EDMONTON — It’s unlikely that Ralph Klein’s foray into the world of game shows will make Alex Trebek look over his shoulder.
The former Alberta premier’s TV game show “On the Clock” aired Saturday night on Crossroads Television System across Alberta and Ontario on cable and nationwide via satellite.
It featured three Calgarians — Rob Breakenridge, host of a Calgary radio show; Licia Corbella, editorial page editor for the Calgary Herald and Ric McIver, a Calgary alderman who wants to run for mayor.
The topics ranged from the benefits of global warming — panellists got 10 seconds for that, to 30 seconds to discuss whether Europe is losing its soul. Klein then awarded the panellists “Ralph bucks” for their answers.
The hour-long show lumbered along, with Josh Groberman, the show’s producer and co-host, throwing in a few curves in an attempt to spice things up.
He asked the three to name five senators, and they threw out names like Frank Mahovilich, Bert Brown, Pamela Wallin, Anne Cools and Tommy Banks.
“The question wasn’t about any parliamentary senators, it was about the Ottawa Senators, how many Ralph bucks do I get?” Groberman said, laughing.
“None,” Klein said from his velvet red throne.
“Ralph Bucks” became the way people described the $400 cheques he handed out to every Albertan back when times were booming in the province.
Groberman said he approached Klein about doing some sort of television show after he retired as premier in 2006.
CTS has committed to two episodes of “On the Clock.”
The second one will air at the same time next Saturday. The network will then evaluate the response before going any further.
