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Have you ever made a bucket list of places around the world you'd like to visit? Eugene Levy did for Season Three of The Reluctant Traveler, streaming now on AppleTV+.
This season finds him flying to Mexico, India, Vienna, Ireland, Vancouver, Louisianna, Korea and even London. His tour guide in The UK was none other than The Prince of Wales.
“I was really taken aback with how at ease he made me feel.” said Levy.
The four-time Emmy award winner also got the royal treatment during the recent Toronto International Film Festival, where two documentaries he was appearing in were showcased. One salutes his old SCTV pal John Candy and the other looks back at the Toronto production of Godspell and the crazy convergence of young comedic talent who energed from that musical. Hear Levy's take on traveling abroad as well as back in time as this week's guest on brioux.tv: the podcast.
In the '60s, Dini Petty broke ground with Toronto radio station CKEY as Canada's first female traffic reporter to fly solo in a helicopter. After 5,000 hours in the air she landed her pink chopper and went on to a stellar career as a news anchor at Citytv and as a talk show host at CFTO’s The Dini Petty Show.
Now, at age 80, she’s back with Trailblazing Talks with Dini Petty, a one-hour special premiering Monday, Oct. 20 on The News Forum Network (check Bell, Rogers, Shaw and Telus channel listings). The venture has already been greenlit to go to series.
“At this point in my life, I am drawn to deeper conversations about resilience, courage, and the true cost of leadership,” says Petty, adding, “it is never too late to step forward with purpose.”
Petty welcomes first guests actress Tonya Williams (The Young and the Restless) and three-time Olympic gold medalist and later senator Marnie McBean. Petty’s own story, however, sets the trailblazing bar high. Listen as she recounts the ten times so far she feels she has defied death! All this week on brioux.tv: the podcast.
In the digital age, the question is not only which tools are still available to support Canadian content production but which ones are still relevant. One with an insider's perspective is Pat Ferns, author of "The Big Picture: A Personal History of Independent Television Production in Canada" (Sutherland House). Ferns began his career with a formative stint at CBC, created award-winning series and documentaries as an independant producer and helped reform the Canadian television funding process. He later helped put the Banff World Media Festival on its feet. At a time when, it can be argued, Canada's story matters more than ever, Ferns wades into the battlefield between the CRTC and the new media giants of content distribution. Can we marry Canadian stories with global reach? That and more with Order of Canada member Pat Ferns, this week's insightful guest on brioux.tv: the podcast.
Warning: there is a lot of Brampton talk in this episode. My guest, Jordan Gavaris, grew up in my town so brace yourself for a walk down memories of the Bramalea City Centre. Otherwise the top subject is Gavaris' Prime Video series The Lake, which just returned for a second season on the Amazon-owned streaming service. Shot in Ontario's cottage country, the story finds Gavaris -- previously best-known for Orphan Black -- as Justin, a gay dad with a 16-year-old daughter named Billie (Madison Shamoun). That’s what happens when you get your best friend pregnant at prom. The baby was given up for adoption. Justin reconnects with his city girl by bringing her to the cherished cabin where he spent his youth. Trouble is, his back-stabbing step-sister, Maisy-May (Julia Stiles). has claimed the cottage and stolen it from him. A lot of canoe jousting ensues. There are several other very funny people in this series, including Jon Dore as an obnoxious neighbour dude. Recent brioux.tv podcast guest Lauren Holly gets into the mix in Season Two as a mom-from-Hell. I wasn't sure about The Lake at first so I kept watching, and liked it more and more with each episode. You'll feel the same way about Gavaris after listening to this fun and frisky conversation. Check us out and get ready to jump in The Lake.
This Friday, June 9, after 13 seasons, ever-popular radio and TV host Marilyn Denis concludes her long-running CTV daytime series The Marilyn Denis Show. Prior to that, she enjoyed a 20-year run in daytime TV on CityLine -- an incredible 33-year reign over two networks. In fact, as she discusses on this episode of brioux.tv: the podcast, Denis was so coveted by former Bell/CTV boss Ivan Fecan that he insisted she be part of the deal when a tug of war developed over her services. The good news for fans of the broadcaster is that she is keeping her radio job. Denis can still be heard each weekday morning as co-host of Marilyn Denis and Jamar on CHUM 104.5. This fall, she also plans to resume her most recent project: Marilyn Denis Has a Podcast. I'm just grateful she was a guest on this podcast, where she talks about some of the celebrity guests she has interviewed, including Elton John, Sally Field, Lionel Richie and Jane Fonda. Look for visits from more celebs in her final week of CTV shows. Whoever she is interviewing, Denis always strives to, as she says, "put myself in the place of the viewer and ask what they would want to know." She even sings! Listen towards the end as she treats listeners to a few bars from her all-time favourite TV theme song.
Now that John Doyle has retired as the TV critic of The Globe and Mail, how are we supposed to make sense of it all? Where is our roadmap out of the madness that is Canadian television? It is all right here, friends, in this handy and convenient, click and listen podcast episode. Hear Doyle on why he retired over six months ago from the newspaper he toiled at with distinction for 26 years. Does he still think the people who run the Canadian Screen Awards are idjits? That would be yes. What shows or issues, if any, does he wish he was writing about now? What shows are can't miss in the Doyle household these days? Does he think Ted Lasso has jumped the shark? I miss reading John's unfiltered and outspoken take on this crazy beat. Lock the door, pour a pale ale and join us for some rousing blather between two lucky bastards who love and hate television.
Lauren Holly is an American-Canadian actress who lives in Toronto but works in Vancouver. Hers is every TV actresses resume rolled into one. Vancouver is where she shoots Family Law, which returns for a second season Monday, May 22 on Global. The CW just announced that they've acquired the cheeky law drama for their summer season. When she's not stirring things up as family matriarch Joanne Kowalski opposite Jewel Staite and Victor Garber on Family Law, she can be found in Ontario's cottage country. That's where she shoots The Lake, the Prime Video drama returning for a second season June 9. Holly's credits stretch back to her breakout role opposite Tom Skerritt and Kathy Baker on Picket Fences (1992-96). Several seasons on Chicago Hope and NCIS followed as did features such as "Dumb and Dumber" and "What Women Want." Raised in upstate New York, Holly married not one but two Canadians, moved to Canada, became a Canadian citizen and has three Canadian sons. Does this not qualify her for the Order of Canada? Or at least a discount at Tim Horton's? Hear her on the importance of acting on happy sets on this episode of brioux.tv: the podcast.
