Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Tears, Hugs And Smiles As 'Canada AM' Hosts Say Goodbye With Montages, Memories

The Canadian Press, 03 Jun, 2016 12:18 PM
    TORONTO — There were some farewell tears but for the most part, the hosts of "Canada AM" kept the mood upbeat and by-the-book on Friday as the venerable show aired for the last time.
     
    A day after the unexpected announcement that CTV would be abruptly cancelling the show after 43 seasons, co-hosts Beverly Thomson, Marci Ien and Jeff Hutcheson greeted viewers with smiles and only briefly acknowledged the show's fate before getting straight into the day's headlines.
     
    The finale included many photo and video montages from "Canada's most-watched national morning newsmagazine," which started in September 1972, offering news and lifestyle stories as well as interviews with stars and newsmakers.
     
    Thomson, Ien and Hutcheson appeared at ease, filling the broadcast with laughs.
     
    "I'm going to do the weather the way people really want to do the weather," said Hutcheson, delivering the forecast with a "you're welcome" to cities getting sun and apologies to those getting rain.
     
    He also relished a look back at the most memorable moments from his online viral video segment, "Things I Learned on the Internet."
     
    In his parting words, he thanked his co-hosts as well as his wife and children.
     
    "On this shift you miss a lot and they've been great," said Hutcheson. "I wasn't there for a lot and they have played this really well."
     
    As they closed the show, each host grew emotional. 
     
    "Thank you to all of you for coming this morning," said Thomson, who added that working on the show has been the highlight of her career.
     
    "Mostly, thank you at home."
     
    Ien called her time on "Canada AM" "a dream come true" and choked back tears as she ended the show with her signature line: "Bye, Canada."
     
    "Canada, it's been a love affair," she said. "Thank you for allowing us into your living rooms and bedrooms, dare I say, each and every morning."
     
    Former host Seamus O'Regan, now a Newfoundland MP, was seen standing behind the scenes as cameras panned to the show's crew.
     
    Several other "Canada AM" contributors, including BNN reporter Michael Kane and film critic Richard Crouse, also appeared on the last show.
     
    CTV said a replacement show will be announced next week. Until a new show is announced and goes on the air, a simulcast of live CTV News Channel programming will run in the "Canada AM" timeslot, beginning Monday.
     
    Thomson and Ien will continue to stay with Bell Media while Hutcheson will begin his previously announced retirement on June 17. Thomson will move to CTV News Channel while Ien will develop new projects with Bell Media In-House Productions.
     
    While fans were shocked by the decision to pull the plug on "Canada AM," which helped launch the broadcasting careers of Pamela Wallin and Valerie Pringle, among others, industry observers said the move reflects a shifting media landscape.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Cyberbullying Insurance To Cover Victims' Legal, Medical And Advisory Costs

    Cyberbullying Insurance To Cover Victims' Legal, Medical And Advisory Costs
    TORONTO — In a sign of the times, Chubb has brought its cyberbullying insurance to Canada.

    Cyberbullying Insurance To Cover Victims' Legal, Medical And Advisory Costs

    Parkash Singh Badal Terms Paddy MSP Hike 'Meagre, Inadequat

    Parkash Singh Badal Terms Paddy MSP Hike 'Meagre, Inadequat
    Farmers of the country were facing an acute crisis and the government of India was duty-bound to bail out the food growers of nation from it. 

    Parkash Singh Badal Terms Paddy MSP Hike 'Meagre, Inadequat

    Health Care Could Consume Half Of Provincial Budgets In Canada By 2030

    Health Care Could Consume Half Of Provincial Budgets In Canada By 2030
    Canada's provincial governments have to spend much more on health care over the next 20 years, triggering higher taxes, larger deficits, and reduced spending on other services, said a new study released on Tuesday.

    Health Care Could Consume Half Of Provincial Budgets In Canada By 2030

    Parliament Hill Cocktail Circuit Comes With Lifestyle Challenges For MPs

    Parliament Hill Cocktail Circuit Comes With Lifestyle Challenges For MPs
    "It's an occupational hazard," said one former senior political aide from a previous Liberal government.

    Parliament Hill Cocktail Circuit Comes With Lifestyle Challenges For MPs

    Horse Skull Disappears As Researchers Unearth Gold-Rush Era Skeleton In Yukon

    Horse Skull Disappears As Researchers Unearth Gold-Rush Era Skeleton In Yukon
      Assistant paleontologist Elizabeth Hall said the horse skeleton was discovered in the Carcross desert Friday when some bones were spotted sticking out of the ground.

    Horse Skull Disappears As Researchers Unearth Gold-Rush Era Skeleton In Yukon

    A By-the-numbers Look At Children Caught Up In Child Labour Worldwide

    A By-the-numbers Look At Children Caught Up In Child Labour Worldwide
    OTTAWA — The federal government is set to sign an international convention against child labour.

    A By-the-numbers Look At Children Caught Up In Child Labour Worldwide