Jennifer Beech
Encyclopedia
Jennifer Beech is a Canadian television host. She is the daughter of In the early 1990s she appeared on YTV as "PJ Jenn." She left YTV in 1994 to become the host of BBS Master Control which consisted of a line-up of children's programming from Walt Disney Animation Studios. She held that position until 1997 when she left to work on OLN.
Beech studied theatre at the University of Guelph
, intending to get into public relations, event marketing, or sports promotion.
In 1992, YTV was looking to cast new PJs, the channel's term for Programming Jockeys, meant to parallel the Video Jockeys (VJs) of MuchMusic
. Beech wasn't interested, but her mother encouraged her to audition, teaching her four guitar chords, and popular Victorian song "Star of the Evening". At YTV, she notes that she learned not only hosting skills, but all the elements dealt with by television crews, from lighting to production. PJ Jen was co-host of The Zone with PJ Phil, albeit appearing infrequently. Primarily, she was host of weekend morning programming.
Beech moved to the Baton Broadcasting System's then unnamed and conceptless children's programming block in 1995, feeling she had professionally grown as much was possible at YTV. Executives Ivan Fecan
and Suzanne Steves were listed as behind her hiring. The program, eventually named Master Control, featured Jenn between Disney-produced television programs, and out in the Greater Toronto Area in taped segments. In fall 1996, Beech launched a show called Road Crew, aired late in the Saturday lineup. The series was an outdoor adventure series for pre-teens. When appearing at the CNE in 1996, she was still referred as PJ Jenn Beech.
In 1997, Beech left the program to work at OLN; her hosting duties were taken over by former child actress Melyssa Ade
.
Her parents are singer Sandra Beech
and advertising executive Len Beech, and her brothers are Will
and George Millar
of The Irish Rovers
.
Beech studied theatre at the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
, intending to get into public relations, event marketing, or sports promotion.
In 1992, YTV was looking to cast new PJs, the channel's term for Programming Jockeys, meant to parallel the Video Jockeys (VJs) of MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
. Beech wasn't interested, but her mother encouraged her to audition, teaching her four guitar chords, and popular Victorian song "Star of the Evening". At YTV, she notes that she learned not only hosting skills, but all the elements dealt with by television crews, from lighting to production. PJ Jen was co-host of The Zone with PJ Phil, albeit appearing infrequently. Primarily, she was host of weekend morning programming.
Beech moved to the Baton Broadcasting System's then unnamed and conceptless children's programming block in 1995, feeling she had professionally grown as much was possible at YTV. Executives Ivan Fecan
Ivan Fecan
Ivan Fecan is a retired Canadian media executive. Fecan was the president and CEO of Baton Broadcasting and its successor CTVglobemedia from 1996 to 2011, and CEO of the CTV Television Network from late 1998 to 2011....
and Suzanne Steves were listed as behind her hiring. The program, eventually named Master Control, featured Jenn between Disney-produced television programs, and out in the Greater Toronto Area in taped segments. In fall 1996, Beech launched a show called Road Crew, aired late in the Saturday lineup. The series was an outdoor adventure series for pre-teens. When appearing at the CNE in 1996, she was still referred as PJ Jenn Beech.
In 1997, Beech left the program to work at OLN; her hosting duties were taken over by former child actress Melyssa Ade
Melyssa Ade
Melyssa Ade is a Canadian film and television actress. Born in Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, she moved as a child with her family to Toronto and studied later acting at Earl Haig High School...
.
Her parents are singer Sandra Beech
Sandra Beech
Sandra Beech is a Canadian children's musician. She was a member of the family music group The Musical Millars after relocating to Canada in 1953...
and advertising executive Len Beech, and her brothers are Will
Will Millar
Will Millar is an Irish-Canadian singer best known as a co-founding member of The Irish Rovers. Until his departure in 1995, he was the group's front man. He plays guitar, banjo, mandolin and tin whistle....
and George Millar
George Millar (singer)
George Millar, is a singer/songwriter and guitarist with the Irish-Canadian music group The Irish Rovers.George was born in Ballymena, County Antrim, ca. 1947, the brother of Will Millar and Sandra Beech. As children, they performed as "The Millar Kids" in Ireland, before the family emigrated to...
of The Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers
The Irish Rovers is a Canadian Irish folk group created in 1963 and named after the traditional song "The Irish Rover". The group is best known for their international television series, and renditions of traditional Irish drinking songs, as well as early hits, Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn",...
.