Do you remember Party Game?
The saucy little charades-fest aired out of Hamilton, Ont.’s CHCH from 1970 through 1981. “Captain” Jack Duffy, Dinah Christie and Billy Van were the Home Team, an almost unbeatable trio when it came to charades. Al Boliska was the original host, replaced a year later by Bill Walker. The series was produced by Riff Markowitz, who also doubled off-screen as announcer “Gardiner Westbound.” Markowitz was the producer behind another ‘CH gem, The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.
I used to race home from school to catch episodes on weekday afternoons. Each week, a different away team would assemble; most of them lost against charades masters Duffy, Christie and Van. Check out the YouTube clip, above, as curated by RetroOntario.
The series had a low-cost Canadian charm. The cheesy rec room set was a sea of orange shag carpeting, two couches and some wall art literally borrowed from people’s homes according to reports in Greg Oliver’s new book, Who’s the Man? Billy Van! Viewers could win cheap-ass prizes (including watering cans!) for sending in charade suggestions.
One week in 1973 the guest team was three members of “The Jest Society” who would shortly morph into The Royal Canadian Air Farce — Roger Abbott, Don Ferguson and Luba Goy. Occasionally, American TV stars such as Laugh-In’s Arte Johnson, would work a series appearance into a visit to Toronto. William Shatner spent time on the Party Game couch in lean times between American gigs. Many other Canadian actors and comedians took part, but naming names is hard to source. The show’s IMDb page lists just six people, including host Walker and the home team.
Finding who else was on the show is tricky because this is another long-running series where apparently very few episodes survive. Back in the analog days, videotapes at stations were used over and over again. Episodes were bulk erased and taped over and a master set of shows was never preserved. There are, however, a few clips of the series on YouTube.
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Complete episodes, however, are rare. That was driven home recently when I received a message from Jack Duffy’s granddaughter Lauren, asking for help in tracking down examples of the singer/comedian’s work. I checked with some friends in the industry and producer and fellow TV history enthusiast Mark Selby came through as usual. A total of five episodes are on their way to Lauren.
That, however, is five out of hundreds. If anybody has or knows of more, please leave a comment below. Brioux.TV is always on the lookout for lost or rare television.
In the meantime, other Party Game guests over the years included the following: Jayne Eastwood, Dave Broadfoot, Jean Christopher, Michelle Finney, Kate Reid, Kerrie Keane, Vanda King, Mary Lou Collins, Hart Pomerantz and one who very much made an impression on this schoolboy with a long memory, Nicole Morin.
Readers have added a few more names: Glenn Carter, R.O. Horning and Franki Richards. Were you on the show and can share a memory or two? Please add to the story below.
13 Comments
I was a guest on The Party Game in the 1970’s.
A television commercial actor I was known as The Milk Moustache boy for two award winning tv ads for the Milk marketing board at the time.
I remember drinking too much coffee backstage before going on and was shaking the whole time.
Great story Glenn. Do you remember who you were teamed up with at the time? Was it for a week of episodes?
I was only on one day for one show. The only thing I can remember about the team I was with was a beautiful model. I don’t remember her name however.
I’d love to find that episode. Can’t find it anywhere.
Bill!!! Have the new episodes come in? The infamous 5? I cannot wait to see them. I will share this on Dinah’s Facebook page as well so we can keep the hunt going. Please please keep me in the loop.
Canadian radio Announcer R.O. Horning Jr was a guest.
I remember this because in the 1970’s my father was receiving announcer coaching lessons from Mr. Horning. I asked my father to ask Mr. Horning what it was like working on Party Game and there were many funny Billy Van stories.
Check this out! Full episode in awesome quality. (No Billy Van though)
https://youtu.be/Zxf67k3EN5k
I stand corrected, Billy Van IS in it
My mother was an ‘away team’ guest in at least one of two episodes in 1970. Would LOVE to see them! Her name is Franki Stanwyck but might’ve used her stage name Franki Richards. 🙂
BonusRound.ca has 7 episodes and 1 partial episode, recently licensed through Markowitz.
The youtube link Dave posted has 3 more episodes from 16mm film if you search that channel.
(some are duplicated on bonusround, which is a pay site)
Fyi, Jack Duffy was the voice of Boot in ReadAlong on TVO. There are 10 episodes of that floating around.
Thanks for the tip Ez. For readers, BonusRound.ca is a monthly subscription service where you can stream memorable game show moments episodes on demand.
Brighton, Ontario
My late wife, Judith Anderson, did several Canadian television appearances in the 1970s.
I know she was in the final season of the “Bobby Vinton Show.” In her resume she lists herself
as a performer on the “Party Game” CHCH TV.
Judith was very attractive & did some modelling work. Perhaps she was the performer that
Glenn Carter remembers.
Regards,
Douglas Ogle
I love seeing these clips! Billy invited me to watch tapings a few times, and I still have a stack of the charade cards they used 🙂
I remember trumpeter Pete Barbutti on the show, I think more than once, and just recall him due to his unusual hairstyle.