House of Crouse

On the Saturday March 28, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet singer-songwriter and producer Peter Elkas. He’s toured the world as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with the likes of Neko Case, Joel Plaskett, and Andy Kim, released a string of celebrated solo records produced by Don Kerr and Charlie Sexton, and shared stages with everyone from Feist and Nick Lowe to The Doobie Brothers and Bruce Springsteen. Now, “Lion Lion,” originally released on his 2018 EP Lion, is roaring back into focus thanks to an unexpected new chapter. Elkas recently stepped into the acting world, appearing as Ed—the local record store owner—in the 2026 Netflix original series Finding Her Edge. In a perfectly meta twist, the show also features “Lion Lion” in an episode Elkas appears in, with the song landing on Netflix’s official Finding Her Edge playlist. We talk about the resurgence of the song and more! Then, award-winning Iranian Canadian filmmaker Alireza Khatami. His debut feature, Oblivion Verses (2017), premiered at the Venice Film Festival, earning multiple accolades including the Best Screenplay award in that category, the FIPRESCI Prize, and the Interfilm Award. In 2023, he co-directed Terrestrial Verses, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Today we talk about his latest film The Things You Kill, a psychological thriller exploring family dynamics, toxic masculinity, and personal trauma (drawing heavily from his own experiences). It premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance, where he won the Directing Award, and was selected as Canada's official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards and it is now playing in theatres everywhere.

On the Saturday March 21, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Nat Boltt and Miriam Margolyes, the writer director and star of a new, heartwarming dramedy called “Holy Days.” The story, set in 1970s New Zealand and adapted from Joy Cowley's novel, follows a grieving young boy (Elijah Tamati) who joins the nuns on a chaotic journey across the country. They aim to save their convent (or retrieve deeds to it) while dealing with themes of loss, faith, family, and mischief. Nat Boltt is an actress, you may remember from playing Penelope Blossom on the hit show “Riverdale.” She is a writer and director, and “Holy Days” is her first feature. British-Australian acting legend Miriam Margolyes, OBE, is the beloved character actress who's stolen scenes for decades—from Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films and Mrs. Mingott in The Age of Innocence (which earned her a BAFTA) to countless unforgettable turns in Blackadder, Babe and recent projects like the Oscar-nominated short A Friend of Dorothy. Then, we’ll meet David Bouchard, a highly acclaimed Canadian author (of Métis/Ojibway heritage), former teacher and school principal, Order of Canada recipient, and passionate advocate for literacy, Indigenous stories, and cultural understanding. Today we’ll talk about his new book Dreamcatcher: Grandmother's Web.

On the Saturday March 14, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet 8 time Juno nominee Ammote. She recently won Best Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year at the Reggae North Music Awards. Her album Water earned her a JUNO Award nomination as well as Grammy Award consideration and she has shared stages with renowned artists such as Michael Bublé, Sean Paul, Ziggy Marley, Chronixx, Arkells, Brandy and Wyclef Jean. Today Ammoye joins me to talk about being nominated for Reggae Recording of the Year at the 2026 JUNOs for the song “More Reggae (Funk It Up),” her collaboration with powerhouse performer Samora. Then, we get to know Sonya Singh. Following the success of her debut, Sonya returns with “The Fake Matchmaker,” a delightful, trope-rich rom-com with real heart. With sharp humour and irresistible chemistry, the novel delivers a smart, modern take on dating, expectations, and the beautiful messiness of falling for someone at the wrong time. Told through a fun, fizzy rom-com lens, Manisha’s story is also steeped in Indian culture, exploring family dynamics and generational expectations with warmth and wit.

