title: Rita and Friends
text: # Rita and Friends
  
  Rita and Friends is a Canadian television variety show, which aired on CBC Television from 1994 to 1997. The show was hosted by Canadian country/folk singer Rita MacNeil. It won a Gemini Award in 1996 for 'Best Performance in a Variety Program or Series' and featured many musical artists.
  
  MacNeil's folksy style made the show more popular with Canadian audiences than the show it replaced, Friday Night with Ralph Benmergui.
  
  