Come on down for a fun conversation with John Ealer, executive producer, and Sarah Gibson, director and showrunner, of The Game Show Show. Their four-part docuseries from Toronto's Cream Productions premieres Wednesday, May 10 on ABC and continues Wednesday nights throughout May. Episodes look at the evolution of TV game shows from their radio roots to the big money series such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Deal or No Deal. The series also looks at how competition and dating shows have become more popular in the 21st century. There is also a discussion of the game show scandals of the 1950s. Also: why is it that Canadians such as Alex Trebek, Howie Mandel and Monty Hall seem to make great game show hosts? Mr. Ealer has a generous theory. All that plus John and Sarah's favourite TV theme songs, including the one used years later by George for his answering machine on Seinfeld.
Eric McCormack is such a terrific podcast guest we're running this episode twice. The occasion is the premiere, April 6, of Slasher: Ripper. This fifth season of the horror anthology series airs on the streaming service Shudder in the States and in Canada on one of our sponsors here at brioux.tv, Hollywood Suite. Set in 1910, McCormack plays, in his words, "a ruthless son-of-a-bitch" who finds himself on the hit list of a vicious slasher. The Emmy-award winner is known more for starring in urbane comedies such as Will & Grace than for playing nasty bad guys, but he's done it before. "It comes a little too naturally to me," he jokes. On this encore episode, which originally ran in 2022, McCormack shares several terrific showbiz stories. Examples include the time he cracked up guest star Gene Wilder on the set of Will & Grace. He also talks about plans to launch a Broadway show based on the hit Michael Douglas/Kathleen Turner movie "The War of the Roses." First, however, McCormack will be directed first by Jason Alexander at the Hayes theater starting this July in the domestic comedy "The Cottage." BONUS: at the end of this episode, hear McCormack belt out his favourite all-time TV theme song (hint: the two main character were "Doing it our way...").
I always look forward to catching up with Mitch Azaria. He's the executive producer behind the unique "Tripping" series of real time, immersive documentaries featured each spring on TVO. In the past few years, and especially throughout the pandemic, these docs have allowed viewers to travel virtually throughout Ontario when real travel was not an option, or at best a very limited one. The series all started with Tripping The Rideau Canal (2020) followed by The Niagara (2021), and last April, The Bruce (2022). The latest adventure is Tripping Train 185, premiering Friday, April 7 on TVO. It takes viewers aboard a remote route that runs northwest out of Canada’s mining capital and along the stunning Spanish River. "It's a hidden gem," says Azaria. "I didn't know anything about it." The route goes from Sudbury to White River, a 480 km trip. Best of all, it is aboard a stainless steel Budd Car, the last-remaining, post WWII vintage, diesel train in North America still operating on a regular route. Part of the fun is the bond between the crew and the passengers. "It's like Old Home week every trip on this train," saysd Azaria. As you'll see, many canoes and backpacks are along for the ride. For many, Train 185 is the only way to get to some of the best fishing sites in North America. For TVO viewers, thanks to Mitch and his crew, this is the only way to travel.
For the second week in a row, my guest on brioux.tv: the podcast is a judge on Canada's Got Talent. Listen up to Kardinal Offishall, the Toronto-born rapper and music producer who is now encouraging a new generation of talented Canadians on CGT. That series, which shoots at the Fallsview Casino OLG Stage in Niagara Falls, Ont., rolls into a second season Tuesday, March 21 on Citytv. Offishall talks about his own experiences as a talent show contestant starting way back when he was not yet even a teenager. Since then, he's gone on to win several Juno and MMVA awards as he earned the title of "Canada's hip hop ambassador.". In recent years, he's even branched out as an actor, with comic turns on both the first and second seasons of Andrew Phung's CBC comedy Run The Burbs, Kardi talks about what to expect on the surprising second season of CGT and also reveals his choice for Favourite All-time TV theme song. It's a jingle he likes so much he uses it as the ringtone on his phone!
If you liked Season One of Canada's Got Talent, "You are going to be bowled over this year," says Howie Mandel, "because I don't think there's even a comparison." The talent search series returns Tuesday, March 21 on Citytv. Mandel is joined once again on the judging panel by Lilly Singh, Trish Stratus and Kardinal Offishall. The talent on display hails from all across Canada, including, as Howie says, "The tundra!" Mandel, of course, is one of the most successful and enduring comedy acts in all of North America. He started making audiences laugh at Yuk Yuks in Toronto and The Comedy Store in LA before taking a dramatic turn as Dr. Wayne Fiscus in the groundbreaking NBC hospital drama St. Elsewhere. As he tells on this episode, young Howie loved watching daytime talk shows hosted by Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin, never dreaming he'd one day be a guest on these shows as well as The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. Being on Merv, in fact, led to one of his first big breaks when he got a call from Gene Simmons of KISS. Listen here for the rest of that story. Mandel's other credits include Bobby World, Deal or No Deal and his seven-year stint on America's Got Talent. Plus now he's helping make or break the next generation of comedians as part owner of Montreal's famed comedy festival, Just for Laughs.
It is not often that a series that is popular on Radio-Canada crosses over into an English language version. But that is the case with Plan B, a compelling new drama airing Monday nights on CBC. It can also be seen on demand on CBC Gem.
One of the stars is a Canadian Screen Award-winning actress who is as at home in English as she is in her native French. Her career has also taken her to Hollywood and onto American network tv shows such as Pan Am, and Revenge.
I’m talking of course about Karine Vanasse, a standout since her teen years. Her feature film credits include a breakout role in director Denis Villeneuve’s 2009 feature “Polytechnique.” She also starred for four seasons opposite one of my first podcast guests, Billy Campbell, in one of my all-time favourite Canadian dramas, Cardinal. Besides Plan B, where she shines opposite Patrick J. Adams from Suits, Vanasse is about to start shooting Season Two of another Montreal-based drama, Avant le Crash.
Towards the end of this episode, Vanasse digs deep to be the first to name one of the best theme songs of the early 2000s as her all-time favourite.
By far, the biggest name in TV sitcoms this century has been Chuck Lorre.
This June, when I saw that he was going to be a keynote speaker at the Banff World Media Festival, I thought what the hell, put in a request for a podcast interview. So glad I did, because on this episode, we talk about the glory that is The Kominsky Method, Big Bang's Barenaked Ladies theme song, his take on The Sopranos finale, and his latest project -- a Netflix sitcom starring Leanne Morgan.
On a personal note, I tell him how Bob Hearts Abishola was a big winner with Lucia, my wife Sandra's Italian-born mother. Lorre wanted that series to salute the immigrant achievement in America -- a message that could not be more relevant today.
I even put Lorre on the spot by asking what he thought would be the perfect Canadian TV sitcom. Hear his three word answer and so much more, on a memorable episode.
