PRESS

It's more than just comedy

by RICK BLUE - blog
2012-03-01

What you can't see on television in Quebec is a bilingual show. It's not allowed. The CRTC makes sure of that. Those with licences to broadcast can only do it in English or French.

But not in both at the same time.

And our local Montreal Radio Canada outlet is not interested in admitting that English even exists here in Montreal, being run mainly by those who grew up in the Marxist-addled anti- anglo days of the FLQ.

Our English television media is all centred in Toronto. They never shoot anything in Montreal. Because they know, as the Quebec government constantly tells us all, Montreal is a French-only city.

But we know that we live in a bilingual city. It is obvious to any visitor who usually remarks upon it within hours of arriving here. And since Bill 101 forced all immigrants into the French school system, it has become even more so.

But as I said you will never see this reflected on television. That's why show after show of Sugar Sammy's “You're Gonna Rire” is selling out at the 1,000-seat Olympic Theatre.

Because the only way you can see our city reflected as it really is now, is to leave your home.

Back in the '50s, television caused the demise of the Vaudeville, burlesque and nightclub glory days of Montreal. People stopped going out. They could see it all on TV. But now things have been turned upside down. To see what is really going on in your city you have to get off your keesters and go downtown.

Sugar Sammy has struck a chord. That's why he has sold out more than 30 shows at $35 to $45 a ticket.

Being east Indian, he had to go to French school. Now he is the monster created by Bill 101 and the PQ. And he can swagger right up and give it to them in their face.

He does a joke that goes like this: There are two types of Québécois. Those who are smart and sophisticated. And those who always vote “Oui.”

It's wild and it's bad. Wouldn't you like to see him fart in the face of all those pompous bureaucrats and those nationalist demagogues who have lived off the beleaguered Quebec taxpayer for the last 40 years?

It's worth the money. Revenge is sweet.