I was just watching The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos on CBC. George used to be a Much Music V-Jay, then last year he hosted a US game show or talk show (The One?) that I think failed miserably, but his show “The Hour” is actually pretty cool.
He babbles away about great topics and ends up interviewing some pretty interesting people. I’ve just watched him interview Mia Farrow and now in a minute or two he’s going to be talking with Stephen King.
Just before his Stephen King interview begins he started talking about how common certain names are in the US. Smith of course is the most common name and King is the 30th most common surname. Did you know that in China with it’s population of about a billion people that there are only 100 surnames? There’s something like 97 million Wangs, and 98 million Lee’s and so on!
Hmmm 97 million Wangs. Why doesn’t that line sound quite right? LOL
Can you imagine trying to find someone in a phone book there? George said the Chinese goverment is finally going to allow people to combine last names so their kids could end up with the surname of the mother or father or perhaps a hyphenated surname. Hopefully this will make a few new surnames come into play. They certainly need some!
Now I’m going to watch one of my favorite authors … excuse me for a moment while I hang on to his every word.
Happy International Webloggers Day
george is kind of lame, though.
he pitches softballs.
he’s really just what you say he is: a music VJ.
he tries to pass it off, but really…he’s a lightweight.
and the soulpatch on his chin needs to go.
I love his books too, I’ll have to check out the show some time.
i like that guys. anyway, i’m sure the name “ken” or “john” is reaching million also.
Steven King has really stood the test of time, who knew 30years ago?
Wang? Who would have thought it? Are you sure it’s not the ‘wang’ name? Sorry!
“Hmmm 97 million Wangs.”
I actually just startled myself with my outburst of laughter and subsequent snorting noise.
I LOVE Stephen King. I had no idea he was going to be on The Hour. >.
At least it’s easier to remember surnames. If you can’t fully remember someone’s last name you just met, you might be able to find it through process of elimination.
Being Canadians who left Canada and most things Canadian behind a couple of years ago gives us an interesting perspective. I really don’t think George is any more ‘lightweight’ than lots of other interviewers. Getting the really big names to come on your show requires that you don’t embarass or attack them.
That being said, we were a bit astonished at the love-in he had with Belinda Stronach a while back. I think it went beyond courteous, I think she eats powerful men for lunch and George was like a half a cheesy to her.
Very interesting post about the surnames! It makes me dizzy when i think to the 98 millions Lee and 97 millions Wang!!!!
Lynn I didn’t even hear about International Webloggers day. I missed the boat!
LX I agree that George’s soul patch has gotta go and that he can be over the top at times – harking back to his V-Jay days, but some of his interviews are quite good. He’s certainly been getting some top name guests on his show lately so he’s gotta be doing something right.
Stephen King has always been one of my Favs. I’m certain that he was the first horror writer that I ever read. I think the first book of his I read was The shinning and that was when I was 10 or 11 years old! looking back I can’t imagine reading that as a kid but I know I did! LOL
Yes Ken I’m sure that there are many names that are in the millions. But can you imagine living in a country with 1 billion people and there’s only 100 surnames? Talk about confusing! LOL
Kip yeah it’s hard to imagine that he’s been writing for 30 years isn’t it? I started reading his books as a kid. I guess it never occurred to me around that time that he wouldn’t still be around writing, but now that he’s reached this milestone I’m sure glad he is still putting out good material!
Jean-Luc what’s Wang with this picture? LOL
Jennie I didn’t know he was going to be on the Hour either. I just came across it and I was so glad I did. The next night George had Geddy Lee from Rush on the show. He’s getting some great guest on these days!
Gally yes I can imagine someone counting off surnames on their hands and toes until they reached the right one. LOL
Martin I agree with you. George has made a good name for himself and I suspect part of that comes from his stint in the US over the past year. He’s only just back on the Hour recently. Think of how many US talk shows have failed because they haven’t been able to consistantly get good big name guests. He’s doing well and I’m astonished when I look at his line up of upcoming guests.
I missed the Belinda S love in. You’re right I too think she can be a man eater. Hey, she drove by us when we were downtown last week.
Claudie! Yes I agree. LOL and that’s only in China! I’m sure France is full of Lee’s and Wangs just like North America is … maybe there are billions of people with those surnames throughout the world. a billion Wangs … even more dizzying to contemplate now isn’t it?