Homage to Canadian televison of the 1980's
As you may not realize, this year will be my thirtieth year on the planet. For whatever reason, this has led me to become really nostalgic for the "good ol'days". Most recently, I have become obsessed about "obscure" Canadian television shows from the 1980's. What's weird is that these are shows I haven't seen or thought about in the longest time. I guess what surprised me most of my co-workers not recalling the majority of these shows. I knew I wasn't crazy and as i searched I uncovered tons of material to stoke your memory of great/cheesy programming of the 1980's. here is a smorgasboard from your truly. Enjoy!
Yes You Can!
A CBC produced sports TV series from 1980-1983. It targeted children and showed different kinds of sports, and included Guest Stars sharing the skills in thier sports. The show featured 4 cast members, such as "Kevin Gillis" (who was also the creator of the Canadian animated TV series:"The Raccoons", and a composer), "Trevor Bruneau", "Tammy Bourne", and "Patrick Ford" as (Coach Cuddles Ford). My favourite episode by far was Wayne Gretzky showing the skills needed to be a great hockey player. You can watch a video clip of it from the CBC archives.
The Littlest Hobo
The series was shown on CTV, from 1979 to 1985. It followed the adventures of a wandering German shepherd. Each episode the dog would walk into a different place, in each episode, and help people down on their luck or in trouble. Once Hobo helped the struggling person he declined to be the pet of the people he had helped and departed to continue his cross-country drifting. Hobo was portrayed by 6 different German Shepards. The main was was LONDON. The others were doubles that were used for certain tasks. You can see the opening credits and song here.
You Can't Do That on Television
"You Can't Do that on Television" first aired on February 3, 1979. It began over at CJOH-TV in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It primarily featured child actors in a sketch comedy format, acting out short scenes based on a theme that served as the topic for the episode. It was created by Roger Price, with the help of Geoffrey Darby. Roger Price hand-picked all of the cast members and tended to stick with kids living near the studio to avoid them having to relocate. Most of the kids had no prior acting experience. One of the most famous kids picked was future singer was Alanis Morissette. "You Can't Do That On Television" was picked up by Nickelodeon in 1981. By 1984, Nickelodeon aired the show five times a week, and it became the network's highest-rated television program. The last original episode aired in 1990. The main fan site is located here.
The Edison Twins
The Edison Twins aired on CBC Television from 1982 to 1986. It starred Andrew Sabiston and Marnie McPhail as Tom and Annie Edison, as fraternal twins. Sunny Besen Thrasher played their mischievous little brother Paul, and Milan Cheylov played the Edison Twins bumbling friend, Lance Howard. The show focused on the adventures of the main cast as they encountered problems resolved by The Edison Twins using science. Watch the opening credits here.
There are of course other shows I loved, but things such as Degrassi Junior High are not so obscure. I think it's still on reruns on some channel out there. I also wanted to add "The Racoons", but I tried to restrict my above homage to shows you could no longer get your fix for. "The Racoons" are well represented on Youtube and on DVD. As for as I know, for the above shows, they are no longer aired, or the technology is just lacking to find episodes to watch. Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed my little tramp through Canadian Television Nostalgia. I know it helped me get it out of my system. Are there any shows I missed? Or one's you wish you could forget? Let me know by leaving a comment.
Yes You Can!A CBC produced sports TV series from 1980-1983. It targeted children and showed different kinds of sports, and included Guest Stars sharing the skills in thier sports. The show featured 4 cast members, such as "Kevin Gillis" (who was also the creator of the Canadian animated TV series:"The Raccoons", and a composer), "Trevor Bruneau", "Tammy Bourne", and "Patrick Ford" as (Coach Cuddles Ford). My favourite episode by far was Wayne Gretzky showing the skills needed to be a great hockey player. You can watch a video clip of it from the CBC archives.
The Littlest HoboThe series was shown on CTV, from 1979 to 1985. It followed the adventures of a wandering German shepherd. Each episode the dog would walk into a different place, in each episode, and help people down on their luck or in trouble. Once Hobo helped the struggling person he declined to be the pet of the people he had helped and departed to continue his cross-country drifting. Hobo was portrayed by 6 different German Shepards. The main was was LONDON. The others were doubles that were used for certain tasks. You can see the opening credits and song here.
You Can't Do That on Television"You Can't Do that on Television" first aired on February 3, 1979. It began over at CJOH-TV in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It primarily featured child actors in a sketch comedy format, acting out short scenes based on a theme that served as the topic for the episode. It was created by Roger Price, with the help of Geoffrey Darby. Roger Price hand-picked all of the cast members and tended to stick with kids living near the studio to avoid them having to relocate. Most of the kids had no prior acting experience. One of the most famous kids picked was future singer was Alanis Morissette. "You Can't Do That On Television" was picked up by Nickelodeon in 1981. By 1984, Nickelodeon aired the show five times a week, and it became the network's highest-rated television program. The last original episode aired in 1990. The main fan site is located here.
