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Harper joins dancers on Indian reality TV show

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CTV News Extended: Harpers gets on stage
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife were pulled on stage while watching a performace on 'Dance Premier League,' and Indian reality TV show shot in Mumbai.
Power Play: Craig's Take on political marketing
The prime minister seems to have embarked on a marketing strategy to put his government in a commanding position. All the while, he gets to stay away from the daily pounding of question period.

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I dont really care for a lot of what Harper does, but i don't really think its a big deal to have some fun once in a while. Lighten up people.

Jared from Regina

Harper joins dancers on Indian reality TV show

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Harper joins dancers on Indian reality TV show

The Canadian Press

Date: Mon. Nov. 16 2009 10:42 PM ET

MUMBAI, India — First Stephen Harper got by with a little help from the Beatles.

Now the prime minister is cashing in on a little Bollywood cachet.

Harper and his wife Laureen visited the set of "Dance Premier League" before leaving Mumbai on Monday, where they were treated to a rollicking mujra-inspired Bollywood dance number.

With the segment set to air on the wildly popular Indian "reality" contest show, Harper may have topped his recent appearance singing a Beatles song at the National Arts Cente in Ottawa.

But it was a political performance fraught with peril. The prime minister failed to see a step during his introduction and almost tumbled as he walked on to the stage in the elaborately lit and thunderously loud TV theatre.

After sitting through most other performances, Harper eventually joined the ensemble on stage again for the finale, clapping along as traditionally clad performers danced around him.

He then offered them "a sixer" -- a perfect score.

The bust-a-gut photo-op in India had some Canadian connections.

One of the show's top judges is Indo-Canadian choreographer Shiamak Davar, who has dance schools in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto.

And four of the eight dancers were also Indo-Canadians.

Comments are now closed for this story

AH
said
0 0

That's it, I give up. How can we have confidence in a leader when he embarrasses us on another country's tv show! I can wait to vote Liberal in the soon-to-come election.

Nahin
said
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Ackkk pfffbtt - so hard to stop gagging - what a manufactured, transparent attempt to try and buy Indo-Canadian votes. I would have had some sort of respect for this move if it was done 3 years ago but it was only done now because the Conservatives finally realize that they can't depend on their Reform supporters to give them a majority. I say a polite "nahin" to what Harper's selling. He wants the ethnic vote and $ but doesn't support their culture or their immigration.

Wade Ens
said
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Singing here Acting there. That's the mistake Elvis made he went from music to the movies before faking his death at Graceland. Harper is obviously loved by the world and so is Canada.

M.N. From MB
said
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Our Prime Minister has time to dance but no time to reach an agreement on the environment. It is good to see where his priorities are. Party today, forget about the future for our children. I don't like Iggy but will vote Liberal anyways. From a former Conservative!

John from ON
said
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It takes a lot guts to go express yourself on stage. Think you got what it takes? I bet 99% of us don't!

Peter 1951
said
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Come on now people it is only "PR" stuff. If this was Obama dancing, you would think it is the biggest thing since sliced bread. I think he sends a good mesage for Canada. Way to go Prime Minister Harper Rock On.

MARG MM
said
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As usual the Liberals have to "pounce" on anything and everything that PM Harper does. Lighten up!!! Just because you don't have a leader with any substance you have to always trash the Conservatives. A case of "sour grapes" once again.

Lou N
said
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I think Harper has a right to enjoy himself. Those of you who only have to sit, watch and complain have their underwear on too tight. Let the poor man be human!!

James
said
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I don't care for Harper's politics, but what is wrong with what he did? Both the "Left" and "Right" have to stop picking out such trivial things to criticize.


Steve the Pundit
said
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Come you whiners! I'll bet you don't complain when the Obamas host their monthly "American Music" extravaganzas at the White House. Every politician has done photo ops at some point, whether it was Trudeau pirouetting behind the Queen, Mulroney singing with Reagan, Clinton and the saxophone...They have nothing to do with anything other than the moment. And, yes, maybe attracting a few votes by proving that they're human, and don't bite the heads off kittens behind closed doors.

WestofThe Rockies
said
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Hey Wade - You and the rest of the enviroment first crowd need to wake - up You are just suckers for the greatest marketing programme ever, designed to bilk us all out of trillions. How much have you personaly donated to the cause. I thought so, not a cent. Please provide one statistic that links the trillions spent so far by governments worldwide to one measly improvement in the enviroment. No trade = No jobs. People with no jobs don' care about the enviroment.Good work Mr. Harper; keep it up.


Dissapointed Liberal
said
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Not one word of same sex rights on the trip. Men are having to hide their feelings India because they have to hide it. Only the Liberals can help gay men all over the world.


Alexis in Victoria
said
0 0

Right on, Stephen! Good PR! I agree with Peter 1951! It doesn't hurt to have a little fun on these trips.


Brian
said
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What no Beatles song?


Johnny (conservative voter in Montreal)
said
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I think it's great Mr. Harper does this in order to connect with average people. Regardless if this is PR or not, it makes him seem more human and fun. And if he goofs up, it's even better so we can get a few laughs out of it. Nothing wrong with humour. He still has my respect even with bloopers and bleepers.


Will
said
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I know Harper and his team try to gain media attention through performances (they should really focus on the economy and jobs instead) but I seriously don't think the Canadian Prime Minister needs to be going on reality shows in foreign countries. Can you picture any President or Prime Minister on a reality show? Even for a Canadian PM, it's kind of shallow....no?


Fred
said
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He'll get by with a little help from his friends...