On the Saturday March 7, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet hip-hop artist, motivational speaker, author, and community advocate D.O. Gibson. He set a Guinness World Record for the longest freestyle rap. It’s wild. 8 hours and 45 minutes in 2003 at a Toronto car show, he tours internationally, and has sold tens of thousands of CDs independently, hitting #1 on U.S. college hip-hop radio charts. He runs his own label and does youth-focused work like his "Stay Driven" school tours, illustrated children's books (e.g., "The Story of How Young Duane Gibson"). He's also been recognized as a Top Outstanding Black Canadian and received awards for his impact. His latest single "Learned from the Greatest" is streaming everywhere, and the key tagline from his promo is: “I learned from the greatest — now it's my turn to pass it on.” The song leans into themes of legacy, mentorship, influence, and paying it forward—fitting for an artist who's been in the game for decades and now focuses on inspiring the next generation. Then, we get to know writer, actor, and graphic designer Ann McDougall. Her book A Ghost in the Room - provides a very Canadian history of ghosts and the paranormal by combining intriguing stories from individual museums with her own personal research into how believers, practitioners, and charlatans alike all engage with the spirit world today. She made it her mission to explore as many supernatural activities as possible first-hand! She researches Toronto’s Mackenzie House, the site of a well-documented ghost, the hoax that is nevertheless known to this day as “Canada’s most haunted house,” the first Canadian radio broadcast of a séance in 1936 and travels to a Niagara Falls Casino to see a celebrity TV medium who claims to speak to “the other side” live on stage among many other stories.

On the Saturday February 28, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Elyse Aeryn, a roots-rock singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She spent nearly a decade in the pulp and paper industry—then, in her late 20s, walked away to chase the music that's always burned inside her. Her roots-rock sound fuses Stevie Nicks-inspired soul, with some Alanis, and memorable melodies. Her 2023 debut Joy State of Mind put her on the map with nominations and awards, and now, after overcoming a devastating motorcycle crash in 2025, she's back. Her sophomore album Everybody Loves You... is10 tracks of bold, emotionally resonant rock that features radio-toppers like 'Unstoppable.' Then, Joel Ryan from the indie band School House. After moving in together in 2021, three best friends, Mitchell Jackson, David Campbell and my guest Joel Ryan, discovered their new home was a century-old schoolhouse - inspiring the name of their band School House, and giving them a dedicated space to create. Since then, the group has rapidly gained attention, opening for Canadian music icon Alan Doyle, being named Group of the Year at the 2024 Ottawa Music Awards, and having their debut release awarded Album of the Year by Faces Magazine. The band then secured a coveted spot in the 2024 Mariposa Folk Festival lineup by winning the Artist Showcase - where they were celebrated as “fan favourites” by the festival. In 2025, they further cemented their place as one of Canada’s most exciting acts by winning the Boots and Hearts emerging artist showcase.

On the Saturday February 21, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet artist Michael Townsend. Have you heard about the Netflix movie “Secret Mall Apartment”? It’s the wildly popular story, set in the early two thousands, about a group of eight young artists and friends from Rhode Island who secretly built and lived in a hidden 750-square-foot apartment inside the busy Providence Place Mall in Providence, Rhode Island. They discovered an unused "nowhere space" in the mall's structure, snuck in furniture, tapped into electricity, constructed walls (including smuggling in over 2 tons of cinderblock to build a fortified, lockable entrance), and even furnished it with everyday items like a TV, gaming system, books, and couches—all while filming much of the process themselves. They lived there undetected for four years (until 2007), when they were eventually caught and charged with trespassing. Then, Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol of “Nirvanna The Band The Show The Movie.” The movie, which blends footage from the 2007–2009 web series of the same name, begins with unemployed musicians Matt and Jay (Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol) hatching a plan to land a gig at the legendary Rivoli on Queen Street West in Toronto. Without contacting the club, writing any songs or practising, they decide to parachute off the CN Tower into the Skydome during a baseball game to announce the show in front of a stunned crowd. What could go wrong? Well, lots. No spoilers here, but when their skydiving stunt doesn’t get them the Rivoli gig, they (along with their camera guy Jared Raab) find themselves accidentally traveling back to the year 2008, and struggling to find a way back to the future.

On the special Valentine’s Day edition of The Richard Crouse Show on Saturday February 14, 2026 we’ll meet Heather Hendrie, the editor of a brand new (hilarious) anthology of non-fiction stories about sex and relationships entitled “Pillow Talk - An Awfully Hilarious Anthology!” Heather is a nature-based therapist and clinical counsellor based in Whistler, British Columbia and she founded the Awfully Hilarious Project to end shame, uplift women’s health and destigmatize mental health. Her two previous Awfully Hilarious anthologies, “Stories We Never Tell” (2023) and “Period Pieces” (2024) were both Canadian Book Club Awards winners. Then we meet Shelley Saywell. As an acclaimed Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker known for tackling tough global issues like human rights, conflict, and women's stories in war zones, her new memoir “If Only Love: A Memoir of Second Chances” marks a deeply personal shift—exploring first love, long separation, a miraculous reunion via email after 30 years, profound joy, devastating grief, and the enduring power of love amid her high-stakes career.

