House of Crouse

On the Saturday August 10, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Clare Titley, director of “The Contestant,” a feature doc, now available on Hollywood Suite On Demand. Narrated by Fred Armisen, it is an intimate portrait of Tomoaki Hamatsu, a Japanese reality TV star, nicknamed Nasubi, left naked in a room for more than a year and tasked with entering contests to earn food and clothing, while, unknown to him, millions of television viewers all over Japan watched his every move. The show turned him into an unwitting superstar, but at what cost? Then we’ll get to know Jonathan Torrens. You know him from Taggart and Torrens, the podcast with 4 million downloads he does with Jeremy Taggart, and his work on shows like “Street Cents” and his talk show “Jonovision” and, of course, his legendary performance as rapper J-Roc on the “Trailer Park Boys.” Today we talk about his latest project, the Truro, Nova Scotia based production company Canadian Content Studios and his new show “Roll With It.”

On the Saturday July 27, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we get to know Sunthar V. He is a Tamil Canadian comedian, presenter and writer who has performed on stages across the world including Toronto, New York, Chennai and London. Born in Toronto, Sunthar has been captivating audiences since 2019 with his distinctive humor and perspective. As an openly queer Tamil comedian, Sunthar’s comedy stems from his unique blend of life experiences and perspectives. Then, we’ll meet writer and stop-motion animator Marcus Kliewer. His debut novel “We Used to Live Here” began life as a serialized short story on Reddit, where it won the Scariest Story of 2021 award on the NoSleep forum (eighteen million members). Film rights were snapped up by Netflix, and it was acquired by Simon & Schuster in the US for publication even before it had been extended into a full-length novel. Film rights for his second book, which will be based on an unpublished story called The Caretaker, have been sold to Universal, with Sydney Sweeney attached to star.

I go to the vault to hear a vintage interview I did with Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman. We don’t talk superheroes, instead, the actor gets personal, talking about the projects that worked, the ones that didn’t and what drives him. “When I started acting I was the dunce of the class,” he says.

On the Saturday July 27, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Natalie Shaw who stars as Cady Heron in the touring, musical production of the show that touches down in Toronto at The Royal Alexandra Theatre from July 30 - August 25, 2024. You remember the story… Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. Then, we’ll meet three-time Academy Award nominee for Best Actor Viggo Mortensen. From his film debut in 1985’s “Witness” to the “Lord of the Rings” movies that made him a superstar to his more recent work, like the Oscar winning “Green Book,” he has been a constant, welcome presence on screens for 40 years. Joins me today as the writer, director, star, and composer of “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” a great new Western now available on all major platforms for Digital Purchase and Digital Rental. Then, we’ll meet Willie Poll. She is the director of education for the Moose Hide Campaign, an organization focused on ending violence against women and children. But today we’re here to talk about her new book for children, “My Little Ogichidaa: An Indigenous Lullaby.”

On the Saturday Saturday July 20, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show, we meet English-Canadian alternative comedian James Mullinger. Though primarily a stand-up comic, Mullinger has held a number of roles in other media including a presenter of Blimey! An Englishman in Atlantic Canada, co-writer and co-producer of The Comedian's Guide to Survival. In 2022, he published his memoir, Brit Happens: Or Living the Canadian Dream, with Goose Lane Editions. In 2016, Mullinger broke Jerry Seinfeld's record ticket sales at Harbour Station and outsold performances including Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, and Snoop Dogg. We’ll also get to know Gareth Reynolds. He’s a stand-up comedian, a podcaster with three very popular shows, The Dollop, which is a weekly comedy/ history podcast, with co-host Dave Anthony and The Past Times, a totally different weekly comedy/history podcast, with co-host Dave Anthony and We’re Here to Help, a bi-weekly advice podcast, with co-host Jake Johnson. He’s written for shows like Arrested Development and he joins me today. We’ll also spend some time with comedian Ronny Chieng. You know him as a senior correspondent on "The Daily Show," the star of Ronny Chieng Takes Chinatown, one of the stars of “Crazy Rich Asians” and the blockbuster “M3GAN,” and as one of the most I demand comedians out there. Today we’ll talk about why he waited until he was in university to give stand-up comedy a try and why he says, “I’m still trying to figure out if I am funny,” despite selling out theatres across the world.

