Ruth Buzzi
Whatever Turns You On (1979)
Season 1
A kid-based sketch comedy, aimed at 9-16 year olds. It was a national spinoff of the already popular local show You Can't Do That on Television (YCDTOTV), which had debuted a few months earlier. Whatever Turns You On (WTYO) featured seven of the 22 kids used on the first season of YCDTOTV and was shot on the same sets. Essentially they were the same show, only WTYO had comedy and musical guests, and YCDTOTV had those plus local, call-in features, and local contests. Unfortunately, WTYO did not earn high network ratings and was cancelled after only one season. After WTYO's cancellation, YCDTOTV returned to it's local, live format in January, 1981.
Released May 12, 1979
Episode 60 min
None+
S1E0 - Whatever Turns You On
May 12, 1979, midnight
S1E1 - Union Fees
To prove Ross, who insists kids can't make a TV show, wrong; Christine keeps attempting to tape the intro, but gets interrupted each time. Meanwhile, auditions are held to find additional kids to be on the show. Jono and Kevin fight over it, as the show only needs one fourteen-year-old boy. A mother pushes her reluctant, spoiled son, Kevin Schenk III, into auditioning over and over again. Marc tries to get a date with Moose (Christine).
Sept. 18, 1979, midnight
S1E2 - Fan Mail / Summer Camp
Kevin and Jono help Marc ask Christine out on a delightful date. Kevin is tricked by Ross into paying dues to two unions: D.E.V.I.L. and M.A.F.I.A.
Sept. 25, 1979, midnight
S1E3 - Drama Lessons
After receiving one piece of (unstamped) fan mail, Kevin brags to Jono about it, and even gets Marc to reply to it for him, because ""Us stars are too busy"". His ego is eventually crushed when Ross brings in a huge bag of fan mail...all for Jono.
Oct. 2, 1979, midnight
S1E4 - Boss Helal
The cast begins to use Olde English words in normal conversation. The show's new drama coach is really sexy.
Oct. 9, 1979, midnight
S1E5 - Superstitions
The president of the network fires Mr. Dime and puts Rodney in charge. Rodney, of course, fires everyone else on the show.
Oct. 16, 1979, midnight
S1E6 - Fright / Repeats
Ross, in a scam to make money, sells a ""lucky"" rabbits foot to Kevin, who tricks Rodney into buying it for one dollar. Rodney and Jono then sell it back to Kevin, after making him believe it is lucky.
Lisa keeps trying to get Rodney slimed. This always results in her getting it instead.
Oct. 23, 1979, midnight
S1E7 - Christmas
Ross and Miss Time keep bothering Christine about her introductions. They are worried about the intros' compatibility for re-runs. The cast and crew confuse each other about whether or not the show is a rerun.
Oct. 30, 1979, midnight
S1E8 - Lottery
Christine tries to sneak the rest of the cast into the network Christmas party.
Nov. 6, 1979, midnight
S1E9 - Lottery
Kevin wins the big network lottery. The grand prize is a dinner with himself.
Nov. 13, 1979, midnight
S1E10 - Episode 10
Nov. 20, 1979, midnight
S1E11 - Episode 11
Nov. 27, 1979, midnight
S1E12 - Kevin Somers, Rock Star
Dec. 4, 1979, midnight
S1E13 - Kevin Somers, Rock Star
Christine gives Lisa advice on how to woo Rodney. Kevin is hired by Mr. Dime to be a rock star and wants to play a song on the show. Due to Whatever Turns You On's budget, they can't afford to pay him extra money for this, so he has to sing for free.
Network: CTV
Episode Runtime: 60 min.
Season Runtime: 60 min.
Released: May 12, 1979
Last Air Date: Dec. 4, 1979, midnight
Status: Returning Series
Certification: NR
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