The 1960s was a decade of technological and political change. News and documentary shows were also part of that revolution.
New on the scene in 1964 was "This Hour has Seven Days" that approached the week's events in a cheeky, yet intelligent way. The show straddled the news-entertainment line with the satirical songs of Dinah Christie and the insightful and observant input from the other hosts, Patrick Watson, Warner Troyer, Laurier Lapierre, Jack Webster and Larry Zolf.
Its format was a newsmagazine style complete with a bear pit discussion, high profile guests, streeter interviews and a studio audience.
The highest rated show of its time, the show was cancelled after 50 episodes due to the outrage expressed by the so-called guardians of public morality of the day.
Inspired by the satirical British "The Week that Was" this trend-setting show helped pave the way for other newsmagazine shows such as "W5," "60 Minutes" and later, "The Fifth Estate." An obvious reference to the show's title is the news-comedy series, "This Hour has 22 Minutes" which is produced in Canada.
"This Hour has Seven Days," is currently being rerun on TalkTV.
