As a child, Tatiana Polevoy was very entertaining in Quebec’s youth programs. The galas from here have also created lovely family moments for the hostess who wrote to persuade her parents to have a wider TV selection than the base stations…
Tatiana, which youth programs have shaped you?
Screenshot, Youtube
Caroline Dhavernas on the show Zap.
I loved the Zap Show [diffusée dans les w 1990 à Radio-Québec, NDLR] which took place in a secondary school. I saw this when I was 10 and thought high school so it looked wild! I remember Caroline playing Dhavernas; I loved it so much. I’ve also seen Vazimolo many times. André Robaille was my idol. I met him at my very first TV job, when I was a researcher for the show C’est just de la TV, which he was hosting at the time. I was very impressed! I then found him at the main entrance. He’s one of the people I admire most in the industry.
What are your fondest television memories from your childhood?
At gala evenings (L’ADISQ, Les Gémeaux or Les Métrostar) my parents would bring the TV with the big bunny ears of the time into the kitchen. We dressed smartly and watched the gala while eating! It was our tradition.
Did you watch a lot of TV when you were young?
When I was young we didn’t have cable at home. My parents were a bit “hippie” and resisted it. I remember writing them a letter to convince them it was absolutely necessary and they finally gave up!
Is there a character that influenced you?
Many characters have shaped me, like Sophie Bonin-Jutras [jouée par Katerine-Lune Rollet, NDLR] in Watatatow and Thorn in Degrassi, but neither really influenced me.
Is there another song from a show that you remember?
Turn on your 100 Watt, the theme song of the 100 Watt Club! I still listen to it regularly. And I say that without irony! What a melody, what a melody!
Is there a character you would have loved to play for children?
Photo taken from IMDB
Jessica Barker in The Undaunted.
I would have loved to have been Jessica Barker in Les Intrépides. I replayed it in my alley!
Which universe should your children discover?
I got my kids to watch all the Tales for All movies and they love it.
What do you think of today’s youth television?
Youth television in Quebec is creative and healthy. I’m thinking of programs like L’île Kilucru or Comme des têtes pas de poule, which I watch with my children. But I think it’s a shame that we watch a lot of TV on demand these days. When I was young we turned on the TV, there were two channels that showed cartoons on Saturday mornings and that was it. I would never have watched Les cités d’or alone with TV on Demand! But I’m glad I checked it out. So there is no Netflix or TV on demand at our house on Saturday mornings for my 4 and 7 year olds. You watch TV live, just like in the good old days! They cry but I’m sure they’ll thank me later!
- Tatiana Polevoy is an employee of the society magazine Life is a carnival hosted by Sophie Fouron and aired on Fridays at 9pm by TV5. The show is also available on TV5Unis.ca