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Getbig Female Info Boards => Open Talk for Girl Discussion => Topic started by: 24KT on January 24, 2008, 09:11:16 PM
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Women leave Canadian town, children in hands of men
Thu Jan 24, 7:10 PM
By Julie Gordon
TORONTO (Reuters) - What would happen if all the women were to disappear from a town, leaving the men to not only work, but also take care of the family and the home?
"It will be a disaster, a complete disaster," said Kelly Weatherly, who was sent off for a week at a resort, along with almost all the women in her community of 760, leaving the town and the children in the hands of the men.
The exodus was part of a social experiment filmed for Canada's national broadcaster, the CBC. Touted as an exploration of gender issues in contemporary Canadian culture, "The Week the Women Went" is based on a BBC program by the same name.
Recent government statistics show that 70 percent of Canadian households are run by women. The majority of these women also hold full-time jobs.
In Hardisty, an oil-patch town in the prairie province of Alberta where the program was shot, many of the men work away from home for days at a time.
"They don't get to hang out with Daddy," said stay-at-home mother Heather Miller of her two young sons in the first episode. "I don't even know if he's had them for a whole day."
While Miller worried about her husband Dustin's ability to cope without her, he didn't share her concern.
"Two people to take care of, both under the age of five," he said. "How hard can it be?"
Dustin Miller's comments may come off as misguided, but for some of the local men good planning made the process easy.
"It wasn't that much of an ordeal," said town administrator, and father of three, Tony Kulbisky. "We just pre-planned everything, or tried to be as organized as we could be."
For the CBC's creative chief Kristine Layfield, making a reality program presented a unique challenge.
"Whenever we do these kinds of shows, we want to stir conversation," she said. "It's never exploitative ... it's always with a purpose to try to move people to talk about something after they watch the show."
And the show has sparked discussion. Local media called it "sexist" and debate online has been lively.
"What a misandric (man hating) idea for show," said a viewer identified as Andrew. "What is wrong with Canadian society that we need to continuously promote how important women are to society at the expense of men."
While show producer Sally Aitken is delighted with both the positive and negative reaction the program is getting. She said the best part is how the experience has changed the relationships of the participants.
For one commitment phobic man, who after ten years together, and three children, was still refusing to marry his girlfriend, the time apart prompted him to plan a surprise wedding.
While viewers will have to wait to see if the wedding goes off without a hitch, Kulbisky is certain of at least one thing.
"It's changed people. You can walk down the street now and you can say hi to people who you maybe never would have said hi to before," he said. "It's allowed the community to grow."
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That article was obviously written by a man hater, Jag.
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How do you figure? I've just re-read it, and I'm not seeing that. Could you point out the misandric parts? ???
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Women leave Canadian town, children in hands of men
"What a misandric (man hating) idea for show," said a viewer identified as Andrew. "What is wrong with Canadian society that we need to continuously promote how important women are to society at the expense of men."
I don't agree with Andrew, and would love to know how the whole thing ends up. I can see all the dirty laundry , dirty dishes , kids strung out on sugar and McD's crap , empty pizza boxes all over the neighborhood , not to mention all the men walking around the lingerie department in the local Wal-Mart.
;D
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Not to mention all the guys driving around forever, too macho to ask for directions, and soo horny they're ready to take someone's head off at the drop of a hat. I think the big losers in all this will be the kids. :'(
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How do you figure? I've just re-read it, and I'm not seeing that. Could you point out the misandric parts? ???
Politically correct nonsense works both ways. If the President of Harvard can get canned for suggesting that men might be better than woman at Math and Engineering, this woman can be called misandric for suggesting that women might be better than men at raising small children.
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Politically correct nonsense works both ways. If the President of Harvard can get canned for suggesting that men might be better than woman at Math and Engineering, this woman can be called misandric for suggesting that women might be better than men at raising small children.
But you forget to take into account that Heather Miller is speaking about her husband, ...a man who has NEVER even had his kids for an entire day by himself. I wouldn't necessarily call her a man-hater, as she is speaking about her personal experience. That's like calling K-Fed a mysogynist for claiming that his sons are better off with him as the custodial parent.
