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August 28, 2024 5:10 pm  #1


Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

That's the conclusion of a long process of getting votes by a podcast called Canadian History Ehx, which puts the CBC kids' show at the top of a list of the 10 best Great White North TV shows of all time. 

TV scribe Bill Brioux, though, takes issue with the list, arguing (correctly, I think) that SCTV should occupy the top spot. He lists his all time Top 10 at the link below. 

Up for debate: Canada’s all-time favourite TV shows

 

August 28, 2024 5:16 pm  #2


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Why is anyone giving credence to the list put out by this putz?

 

August 28, 2024 5:25 pm  #3


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

I'm not sure, but I will say this for him - he's regularly on both CFRB and AM640 with segments about "long lost" Canadian history facts. So he does get some exposure on the media. Personally, I think your collections are far superior. 

For those who've never visited, Retrontario is perhaps the best site for the preservation of especially Toronto and Ontario TV from the past. There is some absolutely amazing stuff on its YouTube site. 

     Thread Starter
 

August 28, 2024 5:41 pm  #4


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Hey, I'm on CFRB on Thurs nights! lol. Never heard of this guy before, but I guess its the silly season so why not. Thanks for the kind words RA 

 

August 28, 2024 5:56 pm  #5


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

I never like or give any credibility to any list like this.  It's way too subjective.
Give me real, meaningful numbers like the biggest songs of the year based on sales and radio play.
 

 

August 28, 2024 6:19 pm  #6


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Because Fraggle Rock is on the list, I believe Mr. Dressup as being number one.


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

August 28, 2024 6:37 pm  #7


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

One show that falls under the radar is Rick Mercer's Made In Canada which was really well done, quite funny and lasted five seasons on CBC.  And it was all about TV.  Mr. Dressup number one??   Please... 

I like Brioux's list...he understands and appreciates the brilliance and humour of Party Game which was way ahead of it's time.  Funnier and much more adult than other game shows of that era.

 

August 28, 2024 6:57 pm  #8


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

I too root for SCTV as being number one.
Mr. Dressup just can't be because it had a limited audience of children.
But how can you not mention "The Beachcombers" or "The Littlest Hobo" in this list?
I am not counting game shows or panel shows Otherwise I would list, "Front Page Challenge" or "Reach For The top."
I think variety shows should also be included.
When I was a child my parents and grandparents never missed an episode of "Juliette" or "Don Messer's Jubilee."



 

 

August 28, 2024 7:15 pm  #9


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

newsguy1 wrote:

I too root for SCTV as being number one.
Mr. Dressup just can't be because it had a limited audience of children.
But how can you not mention "The Beachcombers" or "The Littlest Hobo" in this list?
I am not counting game shows or panel shows Otherwise I would list, "Front Page Challenge" or "Reach For The top."
I think variety shows should also be included.
When I was a child my parents and grandparents never missed an episode of "Juliette" or "Don Messer's Jubilee."
 

'The Littlest Hobo' may be the worst TV show ever made.

 

August 28, 2024 8:08 pm  #10


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Walter wrote:

'The Littlest Hobo' may be the worst TV show ever made.

Which version?

 

August 28, 2024 8:36 pm  #11


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Yeah, I know "The Littlest Hobo" was a low budget very corny show, but there was a sort of innocent sweetness to it that children really took to.
I know I did, and my parents watched the show with me making it a family event.
Also when I was about 7 years old the show was made in my neighborhood in the Shaugnessy area of Vancouver.
It was a huge thrill for us kids to see a TV show come to town.

 

 

August 28, 2024 9:39 pm  #12


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Your comments prove my point.  
My favourites include Forest Rangers, Reach for the Top and Friendly Giant.
Does anyone have the cojones to mention The Trouble with Tracy?

 

August 28, 2024 10:47 pm  #13


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Any list without "The Trouble With Tracy" is incomplete.

 

August 28, 2024 11:10 pm  #14


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Walter wrote:

'The Littlest Hobo' may be the worst TV show ever made.

It has a strong following, even in reruns today, with many requests to restore the show. 
I loved it as a kid and even now, I still like the reruns, wondering how it could be done today in this very different world.


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

August 28, 2024 11:15 pm  #15


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

I think it would be funny if someone were to update the classic SCTV opening credits, throwing TODAY's TV's out the window...  


RadioWiz & RadioQuiz are NOT the same person. 
RadioWiz & THE Wiz are NOT the same person.

 
 

August 28, 2024 11:16 pm  #16


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Peter the K wrote:

Walter wrote:

'The Littlest Hobo' may be the worst TV show ever made.

Which version?

There was more than one?



PJ


ClassicHitsOnline.com...The place where all the cool tunes hang out!
 

August 28, 2024 11:32 pm  #17


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Paul Jeffries wrote:

Peter the K wrote:

Walter wrote:

'The Littlest Hobo' may be the worst TV show ever made.

Which version?

There was more than one?

PJ

Yes there was. There was a syndicated version that used to run in the 60s, made between 1963-1965 in the U.S.. That's the one I remember as a kid, especially the theme song, which I have never forgotten and which you can hear below. The other one was made for CTV between 1979 and 1985.

Last edited by RadioActive (August 28, 2024 11:33 pm)

     Thread Starter
 

August 29, 2024 12:25 am  #18


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

CTV was the originating network for both series.  The 1963 version was one of their first dramatic series for the new network.  61 episodes in total 1963-65 and 114 for the second series 1979-85.  Both series were syndicated in the US and elsewhere. 

 

August 29, 2024 7:45 am  #19


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

I remember watching the original series as a kid. However, I don't remember the theme song at all. Unlike the relentlessly cheerful Forest Rangers theme which to me is an earworm.

 

August 29, 2024 7:19 pm  #20


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Wow, the list is a bit limited. What about shows like Definition (with Jim Perry) or Ron James on CBC, Air Farce as well, was on radio and TV for years. 

Transplant is also worth noting, Heartland, Due South, Red Green and one of my faves Street Legal!


 


The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
 

August 29, 2024 7:50 pm  #21


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

1966 / 67  Morning "trifecta" for kids on CBLT...

10:00am     "Chez Helene"  w/ Louise and her hair ribbons,,,,

10:15am     "Friendly Giant"  (my brother liked Rusty, I thought the castle was inside our TV)

10:30am     "Mr. Dressup"

(I even remember the slide of new Toronto City Hall which CBLT aired during sign on...  as a young kid in Oakville, I always thought it was a picture of a submarine... oh well, it was preschool).
 

 

August 29, 2024 8:41 pm  #22


Re: Is Mr. Dressup Really The Greatest Canadian TV Show Of All Time?

Glen, what about switching to CTV and Romper Room, I was in shock if she saw me and mentioned my name when she looked in the magic mirror. I was shocked she knew I was home from school that morning! 

I see, Betty, Daniel, Jamie, and then my name...Muffaraw Joe! 

Last edited by Muffaraw Joe (August 29, 2024 8:41 pm)


The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...