Strombo | Upcoming Guests - Week of October 17, 2011

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October 17, 2011

Gary Bettman

There's no sense beating around the bush: Canadian hockey fans have always given Gary Bettman a hard time. But if we sometimes come off a little callous, it's only because we care. Since 1993, Gary has served as Commissioner of the NHL, making him one of the most powerful men in hockey, and one of the longest serving Commissioners in professional sports. During his tenure, the NHL has been completely transformed, incorporating new teams, new rules, and new priorities. Now, Gary is once again at the helm at a critical point in hockey history, as the league attempts to deal with head injuries, realignment, and the possibility of further Canadian expansion.

October 17, 2011

Laura Vandervoort

Laura Vandervoort may be #74 on Maxim's Hot 100 list, but this self-described "loner tomboy" spent the better part of high school eating lunch alone. She found solace in her neighbourhood dojo, and by the time she was sixteen, she has a black belt and a budding acting career. She got her start in some classic Canadian productions, like Goosebumps, Harriet the Spy, and Road to Avonlea, but her first big break came in 2004, with a lead role in the hit drama Instant Star. Since then, Laura's been a fixture on the small screen, and has fought hard against being cast in typical "girlfriend" roles. She's found a specialty in playing females who are "out of this world" ... literally. She joined the hit series Smallville in its seventh season, as bad-ass gravity-defying Super Girl. She later traded in her cape for scales to play Lizard Princess Lisa in the remake of the 80s sci-fi classic, V. The series ended its run this past spring, but Laura hasn't lost her reptilian connection completely... She's posing in PETA's new anti exotic-skins campaign. Not your typical "fluffy and snuggly" save the animals stuff Hollywood actors usually opt for. But hey -- she's not a typical Hollywood actress. She's a Canadian. With a black belt.

October 18, 2011

Cory Monteith

Glee draws millions of viewers a week and it's not just because of the songs. Glee is about something real: What it's like to be an outsider trying to find your place. And the show's star, Cory Monteith, can relate. As a teenager, Cory went off the rails, becoming estranged with his dad and stealing money to fuel his drug addiction. Cory's come clean about his past, which is a pretty gutsy move - as is his new film, Sisters & Brothers. In one set of sibling relationships, Cory plays a Hollywood superstar, brought back to reality by his brother. It's a gritty look at how siblings can be your best friends, your worst enemies, and sometimes both.

October 18, 2011

Adrienne Clarkson

In 1942, three-year-old Adrienne Poy and her family emigrated from Hong Kong. They arrived in Ottawa as war refugees, at a time when Canada routinely rejected non-white immigrants. Yet Adrienne says she experienced little difficulty "becoming Canadian." She had support where it mattered most - in the classroom, and at home. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in English and Literature, and went on to have a long and successful career with the CBC, but behind the scenes she dealt with great family loss and sadness. In 1999, she was sworn in as Canada's 26th Governor General. She brought a certain sensitivity and flare to the position, and forged a special connection with the Armed Forces and the Far North. Adrienne has kept busy since leaving Rideau Hall in 2005. She founded the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, and has authored three books. Her most recent offering is called Room For All of Us. It tells the story of eight extraordinary Canadians who, like herself, immigrated to this country and have since helped to transform it.

October 19, 2011

Mira Sorvino

Growing up in New Jersey, Mira didn't think Hollywood was in her future. Her Dad, the great character actor Paul Sorvino, didn't want his daughter to face the harsh rejection and turbulent lifestyle he'd come to know. So Mira went to Harvard for Asian Studies and spent her junior year in Beijing, where she learned Mandarin and wrote an award-wining thesis on racial prejudice. She had her sights set on a diplomatic career in China, but after Tiananmen Square, she convinced herself (and her father) that she should give her second love, acting, a shot. She landed small, but powerful, roles in films like Barcelona and Quiz Show. She caught the attention of Woody Allen, who cast her as the kindhearted but flighty hooker in Mighty Aphrodite. To prepare for her role Mira spent a week walking around New York in character. Her dedication paid off: she won an Oscar for her role. Despite her professional success, it wasn't until she was approached by Amnesty International that Mira truly found her voice. She started speaking out for women's rights, and protesting violence in Darfur. In 2009, she was appointed the UN's Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking, a position she's taken incredibly seriously. She's become a passionate advocate for victims of sexual exploitation, and now balances her activism with motherhood and movies.

October 19, 2011

Ziggy Marley

Imagine being the son of a legend: How do you forge your own path? That was Ziggy Marley's challenge. Growing up as the son of reggae icon Bob Marley, music was a way of life. When he was 11, he and his siblings helped out their dad on the charity single, Children Playing in the Streets. Ziggy was only 12 when his father died, and had to learn to overcome his loss ... and legacy. Ziggy and his siblings continued to make music as the Grammy-award winning group The Melody Makers before he launched his solo career in 2003. He's just released a new album, Wild and Free, a call to arms with songs about social injustice that shows he continues to grow as an artist.

October 20, 2011

Chris Isaak

Listening to Chris Isaak is like travelling back in time. Inspired by guys like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, and Hank Williams, Chris's music is a throwback, without sounding dated. By fusing rockabilly, country, blues, and swing, Chris created something new. In 1990, director David Lynch used Chris's song "Wicked Game" in his movie, Wild at Heart. Later, MTV started playing the video: a romp on the beach featuring supermodel Helena Christensen. The song became a hit, and the video is still regarded as one of the sexiest of all time. Eventually, Chris branched out into acting: In 2001, he made The Chris Isaak Show, a quirky sitcom about a famous musician coping with everyday life. Now, Chris is back with a new album, "Beyond the Sun": Recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis, in the same room where Elvis got his start, it's Chris covering the classics, and paying tribute to his musical heroes.

October 20, 2011

Hon. Bev Oda

Bev Oda, Minister for International Cooperation, was born at a time when Canadians of Japanese heritage were seen as untrustworthy - the assumption was they were more loyal to Japan than to Canada. They faced suspicion, racism, and eventually, internment. Despite the harsh realities of Canadian society in her youth, Bev Oda went on to have a very successful career in both public and private broadcasting. She's even in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. But her most controversial role was yet to come. Oda has been the Minister for International Cooperation for the last four years. Her job is to oversee Canada's international development strategy. She's also responsible for the government's main development funding agency - CIDA. We'll get into some of the criticisms of the strategy and of what's happening at CIDA. And we'll also find out what she thinks is the best vision for Canada's role in the world.