August 20, 2012
Arlene Dickinson
Arlene Dickinson is the head of Venture Communications, a marketing company based in Calgary whose clients include Red Rose and Toyota. One of the country's most powerful business leaders, she's worth an estimated $80 million. And, of course, she's known across the nation as a dragon on CBC's Dragons' Den. So how'd she pull it off? The secret may lie in the title of Arlene's book. It's called Persuasion: A New Approach to Changing Minds. It's a guide to how you can influence people, both in business and everyday life. Arlene's also got a new show. (Take that, O'Leary.) The Big Decision follows Arlene and fellow Dragon Jim Treliving, as they debate whether or not to help struggling Canadian business owners keep their companies afloat.
August 20, 2012
Ashley Judd
At a glance, you might think Ashley Judd's life has been one big uninterrupted parade of good fortune: She's beautiful, smart, talented, the daughter of country music royalty (that would be Naomi Judd, who became a legend singing with Ashley's half-sister, Wynonna), articulate, poised... the list goes on. As an actor, she's made her mark in Hollywood fare such as 'Heat', 'Double Jeopardy' and 'Kiss the Girls', and since 2001, she's been married to successful race car driver Dario Franchitti - kinda reads like a fairytale, doesn't it? But, the less publicized side of Ashley's story is one of pain and struggle. Last year, Ashley's memoir, 'All That Is Bitter & Sweet', highlighted a chaotic and lonely childhood, which led to a lifelong struggle with depression. In 2006, she checked herself into a treatment facility, trying to reclaim a more positive state of mind. It may not be a fairytale, but at least there's a happy ending: today, Ashley sustains her happiness by helping others, doing countless hours of humanitarian work (by her count, she's worked with grassroots empowerment programs in 13 countries). Plus, she's never strayed too far from acting - she's set to star in a new TV series 'Missing', about a devoted mother in search of her lost son.
August 20, 2012
George R.R. Martin
Author George R.R. Martin is a game-changer in the world of fantasy fiction. His epic-fantasy book series, 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is massive: twenty-two languages, over fifteen million books sold worldwide, and the basis for the Emmy Award-winning TV series, 'Game of Thrones'. And in 2011, TIME magazine named him as one of the most influential 100 people in the world. His army of worldwide fans are hungry for the 6th installment, but in the meantime Toronto area fans can enjoy costumes, props and weaponry from the TV series at 'Game of Thrones: The Exhibit', March 9-18th at the TIFF Bell Lightbox... and on April 1st, season two of 'Game of Thrones' will premiere on HBO Canada. Fire, blood, war... and three great men. Who will live? And who will die?
August 20, 2012
Plants & Animals
This Montreal trio, comprised of Warren Spicer, Nic Basque and Matthew Woodley, have garnered a lot of praise that includes the Polaris Prize shortlist and a few Juno nods. Ten years into their career, they've transformed from an instrumental group to playing with the likes of The National, Grizzly Bear and Gnarls Barkley. With 'The End Of That,' their third LP, they have honed their sound with a break-up album that you can party to. And this Friday, joined by Canadian folk singer-songwriter Basia Bulat - they'll show us how.
August 21, 2012
Seth Rogen
Hollywood is big on clubs: the Rat Pack, the Brat Back, the Frat Pack. And now there's the comedy crew led by producer Judd Apatow. Guys like Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel - and Seth Rogen. With films such as 'Knocked Up', 'Superbad' and 'Pineapple Express', Seth's at the forefront of a new generation of comedians who are not afraid to tackle humour that's unsentimental, embarrassing and even raunchy. Now, just shy of his 30th birthday, Seth is tackling topics that are not-so-funny. In Canadian director Sarah Polley's 'Take This Waltz', he plays the husband in a marriage set on self-destruct. And his last film, '50/50', is based on his real-life buddy's struggle with cancer. It's about friendship, with a lesson or two on how to survive life's darkest moments.
August 21, 2012
Hugh Jackman
It used to be that in the movies, you had your tough guys, your romantic heroes, and your old-school showmen. Well, Hugh Jackman is all three. Heck, he's a superhero in the acting world who can even save awards shows. Of course, it was Hugh's role as a different kind of superhero, X-Men's Wolverine, that was his big breakthrough, making him an international star. He shines off-screen, too, as an ambassador for World Vision. Hugh's latest movie is called Real Steel'. It's a sci-fi story about robot boxing, but it's also about family, with Hugh playing a father reconnecting to his son as they prepare for the fight of their lives.
August 21, 2012
The Sheepdogs
Okay, so whatever happened to good, greasy southern-fried rock? Bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, singing groovy songs about bikes, bad attitudes and boogie nights? Well, that's the sound of the Sheepdogs. But there was a time when these Saskatoon rockers couldn't catch a break. Then the Sheepdogs entered a contest; beat out 16 other unsigned bands and landed on the cover of Rolling Stone. That led to a record deal, sold-out shows and an EP - it's called 'Five Easy Pieces'.