Welcome to the Saturday July 13, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse. On this episode we’ll meet New York Times bestselling author of The Authenticity Project, Clare Pooley. After working in advertising for twenty years it dawned on her that her daily ‘wine o’clock’ habit was out of control. She wrote the popular "Mummy was a Secret Drinker" blog and a memoir, "The Sober Diaries," published in 2017 to critical acclaim. Her latest book is “How to Age Disgracefully,” the story of a senior citizen with a shady past who bands together with her friends to save their beloved community center from closure by any means necessary. Then, we’ll meet Larry Gaudet, an award-winning novelist and writer of imaginative non-fiction. His corporate work over 25+ years spans branding, disinformation analysis, venture financing, IPOs, speechwriting, investor relations, and marketing strategy. The sum total of his experience is captured in his latest book, a novel called Eris, in which an anarchist online group sets out to assassinate the corporate elites they believe have turned culture into a digital nightmare.

On the Saturday July 6, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Amanda Marshall. You know the name, but could be forgiven if you wondered what happened to her. After hits like her 1996 single, "Birmingham", which reached number 3 in Canada and charted on the US, and diamond and certified 3× platinum albums, she disappeared from the charts and the music scene for more than 20 years. She says the legal battle with her former manager that kept her away from the spotlight for two decades “turned out to be the very best thing that ever happened to me.” We’ll find out why in this interview. Then, we’ll meet K.L. Armstrong is a pseudonym for bestselling author Kelley Armstrong. She has written over 40 books, including the bestselling young adult series the Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising, the YA book Aftermath, the middle-grade novel A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying and the adult thriller Alone in the Wild. Today we’ll talk about how and why she is so prolific, and her newest novel, Known To The Victim, a heartstopping, propulsive, race-against-the-clock thriller that asks a simple question, How far will you go to protect the only family you have?

On a very special Quirky Canada Travel edition of The Richard Crouse Show, we play travel agent, and suggest some cool roadside attractions to check out as you travel around this great country of ours this summer. You’ll hear about the monetary magnificence of the Giant $2 Coin in Campbellford, Ontario, the mysteries of Magnetic Hill in New Brunswick, the World’s Largest Kielbassa Sausage in Mundare, Alberta and we’ll boldly go where… well many have gone before… as we beam you to Vulcan, Alberta, the Official Star Trek Capital of Canada.

On the Saturday June 22, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show, we meet Tamara Podemski. You know her from TV shows and movies like Reservation Dogs, Dance Me Outside, The Rez, Ready or Not, North of 60, Rabbit Fall, Heartland, Cracked, Four Sheets to the Wind and numerous theatre productions, most notably as a member of the Original Canadian Cast of Rent, as well as playing Maureen in the Broadway Company of Rent. Currently she stars, alongside Josh Brolin, on the hir Prime Video sci fi western “Outer Range.” Brolin plays Royal Abbott, a Wyoming rancher who discovers a mysterious black void in his pasture., a hole that can send people to other moments in time. The show combines a “Yellowstone” vibe with the twisty-turny plot of “Lost.” Tamara plays the time-travelling Deputy Sheriff Joy Hawk, the acting sheriff of the county where the show is situated. In this interview we talk about “Outer Range,” why she felt excited but intimidated to take on the role, Broadway musicals, martial arts and much more. Then, did you know "It's Raining Men," the 1982 disco hit by the Weather Girls, is part Canadian? The upbeat song, which was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, was written by Donna Summer’s songwriter Paul Jabara and the Toronto-born musician and former band leader of Late Show with David Letterman, Paul Shaffer, who joins me from Los Angeles.

