Nachos at Midnight :: Life in Ottawa

The other day, Ottawa Citizen writer Joanne Chianello actually referred to Carrie Underwood as Ottawa “biggest star”. The comment was nestled into an article about how polite Ottawans are and while we are all smitten to pieces with the notion that Ms. Underwood is engaged to Mike Fisher, we still keep a cool head about it.

And let’s not forget how BOTH the Citizen and the Ottawa Sun ran FRONT PAGE stories about the Bell Sens Soirée fundraiser and splashed pictures of Fisher and Underwood across the cover as if it was the Second Coming of Christ.

So because she’s dating an Ottawa Senators player and she’s famous suddenly the whole city of Ottawa comes together and embraces her? Like some Who down in Whoville on Christmas morning, singing her praises “Yay! One of our hockey players is actually dating someone famous! Ottawa is finally on the map!” If something like that turns your crank, then you really need to take stock of your life.

Really… she’s not such a big deal.

Let’s clear a few things up here.  She is HARDLY Ottawa’s biggest star. While she may be talented and well known — I honestly couldn’t tell you though because I avoid all things do with predetermined and heavily scripted reality shows — Carrie Underwood won a karaoke contest (American Idol) and as a result was launched into the limelight.  There really should be a rule that states, even if you are talented, being on a reality show of any kind does not make you that famous.

Aside from being the CAPITAL OF CANADA as well as the fourth largest city in the country Ottawa has plenty to be proud of.  But if you’re looking for “big stars” who call or have called Ottawa home, then take a gander at this short list of folks who have accomplished far more than winning a singing competition and getting engaged to a hockey player…

Alanis Morissette Multi-award winning singer/songwriter who is largely responsible for launching the angry girl movement of the mid 90’s grunge and alternative eras.  After two bubble gum pop records, Ottawa native Morissette returned in 1995 with Jagged Little Pill and the lead single You Oughta Know, that not only spawned the leather pants/satin blouse look, but became the break-up anthem for millions and helped make Pill one of the fastest selling albums of all time. She has since gone on to become one of the biggest female artists of all time and even branch out into movies and TV. (She did get her start on You Can’t Do That On Television right here in Ottawa too.)  Best of all, she’s always been loyal to her hometown.

Dan Aykroyd Actor, writer, winemaker, one half of the Blues Brothers. Whether he’s Dr. Ray Stanz fighting ghosts and marshmallow men or Jake Blues, hauling ass through a Chicago area shopping mall, Dan Aykroyd has had an amazing career in the movies and TV that is still unmatched. Starting as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and then jumping into classic comedies alongside the likes of Bill Murray and the late John Candy, Aykroyd is one of the most sucessful and well known SNL cast members of all time.  And here’s a little known fact, he was also part of the We Are The World recording.

Paul Anka Singer, songwriter, composer and music icon.  Mr. Anka shows no signs of slowing down after an outstanding career writing and performing some of the more memorable songs of all time. And when it came time for Johnny Carson to be played to the stage each night on The Tonight Show, Mr. Anka was the one who composed the theme song — and received a royalty check every time Johnny’s Theme was played.  Most recently it was revealed that This Is It, the last single from Michael Jackson was co-written by Mr. Anka back in 1983.

Tom Green Some might think of Green as Ottawa’s dirty little secret, but you have to give the man credit.  When he’s not pulling pranks or dating Drew Barrymore, Tom Green makes movies and TV show appearances all because he had a small, local talk-show on Rogers TV (Cable 22) back in 1994.  He has since moved on and made it “big” in the United States with shows on MTV and of course a rather memorable role in the hit comedy Road Trip and a not-so-memorable role in Freddy Got Fingered. Still, he’s a household name and a big-name star and keeps finding new ways of (sort of) reinventing himself.

Sarah Chalke You may remember her from Scrubs or Roseanne or have seen her most recently on How I Met Your Mother.  But when you talk about actress Sarah Chalke, you have to mention the fact that she’s from Ottawa.  Yes, she did move away to British Columbia, but as far as Ottawa exports go, Capital City did pretty well by her. And while she has never achieved super stardom, she has always remained employed and worked very hard to keep her status as a bankable and likable actress on both the small and big screens.

Mike Bullard Maybe not the biggest or best comedian in Canada — it seems many people have a rather strong opinion of Bullard — but I happen to like him and he was nice to me when I was on his show back in 1999.  Oh, and he’s from Ottawa too.  Say what you will, but how many of you had a talk-show on CTV and Global?  He’s done rather well for himself seeing he started out in the world of police services and as a Bell employee.  Through his sarcastic comedy, he managed to get a TV show and become well known in Canada.  Whether you like him or not — and I’m guessing that many will say “not” — he has hung in there.

Margaret Atwood Probably one of the greatest writers our country has ever produced and as luck would have it, she’s from Ottawa.  Ms. Atwood has had articles published in countless magazines and publications — including (another little known fact) Playboy magazine.  Ms. Atwood is the recipient of the Order of Canada, a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and numerous awards and honorary degrees.  She is known and respected all over the world.  And while she has yet to appear on some crappy reality show, she is by far one of the most famous Canadians of all time.

Lorene Greene Often referred to as the Grandfather of Canadian Broadcasting, many will remember Mr. Greene for his New Wilderness program or from his roles on Bonanza and the original Battlestar Galatica.  He was born in Ottawa and went on to become the principal newsreader for CBC where he earned the nickname the Voice of Canada.  He also was a narator and actor for both TV and film.  Sadly, he passed away in 1987, but his mark has been left on Canadian media and broascasting, as well as film and television for generations to come.

There are also the countless politicians, actors, singers and of course, hockey players who have been born and raised here.  Plenty of other people who should all be ushered to the front of the Ottawa’s Biggest Star line before Carrie Underwood is.

And then there’s me.  But alas, I wasn’t born here. I only live here now.  However I do expect a whirlwind of attention if I ever end up dating Kelly Clarkson. (But that would mean having to familiarize myself with her career which I understand got its start on American Idol as well — and we know that is never going to happen.)