Born in Ottawa, trained at the National Film Board of Canada and winner of dozens of international awards, Peter Raymont has enjoyed a distinguished career as one of Canada's top documentary filmmakers. His White Pine Pictures has been behind such acclaimed titles as Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire,Genius Within: The Inner Life of Glenn Gould. and Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band. I first met him on the set of The Border (2008-2010), a CBC security forces series he co-created with his late wife Lindalee Tracy. Raymont just received CSA Award nominations for two 2022 efforts: Buffy Sainte Marie -- Carry It On and Unloved: Huronia's Forgotten Children. He also recently teamed with previous brioux.tv podcast guest Robbie Hart on Ice-Breaker: The '72 Summit Series. Raymont begins this episode by paying tribute to the late Peter Herrndorf, the universally respected CBC and TVO broadcast executive, Toronto Life publisher and CEO of the National Arts Centre. "He was like a second father to me," says Raymont. The Emmy and Gemini award winner also shares his thoughts on a commercial-free CBC, at least in prime time and for all news broadcasts. Corporate sponsorship, such as in the PBS model in the United States (where several White Pine projects have aired), would provide a better environment both for the makers of documentary films and, he feels, for viewers. Celebrate Peter's birthday Feb. 28 by listening all the way to the end, where he reveals his rousing choice for favourite all-time TV theme song.
The pandemic forced some longer-than-usual delays between seasons of many of our favourite TV shows. Mark Little, for example, had to wait over four years to launch the second season of his animated adult comedy Gary and His Demons. The series, about an aging and very cranky demon slayer who wants to quit his job if his boss can ever find a replacement, was launched in 2018 on VRV. That service seems to have gone the way of the VCR. The good news is that Season 2 and the original season can now be streamed on Prime Video. On this episode, Mark, who writes, produces and provides the voice of Gary, talks about the transition. Little came to prominence several years ago as a member of the East Coast comedy troupe Picnicface. Many will also remember him as the math teacher in Gerry Dee's classroom comedy Mr d. The B.C.-native also talks about his harrowing audition for Saturday Night Live where he killed with his opening joke. The next six minutes, however, not so much. Also heard on this shorter-than-usual episode: Stephen Sloan, head of the Toronto studio animating the new season, Look Mom Productions.
This is the episode you've been waiting for, comedy fans. Dave Thomas tells how he almost became an ad man, a real life Don Draper, On the very day, however, that the young Canadian dazzled the ad men in New York, winning the Coca-Cola account, he got a call from his old McMaster University chum Eugene Levy that changed his life. There was an opening on the Second City stage in Toronto. Was Thomas ready to throw away a career in advertising for $145 bucks a week at the Old Firehall? Yes he was, because it meant working with Levy, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Harold Ramis, Paul Shaffer, Catherine O'Hara, Joe Flaherty and others. Thomas fit right in and helped shape the comic sensibilities of a generation. He talks about how ad writing helped him understand how seconds count in comedy. He talks about how there were two sides to John Candy, and how, when Bob & Doug took off, he and Rick Moranis were ready to step away from SCTV. "I don't think I had a single funny idea left," he says about the relentless challenge of filling 90 minutes a week for NBC. Thomas also salutes the comic heros who inspired him, including Bob Hope and Johnny Carson. He speaks of his early days on the David Steinberg Show and shares Tom Poston stories from working on Grace Under Fire. He explains why he made the switch to writing for such TV procedurals as Bones and The Blacklist. Plus: he picks one of the true TV classics as his favourite, all-time theme song.
Lea Thompson and Stacey Farber are The Spencer Sisters
Come on Back to the Future as we celebrate Episode 100 here at brioux.tv: the podcast. This installment boasts two wonderful guests, both starring in the new mystery hour The Spencer Sisters. The series launches Friday, February 10 on CTV. Lea Thompson, forever known as Marty McFly's mom in "Back to the Future," stars as Victoria Spencer, famed mystery novelist. Stacey Farber, who played Ellie Nash in Seasons 2 through 8 of Degrassi: The Next Generation, stars as Victoria's headstrong, ex-cop daughter Darby. Before you can say, "Murder, They Wrote," the two team up as crime-solving private investigators. Does Thompson try to sing her all-time favourite TV theme song, which happens to be an instrumental? She does, and even acts out the main title sequence, although you can't see it because this is an audio only podcast. But trust me, it was awesome. Does Farber wear a very cool, TV-themed, Keith Haring T-shirt for the interview? She does. The two bonded in Winnipeg during production of The Spencer Sisters. Thompson also talks about directing episodes of Star Trek: Picard, Young Sheldon and The Goldbergs. Farber talks about travels to Japan with her pal Dan Levy. It's a 100th episode Spencer-palooza!
Hugh Dillon was sick with worry after hearing of Mayor of Kingstown co-star Jeremy Renner’s recent snow plow accident. The crushing mishap put the Avengers star in the hospital with critical injuries. Dillon’s fears were put to rest after speaking with Renner. “I knew he was going to be okay because he was just so profane and so funny,” says Dillon. “That’s the testament to the kind of person he is because he wants you to not worry.” The bracing prison town series has just returned for a second season on Paramount+. Dillon doesn’t just act on the series, he co-created it with his pal and long-time acting coach Taylor Sheridan. The two previously worked together on Sheridan’s Yellowstone, where Dillon played Sherriff Donnie Haskell. Dillon based Mayor of Kingstown on his own hometown, Kingston, Ontario. Friends and family members worked in the prisons there and Dillon played hockey with prison guards. He reflects on how a few misdeeds along the way could have made prison life even more familiar to him. He worked over a decade on his dream of making his prison series a reality. He even convinced producers to shoot the first season in a decommissioned prison right in Kingston. (Season Two wrapped on a larger prison field in Pittsburgh.) On the podcast, Dillon also talks about his previous acting work on the CTV-CBS series Flashpoint as well as on other dramas such as The Killing and Durham County. He’s racked up close to 50 IMDb acting credits so far – not bad for a guy who has been rocking, recording and touring with his band The Headstones for decades.
