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Hello all! So excited to announce the publication of my first book! Releasing this Fall from Dundurn Press, ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV is a memory-filled trip for anyone who spent their weekdays after school or Saturday mornings staring at the squawk box. Featuring a complete chronology from the birth of Television in Canada right through to the new millennium, ImagiNation spans all of our TV favourites from Uncle Chichimus, The Friendly Giant, Mr. Dressup, Razzle Dazzle, Uncle Bobby and Mr. Rogers through The Littlest Hobo, Polka Dot Door, Degrassi, Today’s Special, The Edison Twins, Fraggle Rock, Nanalan’ and lots more! The story of each Toronto-produced series is covered — from inception through production to broadcast — along with the tales of local stations and the people who made it all happen. Drawing from decades of my celebrated work with Retrontario, ImagiNation shines a light on the uniquely Canadian creators, innovators, and iconic moments that helped shape our shared cultural landscape. Combining archival materials, exclusive interviews, and never-before-told anecdotes, the book serves as both a nostalgic trip and an eye-opening history lesson for readers of all generations.Now available for pre-order!
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Congratulations Mr. Conroy! Sounds like a great read.
Too bad you couldn't include "The Buddies," which starred Ted Ziegler and Peter Cullen and aired on CTV in 1967. It was a great live action kids show, but I think it was produced at CFCF in Montreal, so it wouldn't be in your Toronto-centric book. Maybe the next one!
Best of luck with it!
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I need to get this. It looks wonderful.
Toronto Public Library is sure to invest in copies.
Flashback to an average, happy morning of television: Friendly Giant, then Chez Helene, with Mr. Dressup as the cherry on top. 🦒🐁🐶 #IYKYK
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Congrats to FOTM Hall of Famer Ed "Retrontario" Conroy!
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Although I didn’t grow up in the Toronto area, this looks like a great book and some of the shows mentioned were seen across the country. Look forward to it!
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Did you include one lost CFTO show that ran weekday afternoons from 4pm-6pm. I am referring to The Professor's Hideaway which starred [I think] Stan Francis as the professor
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mace wrote:
Did you include one lost CFTO show that ran weekday afternoons from 4pm-6pm. I am referring to The Professor's Hideaway which starred [I think] Stan Francis as the professor
Indeed! The Professor's Hideaway with Stan Francis was very important as it was CFTO's very first kids show and put together by the same team who made CBC's version of The Howdy Doody Show. And then when Francis was fired, occasional Hideaway guest star Bobby Ash who played Bimbo the Clown was elevated and given his own show to replace it - The Uncle Bobby Show...
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Les Squelettes!