On the Saturday June 15, 2024 we get to know Olympian and World Champion Hurdler Perdita Felicien. These days you can see her as the host All-Round Champion, a competition show you can check out on TVO, TVOkids YouTube and TVOkids.com. Now in season six, the show, which sees young athletes come together to learn and compete in each other’s sports and earn enough points to become the All-Round Champion, is changing things up. This season the athletes will also have to compete as pairs in sports like Pickleball, Teqball, Roller Derby, Cricket, Synchronized Diving, MMA, Beach Volleyball, Canoe Sprint, Cheer, Ice Dance and Breaking. We’ll meet Haley McGee, the writer and performer of “Age is a Feeling,” a beautiful, funny and poignant one-woman show that follows a woman from the age of 25 until her death. The twist? It’s a choose-your-own-adventure show, where the audience dictates the general; direction of the play. It’s an impressive theatrical achievement that offers up 180 possible iterations of the material Haley will perform on any given night. We’ll also meet the Wizard in the form of veteran Broadway actor Blake Hammond who can currently be seen onstage in the touring production of “Wicked.”

On the Saturday June 8, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet George Miller. He has made pigs talk and penguins tap dance. He’s been a doctor and a film director. Among the bold-faced names on his resume are the titles “Babe: A Pig in the City,” “The Witches of Eastwick,” “Happy Feet” and “Lorenzo’s Oil.” One name, however, looms larger than the rest. “Mad Max.” He returned to theatres recently with “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” his fifth Mad Max inspired film in 45 years. A mix of Norse and Greek mythology set against an apocalyptic backdrop, and set 15 to 20 years before the events of “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is a high-octane origin story. Kidnapped from the Place of Great Abundance by Warlord Dementus’s (Chris Hemsworth) henchmen, young Furiosa (played by Alyla Browne as a child, Anya Taylor-Joy as an adult) vows vengeance for the death of her mother as warlords Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) and Dementus vie for supremacy of the Wasteland. It's a pedal-to-the-metal epic, “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” follows the big-block engine power of “Fury Road” with a film that brings a backstory to the strong-willed Furiosa (Taylor-Joy). As expected, Miller delivers a high-octane apocalyptic tale with a fierce Taylor-Joy and charismatic warlord Hemsworth, that features action scenes that’ll make your eyes pop out of their sockets. We’ll also meet Simon Lewis, author of the book “Making 'A Bridge Too Far” which takes a deep dive into the making of what many people call, the greatest World War II movie of all time. Just ahead of the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, which happened in September 1944 when the Allies attempted to capture several strategically important bridges in the Netherlands in the hope of breaking the German lines, comes the book which details the making of the movie based on the famous military maneuver. In recreating Operation Market Garden on film, director Richard Attenborough enlisted a company of actors and trained them to behave like soldiers. These actors underwent weapons training and were trusted to bring authenticity to their roles, a groundbreaking approach that hadn’t been tried before.

On the Saturday June 1, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Sharon Lewis. She is an award winning director for her documentary and feature work, and if you’ve been watching "Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent," “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” or the Netflix series “Ginny & Georgia,” you’ve seen her name in the credits as director. Then we’ll meet English author Sam Lloyd, the bestselling author of "The Memory Wood" and "The Rising Tide." Today we talk about his latest novel, a tense, mystery thriller called "The People Watcher." Today we’ll talk about the unusual visitation that inspired the book. We’ll also get to know New York City-based stand-up comedian Tina Friml. She has performed at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, is a regular at the Comedy Cellar in New York City and has a large following on line for her unique take on her own physical disability, and fearless honesty about the social assumptions that come with living with cerebral palsy. Then, we’ll meet Willie Poll. She is the director of education for the Moose Hide Campaign, an organization focused on ending violence against women and children. But today we’re here to talk about her new book for children, “My Little Ogichidaa: An Indigenous Lullaby.”

