Canadian TV Identity Guessing Game Quiz

Answer: SCTV

Aside from the "SCTV" alumni's Hamlet-esque film "Strange Brew" in 1983, Bob and Doug's hoser humour made a brief but memorable cameo as two moose in the 2003 Disney movie "Brother Bear".

Answer: the friendly giant

This was a wonderfully gentle show that many Canadian kids grew up with. The opening music would start, the drawbridge would open, and Bob Homme would arrange the tiny furniture near the fireplace (the rocking chair for someone who likes to rock, the big chair for two more to curl up in). "The Friendly Giant" exposed young children to classical and jazz music, read them books, and chatted with puppet pals Gerome the Giraffe and Rusty the Rooster.

Interestingly, Bob Homme refused to permit any merchandising or licensing of the show's characters, and the shows were always unscripted - he wanted them to sound like a natural dialogue between him and the children. Bob Homme received the Order of Canada in 1998; he passed away in 2000.

Answer: "North Of 60"

"North of 60" was a very successful ensemble drama series which ran on CBC from 1992 to 1998. Some of its stars were Tina Keeper, Tom Jackson, Dakota House, and guest stars have included Graham Greene, Tantoo Cardinal, and Adam Beach. The series has been followed by several tv movies.

Answer: Anne Shirley

"Anne of Green Gables" is probably one of Canada's most endearing and enduring icons. Numerous television movies were made on the "Anne" books by Lucy Maud Montgomery, and series were made based on the "Road to Avonlea" and "Emily of New Moon" books. Lucy Maud Montgomery herself was adopted by her elderly grandparents at age 2, following the death of her mother, and many of her stories were no doubt inspired by her life in this lovely and interesting part of Canada.

Answer: Trailer Park Boys

Julian is apparently the "brains" behind the operation. He and his friends come up with crazy schemes, and usually are under the bumbling scrutiny of Lahey and his shirtless sidekick Randy. According to the show's website, "Dismissed from the police force 16 years ago for unknown reasons, Mr. Lahey spends most of his days scouring the park for bottle-kids and illegal drug users while 'shirtless wonder' picks up garbage in the playground." It's actually quite a funny show!

Answer: "Due South"

While "Dudley Do Right" also featured a Mountie, Benton Fraser was much better looking. "DaVinci's Inquest" and "My Life As A Dog" are also Canadian shows, but "Due South" is the correct answer. It ran from 1994-1999.

Answer: Red Green

Red's motto is: "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy," and he leads the men's support group at the end of the show in chanting The Man's Prayer: "I'm a man... but I can change... If I have to... I guess..." Not surprisingly, the motto hanging on the door of Possum Lodge is "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati (When All Else Fails, Play Dead)".

Answer: "Corner Gas"

"Corner Gas" premiered in 2004, and already is enjoying a lot of success and viewer praise. The lack of excitement of rural life is the joke within the joke, leaving the show free to explore really funny and original characters and smart humour. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it!

Answer: Mr Dressup

Ernie Coombs worked alongside Fred Rogers on a children's show on CBC called "Butternut Square" in 1963 (although both men were from the States). When Rogers left to start a new children's show on PBS in the US, Ernie Coombs took over the show, and the show was changed to "Mr Dressup".

It ran on CBC for over 30 years, and Mr Dressup is probably the quintessential Canadian children's television icon. Canadian kids grew up on this imaginitive, sweet, and gentle show, watching Mr Dressup and his friends Casey and Finnegan, Aunt Bird, Alligator Al, Wise Old Owl, and later (when Judith Lawrence, the original puppeteer, retired) Truffles the Pig and Chester the Crow. And of course, the Tickle Trunk.

In 1994, Coombs was presented with the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's prestigious lifetime achievement Earle Grey Award, honouring excellence in Canadian television.

In 1996, he was honoured for his many years of bringing quality programming to Canadian children when he became a Member of the Order of Canada.

He passed away in 2001.

Answer: "Coach's Corner"

It's "Coach's Corner", of course, where the irascible Don Cherry (affectionately known as "Grapes" to some) offers his unique perspective on our national game during "Hockey Night In Canada". That theme music probably ranks second only to our national anthem as the most recognizable Canadian music anywhere!