King of Kensington

King of Kensington
Created by	Perry Rosemond
Directed by	Ray Arsenault
Starring	Al Waxman Fiona Reid Helene Winston Rosemary Radcliffe Jayne Eastwood
Country of origin	Canada
No. of seasons	5
No. of episodes	111
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Original release
Network	CBC Television
Release	September 25, 1975 (1975-09-25) – March 13, 1980 (1980-03-13)

King of Kensington is a Canadian television sitcom that aired on CBC Television from 1975 to 1980.

Synopsis

Al Waxman starred as Larry King, a convenience store owner in Toronto's Kensington Market who was known for helping friends and neighbours solve problems. His multicultural group of friends consisted of Nestor Best (Ardon Bess), Max (John J. Dee), and Tony "Duke" Zarro (Bob Vinci), who hung around regularly to the perennial disapproval of King's mother Gladys (Helene Winston).

For the first three seasons, Fiona Reid played his wife Cathy. At the end of the third season, Reid decided to leave the series, so Larry and Cathy divorced. Larry then dated Tina (Rosemary Radcliffe) in the fourth season and Gwen Twining (Jayne Eastwood) in the fifth. At the same time, Larry sold the convenience store and took a new job with a youth community centre.

Production

The show was created by Perry Rosemond, who also produced the first season. Other producers included Jack Humphrey (1976–1980) and Joe Partington (1978–1980). The original series pilot starred Paul Hecht and Sandra O'Neill as Larry and Cathy King, although the series was recast with Waxman and Reid by the time the show went into production.

The series featured many Canadian actors as guest stars, including Andrea Martin, Mike Myers, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Jeff Wincott and Mark Humphrey. The show was popular with viewers; prior to the start of the fourth season, one of the producers noted the show drew 1.5 to 1.8 million viewers weekly.

The show's gentle but politically conscious humour is seen by some critics as a Canadian version of the topical Norman Lear sitcoms of the 1970s, such as All in the Family and Maude. The series maintained a tight production schedule, with episodes sometimes airing just one week or less after they were filmed, so that topical jokes about current news stories could be incorporated into the scripts.

The series was syndicated to some American stations during the height of its popularity.

After King of Kensington ended in 1980, many of the producers went on to create the new CBC sitcom Hangin' In, while head writer Louis Del Grande went on to create and star in Seeing Things, and Waxman was cast in the American series Cagney & Lacey.

Cast

• Al Waxman as Larry King
• Helene Winston as Gladys King
• Fiona Reid as Cathy King (1975–1978)
• Ardon Bess as Nestor Best (1975–1978)
• Bob Vinci as Tony "Duke" Zarro (1975–1978)
• John J. Dee as Max (1975–1978)
• Jayne Eastwood as Gwen Twining (1978–1980)
• Peter Boretski as Jack Soble (1978–1980)
• Robert Haley as Ron Bacon (1978–1980)
• Rosemary Radcliffe as Tina (1978–1980)
• Linda Rennhofer as Dorothy (1978–1980)

Episode list

Season 1 (1975–76)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	1	"Variety Store"	Unknown	Unknown	September 28, 1975 (1975-09-28)
2	2	"Hot Line Host"	Unknown	Unknown	October 2, 1975 (1975-10-02)
3	3	"Kensington Achievement Award"	Unknown	Unknown	October 9, 1975 (1975-10-09)
4	4	"The Tax Audit"	Unknown	Unknown	October 23, 1975 (1975-10-23)
5	5	"Save Old George"	Unknown	Unknown	October 30, 1975 (1975-10-30)
6	6	"Where's Cathy?"	Unknown	Unknown	November 6, 1975 (1975-11-06)
7	7	"Half-Way Home" (ft Eugene Levy)	Unknown	Unknown	November 13, 1975 (1975-11-13)
8	8	"The Lady Who Came to Dinner"	Unknown	Unknown	November 20, 1975 (1975-11-20)
9	9	"The Joy of Kensington" (ft Andrea Martin)	Unknown	Unknown	November 27, 1975 (1975-11-27)
10	10	"The Gambler" (ft Saul Rubinek & Luba Goy)	Unknown	Unknown	December 4, 1975 (1975-12-04)
11	11	"The Real Mrs. King"	Unknown	Unknown	December 11, 1975 (1975-12-11)
12	12	"Scout's Honour" (ft Mike Myers)	Unknown	Unknown	December 18, 1975 (1975-12-18)
13	13	"The Christmas Show"	Unknown	Unknown	December 25, 1975 (1975-12-25)
14	14	"The Detroit Story" (ft Dave Thomas)	Unknown	Unknown	January 15, 1976 (1976-01-15)
15	15	"Cathy's Hobby"	Unknown	Unknown	January 22, 1976 (1976-01-22)
16	16	"Duke's Dilemma"	Unknown	Unknown	January 29, 1976 (1976-01-29)
17	17	"Delma's Decision"	Unknown	Unknown	February 5, 1976 (1976-02-05)
18	18	"Happy Anniversary"	Unknown	Unknown	February 12, 1976 (1976-02-12)

