They Say What They Say

I've been tagged by sprat for slidrella's fantastic DS/C6D Tag Game. At first I had no idea what I was going to do, but then it occurred to me: who is my favourite Callum Keith Rennie character? Why, Johnny Johanssen of course!



Back in 1996, Callum Keith Rennie was one hell of a busy guy. Not that he's not busy these days, but in that particular year he was working on projects in which he brought to life two of his most beloved and enduring characters. The first was Billy Tallent in Bruce McDonald's mocumentary Hard Core Logo, punk rocker extraordinaire and breaker of a million hearts, and the second was Johnny Johanssen.

At the same time that Callum was making Hard Core Logo, he was also working on a children's television series called My Life as a Dog. My Life as a Dog is the antithesis of Hard Core Logo, a relentless movie that is very much in your face. HCL is littered with absurd characters and situations, and it is firmly centered around the supremely fucked-up relationship between Billy and lead singer Joe Dick. In stark contrast MLAAD flows along at a gentle pace, showcasing the life and adventures of eleven year old Eric Johanssen who goes to live with his uncle Johnny, Johhny's wife Zoe and his Aunty Aunty after the death of his mom and his eternally restless dad takes off for sea.

Unlike Billy, Johnny Johanssen is largely content with the direction his life has taken and is happy with what he has in the here and now. After his career as a professional ice hockey player ended when he injured his knee, Johnny returned to his hometown of Gimli to settle down with Zoe, working as carpenter/handyman, coaching the local peewee hockey league in winter and watching the stars whenever he can. Johnny is a gentle, loving man who welcomes his twin sisters' son into his home after her death and who strives to be a good husband to Zoe and a good parent to Eric. Sometimes he stuffs up - such as spending the money Zoe was going to use to buy new storm windows on an old caboose or pushing Eric into playing hockey when he doesn't want to. And he's not always willing to admit when he's wrong, which is why he ends up moving into the caboose during the latter half of the series when he and Zoe have marital problems. But he always tries to do the right thing and there's a quality to Johnny that touches you deeply. Even though he may make you want to tear your hair out occasionally, you always find yourself forgiving him because he's just that sweet a guy.

Unfortunately My Life as a Dog didn't last beyond the one season, but Callum quite deservedly won a Genie Award for his role as Johnny, and it is generally agreed in fandom that of all the characters he has played over the years, Johnny Johannsen is one of nicest.

Meet Johnny Johannsen!


Johnny lives in Gimli, Manitoba, with his wife Zoe, his nephew Eric, and his Aunty Aunty:






Johnny Likes to cook and watch the stars:




He has also been known to play the drums:


He used to play professional ice hockey and still likes to muck about on the ice:




Occasionally Johnny will go bowling and wear a funny hat:




But he looks damn good in a red baseball cap:




He likes to hang with his friends and eats ice cream when he's upset:




Johnny is very pretty:



Very, very pretty:






And when Johnny leans against things, it's almost incendiary!






But mostly, Johnny is a really sweet guy who you just can't help but love:








All screencaps were taken from stormymouse's Cap It Before I Die of Waitin'!. I now tag mergatrude!