REMINDER: Our jury consisted of twelve journalists and columnists: Cédric Bélanger, Alexandre Caputo, Maxime Demers, Sophie Durocher, Guy Fournier, Raphaël Gendron-Martin, Bruno Lapointe, Sarah-Émilie Nault, Mélissa Pelletier, Emmanuelle Plante, Guillaume Picard and Danny Vear .
20. The beautiful inconveniences
Distribution: 2014 to 2017 and 2021 on TVA
Martin Matte and Julie Le Breton in a scene from the comedy “Les beaux malaises”. PHOTO PROVIDED BY TVA
Martin Matte offers us a situation comedy in which he presents his fake real life. We accompany him in his daily life with family and friends, which is interrupted by funny and unpleasant events. Although it is fiction, some situations resemble a reality that we can identify with. (EP)
19. Live from the universe
Broadcast: since 2009 on ICI Télé
France Beaudoin does an excellent job hosting the show “Live from the Universe”. Photo courtesy of Radio-Canada
For 15 seasons, France Beaudoin has invited us into the musical universe of personalities who reflect on their lives through unforgettable songs performed by people they love or those around them. Spectacular “mash-ups” meet more intimate numbers for a meeting full of emotions. (EP)
18. The bougons are life too!
Broadcast: 2004 to 2006 on Radio-Canada
The actors of the irreverent series “Les Bougon”. QMI Agency
François Avard and Jean-François Mercier introduce us to a family that, to denounce the system, delights in thwarting the norms and achievements of our capitalist society. People on the fringes, all crooked, particularly cunning. Rémy Girard, Louison Danis, Antoine Bertrand, Hélène Bourgeois-Leclerc and Claude Laroche played Bougons. (EP)
17. Watatatow
Broadcast: 1991 to 2005 on Radio-Canada
The actors of the show “Watatatow”. Archive photo
Daily youth series that mainly follows four families in which young people experience puberty with all its challenges and worries. Friendship, love, school, dreams, worries, all topics are covered so that the viewers can relate. The series will be rebroadcast on Unis TV. (EP)
16. The voice
Broadcast: since 2013 on TVA
Geneviève Jodoin, winner of the 2019 edition of “La Voix”. Joël Lemay / QMI Agency
Singing competition initially based on blind auditions. This Dutch format has more than 150 adaptations worldwide. For us, Charles Lafortune is the host. The judge-coaches saw Ludovick Bourgeois, Charlotte Cardin, Geneviève Jodoin and many others parading. The 10th season is currently on air. (EP)
15. The beautiful stories of the countries mentioned above
Broadcast: 1956 to 1970, then 2016 to 2021 on Radio-Canada
Maxime Le Flaguais in “The Pays d'en Haut”. PHILIPPE-OLIVIER CONTANT/AGENCY QMI
One of our first soap operas. Adaptation of the novel by Claude-Henri Grignon, which describes the life of the residents of Sainte-Adèle during colonization. Séraphin Poudrier, a rich but stingy man, runs the village as he wants. His characters are part of our cultural heritage. A remake, Les pays d'en Haut, was released 60 years after the original broadcast. (EP)
14. RBO
Broadcast: 1986 to 1988 on TQS and 1989 to 1990 on TVA
Monsieur Caron, one of the funniest characters on “RBO”. Archive photo
This humorous group, consisting of Guy A. Lepage, André Ducharme, Bruno Landry, Yves P. Pelletier as well as Richard Z. Sirois and Chantal Francke, was characterized by its biting, sometimes youthful and controversial style. Several of his songs and characters went down in history after this sketch show aired. (EP)
13. Midnight in the evening
Broadcast: 2005-2007 on Radio-Canada
Julien Poulin, Claude Legault, Louis Champagne and Julie Perreault in “Minuit, le soir”. Photo provided by Radio-Canada
A journey through the lives and work of three bar bouncers who have to adapt to new management in order to keep their jobs and avoid being overwhelmed. The world of Claude Legault and Pierre-Yves Bernard meets that of director Podz. The series is a winner of 17 Gemini. (EP)
12. revolution
Distribution: 2018 to 2023 at TVA
The Masters during the 10th broadcast of the fifth season of “Revolution”. Photo provided by OSA Images
Dance competition launched in Quebec. The dancers work on a circular stage, which is filmed by 128 cameras. Each choreography contains a spectacular “revolution” moment, the still image of which must be flawless. Judges influence their progress. Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse accompanies her behind the scenes. (EP)
11. Bye
Broadcast: 1968 to 1996, 1998, 2003, 2006 to 2008 and since 2010 on Radio-Canada
Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais in “Bye Bye 2023”. Photo provided by ICI Télé
The year-end special show “Bye Bye” is part of Quebec traditions. Every year skits are presented that parody the significant events of the year. Sociopolitical issues in the heyday of popular culture. Participating artists include Dominique Michel, Patrice L'Écuyer, Les Cyniques, RBO, Véronique Cloutier and Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais. (EP)
10. A boy, a girl
