"You Can't Do That On Television" Star Les Lye Dies At 84 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 07-24-2009, 06:45 PM

You Can't Do That on Television Star Dies
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Canadian actor Les Lye, known to millions of North Americans in their 20's and 30's as the omnipresent adult on You Can't Do That on Television, has died at 84. According to his CTV obituary, the veteran comic passed away on Tuesday. The cause is unknown.

The Ottawa native was enjoying a successful career in radio when in 1979 he joined the then-local kid's variety show, where he played an assortment of adult roles opposite a cast of kids (including Alanis Morissette).

One of his most repeated characters was Barth, the gross proprietor of Barth's Burgery.

When 'YCDTOTV' moved over to Nickelodeon in the early 1980's, Lye became a household name. That is, if your home included children.

Lye appeared in every episode of every season he was in the cast, up until leaving the show in 1990. The show may be best known for it's signature sliming whenever someone said "I Don't Know."

Besides Barth, other memorable characters created by Lye were:
-- Ross Ewich, a studio director whose name rhymes with "raw sewage."
-- El Capitano, a firing squad captain hired to shoot the kids, but instead ends up getting shot.
-- Snake Eyes, a horrible bus driver.
-- Senator Lance Prevert, a drunken politician.

With fellow comic Bill Luxton, Lye co-created the comedy duo Uncle Will and Floyd, which appeared on Canadian TV for more than 20 years.

Lye is survived by his wife Johnni and three children.

http://www.popeater.com/television/a...at-84%2F587101

PZelda · 07-24-2009, 06:52 PM

Man, I loved YCDTOTV. I was born early enough that I remember seeing new episodes (but only from 1988 until it ended in 1990), and then the four years it was on in reruns on Nickelodeon (Last time YCDTOTV was on in regular reruns was over 15 years ago). People in their mid-30s will definitely remember better than I do, though.

But I do know for a fact that YCDTOTV is what made Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon. Good times.

Les Lye lived a long and full life... So, good for him!

ZeldaGilroy · 07-24-2009, 06:53 PM

I saw this earlier on AOL. I loved him on You Can't Do That on Television. He will be missed.

catlover79 · 07-24-2009, 06:55 PM

catlover79 · 07-24-2009, 06:55 PM

Marvo301 · 07-24-2009, 08:51 PM

Les Lye was brilliant on YCDTOTV! He played so many characters and was able to make each one unique and very funny.

Les Lye

Skywalker · 07-24-2009, 09:16 PM

R.I.P. Les.

DLevine2 · 07-24-2009, 09:46 PM

R.I.P.- Les

MonarC · 07-24-2009, 11:08 PM

That show was so funny to me when I was a kid. May he rest in peace.

gidgetgrape · 07-25-2009, 12:18 AM

This is awful! I was a big YCDTOTV Fan too.

Chocoholic · 07-25-2009, 12:21 AM

I loved that show too. May he

Doodyville10019 · 07-25-2009, 05:24 AM

My husband was a big fan of You Can't Do That On Television when it was on Nickelodeon. He was also a big fan of Les' characters (especially Barth). He was shocked to hear of his passing.

comedyfreak · 07-25-2009, 08:19 AM

Awww how sad, didn't know he was that old. RIP

I also enjoyed the show and wish it would be brought to dvd.

robyrob · 07-25-2009, 09:18 AM

AKA · 07-25-2009, 11:51 AM

What do you think's in the burgers?

Seriously, R.I.P. He provided me countless hours of entertainment.

07-24-2009, 06:45 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,011	"You Can't Do That On Television" Star Les Lye Dies At 84 You Can't Do That on Television Star Dies PopEater Canadian actor Les Lye, known to millions of North Americans in their 20's and 30's as the omnipresent adult on You Can't Do That on Television, has died at 84. According to his CTV obituary, the veteran comic passed away on Tuesday. The cause is unknown. The Ottawa native was enjoying a successful career in radio when in 1979 he joined the then-local kid's variety show, where he played an assortment of adult roles opposite a cast of kids (including Alanis Morissette). One of his most repeated characters was Barth, the gross proprietor of Barth's Burgery. When 'YCDTOTV' moved over to Nickelodeon in the early 1980's, Lye became a household name. That is, if your home included children. Lye appeared in every episode of every season he was in the cast, up until leaving the show in 1990. The show may be best known for it's signature sliming whenever someone said "I Don't Know." Besides Barth, other memorable characters created by Lye were: -- Ross Ewich, a studio director whose name rhymes with "raw sewage." -- El Capitano, a firing squad captain hired to shoot the kids, but instead ends up getting shot. -- Snake Eyes, a horrible bus driver. -- Senator Lance Prevert, a drunken politician. With fellow comic Bill Luxton, Lye co-created the comedy duo Uncle Will and Floyd, which appeared on Canadian TV for more than 20 years. Lye is survived by his wife Johnni and three children. http://www.popeater.com/television/a...at-84%2F587101 Attached Images

07-24-2009, 06:52 PM	#2
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	Man, I loved YCDTOTV. I was born early enough that I remember seeing new episodes (but only from 1988 until it ended in 1990), and then the four years it was on in reruns on Nickelodeon (Last time YCDTOTV was on in regular reruns was over 15 years ago). People in their mid-30s will definitely remember better than I do, though. But I do know for a fact that YCDTOTV is what made Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon. Good times. Les Lye lived a long and full life... So, good for him!
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!

07-24-2009, 06:55 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-24-2009, 08:51 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Les Lye was brilliant on YCDTOTV! He played so many characters and was able to make each one unique and very funny. Les Lye
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin Last edited by Marvo301; 07-25-2009 at 04:18 PM.

07-25-2009, 05:24 AM	#12
Doodyville10019 Meet my new friend Sparkie! Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Competition Square, located in Doodyville Park Posts: 877	My husband was a big fan of You Can't Do That On Television when it was on Nickelodeon. He was also a big fan of Les' characters (especially Barth). He was shocked to hear of his passing.
	__________________ Hi! Hey! Hello again, here we go again!

07-24-2009, 06:53 PM	#3
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	I saw this earlier on AOL. I loved him on You Can't Do That on Television. He will be missed.

07-24-2009, 09:16 PM	#7
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	R.I.P. Les.

07-24-2009, 09:46 PM	#8
DLevine2 DLevine2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 06, 2006 Location: Fayetteville, Ga. Posts: 2,961	R.I.P.- Les

07-24-2009, 11:08 PM	#9
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	That show was so funny to me when I was a kid. May he rest in peace.

07-25-2009, 12:18 AM	#10
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	This is awful! I was a big YCDTOTV Fan too.

07-25-2009, 12:21 AM	#11
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I loved that show too. May he

07-25-2009, 08:19 AM	#13
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	Awww how sad, didn't know he was that old. RIP I also enjoyed the show and wish it would be brought to dvd.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

07-25-2009, 09:18 AM	#14
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,169
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07-25-2009, 11:51 AM	#15
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	What do you think's in the burgers? Seriously, R.I.P. He provided me countless hours of entertainment.