Operation
Each Speakers' Corner booth consisted of a video camera, recording technology and in most cases a coin slot. Any member of the general public could enter a Speakers' Corner booth, deposit a coin (normally one dollar), then record a short video segment on any topic. Each segment was limited to a maximum of two minutes, but the content was determined by the person using the booth.
Typically, Speakers' Corner Alberta booths were free, offered a few questions, and usually had a limit of 60 seconds.
The show's producers then reviewed the booth recordings and selected the "compelling" segments for the weekly show. Segments were sometimes broadcast outside of the regular show, or even appeared on other CHUM television outlets, such as MuchMusic, as interstitials.
The broadcast segments traditionally were presented in a campy atmosphere, with each segment (such as "rants", "complaints", "kudos", etc.) being introduced over clips of B-grade 1950s and 1960s sci-fi movies. Later in the show's run, however, it took on a more polished feel, and included text messages on-screen from viewers during broadcast.
Several local celebrities were created by the show, such as "The Old Man" and his opinions, and "The Devil's Advocates", a comedy duo claiming to speak for Satan.
Money collected from the Speakers' Corner booths went to charity.
Read more about this topic: Speakers' Corner (TV Series)
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—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)
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