May 22, 2026
SHARE
Short Cuts
#1369 In Defence of CBC’s Prank Show
CBC is pausing its production of an elaborate “prank show” led by Indigenous creators after outrage online. 
San Grewal
Host
James Nicholson
Producer
Caleb Thompson
Audio Editor
max collins
Director of Audio
Jesse Brown
Host & Publisher

Critics say “Northland Tales” is political activism that has no place on the national broadcaster.

 

But Ryan McMahon joins San Grewal to explain why pranking is fair game, even on the CBC, and why it would be a shame if the show gets cancelled. 

 

Host: San Grewal

Credits: James Nicholson (Producer), Kallan Lyons (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), Caleb Thompson (Mixing and Mastering), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Ryan McMahon

 

Further reading: 

 

Sponsors:

 

oxio: Head over to canadaland.oxio.ca and use code CANADALAND for your first month free! 

 

Douglas:  Douglas is giving our listeners a FREE Sleep Bundle with each mattress purchase. Get the sheets, pillows, mattress and pillow protectors FREE with your Douglas purchase today.  Visit douglas.ca/canadaland to claim this offer.

 

Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at Shopify.ca

 

It’s our biggest sale of the year! Save 80% on a Canadaland subscription and become a supporter for only $2/month. You’ll get all of our podcasts ad-free, free access to our live events, and much, much more. What are you waiting for? Go to canadaland.com/join

Stephen Marche will be interviewing Chrystia Freeland LIVE in Toronto in the first edition of The Nuance, a live event series in partnership with the MNJCC. Join us on Sunday, May 24th at 7pm at the Al Green theatre. Doors open at 6pm. Free for Canadaland supporters, or you can become a supporter at the door for only $2 this month. Seating is first come first served. Find out more at canadaland.com/live

More from this series
Canadians are increasingly getting their news from the New York Times. 
September 4, 2026
There’s been wall-to-wall coverage of the breakdown in trade talks between Canada and the US, on both sides of the border. 
September 2, 2026
As trade negotiations broke down, Canadian streaming policy, CanCon requirements, and French language discoverability have taken a surprisingly central role in the narrative. 
August 28, 2026
As trade talks break down between Canada and the US, the race is on to fill in the details. Both Carney and US Trade Representative Jameson Greer are offering their versions of the final hours of negotiations. 
August 26, 2026
E-scooters are making headlines as a dangerous transportation option. From Xav Trudeau not wearing a helmet in an e-Scooter ad, to editorials calling them a scourge.
August 21, 2026
B.C.’s wildfires spread at unprecedented speeds, resulting in tens of thousands of evacuations and a province-wide state of emergency.
August 19, 2026
Is Canada a soft target for Chinese espionage?
August 14, 2026
Are the reports of Carney’s concessions a trial balloon?
August 12, 2026
all podcasts arrow All Podcasts
Short Cuts