CFPL TV Chronicles: Tyrone Shoelace at Sunshine School

 

Title: "CFPL TV Chronicles: Laughter, Puppets, and the Adventures of Mr. Tim"

As we continue our romp through the whimsical world of CFPL TV Chronicles, I find myself at the heart of Sunshine School, a delightful weekday children's show that became the stage for laughter, puppetry, and the occasional splash of chaos.

In my dual role as properties man and floor manager, every live or videotaped performance was my front-row seat to the magical world of Sunshine School. As the video tape rolled, I would announce the tag with flair, "Sunshine School, September 15th, part one, see the schedule, ten from now..." accompanied by a theatric countdown to cue the lively online personalities.

One of the show's highlights was a puppet named Tyrone, the talking boot. His full name, the illustrious Tyrone Shoelace, brought joy and giggles to the young audience. Frank Proctor lent his voice to Tyrone, while I often operated the levers that brought the puppet to life. Tyrone's segments were filled with happy birthday announcements and updates on who had mastered the art of tying their shoes. Occasionally, I stepped into the limelight as Mr. Tim, showcasing my bubble-blowing expertise in a gigantic bowl of water, much to the delight of the young viewers.

Now, TV personalities are known for their flawless appearance, thanks to makeup. When water threatened to wash away the carefully applied layers, I was called to be an 'extra.' As Mr. Tim, I demonstrated the fine art of submerged face-bubbling, showcasing my willingness to go the extra mile, or should I say, bubble?

But the antics didn't stop there. On occasion, I transformed into "the Ugly Old Troll," uttering the famous line, "Who's dat on my bridge?" to the amusement of the young ones.

Sunshine School wasn't just a show; it was a vibrant cast of characters. Miss Dorothy (Dorothy Cooper) played the kind-hearted kindergarten teacher, Mr. Hoolihan (Frank Proctor) the comical Irish janitor, and Miss Phylis on piano, tickling the ivories with a playful tune. Each episode featured 15 or twenty boys and girls from the London Ontario viewing area, handpicked to join in the fun.

Fred G. on camera

And behind the scenes, crew members occasionally made cameo appearances. Why? Because we were a family, weaving our personalities into the fabric of Sunshine School. The mastermind behind the madness? Peter Nott (Ned) and his wife Bea Nott, steering the ship as producer and director, ensuring that every episode was a delightful romp through the whimsical corridors of children's television.

As we wrap up this lighthearted glimpse into Sunshine School, join me in the next chapter of CFPL TV Chronicles, where we'll continue our journey through the playful corridors of television history, one puppet, bubble, and laughter-filled episode at a time.