August 22, 2012
The Dictator
Sacha Baron Cohen has managed to offend just about everyone: from gay-rights groups to the government of Kazakhstan. And with his latest character, Admiral-General Aladeen from the new film The Dictator, he even managed to unsettle Ryan Seacrest, by pouring ashes onto his tuxedo at this year's Academy Awards. But just who is Supreme Leader Aladeen - the fictional tyrant of the fictional north-African country of Wadiya? Well, according to Wadiyan propaganda, Hafaz Aladeen was born in 1973. His mother died in childbirth from an 'oxygen underdose'; his father, the brutal dictator Omar Aladeen, died in a tragic hunting accident (he was hit by 97 bullets and a stray grenade). Aladeen assumed power at age seven - and ever since has ruled Wadiya with an iron fist. He has unlimited oil wealth, and is known for his eccentricities. He recently hosted his own Olympic games, where he won 14 gold medals. In our interview with Sacha, as his Dictator character, we find out what really happened with Ryan Seacrest. And we get Aladeen's thoughts on Canadians, Canadian media and Justin Bieber. Warning: Aladeen can be offensive in just about every way possible.
August 22, 2012
Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Most reporters remember their first big assignment. For Sanjay Gupta, it's hard to forget: he started in the CNN newsroom just weeks before 9/11, and got his first taste of reporting at Ground Zero. Since then, he's become one of the network's most recognizable and trusted faces. But Sanjay's not just a reporter - he's also a well respected neurosurgeon and professor of medicine. Greatness runs in the Gupta family; Sanjay's mom, who emigrated from India, was the first female engineer with the Ford Motor Company. Sanjay was accepted to medical school at 16, and after 10 years of operating on people's spines and brains, took a fellowship in the White House, where he wrote speeches for Hillary Clinton. And today he seesaws between the role of doctor and reporter - sometimes he's both, at the same time. In 2003, he embedded with a U.S. Navy medical unit in Iraq, filing stories and performing brain surgery. His reportage has inspired both criticism and valuable debate: when is it okay for journalists to become participants in their stories? Now CNN's chief medical correspondent has written his first novel. Monday Mornings offers a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on inside a hospital, at the meetings that patients - and the public - aren't invited to.
August 22, 2012
John Irving
Acclaimed literary heavyweight John Irving is a rare thing: a brainy populist, a macho feminist, and a writer who wrestles. He's sold more books than most living American writers, been translated into 35 languages, and had 9 international best sellers... with his daring, unsettling novels that mesh the comic and tragic. He broke through with his 4th novel, 'The World According To Garp' which was turned into a hit movie starring Robin Williams. Other Irving novels that have hit the big screen include 'The Cider House Rules' (which nabbed John an Oscar), 'The Hotel New Hampshire' and 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' - which is today his most widely read book. John continues to tackle the big social issues of the day: his 13th novel, 'In One Person', is the epic story of a bisexual man reflecting on his life - from the 1950s through to the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s - and the unforgettable people he meets.
August 22, 2012
Danielle Duval
What do you get when you throw together a sick Tele, vocals that sound like Joan Jett doing shots with Patti Smith at a dive bar, and some harmonies that harken back to the early days of rock 'n' roll? How about Danielle Duval, a Canadian singer-songwriter whose debut album features musical contributions from The Golden Dogs, Bahamas and Broken Social Scene's Jason Collett. Danielle got some inspiration for her album by touring the Mojave Desert solo, and she'll bring some of that blistering heat and melodic power to the show with a track from 'Of The Valley', her forthcoming full-length record.
August 23, 2012
Kevin Newman
Back in the day, TV news anchors had a pretty traditional and well-defined gig: Put on a suit, sit at a desk, and monologue the news - the newscaster as the "voice of God". Well, for better or worse, our media landscape is shifting, and nobody knows it better than Kevin Newman. Kevin paid his dues as a reporter in Toronto, but he spent years working south of the border, including a few years as a co-host on 'Good Morning America.' Ultimately, Kevin decided to come home. For nine years, he was the anchor for 'Global National,' a job that took him across the country and beyond. These days, not only is he a co-anchor on CTV's 'Question Period,' speaking truth to power on Parliament Hill, he's also CTV's official Digital News Evangelist (yes, that's his actual title) - Basically, Kevin is focused on where news is heading in the 21st century, and the changing ways we tell stories. So, does TV news still matter? Can news be a two-way conversation? And as we witness a changing of the guard, will old media giants be forced to evolve, or get out of the way?
