You Can’t Do That On Television (1979-1990): Gone But Not Forgotten

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 +).

Do you remember You Can’t Do That On Television? Let us know in the comments!

Gone But Not Forgotten is written and edited by David Arroyo. Jesse Shade is the narrator, Chris Bumbray produces, and Berge Garabedian is the executive producer. Check out other episodes below!