WTF Happened to You Can't Do That on Television? (1979-1990)

Everyone always associates the kids' TV channel Nickelodeon with slime, but do you know how the association began? In fact, slime was a trademark of their first big hit show, You Can't Do That On Television, a low-budget Canadian sketch TV comedy that can for over a decade (1979-1990). One of the most irreverent kids shows ever made, this Canadian show recruited real kids to host and star in a sketch show that was like Saturday Night Live for the after-school set. Early stars included Alanis Morrisette, while the only adults on the show were ace sketch performers Les Lye and Abby Hagyard.

Ironically, the show was much more popular in the U.S than it ever was in Canada, with it only really gaining a cult following North of the border when their own version of Nickelodeon, YTV, started playing re-reruns in the late eighties/early nineties. Join us as we look back at this cult hit show, which remains a rarity to this day (although selected episodes are available on Paramount +).

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#YouCantDoThatOnTelevision #Nickelodeon #GoneButNotForgotten

[davidpumpkinsjr.]

Christine "Moose" McGlade got on the show unintentionally. A friend of hers went to audition and McGlade went with her. The casting director told her she either had to audition or leave, so she auditioned. They loved her snarky attitude and comedic timing and they hired her. Her friend was not hired.

[venom]

I remember this show so much. I used to watch this, Mr wizard and double dare regularly like a typical 80’s child. It’s hard to kill off due to the overwhelming nostalgia and funny segments it gave us.

Great times.

[todway]

I absolutely LOVED this show! All of my siblings and I were big fans and we never missed it. I totally watch again if it were available on a streaming platform.

[ostumbling]

I was an eighties kid and this show was a staple. I would love to get a copy of all seasons digitally remastered!

[mcnultyssobercompanion]

Alister?"

"Yeah Moose...?"

I loved this show. Watched it all five of those nights it aired. It was a regular part of my life. Thanks for making this video.

Yes. I'm old.

[maxdondada]

As a Canadian this show was a natural treasure. Boy I feel old.

[kristennelson]

I grew up watching this and Fraggle Rock - both excellent shows that I deeply miss.

[thelegendinhisownmind]

I grew up watching this show, and loved every minute of it. It was like a blend of SNL, and Monty Python, but for kids. I would definitely buy a boxed set featuring all the episodes in a heart beat.😁

[AaronAlso]

As a kid I don't think I ever realized Les played all those roles. In fact I don't think it ever occurred to me until watching this just now. That has to be worthy of some kind of award.

[thunderwalker]

I found this show after Nickelodeon came to my local cable company. This was in 1984, right around my 10th birthday. I was definitely the target demographic. My friends at school and I would have recap discussions about the episodes on the playground. This show helped to shape my youth and I am thankful for it.

[EleanorandLorelei]

This show was my absolute favorite growing up in the 80s and 90s! I wish the whole series was available to either purchase or stream... Oh the memories!!

[ronwisegamgee]

This show, Double Dare, and Hey Dude were some of the most iconic Nickelodeon shows from my childhood.

[BrianThaB]

THE BEST Children's show of ALL TIME IMO!!! I hope at some point they finally clear the series for being on DVD so we can all can have lasting memories.

[CamMcGinn]

I absolutely loved "You Can't Do That On Television" as a kid. Les as the cook had me in stitches. Sure, you could see the water or "I don't know" jokes coming a mile off, but it was still so good. LOL

[russellmanweller]

Best kid show ever. I forgot about it until I came across this, but now I remember how much I enjoyed it.

[jasonwhite]

This show defined my childhood! 😂😂😂. The 80s were a magical time to be alive lol!!!😢. Life, believe it or not, was soooo much more peaceful!

[wstine]

I love this show. The firing squad, Barth''s diner, and the locker room sketches were my favorite. I learned about the Cold War from the time Soviet spies tried to take over the studio.

[fRotLop]

This show will always hold a special place in my heart. Back in 5th grade, in Clearwater Florida, I got to be on the show! There was a segment, each episode, where they would go around and ask school kids questions on the topic of the episode. I was chosen! I got to spend the whole day with Christine McGlade (I had such a crush on her!) And I got to be on at least two episodes (The Future & Priorities). It was so badass to watch the episodes and see myself on TV! Flash forward to about a year ago, and I was telling some Canadian friends of mine about being on the show. One of them actually hunted down the episode about the future, clipped my interview, and sent it to me. Wow! They really need to release the whole show on DVD for today's generation and for those of us who remember it fondly.

[zammmerjammer]

I grew up in Ottawa. I watched this show on CJOH and had NO IDEA anyone outside of Ottawa watched it.
It still blows my mind that it was big in the USA.

[the--outlawgamer]

You can’t do that on television is a young people’s version of “Rowan and Martin Laugh-In”. I always love at the start of the episode a TV show parody that ties into the theme of the episode. With The Gary Owens’ style character played by the late Les Lye. It’s done in the style of an intended program that gets canceled or a preempted show. The show was originally titled whatever turns you on, but became called you can’t do that on television.