Network: Global Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1974
Broadcast Medium: Television
This 90-minute daily weekday series was part of Global’s early program schedule in 1974, co-hosted by Catherine McKinnon (who guested in an early show and was immediately asked to become a co-host), Norm Crosby and Mike Darow, and featuring an orchestra directed by Moe Koffman. John Aylesworth and Frank Peppiatt were the producers (dividing their time between Toronto and Los Angeles, where they were producing The Harlem Globetrotters Popcorn Machine and the Sonny and Cher Show, and Nashville, where they were producing Hee Haw). Thanks to the producers’ many contacts in Hollywood, the series featured a procession of international guests, including Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Oscar Peterson, Burns and Schreiber, as well as many Canadian names. Additional writing contributions came from Ken Finkleman, Dan Ackroyd and Martin Short.
100 episodes were produced on a two a day basis, and the show was scheduled on weekdays, either 10:30 – 12:00 midnight or 11:00pm – 12:30am. Although the series provided useful Canadian content to offset the American series which were crucial to Global’s survival, budget cuts forced the cancellation of the show after a run of less than six months.
Written by Pip Wedge – October, 2004