If he wanted to have a good time in the company of funny, surprising and extravagant characters, Claude Meunier was spoiled for choice in his youth on television. The Quebec broadcasts offered to him in the 1950s and 1960s were full of them. But there was also a famous rabbit that made an impact…
Claude, which children's programs influenced you?
The surprise box and especially The Pirate Maboule. I also really liked La Ribouldingue with Jean-Louis Millette (Paillasson) and Marcel Sabourin (Professor Mandibule), among others… I was also a big fan of Sol et Gobelet. Later I loved Radisson [un téléroman québécois]with Jacques Godin and René Caron.
Bugs Bunny “Photo from IMDB site”
What are your favorite TV memories from your childhood?
Listen to Bugs Bunny with the family and eat raw carrots at the same time! It was my mother's way of making us eat it!
Would you say you watched a lot of TV as a child?
No not so much. There weren't that many youth programs, except on Radio-Canada. I was also a fan of Capitaine Bonhomme, a very “crazy” show for the time.
The “Photo from IMDB Page” Surprise Box
Is there a character who influenced you to become the artist you are?
Not that I remember it… or that I noticed!
Is there another song from a show that sticks in your mind?
I still remember very well the Bobino theme played on the harmonica… Very special music. And also the topic of Gilligan's Island [connue sous le titre Les joyeux naufragés].
La Ribouldingue “Photo from IMDB site”
Is there a character you wish you could have played for children?
Not really. But I think La petite vie has that playful and burlesque side that we found in La Ribouldingue. [Diffusée de 1968 à 1971 à Radio-Canada, l’émission a eu droit à trois saisons.]
What world would you like to introduce to children?
Everything that is part of the imagination, that is outside of the brutal reality that currently reigns on the planet!
Finally, what do you think of today's children's television?
She is very creative at Télé-Québec! There are also excellent children's films produced in Quebec.
- The six new episodes of the comedy The little life, in which Claude Meunier finds the unique Popa, are available on Tou.tv. Tou.tv Extra subscribers have access to four additional seasons of the popular show.
- Plus the humorous piece Call me Stephane, written by Claude Meunier and Louis Saïa, will be presented at the Maison des arts Desjardins in Drummondville from June 28th. Featuring Patrice Bélanger, Véronic DiCaire, Bernard Fortin, Diane Lavallée, Dominic Paquet and Tammy Verge.
Tickets are already on sale: artsdrummondville.com . - Finally, the actor and author is part of the new western group La Famille Denuy, which will perform on Mondays, March 4, 11 and 18, at the Salle Claude-Léveillée at the Place des Arts in Montreal.