I was looking forward to catching up with my old PR pal Bill Vigars Thursday night in Toronto. The BC-based author was in town to promote his sensational new book, “Terry & Me: The Inside Story of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope” (Sutherland House). Every Canadian household needs this book. It is an essential read
From time to time, Toronto Newstalk 1010’s Jim Richards will ask me and former Toronto Star TV critic Rob Salem to weigh in on the critical issues of the day. Such as: What was a better cartoon kiddie show — Rocky & Bullwinkle or The Flintstones? This searing debate usually is heard Tuesday nights over
As Kevin McGarry says on this episode, the odds seemed stacked against When Calls the Heart lasting into a 10th season. Yet last it has, with the 10th season now streaming on both Super Channel Heart and Home and The Hallmark Channel, An 11th season — shot on an elaborate, turn-of-the-century town set erected on farmland —
For 70 plus years, the third week of September has been the traditional time when new and returning shows flood onto fall TV schedules. This fall, it’s a trickle, with broadcasters making due with prime time versions of daytime game shows, more reality stunt shows and — gasp — scripted fare from Canada. Is it
If you grew up watching such iconic Canadian children’s TV shows as The Friendly Giant, Mr. Dressup, or Passe-Partout, you have until the end of this week to visit with some fondly-remembered friends. On Friday, September 1, the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa is set to close down “From Pepinot to Paw Patrol,” their
You can almost hear Johnny Olsen or Rod Roddy holler, “Bob Barker — come on up!” It was announced on Saturday that Barker, the longtime host of The Price is Right died at his California home. Olsen and Piper, two announcers who predeceased Barker, also enjoyed long runs on the CBS daytime staple. They were
Boston-based cameraman, Bruins fan and eagle-eyed TV history sleuth Kevin Vahey posted a video on Twitter that dovetails nicely with the podcast I have running this week. The YouTube video shows several commercials and “brought-to-you-by” moments from The Flintstones (1960-’66). The modern stone age family was brought to us by Winston cigarettes, as Flintstones‘ producer
Back in 1986, when I was based in Los Angeles while working for TV Guide Canada, I had the good fortune to interview Joe Barbera. I met the Hanna-Barbera Studio chief at his office on Ventura Boulevard. The savvy TV producer/studio head was 75 at the time and had plenty to talk about. He was