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CBC Television Network

Codco

Network: CBC Television Network

Broadcast Run: 1987 to 1993

Broadcast Medium: Television

Aired weekly from March 3, 1987 to March 31, 1993

Codco was a sketch group formed in Newfoundland by Cathy Jones, Mary Walsh, Andy Jones, Tommy Sexton and Greg Malone. The group was formed in 1973 and made its debut in Toronto with a show called Cod On A Stick, featuring music, scenes and sketches mocking Canadian culture. Its edgy comedy was at a time when Second City and Saturday Night Live were creating a comedy buzz all their own. After years of creating their own unique brand of Maritime humour on stage, the group retired in 1977. It was a couple of reunion performances in the early 80s that led to a television show.

In 1992, Andy Jones quit the show because the CBC censored one of his sketches. His loss affected the artistic merits of the show bringing the series to an end in 1993. But the individual members continued to work on television and on stage. Mary Walsh and Cathy Jones developed This Hour Has 22 Minutes for CBC, with a nod to the famous 1960s Seven Days news program. Greg Malone continued to write for variety shows and often appeared as Barbara Frum on various programs. Andy Jones continued to work as an actor on various television series and motion pictures. Tommy Sexton died in 1993.

Codco was produced by Halifax-based Salter Street Productions, which was responsible for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Made in Canada.

Executive Producer: Michael Donovan
Producer: Jack Kellum
Director: David Acomba

Written by John Corcelli, August 2006