Chuck Tatham on Harold Ballard and other tales of Arrested Development
We found him! The man who came up with Bob Loblaw's law blog on Arrested Development. Had to be a Canadian, right? Chuck Tatham, from Listowel in southwestern Ontario, has had a stellar career in Canada and the U.S., writing and producing such shows as Less Than Kind, Arrested Development, How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family. Lately he's been executive producing Children Ruin Everything and the animated series Central Park. He was also previously involved in a couple of fondly-remembered one-season wonders: Andy Barker, P.I. and Back to You. Hear him on how one show led to another, as well as on a new project which brought him back across the border again: "Offside: The Harold Ballard Story." Yes, this is Part II of a podcast from earlier this week featuring Tatham's fellow EP's, Michael Geddes and Jason Priestley. Tatham still hopes to spin Ballard's outrageous adventures into a series based on his pilot script. Paging John Goodman in the lead, I say. In the meantime, enjoy story after story from this talented and very funny Canadian writer-producer -- including the daytime show he most loved to watch as a child whenever he managed to stay home sick from school.
Jason Priestley and Michael Geddes on Harold Ballard
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967. The reason? Two words: Harold Ballard. The curmudgeonly owner ruined the team in the '70s and '80s with a tight-fisted reign of error that played out almost daily in that era's sports pages. The man who caused Leaf's captain Darryl Sittler to rip the "C" off his jersey and who lived in his arena, Maple Leaf Gardens, finally gets the documentary he deserves. It is all thanks to this episode's podcast guests: executive producer Michael Geddes (Lone Eagle Entertainment) and Jason Priestley, who produces, directs and narrates. Listen as the two tell how they met to develop a scripted series before realizing they better do the doc first. Priestley tells of interviewing many of his hockey heroes, including Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Wendel Clark, Tiger Williams, Rick Vaive and other players of the day. Don Cherry, Allan Eagleson and sportswriters such as Mary Ormsby, Allen Able and Stephen Brunt also weigh in on the tumultuous Ballard years. Don't wait for Leafs to win another a Stanley Cup. Listen to this epic tale of woe now, then watch "Offside: The Harold Ballard Story" Sunday, January 22 on CBC and CBC Gem.
The CW is at a crossroads. Launched in 2006 by both CBS and Warner Bros, Nexstar Media Group is now the majority owner of America's fifth broadcast network. A lot of The CW's legacy shows -- Supernatural, Batwoman, Charmed, Legends of Tomorrow -- have been canceled. Longtime network head Mark Pedowitz has retired. The search was on for a new visionary leader. Enter Brad Schwartz, the clever Canadian who put the pop in Pop TV with the acquisition of CBC's Schitt's Creek. The Dan and Eugene Levy sitcom won nine Emmys in 2020, leading Pop to more wins that year than any other networks save HBO and Netflix. On the zoom call for this podcast, Toronto native Schwartz proudly showed his Canadian allegiance by sporting a Tragically Hip hoodie. He talks about interning on Saturday Night Live at 21 and learning from the master: Lorne Michaels. Schwartz later paid his dues as SVP and GM for the Much MTV Canada Group. Mentoring him there were Bell bosses Ivan Fecan and Susanne Boyce, with Boyce urging him to "Take Canada to the world." He took those lessons back to the States at the TV Guide Channel, helping to turn it into Pop TV. His new challenge: President of Entertainment Division at The CW. Does this mean more Canadian shows could soon be enjoying some southern exposure? Listen as Schwartz shares his thoughts.
Christmas came early for me this year as I got to talk to Dick Cavett about Groucho Marx. The occasion is the December 27 premiere of American Masters "Groucho & Cavett" on PBS. Dubbed "the thinking man's talk show host," Cavett emerged as a clear alternative to Johnny Carson's Tonight Show while on ABC from 1969 through 1975. (Other networks kept him busy into the '90s). His series set the bar for conversation and inquiry and featured such 20th century icons as Marlon Brando, Muhammad Ali, Woody Allen, Katharine Hepburn, Norman Mailer, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, George Harrison, Orson Welles, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Truman Capote and too many other names to drop. One was Groucho Marx. As he tells it on this podcast, Cavett met the most famous Marx brother by "sheer accident." It happened in 1961 as they were coming out of a funeral service for famed playwright George S. Kaufman. Before you could say the secret word, the two became fast friends. Cavett was 25 at the time, Groucho 70. Later, as he was closing in on 80, the comedian appeared many times on Cavett's shows, often wearing a ridiculous golf hat with three balls on it. He killed, especially on the early episodes, singing and cracking wise and owning every inch of Cavett's stage. I was 12 or 13 at the time and saw much of it live. It was great, historic television and such fun to re-visit on the American Masters episode. The story has a Canadian angle, though not a happy one. In his last few years, the aging comedian fell under the spell of a young woman from northern Ontario named Erin Fleming. Cavett, who had them both on his show, shares his thoughts. Cavett remains witty and robust at 86. He talks about his early gigs writing jokes for Tonight Show hosts Jack Paar and Johnny Carson. He confirms getting to know another one of the comedy gods, Stan Laurel. We even touch on one of the Yale grad's proudest achievements: getting on Richard Nixon's enemies list. Ladies and gentlemen, my guests on this episode in alphabetical order: Dick Cavett. ZWABkzvLXjZRdEItFNV3
Another podcast episode about the 1972 hockey Summit Series? Yes and here's why: a second documentary looks at the landmark eight-game series from a very different angle. "Ice-Breaker: the '72 Summit Series" premieres Tuesday, December 27 on Super Channel Fuse. The film, by director Robbie Hart and executive producer Peter Raymont, takes viewer deep inside the Iron Curtain of Soviet Russia. Here's what Hart discovered two years ago after hatching the idea for the project. During those Cold War years, Gary J. Smith worked at the Canadian embassy in Moscow and had a hand in bringing East and West together for a "friendly series" between hockey's two superpowers. Hart discovered Smith was writing a book about the series (out now as "Ice War Diplomat: Hockey Meets Cold War Politics at the 1972 Summit Series"). The book became the spine of the documentary, which differs in many ways from last September's four-part CBC series. First, Wayne Gretzky talks exclusively here about what this series meant to him as a hockey-mad 12-year-old in 1972. Second, Hart, accompanied by goalie Vladislav Tretiak, travels back to the Moscow Ice Palace where half the games were played. It hasn't changed in 50 years! Third, the CBC doc's exclusive use of restored footage from the series forced Hart and others to scour for other sources. What they found were some stunning, ice-level shots, from Russian cameras, of Phil Esposito and others in action that have never been seen before. Fourth: the new doc makes great use of the inspired sketches made on the scene by Montreal Gazette editorial cartoonist Terry "Aislin" Mosher. If, like me, you are old enough to remember watching the Summit series on TV, you'll see it from a whole new angle. If you were born years later, don't miss this chance to catch up on a mind-blowing part of Canadian history.
