KEVIN FRANK
Kevin Frank still sees fans doing the ‘Kidstreet’ clap
It’s been almost 30 years since “Kidstreet” has been on the air, but host Kevin Frank is reminded all the time just how much of an impact the show had on its young fans.
“Even today as I bump into contestants or people who watched the show they give me the ‘Kidstreet’ clap,” says Frank.
Like a “Newlywed Game” for siblings, “Kidstreet” had its contestants seated in race cars and famously clapping above their heads.
Even though the sound engineer came up with the idea so the kids weren’t clapping in front of their microphones, it became one of the most beloved things about the show that ran from 1986 – 1992 on Global TV.
Blair Murdoch, who created “Kidstreet,” says Frank was the perfect person to host the show.
“I hired Kevin Frank because he seemed to be the best and he clearly was the best. He did a wonderful job with that series,” says Murdoch.
Frank started his career studying improv at the Second City in Toronto in 1984 and says it was the perfect training ground for “Kidstreet.”
“I was used to working with a live audience, I had hosting experience, I had a comedy background and I loved game shows,” he says.
“Kevin was very funny. He was really good with the kids. They really liked him,” says the show’s announcer Kathy Morse.
As well-loved as Frank and “Kidstreet” were, there is unfortunately not a lot of footage of the show left.
“Part of me is sad that we don’t have copies of the show. But the other part of me who’s still very involved in live theatre understands that in that moment, for that audience, we all experienced that moment live and we were changed by it. And that’s good enough for me,” says Frank.
As well as “Kidstreet,” Frank also hosted another show produced by Murdoch called “The Next Line” in the early 90s.
He also appeared in the movie “The Marriage Fool” alongside Carol Burnett and Walter Matthau and received a Gemini nomination for Life Network’s “Pet Project.”
Frank continues to be involved in improv and is currently the Artistic Director of the Second City Training Centre.