Network: CTV Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1982 to 1988
Broadcast Medium: Television
Paul Hann was an Edmonton television personality who had a special talent for entertaining children. Clad in his trademark red peaked cap and red shoes, and working in a simple set with a fairytale house, Paul and his guests would each week entertain a group of grade three Edmonton schoolchildren with diverse activities such as songs, dances, skits, drawing and painting. The children were bused in from all over the city, and their field trip included a tour of the station and lunch provided by McDonalds.
The half-hour show started as a local series on CFRN-TV, and when the Network dropped that station’s very successful Story Time series for children, Paul Hann and Friends immediately took its place, and had an equally successful run. It was basically a one-man show, though there were frequent guests, and puppeteer Ronnie Burke was a semi-regular. Guests included cartoonist Lynn Johnston, Irish Rovers star Will Millar, Charlotte Diamond, Rick Scott and Norman Foote. Paul would sing two or three songs per show, usually involving the kids, and accompanied himself on the 12-string acoustic guitar.
After three years as a local show, Paul Hann and Friends joined the CTV network schedule in September 1985. It played on CTV on Saturday mornings at 8:30am (though some stations played it later), and held its place on the schedule for a very successful three years. The series was also picked up by YTV when it first went on the air.
Written by Pip Wedge – June, 2003