Bring Back These Canadian Shows Quiz

Answer: Road to Avonlea

The "Road to Avonlea" series was a collaborative effort that was developed in Canada. Two of the main producers were the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and the Disney Channel. The series was based on books written by Lucy Maud Montgomery who also wrote "Anne of Green Gables" (Anne does not appear in "Road to Avonlea", but the character is mentioned in the series).

It would be great to have this show back because it provided stories of a much simpler time in Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Answer: Street Cents

"Street Cents" aired on the CBC network from 1989-2006. The award-winning show was known for being inclusive and representative of Canada's youth. "Street Cents" included interviews with youth entrepreneurs, testing of products, the investigation of letters of complaint about products sent in by viewers, and even a segment called "Fit for the Pit" where inferior products were tossed into a fiery pit.

The show aired commercial free so that sponsors would not be seen as biasing the segments that were broadcast.

This show would be great to have back to help inform young people about quality and ethics in advertising, media, and popular products.

Answer: Legal

The original run of "Street Legal" went from 1987 through 1994 on the CBC network. It held the record for the longest-running one-hour drama in the history of Canadian television until it was surpassed by another show in 2014. In 2018, the network suggested that they were considering a revival for this show, which is a good thing.

It should be brought back because it focuses on Canadian laws, and Canadian court customs. These can be quite different than those in the US where many of the other legal-type tv programs that are broadcast in Canada are created.

Answer: Danger Bay

"Danger Bay" is another CBC show that was produced in collaboration with the Disney Channel. Aimed at older children and adolescents, this television show told the story of a marine veterinarian and his children. The show focussed on environmental issues such as forest preservation, pollution, and wildlife management.

The 123 episodes ran for about five years in the 1990s, but continued in re-runs around the world for many years after filming stopped. Given the continuing concerns about environmental issues in the 21st century, "Danger Bay" should be brought back to help educate a new generation.

Answer: The Littlest Hobo

"The Littlest Hobo" was produced in Canada, and it was based on a 1958 American movie of the same name. The German shepherd star of the show would appear in a different town in each episode, befriending a resident who needed the companionship or assistance.

The show was first produced in syndication from 1963-1965, and was re-created for a second run from 1979-1985. Mike Myers appeared in the eighth episode of the second run that was entitled "Boy in Wheels". It would be great to have this show back because it provided innocence and warm fuzzy feelings for thirty minutes each week.

Answer: The 60th parallel of latitude.

The 60th parallel of latitude marks the border between Canada's western provinces and its northern territories. "North of 60" was a show that profiled a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Officer who was trying to keep order in the small northern community of Lynx River, Northwest Territories.

This show originally ran from 1992-1997, but has since appeared in syndication around the world. It would be great to have this show back for a couple of reasons. First, it helped viewers to understand some things about the culture of the Indigenous people who live in Canada's north. Secondly, it showed some of the parts of the large country of Canada that many will never see except on screen.

Answer: Wok with Yan

Steven Yan hosted this Asian cuisine show. It ran from 1980-82, then again in the early 90s. The puns were printed on the different aprons that the host wore during the show. Examples of the puns include "Wok the Heck", "You Are Wok You Eat", "Wok Goes Up Must Come Down", "Wok's New Pussycat", and "Wokkey Night in Canada". We need this show back because it was funny, but provided viewers with delicious and healthy recipes.

Answer: Due South

"Due South" starred Paul Gross who was deployed to the Canadian Consulate in Chicago where he teamed up with a detective to solve crimes there. He actually asks for the transfer to help solve the murder of his own father who had been killed in Chicago.

The show was a comedy-drama, and often played on the cultural differences between Canadians and Americans. It would be great to bring this back because it was just fun to watch.

Answer: Speaker's Corner

"Speaker's Corner" ran from 1990-2008. It was created with the help of members of the public who dropped into a recording booth and video-taped themselves saying and doing a variety of things, from proposals, to shout-outs, rants, jokes, and musical performances.

The videos were edited and presented each week in a 30-minute show. Barenaked Ladies regularly performed musical numbers that were chosen for the broadcast. They later became famous for writing and performing the theme song to "The Big Bang Theory" tv show.

It would be great to have this one back because you wouldn't have to turn your computer on to YouTube to see the range of videos that "Speaker's Corner" offered.

Answer: Logs

"The Beachcombers" ran from 1972 until 1990. The show centred around a character who travelled the west coastline of British Columbia in a logging tug boat to track down logs that had broken away from log booms and barges. It's hard to imagine that a show with such a simple theme lasted as long as it did, but when it ended its run, it had broadcast a total of 387 individual episodes! It would be great to have this show back because it was filmed on location in Gibsons, BC, and that is a beautiful part of the world.