The King of Kensington - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

seventies_sitcoms · 08-23-2005, 02:25 AM

I see TV Land Canada plays this show. Who has heard of this show? It must've been a Canadian show only. I never heard of it playing in the U.S.

Mikado · 08-23-2005, 05:52 PM

Yup it was a CBC show that ran in the late mid-70s (I think), it starred Al Waxman as a variety store owner who was kind of the "Big Cheese" in his neighbourhood. The premise was that Larry King ( I kid you not ) was always trying to help out his neighbours, but that his kind-heartedness would usually backfire and leave him "holding the bag" meanwhile, his whiny mother would nag him on one side and his "libber" wife on the other. While it seemed funny ( For a Canadian show at least ) at the time, it really doesnt hold up today.

Sal · 10-26-2014, 05:03 PM

I remember the show very well. It is regarded today as being arguably the best Canadian sitcom of all time. I'll admit it's no "Cheers", but still it isn't too bad. It ran on CBC from 1975-80, and has been rerun in Canada many times since, although oddly enough not so much in the last half-dozen years or so. The show's title comes from the Kensington Market area of Toronto, known for its many fruit and vegetable stands that are featured in the show's opening credits. The show's star was the late Al Waxman, who later went on to appear in "Cagney & Lacey" in the US. One episode featured an 11 year old unknown future star named Mike Myers. In the first "Austin Powers" movie, he pays tribute to the show by giving Austin's girlfriend the name Vanessa Kensington.

For those of you that haven't seen it, or are curious to find out what it's like, you can watch it here:

King Of Kensington

Marvo301 · 10-26-2014, 05:40 PM

For years "King of Kensington" was known as the best Canadian made sitcom. In fact it held that title until "Corner Gas " premiered in the eary 2000's!

08-23-2005, 02:25 AM	#1
seventies_sitcoms * Senior Member Join Date: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 2,244	The King of Kensington I see TV Land Canada plays this show. Who has heard of this show? It must've been a Canadian show only. I never heard of it playing in the U.S.

10-26-2014, 05:03 PM	#3
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,187	I remember the show very well. It is regarded today as being arguably the best Canadian sitcom of all time. I'll admit it's no "Cheers", but still it isn't too bad. It ran on CBC from 1975-80, and has been rerun in Canada many times since, although oddly enough not so much in the last half-dozen years or so. The show's title comes from the Kensington Market area of Toronto, known for its many fruit and vegetable stands that are featured in the show's opening credits. The show's star was the late Al Waxman, who later went on to appear in "Cagney & Lacey" in the US. One episode featured an 11 year old unknown future star named Mike Myers. In the first "Austin Powers" movie, he pays tribute to the show by giving Austin's girlfriend the name Vanessa Kensington. For those of you that haven't seen it, or are curious to find out what it's like, you can watch it here: King Of Kensington
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10-26-2014, 05:40 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	For years "King of Kensington" was known as the best Canadian made sitcom. In fact it held that title until "Corner Gas " premiered in the eary 2000's!
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08-23-2005, 05:52 PM	#2
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	Yup it was a CBC show that ran in the late mid-70s (I think), it starred Al Waxman as a variety store owner who was kind of the "Big Cheese" in his neighbourhood. The premise was that Larry King ( I kid you not ) was always trying to help out his neighbours, but that his kind-heartedness would usually backfire and leave him "holding the bag" meanwhile, his whiny mother would nag him on one side and his "libber" wife on the other. While it seemed funny ( For a Canadian show at least ) at the time, it really doesnt hold up today.