Jason Ritter is my guest this week on brioux.tv: the podcast. I spoke with the 45-year-old actor recently at the Corus Entertainment Upfront in Toronto. Ritter is so thrilled to be on Matlock -- last season's biggest rookie hit on both Global in Canada and CBS in the US -- that he's been dancing up a storm on TikTok. We talk about that, working with Oscar-winner Kathy Bates, his famous dad John Ritter, his famous granddad Tex Ritter and what it's like being a third generation player in the Hollywood film industry. Playing his dad on the series is another son of a famous actor, Beau Bridges. (His dad, Lloyd Bridges was in both the '60s series Sea Hunt and the 1980 comedy "Airplane!"). While the pilot for Matlock was shot in Toronto, the rest of the series is one of the few network shows currently produced in Los Angeles. Ritter also talks about the joys of parenthood. He and his New Zealand-born actress wife Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets) have a young daughter.
Mary Walsh says she was born to play the tart-tongued older "Missus" living downstairs from a sad sack young bachelor in the very funny comedy The Missus Downstairs. The award-winning series is back for a second season, including a special Christmas episode (featuring Andy Jones), on Fibe TV. Co-starring is the man who lived the story, Newfoundland comedian Dave Sullivan. His character described the Missus as "like living above Joan Rivers only alive and without all the charm." Walsh, of course, is a Canadian comedy treasure, creating This Hour Has 22 Minutes after co-starring in the breakthrough East Coast comedy CODCO. She's brilliant in comedy or drama, with "The Grand Seduction," "Closet Monster" and "Happy Place" among her more recent film credits. At 70, the Order of Canada recipient finds herself busier than ever, writing, producing, directing and starring in "Missus" as well as directing fellow Fibe TV comedy troopers "HalfHandsome" in the Peak TV parody Jack TV. Asked about mentoring the next generation of Newfoundland comedy talent, Walsh says she's just as grateful to the kids for giving her all the artistic challenges she can handle. All I can say is I wish there had been a Mary Walsh-like mentor back when I was doing "Etobichannel." Listen to this episode for the laffs, stay for the wisdom.
By far the most-downloaded episode of brioux.tv: the podcast has been a conversation I had two years ago with Murdoch Mysteries star Yannick Bisson. The actor is back to talk about "Baking All the Way," a new Super Channel House & Home/Lifetime original he stars in and directs this holiday season. Bisson stars opposite Cory Lee on the festive flick, which is about a search for the perfect gingerbread cookie recipe. Lee's celebrity chef wants it, and Bisson's small town bakery shop owner is reluctant to share it. Bisson says he pulled a few favours by asking veteran Canadian comedy stars Colin Mochrie, Deb McGrath and Jayne Eastwood to join him in the movie. He wrangled another actress as well -- his youngest daughter Mikaela Bisson, who plays a news producer. It's not the first time Yannick has stepped in with casting. He boldly reached out to add William Shatner to an episode of Murdoch Mysteries a few years ago. We also talk about Murdoch, of course, which just passed the 250 episodes mark in this its 16th season. To Yannick's delight, the Shaftesbury-produced series is also currently the subject of a museum exhibit in Kitchener, Ont., featuring sets, costumes and all kinds of clever props. Bisson also talks about his family's plans for Christmas this year and shares his not-so-surprising choice for best all-time TV theme song.
"Thufferin' thuckotash!" Have you heard Eric Bauza as the voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Marvin the Martian, Sylvester & Tweety and many other classic cartoon stars? He says his five-year-old son can tell his Bugs from that of Mel Blanc but I can't, and I've collected dozens of classic Warner Bros. Looney Tunes over decades of 16mm film collecting. Bauza, who grew up in Scarborough, Ont., started out working in the drawing end of the animation business. He talks about meeting a few of his voice over heroes, including cartoon legend June Foray (Rocky & Bullwinkle; Looney Tunes) and fellow Canadian Maurice LaMarche (Pinky and the Brain). We also talk about his new series Stay Tooned, premiering Dec. 2 on CBC Gem. The six-episode documentary series finds Bauza in conversation with several of his 'toon talk peers, including Ben Schwartz, Lake Bell, Ken Jeong, Bobby Moynihan, Tara Strong, Lamorne Morris, Cree Summer, and James Adomian, among others. BONUS: Hear a short clip of a 1983 interview -- my first at TV Guide Canada -- with the original voice of Donald Duck, Clarence "Ducky" Nash!
As a young Toronto school teacher, Linda Schuyler decided to introduce her Grade 8 students to the art of filmmaking. As it says on the inside flap of her new book, "The Mother of all Degrassi: A Memoir" (ECW Press), this was a momentous decision. "It set in motion a career of storytelling for an age group largely ignored by TV executives... and creates one of the most-loved television franchises of all time." In all its incarnations, starting back in 1979, Degrassi has spanned several decades, many fan-favourite cast members and over 500 episodes. The various series have many admirers, including filmmaker Kevin Smith, who calls Schuyler, "The greatest ally in entertainment young audiences have had since John Hughes." Listen in as Schuyler recounts her early struggles -- including a serious car accident -- and how she was able to stick to her vision in presenting a series that championed adolescents in all their diversity. Taboo topics including abortion, school shootings and other issues have all been fearlessly tackled on Degrassi. As Schuyler sees it, the series is really, "the world's longest-running anti-bullying campaign." She also comments on recent reports about the future of the franchise, including HBO Max's decision this month to push pause on a brand new Degrassi incarnation.
Actors and actresses from When Calls the Heart have been among the most-listened to guests in the three years since brioux.tv: the podcast was launched. Clearly, "Hearties" are everywhere, and in Canada they subscribe to Super Channel. The service has a fascinating history. Think of how the media landscape has lurched from one disruption to another this century. Super Channel nearly went under -- twice -- but CEO and president Donald McDonald can be credited with steering the Canadian-owned company to one of its best years ever in time to celebrate its 15th anniversary. I'd like to think their recent success has to do with them being a brioux.tv sponsor. There are other factors however, and who better to point them out than my guests, McDonald and Chief Content Officer Jackie Pardy. Among the topics discussed are the return of When Calls the Heart for a 10th season (probably early next year); the successful liaisons with the Canadian Film Festival and Blood in the Snow film festival; and plans to introduce, as both Netflix and Disney+ have announced, an ad-supported lower-priced Super streaming tier. Listen right from the start when I call Don McDonald "Bob" several times. It's never a good move to blow the name of a sponsor on a podcast. Fortunately, Don is as good a sport as he is Super CEO.
