Custard Pie (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Custard Pie is a Canadian
situation comedy television series which aired on CBC Television
in 1977.
and directed by George Bloomfield. It starred Second City Television
cast members Andrea Martin
, Catherine O'Hara
, and Dave Thomas
with Saul Rubinek
. Its plot concerned a household of performing artists who expected to perform at the O'Keefe Centre, only to find their concert cancelled. They accept a gig at a Hungarian venue instead, dealing with the challenges of an audience who did not understand their language.
CBC management approved a series run, however most of the cast, still committed to their work on Second City Television, demanded various controls over the production, scheduling and creative content. CBC's Drama department proceeded to select a new cast, retitle the series to Custard Pie, and record on videotape rather than on film as was done for the pilot.
) functioned as the troupe's manager. Another team member, Sheila Ann Murphy (Kate Lynch
), wished to perform in more serious dramatic instead. Maggie Tucker (Nancy Dolman
), besides being one of the performers, had a part-time job at Aldo Ludwit's (Les Carlson) gas station and eatery. Finally, Harvey Douglas (Derek McGrath
) was owner of the team's only vehicle, a van. The troupe's landlady, Vicie DeMarco (Vivian Reis), was also a regular series character.
Television in Canada
Television in Canada officially began with the opening of the nation's first television stations in Montreal and Toronto in 1952. As with most media in Canada, the television industry, and the television programming available in that country, are strongly influenced by the American media, perhaps...
situation comedy television series which aired on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
in 1977.
The Rimshots pilot
This series began as The Rimshots, a pilot directed and produced by Perry RosemondPerry Rosemond
Perry Rosemond, CM is a Canadian television writer, producer and director.-Life and career:Rosemond was born in Winnipeg where during his youth he performed on stage and on radio and was among those who established the Manitoba Theatre Centre...
and directed by George Bloomfield. It starred Second City Television
Second City Television
Second City Television is a Canadian television sketch comedy show offshoot from Toronto's The Second City troupe that ran between 1976 and 1984.- Premise :...
cast members Andrea Martin
Andrea Martin
Andrea Louise Martin is an American and Canadian actress and comedienne. She has appeared in films such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, on stage in productions such as My Favorite Year, Fiddler on the Roof and Candide, and in the television series, SCTV.-Personal life:Martin, the oldest of three...
, Catherine O'Hara
Catherine O'Hara
Catherine Anne O'Hara is a Canadian-American actress and comedienne. She is well known for her comedy work on SCTV, and her roles in the films After Hours, Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, and also in the mockumentary films written and directed by Christopher Guest...
, and Dave Thomas
Dave Thomas (actor)
David "Dave" Thomas is a Canadian comedian and actor. He was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, but moved to Durham, North Carolina where his father, John E. Thomas, attended Duke University and earned a PhD in Philosophy. Thomas attended George Watts and Moorehead elementary schools...
with Saul Rubinek
Saul Rubinek
Saul Rubinek is a Canadian actor, director, producer and playwright, known for his work in TV, film and the stage.-Early life:...
. Its plot concerned a household of performing artists who expected to perform at the O'Keefe Centre, only to find their concert cancelled. They accept a gig at a Hungarian venue instead, dealing with the challenges of an audience who did not understand their language.
CBC management approved a series run, however most of the cast, still committed to their work on Second City Television, demanded various controls over the production, scheduling and creative content. CBC's Drama department proceeded to select a new cast, retitle the series to Custard Pie, and record on videotape rather than on film as was done for the pilot.
Series premise
In the series, the four members of a comedy team are roommates in a house. Leo Strauss (Peter KastnerPeter Kastner
Peter Kastner was a Canadian-born actor who achieved prominence as a disaffected youth in movies of the 1960s....
) functioned as the troupe's manager. Another team member, Sheila Ann Murphy (Kate Lynch
Kate Lynch
Kate Lynch is a Genie Award-winning actress whose career spans four decades. In 1980 she won the Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for Meatballs...
), wished to perform in more serious dramatic instead. Maggie Tucker (Nancy Dolman
Nancy Dolman
Nancy Jane Dolman was a Canadian comic actress and singer. She was most notable for her recurring role as Annie Selig Tate on the ABC sitcom Soap...
), besides being one of the performers, had a part-time job at Aldo Ludwit's (Les Carlson) gas station and eatery. Finally, Harvey Douglas (Derek McGrath
Derek McGrath
Derek McGrath is a Canadian actor.He is known for his roles in Cheers as "Andy-Andy" Schroeder , Dr. Benjamin Jeffcoate in My Secret Identity, Crewman Chell in Star Trek: Voyager, and as Dr. Derek Hebert in Doc...
) was owner of the team's only vehicle, a van. The troupe's landlady, Vicie DeMarco (Vivian Reis), was also a regular series character.