Column: The Strombo Appeal is Lost on The One

(andPOP) - This week saw the debut of one of the most controversial reality shows of the summer season.

"The One" did not make waves in the States, its country of origin, but up here in Canada it sent two waves through the media.

The first was that the Canadian rights to the show were bought by the CBC, meaning that in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, "The National" would be bumped so the CBC could simulcast the show with ABC.

Everyone from newspaper columnists to Peter Mansbridge himself came out saying it was not a good thing that the CBC was bumping its renowned newscast for an American television import.

The next wave came a short week later when the host was announced. Canada's own George Stroumboulopoulos (AKA Strombo) was the host. America's media didn't bat an eye; I didn't even see a news story from the States announcing the host of the ABC reality show. In Canada though, the headlines blared.

After all, Strombo is not only Canadian, but he also hosts a show on CBC Newsworld (which will also be airing after "The National" come the fall on CBC), called "The Hour."

Some said he was jumping ship, leaving Canada for La La Land, while others couldn't believe that a CBC employee would host such a thing. Others just blasted Strombo for being Strombo (even though he would be back hosting "The Hour" when its new season begins this fall).

A letter published in the Globe and Mail suggested a new reality show for the CBC where "bonuses would be paid for every lost audience member over the age of 50 and for stammering, self-conscious, body-pierced "hosts" who don't own a suit, dress shirt or tie."

It has also been said in the press that Strombo was brought to the CBC from MuchMusic (where he was a VJ) so he could bring a younger audience to the CBC. A fact Strombo denies. I know because I asked him how it feels to know he's got teenagers and 20-somethings who normally wouldn't watch the news watching "The Hour."

He told me "The Hour" is for everyone – not just a particular age group.

And contrary to those who are not used to Strombo's broadcasting approach, he is not just some pierced guy who looks like the odd one out on the public broadcaster. He is a very genuine journalist. The approach is different, but his passion is the same.

Even while at Much, Strombo did the news. I believe it was he, who on 9/11, told Much viewers to go turn on the news, that there were more important things going on in the world than just a music video.

So when I heard he got the job at ABC for the summer, I believed Strombo when he told the Toronto Star he wasn't moving to Hollywood, that this was just a summer job. That he wasn't looking to leave Canada permanently.

I tuned into "The One" just to see if it was the "American Idol" rip off I expected it to be, and also to see how Canada's own did in his hosting duties. The show was nothing like Idol, which I guess can be a good thing, but it still seemed like it was ironing out the kinks.

Strombo? Well he was no Ryan Seacrest – which is very good. Although he was looking mighty more tanned than usual (never thought I would see a more tanned television personality than Ben Mulroney).

His personality was no longer there. The guy from Much and "The Hour" is not the same as the guy on "The One." That is a disappointment, because after hearing him speak in person, Strombo is the guy he is on "The Hour."

He is casual, fun and likes to laugh. How much of his hosting duties on "The One" is scripted, we may never know, but here's hoping Strombo sticks to delivering the news the way he does up here in Canada when he returns to his show in the fall.

Because even if you think the CBC is not a hip place, they obviously know talent when they see it.

At least they let Strombo be himself on their network.