On the Saturday February 7, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll spend some time with JUNO-winning Canadian jazz vocalist, pianist, singer-songwriter, and CBC Music host (Saturday Night Jazz). She is Grammy nominated in the category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for her holiday album “Wintersongs” and joins me today top talk about the album and how the nomination changed her life. Then we’ll meet critically acclaimed Canadian author Lindsay Wong. Her bestselling, award-winning memoir “The Woo-Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family,” a Canada Reads finalist and Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize winner, established her literary reputation for sharp wit, dark humor, and unflinching exploration of Chinese Canadian identity. Today we’ll talk about her highly anticipated debut adult novel, “Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies,” a wickedly funny, genre-bending blend of horror, dark comedy, and folk magic. Drawing on ancient Chinese traditions like corpse marriage and villain hitting, we’ll explain both of those in the interview, it follows a broke, ambitious young woman haunted by her powerful witch grandmother and an undead sister, delivering a subversive takedown of class struggle, the model minority myth, patriarchy, and the murderous cost of simply trying to survive. Praised as "extraordinarily imaginative and darkly hilarious" and a "chilling masterclass in fiction," this book cements Lindsay as one of the most provocative voices in contemporary literary horror.

On the Saturday January 31, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Mark Critch. For twenty-three years he has starred on CBC’s popular political satire show “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.” He adapted his first book, “Son of a Critch,” into a hit TV series, co-staring movie legend Malcolm McDowell, and airing on the CBC in Canada and Netflix in the United States. Today we talk about his latest book, “Sorry, Not Sorry.” In the book, which is available now wherever fine books are sold, Mark delves into the heart of what it means to be Canadian at a time when national pride is on the rise. He examines everything from the historical decision of Newfoundland to join Canada, to the modern-day implications of the Freedom Convoy, the evolving symbolism of the Canadian flag, and of the many reasons Canada is worth fighting for. Then, we have a look at the incredible career of Simon Franglen. His credits include four of the list of top grossing films and six of the list of best-selling albums of all time. He began his career as a synthesizer programmer for Trevor Horn (working with acts like Frankie Goes to Hollywood), moved into composing famous jingles for big products, and became a top LA session musician/producer in the '90s, contributing to massive hits with artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Madonna, and more. He won a Grammy for Record of the Year as producer on Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic, directed by James Cameron. He worked with the late James Horner as an arranger/producer on films like “Avatar,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and others, before fully scoring “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Today we talk about his work, from Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s dancefloor anthems to Avatar’s lush, habitable moon, Pandora.

On the Saturday January 24, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet musician, songwriter, and director Gerald Casale. Best known as a co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and bassist of band DEVO. He was a key creative force behind DEVO’s satirical, art-driven sound and aesthetic, contributing to hits like “Whip It” and directing many of their innovative music videos. His work is deeply influenced by his experiences as an art student at Kent State University during the 1970 May 4th massacre, which shaped his views on societal devolution, a core theme in DEVO’s music. Today we talk about evolution of a band famous for singing about devolution. Then, we’ll meet singer and songwriter Aiyana-Lee. Anyone who saw the Spike Lee, Denzel Washington film “Highest 2 Lowest” will remember her stunning film debut singing the title song, which she wrote, at the end of the film. She has an incredible story. She grew up surrounded by music, with family ties to Motown legends like grandfather Jimmy Ruffin and uncle David Ruffin of The Temptations, moved to LA at 15, where she faced industry challenges being taken seriously as a writer, and building a music career with millions of streams, and praise from figures like Elton John.

