Patof


Patof is a character in the highly successful Canadian children's television series Patofville. He was portrayed by actor-comedian Jacques Desrosiers.

Children's TV shows

In January 1972, the clown Patof made his appearance in the series Le Cirque du Capitaine on the French-language Quebec television station CFTM-TV Channel 10. He hosted three different series: Patofville, Patof raconte and Patof voyage.
Patof told jokes and stories characterized by puns He often ended his numbers by exclaiming: "On m'applaudit!!!".
He had a successful recording career during the seventies. Songs like Patof Blou, Patof le roi des clowns, Patofville, L'éléphant Tic-Tac, La plus belle poupée du monde, Bienvenue dans ma bottine, Gros minou and Bonjour Patof are among his greatest hits.
Patof participated in the Shriners Circus in 1973 and 1974 at the Montreal Forum.
He recorded an English single called "The King of Clowns" for his English speaking friends.
Some of the adventures of Patof were released as recordings and comic strips: Patof en Russie, Patof chez les esquimaux, Patof chez les coupeurs de têtes, Patof dans la baleine, Patof chez les petits hommes verts, Patof chez les cowboys, Patof raconte, Patof découvre un ovni, Patof en Chine and Patof chez les dinosaures.

The Legend of Patof

His name is Patof, Gregor Patof. He was born in Bobruisk in the vast steppe of Belarus. Patof's father was a clown and his mother, a clown's wife. They both worked for the Great Moscow circus. Little Patof lost his father at the age of 6 and his mother few years after, reportedly died of laughter after seeing a bearded woman.
Now an orphan without his father and mother, he stayed for a moment in the circus. But in this environment, everything reminded him his parent and that is why he made the decision to go away to be able to forget. However, he did not wish to change climate and that is why he chooses to come to Montreal in Canada, a city as cold as Moscow.
He was lucky to meet "Capitaine Bonhomme" who, always ready to help, supplies him a little of work of clown on the television. He rapidly became the youngsters' idol. With his many personal appearances – without pay – in hospitals, orphanages and parochial centers, etc. he easily and rapidly became an idol for all young Quebecers and even for youngsters living outside our boundaries.
Besides being a clown, Patof is also the mayor of Patofville, a young and fancy city filled with surprises for young and old alike. With his many friends and co-citizens Boulik, Polpon, Itof, he makes sure Quebec keeps its reputation of being a unique Province as far as Joie de Vivre is concerned.

Characters

Patof

Gregor Patof is a Russian clown and the central character of Patofville, of whom he is also the mayor. He appears for the first time in the television series "Le cirque du capitaine". His costume is constituted by red pants and a tweed fitted coat with collar and matched cuffs. He wears enormous red shoes, named also "tatanes". In Patofville, he lives in a big yellow bootee.
At the same time as his functions of mayor, he is also the director of the Patof Circus.

Polpon

Mister Polpon is the Police and Fireman Chief of Patofville. He's a key character in the series, because he is the best friend and confidant of Patof. He lives in a huge teapot, which is also a prison.

Itof

General Itof is a Russian spy who has for mission to return Patof in Moscow. Inventor, imitator and a practical joker, he is also a master in the art of disguise. He wears cossack's traditional costume as well as a surprising mustache, which seems to transforms according to its humors. In Patofville, he lives in a huge pumpkin.

Boulik

Boulik is the faithful dog of Patof. He is a speaking dog stemming from the famous Toutousavanski race. He becomes crazy when he sees a cat...

Minor characters

Television Series

Albums

Singles

Compilations

Collaborations and performances as guest star

Charts

Meritas hit parade chart

At Meritas chart, which was the most reliable chart list in Quebec at the beginning of the 70s, Patof Blou reached #1 during two weeks on September 16, 1972 and Patof le roi des clowns reached #7 on December 30, 1972. Jacques Desrosiers received two golden records for these two singles.

Reconstituted chart

Songs
Title / Date / Best rank / Weeks on chart
Title / Date / Best rank / Weeks on Top 30