Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1981 to 2002
Broadcast Medium: Television
This CTV half-hour invited viewers to tell the producers their dreams and fantasies, some of which became reality each week on the network. Two young mothers’ dream that came true was to dance in the chorus of a lavish Las Vegas revue, while a regular thrill for many was to meet stars of the calibre of Johnny Cash, Wayne Gretzky and Tom Jones. Other participants joined the army, enjoyed supersonic flight, and went to the bottom of the ocean. Host Doug Paulson had three co-hosts during the run of the series, with Terri Austin lasting the longest.
Created for television by Sidney M. Cohen and Willie Stein, and directed by Cohen, Thrill of a Lifetime debuted on CTV in September 1981 on Tuesdays at 9:30pm. In subsequent years it moved to Mondays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 7:00pm and Fridays at 7:30pm, before the Thrill was finally gone in September 1987. It was produced for CTV at CFTO-TV Toronto.
A new version of Thrill was produced in 2002 for Canada’s W Network, and was also carried by the US Biography Channel. Numerous countries also optioned the format for local productions.
Written by Pip Wedge – June, 2002