It’s a party, and there will be cake. Discovery Channel marks the end of an era as Jay Ingram wraps his nightly duties as the co-host of DAILY PLANET. Celebrating 16 incredible seasons as DAILY PLANET’S original co-host, Ingram steps down with a fun-filled and retrospective special, DAILY PLANET: JAY’S LAST SHOW, on Sunday, June 5 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. In December, Ingram announced that he would be leaving his full-time hosting duties at the end of the 2010-2011 season to pursue new opportunities within the Discovery family (announcements detailing these future projects will follow at a later date). Like the best parties, DAILY PLANET: JAY’S LAST SHOW will celebrate and honour Ingram’s innumerable contributions that have made the world of science accessible, inspirational and entertaining for Canadians.
“Any way you look at it, 16 years is a long time,” said Ingram. “We have been so lucky at DAILY PLANET – from the beginning – to be able to cover amazing stories from all over the world. This show is going to be a celebration of that. And a party.”
And it will be one hell of a party! For one last time, Ingram joins co-host Ziya Tong for this one-hour special that promises to be an electric mix: Awe-inspiring live experiments, familiar and famous faces, “best of” and funniest moments retrospectives… and even a song or two with Ingram’s band, The Last Show Band! Taped with a live audience of friends, family and fans at Toronto’s landmark Masonic Temple, the one-hour special will include taped “shout outs” from some of the most recognizable faces in Canada, and touching contributions from DAILY PLANET viewers and fans sharing video tributes or notes expressing how Ingram has inspired them, changed their way of thinking, or had an impact on their lives. A special page at DiscoveryChannel.ca/JaysLastShow will be dedicated to sharing the viewers’ memories, opinions and thoughts on Ingram – the very best will be read or played during the special. The page – launching today – will also feature an interactive map that highlights Ingram’s travels abroad in pursuit of breaking science stories from around the world, photo galleries and behind-the-scenes interviews.
Even during his own send-off party – Ingram has some work to do too. With more than 3,000 episodes across 16 seasons, Ingram faces a monumental task of identifying his “Top 5 Favourite Moments” at the helm of DAILY PLANET. Will the “Corn Starch” incident make the cut? Or the live shuttle launches? Only Ingram knows for sure. And how do you bid farewell to such an esteemed and renowned co-host and mentor? Tong will take a moment to express her admiration for Ingram and share her unique shoulder-to-shoulder perspective of what it has been like to work along side a Canadian icon.
Ingram has co-hosted DAILY PLANET – the world’s first and only nightly science and technology show – for an incredible 16 years, making everyday science dynamic, accessible and exciting. Ingram joined Discovery Channel in November 1994 and was instrumental in helping shape the program format when it launched on January 1, 1995. At the beginning of this season, together with co-host Ziya Tong, Ingram marked the milestone with the two-hour special, DAILY PLANET’S GREATEST SHOW EVER.
In 2010, Ingram was appointed as a member to the Order of Canada for a lifetime of renowned service in communications. Other awards include the Sandford Flemming Medal, the Royal Society of Canada McNeil Medal, and a Michael Smith Award – each recognizing Ingram’s exceptional work bringing science to the mainstream. Before joining Discovery Channel, Ingram earned a Masters Degree in microbiology at the University of Toronto; he also holds honorary degrees from Carleton University, McGill University, McMaster University, King’s College. He also holds an honorary degree and is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Alberta. A prolific author, Ingram has written 11 books – most recently, Daily Planet: The Ultimate Books of Everyday Science – and three titles have won Canadian Science Writers Awards.
