The Paradox Of National Identity: Region, Nation, And Canadian Idol

摘要

This paper focuses on the 2006 season of the reality television show Canadian Idol and the manufacturing of Canadian identity. Our analysis looks specifically at the way Canadian identity was articulated in the production of the show, the comments of the judges to contestants, the comments in news releases, and the viewers' discussions on the message board accompanying the show. We argue that the show produces a version of Canadian identity that sustains a logic of regional difference, with a key point of distinction between urban and non-urban Canadians. However, we also indicate that this representation is ruptured by the viewers' debates on their feelings of Canadian identity.