...sides, ...everyone knows women are better than men at raising small children. ;)
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How do you figure? I've just re-read it, and I'm not seeing that. Could you point out the misandric parts? ???
Its a load of crock. I have a friend right now who has a wife in a full arm cast and a 1 year old daughter who has a flu. He has been taking care of his family all by himself (as his wife cannot in a cast) not to mention, holding a job, tending to the baby's every need, cleaning the house, cooking, etc, etc, etc. This has been going on for weeks now. He called me last night from Sick Kids Hospital here in Toronto to tell me that his daughter has a 105 degree fever. This is just a small example. Lots of men are very capable of taking care of children and raising families. What do you think single fathers do? The message that I got from that article is that men do not know how to take care of their families and their home. Well to me, that article was written by someone who is definately a man hater. Lord know, there are lots of them. :-\
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Well to me, that article was written by someone who is definately a man hater. Lord know, there are lots of them. :-\
I'm not a man hater PB by any means , but I personally know a lot of men who would not handle doing what your friend is doing , not only is it they couldn't handle it , more like they'd refuse .
Some of the men I know who would do this would do it on their level and that would mean no cooking , no cleaning , and letting the kids run rampant.
Of course there are plenty of men who are like your friend but we don't ever hear the good things , so it's just more apparent that this side is discussed more for that reason.
some not all , applies to women as well :-\
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I think the comments about political correctness do have merit, and there are plenty of men out there who are really excellent fathers. I think this show is meant to be humorous though, isn't it? And it can't be any worse than Wife Swap, where every week, two dysfunctional families trade their mothers/wives, usually with very comedic results. The women are always intolerant and shrewish, or weepy and hysterical, walking emotional disasters. Isn't it kind of in the same genre?
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Its a load of crock. I have a friend right now who has a wife in a full arm cast and a 1 year old daughter who has a flu. He has been taking care of his family all by himself (as his wife cannot in a cast) not to mention, holding a job, tending to the baby's every need, cleaning the house, cooking, etc, etc, etc. This has been going on for weeks now. He called me last night from Sick Kids Hospital here in Toronto to tell me that his daughter has a 105 degree fever. This is just a small example. Lots of men are very capable of taking care of children and raising families. What do you think single fathers do? The message that I got from that article is that men do not know how to take care of their families and their home. Well to me, that article was written by someone who is definately a man hater. Lord know, there are lots of them. :-\
Whoa! Calm down Playboy. I think you're reading waaaay too much into this. No one is saying that men can't be good at taking care of their children and running a household by themselves. There are plenty of men who do just that and are very good at it.
HOWEVER, ...these particular men are from Hardisty, and most are never around. They're off for days working the oil-patch. For these guys, running the household and taking care of their kids is not something they do. They're away from home most of the time, and most likely have no clue about how their household is run, let alone the kids routines because they haven't been the ones juggling that.
I predict many of these guys will be like lost babes in the woods, and the kids are going to have a hard time adjusting to their father's learning curves. Why not watch the series and see how it turns out? it's CBC so you should be able to get it. :) I predict these guys, and the kids, are going to come away from this with a newfound respect for what their wives & mothers do for them. ...just my opinion. :)
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Whoa! Calm down Playboy. I think you're reading waaaay too much into this. No one is saying that men can't be good at taking care of their children and running a household by themselves. There are plenty of men who do just that and are very good at it.
HOWEVER, ...these particular men are from Hardisty, and most are never around. They're off for days working the oil-patch. For these guys, running the household and taking care of their kids is not something they do. They're away from home most of the time, and most likely have no clue about how their household is run, let alone the kids routines because they haven't been the ones juggling that.
