Over the years Canada AM brought a variety of experts into the studio and into your living room. They shared their trade secrets and expertise, now they share their Canada AM memories.

RICHARD CROUSE, Movie Critic

I’ve been watching Canada AM since I was old enough to hum along to the theme song, which in those days was The Moody Blues’ ‘Ride My See-Saw.’ So my most memorable moment on the show was my first appearance.

To the viewer the show looks effortless. Bev says, “We’re going to speak to so-and-so now,” and magically, so-and-so appears either live in studio or as the other end of a satellite interview.

But what I came to realize was that this illusion of ease was the result of a great deal of planning.

The atmosphere on set is calm, but during my first appearance I could hear a muffled voice coming from the IFB device in Seamus’ ear. While I was reviewing the movies of the week he was being told that one of the satellite interviews planned for the next segment was being moved and loads of other information. Throughout it all Seamus nodded and responded to me. You would have never known that he was listening to two conversations simultaneously and processing it all while still keeping a smile on his face.

Since then I’ve been on the show hundreds of times and met some fascinating people.

Dan Rather asked me if I would recommend “Madagascar 3,” Larry King shook my hand and Tony Blair’s security guy gave me the once over.

I sat on top of a giant stuffed elephant (among other adventures).

I’ve also heard that muffled voice hundreds of times, now. But it never ceases to amaze me how the hosts manage to make it all look so effortless.

DR. MARLA SHAPIRO, Medical Contributor

Back in 2000 I appeared as a guest on Canada AM for the Back to Sleep Risk Reduction Campaign for SIDS. Dan Matheson interviewed me and as I was leaving he said, “You were really good at this. You should come back and do that again.”

I said, “Make me an offer.”

An offer to join Canada AM as the medical contributor was shortly delivered by Jordan Schwartz who was then the show’s EP.

I have enjoyed every minute since I became an active part of the Canada AM and the CTV family.

Loren Christie, travel contributor

Several years ago I arrived at Canada AM’s studios for my travel segment. That same day Harry Rosen was on the show celebrating 50 years in business. He was also going to have a fashion show on the air, with five models wearing outfits from each of decade.

A big snow storm hit Toronto that day and left one of the models stuck in traffic. At the very last minute I was asked to step in. I changed into the “90’s” outfit chosen by Rosen and tried to sandwich my body into the model-size clothes.

There I was, with four gorgeous models, parading out on air to pose for the cameras. It was very funny.

Later that day I received a package from Harry. In it were some cuff links, a bottle of cologne and a hand-written thank you note from him for stepping in at the eleventh hour.

It’s a moment I’ll never forget.

LIBBY NORRIS, Fitness Expert

I have a few favourite moments from my time working for Canada AM -- and for different reasons.

Favourite fitness moments:

1. Boxing with Seamus. I loved sharing one of my favourite workouts with Seamus. He had a child-like enthusiasm when he participated in these activities like this with me.

2. The “Seamus Shake.” The first time I introduced Bender Balls to Canada AM a couple of years ago, Seamus was surprised by how tough this workout was. When Seamus tried it, you could see him shaking. The crew were quite amused and I got tons of feedback after that segment asking how this little ball could be so tough to work with.

Most embarrassing moment:

For one of my early appearances on Canada AM we did a location shoot in a stadium about being active while your kids play hockey. This was the first time for me doing a remote segment compared to one that was live or taped. My IFB cut out and instead of continuing to move and exercise I just sat down. Not the fitness promo I was intending.

Favourite green room moment:

One day I walked into Canada AM’s green groom and saw the great skier Nancy Green standing there. I’m sure I babbled and said some kind of hello. Although I’m not much of a skier, Nancy inspired me most when I was a child. Amazingly, she wanted my opinion on what can be done to add more activity for kids at school. She’s still an inspiration.

PATRICIA LOVETT-REID, Financial Expert

I have many fond memories of my time on Canada AM, but one that stands out the most was when I was invited on the show with WXN Founder Pamela Jeffrey.

We were talking about the work-life balance and somehow the question came up -- would I work part-time? I remember thinking for a minute and then looked straight into the camera and said with conviction, “Yes, I think I would.”

The funny thing is my boss was watching. The first thing he said to me when I returned is, “No, you are not working part-time.”

MARK CULLEN, Gardening Expert

Over the years Jeff Hutchison and I have recorded gardening segments that could not go to air for a variety of reasons. One funny example: “What is the purpose of a hoe?”

But there was a time back in the early 1990s when Dan Matheson and I worked together on air and were invited by Random House to compile four VHS video tapes with 10 of our gardening segments on each tape, with each being themed according to a popular gardening top.

I authored four books to accompany those tapes and more than 120,000 were printed and sold.

It was ambitious and fun project and left a real mark on people. In fact, I still have people refer to those tapes and books today.

KARL LOHNES, Interior Design Expert

My most memorable moment is bringing my Mom to the set with me during an appearance on Canada AM. My Mom is a huge fan of all the hosts and she was like a child at Disneyland. I took a picture of her with the hosts. Today she prominently displays it in her living room.