On the Saturday January 17, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse we’ll meet author Joe Hill. His bestselling novels & short stories have inspired hit adaptations like “Locke & Key,” “Horns,” and “The Black Phone,” as well as “In the Tall Grass” (which he adapted for film and co-wrote the novella of with his father Stephen King.) Today we’ll talk about “King Sorrow,” a genre-bending horror epic that spans 25 years. It follows six college friends who summon a dragon using a book bound in human skin. Each year, they must choose a sacrifice—or become one. Then we spend time with Louise Pitre. Often hailed as Canada’s first lady of musical theatre, she is a Tony-nominated actress renowned for her powerful performances on Broadway and across North America and Europe. Best known for originating the role of Donna Sheridan in “Mamma Mia!,” she has also played Fantine in “Les Misérables” and Edith Piaf in “The Angel & the Sparrow” among many others. Today we talk about herb latest work, “Kimberly Akimbo,” the Tony Award-winning musical about a bright but physically aging teenage girl with a rare genetic condition, similar to progeria, who navigates a dysfunctional family, first love, and the challenges of finding happiness and connection despite her unique circumstances and limited time.

On the Saturday January 10, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Jason McCoy and Clayton Bellamy of the Juno Award winning band The Roadhammers. They're gearing up for the "Till The Wheels Fall Off" coast-to-coast Canadian tour with Doc Walker tied to new singles "Dirty Hands Clean Money" and the upcoming "Till The Wheels Fall Off" featuring Ian Thornley and Tyler Connolly. Then we get to know two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour Terry Fallis. He stops by to talk about his tenth novel, "The Marionette," a comic thriller about a bestselling thriller author who gets recruited by CSIS to go undercover in Mali amid a coup. We’ll also meet Dr. Jennifer Ingram MD, one of Canada's top Geriatricians the founder of the Kawartha Centre, and now the director of a documentary called "No More Silent Battles," which will make its world premiere at the ReFrame Film Festival in Peterborough on January 31st. Finally, we’ll meet award-winning placemaker, urban planning lecturer, and writer Jay Pitter. The foundational declaration of her new book, "Black Public Joy," is a radical rejection of the trauma and resistance narratives that have long anchored Black cultural representation, instead, she creates a new and deeply uplifting framework that is centered on Black people’s public expressions of joy.

On the January 3, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Canadian author, speaker, and productivity consultant Chris Bailey. Over the past decade, he’s built a devoted international following through his newsletter and podcast (~1M downloads) and has delivered hundreds of talks and consultations for clients including Microsoft, Zipcar, IDEO, Intuit, and The New York Times Content Studio. In “Intentional,” he argues that intentionality, not intensity, is the real key to following through. Through this shift, he offers a counterintuitive, refreshing alternative to our culture’s all-or-nothing approach to productivity. Then we get to know Julie Daniluk is a registered holistic nutritionist, TV host, and bestselling author of “Meals That Heal Inflammation” (with a revised edition featuring over 110 recipes). The book focuses on reducing chronic inflammation through diet, exploring its root causes, identifying food triggers, and providing delicious, healing recipes. Then Victoria Hetherington, novelist, nonfiction writer, NPR's The Moth storyteller, educator and author of “The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship” stops by. A deeply personal blend of memoir, cultural criticism, and investigative journalism examining loneliness, AI companions (like Replika), commodified intimacy, and the blurring lines between human and machine relationships it’s available now wherever fine books are sold. Finally, historian, award-winning educator, and commentator J.D.M. Stewart drops in to talk about his latest book, “The Prime Ministers: Canada’s Leaders and the Nation They Shaped.” It is the first comprehensive chronicle of all Canadian prime ministers in over 25 years, covering from Sir John A. Macdonald to the current one (Mark Carney in the book's timeline). It emphasizes fresh perspectives on Indigenous relations, environmental policies, U.S. ties, and evolving reputations, while aiming to make history accessible amid concerns about young Canadians' knowledge gaps.