I predict many of these guys will be like lost babes in the woods, and the kids are going to have a hard time adjusting to their father's learning curves. Why not watch the series and see how it turns out? it's CBC so you should be able to get it. :) I predict these guys, and the kids, are going to come away from this with a newfound respect for what their wives & mothers do for them. ...just my opinion. :)
Well, from what I got out of that article it stated that men cannot take care of their families. I beg to differ. There will not be lost babies in the woods if the babies have the proper guidence of a loving parent..mother or father.
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Well, from what I got out of that article it stated that men cannot take care of their families. I beg to differ. There will not be lost babies in the woods if the babies have the proper guidence of a loving parent..mother or father.
psst: I was talking about the fathers. :-X
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psst: I was talking about the fathers. :-X
You missed the moral of the story :-X
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You missed the moral of the story :-X
ok, what's the moral of the story?
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ok, what's the moral of the story?
That article is ludacris. Men CAN take care of their families if needs be.
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That article is ludacris. Men CAN take care of their families if needs be.
True, ...however I think this particular batch are going to have a bit of a learning curve,
...and that will be the fun part to watch. ;D
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Wife Swap, where every week, two dysfunctional families trade their mothers/wives, usually with very comedic results.
I like that show Deedee ;D
Sometimes it is hysterical , and they always end up getting something out of it , agree ?or no ?
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I like that show Deedee ;D
Sometimes it is hysterical , and they always end up getting something out of it , agree ?or no ?
Love it! ;D
They do always get something out of it, but sometimes it's frightening too. Like the episode with the woman who was a sun worshiper and figured she didn't have to eat because being out in the rays gave her all the nourishment she needed. The whole family was skinny as twigs. :-X
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Love it! ;D
They do always get something out of it, but sometimes it's frightening too. Like the episode with the woman who was a sun worshiper and figured she didn't have to eat because being out in the rays gave her all the nourishment she needed. The whole family was skinny as twigs. :-X
On a different note, great to have you back here Deedee. I missed ya!
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Love it! ;D
They do always get something out of it, but sometimes it's frightening too. Like the episode with the woman who was a sun worshiper and figured she didn't have to eat because being out in the rays gave her all the nourishment she needed. The whole family was skinny as twigs. :-X
YES !!! I was weirded out with that chick :o
The one with fitness Mom was good , the new family really got benefitted (sp) from that one , I liked it a lot.
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"The Week The Women Went" airs Monday night at 8pm on CBC.
For those of you unable to get CBC on your local channel lineup, you can preview episodes here:
http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/video.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/video.html)
Don't laugh too hard. ;D
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With these kind of shows they just let the viewers see what they want to see. With a good shot selection they could either show a group of men doing perfectly fine, or a bunch of losers who can't handle it.
Probably they'll go the second route, as most of the viewers will prob be women.
However, i don't think it's a real easy task either. Life is hard for most single-parent (man or woman) families and it's kind of unfair to expect that everyone should just be able to handle it perfectly in a short time (man or woman).
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With these kind of shows they just let the viewers see what they want to see. With a good shot selection they could either show a group of men doing perfectly fine, or a bunch of losers who can't handle it.
Probably they'll go the second route, as most of the viewers will prob be women.
With most reality shows I'd say that was the case, ...but this is CBC which is a little different.
They don't have to compete for ratings, ...only for purely Canadian content.
However, i don't think it's a real easy task either. Life is hard for most single-parent (man or woman) families and it's kind of unfair to expect that everyone should just be able to handle it perfectly in a short time (man or woman).
I agree. But I think it's hilarious that these are the actual parents... for whom parenting appears to be a foreign thing. Some of the out-takes that were not included in the broadcast were hilarious. I like the one where the father is trying to get his kid to bed, and he's dragging him across the floor, and the kid grabs onto the door post and refuses to let go. The one where the father starts screaming to his wife "Take her, she just pee'd on me". He should have been grateful it was a baby girl. Can you imagine how happy he'd have been if he had a baby boy to contend with? Diaper change time for him would have been a riot!!! And the guy gets pissed off and resentful when his wife left, and she didn't cook all the meals in advance before going. ::)
I really felt sorry for that guy with the 3 babies. 1 toddler, and a set of newborn twins. Oy! What a handful!
