Arthur Black

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Summary Profile

In addition to authoring eleven books of humour, Arthur is known across Canada as the host of Basic Black, a national weekly radio show that delighted more than half a million Canadians every Saturday morning for nineteen years. He also hosted and wrote two award-winning TV series, Weird Homes and Weird Wheels. In addition, he writes a syndicated newspaper column that appears in more than 50 papers from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland.

Arthur Black was born in Toronto. After stumbling through a succession of unsuccessful careers (dog walker, underwear salesman, and cattle prodder, to name only a few), Black began his broadcasting career. He hosted Basic Black, a weekly national radio show on CBC from 1983 until 2004. The show was a wacky potpourri of off-beat music, comic sketches and interviews with the weirdest human beings Black could dig up each week. Over the years Black chatted with eccentric scientists, serene cave dwellers, transvestite bikers, nude sunbathers and skunk control officers. Oh yes, and one chap in Tombstone, Arizona who insists that he's actually a pod of telepathic dolphins.

Arthur is also available as an after-dinner speaker: famous for flying anywhere, anytime, to talk to anyone -- as long as he doesn't have to eat sushi. He has sandwiched many of his experiences into a series of books.

Black's many awards include: the 2006 Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour for: Pitch Black; the 1999 Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour for: Black Tie and Tales; the 1997 Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour for: Black in The Saddle Again; and a 1987 National Magazine Award for humour. He also received the 1986 National Radio Award for Best Opinion/Commentary.

Client Testimonials:

"On behalf of the Ontario Public School Boards Association, we would like to thank you for being a wonderful presenter. Your humorous speech was key in helping to make this one of the most successful meetings we’ve had to date. The feedback from attendees was very positive."

Ontario Public School Boards’ Association

"Thank you very much for helping to make this year’s event so special. We received very positive responses from the participants, and our applause goes out to you, for sharing your enormous talent in the spirit of good fun for the holiday season. As Master of Ceremonies, you kept the mood light and lively and helped to create a weekend that participants will remember for a long time to come."

Chateau Whistler Resort