles, California.
Amidst much public protest, the CBC is bumping by an hour Canada's revered news institution, The National News for the ABC reality show, The One: Making of a Music Star. Now, less than a week away from the show's premiere, an interesting choice for host is confirmed. Popular Canadian television personality, George Stroumboulopoulos, 
the former MuchMusic VJ and current host of non other than the CBC's The Hour has gained the host spot. Selecting 'Strombo' as he is known in Canada, was an intelligent choice, and may very well alleviate some of the negative feedback the CBC has encountered. Strombo, not just another pretty Canadian face, sporting hip and very cool piercings, is not your average hip, hot television celebrity. He's is a veteran music expert with interests in politics, activist issues, and world affairs. His show on CBC, The Hour, is a new late-night talk show which includes interviews, viewpoints, and headlines in music, entertainment, politics and pop culture. Strombo is considered CBC's star attraction, drawing in the younger Canadian viewers to a network which has had a more staid reputation.
Reportedly he won the job over dozens of Americans. Career highlights include an exclusive interview with U2's Bono at the Liberal Leadership Convention, from which, Bono proclaimed himself 'a fan' after realizing George's grasp on issues at hand. He also has been to Zambia and co-hosted a documentary commemorating World AIDS Day, gave MuchMusic some political cred, interviewing former prime minister Jean Chrétien. He also presented an obviously influential case for winning candidate Tommy Douglas in CBC Television's nation-wide search for The Greatest Canadian.
Reports surfacing seem to have Strombo not realizing he was under consideration for the position. The offer came to him while he was on a motorcycle road trip. His manager and agent contacted him and told him to get to the nearest airport and jump a plane to Los Angeles. Initially he was apprehensive about taking the gig and did not want to compromise his current CBC show, The Hour.
I wouldn't have taken this job if it got in the way of The Hour, I've been working on that show for the last 18 months. It's so important to me that when they presented this, my initial thought was, No, I have my show.
One of the reasons I took this was I thought it would really help The Hour next year. I'm really excited about seeing them make television on this scale.
Strombo's combination of reputation, music knowledge and on-camera presence garnered him the position of host, but some Canadians are wondering the effect of having their popular star crossing the border to American television.
This is a summer job, dude! My mother can watch me on TV in Canada and I like that.
A Canadian version of the show should be announced this fall, though no host has been confirmed. Strombo has already stated he won't host the Canadian version of The One when it premieres next year. Standing true to his Canadian late-night show, he allows doing both programs would not be a realistic endeavor due to programming schedules.
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Article comments
1 - Rayne
Great write-up!
I'm looking fwd to seeing how the show is recieved in the US. After seeing a bit of it, I think he is tailoring himself a bit to the US market (either that I've been watching too much of The Hour).
2 - Jewels
Thank you Rayne, Strombo is an attractive guy, indeed, but I think the show suffers from a host of ailments that may not be surmountable. First viewing wasn't what the hype at ABC lead me to believe how the show was going to transpire. Strombo can't carry the show alone, and the judges were just - well they didn't do it for me.