Season 2 (1976–77)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
19	1	"Fertility for Two"	Gary Plaxton	Jack Humphrey & Louis Del Grande	September 21, 1976 (1976-09-21)
20	2	"The Partners"	Sheldon Larry	Jack Humphrey & Louis Del Grande	September 28, 1976 (1976-09-28)
21	3	"The Checkup"	Unknown	Unknown	October 5, 1976 (1976-10-05)
22	4	"The Dancer"	Unknown	Unknown	October 12, 1976 (1976-10-12)
23	5	"Delma's Fur"	Unknown	Unknown	October 26, 1976 (1976-10-26)
24	6	"The Reunion"	Unknown	Unknown	November 9, 1976 (1976-11-09)
25	7	"Gestalt of Kensington"	Unknown	Unknown	November 16, 1976 (1976-11-16)
26	8	"Welcome to Canada"	Unknown	Unknown	November 23, 1976 (1976-11-23)
27	9	"The Friend"	Unknown	Unknown	November 30, 1976 (1976-11-30)
28	10	"Duke's New Job"	Unknown	Unknown	December 7, 1976 (1976-12-07)
29	11	"Prisoner of Kensington"	Unknown	Unknown	December 14, 1976 (1976-12-14)
30	12	"The Holiday"	Unknown	Unknown	December 28, 1976 (1976-12-28)
31	13	"The End of the World"	Unknown	Unknown	January 4, 1977 (1977-01-04)
32	14	"The Lottery"	Unknown	Unknown	January 11, 1977 (1977-01-11)
33	15	"Gladys' Teddy Bear"	Unknown	Unknown	January 18, 1977 (1977-01-18)
34	16	"Bunny of Kensington"	Unknown	Unknown	January 25, 1977 (1977-01-25)
35	17	"Mary Theresa Is Missing"	Unknown	Unknown	February 1, 1977 (1977-02-01)
36	18	"Cathy's Parents"	Unknown	Unknown	February 8, 1977 (1977-02-08)
37	19	"The Central Tech Tiger"	Unknown	Unknown	February 15, 1977 (1977-02-15)
38	20	"The Crush"	Unknown	Unknown	February 22, 1977 (1977-02-22)
39	21	"Tiny's Job"	Unknown	Unknown	March 1, 1977 (1977-03-01)
40	22	"Gladys' Problem"	Unknown	Unknown	March 8, 1977 (1977-03-08)
41	23	"The Quiz Show"	David Main	Anna Sandor	March 15, 1977 (1977-03-15)
42	24	"The Big Shot"	Unknown	Unknown	March 22, 1977 (1977-03-22)

