Letters to Wookiee: The Daily Spew Forth: Cuts Like A Knife

First CBC starts allowing comments on their news site and now they are scrapping a Saturday night Holy Canadian tradition. I've always been an ardent supporter of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, but they are really starting to piss me off.

As of now, CBC has decided to stop using Canada's "second national anthem" during Hockey Night in Canada. It's true, they're really doing this. The iconic "dunt- da-dunt- da-dunt" that accompanies our most hallowed television broadcasts will not be heard again.

"CBC has announced the corporation is moving in a "new direction.""

What are they going to do? Use some old Rush song? Try and attract new viewers with a rocking techno vibe? We're talking about Hockey Night in Canada for crying out loud! It's an institution in this country! The unmistakable song they are axing is instantly recognizable and provokes many unique memories and emotions for each person who hears it. Maybe (perhaps sadly) more so than O Canada does. Remember those CBC montages of people on the street singing the song for the camera? And I've heard many NHL players refer to Hockey Night in Canada and its theme song from their childhood memories. There is a reason for that.

Will massive protest change CBC's mind?

No, this is not inconsequential. Yes, it is important. This is a part of our culture.

"Hockey Night in Canada is a television broadcast of National Hockey League games in Canada, produced by CBC Sports. Hockey Night consistently remains one of the highest-rated programs on Canadian television. It is also the world's oldest sports-related television program still on the air." -Wikipedia

Even during the 2004-2005 NHL lockout where no games were played, "CBC replaced Hockey Night in Canada with a triple-feature of movies...However, as a reminder to viewers that Saturday night was supposed to be Hockey Night, Ron MacLean hosted the movies from various hockey venues throughout Canada, under the title Movie Night in Canada. Ron would mention some facts about the film and talk hockey during the commercial breaks. The venues were usually those of CHL teams." (also from Wikipedia)

This show is so much a part of our blood, that even when there is no hockey being played, we still need our Hockey Night in Canada.

Please CBC, don't take away our aural fixation.