Lucky for him, all three of them are girls.
Correction: Jay's twin 11 month olds are girls, ...the 2 yr. old toddler is a boy. :o
Day 1 and already one of the twins has a huge bruise on her forehead. :o
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Episode 1:
Hit The Road Jill:
Aired: Monday, January 21, 2008.
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With a mix of excitement and trepidation, the town of Hardisty, Alberta gets ready for a week without Mom. The men’s bravado speaks volumes as the guys discuss their best (and worst) case scenarios without wives, girlfriends, sisters and mothers around. Some men plan to party, others hope to connect with their kids and a few just hope they survive...!
The women, meanwhile, are similarly keyed up AND nervous about leaving their kids and men behind. The ladies pack their bags, stock meals in the freezers and list multiple chores for their guys to complete in their absence. Some go as far as leaving a detailed plan for watering the garden or pin rosters to the fridge. What does this say about women’s control in the home and their confidence in their men? We’ll soon see.
This episode introduces the town of Hardisty and some of the characters that are followed for the next 7 days.
For some men, like local restaurant/bar owner, Max Sabati, being without women is more than just losing his girlfriend, Tamara Seidel… Max is losing half his female bar staff too. And, he’ll have their three children to manage while staying in business. How’s he going to cope? Max’s prediction - “It’ll be a challenge”
Other men, like trucker Brad McKenzie, think that looking after the kids isn’t anything to get stressed about, “It’ll be easy”.
Or as Pipeliner, Dustin Miller says, “two kids, under 5… how hard can it be?”
36-year-old bachelor, Sam Holinaty, has to look after his 11-year-old son, Keaton, for 7 days - the longest he and Keaton have ever spent together. Keaton’s mom (and Sam’s ex-wife), Julie Pasztor, could have allowed Keaton to stay home with his 3 step-siblings and her current husband Jordan, but she’s eager for Sam to be involved in their son’s life. Can Sam do it and what will he discover in the process?
The episode touches on some Hardisty history and points to its future as an oil-rich town.
And apart from anything else, the men of Hardisty start cooking up their plans for a “secret community project” – one that will be a surprise for the women when they return, and a lasting reminder of The Week The Women Went... that is if the women don’t find out what their counterparts are up to in the next 7 days.
To view episode 1:http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide1.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide1.html)
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Episode 2:
The Men Go It Alone
Aired: Jan, 28, 2008
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As the buses roll out of town, some of the women waste no time in embracing their week of “no responsibility!” Others fight tears, guilt at leaving their children behind and relief at finally getting a break. Across Canada and also globally, women carry a disproportionate load – they are the primary caregivers whose household labour is unpaid and often undervalued. This week is a unique chance for the women – a time for themselves and some self-reflection.
Meanwhile, on the home front, the men and kids get straight down to business. In an immediate case of too many chores and not enough hands, the guys start relying on each other. Some like Darcy Goodrich enlist Dad to help out; others like David Hays call in a friend.
David has good reason to palm off the two youngest of his four children – he’s got a busy day on his family’s ranch, branding and castrating 600 steers. The Hays family goes back four generations in Hardisty and today the fifth generation - David’s sons, Blair and Blake - get a taste of Dad’s cuisine… At the end of the day in true prairie style, the ranch hands kick back with the tradition of frying up what they just cut off and everyone’s invited to the “prairie oyster” supper.
But the farmers aren’t the only ones in a party mood. All across town the men get together lighting up their BBQs to solve the question of dinner… Resulting in potential disaster for the town’s liquor store. It’s only day one and already John Pioker, who’s filling in at the store for wife, Mary Ann, is running out of stock.
The women’s celebrations also mount, as they get closer to Canmore, and their plush resort. But for some women, being away with other women might prove challenging. Cathy Belanger is a single mother who has struggled to raise her children alone.
To complicate matters, the teens are planning to go a little wild this week – and the Belanger kids are leading the charge.
