Switchback (CBC)
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Switchback was a Canadian television show for children and teens broadcast on the CBC in the 1980s. It was produced regionally from Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, Regina and Halifax.
The CBC Winnipeg version ran from 1983 till about 1987. It was hosted by Winnipeg personality Laurie Mustard. It aired Sunday mornings at 9. There were numerous celebrity guests on the Winnipeg show over its five year run, hosted by Mustard, including; Adam West (Batman), Carrie Hamilton (the late daughter of Carol Burnett), and 80s hair band Quiet Riot.
Another Winnipeg personality, Jim Ingebrigtsen, was a frequent guest star, but not as himself. He played 'Ole Yuleberg' at Christmas time and 'Peter Cottonsvensen' at Easter, and was always trying to get a Switchback bag from Mustard.
The show once even aired live on location from Disneyland in California, while a blizzard raged back in Winnipeg.
Favourite segments from this show were the music videos, Batman and Heckle & Jeckle shorts, and many contests where kids could call in and win Switchback t-shirts, buttons, and even the coveted Switchback bag.
The CBC Vancouver version was hosted by a number of different local personalities, including folk musician Rick Scott. The name "Switchback" referred to the program's original format, which invited young viewers to sell or trade used toys, comic books, and the like. Viewers could either call in or write in with offers, which were written on a board on the studio set or later featured in a free classified-ad-style publication put together by the show and mailed out to viewers who requested it. This feature was dropped after the first season.
As in the Winnipeg program, contests and other interactive features were common, including call-in segments. Some shows involved a live studio audience.
The Halifax version was hosted by Stan "the Man" (and others?) The classified AD publication was long lasting in the Halifax version. The show was on very early in the morning, but if you taped it to watch at a more reasonable time you couldn't call in to win prizes
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