Paul Bernard, Psychiatrist
Encyclopedia
Paul Bernard, Psychiatrist is a Canadian
dramatic television series which aired on CBC Television
from 1971 to 1972.
) at his office. The patient, typically female, would lie on the doctor's couch and reveal her thoughts in keeping with the practices of psychoanalysis
. Patients often reappeared on the series for approximately monthly follow-up visits. Script material was derived from Canadian Mental Health Association
patient histories
.
) as a joint effort of his Jaylar Productions and Fremantle International
for broadcast on CBC. Two pilot episodes were created prior to the full 130-episode production. Since the plot was limited to the doctor-patient dialogue within Bernard's office, the series was described as a "one-set semi-soap
".
The series was also purchased for broadcast in Australia, Hong Kong and the United States (selected CBS
stations).
Television in Canada
Television in Canada officially began with the opening of the nation's first television stations in Montreal and Toronto in 1952. As with most media in Canada, the television industry, and the television programming available in that country, are strongly influenced by the American media, perhaps...
dramatic television series which aired on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
from 1971 to 1972.
Premise
Each episode portrayed a patient's appointment with psychiatrist Paul Bernard (Chris WigginsChris Wiggins
Chris Wiggins is an English actor.He started out as a banker in his home country before he began his acting career in Canada, where he moved in 1952....
) at his office. The patient, typically female, would lie on the doctor's couch and reveal her thoughts in keeping with the practices of psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a psychological theory developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalysis has expanded, been criticized and developed in different directions, mostly by some of Freud's former students, such as Alfred Adler and Carl Gustav...
. Patients often reappeared on the series for approximately monthly follow-up visits. Script material was derived from Canadian Mental Health Association
Canadian Mental Health Association
The Canadian Mental Health Association was founded on January 26, 1918 by Dr. Clarence M. Hincks and Clifford W. Beers. Originally named the Canadian National Committee for Mental Hygiene, it is one of the oldest voluntary health organizations still operating in Canada.Each year, CMHA divisions...
patient histories
Medical history
The medical history or anamnesis of a patient is information gained by a physician by asking specific questions, either of the patient or of other people who know the person and can give suitable information , with the aim of obtaining information useful in formulating a diagnosis and providing...
.
Production
The series was produced by Michael Spivak (Science InternationalScience International
Science International, later retitled What Will They Think Of Next?, is a Canadian television series produced by Global Television Network from 1976 to 1979. Each episode featured approximately 20 short segments on scientific developments and trivia, narrated by Joseph Campanella and Tiiu Leek for...
) as a joint effort of his Jaylar Productions and Fremantle International
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...
for broadcast on CBC. Two pilot episodes were created prior to the full 130-episode production. Since the plot was limited to the doctor-patient dialogue within Bernard's office, the series was described as a "one-set semi-soap
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
".
Cast
Besides Wiggins, the following actors were cast as patients during the series run:- Josphine Barrington
- Anna Cameron
- Marcia Diamond
- Nuala Fitzgerald
- Gale GarnettGale GarnettGale Zoë Garnett is a New Zealand-born Canadian singer best known in the United States for her Grammy-winning folk hit "We'll Sing in the Sunshine." Garnett has since carved out a career as a writer and actress.-Biography:...
- Dawn Greenhalgh
- Til Hanson
- Kay HawtreyKay HawtreyKay Hawtrey is a Canadian actress. She was born in Toronto.Full name Katharine Mary Craven Hawtrey, she is part of the Canadian branch of this very old English family, the Anglicized name having been derived from D'awtrey...
- Valerie Jean Hume
- Barbara Kyle
- Carol Lazare
- Peggy Mahon
- Phyllis Marshall
- Paisley Maxwell
- Arlene Meadows
- Micki Moore
- Michele Oricoine
- Diane Polley
- Vivian Reis
- Shelley Sommers
- Tudi WigginsTudi WigginsTudi Wiggins , born Mary Susan Wiggins in Victoria, British Columbia, was a Canadian actress best known for her work in television daytime drama....
Scheduling
This half-hour series was broadcast on CBC weekdays at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) from 13 September 1971 to 14 January 1972. The series moved to the 2:00 p.m. time slot from 17 January to 29 November 1972.The series was also purchased for broadcast in Australia, Hong Kong and the United States (selected CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
stations).