Waxed armpit hair, rink burgers, and the disappearing testicles of the Red Bull by the highway were some of the quirks in Jonny Harris’s stand-up set appearing as part of the episode of CBC’s Still Standing that will feature Radisson.
Still Standing is a CBC show that profiles the country’s smaller communities, hosted by comedian/actor Jonny Harris, who stars as Const. George Crabtree in the network’s show Murdoch Mysteries. Still Standing’s format involves filming segments in which Harris interviews residents and talks to them about the distinctive features of particular towns. The show also features Harris doing stand-up in front of residents and those interviewed for the clips, made of material he and a team come up with while spending a week in respective communities.
Some general comments of Harris’s during the performance included being the child of a philosophy professor, and shots at the Maple Leafs.
Among Harris’s encounters in Radisson were Judah Tyreman who runs a rock museum, former mayor and fiddler Walter Kyliuk, and Gertrude Maxwell, who breeds ponies.
Harris told a story about how the Communiplex was funded. In the late 80s, Radisson needed a new arena and got the help of NHLer Bill Hajt, who was born in Radisson and raised in Borden. Hajt was a defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres and played 854 games in the NHL.
Local fundraisers travelled to the Buffalo area, and they decided to go to Toronto. One way they got the word out for fundraising for the arena was by stopping at the Toronto Star offices and getting a story written about the cause. The story’s photo featured some of the fundraisers with their pockets turned inside out. The fundraising campaign grew in popularity, and attracted the attention of the likes of Ken Dryden and Ron MacLean.
Harris had less than a week to rehearse community-specific material, and a few of the jokes flopped. Harris’s set nevertheless ended with a couple of standing ovations.
The event was held at the Borden Community Centre. Radisson’s town hall was closed in November and the school was closed a few years ago, and many students who live in Radisson must travel to Maymont for school.
Audrey Baker, who thinks she has watched every episode of Murdoch Mysteries, describes herself as “one of those friendly Borden people” Harris referenced in his set. She said she was OK with Harris filming an episode about Radisson in Borden, given that the two towns have a long history together. Regional Optimist correspondent Lorraine Olinyk was also in attendance.
Harris was available afterwards for autographs and to pose for photos. Baker got a photo, as did Dorothy Fouhy from Borden. Fouhy thought the performance “was very good” and was a good way to spend Friday night. Fouhy also got a photo with Harris and an autographed picture of the performer.
Harris has also filmed episodes in Maple Creek, Willowbunch, and Manitou Beach. Still Standing’s fourth season is set to air later in 2018.
