You Can't Do That on Television (YCDTOTV) is a Canadian children's television program, created by Roger Price and produced from 1979 until 1990. It primarily featured child actors in a sketch comedy format, acting out short scenes based on a theme that served as the topic for the episode. Connecting scenes based on the theme would often serve to create a story arc that lasted the length of the episode. Nickelodeon became known for its iconic green slime that was originally used in this show. The series is known for featuring future pop recording artist Alanis Morissette as a cast member.
In 2002, and again in 2004, YCDTOTV cast members reunited alongside fans of the show at SlimeCon, a fan-produced convention in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. YCDTOTV was a children's comedy show, but for those now in their twenties and thirties, it is identified now as a nostalgic cult classic. During the 2004 event, a Top Secret reunion special had its premiere.
Whenever someone said "I don't know" they got slime dumped on their head. Whenever someone said "water" they got water dumped on their head.
The word "wet" got water dumped on a person as well.
The kids on the show got paid $50 extra per episode in which they were doused with green slime.
The man who gets the show's title stamped on his face in the opening sequence is cast member Les Lye.
Musician Alanis Morrisette was a regular cast member during the 1980s.
The 1987 "Adoption" episode was never seen in the U.S. again following its original airing, and it never aired in Canada. Among the scenes that led to the banning is the one where Valerie and Lance adopt Doug because it was cheaper than buying a dog. The studio master of this episode has a large label on it reading "DO NOT AIR". By 1987, there were fifteen episodes pulled from the rotation for Nickelodeon: the banned "Adoption" episode, all thirteen 1981 episodes, and the 1982 "Cosmetics" episode.
Christine McGlade had no intention of trying out for the show's cast; she went to the auditions solely to keep a friend company. Producer Roger Price told her she had to audition or leave. She auditioned, and was made the host of the show.
In July of 2004, a reunion episode called "Project 131" was shot in CJOH studios starring five members of the original cast. These included Vanessa Lindores, Brodie Osome, Marjorie Silcoff, Justin Cammy and Alasdair Gillis. This was (and will continue to be) the last production made in CJOH's studio D.
In all of Abby Hagyard's roles (mother, librarian, etc.), she wears gloves. For example, the mother wears yellow latex gloves, and the librarian wears white cotton gloves.
