Benmergui Live was a Canadian television talk show, which aired daily on CBC Newsworld in the 1990s.[1] Hosted by Ralph Benmergui, the series centred on discussions of political, social or cultural topics with panel guests, studio audience discussion and phone-in segments.[2]
The series aired at noon Eastern time daily, and was filmed live in the atrium of the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto, Ontario.[1] It debuted in 1995, following the cancellation of Friday Night! with Ralph Benmergui.[2]
In 1996 and 1997, Benmergui hosted a series of prime time specials under the Benmergui Live banner.[3] The first, an exploration of crime and incarceration, was broadcast from the Warkworth Institution;[3] the second, on art, was broadcast from the National Gallery of Canada.[4]
In the 1997 season, Newsworld shifted the program's timeslot to 3 p.m. Eastern time, in a bid to accommodate Western Canadian viewers for whom the show's original time slot was 9 a.m.[5] In October 1997, Benmergui did a week of shows from Vancouver, exploring distinctly Western Canadian issues.[6]
Newsworld cancelled the show in 1999, amid a decision to refocus the network's daytime programming.[7] Benmergui continued with the network as a contributor to CBC Morning and On the Arts.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Benmergui finds niche, rising ratings as phone-in TV host". Ottawa Citizen, December 1, 1995.
- ^ a b "Benmurgui receives another shot". The Globe and Mail, September 12, 1995.
- ^ a b "Benmergui broadcasts show live from prison". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, October 29, 1996.
- ^ "Witness to Canada's parole system: Other watchables include Housesitter, 3 Masters on Ice, Death by Design". Waterloo Region Record, March 25, 1997.
- ^ "Newsworld aiming for 'insight'". Toronto Star, June 26, 1997.
- ^ "Pot, Moose 'n' myth bringing Benmergui to West Coast". Vancouver Sun, October 25, 1997.
- ^ a b "CBC Newsworld cuts 32 jobs". Edmonton Journal, June 26, 1999.