If you could only talk with Charlie Hunnam for 11 minutes, what would you ask? That's how long I had with the UK-born actor, who was recently in Toronto promoting his new AppleTV+ series Shantaram. The 42-year-old former Sons of Anarchy star plays quick-thinking jailbird Lin Ford on AppleTV+'s new big-budget drama. Ford's motto: escape or die. Hunnam is also a producer on the series, which is based on the semi-autobiographical international bestseller by Gregory David Roberts. Roberts broke out of an Australian prison and disappeared for several years in Bombay. Hunnam wanted to make sure the 12-episode drama captured every nuance of Roberts' book. Why just 11 minutes? That's just how these press deals work. Other reporters were also waiting to speak with the actor, whose credits extend back to his teen years on Queer as Folk and Undeclared. This episode does include a review of the series plus a story or two on the merits of saying yes to short interviews, including that time I was given five minutes to speak with Bill Maher.
I think I was about 35 before I figured out that Billy Van played all those crazy characters on The Hilarious House of Frightenstein. The series, consisting of 130 episodes cranked out over nine months, premiered more than 50 years ago in 1971. It is one of the most eccentric and enduring, locally-produced, TV shows ever made in Canada. It broke so many rules in childrens television that you'd have to cut it down to about four minutes to get it on a broadcast network today. (Edited versions still play on Crave, Tubi and YouTube.) My guest on this podcast is Mitch Markowitz whose older brother Riff Markowitz took the idea of a horror-spoof kiddie show to Hamilton's CHCH. Mitch helped produce but also, at his brother's urging, appeared on-camera in short segments as "Super Hippy." Vincent Price was flown up from Hollywood to shoot 400 introductory segments which helped the Markowitz's syndicate the series stateside. Jumbo-sized Fishka Rais played Igor, assistant to The Count, Billy Van. Van, later a key comedy player on Sony & Cher, also played Griselda the Ghastly Gourmet, The Librarian, Bwana Clyde Batty, The Oracle, The Maharishi and the Wolfman -- the latter a werewolf disc jockey. Van wasn't supposed to play any of them, but, as Markowitz relates, he stepped in when a Plan-A that would never fly today didn't pan out. Van's tour-de-force was an inspiration to Mike Myers, Jim Carrey and other Canadians who grew up with the series before hitting it big in Hollywood. Markowitz shares those stories and talks about the recent animated spinoff in a Halloween party episode even "Brucie" -- a copyright-infringing monster The Count was always trying to revive -- would enjoy.
I like my podcast guests to feel comfortable. That's not always possible over a zoom call, but that didn't stop Jennifer Finnigan, currently back for a second season on CBC's comedy-drama Moonshine. For our interview, the Montreal native chose to stay in bed. That is a level of intimacy and/or laziness usually reserved for close friends or relatives so I'm flattered. Really. Besides, Finnigan has been spending long days in production on an already ordered third season of the series, shot on the southern shore of Nova Scotia. Created by Sheri Elwood (Call Me Fitz), Moonshine is about a ramshackle summer resort run by one whacked out family. Finnigan plays Lidia, the prodigal sister who returns from America. When her hippie parents (Peter MacNeill and Corrine Koslo) retire, Lidia gets drawn into a battle with her freaked out siblings for control of the joint. Lidia's life takes a turn when she finds out her lying douche of a hubby was cheating on her. Finnigan's real-life husband Jonathan Silverman stepped right into the part. The couple and their five-year-old daughter moved to Nova Scotia to work on the series. They've been having a blast working on Moonshine with Anastasia Phillips, Emma Hunter, Tom Stevens, Alexander Nunez and others. This season, Allan Hawco plays Lidia's new biker boy. We also talk about Finnigan's past roles, including The Bold and the Beautiful (where she won three daytime Emmys), Crossing Jordan, Tyrant and Salvation. May all future interviews be this relaxed.
With a one-year-old baby at home, Meaghan Rath says that, yes, she is living the joys of her TV series, Children Ruin Everything. The sitcom is now into its second season Monday nights on CTV. The Montreal native confirms that "Mommy Brain" is a real thing but at least her son is sleeping through the night. Meanwhile, she is enjoying year two on the series. Guest stars this season include Kim Coates, Anna Hopkins, and Aaron Ashmore. We go through some of her earlier credits, including her three seasons on Hawaii Five-0 , her work on the BBC horror-comedy Being Human and her stint opposite fellow Canuck Hannah Simone on New Girls. Rath also confirms that, yes, as a young lass, she did once ask her parents for an agent for Christmas. "They were like, we don't know how to get you that." Her first professional gig was the cult classic, "Lost and Delirious" starring Piper Perabo, Mischa Barton and fellow Montrealer Jessica Pare. She was 12 or 13 at the time. "It was a very fun and wild first job." Her favourite all-time TV theme song? Rath breaks with precedent by choosing a great theme from a current series. Check it out on this fun chat with the Children Ruin Everything actress.
Strays star Nicole Power is well known from her five-season stint as Shannon Ross on the CBC comedy Kim's Convenience. Last season, her character was spun off on her own series Strays, where she became manager of a Hamilton animal shelter. On this podcast, besides her own series, she talks all about her latest role on Kim Cattrall's upcoming Netflix drama Glamorous, which is set in the world of the cosmetics industry. Yes, the Newfoundland native has a lot on her plate. Season Two of Strays, airing Tuesdays on CBC, finds Shannon enjoying a little puppy love with a new character named Travis (played by Dennis Andres from Workin' Moms). Power, who has a rescue dog of her own, also talks about growing up down the street from Rick Mercer's parents and the call she got from Rick to congratulate her on Season 2 of Strays. Then there is the comedienne she most admires who was a star decades before Power was even born. Finally, Power sings a line or two from her favourite all-time TV theme song, which is all about "the lady in red when everyone else is wearing tan..."
This 200th episode of brioux.tv: the podcast features a SCTV original who remains one of my favourite people to interview -- Dave Thomas. On this, our third podcast conversation, Thomas talks about his recent trip to Kyiv, a city where drone strikes and missle attacks from Russia have created a living hell for Ukrainians at war.
Thomas talks all about his decision to fly to Ukraine and answer a friend's call to help raise awareness and money for the cause. He was accompanied by a small film crew and ventured into territories invaded and claimed by Russia. On one mission the soldiers he was with helped bring Ukrainian infants and elderly citizens back from enemy hands.
Thomas even found time to check out a Ukrainian comedy club. There were no photos of Yakoff Smirnov on the wall. Thomas is planning a documentary about his 10-day, first hand account.
This is about as far removed as you can get from Thomas' old days spoofing Russian television on SCTV's hilarious "CCCP1" episode. Thomas's goal is to help raise donations for Ukrainian's under fire. Money goes to provide medical aid, training and vehicles for defence. Give now and qualify for a charitable tax receipt. Donate to the Ukrainian Freedom Fund at ukrfreedomfund.org.