On the Saturday May 18, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet former Toronto Star reporter Mary Ormsby. In “World’s Fastest Man:* The Incredible Life of Ben Johnson,” the veteran sports reporter details the rise and fall of Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, the once celebrated athlete whose career was halted when he was accused of doping at the 1988 Olympics, and stripped of his gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul. It's a fascinating story, retold with in Ormsby’s in depth reporting and 30 hours of interview with Ben Johnson himself. Then we meet Indigenous Australian filmmaker, screenwriter and cinematographer, editor, composer and sound designer Ivan Sen. His latest film is “Limbo,” a study of damaged people, disguised as a police procedural. Shot in beautiful black and white, this outback noir tells the story of a drug addicted detective who goes to the Australian Outback to reopen a twenty year old cold case of a missing Indigenous girl, whose killer may still live locally. The film stars Australian actor Simon Baker, who audiences know best for his turn as Patrick Jane in TV’s long running series “The Mentalist.”

On the September 18, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Mary Badham. She had no acting experience before she auditioned for the role of the intelligent and unconventional girl Jean Louise Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Better known by the nickname Scout, the character is the daughter of Alabama lawyer, Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck in the classic film. Mary Badham, at just ten years of age, became the youngest actress to that date to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. At age fourteen, after appearing in several other films and television show, including the final episode of the original Twilight Zone series, she retired from acting at age fourteen. She stayed close with Gregory Peck, who she always called Atticus, until his death in 2003. To Kill a Mockingbird has never completely left her life, however, Mary has traveled around the world recalling her experiences making the classic film, and praising the book's messages of tolerance and compassion, and now, in her debut as a stage actor, she plays, quote “the meanest old woman who ever lived,” Mrs. Dubose in the national touring production of Aaron Sorkin's stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, which features Richard Thomas in the role of Atticus Finch and is now playing at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto. Check mirvish.com for more details. Then, Christian Sparkes, a film director and screenwriter from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. His new movie, “The King Tide,” is set in an isolated, struggling community, ten years after a child with miraculous gifts washed up on the beach. She is able to heal people, but after a decade of prosperity, her adoptive parents are forced to decide whether her safety is more important than their community's prosperity

On the Saturday May 11, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse we meet General Roméo Dallaire. A celebrated global human rights advocate, he is also a highly respected author, public speaker, political advisor, and former Canadian senator. Throughout his distinguished military career, General Dallaire served most notably as Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. He continues to work ceaselessly to bring international attention to situations too often ignored, whether the prevention of mass atrocities, ending the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on veterans and their families, or strategic solutions for lasting peace. In his latest book “The Peace: A Warrior’s Journey,” general Dallaire shows us the past, present and future of war through the prism of his own life. Then, we’ll meet Rose Sutherland, author of “A Sweet Sting of Salt.” Based on the classic folktale The Selkie Wife, it is a piece of historical fiction that sees a young woman uncover a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife… and she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe.

On the Saturday May 4 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet novelist and writing coach Heidi Reimer. Her front-row seat to the theater world of her debut novel, “The Mother Act,” began two decades ago when she met and married an actor, and her immersion in motherhood began when she adopted a toddler and discovered she was pregnant on the same day. Then, we’ll meet photographer-turned-film director, Caitlin Cronenberg. Her new movie “Humane” stars Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire and Enrico Colantoni is a wild story about a family dinner that erupts into chaos when a father's plan to enlist in the government's new euthanasia program goes sideways.

On the Saturday April 27 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Ruth Reichl, the New York Times bestselling author of five memoirs, the novel “Delicious!,” and the cookbook “My Kitchen Year.” She was editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, and previously served as restaurant critic for The New York Times, as well as food editor and restaurant critic for the Los Angeles Times. She has been honored with six James Beard Awards. Today we’ll talk about her new book “The Paris Novel,” which follows Stella St. Vincent, an introverted thirtysomething, who finds purpose in a search for art, fashion and food on a 1983 Paris trip. We’ll also meet award-winning, former Toronto Star journalist Morgan Campbell. His new memoir “My Fighting Family: Borders and Bloodlines and the Battles That Made Us,” offers a history of his family’s multigenerational battles, a coming-of-age story, and a powerful reckoning with what it means to be Black in Canada when you have strong American roots. Then, we’ll meet Christian Sparkes, a film director and screenwriter from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. I really like his revenge thriller “Hammer,” the story of a father who faces a personal crisis when he discovers his estranged son fleeing a botched drug deal. It’s good stuff, and likely available on a streamer near you. Today, we’ll talk about his new movie “The King Tide.” Set in Newfoundland and Labrador, it tells the story of an isolated, struggling community, ten years after a child with miraculous gifts washed up on the beach. She is able to heal people, but after a decade of prosperity, her adoptive parents are forced to decide whether her safety is more important than their community's prosperity.

