Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans

Published by Toronto Mike on February 21, 2010 @ 10:20 in O Canada

canadaI'm willing to bet the vast majority of people reading this entry will be watching Canada face the United States tonight in Olympic hockey action. The puck drops at 7:35pm ET and I can't wait.

In this clip from NBC, Tom Brokaw explains the relationship between Canada and the USA, in a pre-recorded short film that aired prior to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Americans should watch this before their pummeling tonight, so it hurts just a little less.

[via @pmcphedran]

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28 Responses to "Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans"

Roshan
February 21, 2010 / 11:48

That was a beautiful piece. So peaceful & beautiful --- Now go kick some American butt! GO CANADA GO

Stephanie Wilkinson
February 21, 2010 / 12:39

That was fabulous... if they'd have thrown in the CTV "I Believe" I really would have been more than just a little misty-eyed. Buffalo Mike... see? I love you guys when you try to understand us. But all that aside, GO CANADA GO!!!

The_Voice
February 21, 2010 / 13:11

That piece was awesome.

The end is funny though: Canadians have been cheering throughout these games. I don't think we needed encouragement from PM Harper :)

dale
February 21, 2010 / 13:34

Awesome. Probably an "apology" from NBC for the Terry Fox FUP last week from NBC.
Great job Tom.
Thanks

Hobo Joe
February 21, 2010 / 13:38

Are you sure about the 7:35 start? NBC's official site says 7pm. Or will there be 35 minutes of pre-game stuff? http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings/zone=ET/sport=IH/index.html

Also, I have to say, Team Canada has been cutting things a little closer than they'd like. Is a "pummeling" in the cards? Or will you be willing to eat a nice slice of humble pie should we pull out the win?

Buffalo Boy Mike
February 21, 2010 / 14:16

Usually id be rooting for the Red and White, tonight sorry Im rooting for the Red, White and Blue, Its Miller Time, the best goalie in the world plays for Team USA, Broduer may be the best ever, but Miller is the Best right now and in a short tournament you need the best right now. Team USA is playing like a team, Team Canada like a collection of great talents who haven't gotten the chemistry right. US Hockey got it right this time, going to be interesting seeing the reaction on Toronto Mike's blog tonight when Team USA wins
http://www.buffaloboymike.com/2010/02/its-miller-time.html

Ryan
February 21, 2010 / 15:32

@ Hobo Joe. Game is definitely starting at 7:35 pm or later.

I cannot wait for this one.

That was a pretty cool 6 minutes of my life spent watching that. Very well done, but did not love the piece at the end about how we won't be patriotic enough like the Americans who will be cheering the whole time?

Not sure about that....

Toronto Mike
February 21, 2010 / 15:38

@Roshan - American butt we will indeed kick tonight.

@Stephanie Wilkinson - Nothing would have ruined that fine video more than the awful CTV "I Believe" song.

@The_Voice - I agree, we're not cheering because our PM told us it was okay, just like we're not cheering for Pepsi. We're cheering for Canada because that's what feels natural. Go Canada Go!

@dale - Yes, NBC did a very nice job on this one.

@Hobo Joe - I'm sure about the 7:35 ET start, although some publications have it at 7:40 ET. All I know is that I'll be comfy in front of my telly at 7:30 sharp.

@Ryan - When it comes to hockey, nobody outcheers this country... and this isn't even an elimination game.

Buffalo Boy Mike
February 21, 2010 / 15:40

@Mike@Ryan - When it comes to hockey, nobody outcheers this country... and this isn't even an elimination game.
Maybe not but there are some Border towns like Buffalo that come close if not equal Canada

Hobo Joe
February 21, 2010 / 15:59

@Ryan & @Mike - Thanx and I'll take you at your word.... but just in case, I'll have it tuned onto MSNBC at 7 and keep an ear out. Enjoy, good luck and see ya at the Gold Medal game, regardless.

Buffalo Sketchball
February 21, 2010 / 16:06

Looking forward to this game.

Brokaw's next story: When Canadians attack US shopping malls :P

Mary
February 21, 2010 / 16:12

I know where our whole family will be if Canada is one of the two teams at the finale next Sat. night. It will be at Toronto Mike's place and we will be loud. Tonight will set the stage for the games to come in my opinion. Keep your fingers crossed.

Ryan
February 21, 2010 / 17:28

Mom, not to worry. Due to our last outing we are going to come out a blazing!!!!

I see a 4-2 victory.

I am getting War of 1812 flashbacks, which is strange since I am pretty sure i had not been born yet.

Goddamn William Henry Harrison is haunting me right now.

MIssissaugaBlogger.com
February 21, 2010 / 18:58

I do believe the U.S. at one time were also colonies of Great Britain.

Disappointed not one mention of poutine, milk in bags, the Canadiens or how we pronounce about.

We should show this at the Canadian Pavilion at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.

Very well done NBC.

Dan Akroyd
February 21, 2010 / 19:22

Buffalo Sketchball, we already have attacked your shopping malls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcv4T9Auy0U

The_Voice
February 21, 2010 / 20:09

Yeah, Mike, you should open up your house to the entire commenting community when Canada is in the final next Saturday :).

Hobo Joe
February 21, 2010 / 21:57

Not much of a pummeling. Sorry bro but I have to ask: How big a slice would you like?

Toronto Mike
February 21, 2010 / 22:11

This was a real pisser, because I felt we outplayed USA. Ryan Miller was the difference.

The bad news is we now have Russia in the quarter finals. I'm keeping the faith.

Buffalo Boy Mike
February 21, 2010 / 23:40

Martin Brodeur is no longer the goalie he was ....Luongo should be playing

jakc
February 22, 2010 / 02:34

Ouch. Props to you TM though for leaving this post up

Hobo Joe
February 22, 2010 / 07:38

C'mon, you know at the end of the day, you guys will be there. This game probably woke a sleeping giant. Why they weren't awake already? Beyond me.....

Toronto Mike
February 22, 2010 / 07:57

I'm okay with this.

Now we get an easy game against the Germans in which we can reset ourselves and give Luongo another workout.

Then, a true test in the quarter finals. Canada vs. Russia will be fantastic. If we're going to win gold, we're going to have to beat a team like this eventually, we might as well do it in the quarters.

I agree that it's time for Luongo and I'm glad Miller isn't playing for Russia. Not to look past the Germans, but we need a game like that.

It's going to be fine.

Chris
February 22, 2010 / 11:16

Unfortunately I think these will go down as the cursed games.

Loretta
February 27, 2010 / 02:48

Does anyone know where to see this video now that it's been removed from youtube?

Toronto Mike
February 27, 2010 / 17:03

If you live in the USA, you can see it on nbc.com here: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=66bc3109-6008-47ee-ae30-4f8c9696384d.html

If you live in Canada, as I do, we're SOL.

Ecmbuster
February 27, 2010 / 20:41

Actually, you can have a look at this link.
http://ishare.rediff.com/video/others/tom-brokaw-explains-canada-to-americans/1242957

Get Moyea, it will acquire and save the video.
Go Canada!

Toronto Mike
February 27, 2010 / 20:45

Thanks, Ecmbuster.

Everyone looking for Tom Brokaw Explains Canada to Americans, click this link!
http://ishare.rediff.com/video/others/tom-brokaw-explains-canada-to-americans/1242957

Zebra
February 28, 2010 / 17:19

Tom Brokaw explains Canada to Americans just before the Olympics.
What's wrong with NBC.........
they really know how shoot themselves in the foot re-customer relations !!!
It was a very nice heart warming tribute...........
Too bad there is nothing heartwarming about the execs at NBC.

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