August 23, 2012
Rick Springfield
Back in 1981, Rick Springfield had it all. His song 'Jessie's Girl' about one of the all-time classics themes in rock & roll - unrequited love - was a number-one hit and he was also pulling double duty with a starring role on 'General Hospital.' But Rick wasn't able to fully enjoy his success: A few weeks before 'Jessie's Girl' took off, his father died from cancer. And it wasn't long before the depression that had plagued him since adolescence returned. But with the help of therapy, Rick battled through the depression and carved out a lasting career. Now Rick himself is back in the spotlight with a memoir that reveals some pretty personal details about his self-doubt, marital infidelities and sex addiction. Plus, Rick features in a new documentary, 'An Affair of the Heart', that's all about the intense and long-lasting relationship between Rick and his devoted fans.
August 23, 2012
Cobie Smulders
If you watch 'How I Met Your Mother,' you know that Cobie Smulders' character, Robin, has a secret - some might say shady - past. She was a teenage pop star in Canada, with amazing '80s music videos like "Let's Go to The Mall" and "Sandcastles in the Sand." That's right, when the producers of the show learned Cobie hailed from Vancouver, they decided to make Robin Canadian. And as you may have noticed, she takes a bit of heat for it (remember "The Hoser Hut?"). Growing up in B.C., Cobie fell for the ocean, as B.C.ers tend to do. Like George Costanza, she dreamed of a career in marine biology. But while she was still in high school, Cobie started modeling, eventually turning to acting, and landing parts on shows like 'Smallville' and the ground-breaking drama 'The L-Word.' And soon she'll be kicking ass in the first big popcorn movie of the summer - 'The Avengers.' It's her first ever role in an action movie, and Cobie describes it as "being a woman in a man's world." Cobie plays Agent Maria Hill - one part of a crack hot team just trying to save the world.
August 23, 2012
Measha Brueggergosman
Singing has been a part of Measha's life since soon after she was born. As a child, she started performing in her local Baptist church choir, and started studying voice and piano at the age of seven. Now she makes her living as a soprano, and from her first lead performance at the age of 20 (in a production of George Elliott Clarke and James Rolfe's 'Beatrice Chancy') to singing the Olympic Hymn at the 2010 Winter Games, Measha's taken her powerful voice all over the world. And now she's bringing it to the show ...
August 24, 2012
Adrian Grenier & Tiffany Sudela-Junker
Most people know Adrian Grenier as Vincent Chase, the up-and-coming Hollywood actor at the heart of the TV show 'Entourage'. What they might now know is that Adrian was seriously busy off the 'Entourage' set making documentaries like 'Teenage Paparazzo' and 'Shot in the Dark'. Now Adrian's behind a new documentary called 'My Name Is Faith'. It's the story of Tiffany Sudela-Junker (who is also one of the film's directors). She and her husband adopted two children who had suffered serious neglect and as a result, the kids, especially the older child, Faith, suffered from what's known as Attachment Disorder. Basically, it's an inability to bond. It's a tough, but inspiring, film to watch: A troubling look at kids desperately trying to get better and parents who'll do anything to help their kids.
August 24, 2012
P.K. Subban
Hockey has produced plenty of famous brothers: the Sutters, the Staals, Wayne and Brent Gretzky (Brent played 13 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 90s... hey, it all counts.) Anyway, it looks like there's another family dynasty in the making: the Subbans. PK, Malcolm and Jordan - three brothers who all grew up with a shared dream of playing in the NHL. For PK, it's already a dream fulfilled: a standout defenceman, PK has established himself as one of the bright young stars of the Montreal Canadiens. Later this year, it's expected his brother Malcolm will join him in the NHL; currently, he's the top-ranked draft-eligible goalie in North America. Finally, there's the youngest brother, Jordan, who is already attracting attention from NHL scouts at the age of 17. Not surprisingly, the three exceptional hockey players come from a pretty exceptional family, led by a father who is a champion for public education in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood of Toronto. As the three Subban boys become role models themselves, their story speaks to the values that matter in hockey, and beyond.
August 24, 2012
Enrico Colantoni
There's no denying 'Flashpoint' was huge for Canadian TV. Not only did it bring home long-lost Torontonian Enrico Colantoni, but it also proved that a show set (sorta) in Toronto could make it on American prime time. More importantly, it emphasized the stress of being on the front lines day after day. It was working on the show that got Enrico involved with the Tema Conter Memorial Trust, an organization dedicated to helping first response teams recover from post-traumatic stress disorder. Soon, however, Enrico and the 'Flashpoint' team will be hanging up their jackets: Next season's gonna be their last. What's that going to mean for Enrico? Right now, though, he's mostly relishing his final season on 'Flashpoint', concentrating on his work for Tema Conter and on being a good dad and maybe even being the director in the next chapter of his life.
August 24, 2012
Mother Mother
The five-piece indie rock band hails from Quadra Island and is currently finishing up its fourth album, expected to drop this fall. Their exclusive blend of old and new should not be missed.
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