Prior to the introduction of specialty channels, nearly every television station aired its own children program. While kids’ shows came and went, CFCN’s The Buckshot show endured for the better part of three decades.

The show left the air in the late 1996 but its two main characters, Ron ‘Buckshot’ Barge and his sidekick Benny the Bear, continued to entertain kids of all ages during live performances.

Ron was the studio director at CFCN television in the 1960s when he pitched an idea for a kids show to station management. When the CRTC ordered stations to carry additional Canadian content, he was given a chance.

The original plan was to have Ron host the show on his own but he wasn’t pleased with the results.

“It was really not going very well,” recalls Ron. “Jim Lewis, who was one of the cameramen at that point, said ‘Why don't you do this and you could do this’ and I said, look I’ve got an idea, why don't you get behind the window and you hold the puppet and we'll talk.”

The new format was embraced by children. Jim Lewis says each partner was perfectly suited to his role.

“It was the perfect job for me because I was always a behind the scenes guy,” said Jim. “I was always a sidekick so I loved being behind the scenes.”

After nearly 10,000 shows, 86-year-old Buckshot and the ageless Benny performed their final show a couple of weeks ago at the Lake Bonavista Shopping Centre. The place was crowded with kids who never saw the television show, and their parents who grew up with it.

Buckshot fan Pam Barlow fondly recalls her time in front of the television.

“I grew up with the show and Buckshot and Benny,” said Barlow. “My dearest friend Wendy and I, from the time we were little, we would watch it and look forward to it and couldn't wait for it.”

A highlight for Barlow was Benny the Bear’s performances of ’16 chickens and a tambourine’.

The Buckshot Show made a lasting impression on a resident of 24 Sussex Drive. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife, Laureen Harper, holds fond memories of being on The Buckshot Show as a child.

For all the joy they've brought to generations of southern Albertans, Buckshot and Benny are this week’s Inspiring Albertans.