Broadcast: 1997 to 2003 and since 2023 on Radio-Canada
Guy A. Lepage and Sylvie Léonard. QMI Agency
Situation comedy with sketches about the married life of two professionals: Guy and Sylvie. Guy A. Lepage is its creator. We focus on complicity and teasing under the eyes of a camera, the gaze of the supporting characters. To date, it remains the most adapted Quebec fiction series in the world. (EP)
9. Room in the city
Broadcast: 1989 to 1996 on Télé-Métropole
Francis Reddy as Pete Beliveau and Anne Dorval as Lola Corbeil. The Montreal Journal
This television novel by Sylvie Payette tells the story of the lives of about ten students who stay with the caring Louise, who is the first ear for all their worries. The concerns of young adults are addressed through their loves, their friendships, their studies and their desires. We met Anne Dorval, Gregory Charles, Francis Reddy and Patricia Paquin there. (EP)
8th. Omerta
Broadcast: 1996 to 1999 on Radio-Canada
Michel Côté in “Omertà”. Archive photo
Trilogy by Luc Dionne about the problems of the head of the organized crime department with the mafia. He hires an investigator often criticized for his unconventional methods and a double agent responsible for infiltrating the mafia godfather's entourage. A gripping detective series with Michel Côté, Luc Picard and Michel Dumont. (EP)
7. Star Academy
Distribution: 2003 to 2012, then 2021-2022 on TVA
Éloi Cummings and Krystel Mongeau were the two finalists of the last edition of “Star Académie”. Jo�l Lemay / QMI Agency
Reality TV, singing competitions and talent training, it is one of the most suitable formats in the world. We follow the development of young singers who benefit from professional supervision and have to fight for their further advancement at galas. He revealed Marie-Mai, Marie-Élaine Thibert, Wilfred LeBouthillier, Mélissa Bédard, Maxime Landry and many others. (EP)
6. District 31
Broadcast: 2016 to 2022 on ICI Télé
Gildor Roy in his role as Daniel Chiasson in “District 31”. Archive photo
Daily series in which we follow a group of investigators from a Montreal police station under the supervision of Commander Chiasson. Luc Dionne knew how to create suspense by drawing us into both family intrigue and organized crime intrigue. We joined the investigators because of their insight, determination and vulnerability. (EP)
5. With a capital A
Broadcast: 1986 to 1996 on Radio-Québec
In February 1993, Janette Bertrand gave an interview to the Journal to highlight the 40th episode of her series “With a Capital A.” Archive photo
This series is a testament to Janette Bertrand's avant-gardism. Each episode highlighted a taboo topic in couple relationships to allow for unbiased development. Mental health, age difference, homosexuality, illness, loss of desire, domestic violence are just some of the topics covered. (EP)
4. Caleb's daughters
Broadcast: 1990 to 1991 on Radio-Canada
The famous couple of the series: Émilie Bordeleau (Marina Orsini) and Ovila Pronovost (Roy Dupuis). Photo courtesy
Adapted from Arlette Cousture's successful novel, this historical fresco takes us back to Mauricie at the end of the 19th century, when a young teacher, Émilie, is torn between her vocation and her love for one of her students, Ovila . A great love story in a harsh reality that, however, made us fall in love with Marina Orsini and Roy Dupuis. (EP)
3. The little life
Broadcast: 1993 to 1998 on Radio-Canada, 2024 on ICI Télé
Serge Thériault and Claude Meunier. The Montreal Journal
A parody of popular soap operas of the time, Claude Meunier brings to life a dysfunctional family, the Paré, whose father is obsessed with trash. This comedy that thrives on the absurd holds a record viewership (more than 4 million viewers) and has allowed us to discover actors who will stand out as the greatest of their generation. (EP)
2. Pass Partout
Broadcast: 1977 to 1992 on Radio-Québec and Radio-Canada, since 2019 on Télé-Québec
The trio from the first version of Passe-Partout: Marie Eykel, Jacques L'Heureux and Claire Pimparé. Archive photo
Passe-Partout is an initiative of the Ministry of Education with the aim of providing educational content for preschool children. There we find a family of dolls illustrating everyday topics, real-life testimonies as well as Passe-Partout, Passe-Carreau and Passe-Montagne inventing exercises on motor skills, vocabulary or social skills. (EP)
1. Throw and count
Broadcast: 1986 to 1989 on Radio-Canada, 2002 on TQS, 2004 to 2015 on TVA
Marc Messier played the role of Marc Gagnon in the popular series. Photo credit: Courtesy / The Archives / Le Journal de Montreal Le Journal de Montreal
The series marked a revolution in the way television was made. We follow the struggles of an ice hockey team, the Quebec National, and the lives of its star players. Sports columnist Réjean Tremblay takes us to the forefront of our national sport, its intrigues, problems and scandals. The successful franchise had 9 seasons and often reached over 2 million television ratings. (EP)