Click here to see Mall Map

Check out Zane's Blog

Canada's Worst Driver

Category: Reality

Developed By: Proper Television

Presented By: Andrew Younghusband

Narrated By: Andrew Younghusband

Country of Origin: Canada

Number of Episodes: 25

Original Channel: Discovery Channel Canada

Original Run: October 2, 2005 to Present

Followed By: There was a part 2 of the show

Related Shows: Canada's Worst Handyman and Britain's Worst Driver

The show is a reality television series first aired on Discovery Channel Canada, based on the UK Channel 4 Television Corporation's Britain's Worst Driver, and is considered a sister show to Canada's Worst Handyman, itself based upon Britain's Worst DIYer. As of February 2008, three seasons of Canada's Worst Driver have been completed, and nominations are being accepted for a fourth.

The show is produced by Proper Television, and is hosted by Andrew Younghusband.

The premise is to take the eight bad drivers (nominated by friends, family, or co-workers) off Canadian streets and put them through an eight-week driving school from the Driver Rehabilitation Centre, a decommissioned air force base/airport near Picton, Ontario in Worst Driver, CFB Borden in Worst Driver 2, and Barrie, Ontario in Worst Driver 3. Each of the drivers brought with them the person who nominated them for the show.

The first week of the series is an evaluation of the drivers, and for their first challenge, they must drive a car from a starting point to the Rehabilitation Centre an hour away, with a personal belonging being confiscated upon arrival at the centre (their car keys in the first two seasons, their drivers licenses in the third), returned only when they graduate.

From the second week on, the contestants, aided by their nominators, undertake several challenges specifically designed to test some of their aspects leading to their nomination, and the contestant who shows the most improvement in each episode, as determined by an expert panel of judges, has their keys returned, allowing them to go home; as it is an evaluation episode, no one graduates in the opening episode. In a twist different from other reality programming, the judges may reserve the right to not let anyone graduate in a given episode, this happened on two separate occasions. Furthermore, as seen in the second season, the panel can choose to expel a driver that shows no intention of improving his skills.

On the last week, the remaining contestants tackle a final set of challenges which will take place outside of the centre, and one contestant is named Canada's Worst Driver based on their performance in this challenge. The first season was set-up so that at least two contestants would be left for the final exam, but three were left due to one week where no one graduated; subsequent seasons are one week shorter, meaning at least three drivers will be left for the final exam.



Click here to see a bad driver doing what a bad driver does---drive badly. Canadas Worst Driver

The show was filmed in winter and focused on winter driving conditions, while Worst Driver 2 focuses more on summer driving hazards. A bonus episode of Worst Driver, titled Canada's Worst Drivers vs. The World, also compared the contestants from the first season to drivers from its counterparts in different countries (Australia, Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland), and concluded that while other countries may have more dangerous drivers in certain aspects, the contestants in Canada were worse in a wider range of aspects.

Participants

Experts

It was the job of the experts to evaluate the drivers, help give instruction and counselling, and ultimately judge how well the drivers did or did not improve. The experts consisted of the following individuals:

Kelly Williams was a Canadian CASCAR driver and the only female to win a race in that series. She has also been the spokesperson for "Be Car Care Aware", an auto safety organization.

Jim Kenzie was an automotive journalist, reviewing vehicles for the Toronto Star. He also has a segment on TSN's Motoring 2005 program. He wrote the textbook used for advanced driver training used by the Toronto Police Service and other advanced training classes, and is widely recognized as a vehicle expert.

Scott Marshall was the Director of Training for Young Drivers of Canada. His job was to train the instructors who train drivers.

Dr. Uzma Rehman was a behavioural psychologist and a member of the faculty at Queen's University.



Contestants

Each of the eight drivers had his or her own reason for being there - not all were generically incompetent drivers. Here are the contestants from the first season:

Madalena Phillips, 21 and licensed for 5 years, had been in well over 30 accidents as well as innumerable incidents she called "bumps" when there were no witnesses. Her irresponsible driving was largely due to a complete lack of concern about anything except shopping, partying, and fashion. She was by and large an incompetent driver by choice, and considered it part of her lifestyle. Madalena was nominated by her friend Jennifer.

Bob Coad, 36 and licensed for 20 years, was an otherwise excellent driver, except for a tendency towards road rage and a little freeway game he called bumper tag. This involved passing cars that he was annoyed at and suddenly slamming on his brakes in front of them, forcing them to panic brake to avoid a collision. Bob was nominated by his friend Rob.

Chris Ferguson, 31 and licensed for 13 years, was totally inexperienced behind the wheel, having driven only five times since getting his licence 13 years ago. He was insecure, and very slow while driving, creating a hazard on the road. Chris was nominated by his wife Michelle.

David Chau, 24 and licensed for 5 years, attributed his driving problems to being "unlucky" and refused to take responsibility for his incompetence on the road. His driving errors during the program often completely destroyed the cars used for the show. He would listen to, and then blame, his passengers for bad driving advice. David was nominated by his friend George.

For the best car repair service go to Don't Auto Clinic at

1950 Ellesmere Rd #21 Scarborough ON, M1H 2V8 Phone: 416-438-9575

Don has taken care of my car for at least 2 years and I am completely satisfied with the service. He's also a pleasure to deal with.

Make an appointment and don't worry about what kind of service you'll get because it's the best. I've been going there for at least 3 years. (Zane Ladhani---of Zane's Comedy Warehouse www.zanes-comedy-warehouse.com)

Don't ask for a discount because you won't need one.

Tell Don that Zane sent you. Tell Don you saw this ad on my website www.zanes-comedy-warehouse.com .

Advertisement*************************************


Advertisement****************************

Chinese Food is great and there are a lot of restaurants but if you want to go to one of the best chinese food restaurants in Toronto then go to Kim Kims at

Kim Kim Hakka Chinese Restaurant 1188 Kennedy Road Scarborough, ON M1P 2L1 416-757-8300 (Near Kennedy and Lawrence)

I ususally have the Curry Chicken on Rice but you'll be happy with whatever you order.

If you can't handle spicy food tell them when you order.

Don't ask for a discount because you won't need one.

Tell them that Zane sent you. Tell them you saw this ad on my website www.zanes-comedy-warehouse.com .

Advertisement*************************************


Advertisment****************************************************

The Best Real Estate Service in Toronto

I've used these sisters to help us buy and sell propertes a couple times. My sister and my aunt also used their services. Their father was part of the team and made things even easier. They are a pleasure to deal with. You may forget that your doing work. Just call them. You'll be glad you did and you'll wonder why you didn't call sooner.

Tell them Zane sent you.

Tell them you saw this ad on my website www.zanes-comedy-warehouse.com .

E-Mail me with the details if you want me to formally introduce you to them zany1968@sympatico.ca .

Lindsay & Melanie Wright Sales Representatives

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd., Brokerage 2237 Queen Street East Toronto ON M4E 1G2

Office: (416) 699-9292 Toll Free: 1-866-921-9292 Fax: (416) 699-8576

http://www.wrightsisters.com/RESF/REAgentHome.asp?t=home&cc=remaxhallmark&ai=621

Advertisment****************************************************