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Polkaroo
''Polka Dot Door'' is a Canadian children's television series which was produced by the Ontario Educational Communications Authority (later known as TVOntario) from 1971 to 1993. The series features two hosts who speak directly to the home viewing audience. The content of the shows was generally geared towards education and creativity. Each week of episodes focused on a single theme with each weekday assigned a different "motif" in which the theme was explored in different ways (For example, Tuesdays were "Dress-Up Day" in which the hosts would use costumes to explore the theme). One of the most well-known elements of the series was the "Polkaroo", a mythical character whose name combines the words "polka dot" and "kangaroo". Normally played by the male host in costume, the Polkaroo would appear to the female host to perform a mime; upon the second host's return, he would typically express disappointment when informed that he had once again missed the Polkaroo. In earlier years, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Polka Dot Shorts
''Polka Dot Shorts'' is a Canadian children's television series produced and broadcast by TVOntario from 1994 to 2001. It was created, produced, and edited by Jed MacKay.Keri Sweetman, "TVO shuffles its show schedule for youngsters". ''Ottawa Citizen'', March 13, 1995. Approximately 180 episodes were produced, all directed by Michael McNamara. About The series is based on '' Polka Dot Door'', and stars the characters Polkaroo, Humpty, Dumpty, Bear and Marigold. The characters are portrayed by "physical theatre" actors in large costumes; Marigold's performer, for example, had a ballet and circus background. Unlike in ''Polka Dot Door'', in which Polkaroo only ever vocalized his own name, in ''Polka Dot Shorts'' he spoke full dialogue in English.Louise Brown, "He speaks! One-word wonder Polkaroo finally finds his voice". ''Toronto Star'', September 21, 1996. The show's original concept had been to retain the characters while ''Polka Dot Door'' underwent a temporary production hiat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gisèle's Big Backyard
''Gisèle's Big Backyard'' is a Canadian children's television series, which aired on TVOntario from 2006 to 2019. Hosted and produced by children's entertainer and educator Gisèle Corinthios as a continuation of her earlier series ''The Nook'', the series featured Corinthios, puppet supporting characters and guests entertaining and educating children according to the HighScope curriculum of early childhood education. The series aired as short segments inserted between other programs in the TVOKids programming block. It also produced interactive games and educational videos for the TVOntario website. Puppets included Sticks the Squirrel (Jason Hopley), Jay the Blue Jay ( Ali Eisner), Melvin the Skunk (Marty Stelnick), This (Ryan Field), That (Frank Meschkuleit), and Polkaroo. Polkaroo's quartet of " Polka Dot Door Friends" Bear, Dumpty, Humpty and Marigold also appear in smaller-than-human doll size rather than larger-than-human suits. This was their first re-appearance since '' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Children's Television Series
Children's television series (or children's television shows) are Television show, television programs designed specifically for Child, children. They are typically characterised by easy-going content devoid of sensitive or adult themes and are normally broadcast during the morning and afternoon when children are awake, immediately before and after school schedules generally start in the country where they air. Educational television, Educational themes are also prevalent, as well as the transmission of cautionary tales and narratives that teach problem-solving methods in some fashion or another, such as social disputes. The purpose of these shows, aside from profit, is mainly to entertain or educate children, with each series targeting a certain age of child: some are aimed at infants and toddlers, some are aimed at those aged 6 to 11 years old, and others are aimed at all children. History Children's television is nearly as old as television itself. In the United Kingdom, the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nonnie Griffin
Nonnie Griffin (20 October 1933 – 7 June 2019) was a Canadian film, stage, television and voice actress. She studied at the Toronto Conservatory in her native land, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, and even with famed mime artist Marcel Marceau. Her stage work includes playing Mrs. Rafi in the original Toronto production of ''The Sea'' and a 10-month run as the title character in '' Hello, Dolly!'' at the Limelight Dinner Theatre in Toronto in 1990. Griffin appeared in the original Toronto production of John Murrell's Waiting for the Parade. She also played Jessica in the original Montreal production of David French's Jitters. Biography Apart from being a veteran of the stage, her voice over work includes Nelvana's '' Star Wars: Ewoks'', and playing Harmony Bear in 1986's '' Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation''. She voiced Funshine Bear in the Nelvana version of ''Care Bears'', and also voiced Mrs. Suey-Ellen Pig in ''The Raccoons'' episodes "Mom's the Word!" ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tonya Lee Williams
Tonya Williams (born July 12, 1958) is a Canadian actress, producer, and activist. Sometimes credited as Tonya Lee Williams, she is best known for her role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on the American daytime drama ''The Young and the Restless'' from 1990 to 2005 and 2007 to 2012. She is the founder and executive director of Reelworld Film Festival. Early life Williams was born in London, England to Jamaican parents. She lived in London and Kingston, Jamaica as a young child. At age five, she contracted rheumatic fever; she and her mother then moved to Birmingham. In 1969 she and her family settled in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. As a teenager she modeled in Eaton's catalogues and danced on a television series called ''Boogie!'' which ran on Citytv. In 1977 Williams was crowned Miss Black Ontario. Williams was married to Robert Simpson from 1983 to 1991, but she has never remarried. Career Williams' television debut was as a host of the Canadian children's show '' Polka Dot Door' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nerene Virgin
