The All-Night Show & Chuck the Security Guard

With all the recent news over the late night programming of Leno and Conan, it started me thinking about late night long ago. Well, not too long ago.....

For all of you old enough to remember The All-Night Show on MTV Channel 47 (no, it wasn't that MTV), on what is now known as OMNI, I'm sure you have fond memories of sneaking out of bed in the middle of the night to catch a little bit; Or coming home late from the clubs, sitting and watching until the sun came up; Or staying up on Friday night. How many remember being high while watching. Hey! If you remember, then you weren't really high!

The premise of the show was that Chuck the Security Guard and his friend, Ryerson (so named after the insitution of higher learning known then as Ryerson Polytechnic) would come into the station to work overnight after the 11 O'Clock News crew went home. Ryerson operated the camera while Chuck aired an assortment of video oddities from old episodes of the original Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, and Prisoner series to old scopitones and viewer films and videos.

Thanks to the wonders of YouTube, Chuck lives on (kind of) thanks to John-Paul and his J.E.R.M. Film and Video Productions. He has generously provide a grand assortment of clips here for our enjoyment and reminiscing. He has 0ver 25 clips of Chuck and the strange low budget graphics that always seemed to make us smile.

To all who remember and those who have only heard about the legend that was Chuck, here's John-Paul's first posting on "the Tube" - the intro to the show.



Who could ever forget that cheesy Spike Jones-ish, Moog version of "Strangers In The Night"? That theme song is probably forever imbedded in my subconcious. The show also made a minor hit out of New Wave band, The Start's "Hey You!". No doubt it was seen as an anthem to all security guards who hoped they would never have to utter that ominous greeting - "Hey you!".

According to fansite theallnightshow.com, a reunion on OMNI is in the works. You may want to bookmark the site to stay tuned for more new on that.

On the subject of late night Toronto television, I must also mention a series of shows presented on Global TV called Night Walk, Night Ride, and Night Moves. Basically, it filled the dead air of overnight with video footage of walking or driving through the streets and sidewalks of the city. Talk about low budget! Expenses? Mmmm.....let's see....gas, blank videotape, maybe new shoes in Night Walk, and then there's the legalities of licensing for the smooth jazz that accompanied it....another experiment in late-night programming. If the talk shows didn't put you to sleep, these shows certainly did.

According to one YouTube uploader, their biggest audiences appeared to be prisoners, no doubt vicariously living out their freedom through the show. Here's a taste....and try not to fall asleep...... If you're still awake, check out the Related Videos showing Night Walk and Night Moves.



At the time, it was incomprehensible to me that The All-Night Show could be cancelled and Night Walk/Drive/Moves could get airtime. Of course, I later discovered that The All-Night Show was cancelled due to contract disputes. Sad, but true.

Could The All-Night Show be successful in today's 24 hour cable/satellite/internet world? Perhaps. Besides the "18-24 year old" demographics, the show was watched by many midnight shift workers. The sad truth is that to watch those old Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, and Beverly Hillbillies episodes, we now have to pay to see them broadcast on channels like Deja View or TV Land. Shows that were once freely available over the airwaves with a good pair of "rabbit ears" are now captured and sold in programming packages.

Personally, I'd love to see a show like this again. Video cabaret over the public airwaves!....how revolutionary! But for me, and a lot of the old fans, it would probably take a lot to stay awake long enough to catch it now. I'll wait for the reunion show......maybe I'll tape it to watch later.

Bryan Ferry: In Every Dream Homme A Heartache

Growing up in the 70's, Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music albums were in regular rotation on my turntable. My introduction to the band followed a linear path from King Crimson, through their lyricist Peter Sinfield, who in turn produced the first Roxy Music album. My friends and I were immediately blown away by this art school collective, using camp and kitsch as it's musical starting point.

Ferry, with his matinee idol good looks, became an icon for my gay friends (you know who you are...) and a cool Humphrey Bogart-style lady's man to my straight friends. Finally a band whose music I could share with all my friends! The Bogart reference was not lost on Ferry either, as he paid tribute in the song "2HB", one of many Roxy tracks licensed for films such as Todd Haynes' "Velvet Goldmine" and Anton Corbijn's "Control".

As with many musical marriages though, Roxy's relationships eventually came apart. Throughout the years ahead, Ferry and guitarist Phil Manzanera released many side projects and solo albums, a delight for fans craving anything new and Roxy related. But perhaps this taste of freedom became too big a temptation, resulting in the band's slow demise. 1999's Avalon proved to be their studio swansong.

Over the past few years, rumours have been flying around fansites eager for a reunion album. News of a new release was mentioned on one band member's website! Alas, nothing has materialized, leaving many to wonder if the bandmates will ever get together again. Ferry has even stated in an interview last November that it may never come to be.

Since his disappointing, and critically unacclaimed album of Dylan covers, Ferry's been hard at work making up for things, preparing his new CD of original works featuring Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, Red Hot Chili Pepper bassist Flea, and Nile Rodgers of Chic. Lately, the project seems to have stalled since it's original release of Fall 2009 has now been pushed out to Summer 2010. Well known for his perfectionism in the studio, this could be part of the reason for the delay.

Besides recording, Ferry has been keeping himself busy on the UK social scene. Here he's seen performing at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival Opening Ceremonies. The ever-present tuxedo still exudes class and style, an tasteful image he has always projected.

Even when photographed in attendance at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival horse races, his scruffy, unshaven appearance could not disguise him from the paparazzi.

Despite his busy social calendar, he's still managed to find time to add his vox to a couple of dance tracks, giving us a preview perhaps of his own headspace.

Released as the opening track on DJ Hell's "Teufelswerk" CD last Spring, "U Can Dance" is over nine minutes of Georgio Moroder/ Kraftwerk inspired synth grooves, layered over with Ferry's plaintive vocals. Considering what his voice has been sounding like of late (an ever-present cold/ sore throat?), this appearance comes as a return to the smooth, fey crooning of earlier Roxy releases. Almost a year later, a release of remixes from Carl Craig, Simian Mobile Disco, and DFA's Tim Goldworthy is now available from the UK dance site Beatport.

In what appears to be a tribute to Vogue models, possibly photographer Helmut Newton, and Roxy Music album covers and videos of the past, enjoy what must be the four minute radio edit of "U Can Dance":



Groove Armada, a dance collective known for it's chillout classic "At The River" and the often-remixed funk of "I See You Baby", gives us a taste of their soon-to-be-released new album, Black Light, with a sneak preview on music promo site RCRD LBL called "Shameless", a track co-written with Mr. Ferry.

For the timeless crooner, it's a perfect fit with the Armada's melody. The laid back, downtempo groove is a return to his 80's ambiance, complete with the romantic overtones of some uncredited French language sampling introducing the song. Tres cool. News just posted on his website is that his version of the song, "Shameless (Rock 'n Roll Desire) as he calls it, will be included on his upcoming CD, to be released this summer.

In other Roxy-related news, fan site Roxyrama.com has announced the release of three new officially sanctioned remixes from "nu disco scene stars" Cinnamon Chasers.

On a humanitarian side note, wherein every dream world a heartache, Ferry has generously donated a piece of Roxy Music artwork to be auctioned on eBay UK for Oxfam Haiti Relief.

Roxy rules.

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