On the December 27, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet firector James House and producer Caroline Sciama of “Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar,” a compelling three-part docuseries that reexamines Taylor’s life through a modern lens, highlighting her evolution from child star under MGM’s control to a trailblazing activist, businesswoman, and feminist icon. It features exclusive interviews with Taylor’s son Chris Wilding, granddaughter Naomi Wilding, and stars like Sharon Stone, Joan Collins, and Paris Jackson, alongside rare archival audio and can be seen on Hollywood Suite. Then, we meet Atom Egoyan and Amanda Seyfried of the new film “Seven Veils.” In this a new psychological thriller, now playing in theatres, Seyfried is Jeanine, a director dealing with repressed trauma as she mounts a production of her mentor’s most famous work, the opera “Salome.” Rich with metaphor and suspense “Seven Veils” is an intellectual thriller about art imitating life. Finally, we’ll meet Keira Jang, star of “Can I Get A Witness?” a Canadian eco-sci fi/coming-of-age film now on streaming sevices. It’s set in a future where climate change and world poverty have been eradicated. To mitigate these modern-day issues, travel and technology are banned and every citizen must end life at 50. Documenting the process are artists as witnesses, like the character Kiera plays, a teenager on her first day on the job.

On the Saturday December 20, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet author Joe Hill. His bestselling novels & short stories have inspired hit adaptations like “Locke & Key,” “Horns,” and “The Black Phone,” as well as “In the Tall Grass” (which he adapted for film and co-wrote the novella of with his father Stephen King.) Today we’ll talk about “King Sorrow,” a genre-bending horror epic that spans 25 years. It follows six college friends who summon a dragon using a book bound in human skin. Each year, they must choose a sacrifice—or become one. Then we get to know Jen Viens. They work in both film and theatre across Canada. When Jen is not wearing one of their many hats on set or on stage, they coach actors of all ages and keep productions safe and creative as an Intimacy Coordinator. Then we spend some time with Will Arnett. The Canadian born actor, comedian, and producer is known for his voice roles, particularly as the title character in the Netflix series BoJack Horseman and as Batman in “The Lego Movie” franchise. He is also famous for his live-action roles, most notably G.O.B. Bluth in “Arrested Development.” He is also the host for the US version of “LEGO Masters.” He has been Primetime Emmy Award-nominated for “Arrested Development,” “30 Rock,” and “BoJack Horseman.” Since 2020, he has hosted the Fox reality series Lego Masters. Arnett began co-hosting the comedy podcast “SmartLess” alongside Sean Hayes and Jason Bateman. Today we talk about his new film “Is This Thing On?” In the film, which is already getting Oscar buzz, he plays Alex, who, after many years with Tess, played by Laura Dern, reach an amicable end to their marriage. As they figure out how to live separately while raising two boys and maintaining their friendships, Alex discovers stand up comedy and, in the process, learns more about himself and his relationship.

On the Saturday December 13, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show spend some time with Mark Critch. For twenty-three years he has starred on CBC’s popular political satire show “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.” He adapted his first book, “Son of a Critch,” into a hit TV series, co-staring movie legend Malcolm McDowell, and airing on the CBC in Canada and Netflix in the United States. Today we talk about his latest book, “Sorry, Not Sorry.” In the book, which is available now wherever fine books are sold, Mark delves into the heart of what it means to be Canadian at a time when national pride is on the rise. He examines everything from the historical decision of Newfoundland to join Canada, to the modern-day implications of the Freedom Convoy, the evolving symbolism of the Canadian flag, and of the many reasons Canada is worth fighting for. Then: Eric McCormack, you know him as Will Truman of the TV series Will & Grace, a role that won him won a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy Award stops by to talk about his new Hollywood Suite show “Hell Motel.” On the creep new show, 10 true crime obsessives are invited to the opening weekend of the newly renovated Cold River Motel, the site of a 30-year-old unsolved Satanic Mass Murder. History repeats itself when the guests get start getting knocked off one by one. Eric plays Hemmingway, a chef with a wickedly sinister flair. In this interview we talk about Hell Motel, and how to play dead on camera. Finally, we’ll meet singer and actor Maggie Lacasse who is bring a brand new, edgier interpretation of the character Killer Queen to the new Mirvish production of “We Will Rock You.”

On the Saturday December 6, 2025 episode of The Richard Crouse Show we get to know WWE Superstar Natalya “Nattie” Neidhart. In her new book, “The Last Hart Beating,” now available wherever you buy fine books, the longest-serving female wrestler in WWE history—invites readers inside her extraordinary journey, from her upbringing in the legendary Hart family home through her more than two decades in wrestling. In the book she writes about her chaotic childhood in the boom-and-bust world of professional wrestling, including her family’s brush with homelessness, her father’s battles with addiction, and how they shaped her, her front-row seat to the rise of women’s wrestling and the resilience it took to thrive as a female wrestler at a time when what you looked like on screen was more important than how talented you were between the ropes and much more. Then we meet Josh Levine. His new book,“Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Good: The Inside Story of Larry David’s Masterpieces,” is a detailed exploration of Larry David’s comedic legacy, focusing on his groundbreaking work in television. It delves into his creative process, highlighting how his irreverent humor and knack for turning social awkwardness into comedy gold revolutionized sitcoms. It’s a must-read for fans wanting to understand the man who made “nothing” the funniest thing on TV.