Nerene Virgin (December 27, 1946 – January 15, 2024) was a Canadian journalist, actress, educator, author and television host, best known for her role on the children's television series ''Today's Special''. Background Virgin was born in Hamilton, Ontario. She was a great-granddaughter of escaped Maryland slave Thomas John (Howard) Holland, and great-niece of pastor John Christie Holland. She was born Nerene Grizzle, daughter of Kathleen V. Toliver and Stanley G. Grizzle. After growing up in Toronto, she attended Toronto Teacher's College. Virgin was also certified as a Special Education teacher at Brock University focusing on intellectually gifted children and held special qualifications in teaching Integrated Arts. Virgin began her career as a teacher, working for the Toronto Board of Education. She later moved into children's programming with Ontario's public broadcaster TV Ontario, playing "Jodie" on ''Today's Special''. This internationally acclaimed series was in prod ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gordon Thomson (actor)
Gordon Thomson (born March 2, 1945) is a Canadian actor widely known for his role as Adam Carrington on the 1980s American prime time soap opera ''Dynasty''. Early life Thomson began acting while studying English at McGill University in Montreal. One of his earliest roles was "Sir Robin the Brave" in the 1971 version of the Muppets' ''The Frog Prince''. He went on to appear in Canadian television and stage roles, including a stint in ''Godspell'' opposite Gilda Radner, Martin Short, and Eugene Levy. In his twenties he also worked as a catalogue model to supplement his acting earnings. Career His first main TV role was as Michael Stewart Jr. on the Canadian television serial '' High Hopes'' in 1978. He then appeared as Egyptologist Aristotle Benedict White on the ABC daytime soap opera ''Ryan's Hope'' from 1981 to 1982. Having received acclaim for stage performances in productions including ''Love's Labour's Lost'', ''Godspell'' and Joe Orton's '' Loot'', Thomson advanced to the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Denis Simpson
Denis Simpson (born Dennis Anthony Leopold Simpson; 4 November 1950 – 22 October 2010)"Denis Simpson lived to entertain" '''', 22 October 2010. was a Canadian actor and singer best known as a host of the TV series '' Polka Dot Door''. He was also an original member of the singing group . Early life and family Born in[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gloria Reuben
Gloria Elizabeth Reuben (born June 9, 1964) is a Canadian-American actress, producer, and singer. She is well-known for her role as Jeanie Boulet on the medical drama '' ER'' (1995–1999, 2008), for which she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award, and for portraying Elizabeth Keckley in the 2012 Steven Spielberg–directed film '' Lincoln''. She has featured in films such as ''Timecop'' (1994), '' Nick of Time'' (1995), '' Admission'' (2013), and ''Reasonable Doubt'' (2014). She played Krista Gordon on ''Mr. Robot'' (2015–2019), as well as a recurring character on '' City on a Hill'' (2019-2021). She also played Adina Johnson on ''Cloak & Dagger'' from 2018 to 2019. Early life and education Gloria Elizabeth Reuben was born on June 9, 1964 in Toronto, Ontario, to Pearl Avis (Mills), a classical singer, and Cyril George Reuben, a civil engineer. Her parents are both Jamaican-born. Her father was mostly Jewish (with Ashkenazi and Sephardi roots), though he also had som ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Ralston (actor)
John Ralston (born October 9, 1964) is a Canadian actor. Career Ralston's most notable roles are George Venturi on '' Life with Derek'', and his role as Mr. Avenir on '' Strange Days at Blake Holsey High''. He was also the lead on the 2010–12 HBO Canada series '' Living in Your Car''. Earlier in his career, Ralston was seen on the Toronto stage in a production of George F. Walker's ''Risk Everything'' in 1998. In 2006 and 2007, he was featured in Toyota Tundra truck commercials airing in Canada, and starred as Ming the Merciless in the 2007 Sci-Fi Channel original series '' Flash Gordon''. In 2008 he was in the Lifetime movie ''A Near Death Experience''. In July 2013, Ralston appeared on '' Degrassi'' in its 13th season as Miles Hollingsworth II, a role he continued through its 14th and final season. Ralston reprised this role in the follow-up series, '' Degrassi: Next Class''. In 2015, he co-starred as Jean-Claude Van Damme's estranged brother in the film, '' Poun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sherry Miller
Sherry Miller is a Canadian actress best known for her role as Jane on the CTV drama ''E.N.G.'' (1990), as Jennifer Taylor on the Showtime drama ''Queer As Folk'' (2000–2005), and as Dorothy O'Sullivan on the Global teen drama ''The Best Years'' (2007–2009). Biography Miller began her career in the 1970s as a singer and dancer. She later gained attention in Canadian television for representing Spumante Bambino wine in commercial advertisements, as well as for her role as the host of the children's television series, '' Polka Dot Door''. She also appeared in Sofia Coppola's ''The Virgin Suicides''. She won a 2001 Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series for her work as Elisha Cuthbert's mother in '' Lucky Girl''. Miller is best known for her recurring role as Justin's mother Jennifer Taylor on the American version of ''Queer As Folk'', during the entire run of the series from 2000 to 2005. She also ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gerry Mendicino
Gennaro "Gerry" Mendicino (born May 18, 1950) is a Canadian actor. Mendicino was born in North Bay, Ontario, and graduated from the University of Windsor Drama School in 1973. Throughout his career he has been able to play a wide range of versatile characters. He began on the television series ''King of Kensington'' and went on to host the popular children's television series '' Polka Dot Door''. He portrayed Sam Ramone in the television series '' Ready or Not''. His most notable film role came as Uncle Taki in the ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding'' is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Joel Zwick and written by Nia Vardalos. The film stars Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine, Gia Carides, Louis Mandylor, Andrea Martin, and Joey Faton ...'' franchise. Filmography Film Television References External links * 1950 births Living people Canadian male film actors Canadian male television actors Canadian male voice ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
