Betty Kennedy
Encyclopedia
Betty Kennedy, is a Canadian
broadcaster, journalist, author, and retired Senator
, who is best known as a panelist on the CBC
television show Front Page Challenge
(1962–1995).
From 1959 until 1986, she was a public affairs editor with the Toronto
radio station
CFRB.
She wrote two books: Gerhard (1975) and Hurricane Hazel (1979). Ms. Kennedy also had a vital career as an Executive Producer for television. Her series, Insight with Betty Kennedy, aired on TV Ontario (OECA) during the early seventies. Robert Gardner
, who worked with Ms. Kennedy as a studio director on the series, said of her: "She was remarkable. We would tape five half hour interviews live
-to-tape in a single day. She would prep each of the sessions with very prominent guests and would flawlessly interview them. Often there was only a space of fifteen minutes between each program. There were no re-takes and not a single chance for error." She also executive-produced Leave this Not to Cain (narrated by Pierre Berton), This Vibrant Land, and she hosted An Eye for Eternity (the international fine arts exhibition at Montreal).
She was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
on June 20, 2000. She retired less than six months later on her 75th birthday.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
broadcaster, journalist, author, and retired Senator
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
, who is best known as a panelist on the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
television show Front Page Challenge
Front Page Challenge
Front Page Challenge was a long-running Canadian panel game about current events and history. Created by comedy writer/performer John Aylesworth and produced and aired by CBC Television, the series ran from 1957 to 1995.-Synopsis:The series featured notable journalists attempting to guess the...
(1962–1995).
From 1959 until 1986, she was a public affairs editor with the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
CFRB.
She wrote two books: Gerhard (1975) and Hurricane Hazel (1979). Ms. Kennedy also had a vital career as an Executive Producer for television. Her series, Insight with Betty Kennedy, aired on TV Ontario (OECA) during the early seventies. Robert Gardner
Robert Gardner
Robert Gardner may refer to:*Bob Gardner, legislator in Colorado*Rob Gardner , rock musician*Rob Gardner , Major League Baseball pitcher*Robert A. Gardner , won two U.S. Amateurs*Robert A...
, who worked with Ms. Kennedy as a studio director on the series, said of her: "She was remarkable. We would tape five half hour interviews live
Live television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
-to-tape in a single day. She would prep each of the sessions with very prominent guests and would flawlessly interview them. Often there was only a space of fifteen minutes between each program. There were no re-takes and not a single chance for error." She also executive-produced Leave this Not to Cain (narrated by Pierre Berton), This Vibrant Land, and she hosted An Eye for Eternity (the international fine arts exhibition at Montreal).
She was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
on June 20, 2000. She retired less than six months later on her 75th birthday.
Honours
- In 1982 she was made an Officer of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. - In 1983, she was elected to the Canadian News Hall of FameCanadian News Hall of FameThe Canadian News Hall of Fame is a museum that honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to journalism in Canada. The Hall of Fame is operated under the auspices of the Toronto Press Club and is housed within the Ontario Club at 30 Wellington St. W. in Toronto...
. - In 1992, she was elected to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
- In 1998, she was made a Serving Sister in the Venerable Order of Saint JohnVenerable Order of Saint JohnThe Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...