Title: CFPL TV Chronicles: The Legend of IYE

 CFPL TV Chronicles: The Legend of IYE

Gather around, everyone, because I have a tale for you. It’s a tale that captures the spirit of ingenuity, camaraderie, and downright silliness that made CFPL TV a special place back in the day. We’re diving into the archives to unearth the story of "IYE" or "In Your Ear," a show born out of sheer boredom and creativity.

It was the early 1970s, a time when the world was changing fast, but at CFPL TV, some things never changed. The studio crew, always a tight-knit bunch, found themselves with pockets of free time between scheduled programming. Instead of lounging around or catching up on sleep, they channeled their energy into something far more entertaining. That’s how "IYE" came to be.

Now, "IYE" wasn’t your typical TV show. It wasn’t planned or funded. It wasn’t even supposed to happen. But it did, and it was glorious. Director John Mahoney was the mastermind in the control room, piecing together the chaos into something that resembled a show. And oh, what a show it was!

Producer Jim Plant saw potential in the madness. He watched a few episodes and thought they were broadcast quality. He asked if they could make it a weekly thing. But Paul Estabrooks, one of the crew members, knew better. “Jim, we can’t generate that much material,” he’d said with a knowing smile. They all knew that the magic of "IYE" was in its spontaneity and was never intended for public viewing.

One particularly memorable episode featured The Baron, a character who could only have been dreamt up in the wild world of CFPL TV. The Baron decided to bring in some old war memorabilia one day, and not just any memorabilia—this included a full-on Hitler costume. The Baron, ever the performer, didn’t just wear the costume; he embodied it.

Picture it: The Baron, with his impeccable accent and mannerisms, giving an over-the-top impression of Hitler. The crew couldn’t stop laughing. It was surreal, absurd, and somehow perfect for the impromptu nature of "IYE." The Baron’s portrayal was so spot-on that if you squinted and tilted your head just right, you might have thought you were watching a historical reenactment mixed with a tune from HMS Pinafore. But the crew knew better. This was all part of the wild ride that was "IYE."

But that wasn’t the end of the Baron’s talents. He had a knack for creating realistic sound effects, a skill akin to a master Foley artist. In another unforgettable segment, The Baron staged a news flash about a huge five-alarm fire at the Spittal Brothers Department Store. With sirens blaring and his enthusiastic commentary, you could almost see the flames and smoke. The control room was in stitches, the laughter echoing through the studio.

As The Baron's sirens wailed and his voice rose in mock urgency, Paul looked around at his fellow crew members. They were all in tears from laughing so hard. It was moments like these that made working at CFPL TV more than just a job. It was a family of sorts, bound together by shared experiences and a sense of humor that could turn the mundane into the magical.

"IYE" never did make it to a regular weekly slot. It purposely remained a hidden gem, a series of taped episodes that existed somewhere between official programming and sheer lunacy and now long erased and dispatched to oblivion. But those who were there, who witnessed the birth of "In Your Ear," knew they were part of something special.

Years later, as they gathered at Shelley’s Bar on Wellington for their monthly old-timers’ luncheon, they’d reminisce about those days. Inevitably, the conversation would turn to "IYE," and they’d laugh all over again. They’d remember The Baron’s Hitler impersonation, the fire at Spittal Brothers, and the sheer joy of creating something purely for the fun of it.

So here’s to "IYE," the little show that could (and did, even if only briefly). It’s a testament to the spirit of CFPL TV, a place where creativity knew no bounds, and laughter was always just around the corner.