To view episode 2: http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide2.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide2.html)
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Episode 3:
Drama on The High Seas!:
Aired: Monday, February 4th, 2008.
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The women of Hardisty, Alberta have made a fantasy trade – for 7 days they’ve ditched their jobs, housework and childcare for an all expenses paid holiday in the Rocky Mountains. But it’s day one and the so-called relaxing holiday takes a dramatic and unexpected turn…
Single Mom, Deb DeGraw has a near death experience while white water rafting the mighty rapids on the Kananaskis River. Deb’s left her 13-year-old daughter, Dionne, in the care of her ex-husband, Wes, and while gulping for air, she thinks she’s never going to see either of them again…
Meanwhile, in Hardisty, work on the men’s surprise town project crunches to a halt for a different emergency. 27-year-old pipeliner, Dustin Miller, is at home looking after his two young sons Aidan and Liam. He’s building a shed with his father, the expert carpenter Brad Miller, but Dustin slips with the nail gun and punctures his arm. Without a word to anyone, Dustin races himself to the hospital. So Brad is left minding the kids… and the community project is left without a carpenter.
And, if working on a town project or building a shed at home while minding the kids aren’t large enough plans, one man has decided to shoot for the moon…
Todd Moody and his girlfriend Leah Rogers have three kids together but for the past 10 years Todd’s resisted the idea of marriage. Now Leah’s away and Todd suddenly has a change of heart. He plans to propose to Leah the moment she gets home and marry her the next day.
And he wants the whole thing to be a surprise. That means pulling off a secret wedding in just 7 days. Todd’s trusted his secret plans to no one but a couple of buddies – but his wedding planner Darren Hays potentially blows it before the second day is even over.
To view episode 3: http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide3.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide.html)
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I've just attempted to read this (thought I ought to because someone I respect started this thread)
& I'm not sure really, because I abhor reality tv, it's all made up.
I reckon most kids should thank themselves lucky if they have a Dad these days. If their Mummy sticks around, good on them.
Hey it's a new world and you're creating a new society by living in a live on tv sphere.
I chose to not have children.
Although I now realise (via the trash on tv) that I've either stopped or robbed the gene pool.
xL
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I too am not really into Reality TV shows. not sure if it's just elitism (Hollywood has always had a disdain for Reality TV participants) The attitude seems to be a hierarchy of theatre actors >> then Film >> then TV >> commercial >> etc) ...at least until Ozzy Osbourne proved how useful it could be for putting new life into an otherwise stagnant career. After the novelty of the 1st one wore off, I pretty much found them pretty disgusting, ...especially the ones that focus on and exploit serious issues, but this one I'm finding very interesting.
There's a real interesting dynamic in this town that seems to work for the families involved.
It's a charming little town, and most of those characters seem like pretty good people. I can't wait for the rest of the episodes. I have a feeling that all families developed a greater appreciation for their partners, moms & dads, ...and I doubt the dynamics have changed (much).
It's the way it is because clearly it works for them, otherwise, they would be doing something to alter it.
It would be interesting to know how Theresa's relationship holds up. It looks like her marriage is already on the rocks.
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Jesus H.
They already have "Celebrity Wife Swap" in England and are into the 2nd year and this season have a gay couple going awol.
Z list celebrities, of course, doubt they get paid much. Possibly £100,000 a week? But they're pretending to be wonderful at bringing up kids. Then they all fake it when attempting to use a washing machine.
I can't watch it, makes me wanna barf, so instead I just read the news headlines today and the entertainment pages the day after.
& I have a perfectly normal otherwise friend who is the mother of a 13 year old daughter who is addicted to America's next desktop model... They tape it and then watch it in the morning. Puke making, I say. No wonder I am no longer able to hold a proper conversation.
xL
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Episode 4:
Who's Holding The Aces Now?:
Aired: Monday, February 11th, 2008.
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As most mothers know, getting the kids up and out the door for school can be an exercise in frustration.
Today, the men of Hardisty are witnessing first hand just how frustrating that morning routine can be...
