The Beachcombers

This show is dated but it's still a Canadian classic. And who would have believed it would have stayed on anywhere near as long as it did? It's like Coronation Street but just about these people gathering wood on beaches and the adventures they fall into. Crazy.

I grew up with The Beachcombers. As soon as the school holidays came I would excitedly check the tv guide to see if my favourite show would be on again. The Beachcombers is yet another example of the excellent quality of distinctly Canadian shows only the CBC could make. "Stoney Plains" and "Ritter's Cove" were also very enjoyable shows. I fell in love with The Beachcombers...even ol' Relic, and developed a fascination for stunningly beautiful Canada. The Beachcombers is a wonderful, feel good show...loads of good fun and laughs and a little sadness. It was very easy to become addicted to. I can honestly say it is still the most enjoyable series I have ever watched and I think always will be.

Wow. Until I stumbled across this entry on IMDB, I had no idea that 'Nick' and 'Relic' were both gone. That is sad. I watched this as a kid growing up in northern Maine, we got Channel 6 outta St John really clear, and of course this, 'Mr Dress Up' and 'the Friendly Giant' were staples of a kid's TV viewing at the time.

They don't make them like this anymore, 'Beachcombers' kinda fit in with the Waltons, Little House, Disney flix, all wholesome kinda family entertainments, nothing too scary or controversial. It was shot right there on location in Gibson's BC, it had many locals-Inuits, Japaneses, French, etc come and go too-which is Realistic for the BC Coast. Not tokenism, just-opening the window and showing what's out there.

Good show, good memories, 'Nick' vs. 'Relic' was always fun.

*** outta ****

There is not a Canadian over the age of 25 that is not familiar with Nick and his life in Gibson's Landing as portrayed on The Beachcombers. To me, there is no CBC series that has become an icon as The Beachcombers have. The strongest was the first 5 season, 1971-1976, before the show lost Hughie and Jesse. Of course, as any long running series (Canada's longest), many original cast members left and in the end, it was only Nick and Relic. A bit hokey, but that was the CBC back then. Filmed on location on the British Columbian coast.

My public school days come flooding back to me all over again. Every Sunday night, I would watch this show religiously when I was a little kid. I used to call it "The Boat Show" before I ever knew what the name of it was. I thought it was so cool to see these guys ride around in their little boats and collect logs, then go drink coffee at Molly's Reach. Instead of Canadians portraying themselves as hard-drinking hosers, this show was a positive role model for our country. These life-loving vital people have a lot of humour and really share the expansive land. Man, they don't make them like this anymore. Too bad. Its simple love of life and people is totally endearing; it still towers above most of the crapola that crowds most of the tube today. Every Sunday night after I watched this, I would go take a bath, and play with my boats in the tub. Sometimes art and life are connected more closely than we think.