i think that what dylan said was true. i mean, i've been to Calgary, and sorry to say this (hey, i'm canadian too), but it's really depressing. he's just an honest guy, people! some have even said worst things than this. i admire his true honesty, even though it'll bring him some very pissed off fans. --Christiane L
Dear Mr. McDermott, I've been trying to find a way to email you - I hope you read this I live in Lethbridge Alberta. You may have heard of it, one of those "hick towns" 120 miles south of Calgary. I am writing to you because of the offensive things you have been saying about our area. I was born in England, I have lived in London, Vancouver, Los Angeles (my daughter was born there in 1995) and in Lethbridge. I am not going to say Lethbridge is the best of all those places but I have been able to take advantage of the best things all these places have to offer. In the above mentioned cities activities are happening all the time museums theater etc. In a small town you must take advantage of what culture you can find. This doesn't make it a BAD place just a place where you must try a little harder to teach and enlighten your children. My children are growing up in a safe environment they breath clean air and can play outside. The downside is the "redneck" attitudes that they may hear but that is where our job as parents really kicks in and we teach them our liberal open-mindedness. I have been a fan of yours for many years. I love "The Practice" and my children enjoy you in "Miracle on 34th street". I know celebrities are people too and may say things off the cuff but I believe you owe the people of southern Alberta an apology we depend on tourism and negative remarks from a celebrity could impact that industry. There are many great things to do in this area if you look and great places to eat too. Los Angeles is a huge city but it still has "rednecks" and bad food. Sincerely, Debi D. P.S. I do have ketchup in my fridge my children use it on hot dogs and french fries as I'm sure your daughter does.
JERK --Dale and Kim G.
For the life of me I just can"t understand what mileage he would get from the comments he made about us. As a matter of fact the city he called hicky (Calgary) houses the U.S. Consulate and the woman who holds this position is coming to the end of her term in the next few months. She said her prospective replacement are lining up for the job as it is a very desirable place to live.(near the Rocky Mountains and a beautiful city with approx. 1,000,000 people. --John G.
Why don't we give the guy a break. He went from Los Angeles to Brooks for God's sake. Is Calgary and Brooks that insecure as a city? Who really cares what anyone thinks of our cities/towns anyways. Anthony Hopkins, Clint Eastwood, Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger were all working in Bragg Creek, Longview, and Canmore, (some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen). Dylan McDermott was sentenced to Brooks. No offense to Brooks, but it's one of the most depressing little towns in Alberta. It exists only for Lakeside Packers whose aroma permeates the entire town. There isn't a tree in sight as far as the eye can see, and there are no hills or scenery. There's nothing but Cow dung and gopher holes. Every place on earth does have its own beauty, but we shouldn't expect everyone on earth to love any given place. Why are we being so hard on Mr. McDermott in the press? I admire his honesty. Most people would have lied and tried to sugar coat their answer to the press. Let's not be so insecure. Best regards, Terry R. L.
It seems odd that a nobody like you - I for one had never heard of you unmtil I read your stupid comments - could be such an expert on a place they've never been before (and if we're lucky will never be again). Odd that such unknowns as John Wayne, Clint eastwood and Anthony Hopkins - to name a few, have done major productions in the Calgary (Alberta) area and were most impressed, with the desire to come back - and did, but it took an expert like you to really size things up. Who are you - or better still - who do you think you are? If you were trying to prove you're brain dead you appear to be an expert in that field - if nothing else. Makes it easy for many Albertans (and Canadians once your intelligence gets known) to decide what movies and TV shows to not see. If you have no other talent, at least take some lessons in keeping your mouth shut - but that may be more than you can handle, as you've already demonstrated. Keep up the big mouth!!!!! --Alan G.
Hi, I live in Calgary, Alberta. (Western Canada). Dylan just finished filming a movie in this area, an area that has seen several mega-stars film in this area for decades. The vast majority of the people of Alberta open their arms and hearts to them, not just for the economic boost and prestige, but they truly are friendly folks here. I think Dylan Mcdermott is a very talented actor. I, like most Albertans, "thought" he was a nice person. That was until he did an interview in Hollywood and talked about Calgary and area. What came out of this arrogant and conceited little spoiled boy's mouth truly shocked his fans from this part of the world. He completely slammed us! Very unfortunate. Here is a link to the article that was published at http://www.canoe.ca/CalgarySun/home.html I sincerely hope that in the future that "Mr." (I use that term loosely") Mcdermott learns a bit of class, since he has shown us that he has none, and that he can stay in his lovely smoggy arrogant Los Angeles because he is no longer welcome here. Sincerely, An "Ex" Dylan Mcdermott fan, BClark
Dylan, my kids and I are so crushed that you would say such bad things about our hometown. My kids loved you in Miracle on 34th Street. You were their hero because you saved Santa. They are young and don't know any better. I thought you were such a sensitive and caring guy. You were the best looking thing and the best actor to ever hit the screen. Now I'm not so sure. Your attitude ruined it for me. I will never again see you in the same light. And I will definitely NOT see your new movie or any other movie or series you appear in. If you wanted a surefire way to lose fans - you found it. I lived in the States for 10 years and found the crime rate unreal, the people have ATTITUDE, and the cities dirty and disgusting. It's like the U.S. takes no pride in their country or their citizens. What I like about Calgary is the friendliness. People here will bend over backwards to help people in need. It doesn't matter if you are a nobody like me or a hot-shot actor like you - we will all be treated the same. Your position in life doesn't make you any better than me or anyone else here. You have your opinion of where you live and I'm sure there are a lot of people here who have visited LA that say you can keep it. But we don't go around trashing your city. You are constantly in the public eye. Everything you say or do is documented and scrutinized. Don't you think you should be more careful in what you say? Keep your opinions to yourself? You shattered my kids image of you. You put down their hometown. You spoke bad about the city where they live and go to school. Where their friends and relatives live and where their futures are. Come back to Calgary and let them show you a good time. There was nothing stopping your wife and child from visiting so don't blame Calgary. Blame the spoiled life they live. They could have come if they really wanted to. Next time, be careful what you say. Little ears are listening. Diana, BEAUTIFUL Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Hi there Erika, Well, we Canadians have got to give you credit for being up-front over the controversy! Scott R.