39-year-old Ed Wurz is usually on the road for up to 17 hours a day. The life of a long haul trucker is certainly challenging but with his wife Penny away, Ed’s now towing what seems like a heavier load - running around after their three boys, Dylan, Derrick and Travis. Ed’s the sort of Dad who likes things done his way, precisely, and on time. But his truculent boys have found ways to test Dad’s patience – first, they sleep in, and then 8-year-old Travis decides to give himself a haircut…
Across town, another trucker, Brad McKensize’s struggling to get the kids going in the morning but at least he’s got a helping hand – his mother Shirley. Brad’s supposed to be minding his girlfriend Pam Krause’s three kids, Melinda, Kyla and Carson on his own this week, but Shirley (who stayed in town to play bingo), is picking up Brad’s slack. Is Brad playing fair to the other men in town?
Speaking of the other men, Todd Moody’s secret wedding plans are going from bad to worse – first, his wedding planner accidentally spilled the beans to a friend, and now, Todd’s kids have found out. Word is leaking out and Todd doesn’t like it one bit. So far, his intended, Leah Rogers, still doesn’t know but Todd figures it’s only a matter of time – so he decides to go on the offensive. Radically.
Elsewhere in town, some Dads and their kids are spending more time with each other than they’ve ever done before. Bachelor Sam Holinaty is typically the life of the party – popular and charismatic – he’s father to 11-year-old Keaton. Keaton would love to live with his Dad and this week, Sam’s discovering just how important being there for his son really is.
In Canmore, the Hardisty women settle in for a round of boisterous poker – led by Kelly Weatherly. The change in location has prompted a surprising shift of gender roles. Typically multi-tasking between jobs, children’s activities and community volunteering, the women have little time to just hang with other women. They’re starting to re-examine their identities and let go just a little bit at a time.
There’s reflection and re-examination in Hardisty too. Curtis Chisen and his girlfriend, Nikki Brausen split a couple of years ago and then a week after they split Nikki discovered she was pregnant. They’ve been having difficulty seeing eye to eye over the care of their child, Carter. This week is a chance for both of them – Nikki to learn to trust Curtis, and Curtis to prove himself as a good Dad. And Curtis opts to mark the occasion in a special way, perhaps more than Nikki could ever have imagined.
To view episode 4: http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide4.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide4.html)
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OK, I finally got caught up on ALL the epiisodes. I'm glad I watched this reality show.
It wasn't as big a trainwreck as some of the pther sensationlized shows where people literally degrade themselves for the voyeuristic pleasures of others, ...this one turned into a real learning experience for everyone, ...and as I predicted, most people started to appreciate their partners more. Good Stuff! :)
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Episode 5
Miss me yet?
Aired: Monday, February 18, 2008. 8pm
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The men of Hardisty are at the halfway point. They’ve been without their women for 4 days and the cracks are starting to show. They’re tired, and worn out. But it’s not just the piling laundry and dirty dishes that are evidence of their suffering…the guys are getting… lonely.
Brand-new father, 25 year old, Shawn Gaetzman is the most grief-stricken of all. His wife and nursing baby are Canmore, so this week Shawn could relive his bachelor days. Instead, he chooses to ease his pain by going into overdrive on household chores and personal grooming. But pretty soon Shawn’s lawn is immaculate and his house (and manicured feet) are spotless too. So now what? Shawn’s emptiness will be filled by a presence he’s been trying to avoid – his estranged twin brother, Robert Gaetzman. And Shawn isn’t exactly thrilled about it…
Meanwhile, Iranian Canadian restaurant owner, Max Sabeti, has a gigantic womanless void to handle. Max runs the local bar and his entire female staff, as well as his business partner / girlfriend Tamara Seidel, are all away kicking up their heels in the mountains. So Max is left juggling his three young kids and customers – without much success in either. Something gives when Max’s week takes a drastic and unexpected turn with news from Iran….
