STU JEFFRIES

Stu Jeffries still remembered most for ‘Love Handles’ and he couldn’t be prouder

Stu Jeffries has been a seasoned radio and TV host in Canada since the 80s, but there’s one show he still gets remembered for the most – “Love Handles.” 

“It was almost like play time in my life and yet I’ve heard more about that game show than any other TV work that I’ve done. I don’t know whether to be happy or sad about that,” he says with a laugh. 

“Love Handles” was a “Newlywed Game” style show that featured couples at different stages of their relationships. It also broke ground by being the first Canadian game show to feature same sex couples.

Even though the Blair Murdoch-produced show only aired for a couple of years in the mid-90s, there was something about those floral love seats and Jeffries’ charismatic delivery that left a mark on viewers. 

“Funny how you can do 10 years of one show and you can do one month recording a ton of shows and people will remember you for that. But I couldn’t be prouder,” says Jeffries. 

Jeffries started his career in radio in Regina before landing the role of host for CBC TV’s “Good Rockin’ Tonite” in 1985. He also appeared on another Murdoch show called “Acting Crazy” before “Love Handles” came along.

He jumped at the chance to work with Murdoch again as he knew how much fun he was to work with.

“I don’t think I’ve laughed more doing a television show than I did ‘Love Handles,’” recalls Jeffries.

After the show ended in 1988, Jeffries admits it was hard to find another gig that was fun as “Love Handles.” 

“Completing ‘Love Handles’ and just doing various odd TV projects, mostly local, there was nowhere near the fun that I would have there. That bar was really high,” says Jeffries.

Jeffries is now back to doing something he loves – hosting a classic rock radio show on Boom 97.3 in Toronto.