'You Can't Do That on Television' star Les Lye dies at 84 - The DIS Discussion Forums

KentB3 · 07-24-2009, 07:28 PM

'You Can't Do That on Television' Star Dies
from 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.

xoprincessmomxo · 07-24-2009, 08:03 PM

I loved Barth!

El Capitano freaked me out!

JEmaryland · 07-24-2009, 08:04 PM

I loved that show.
I can't believe he was 84!

CaliforniaDreamin · 07-24-2009, 09:52 PM

I grew up watching this show. It was my favorite. I was sad when I heard that Les had died.

LoraJ · 07-24-2009, 10:07 PM

I really loved that show too.

RIP

07-24-2009, 07:28 PM	#1
KentB3 Earning My Ears Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 63	'You Can't Do That on Television' star Les Lye dies at 84 'You Can't Do That on Television' Star Dies from 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.

07-24-2009, 08:03 PM	#2
xoprincessmomxo Making Papa Nick stew... Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,069	I loved Barth! El Capitano freaked me out! __________________ Strange memories on this nervous night in Las Vegas

07-24-2009, 09:52 PM	#4
CaliforniaDreamin DIS Veteran (and then some) Can you tell I was a child of the 80's?? Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NC Posts: 1,153	I grew up watching this show. It was my favorite. I was sad when I heard that Les had died. __________________ Disneyland 1986-Disneyland Hotel WDW 1991-Offsite WDW 1999-Offsite WDW 2005-Pop Century Disneyland 2006-Paradise Pier WDW 2008-Pop Century WDW 2010-Pop Century

07-24-2009, 10:07 PM	#5
LoraJ I need a vacation! Wanted to bid on Bare Naked Ladies?!?! The Tag Fairy is Shocked! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 9,630	I really loved that show too. RIP __________________ 1976 - Contemporary ~~ 3/90 - Offsite ~~ 5/91 - Offsite ~~ 12/97 - Offsite ~~ 9/98 - Disneyland ~~ 8/99 - Disneyland ~~ 9/01 - All-Star Music ~~ 9/04 - Caribbean Beach ~~ 4/05 - Coronado Springs ~~ 10/06 Wilderness Lodge ~~ 10/08 Beach Club Villas ~*~ 9/09 Yacht Club Live Dining Reviews 9/28 - 10/4

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07-24-2009, 08:04 PM	#3
JEmaryland Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 391	I loved that show. I can't believe he was 84!

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