Perhaps the only folk in town not missing their Moms are the teenagers. They’re gearing up for the biggest party of the year, the annual “Zok Rock” bush bash. Justin Belanger turns 18 years old the same night and with 300-500 revelers expected to attend Justin’s sure “it’s gonna be the best birthday ever!” Another teen, Michael Nelson is eager to go partying too – but his father Neal has other ideas.
And speaking of partying, on the ladies holiday, Mairead Morrison finds herself in the same room as Julie Pasztor. These two women haven’t spoken since Mairead’s divorce from Julie’s younger brother, James. There’s tension in the air as Mairead makes her way over to Julie. Mairead’s objective is to speak her mind – and rescue her reputation at the same time. But how will she be received?
To view episode 5: http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide5.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide5.html)
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Episode 6:
The real price of oil…
Aired: Monday, February 25, 2008. 8pm
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Hardisty’s a town full of oil patch dads… they work away from home for weeks at a time… and why not? The pay is good and the jobs ‘a plenty. But with their women gone for a week, many Hardisty fathers are forced to take a good look at the impact their jobs are having on their families – and for some of them, the reality is proving to be a big eye opener.
32-year-old Darren Hays runs a trucking company, which specializes in moving massive oilrigs. He’s constantly on the road, which typically leaves his wife Tracey to do the lion’s share of the parenting of their two children, Caylynne and Colby. This week is the first time Darren’s ever looked after the kids on his own and he’s running out of time and energy to make good on his commitments to the family.
Across town, another oil worker, Kevin Clarkson, is facing disaster. So far, he’s killed the vegetable garden, mixed up his wife’s laundry and now he’s been told that the company he works for might be sold, meaning Kevin might lose his job. Kevin’s dilemma is whether he should tell his wife Heather. He doesn’t want to spoil her holiday with the news that he might be forced to leave town for a job back in the oil patch. But keeping things in check might be more than Kevin can take….
And keeping things in check might be more than Todd Moody can take too. Todd has his hands full trying to plan a secret wedding for girlfriend, Leah Rogers. Leah is blissfully unaware of Todd’s big plans – which is good because it’s starting to look like Todd’s bitten off far more than he can chew. In Leah’s absence, their house has become a veritable war zone – all Todd’s buddies have dumped their kids at his de facto daddy day care, and the wedding plans are sinking faster than Todd can bail.
One man determined not to bail out is local politician Doug Griffiths. He’s been housebound for five days minding his one year old, Austin, and he’s had about enough of it. Surviving on just a few hours sleep, Doug decides he’s going to get out and about with the people by appearing on a radio show… with Austin in tow. Pretty brave given that the program is live to air and Austin’s wailing is… loud.
To view episode 6: http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide6.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide6.html)
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Episode 7:
Unfinished business…
Aired: Monday, March 3, 2008. 8pm
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Due to the Alberta provincial election coverage on Monday, March 3, CBC Television's THE WEEK THE WOMEN WENT will be pre-empted in ALBERTA ONLY and will now telecast on Sunday, March 9 at 7 p.m. The final episode will air in it's regular time slot on Monday, March 10 at 8 p.m.
There’s less than 48 hours to go before all the women return home to Hardisty. As the ladies start packing their suitcases, some of the men are packing up too… On Main Street they’re racing against the clock to finish the surprise community project while at home there are the dishes to get clean, the house to organize and dirty clothes to… well, let’s face it… stack into laundry piles for the ladies to deal with on their return!
Over the past week many men have spent unprecedented time with their children and enjoyed their fair share of trauma and tantrums along the way... But, the experiment has also given everyone insights into the role of fathers and value of dad-time.
For single dads, like Sam Holinaty, this week marks the longest period of time he and his 11-year-old son, Keaton, have ever spent together. In addition to the “manly vacuuming” that Sam’s proud to say he’s finished, Sam’s also contemplating Keaton’s return home to his mom’s house, but it’s bittersweet and will perhaps be more painful than Sam anticipates.
