Muddy York
muddyyork.bsky.social
Muddy York
@muddyyork.bsky.social
Toronto's #1 History Podcast.
On our latest episode, Ed Conroy of Retrontario joins us to talk about the Golden Age of Kids TV in Toronto.
Let us know if you would like Retrontario to return on a future episode to talk about Toronto kids TV during the 70s, 80s and 90s. You can reply here or by email: muddy_york@outlook.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Click on the link below if you would like to learn more about Retrontario's book on the Golden Age of Toronto Kids TV: imagination.retrontario.com
ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids' TV - New Book - Retrontario
A new book by Ed Conroy, founder of Retrontario. The book takes a nostalgic look back at fifty years of children’s television from the beloved — Polka Dot Door, Today’s Special — to the bizarre — Kidd...
imagination.retrontario.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
In 1967, CBC did a very CBC thing and cancelled Butternut Square at the height of its popularity. The public backlash forced CBC to backtrack and they agreed to produce a smaller show that would focus on a handful of characters. This was of course Mr. Dressup.
November 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Butternut Square was set in a village square with five human cast members and a host of different puppets. Of course, the most famous characters on the show would be Mr. Dressup, Casey and Finnegan.
November 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
After Mr. Rogers decided to return to Pittsburgh, he suggested that one of his puppeteers could be part of a replacement program - his name was Ernie Coombs.
November 6, 2025 at 11:51 AM
It's a little-known fact that Fred Rogers began his TV hosting career on CBC. From 1962-64, Misterogers would launch many of the ideas that became famous on his PBS show.
November 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
For 26 years starting in 1958, Canadian children were told to "Look up, waaaaay up". Unlike other kids shows that were loud and raucous, the Friendly Giant was relaxed and focused on reading books or playing music. Episodes would be improvised based on a one page outline.
November 5, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Chichimus was the first thing ever broadcast on CBC television. He was part of a 15-minute preview show called Let's See that would highlight each evening's programs. He became so popular that he got his own show - Uncle Chichimus, featuring his niece Hollyhock.
November 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
That was Professor Morse of Macmillan University. Show some respect.
October 31, 2025 at 11:25 AM