Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1969 to 1970
Broadcast Medium: Television
Aired Tuesday nights, for one season, from September 1969 to September 1970.
Ted Follows starred as McQueen, a crusading newspaper reporter based in Toronto. It was his job to stand up for the little guy by exposing con men, consumer fraud and bad businesses.
The show was based on the real-life exploits of Frank Drea, a reporter of similar repute on the Toronto Telegram. Drea’s column was called Action Line; McQueen’s fictional column was called The Actioneer.
To add to the authenticity of the drama, the Telegram’s newsroom served as a natural backdrop. Often McQueen was seen helping out an American draft dodger or crusading for a landed immigrant.
Unfortunately, the series didn’t quite catch on with viewers; poor reviews and the half hour time frame probably didn’t help McQueen either. Nevertheless, the show opened the door to such notables as Margot Kidder who later starred as Lois Lane in the Superman movies, Jan Goldin, and Daphne Gibson, to name a few.
The series also offered opportunities to both established and new Canadian writers, including George Salverson, creator of McQueen, Leslie MacFarlane, Donald Jack, Jack Gray, Ian Ross, Bryan Barney, and John Fisher. Directors included Peter Carter, Rene Bonniere, and Kirk Jones. The program’s associate producer was David Peddie, and the executive producer was Ronald Weyman.
Written by John Corcelli – August, 2005