Other dads like step-Dad Evan Drager are reaching the end of the week by fulfilling long overdue promises. Evan and his wife Colleen live on his family farm outside town with Colleen’s two daughters Maddie and Belle from a previous relationship. There’s an old barn on site which Colleen fears is a death trap for her curious girls or wandering livestock, and she’s repeatedly asked Evan to tear it down. But this is a tough ask of Evan – his grandfather built the barn and the aged timbers hold a host of memories. Against the odds, Colleen’s absence prompts Evan into taking action and in some of the most dramatic footage seen so far the stubborn old barn puts up a darn good fight.
Another farmer, Darcy Goodrich, has his hands full this week juggling his day job in the oil patch and his two young boys, and herd of cows at home. While feeding out with his kids in tow, Darcy faces one of the toughest tasks any parent must do – explain the meaning of life and death to his children.
In Canmore, most women are savouring their last moments of the holiday but not Noreen Metz. She’s “done” with the pampering and the luxury and wants to go home. Never one to understate, Noreen would literally shift the hands of time if she could…. as would groom-to-be Todd Moody. Todd’s spent all his time this week trying to secretly plan a surprise wedding for his long-term partner, Leah Rogers. With just hours to go before Leah comes home, Todd’s valiantly trying to organize the hall. Unfortunately for Todd, his “helpers” aren’t just being unhelpful. This time…they’ve vamoosed…!
To view episode 7: http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide7.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide7.html)
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Episode 8:
A homecoming for the history books!
Aired: Monday, March 10, 2008. 8pm
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A week ago the women of Hardisty, Alberta skipped town for an all-expenses paid luxury vacation in the Rocky Mountains. 7 days have ticked by with the men in charge and in that time… well… let’s just say things have been done a bit differently…. There’s been Dad’s daily dinner of BBQ’d meat … novel bath times where kids plus a soapy trampoline equals clean… and most delicious of all, staying up well beyond Mom’s bedtime curfews! Yet, in the midst of the madness, children have grown closer to their fathers and tough prairie men have been brought to their knees.
The men screwed up, made good, banded together and commiserated in their communal loneliness - some even resorted to talking with the dog. Some fathers have been forcedto re-examine their priorities and some men now know how to put the washing machine on. With recriminations, reflections, tears and predictions the men and children gather en masse on Main Street. But the biggest emotion of all is ANTICIPATION. Three buses of Hardisty women are 7kms away and everyone is eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Well, almost everyone…
Jeremy Ottenbreit was away fishing when his wife Teresa left town. Their argument over the trip was the latest in a series of marital disputes. In the time that Jeremy’s been back home he hasn’t heard from Teresa once, and he’s been increasingly worried about his decision to put fishing before family. Jeremy knows that plenty of other Hardisty men have had the odd sneaky phone call and he’s upset Teresa hasn’t dialed him in. Feeling guilty and remorseful, Jeremy is waiting nervously on Main Street, not even knowing whether Teresa is coming home…
On the ladies buses, some women are in a guessing game too. 39-year-old Kelly Weatherly left her two kids behind with her much younger, Mohawk sporting fiancé Tyler Sim. She’s looking forward to seeing them, and has high hopes this week will have done much to bond their unconventional family unit together. Little does she know how her hopes will be dashed...
The biggest mystery of all is what unsuspecting bride-to-be Leah Rogers will say when the bus rounds the corner and she sees her partner, Todd Moody and all her extended family. Todd’s been planning to propose to Leah all week. But now it’s D-day and Todd is terrified. The hall is decorated (in lilac), the tux is on standby, and the celebrant is in the wings. As the moment of truth draws near, Todd furiously wipes the sweat from his brow. Will Todd man up or back out? Will he drop to his knees? Will Leah do an “I do”? Get the Kleenex ready…
To view episode 8: http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide.html (http://www.cbc.ca/thewomenwent/guide.html)
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I don't have children, but I can cook pretty good, I know all the ins and outs of housekeeping, and I know exactly what I can spend. :)
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I don't have children, but I can cook pretty good, I know all the ins and outs of housekeeping, and I know exactly what I can spend. :)
And you said all that very nicely without typing a novel unlike the above :)