Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1996 to 2006
Broadcast Medium: Television
“No doubt about it, I’m a nature nut,” sang John Acorn at the start of each of his programs The zany approach to life and people adopted by this Canadian naturalist when he was a park interpreter at Sir Winston Churchill Park near Lac La Biche, Alberta, in the summer of 1977, made his personality ideal for television, and he eventually came to host a very successful series under the punning title Acorn The Nature Nut.
Acorn’s world was a world of birds, bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and anything that crept, crawled, walked, ran or flew, as well as the flora that formed their habitat. He travelled the world to produce his programs, with first class camerawork by Bruce Wiggins illustrating his fascinating stories. His talents, in addition to singing, also included playing ukulele and harmonica – and country songs and folksy fireside stories with harmonica accompaniment were regular features on the show were short animated ‘nature facts’ segments leading into commercial breaks.
The series was created by Patricia Phillips and John Acorn, produced by Andy Thomson, and directed by Ray Harper.
Originally produced for the Discovery Channel and syndication by Great North Productions in Edmonton, CTV later became associated with the production, and the series began being scheduled in the Network weekend children’s blocks in the 1998-99 season. It was renewed through to and including the 2005-2006 season.
Pip Wedge – December 2003