The Edison TwinsThe Edison Twins aired on CBC Television from 1982 to 1986. It starred Andrew Sabiston and Marnie McPhail as Tom and Annie Edison, as fraternal twins. Sunny Besen Thrasher played their mischievous little brother Paul, and Milan Cheylov played the Edison Twins bumbling friend, Lance Howard. The show focused on the adventures of the main cast as they encountered problems resolved by The Edison Twins using science. Watch the opening credits here.
There are of course other shows I loved, but things such as Degrassi Junior High are not so obscure. I think it's still on reruns on some channel out there. I also wanted to add "The Racoons", but I tried to restrict my above homage to shows you could no longer get your fix for. "The Racoons" are well represented on Youtube and on DVD. As for as I know, for the above shows, they are no longer aired, or the technology is just lacking to find episodes to watch. Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed my little tramp through Canadian Television Nostalgia. I know it helped me get it out of my system. Are there any shows I missed? Or one's you wish you could forget? Let me know by leaving a comment.
Labels: 1980's, Canadian Television, nostalgia
posted by Adrian at 9:15 PM
11 Comments:
Hi
A bunch of us are trying to remember the name of this show... it's deffinitely retro... used to be on CBC. please email me at assorted.junk.mail@gmail.com if you know what it's called.
Thanks in advance!
The Show:
As i stated was on CBC and seemed to be filmed in NS or NB. A brother and sister found a trunk or a mirror in a trunk in either the attic or in a lighthouse(we all remember a light house in the opening credits but not sure where it fits in exactly). They used to use this mirror to travel to another land. In this other land there were puppets some used to help them and some were against them. There were trying to save a tree that was basically the life of this other world. Once the last leaf fell off the tree that other world would no longer exist. We think it used to come on before or after fragle rock.
I think you are talking about Fraggle Rock the Uk version. Possible?
see wikipedia under Fraggle_Rock
Otherwise I'm stumped. Sounds like a cheapo version of the Narnia Chronicles :p
Hi. I was a kid in Canada for one year and used to watch a show set in a department store, with Muffy the mouse and a mannequin that came to life whenever his hat was off/on? I hope you can help. Thanks so much.
Christine
It was called "Today's Special". It was produced in Ontario, Canada from 1981-1987. In all, there were 121 episodes. Jeff Hyslop was the mannequin by day, and a living, breathing human by night. You can Google for more info :)
Thank you so much. I wasn't sure if you got my message. It was driving me crazy trying to figure it out. I can't thank you enough. You're my hero!
Hello, I came across this site while searching for what seems to be an obscure children's TV show from Canada that was I think produced in the late 80's to early 90's.
What I know about the show was that it was a live film show combined with animation. There was an animated male host who would narrate (I think the voice was done by Arthur Black, but with this I'm not positive). The show was regarding Canadian history, and traveled to historic Canadian places. Viewers were asked to watch closely as there would be trivia asked at the end. I believe the show was called 'Voyageurs' or 'Voyageur'. One episode that I remember went to Black Creek Pioneer Village in Ontario. ANY information that any may know about this show would be very greatly appreciated. Thank you.
This is in answe to Christina's mystery show. I believe it was called Hugga Bunch? Or something like that. I remember it also. Too funny! You can find some clips on You Tube.
Hi
Im trying to find the name of this kids show from the 80's.
Its about some kids who hang out in a small bookstore. The Dad has been taken to another dimension by someone evil and the kids are trying to save him. I remember a vivid image from the main title sequence of a shot from outside the store. The windows are fogged and finger writes Help! backwards from inside the store on the fogged window.
Thanks
Han_Slomo, I think you're talking about "Read All About It". From Wikipedia "Read All About It! focused on Chris who inherited his uncle Derek's coach house after his mysterious disappearance." Check out youtube for a couple of video memories such as
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pg9lLi_I60
Hi,
Here is one I am having a hard time remembering the name of.
It was a kids game show in which 3 teams of 3 or 4 had to bake something with a bunch of ingredients. Each team was color coordinated and had 3 or 4 on each team. Also, each team's ingredients were exactly the same and they had a time limit in which to bake something. Once the time was up, their Moms (I think...) had to eat a bite of each team's item and try to a)keep it down and b)rank it or something. Do you recall the name of this show?
Thanks!
Sue
Sue...just like mom..! funny stuff
anyone ever heard of Kid's Corner with Uncle Bobby, I am trying to find clips or show descriptions as I was on th show and want to find a copy somehow..! any ideas?
thx mike
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