Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1976 to 1980
Broadcast Medium: Television
From the very early days of CTV, an afternoon block of Canadian programming was a consistent element in the network schedule, in large part to provide offsetting content for an American soap opera. For years it took the form of a mix of game shows and ‘problem solving’ shows like Magistrates’ Court and People in Conflict. As U.S. signals extended into Canada in quantity and quality, more soaps proliferated and provided heavy competition for CTV’s Canadian material, and advertisers were less than happy.
In 1976, CTV made the move away from daytime game shows, and hired Alan Hamel to be the host of their first daytime talk show. Alan had earlier had success with the CBC with shows like Razzle Dazzle, Nightcap and In Person, and had moved to the U.S. in 1967 where he had done well in many hosting and producing roles.
The Alan Hamel Show was produced in the studios of BCTV Vancouver, a city located conveniently for Alan to lure many of his Los Angeles showbiz friends to appear as guests on his show – including his wife Suzanne Somers. The series ran for four years. It played Monday through Friday, 2:00-3:00pm from 1976-1979, and moved to 1:30pm in the 1979-80 season when NBC’s Another World (which CTV simulcast) was expanded to ninety minutes for one season, and ran 2:30 – 4:00pm.
Written by Pip Wedge – February, 2003