Another milestone in Canadian television is reached with the 50th anniversary of the launch of The Beachcombers. Jackson Davies, who played constable Constable through most of the 18-season run as well as two reboot movies in the early 2000's looks back at the iconic series. The CBC drama starred Bruno Gerussi-- who plays Nick Adonidas -- and Pat John -- who played Jesse -- as a pair of adventurous log wranglers working the B.C. coastline. True story: Conan O'Brien, before he became a late night talk show host, was on a visit to Vancouver with writer pal Greg Daniels (who went on to co-create the American version of The Office). The two of them happened upon a Beachcombers episode on the TV in their hotel room. They became so transfixed with John's halting delivery and original TV presence that they tracked him down, and, posing as American producers, paid him a visit! Davies tells that story and many more, including a look back at some of his later credits, including his work on Tom Greene's notorious flick of the '90s, "Freddy Got Fingered."
Eric McCormack's the perfect podcast guest. The Emmy Award-winning Will & Grace star has so many wonderful showbiz stories and is generous when it comes to sharing them. Hear some of them now before he saves them all up for his own podcast -- one of the projects he has on his plate for the new year. Hear the Scarborough, Ont., native on the following: The time he cracked up guest star Gene Wilder to the point they had to shoot a retake on Will & Grace! His upcoming season-long arc on Slasher (Shudder, Hollywood Suite) where he'll play a murderous, turn-of-the-century swine! His plans for a Broadway show based on a hit Michael Douglas/Kathleen Turner movie "The War of the Roses." His stint this summer directing Yannick Bisson and the rest of the cast on an upcoming episode of Murdoch Mysteries! PLUS hear him belt out his favourite all-time TV theme song (hint: the two main character were "Doing it our way...").
Hudson & Rex's two-legged lead, John Reardon, joins Bill Brioux in conversation prior to the start of Season Five. The new season begins Sunday, Sept. 25 on Citytv and it's a big one with 20 new episodes. Guest stars? Road trips? Season Five has both. Murdoch Mysteries fans will spot Daniel Maslany crossing Rex's path. There's also a two-part storyline taking place not in St. John's, where the series is set, but in Northern Ontario. Reardon, a Halifax native, played football for Mt. Allison before venturing into acting. His credits prior to Hudson & Rex include Vancouver productions Continuum and Arctic Air. He even survived an early stint on Trailer Park Boys! It did seem pre-ordained that he would eventually star on Hudson & Rex; he and his wife welcomed their first born -- named Hudson -- just days before he was offered the part. The new season will pick up the will-they or won't they romantic storyline between his detective character Charile and Sarah (Mayko Nguyen). Will they share custody of doggie detective Rex (Diesel vom Burgimwald)? Reardon also talks about the sudden loss last April of Paul Pope, the executive producer who was a major force in the Newfoundland film and TV industry. "It's amazing how many people on the show got their start from Paul," says Reardon. As for John's all-time favourite TV theme song, you kinda had to figure he would pick music from another show about a dog. Listen for that at the end of this episode.
The Canada vs USSR eight game hockey tournament of 1972 galvanized the nation 50 years ago this month. One of the standouts for Team Canada was Montreal Canadiens defenseman Serge Savard. Sixteen million Canadians, out of a nation of 22 million, watched the final game. Here is something I never realized back when I watched the series on TV with my high school pals: Canada never lost a game where Savard was in the lineup. He went 4 wins, one tie. A hairline fracture mid-way in the series kept him out of two losses, and a bad decision by coach Harry Sinden sidelined him for the opening blowout loss. Savard, proud owner of ten Stanley Cup rings, looks back on the series with passion and insight. He hated the politics, but loved the bigger rink in Moscow and wonders how much of an impact a mobile Bobby Orr would have had on that larger ice surface. Also joining me on this episode is author, rocker and documentarian Dave Bidini, the co-writer and co-director of "Summit 72," a four-part documentary premiering Wed., Sept. 14 on CBC and CBC Gem. Come for the drama, stay for cool music Bidini archived and the fully restored and seldom seen 16mm footage of the original series.
Writer-director-showrunner Peter Mitchell snuck me into a couple of episodes of one of his hit shows -- and yet he still talks to me! On this podcast, we have a great conversation about Murdoch Mysteries, back for a 16th season starting September 12 on CBC. We also talk about the other hour-long Canadian TV drama he executive produces for Shaftesbury, Hudson & Rex. Mitchell supervises 24 episodes of Murdoch in Toronto, flies to St. John's, and cracks the whip on another 20 episodes of Rex. Some of his performers literally work like dogs!! So does Mitchell, who took over Murdoch as that series found new life on CBC after five years on Citytv. He opened up the storylines on that whodunnit, taking full advantage of all the historical possibilities (electric cars? Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin? William Shatner as Mark Twain?) and stretching his ensemble well past 200 episodes and beyond. We talk also about other highpoints in his career, which dates back to writing credits on The Campbells as well as Street Legal, Traders, Cold Squad, The Listener and Frankie Drake. He even wrote lines for Mister T on the short-lived Canadian series T and T. I pity the fool who was the showrunner on that series!
Here is one of my most valued interviews: one-on-one with Michael Landon, in his office in Culver City, Calif.
The conversation took place in March of 1991. As you'll hear, Landon is in top form: funny as hell, wise in terms of television and life.
What none of us knew at the time was that he had mere months to live.
On assignment for TV Guide Canada, I flew home to Toronto right after our talk. A few days later, the terrible news broke that Landon had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. By July 1, a little over four months later, the 54-year-old actor-writer-director-producer was dead.
Landon had the rare distinction of starring in three consecutive hit TV shows: Bonanza (1959-'73), Little House on the Prairie ( 1974-'82) and Highway to Heaven (1984-'89). He was shooting a fourth series, US, when I spoke with him, and when we got to Lorne Greene's horsemanship on Bonanza, he had me laughing out loud.
The conversation turns serious towards the end. We talk politics, and Landon voices his disgust at how polarized America had become. He also vents his frustration at political correctness. Landon didn't like where America was headed, and wanted his last series to speak to, "the people along the banks."
Hope you enjoy this visit with Michael Landon, coming to you straight "From The Vault."
