On November 22, 2002, Will Dyess
had the privilege of interviewing cast member Marc Baillon about
Marc's time on YCDTOTV. Marc, of course, was a cast member of the
1979 season of YCDTOTV, as well as Whatever Turns You On. Below
is the transcript.
 How
did you get your job on the show?
I
was a member of a Scout troop that attended a jamboree in Scotland
the summer before the show began. Two members of that troop (Mike
Patton & Tim Douglas) had been recruited for show because of
their involvement in a musical troop. When cast members were asked
if they knew any French kids, they called me. I showed up for one
drama class and that was that.
How old were you when the show began?
I was twelve or thirteen when I first showed up. The last day of
filming for the final episode of WTYO was on my 14th birthday.
Do you recall any particular scene\scenes
of which the making of was notable, or something, anything that
happened behind the scenes, etc.?
It
was a bunch of kids getting to dress up, play act, be on TV and
get paid good money. We had a great time but I really don't recall
anything of interest happening. Mostly it was kids being kids.
You were on the local, live version
of the show. Do you recall any live mistakes, bloopers, etc. that
you were a part of?
One
in particular. I was giving away a radio to the first caller with
the right answer. I kept calling it a record. When we went to commercial,
the whole crew and the other kids yelled out "radio".
When we went back to air, the whole cast was on the link set with
me to explain to the viewers that my French background was causing
me to say the wrong thing. It was very funny and embarrassing. When
the segment ended we all collapsed in laughter on the set. The cameras
were still rolling and they broadcast us rolling around in hysterics.
Another
time we did a whole live show on location in one of Ottawa's parks.
Taped segments were linked with live segments. I don't recall but
according to the director (Geoff Darby) I missed one of my cues.
I wasn't where I was supposed to be, and the showed went to black.
According to Geoff, it is the only time he has ever been forced
to go to black during a show. He still holds it against me. Oh well.
I couldn't even begin to try to name
all the people you worked with on the show (partly because I haven't
seen all the shows you were in), so could you just think of some
notable cast members you worked with, and tell a little about what
they were like (preferably including Ruth Buzzi, and Les Lye)?
I was young and impressionable, and a little naïve,
I think. Anyway, Kevin Somers and Jono Gebert were the cool guys
I looked up to - they got fan mail! Lisa Ruddy was great fun to
be with. Ruth Buzzi was great. I had been a fan of hers for some
time and was thrilled when I would have the opportunity to work
with her. She even asked me for some language coaching for a movie
she was doing. I think she had to speak with a French accent. We
spent an hour or two in a dressing room practicing French pronunciation.
Les Lye was an amazing man. He was fun, professional and amazingly
talented. So many characters, so well done.
The two seasons that you were on included
special guests in some of the episodes I've seen (editor's note-including
cartoonist Jim Unger and football player Tony Gabriel, and the various
bands that have played on the show)...what was usually the feel
on the set when someone like that would come on the show?
I
can't speak for everyone, but I don't remember any great buzz. I
know we were probably the most excited when Tony Gabriel was on
the show. He was a hero in Canadian football, particularly in Ottawa
where he helped Ottawa win the '77 Grey Cup (our Super Bowl). He
and most of the cast of that show spent some time in the CJOH parking
lot tossing a football. It was my claim to fame for awhile.
How did your parents feel about you
being on the show? I've heard from some cast members that theirs
were supportive, others, the exact opposite.
At
first they were supportive I think. They certainly never voiced
any opposition. I know that my dad didn't enjoy the show, but then
again it was a kids show. They tired to the driving and the time
commitment. After a while they thought it was too much for a 13
year old - too unreal. I needed to be in school, playing outside
etc. Not doing TV shows until late at night on school nights and
weekends. They finally pulled me out as I said.
I
have no idea what they thought of Roger Price.
You
were on the show when WTYO got cancelled...how did you find out,
and do you remember why, exactly, they cancelled it?
I
quit the show before we knew, I think. I don't remember anything
about that.
Was your leaving the show related
to the end of WTYO? If not, what were the circumstances around your
departure?
My parents made me quit. I loved working on the
show, but I guess it was a taking a toll on my schooling, my participation
in other sports (like hockey and skiing). I lived about 45 minutes
away so my parents did a lot of driving. It was wearing on them.
I didn't want to quit, but looking back they did the right thing.
Do you still keep in touch with some
of the cast\crew you worked with?
Not really. Since the reunion weekend I have been in touch with
Tim Douglas and Kevin Schenk. We have done a lot of living since
the show. It’s a little hard to pick up out of the blue.
What have you been doing with your
time since YCDTOTV?
I joined the Air Force, when to military college, was based all
over Canada, served in Greenland, Italy, served a tour in Somalia.
Retired, traveled through Asia, taught English in Korea, had two
kids, have been working in Public Relations as a writer for the
last 2 years.
Very interesting! Thank you very much
for your time, we really appreciate it!
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