Circus (Canadian TV series)
Circus is a Canadian television variety show, which aired on CTV from 1978 to 1985.[1] Airing in an early-evening slot aimed at children and families, the show featured various circus acts performing in a television studio instead of a traditional circus venue.[2]
The show's original hosts were Cal Dodd and Sherisse Laurence,[3] who were replaced in later seasons by Pierre Lalonde.[4] All of the hosts were also singers, who would sometimes perform songs in between circus acts.[2]
It originally aired on April 16, 1978, as a one-off special,[1] becoming a weekly series in the fall due to its popularity.[2] It was the highest-rated Canadian entertainment program in its first season,[5] leading CTV to expand it from half an hour to a full hour in its second season,[6] although the one-hour format was not as popular and the show reverted to a half-hour format in 1980.[7] In the one-hour season, comedian Billy Van appeared as Spats the Clown, but did not continue in this role after the show returned to a half-hour format.[8]
The series was also sold into syndication in the United States and internationally.[9]
The series was cancelled by CTV in 1985.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Blaik Kirby, "CTV puts a circus in a studio and comes up with a winner". The Globe and Mail, April 15, 1978.
- ^ a b c Donn Downey, "Circus: short on budget and bravado". The Globe and Mail, September 23, 1978.
- ^ Ray Conlogue, "Circus co-star getting a kick out of big top". The Globe and Mail, November 11, 1978.
- ^ Mike Boone, "Pierre Lalonde is ringmaster of his own circus". Edmonton Journal, November 18, 1983.
- ^ "CTV claims Circus top Canadian show". The Globe and Mail, March 15, 1979.
- ^ "Circus expands". Regina Leader-Post, May 11, 1979.
- ^ "Circus back". Regina Leader-Post, September 12, 1980.
- ^ "Billy Van gets a double heave-ho". Toronto Star, July 12, 1980.
- ^ "Dials and channels". Montreal Star, April 12, 1978.
- ^ Matthew Fraser, "Canadian shows on CTV agenda". The Globe and Mail, May 22, 1985.
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