Title: CFPL TV Chronicles: Slappy Canuck's 15 Seconds of Fame

 

CFPL TV Chronicles: Slappy Canuck's 15 Seconds of Fame

Gather 'round, everyone, because I've got another gem from the CFPL TV archives, this time courtesy of John Mahoney. It's a tale of whimsy, mischief, and the perils of live television, all wrapped up in a name that still brings a chuckle to those who remember it.

Years ago, in the golden age of Canadian television, there was a peanut butter commercial that caught everyone's attention. It was cleverly designed to look like a news report, with a reporter stationed on Parliament Hill. The twist? The reporter's name was keyed in as Walter Arachide, with "Arachide" being French for peanut. It was a delightful little joke, and it tickled the funny bones of everyone in the studio.

That evening, during the PM newscast, John Mahoney and his colleague Bill Young couldn't stop laughing about it. They started riffing on typically Canadian names, each one more absurd than the last. As the laughter died down, a mischievous idea took root in John's mind. What if, just for fun, he changed his Director name on the character generator credits?

With a grin that promised trouble, John typed in the new name: Slappy Canuck. It was ridiculous, it was perfect, and it was destined for airtime. As the credits rolled at the end of the newscast, there it was for all to see—Directed by Slappy Canuck. The chuckles that echoed through the studio confirmed it was a hit.

The next afternoon, as John strolled into the office, he was greeted by Joe Armstrong, the supervisor of producers and directors. Now, Joe was a no-nonsense kind of guy, but he had a sense of humor buried beneath his serious exterior. With a deadpan expression, he addressed John as Slappy and suggested, in his dry, understated way, that in the future, he should probably stay away from the character generator.

John couldn't help but laugh. It was a gentle rebuke, but it was also an acknowledgment that, for a brief moment, he'd injected a bit of levity into the otherwise serious world of news broadcasting. The name Slappy Canuck might have been short-lived, but it lived on in the memories of those who were there.

Reflecting on that day, John remembers the thrill of doing something spontaneous and funny, even if it was a bit cheeky. In the fast-paced environment of live TV, moments like these were a reminder that sometimes, a little humor was just what everyone needed.

So, here's to John Mahoney, aka Slappy Canuck, for daring to be playful in a world of serious news. And here's to the CFPL TV crew, whose camaraderie and creativity made every day an adventure. Because in the end, it's these stories—both the big headlines and the little pranks—that make our shared history so rich and enjoyable.