Daniel Gelfant

Taking a deliberately post-modern approach to the CBC and Canadian culture, the series raids the bulging vaults of the national broadcaster. Viewers will see images of Canada’s past five decades, ranging from the long-running celebrity quiz show Front Page Challenge through ’70s pop star Rene Simard to stirring footage of legendary hockey icons. Deliberately using a stylistic melange, the series will use contemporary footage shot in Betacam video and Super 8 with old kinescopes from the ’50s, black-and-white footage of the ’60s and the more standard color format from the ’70s through the ’90s.

"The Journal," a CBC Television current affairs show from 1982 to 1992, aired at 10:22 PM after "The National," delving deeper into news stories through interviews, documentaries, and town hall meetings. This split hour highlighted CBC's tension between news and public affairs units. Hosted initially by Barbara Frum and Mary Lou Finlay, it became Frum's sole hosting gig after the first season until her passing in 1992. Mark Starowicz produced the show, utilizing interview techniques like the "double-ender" initially, later transitioning to satellite technology for interviews. Guest hosts included Bill Cameron, Peter Kent, Keith Morrison, and Brian Stewart when Frum was absent.