Michael (Ottawa)
said
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These trade missions are VERY important for Canada right now. The US economy is toast for at least a decade and it is paramount that we find new trade partners and ways to increase trade.This PM knows how to draw a crowd to his cause and he is doing a great job in the process. I admire this man as a leader as he knows how to lead and make people feel at home with him..... he gets by with a little help from "his friends" whether at home or in India obviously....scary and a secret agenda "they" told us? Where are "they" now? - NOW THAT'S SCARY!


simon
said
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This "Leader" failed to talk about the Indo-Pakistani dispute, Kashmir. Pakistan is not putting its full weight in the Western frontier against the Talibans, because they have to keep a watchful eye on India in the East. Harper prefers Photo Ops on stage with Indian dancing girls in order to get ethnic votes in Canada!!!!!!! Meanwhile the Pakistani Talibans continue to support the Afghan Talibans......and Harper wants to export Canadian jobs to India!!!!


adrifter
said
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Absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, it was kinda cool. If Canada's leader can show himself to have a sense of humour and be comfortable in various cultures around the world, all the better for Canada. That's the kind of leader Canada needs, whether Liberal or Conservative. So what's the problem?


mistermuggs
said
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I still remember PM Chretien running up the Great Wall of China, and how many years ago was that?



Jared from Regina
said
0 0

I dont really care for a lot of what Harper does, but i don't really think its a big deal to have some fun once in a while. Lighten up people.


Dave on the West Coast
said
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"Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife were pulled on stage while watching a performace..." Stephen and Laureen responded gracefully and this constitutes an international faux-pas and/or partisan opportunism? Get real. Given the setting, it was appropriate for them to oblige and obviously the right thing to do.


Chris
said
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Oh! That is so cute!!Those little libs don't have any sense of humour!!Those libs just think about the power, rip poeple off and they don't like to have funn!Ha and momo etc..! Be aware that libs will not be in power for a long long time!!!...Cheers to that!!!


Steve Mcintyre
said
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What was the point of this? Were the Indian Gov trying obtain better trade by enticing with bollywood style reception for PM?? PM, please pay more attention to jobless rates in Canada and work on the NFTA w/US on the softwood lumber issue. Sir, if you want Votes? help the people in this country first.


Arts Critic in Ontario
said
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Give it a rest. Harper needs to be congratulated. Let's face it. It's not his strong suit - letting it all hang out in front of a live audience - but give him high marks for trying. It takes some degree of courage of a different kind. He demonstrated regardless of his political motivation.Bravo!


Vanc Folks
said
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PM Harper is the first PM that proves a 'normal' Canadian can be in politics. He's no lawyer, no company president, he's no Liberal thief, no union boss - he's just one of us. And it makes me proud to see him representing Canada with such a great spirit. This PM is fantastic! Thank you PM Harper!!!


Canucks Fan
said
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Totally agree with everyone who mentions Obama here. If it was him dancing, you'd all be over hime talking about how he's the greatest thing ever even though he hasn't done squat.


jim
said
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I am not a conservative and I am definately not a Steven Harper supporter, but I know that what he did (ballywood style) in Mumbai, was more for the "host country" than it was for Canadians. YES it was simply politics.If you look at Mr. Harper, you can see the "enjoyment" on his face!!!!!! He is totally out of his element, IF HE HAS AN ELEMENT.Mr. Harper is a CONTROL FREAK, and in these situations, he is totally out of control. That can't be comfortable for him, but a PM has to do what a PM has to do.Anyway people, lighten up on the "leader of our country"! One never knows when the situation might change and he won't have the opportunity for a little "fun", but one can always hope it will be soon.


John from Fredericton
said
0 0

Harper has no personalty. That being said, when one has zero personality, it makes himself look like an imbecile. We want someone with personality as PM. Iggy is the best man for the job.

James in Alberta
said
0 0

India is the largest English speaking democracy on the planet and has an economic growth rate that kicks the heck out of any Western economy. When I think of India I see potential customers, over a billion of them. Trade relations with India and China are key to a stable Canadian economic future. We need to stop being so completely dependent on trade with the US and Europe. Improved business opportunities with India and China equal jobs in Canada. Get used to it and stop griping about the PM actually having a personality AND the brains to see the writing on the wall.


Dick C.
said
0 0

Reminds me of Bush playing the bongos.


Doug
said
0 0

What a disgrace! The PM joins performers on stage when he is invited. Not quite up to Wayne Easter and his doorknob. The present mentality of Liberals in Canada would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.


Inkmont
said
0 0

Craig's take is about the most cynical thing you could imagine. He has election blinders on and can't see anything else but parliamentary partisan politics. I'm tired of the constant government bashing on Power Play. Yes, they are not just the Conservatives--they are the government.


Frank Buchan
said
0 0

Yes, let's vilify the man for being amusing. We appear set to vilify him for everything else. (That is sarcasm, which I observe bluntly since far too many people on here seem incapable of lightening up even for an instant.)But on a serious note, to the environmentalist and human rightist crowd, have any of you paused to consider that the only way we can influence anything, even one iota, is to form human relationships? If stepping outside the tight format of these visits engages some additional dialogue with the hosts, even in passing, it strikes me as more likely to pay off than the diplomatic approach ever will. To share a positive experience, we all need to be human to the other side.


Cambob in Toronto
said
0 0

Smooth politics. Harper ingratiates himself to a host country in an orchestrated, but still entertaining moment. With the same PR moment he captures the attention of like minded people back here in Canada. My boss went to Japan a few years ago and brought back a film of him doing karaoke at a Japanese bar. He told us he was completely embarassed to do it, but it turned out to be great fun. Our company also received 2 multi million dollar contacts directly related to his Japan trip.


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