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Four on the Floor is a sketch comedy series which aired on CBC Television in 1986.[1][2] Consisting of only 13 episodes, the series was a showcase for The Frantics, a comedy troupe consisting of Paul Chato, Rick Green, Dan Redican and Peter Wildman. In the U.K., it aired in Channel 4's traditional Friday night comedy slot, from 10 June to 2 September 1988.
| Four on the Floor | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Genre | Sketch comedy |
| Written by | Paul Chato, Rick Green, Dan Redican, Peter Wildman |
| Directed by | David Acomba |
| Starring | Paul Chato, Rick Green, Dan Redican, Peter Wildman |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Morgan Earl |
| Camera setup | Rick McVicar |
| Running time | 26 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBC |
| Release | 1986 – 1986 |
The introduction was voiced by Dan and Rick alternating each line, with video clips and sound effects interspersed in the opening.
Although the series was quickly cancelled due to CBC budget constraints, it was an important influence on later Canadian sketch comedy, such as The Kids in the Hall.[3]
Character
editThe show's most famous character was Mr. Canoehead, a quintessentially Canadian superhero: on a canoeing trip in Algonquin Park, he was hit by lightning while portaging his aluminum canoe, which became permanently welded to his head. As a crime fighter, he would capture criminals by turning around so that the canoe knocked them over.[4]
The character had been originally developed for the radio show Frantic Times, with the troupe initially uncertain how to make the sketch work for television.[5]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Slotek, Jim (December 7, 2009). "The Frantics celebrate 30 years - with a 15-year intermission". Toronto Sun. Toronto, Ontario: Mike Power. ISSN 0837-3175. OCLC 66653673. Retrieved 15 February 2011.
- ^ Clay, Chris (February 26, 2008). "A Frantics approach to comedy". The Mississauga News. Mississauga, Ontario: Ken Nugent. ISSN 0834-6585. OCLC 290997481.
- ^ Ted Shaw, "Nothing escapes antics of The Kids In The Hall". Windsor Star, September 21, 1989.
- ^ Rick Groen, "Frantics' TV antics zany but hit-and-miss". The Globe and Mail, January 16, 1986.
- ^ Rob Salem, "Forever Frantics". Toronto Star, December 30, 2004.
External links
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