Those Mr. Dressup days were halcyon days. And, as of September 3, they will be something of the past.
After Coombs retired, back in 1996, the CBC continued to air Mr. Dressup. After all, the show managed to hold the attention of an astonishing 90% of its target audience in the nearly 30 years it had been on the air. But times change, maybe kids change, marketplace pressures change. First, the frequency of the show's airing was diminished. Instead of being able to visit Mr. Dressup every weekday, it eventually was only possible to hang out with him on Sunday mornings. And after this Sunday, even that won't be possible.
Jeff Keay, head of media relations for the CBC, cites the usual decreasing ratings as the impetus for the show's retirement. "The thinking is that 11 years of reruns is enough. We have to think about other things to do with our children's programming." There's little doubt that "other programming" will be more frenetic, less gentle, and completely lacking a Tickle Trunk.
Meanwhile, the article goes on to note, Mr. Dressup will continue to be available on DVD. (Although, oddly enough, these can't currently be found at the CBC store.)
I know it's my nostalgia talking, but it breaks my heart a little to think that there is no place in the world, no place in kids' lives today, for a friendly man, his puppet friends, crafts, songs, drawings and dress-up. Ernie Coombs didn't live to see the events of September 11 and he didn't live to see the obsolescence of his quiet, optimistic program. I think of the world, sometimes, as Dressup and post-Dressup, and I wish with all my heart that someone would put on a bear suit, sing me a song, and teach me to make a peacock with a paper plate.
Now, I'll need to put away that wish for good. Or maybe I'll just hide it in a Tickle Trunk of my own.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
I grew up on this show and while I may not watch it on dvd now, it was a big part of my young tv-watching life. It was a terrific show!
2 - Lorne
It is sad to hear that CBC is dropping this show. I'd love to see Mr. Dressup continue in re-runs, offering my child the same opportunities to grow and learn from the show the way I did. Unfortunately that won't happen (and yes, I have heard about the DVD's, but that's not the same... sure - you can get a few DVD's, but once you've seen them 8, 10, 20 or more times, you need some new content).
I'd like to suggest that anyone who would like to continue to see Mr. Dressup re-runs to continue to have a home somewhere to take a moment to contact Treehouse TV and suggest the show be added to their lineup. For anyone who doesn't know, Treehouse is a Canadian Cable TV / Satellite channel which runs programming (all day long) aimed at the 6 and under age. In fact, a lot of the other programming which runs as a part of CBC Kids' lineup also gets shown on Treehouse. In my opinion, it would be offer a good home for the Tickle Trunk. Who knows if they would consider adding the show, but if enough people emailed them, they just might consider it.
3 - kevin
YOU WERE HAPPY WHEN HE DIED?
WHATS YOUR PROBLEM!!??!!
4 - Madison B Carly B
I loved Mr. Dressup, and always will. honestly i cant imagine living without ever watching his shows. they were awesome. Mr. Dressup was personally my hero and i am actually doing a research essay on him and came across this site. Mr. Dressup is very intersting to look up on he has alot of history and im sad he went at a early age. Mr. Dressup did alot for the world of Childrens Entertainment and no show in my books can top Mr. Dressup. Ernie Coombs is honestly my hero hehe. me and Carly to say. and i wish he was still here and i wish i could have met him. But things cant change and i have accepted the fact he's gone. I still watch his show his show anytime i see it on and i look forward to it. Mr.Dressup inspired me to draw and now today im a pretty good drawer. Ernie Coombs is my hero.
5 - Sarah
I actually had the chance to meet Mr. Dressup! A long while ago he did a tour of the provinces and stopped in my hometown, Charlottetown. My mother used to be an usherette at the theatre (confederation center of the arts). I was allowed to go and find my seat before anyone else was allowed in. While I was sitting there all alone waiting for the show to start he came out on the stage to do a sound check. I sat there in absolute awe and couldn't believe that he was right in front of me. I remember talking to him, but I was so little I can't remember what we talked about. Although I do remember that for a good while after that show, meeting him was all I could talk about. He was a very nice man.
6 - Amber
I remeber Mr.Dressup so well i remeber when we didn't have stalite TV and i used to wake up early everyday just to watch him while my mom cleaned the house and then i would mess it up with my potatoe stamps and other crafts just as she finished cleaning.even my mom says that he was one of her heros when she was little he really effected people's lifes in a very good way