Bill Guest
Encyclopedia
Bill Guest was best known as quizmaster of the Winnipeg edition of Reach for the Top
from 1962–1985 and quizmaster of the national finals between 1969 and 1985 when the show aired on CBC Television
.
Bill began his broadcasting career in 1945 at Port Arthur, Ontario
radio station CKPR.
In 1948 Bill moved to Winnipeg radio station CKRC
, which was part of CBC Radio's secondary Dominion Network
. There, he hosted several programs, including Guest in the House, Farmer Fiddlers, Pick the Hits, and the Eddy Arnold Show.
Bill joined CBWT
in 1958 where he co-hosted The Mary Liz Show in 1960-61, Tandem with Mary Liz Bayer in 1961, and the Winnipeg segment of summer program Vacation Time on CBC Television in 1964. He also co-hosted Prairie Profile with Marilyn Phillips.
He also co-hosted the late 1970s panel show Beyond Reason
with Allen Spraggett.
In late August, 1984, Bill announced his retirement.
He played the part of the station announcer in Richard Condie
's 1985 animated short film, The Big Snit
.
He died of a heart attack on June 25, 1985.
Reach for the Top
Reach for the Top is a Canadian game show in which teams of high school students participate in local, provincial and eventually national trivia tournaments...
from 1962–1985 and quizmaster of the national finals between 1969 and 1985 when the show aired on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
.
Bill began his broadcasting career in 1945 at Port Arthur, Ontario
Port Arthur, Ontario
Port Arthur was a city in Northern Ontario which amalgamated with Fort William and the townships of Neebing and McIntyre to form the city of Thunder Bay in January 1970. Port Arthur was the district seat of Thunder Bay District.- History :...
radio station CKPR.
In 1948 Bill moved to Winnipeg radio station CKRC
CFWM-FM
CFWM-FM is a radio station based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The station, broadcasting at 99.9 FM, uses the on-air brand and format Bob FM. Its studios are located at 1445 Pembina Highway, along with sister stations, FAB 94.3 and TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg....
, which was part of CBC Radio's secondary Dominion Network
Dominion Network
The Dominion Network was the second English-language radio network of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from January 1, 1944 to 1962.It consisted of the CBC-owned CJBC radio station in Toronto and a series of 34 privately owned affiliates from coast-to-coast...
. There, he hosted several programs, including Guest in the House, Farmer Fiddlers, Pick the Hits, and the Eddy Arnold Show.
Bill joined CBWT
CBWT
CBWT is the CBC's television station in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is the only CBC station in Manitoba, since Brandon's CKX-TV closed on October 2, 2009....
in 1958 where he co-hosted The Mary Liz Show in 1960-61, Tandem with Mary Liz Bayer in 1961, and the Winnipeg segment of summer program Vacation Time on CBC Television in 1964. He also co-hosted Prairie Profile with Marilyn Phillips.
He also co-hosted the late 1970s panel show Beyond Reason
Beyond Reason
Beyond Reason was a television quiz show seen throughout Canada from 1977 to 1980. Programmes featured a group of experts from various paranormal specialties attempting to find the identity of hidden visitors, resembling a combination of Front Page Challenge and The Amazing World of Kreskin.This...
with Allen Spraggett.
In late August, 1984, Bill announced his retirement.
He played the part of the station announcer in Richard Condie
Richard Condie
Richard Condie, RCA is a Canadian animator, film maker and musician living and working in Winnipeg, Manitoba.-Education and career:...
's 1985 animated short film, The Big Snit
The Big Snit
The Big Snit is a 10-minute short-subject animated cartoon written and directed by Richard Condie and produced by the National Film Board of Canada. It was released in 1985.-Plot:...
.
He died of a heart attack on June 25, 1985.
External links
- CBC Archives -- There are a couple of video clips from Beyond Reason that you can view.
- Reach for the Top website
- A short clip from an early 1980s episode of Reach for the Top with Bill Guest as host