I kid you not: there were Tonight Show hosts way before Jimmy Fallon was even born. If you thought late night started with Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, think again. When the Tonight Show premiered nationally on NBC in 1954, Steve Allen was the man behind the desk. I interviewed him 30 years ago, in 1992, about Leno and David Letterman's fight for Carson's late night throne. Five years later, I had a longer one-on-one with the man who succeeded Allen in 1957, Jack Paar. The two men seem like total opposites at first. Allen was a tall, slick, composer-author-performer who was not above wearing a T-bag suit into a dunk tank for laffs. Paar was a touchy, engaging bundle of nerves who once quit in the middle of his own monologue. Still, they also had a lot in common. Both were exceptionally articulate, as you'll hear on these two interviews. They also shared a feeling that television was lacking in taste compared to their Tonight Show years. This is a slice of audible TV history I've never shared before. Please enjoy this latest brioux.tv podcast episode, which comes straight FROM THE VAULT.
Before you say goodnight, Gracie, listen to my decades-old interview straight from the vault with comedy legend George Burns. The conversation was recorded in December of 1985, back when Burns was about to turn 90 and I was a rookie writer with the Canadian edition of TV Guide magazine. The audio was recorded 37 years ago on a Sony cassette tape I've kept among dozens of others dating back to my days at the magazine. I spoke with Burns and his manager, Irving Fein, at the comedians office on a studio lot in Hollywood. We talk about his incredible career spanning vaudeville, radio, television and film, including his nearly 40 year marriage and comedy team partnership with Gracie Allen. He also talks about "these comedy kids today" (Billy Crystal, Bill Cosby, etc) and his Oscar win at 80 for "The Sunshine Boys." He also shares memories of vaudeville pals such as Harpo Marx, hints on diet and exercise (he lived to be 100) and why he only smoked cheap cigars on-stage and off-. Travel back in time and listen to a true Hollywood legend -- as well as George Burns. Out of the vault now at brioux.tv.
Mary Mammoliti -- a home cook and a food blogger with a significant loss of vision -- has no trouble finding her way around the kitchen. She is also very at home in front of a TV camera. The second season of her AMI-tv series, Dish with Mary, just started airing on Tuesday nights and can also be streamed on demand on AMI.ca and the AMI-tv App. Listen as Mary describes how she pivoted from being a financial advisor to a food blogger and eventually a TV chef as her vision became more and more limited. Actually, there's nothing limited about her vision, or her reach, as you'll lean on this podcast. The Toronto resident tells how she copes in the kitchen and how her other senses help her create memorable meals. She also talks about the fellow food enthusiasts from across Canada that she has welcomed as guests on her series. So listen in and dish along with Mary!
We catch up with comedian Ron James as his bestseller, "Ron James All Over the Map," is nominated for the Stephen Leacock Award. If you haven't read it yet, the book is 100 per cent Ron, all in his voice -- 275 pages; four commas! James is also pumped to be performing a rare standup set July 16 at the Avon theatre as part of the Stratford Festival. His post-pandemic schedule also just included a comedy concert swing through British Columbia. Then there's his role on the Nova Scotia-based series "Trapped," which John Doyle of The Globe and Mail recently raved about. All in all, these are peak times for James. We also touch on some serious stuff: the recent passing of so many celebrated comedians such as Bob Saget, Norm MacDonald and Gilbert Gottfried. James also talks about his admiration for comedy legends Billy Connolly and George Carlin. We speculate on what the heck is happening with that SCTV documentary. And then there's his epic choice for all-time favourite TV theme song. Sing along with James on a sweet and lively conversation.
People who work television's morning shift could be forgiven for being a tad grumpy. That's never the case with Tim Bolen, who recently made the leap from co-hosting Morning Live on Hamilton's CHCH to pairing with Dina Pugliese on Citytv's national franchise Breakfast Television.
Add living in Toronto when he was on TV in Hamilton and now living in Hamilton and inching through traffic hell in Toronto and you have basically the seven tasks of Hercules. Or is it a genius move since he's basically commuting to work in the dead of night?
In any event, Bolen seems to bound into work, throwing himself into community events coverage and apron-ing up for hours of egg scrambling. Start your day with Tim and Dina and listen now as he wakes things up as my guest on brioux.tv: the podcast.
After a two year delay, The Amazing Race Canada is finally back on the starting line. Host Jon Montgomery returns and shares his thoughts with Season 8 set to kick off Tuesday, July 5 on CTV. Jon's love of Canada is genuine and infectious as you can hear on this podcast episode. The Olympic gold medalist addresses the challenges in re-mounting Canada's most-popular summer series after a two-year pandemic pause. Jon also talks about some of his favourite teams from past seasons as well as the destinations, both foreign and domestic, he enjoyed visiting the most. This year's Race is, as it was on Season 7, run in Canada only, a wise decision or the ten new teams would probably still be trying to get past customs at Pearson. One thing that hasn't changed is the grand prize money: still a cool quarter million. Plenty of other prizes, too, including cars and flights. Listen in as Jon also tells what TV shows he's currently binging, the series he enjoyed the most as a youngster and his favourite, all-time TV theme song -- which he even sings! It's always a blast catching up with Jon Montgomery.
"Henderson has scored for Canada." Those five words, spoken by radio and TV legend Foster Hewitt, had me and five friends jumping up and down all over my parent's house on September 28, 1972. We had just witnessed history as Team Canada came back to defeat The U.S.S.R. in an eight game hockey summit series that put the Cold War on Ice. This episode, I speak with author, sports commentator and former Toronto Sun colleague Scott Morrison. His new book, "1972: The Series That Changed Hockey Forever," is the A-Z on a dramatic and unforgettable event. Scott spoke with several hockey heroes, including Phil Esposito (who wrote the forward to the book), Paul Henderson, Brad Park, Bobby Clarke, Ken Dryden, Yvan Cournoyer, Ron Ellis and others and answers every lingering question -- including whether or not Pat Stapleton smuggled the winning puck out of Moscow. Come back to September of 1972 in this conversation steeped in nostalgia -- not just for the days of a 14-team NHL but for a nation and a culture where colour TV was still a novelty and bitcoins was what you did to see if coins were real.
Part Three of "Battle of the Network Stars: Executive Division" features CBC Executive Vice President Barbara Williams. Williams, a respected industry veteran who called the shots at Global prior to joining CBC, oversees all of the public broadcaster’s English language programming services. This episode finds her just back from the Banff TV fest and fresh off the news of a long-term deal between CBC and Toronto's historic Massey Hall. CBC also just picked up a Peabody for Sort Of, the Toronto-lensed comedy starring Bilal Baig that returns this fall to CBC and HBO. On the podcast, we walk through several programming decisions with the focus on what's new for 2022-2023. We also talk about the future of Coroner, which ended after four seasons with the departure of lead Serinda Swan. Might it return? And what of Private Eyes? Did CBC make a play for the popular Jason Priestley PI drama unceremoniously jettisoned by Global?