Canadian TV gets short shrift in the U.S., where most cable packages offer Univision and BBC America but not CBC. And often when you mention “Canadian TV” people think of “The X-Files” or other American sci-fi shows filmed in Vancouver.
Yet Canada has a strong history of great character dramas; indeed, the “Degrassi” franchise, spanning multiple generations, is the most epic high-school drama ever. Canada’s success rate is probably no better or worse than U.S. TV, yet whenever a cool serial from up north hits our shores, it’s often a breath of fresh air that airs in the summer.
With the latest Canadian import, the excellent “L.A. Complex,” getting ready to wrap its six-episode first season on Tuesday, I thought I’d pick my all-time top five Canadian character dramas. (Obviously, this list is biased toward the western part of the country since I don’t speak French; no snub is intended.)
1. “The L.A. Complex” (2012-present, The CW; Season 1 finale at 8 p.m. Central Tuesday) — It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but what a fine wheel it makes. All of the plotlines of these struggling young Hollywoodites blend together seamlessly (they’re all friends of friends of friends who live in a Melrose Place-esque hotel-turned-apartment-building), and the show goes to daringly original places: A gay rapper, a dancer who finds overnight success in porn, an actor who hates himself yet rises to the top, and a comedian who thinks he’s better than he really is. “The L.A. Complex” not only tops this list, but it’s my favorite TV show of the moment. Season 1 can be found on Hulu; no word yet on whether The CW will pick up Season 2.
2. “Higher Ground” (2000, Fox Family) — I don’t know if a more lovable bunch of teenage screw-ups has ever been compiled. There’s a certain innocence to the idea of teens going to a wilderness camp to deal with their problems, overseen by the Jedi-like Joe Lando, but there’s also a fair amount of edge what with all the sex, drugs and self-loathing. And what a cast: Hayden Christensen, A.J. Cook and “The L.A. Complex’s” Jewel Staite all launched careers from here. It’s an ongoing shame that “Higher Ground” hasn’t hit DVD or Hulu.
3. “Being Erica” (2009-present, SOAPnet, Season 4 aired in Canada but hasn’t been released in the U.S.) — The combination of the lovable Erin Karpluk, the fact that Erica works as a book editor, and the sci-fi element where she blasts into her own past make this an all-around winner. The first three seasons are on DVD and Hulu, but American fans are now playing a frustrating waiting game for Season 4 since SOAPnet dropped the show.
4. “Falcon Beach” (2006-07, ABC Family) — I don’t get many chances to see my home state of Minnesota on TV or film. This doesn’t strictly fit the bill, but it takes place in the summer lake season in Winnipeg, so close enough. “Falcon Beach” was a breezier, soapier up-north answer to “Dawson’s Creek,” with beautiful, comforting Midwest lakeside settings that aren’t usually seen on TV. Surprisingly, it didn’t propel anyone to stardom, although Morgan Kelly jumped over to “Being Erica.” “Falcon Beach’s” first season can be found on DVD and the whole series can be found on iTunes.
5. “The Best Years” (2007-09, The-N, TeenNick) — This Boston-set college-dorm drama made no bones about being a “Degrassi” for slightly older viewers. One of the characters had a background as a teen star on the “Degrassi”-like “Bel Air High,” and “Degrassi” actor Lauren Collins guest-starred. While many of “The Best Years’ ” plots were standard, it also boasted a shiny night club where everyone hung out and co-ed showers that seemed like they came from an alternate universe. The show’s biggest breakout, Brandon Jay McLaren, has popped up on “Being Erica” and “The Killing.” Both seasons of “The Best Years” are on DVD and six episodes can be viewed on the “Best Years” website.
What are your favorite Canadian TV shows? Discuss in the comment thread below.