I received an emergency phone call tonight demanding I switch my television to CityTV. I did so, and was at once amused, frightened, and proud.

What I saw was the World Beer Games. The Canadian contingent had just handily won the pint chugging contest.

The show was a typical CityTV/Moses Znaimer affair with shaky hand-held cameras, a raucous audience, and scantily clad women. For good measure, the show was hosted by Diedrich Bader.

Canada, of course, won the competition. What was more entertaining was watching the contestants slide into insobriety. By the end of the show, practically everyone was glassy. This includes Diedrich, who looked as if he might tip over on the podium while closing the tap on an enormous keg; this to signify the end of the games.

Luckily, we viewers were warned at the closing of the show that we should all “recycle our empties”. After all, with without a social conscience, we’d just be Americans, right? (Boo, hiss!)