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That's my "Authentic Indian Name". Care of the website for the Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour web site. Which collects a bunch of rather bitingly satirical pieces from a Native American perspective. And others which are just plain silly funny, like this decorating tip using moose.
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COMMENT #1
The Dead Dog Cafe was a comedy series that ran on CBC radio (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) for about three or four years in the mid-90's. It was about a cafe in northern Alberta owned by two aboriginals (Jasper and Gracie) and their white friend Tom whom they tormented. One of my favorite pieces was the fireside chat. This was where Jasper would sit down and read from a great work of Canadian literature. Every week the book was "The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples" which was a massive government commission that made over a thousand recommendations concerning the relationship between the Canadian government and first nations. The Dead Dog Cafe recordings are available at the CBC "boutique" on their web site. Four cassettes for $39.95 CDN (which is about $25 USD). Hit the URL and do a search for "dead dog cafe." The site is poorly designed but this is pretty funny stuff and, I think, worth it. http://core.mindthestore.com/FrontEnd/Main.asp?StoreID=171 --karl
Posted by Karl Fast @ 03/04/2002 11:32 AM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #2
Glad to see there's another fan out there, Karl! I was always under the impression, though, that Tom wasn't white - just from a different first nation than Jasper and Gracie (who would occasionally speak Cree). The writer and actor, Tom King, is of mixed heritage so I guess it could go either way. Dead Dog is a great example of a really delicately balanced kind of Native Canadian humour that manages to bring out the light side of first nations community issues in Canada without making light of them. I don't think I could decide on a favourite part... probably a tie between "Blackout Bingo" (where Jasper would call the same number for the entire season) and "Captain Dead Dog" (in which Tom would be bullied into wearing the Puppy Boy sidekick thong). -Stacy
(a.k.a. Abigail Brick Sweater)
Posted by StacyK @ 03/04/2002 06:46 PM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #3
I was/am a big fan of the Dead Dog Cafe and the Vinyl Cafe. I agree with Stacy about Tom not being white, though I thought that he'd spent years away from Alberta, perhaps in Toronto, and then returned. I've always wanted my own "Authentic Indian Name." Meet "Roxanne Bulging Waffle." Stay Calm... Be Brave... Wait for the Signs.
Posted by heather @ 03/05/2002 08:53 AM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #4
Now that I think about it (it's been ages since I've heard it) I think you're right about Tom. The show always managed to find that delicate satirical line. It was always observant humour--witty and insightful without ever causing offence. --karl
Posted by Karl Fast @ 03/05/2002 04:11 PM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #5
I am Gregory Marine Buns.
Posted by ct @ 03/07/2002 09:18 AM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #6
I loved the Dead Dog Cafe, especially the Fireside Friendly Bear and the Blackout Bingo - remember when Tom actually called out a new Bingo number?(!) Is there a possibility that the CBC will ever either renew the show or just play the old episodes?
Posted by Emma @ 07/03/2002 04:49 PM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #7
Tom King (creator of the series) played himself in the series, which meant that he was, as in real life, half-white, half-Native. I seem to recall some mention made of him being part Cherokee, although he was humiliated by Jasper and Gracie for not speaking his native tongue. More important to the series was Jasper and Gracie's distinction between a Reserve Indian (which they were) and an Urban Indian (which Tom was). Because Tom was an Urban Indian, they had the segment "Indians Anonymous", for those Indians who have become White to prevent them from backsliding into becoming Indian again. As for replaying episodes or airing new episodes, at the start of this year, "Basic Black" replayed the final season of Deaddog, but I am not aware of any other airings. However, just the other week, "Sounds Like Canada" ran an hour-long special show that was staged in Vancouver and was a reunion of sorts. Jasper, Tom and Gracie were hosts to an Aboriginal Authors tour. Apparently the event was sold-out, and, because it was on stage, they acknowledged that they were on stage pretending that they were back in the Cafe. It gave Jasper and Gracie some great moments commenting about the absurdities of the Big City. On another note, another web site (something about a Winnipeg Comedy Festival) makes mention that they are planning on turning Deaddog Cafe into an animated series.
Posted by Geoff Loker @ 11/12/2002 12:21 PM PST [link to this comment]
COMMENT #8
Tom King (creator of the series) played himself in the series, which meant that he was, as in real life, half-white, half-Native. I seem to recall some mention made of him being part Cherokee, although he was humiliated by Jasper and Gracie for not speaking his native tongue. More important to the series was Jasper and Gracie's distinction between a Reserve Indian (which they were) and an Urban Indian (which Tom was). Because Tom was an Urban Indian, they had the segment "Indians Anonymous", for those Indians who have become White to prevent them from backsliding into becoming Indian again. As for replaying episodes or airing new episodes, at the start of this year, "Basic Black" replayed the final season of Deaddog, but I am not aware of any other airings. However, just the other week, "Sounds Like Canada" ran an hour-long special show that was staged in Vancouver and was a reunion of sorts. Jasper, Tom and Gracie were hosts to an Aboriginal Authors tour. Apparently the event was sold-out, and, because it was on stage, they acknowledged that they were on stage pretending that they were back in the Cafe. It gave Jasper and Gracie some great moments commenting about the absurdities of the Big City. On another note, another web site (something about a Winnipeg Comedy Festival) makes mention that they are planning on turning Deaddog Cafe into an animated series.
Posted by Geoff Loker @ 11/12/2002 12:22 PM PST [link to this comment]
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