On the Saturday November 29, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet musician, composer, performer, author, professor, and tech innovator Paul Hoffert. In 1969, Hoffert co-founded Lighthouse with drummer Skip Prokop, creating Canada's first 13-piece rock orchestra blending rock, jazz horns, and strings. Hits like "One Fine Morning" (#24 US, #2 Canada) propelled millions of records sold, three Juno Awards, world tours, and openers for Duke Ellington. Hoffert played keys/vibraphone and arranged until 1974; the band reunited in 1992 and continues today. Today we’ll talk about the release of “One Fine Morning (Anniversary Edition),” which is now available on limited edition three-colour-splatter vinyl, sun/moon vinyl, double CD and digitally. This is the first-ever fully remixed, remastered and expanded edition of the platinum-selling band’s breakthrough 1971 release. Then, we meet filmmaker Tasha Hubbard. Based on her own documentary Birth of a Family, her movie “Meadowlarks,” in theatres now, stars top Indigenous actors Michael Greyeyes, Carmen Moore, Alex Rice and Michelle Thrush as four Cree siblings, separated since childhood and now in their fifties, who agree to meet for the first time over a holiday weekend in Banff. The siblings were part of the 60s Scoop (1951-1991), seized by the government and placed in non-Indigenous homes.

On the Saturday November 22, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Eric Smith, veteran sportscaster and the long-time radio voice of the Toronto Raptors. Known for his insightful commentary and deep connection to the Raptors’ journey, Smith brings a unique perspective to basketball broadcasting. As co-author of “We the Raptors: Thirty Players, Thirty Stories, Thirty Years,” he combines his courtside expertise with storytelling to chronicle the franchise’s history through the voices of its players, capturing the heart of Canada’s only NBA team. Then we meet Ed Conroy. A Toronto-based cultural historian, writer, producer, archivist and vintage video sleuth, he is the founder of Retrontario.com and his pieces on Canadian pop-culture and history have appeared in The Toronto Star, Toronto Life, blogTO, and many other places. His latest project is “Imagination: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids' TV,” a comprehensive look back at fifty years of children’s television that shaped our young lives. From the beloved — “Polka Dot Door,” and “Today’s Special” — to the bizarre — “Kiddo the Clown” and “Maniac Mansion,” ImagiNation is a memory-filled trip for anyone who spent their weekdays after school or Saturday mornings staring at the electric babysitter.

On the Saturday November 15, 2025 episode of The Richard Crouse Show we meet award-winning Canadian journalist and TSN Senior Correspondent Rick Westhead. He is known for fearless investigative reporting that shapes national conversations in sports and sports business. With more than two decades of experience, his work has earned two Canadian Sports Writer of the Year titles, six Canadian Screen Awards, and the 2023 Arnold Amber Award for Investigative Journalism. In 2025, The Hockey News named him among the 100 People of Power and Influence in hockey. Formerly a foreign correspondent for the Toronto Star, Westhead has reported from Afghanistan, China, and Saudi Arabia. His in-depth investigations explore complex issues affecting athletes and sports organizations, earning him respect as one of Canada’s leading voices in journalism. Today we talk about his latest project, A hard hitting and powerful look at hockey's moment of reckoning in Canada and the ways in which the game that is so universally loved has been rocked in recent years by court cases involving sexual assault and startling incidents of hazing and abuse throughout junior hockey. Then, we get to know Joss Richard. She is an Emmy-winning podcaster as the host and creator of the podcast Three's Company, Too: A Rewatch Podcast, an editorial & social director who’s worked at companies such as Hello Sunshine and Reese’s Book Club, The Walt Disney Company, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Netflix, and Paramount. Today we’ll talk about her debut novel, “It’s Different This Time,” a second-chance romance that sees a twist of fate forces two former roommates to move back into their beloved New York City brownstone where they must confront the events that led to their estrangement—and the unresolved feelings lingering between them.

