Circus (Canadian TV series)

Canadian television variety show

Circus is a Canadian television variety show, which aired on CTV from 1978 to 1985.[1] Airing in an early-evening slot aimed at children and families, the show featured various circus acts performing in a television studio instead of a traditional circus venue.[2]

The show's original hosts were Cal Dodd and Sherisse Laurence,[3] who were replaced in later seasons by Pierre Lalonde.[4] All of the hosts were also singers, who would sometimes perform songs in between circus acts, as well as the show's opening theme song.[2]

It originally aired on April 16, 1978, as a one-off special,[1] becoming a weekly series in the fall due to its popularity.[2][5][6] It was the highest-rated Canadian entertainment program in its first season,[7] leading CTV to expand it from half an hour to a full hour in its second season,[8] although the one-hour format was not as popular and the show reverted to a half-hour format in 1980.[9] In the one-hour season, comedian Billy Van appeared as Spats the Clown, but did not continue in this role after the show returned to a half-hour format.[10]

The series was also sold into syndication in the United States and internationally.[11]

The series was cancelled by CTV in 1985.[12]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Blaik Kirby, "CTV puts a circus in a studio and comes up with a winner". The Globe and Mail, April 15, 1978.
2. ^ a b c Donn Downey, "Circus: short on budget and bravado". The Globe and Mail, September 23, 1978.
3. ^ Ray Conlogue, "Circus co-star getting a kick out of big top". The Globe and Mail, November 11, 1978.
4. ^ Mike Boone, "Pierre Lalonde is ringmaster of his own circus". Edmonton Journal, November 18, 1983.
5. ^ "Circus 1979 - 1983". my.kwic.com. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
6. ^ "TVArchive.ca - Episode Guide for Circus". 20 June 2008. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
7. ^ "CTV claims Circus top Canadian show". The Globe and Mail, March 15, 1979.
8. ^ "Circus expands". Regina Leader-Post, May 11, 1979.
9. ^ "Circus back". Regina Leader-Post, September 12, 1980.
10. ^ "Billy Van gets a double heave-ho". Toronto Star, July 12, 1980.
11. ^ "Dials and channels". Montreal Star, April 12, 1978.
12. ^ Matthew Fraser, "Canadian shows on CTV agenda". The Globe and Mail, May 22, 1985.

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