Season 3 (1977–78)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
43	1	"Cathy's New Career"	Ray Arsenault	Anna Sandor	September 25, 1977 (1977-09-25)
44	2	"The Comic"	Unknown	Unknown	October 9, 1977 (1977-10-09)
45	3	"The Prom"	Unknown	Unknown	October 16, 1977 (1977-10-16)
46	4	"The Hostage"	Unknown	Unknown	October 23, 1977 (1977-10-23)
47	5	"The Boiler"	Unknown	Unknown	October 30, 1977 (1977-10-30)
48	6	"Hotel Buffalo"	Unknown	Unknown	November 6, 1977 (1977-11-06)
49	7	"The Photographer"	Unknown	Unknown	November 13, 1977 (1977-11-13)
50	8	"The Teacher"	Unknown	Unknown	November 20, 1977 (1977-11-20)
51	9	"The Move"	Unknown	Unknown	November 27, 1977 (1977-11-27)
52	10	"Gladys' Restaurant"	Unknown	Unknown	December 4, 1977 (1977-12-04)
53	11	"The Hero"	Unknown	Unknown	December 11, 1977 (1977-12-11)
54	12	"The Dance Studio"	Unknown	Unknown	December 18, 1977 (1977-12-18)
55	13	"The Suitor"	Unknown	Unknown	January 8, 1978 (1978-01-08)
56	14	"The Hustler"	Unknown	Unknown	January 22, 1978 (1978-01-22)
57	15	"The Wizard"	Unknown	Unknown	January 29, 1978 (1978-01-29)
58	16	"Big Daddy"	Unknown	Unknown	February 5, 1978 (1978-02-05)
59	17	"The Racehorse"	Ray Arsenault	Dennis Shadlyn & Robin Herman	February 12, 1978 (1978-02-12)
60	18	"The Dukedom"	Unknown	Unknown	February 19, 1978 (1978-02-19)
61	19	"Las Vegas"	Unknown	Unknown	February 26, 1978 (1978-02-26)
62	20	"Old Flame"	Unknown	Unknown	March 5, 1978 (1978-03-05)
63	21	"King's Cousin"	Unknown	Unknown	March 12, 1978 (1978-03-12)
64	22	"The Blood of Kings"	Unknown	Unknown	March 19, 1978 (1978-03-19)
65	23	"Cathy's Last Stand"	Alan Erlich	George Allan, Harvey Patterson & Anna Sandor	March 26, 1978 (1978-03-26)

Season 4 (1978–79)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
66	1	"King's First Date"	Unknown	Unknown	September 28, 1978 (1978-09-28)
67	2	"Summer of '56"	Unknown	Unknown	October 5, 1978 (1978-10-05)
68	3	"School Daze"	Unknown	Unknown	October 12, 1978 (1978-10-12)
69	4	"The Invitation"	Unknown	Unknown	October 19, 1978 (1978-10-19)
70	5	"Words and Music"	Unknown	Unknown	October 26, 1978 (1978-10-26)
71	6	"Carol's Arrival"	Unknown	Unknown	November 2, 1978 (1978-11-02)
72	7	"Double Standard"	Unknown	Unknown	November 9, 1978 (1978-11-09)
73	8	"The Pursesnatcher"	Unknown	Unknown	November 16, 1978 (1978-11-16)
74	9	"Third Party"	Unknown	Unknown	December 7, 1978 (1978-12-07)
75	10	"Big Brother"	Unknown	Unknown	December 14, 1978 (1978-12-14)
76	11	"A Xmas Story"	Unknown	Unknown	December 21, 1978 (1978-12-21)
77	12	"The Houseguest"	Unknown	Unknown	December 28, 1978 (1978-12-28)
78	13	"With This Ring"	Unknown	Unknown	January 4, 1979 (1979-01-04)
79	14	"Guido's Job"	Unknown	Unknown	January 11, 1979 (1979-01-11)
80	15	"Over the Hill"	Unknown	Unknown	January 18, 1979 (1979-01-18)
81	16	"Dear Aunt Martha"	Unknown	Unknown	January 25, 1979 (1979-01-25)
82	17	"The Best Man"	Unknown	Unknown	February 1, 1979 (1979-02-01)
83	18	"Hockey Night in Kensington"	Unknown	Unknown	February 15, 1979 (1979-02-15)
84	19	"True Confessions"	Unknown	Unknown	February 22, 1979 (1979-02-22)
85	20	"Mr. King Goes to Ottawa"	Unknown	Unknown	March 8, 1979 (1979-03-08)
86	21	"White Lace Gloves"	Unknown	Unknown	March 15, 1979 (1979-03-15)
87	22	"The Fishing Trip"	Unknown	Unknown	March 22, 1979 (1979-03-22)
88	23	"Cyrano de Kensington"	Unknown	Unknown	March 29, 1979 (1979-03-29)