On the Saturday November 8, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet John Irving, an American-Canadian novelist and screenwriter. He achieved critical and popular acclaim after the international success of the 1978 novel “The World According to Garp.” He is an Academy Award winner whose other work includes “The Cider House Rules,” “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “Avenue of Mysteries.” Today we talk about his new novel “Queen Ester.” Then we get to know celebrated actress, writer, and musician Elizabeth McGovern. You have seen her in her Academy Award-nominated role in “Ragtime,” and in iconic films like “Ordinary People” and “Once Upon a Time in America.” Her portrayal of Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, helped make “Downton Abbey” a global phenomenon. Today we’re talking about “Ava: The Secret Conversations,” which she wrote and stars in as Hollywood icon Ava Gardner. It is a poignant play about Hollywood legend Ava Gardner, which she’s brought to life in London, New York, Chicago and now in Toronto at the CAA Theatre in Toronto.

RICHARD LINKLATER + NATALIE MACMASTER + LINDEN MACINTYRE by Richard Crouse

On a special Halloween edition of The Richard Crouse Show I’ll have a look at a list of Canadian horror films that are scarier than the Frankenstein Burger King on Clifton Hill. I’ll tell you about a 3D archaeologist, a werewolf movie that reinvents the genre, the first slasher flick, a vocal virus, Canuck zombies and much more.

On the Saturday October 18, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Billy Corben. He is a documentary filmmaker from Miami, whose documentaries have covered everything from religious hypocrisy, baseball doping, drug running and other controversial topics. His latest film, “Canceled: The Paula Deen Story” traces the history of celebrity chef Paula Deen and reconsiders the scandal that exploded her multi-million dollar empire. Then, Sloan is one of Canada’s most enduring and influential rock bands, blending infectious power pop with sharp alternative rock since 1991. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band—Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott—stands apart for their rare, democratic approach, with all four members writing and singing. Their landmark album Twice Removed is consistently ranked among the greatest Canadian records, and their catalog of hook-laden anthems and harmonies has earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase worldwide. With an unstoppable live show and decades of hits, Sloan continues to define and defy the sound of modern rock. Today the band’s guitarist Jay Ferguson joins me to talk about their fourteenth studio album, “Based on the Best Seller,” which is available now wherever you buy fine music.

On the Saturday October 11, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Canadian astronaut, author, and musician Chris Hadfield. . A former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, he flew three space missions, including commanding the International Space Station during Expedition 35 in 2013. Hadfield gained widespread acclaim for his viral videos, including a cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity filmed in space. A bestselling author, his works include the memoir An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth and the Cold War thriller series The Apollo Murders, culminating in Final Orbit (2024), which is an edge-of-your-seat thriller about China's secret role in the 1970s Space Race between the US and the USSR. Then, we’ll meet celebrated Newfoundland-born musician, actor, author, and cultural ambassador Alan Doyle. Best known as the lead singer of the iconic folk-rock band Great Big Sea, today we’ll be talking about his two most recent projects, a stage musical called “Tell Tale Harbour,” which is making its Toronto debut at the Royal Alexandra Theatre after a smash-hit sell-out run at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, PEI. Based on the screenplay The Grand Seduction by Ken Scott, it’s the story of a small but proud Newfoundland harbour eager to keep its community together. We’ll also talk about his latest, wildly entertaining and informative book, “The Smiling Land,” a celebration of Newfoundland—both its storied past and its ever-vibrant present.

On the Saturday October 4, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Paul Myers is a Canadian writer and musician living in Berkeley, California. He’s written extensively about music, including books like the critically acclaimed “A Wizard a True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio;” “It Ain’t Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues;” and “Barenaked Ladies: Public Stunts, Private Stories.” If you’re a comedy fan, you may have read “The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy,” which was the source for the Canadian Screen Award-winning documentary “The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks from Amazon Studios.” His latest book, available now wherever you buy fine books, is “John Candy: A Life in Comedy. Finally, Sloan is one of Canada’s most enduring and influential rock bands, blending infectious power pop with sharp alternative rock since 1991. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band—Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott—stands apart for their rare, democratic approach, with all four members writing and singing. Their landmark album Twice Removed is consistently ranked among the greatest Canadian records, and their catalog of hook-laden anthems and harmonies has earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase worldwide. With an unstoppable live show and decades of hits, Sloan continues to define and defy the sound of modern rock. Today the band’s guitarist Jay Ferguson joins me to talk about their fourteenth studio album, “Based on the Best Seller,” which is available now wherever you buy fine music.