Dylan,you completely suck!!Poor baby.I don't live in Calgary,i live in Edmonton,and i don't really care about the whole calgary thing,but don't you dare go dissing Alberta,you whiner.--allamason
Mr. McDermott, your comments about your "work experience" in Canada demonstrates your basic ignorance of life in a wonderful country. I do not think you would be invited into anyone's home where you would experience wonderful food and be part of a social gathering that you obviously have not had the opportunity to experience. Many people, perhaps better well known than you, have passed through Claresholm, these people have been welcomed into homes with little question, except the desire of the hosts to make a visitor comfortable and welcome. Values do differ here, we do not base the worth of our people/province on the food or the nightlife, the openness and kindness of the citizens makes our homes safe and a place where strangers are welcome. How unfortunate for you. J. DeMaere Priolette
Dylan You gave a grave view of Calgary, Alberta, Canada If you had such a bad time why didn't you ask someone where the excitement in Calgary was. We are one of the friendliest cities in the world. I think you need to retract your statement. First of all you said the foods was lousy where in gods creation did you eat, not quite obviously in any of the restaurants that I know to be reputable. As for the flights to and from LA well if your family had to change planes in Vancouver is that such a hardship. And as far as being a boot camp, I don't believe for a moment that any Calgarian would have purposely gave you that impression. I would sure like to know why or what made you feel the way you do. Was a fan Joy
Dylan Mc Derrmott is the biggest whiner I have ever heard of. The poor baby had to say lines while sitting on a horse, poor baby. I had never heard of you until you blasted my home town of Calgary. You are so well respected that I guess we should just ignore Clint Eastwood and Sir Anthony Hopkins both who have filmed real films in and around Calgary. Ever heard of Unforgiven? Well they love Calgary and the surrounding area, so now that you've created a little publicity for yourself, you can go back to being a nobody again. Yours truly, M McTighe P.S Feel free to respond, although I doubt you have the balls.
I am appalled at a man who gets paid enormous sums of money for making movies and has not got the good manners of a three year old. This mans comments about the worlds third top rated city to live in, in the world shows just how shallow and spoiled he is. In our city, unlike the mecca of degradation known as Los Angeles, we take care of those less fortunate than us. You will very seldom see a person standing on very busy streets with a sign saying that his family is starving and he will work for food. I would think that a man who's paycheque depends on fan support, should take some of his mega bucks and attend charm and diplomacy schools, and not disrespect the lifestyles of the people who make it possible for him to ask mega bucks for his work. I think he should get a publicist who has some idea of what side of the bread his butter is on. I am familiar with his work and he is competent at his craft he just needs to learn that just because he is not used to a small town, it does not mean there is nothing to do. The statement that "there is nothing to eat" is odd especially since it is a well known fact that Alberta beef is the best. The steaks he enjoys so much at the fancy L.A.. eateries probably comes from Alberta yours regretfully D Binns CALGARY ALBERTA CANADA
Just a note to tell you how bad of an actor you are.With an ego as big as yours you should be in the slums of L.A. and join the bag people who have the same problems as you.You are nothing but a has been and an actor that is on a downhill slide. In other words you are a ham and egger.In addition stay away from Canada as we do not need ugly Americans such as you. JGraham
Dylan,
I've seen the practice and I think you're a great actor, but I heard a
comment on the city I live in, "Calgary is a boot camp surrounded by
hick towns", and I thought that was a pretty ignorant comment, and I was
wondereing what exactly do you achieve from saying things like that,
especially from an upstanding actor like you.
P.S. to the editor, I am a very nice person and I don't diss on people,
I just like to let my comments known, and I'm sure if Dylan Mcdermont
said something like that about your homwtown, you'd be upset too. Please
don't cut this comment from your page Thanks!
Andrea, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Email me with comments. Don't flame me since I had nothing to do with his comments.
I think he contracted foot in mouth disease, myself.
Email Erika re the brouhaha
This page updated December 24, 1999.