As a child of the ’80s who grew up glued to my television, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia reading about the legendary Canadian kids’ sketch show, “You Can’t Do That on Television.” It’s fascinating to learn about its humble beginnings and how it ultimately helped shape the Nickelodeon brand we know today.
The creators of the affordable, children’s comedy series known as “You Can’t Do That on Television” weren’t aware that their show would become a defining part of the Nickelodeon identity when it first aired 45 years back.
British television producer Roger Price, known for creating numerous children’s shows in the UK, later relocated to Canada with an ambition to introduce a program that valued kids’ viewpoints and didn’t treat them like they were inferior. Unlike many others, Price didn’t romanticize childhood as he had experienced a challenging upbringing himself, which included attending boarding school in Switzerland.
Modeled after popular adult shows such as “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In”, the program titled “YCDTOT” showcased mainly untrained child actors portraying children who were producing their own TV show, while encountering bungling adults. This series made its debut on CJOH-TV in Ottawa on February 3, 1979, and attracted the notice of burgeoning American network Nickelodeon, which started broadcasting episodes from early 1982 to impressive viewership figures.
As the Mom character in the show, I can tell you that with just 30 seconds to sketch a scene, there was absolutely no space for unnecessary details.
Back in the day, I was thrilled to witness the iconic tradition of getting “slimed” first unfold on YCDTOT (You Can’t Do That On Television). The moment someone uttered “I don’t know,” a vibrant green goop would shower them, an amusing response to my kids’ favorite dodge phrase to shirk responsibility. I initially thought the cast might dislike getting doused in slime, but boy, was I wrong! It didn’t take long for everyone to embrace this fun and messy tradition.
Adam Greydon Reid, who started working with YCDTOT when he was 11 years old after writing a letter to Price and later co-wrote episodes as a teenager, expressed his gratitude for being covered in slime. (Notably, each cast member receiving a $50 compensation for every sliming made the experience even sweeter.)
One of the notable figures who emerged during the program’s run was Bill Prady, a writer who later co-created “The Big Bang Theory”. Additionally, a young Alanis Morissette made appearances in five episodes, captivating her fellow cast members with her demo tape. The series, now in its 10th season, remains a significant part of pop culture. In a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, it was parodied, and Ryan Reynolds, who was previously engaged to Morissette, promptly mentioned the show when asked about influential Canadian programs in a recent interview.
Years ago, an attempt at a reboot didn’t succeed, but there’s been talk recently about reviving it. The price for this comeback is open, but only if the overall vibe remains authentic: “It needs to genuinely resonate with kids as if it’s their own show.”
Originally published in The Hollywood Reporter’s August 14 edition, you can find more such stories by subscribing to their magazine right here. (Click here to subscribe)
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2024-08-17 21:24