Season 5 (1979–80)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
89	1	"King's Brave New World"	Unknown	Unknown	September 13, 1979 (1979-09-13)
90	2	"Diabolical Plots"	Unknown	Unknown	September 20, 1979 (1979-09-20)
91	3	"Life Begins at Forty"	Unknown	Unknown	September 27, 1979 (1979-09-27)
92	4	"The Hat Trick"	Unknown	Unknown	October 4, 1979 (1979-10-04)
93	5	"Home Is Where the Heartburn Is"	Unknown	Unknown	October 11, 1979 (1979-10-11)
94	6	"The Rivals"	Unknown	Unknown	October 25, 1979 (1979-10-25)
95	7	"Born to Boogie"	Unknown	Unknown	November 1, 1979 (1979-11-01)
96	8	"The Double Date"	Unknown	Unknown	November 8, 1979 (1979-11-08)
97	9	"Masters and Johnson and King"	Unknown	Unknown	November 15, 1979 (1979-11-15)
98	10	"The Bet"	Unknown	Unknown	November 22, 1979 (1979-11-22)
99	11	"Pawn to King Four"	Unknown	Unknown	November 29, 1979 (1979-11-29)
100	12	"Down But Not Out"	Unknown	Unknown	December 6, 1979 (1979-12-06)
101	13	"Catch 23"	Unknown	Unknown	December 20, 1979 (1979-12-20)
102	14	"The Total Woman"	Unknown	Unknown	January 3, 1980 (1980-01-03)
103	15	"Look Ma, No Cavities"	Unknown	Unknown	January 10, 1980 (1980-01-10)
104	16	"Sign of the Bull"	Unknown	Unknown	January 17, 1980 (1980-01-17)
105	17	"The Spirit of Joy"	Unknown	Unknown	January 24, 1980 (1980-01-24)
106	18	"Good News, Bad News"	Unknown	Unknown	January 31, 1980 (1980-01-31)
107	19	"War and Peace"	Unknown	Unknown	February 7, 1980 (1980-02-07)
108	20	"Counter Attack"	Unknown	Unknown	February 21, 1980 (1980-02-21)
109	21	"Green Eyed Monster"	Unknown	Unknown	February 28, 1980 (1980-02-28)
110	22	"Purple Passion"	Unknown	Unknown	March 6, 1980 (1980-03-06)
111	23	"Movin' On"	Unknown	Unknown	March 13, 1980 (1980-03-13)

Tributes

In the SCTV episode "CCCP1-Russian television", one of the fake TV programs infiltrating the network is Hey Giorgy, about "everyone's favorite Cossack", intended as a Russian knockoff of King of Kensington.

In the first episode of the 1990s television series Twitch City, also set in Kensington, the character Nathan (played by Daniel MacIvor) was sent to prison for killing a homeless man with a can of cat food. The producers of Twitch City cast Al Waxman in the role of the murder victim, as a symbolic wink to King of Kensington, although they claimed that they did not intend for the character to be seen as Larry King himself.

In the late 1990s, This Hour Has 22 Minutes featured a sketch detailing the making of a film version of King of Kensington. In the sketch, director Atom Egoyan (played by Greg Thomey), re-imagines the series as a surreal crime thriller, with Larry King as a serial killer instead of a convenience store owner.

Following Waxman's death on January 18, 2001, a memorial to him was erected in Kensington Market.

In one episode of the Canadian comedy program Puppets Who Kill, the character Bill steals Al Waxman's preserved brain from CBC headquarters.

Home media

On November 13, 2007, Morningstar Entertainment released King of Kensington – Season One on DVD in Region 1.

External links

• King of Kensington Cast Photo and Synopsis
• King of Kensington Episode Guide at TV Archive Site
• King of Kensington at IMDb