Nightcap was
the 'first' one-hour, late night satire show on Canadian Televison back
in the 60's. It was on the CBC network and ran for 5 years, 39 weeks
a year. It featured great music, comedy
sketches, singing, dancing and the regular soap opera drama, 'Flemington
Park' (A cesspool of desire in the heart of suburbia), along
with some serious and not-so-serious famous guest interviews. Poking
fun at our Federal & Provincial politicians was a weekly event - which
in 'those days' was a "No No"! 'Nightcap' was very much 'ahead
of its time' and was the forerunner for today's shows like "Saturday Night
Live" and "Mad TV".
The Show Starred: (In
order of the picture) June Sampson, Billy Van, Bonnie Brooks, Al
Hamel, and Vanda King (who replaced Jean Christopher), along with
the Guido
Basso orchestra & sometimes Chris Beard. It was brilliantly Produced
and Directed by Terry Kyne and cleverly written by Chris Beard (who sometimes
appeared as a member of the cast). Nicki Balch was head of
make-up; and Pat King, the Floor Director. The cast still keep in
touch after all these years, so perhaps you'd like to know what everyone
is doing now....
The
music you're listening to was the Nightcap theme song, "Too Late Now"
The
'Photo Album' below has more pictures!
"The Cast"
Billy Van: ....after
Nightcap, Billy went on to star as a regular on the Sonny & Cher Show,
the Andy Williams Show, and too many more to mention.
Sadly Billy passed away
on January 8th, 2003. We all miss him greatly.
Al Hamel: ...
lives in Hollywood. and left his Announcing & Acting career in
the'80's and is a skilled Businessman. You'll certainly know his
famous wife Suzanne Somers. (Chrissy on 'Three's Company'), and 'Step by
Step' with Patrick Duffy, and the New Candid Camera! Al is also Suzanne's
Personal Manager & a Producer.
Bonnie Brooks:
....(better known as Boom Boom) is still active in 'the business' working
on lots of movies and commercials. She & Vanda are still
the best of friends! decades of friendship....now "That's a Good
Thing"!!!!
June Sampson:
....moved to California after Nightcap - She's now retired and living with
her husband in the beautiful coutryside of France. The girls keep in touch!
Vanda King: ....
went on to do lots more Television, Nighclubs and Concerts around the world....
including her own TV series 'Diamond Lil's' on the CTV network along with
One Hour musical TV Specials. Today she's a successful businesswoman, CEO of a Corporation and enjoys doing lots of Charity work, which included Chairing many 'Black Tie Galas' for Queensway Hospital.
"The Orchestra"
Guido Basso;
...one of Canada's most beloved and famed trumpet players, was leader of
the orchestra on the show, which was comprised of some of the most talented
and famous musicians in the world. Guido
on Trumpet; Moe Koffman
(Swinging Shepherd Blues) on Saxophone;
Rob McConnell (The Boss Brass); Teddy
Rodderman on Trombone; Jimmy
Dale on Piano; Jimmy
Amaro on Bass; Ed
Bickert on Guitar; Peter
Appleyard on Vibes; & Howie
Rae on Drums;
WOW! what a band!
All these musicians attained
great fame at the top of their field in the music industry, and it was
a joy for the entire cast to work with them for five years!
"The Production Gang"
Terry Kyne:
....the Brilliant 'Nightcap' Producer & Director ... now lives in Laguna
Beach, California and is producing & directing TV shows in Los Angeles.
He keeps in touch with the cast and tries to see most of them at least
a couple of times a year.
Chris Beard:
... moved to LA, where he wrote hit shows like Rowan & Martin's Laugh
In, The Gong Show, Sonny & Cher and the list goes on. He
still lives there today and is writing for some of the biggest shows in
Hollywood.
Nicky Balch: ....retired
in the 80's and moved back to her lovely home in a small village in England.
She keeps in touch with some of the cast members.
Sarah Currie: ...the
wonderful 'Nightcap' costumer, without whose invaluable help, the stars
would have ended up on camera with very little on each week.... (We're
sure Sarah kept the velcro company in business...wow all those years ago
too!) She's now retired from CBC.
Freddie Duer:
....Hairdresser to the 'stars'... Imagine doing a one hour show live and
having to change hairdos for 3 girls every 15 minutes.. and wigs
for every sketch. Freddie was a miracle! He had
his own salon in Toronto for years and is now retired.
Nancy MacLarty:
....Script Assistant and general all around Good Friend and helper to the
Production Gang, the Cast, and the rest of the studio personnel.
Nancy continued at CBC for years, then went on to be 'Mayor' of a town
in B.C.
Pat King: Was
the illustrious Studio Floor Manager. He made sure everyone was in
the right place at the right time, for every show. Unfortunately
Pat is no longer with us, however, he's remembered fondly by everyone associated
with the show.
Now,
for those of you who fondly remember this most 'irreverant' Television
series from Canada ,
here
are a few photographs taken from the show.
There are 9 photos... please
give them time to load!
Thanks for the memories!