On the Saturday October 4, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Paul Myers is a Canadian writer and musician living in Berkeley, California. He’s written extensively about music, including books like the critically acclaimed “A Wizard a True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio;” “It Ain’t Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues;” and “Barenaked Ladies: Public Stunts, Private Stories.” If you’re a comedy fan, you may have read “The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy,” which was the source for the Canadian Screen Award-winning documentary “The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks from Amazon Studios.” His latest book, available now wherever you buy fine books, is “John Candy: A Life in Comedy.” Then, actor musician Donna Garner stops by. Her company Garner Theatre Productions is currently working with Mirvish Productions, on a staging of the Tony-nominated “Bright Star,” a musical, set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, it tells a story of love and redemption inspired by the Iron Mountain Baby story. The bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell will be performed by an all-Canadian cast. Finally, Sloan is one of Canada’s most enduring and influential rock bands, blending infectious power pop with sharp alternative rock since 1991. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band—Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott—stands apart for their rare, democratic approach, with all four members writing and singing. Their landmark album Twice Removed is consistently ranked among the greatest Canadian records, and their catalog of hook-laden anthems and harmonies has earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase worldwide. With an unstoppable live show and decades of hits, Sloan continues to define and defy the sound of modern rock. Today the band’s guitarist Jay Ferguson joins me to talk about their fourteenth studio album, “Based on the Best Seller,” which is available now wherever you buy fine music.

On the Saturday September 27, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet actress Kim Roberts. She is s a distinguished Canadian actress with over 200 credits in film, television, theater, and voice acting. Born in Toronto to Caribbean parents, she began performing at age seven and is best known for roles like Mayor Goodway in PAW Patrol, Christine in The Handmaid's Tale, and Marnie in Schitt's Creek. A co-founder of Obsidian Theatre Company, she has worked alongside luminaries like Steven Spielberg and Robin Williams, earning accolades such as the 1996 Harold Award and the 2014 Reelworld Trailblazer Award. Then, we get to know Canadian actress, comedian, and musician Lauren Ash. Best known for her role as the no-nonsense Dina Fox on the NBC sitcom Superstore, Ash has also made her mark in films like Lars and the Real Girl and voiced characters such as Scorpia in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. A Second City Toronto and Chicago alumna, she’s a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner for Best Female Improviser and co-hosts the popular podcast True Crime and Cocktails. In 2023, she launched a music career, and today we talk about “Call Me When You Get This,” her gut-punching, emotionally charged pop-punk debut album.

On the Saturday September 20, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet musician, songwriter, and director Gerald Casale. Best known as a co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and bassist of band DEVO. He was a key creative force behind DEVO’s satirical, art-driven sound and aesthetic, contributing to hits like “Whip It” and directing many of their innovative music videos. His work is deeply influenced by his experiences as an art student at Kent State University during the 1970 May 4th massacre, which shaped his views on societal devolution, a core theme in DEVO’s music. Today we talk about evolution of a band famous for singing about devolution. Then, we spend time with actor, director, producer, screenwriter and political activist Rob Reiner. He starred on the classic sitcom “All in the Family,” directed the coming-of-age drama "Stand by Me," the romantic fantasy "The Princess Bride," and the rom-com classic "When Harry Met Sally," and his company Castle Rock Entertainment produced hits like "Seinfeld and "The Shawshank Redemption." Today we talk about the classic “Spinal Tap,” which he directed and starred in, the new sequel “Spinal Tap: The End Continues” and his new book, “A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap.” Then actor Rade Šerbedžija stops by to talk about "Rise of the Raven," a 10-part historical epic series about Hungarian commander János Hunyadi’s battles against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, and tell a grewat story about working with Maggie Smith.