In this image released by Amazon Digital, Amy Landecker, left, and Jeffrey Tambor appear in a scene from "Transparent." Bill Brioux's 2014 TV time capsule would include something transparent to signify the best new show this fall (that Canadians still can't see): "Transparent." The hour-long drama is a twisted, searing and yet hilarious look at one weird Californian clan. Jeffrey Tambor ("Arrested Development") will win an Emmy for his fearless and nuanced portrayal of the transgendered head of this wacky family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP - Amazon Digital, Beth Dubber
Republished December 23, 2014 - 4:10 PM
Original Publication Date December 23, 2014 - 12:10 PM
The year 2014 was, in some ways, the year of the TV anniversary. It marked the 50th anniversary of The Beatles conquering North America on "The Ed Sullivan Show," the 45th anniversary of the launch of "Sesame Street" and 22 years of "This Hour Has 22 Minutes."
Fifty years from now, when archeologists pry open the lid of a TV time capsule from 2014, what will they discover? Will television even be around in 2064? Here are some items I'd put in the time capsule to try to commemorate 2014.
SOMETHING TRANSPARENT to signify the best new show this fall (that Canadians still can't see): "Transparent." The hour-long drama is a twisted, searing and yet hilarious look at one weird Californian clan. Jeffrey Tambor ("Arrested Development") will win an Emmy for his fearless and nuanced portrayal of the transgendered head of this wacky family. It originates on Amazon Prime, one of these new digital platforms available in America and the U.K. but not in Canada, although somebody here has bought the rights.
A TOSSED LEAFS JERSEY to represent Rogers' $5.2-billion, 12-year NHL rights deal. The net result: Leafs still win games, then lose games in bunches.
HBO AND CBS LOGOS reminding folks this was the year those two networks took the bold step of offering their entire content on digital platforms.
A SKELETON WITH A MOHAWK to salute the departure of "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson." The Scottish-born host's arty exit reminded viewers that what he delivered was something that was simply not there before. Also exiting in 2014: Jay Leno from "The Tonight Show" and Stephen Colbert from "The Colbert Report."
AN ACCORDION to mark the return, to Hamilton, Ont.'s CHCH, of "Tiny Talent Time."
AN EMPTY RECYCLING BIN to represent "Utopia." It promised a year of lofty ideals and adventure as random citizens got together to build the society of the future. Instead, it delivered the usual petty humiliations and was basically "Big Brother" gone camping.
A PORN TAPE to help explain, in the words of Marg Delahunty (Mary Walsh), what the words "Crave" and "Shomi" really bring to mind.
CANNED LAUGHTER to explain why several attempts to breathe new life into Canadian sitcoms found little momentum in 2014.
A BATTERED BRO CODE BOOK to mark the worst TV finale ever. "How I Met Your Mother" went out with the mother of all bad endings. That was nine years fans will never get back.
A PIECE OF REALLY THIN SKIN to commemorate the TV critic's press tour session last January where the folks behind "Girls" went postal over suggestions Lena Dunham walks around naked too often on her sitcom.
A JEAN BELIVEAU PLAYING CARD. The Montreal Canadiens' great captain was saluted in death the way he lived, with dignity, respect and élan.
A PAIR OF SOCKS to salute Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse), who went out on a high note in the season finale of "Mad Men."
A GLASS OF BITTERS to salute the most forgotten TV host of 2014: CNN's Piers Morgan.
A MARK MESSIER TRADING CARD to salute the omnipresent ex-Edmonton Oilers captain, who, instead of simply shilling for Roger's hockey bundles, should have been asked to host the new "Hockey Night in Canada."
A ROB FORD BOBBLEHEAD to remind Torontonians of how their city became world famous for something other than being clean as Jimmy Kimmel and all of the late-night U.S. talk-show hosts feasted on Ford's follies.
A NETFLIX COUPON to mark perhaps the most significant event in Canadian television in 2014: when the folks behind the U.S.-based digital platform said no to the CRTC's request for information, throwing down a gauntlet that sent shock waves through the boardrooms of the entire Canadian broadcast community.
AN IN DEEPEST SYMPATHY CARD to mark the passing of what seemed like a steady parade of TV greats in 2014, including Don Pardo, Knowlton Nash, Harold Ramis, Sid Caesar, Robin Williams, Joan Rivers, Dave Madden, Ann B. Davis, Casey Kasem, Shirley Temple, James Avery, James Garner and Annette Funicello.
A DVD BOX SET OF "The Cosby Show." Either that or a battered box of Jell-O pudding. It may take till 2064 to sort out Cosby's legacy.
A BIG-EARED TEDDY BEAR. The poor little fella may not want to come out until 2064.
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Bill Brioux is a freelance TV columnist based in Brampton, Ont.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014