Today on the Inside the CBC blog, there was a posting that talked about the success of Battle of the Blades, with the premise that anything to do with hockey in Canada is bound to succeed.
I disagree – this series had all the earmarks of a train wreck. But it has turned out to be insanely popular and I think I know some of the reasons why.
- Cross demographic and gender appeal. This is a show you can sit around with the entire family, including grandma and watch. Having a wide age range of retired players makes this happen. Grandma can wax nostalgic about Ron Duguay in the seventies, while her grandkids remember Jamie Sale and Salt Lake City.
- It’s almost live. It airs a few short hours after shooting – meaning that there’s no chance to overproduce it, or filter out the authenticity. Witness how poor Kelly Hrudey’s stumbling analysis on opening night (summary: gee I like girls and you’re a girl) was untouched. I was killing myself laughing reading Tweets that referenced Hrudey as the broadcast went on.
- The host. Is there a more universally appealing host than Ron MacLean? All that Olympic capital is put to use here.
- Location. Finally – Maple Leaf Gardens put to good use! What Canadian wouldn’t tune in to see the old lady on Carlton Street.
- There is actual talent on display. I don’t mean the hockey players. The women are phenomenal athletes – it’s incredible how they can carry a performance, and Barbara Underhill on hockey skates (Kurt Browning too) was truly amazing.
Keep it up CBC – great show! But give credit to alot of smart decisions made along the way – it wasn’t a gimme.
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tnx….
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ñïñ çà èíôó….
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good info!!…
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tnx!…
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ñïàñèáî….
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ñïñ….
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tnx for info!!…
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thank you!…
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ñïàñèáî çà èíôó….
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ñïñ!…
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áëàãîäàðñòâóþ!…
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ñïàñèáî….
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ñïàñèáî çà èíôó!!…
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ñïñ çà èíôó!!…
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tnx….
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ñýíêñ çà èíôó!!…
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ñïñ çà èíôó!…
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tnx for info!…
.…
good!!…
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ñïñ!!…
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thanks for information!…
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áëàãîäàðåí!…
.…
ñïñ çà èíôó….
.…
hello….
.…
good!!…
.…
hello!!…
.…
tnx for info!…
.…
thanks for information!!…
.…
áëàãîäàðñòâóþ!…
.…
thank you!!…
.…
ñïñ çà èíôó….
.…
ñïñ….
.…
ñïàñèáî çà èíôó….
.…
áëàãîäàðåí….
.…
thanks for information!…
.…
ñïñ çà èíôó!!…
.…
áëàãîäàðåí!!…
.…
good info….
.…
ñýíêñ çà èíôó!…
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áëàãîäàðåí….
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ñïàñèáî çà èíôó….