CFN – Betcha that most of you reading this have never heard of Joe Bodolai. Joe exited Stage Hollywood. Not the first and not the last. He left the USA seeking haven in Canada during the Vietnam years and built a career in Comedy.
The irony that many who give so much to make us laugh suffer in darkness during their lives. Joe had a great life in many ways. He achieved a lot; saw a lot; but because his adopted country couldn’t fulfill his career he had to go back to the US just like so much Canadian talent has to leave to reach its pinnacle or be rewarded fitly.
That’s a problem for many countries but one that Canada should not have.
Reading about Joe, reading his last blog entry; I’ve learned more about him than I knew. I recognized his name from rolling credits of shows like Kids in the Hall.
Joe decided he’d had enough of life.
Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering – and it’s all over much too soon.
Woody Allen
A similar situation exists with literature. The last of what was once a larger number of Canadian book publishers are also taking a similar route. I was told by a professional in the publishing industry, that in order to be taken seriously by a Canadian publishing house, a Canadian author must already have established a following and a reasonable level of success in the USA!!! This came as quite a shock, as there was once a feeling of pride in Canadian talent – be it music, literature, art, or whatever. Every Canadian book publishing website tells Canadian authors NOT to contact them or submit anything, as it will be thrown into the garbage.
There is something very wrong with a system (government) that does not support their own, be it comedy writers or doctors. It’s high time we assist those with talent within our own country, rather than watch them all head south of the border.