On the Saturday April 20, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet CJ Tudor. She is author of The Burning Girls, The Other People, The Hiding Place, and The Chalk Man, which won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel, the Barry Award, and the Strand Critics Award for Best Debut Novel. In her new novel, The Gathering, a detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska finds herself caught up in the dark secrets and superstitions of a small town. We’ll also get to know best-selling author Susan Fletcher, author of “The Night in Question,” which is being described as a lyrical and emotionally engaging novel infused with mystery and wisdom about love, friendship, and the power of forgiveness. Then, I chat with Canadian business executive, entrepreneur, publisher, art collector, fundraiser, and philanthropist Salah Bachir, author of a new memoir, “First to the Leave the Party: My Life with Ordinary People Who Happen to Be Famous,” available wherever fine books are sold.

On the Saturday April 13, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Phil Heath. Fans of bodybuilding will recognize his name as a seven-time Mr. Olympia winner, having won the competition every year from 2011 to 2017. His incredible athletic career was slowed by health concerns, but his strength of character and intensity is captured in a new film co-produced by Dwayne Johnson, “Breaking Olympia: The Phil Heath Story,” which is now available on the SuperChannel. It’s the untold story of how he battled back from injury in his quest to become the greatest of all. Later on we’ll meet Tassie Cameron. Tassie is an award-winning screenwriter who was the head writer and executive producer on the series Rookie Blue and creator of the show Pretty Hard Cases. Today we’re talking about her latest gig, as the producer of “Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.” We talk about the show, and what it takes to quote, unquote, play a dead body on the legendary franchise.

On the Saturday April 5, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Marlo Mckenzie and Jonathan Parker, the filmmakers behind a cool new documentary called “Carol Doda Topless at the Condor.” The documentary, now playing in theatres, paints a picture of an accidental trailblazer whose provocative performances transformed not only San Francisco’s North Bay neighborhood, but the national nightclub business. Then, we get to know Holly Gramazio. She is a writer, game designer and curator from Adelaide, currently based in London. Today we’ll talk about her debut novel, The Husbands, which is poised to be a best seller. It’s the story of Lauren, who returns home to her apartment one evening and finds her husband there. Problem is she is not married. While she is trying to figure out who this person is, he goes to the attic to change the light bulb. But what comes down is ANOTHER HUSBAND .

On this episode of The Richard Crouse Show we meet #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, Karen Kingsbury. She is North America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Today we’ll talk about how she found her way from journalism to writing best-selling fiction and the new film, “Someone Like You,” which she produced, based on one of her books. Then, Roger Mooking stop[s by. As a celebrity chef, restaurateur, television host, author, and award-winning recording artist Roger has earned an international reputation as a multi-media artist and entertainer showcasing a globally inspired vision that reflects his rich family heritage, love for people and travel. He does lots of things… and has even won a special All-Star Chopped celebrity chef episode… today we talk about his career in food and music, and how he combined all of his interests in a new book called “Curious Sounds.”

On this edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Adam Growe. You may know him a standup comedian, a corporate entertainer or even a foster parent to seven children. But he's likely most recognized as being Canada’s favourite cab driver. He hosted the Canadian trivia-based game show "Cash Cab" for roughly eight years between 2008 and 2015, in which he'd quiz unsuspecting riders with general knowledge questions for their chance to collect money while he drove them from place to place. “Cash Cab” and Adam Growe return with a new spin on the old show… “Cash Cab Music.” Adam is back behind the wheel of a newly-renovated disco taxi, testing his cab customers on musical trivia. Get three wrong and you’re out but get the answers right and you can win cash and even sing some karaoke. Then, we get to know Shilpi Somaya Gowda is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author whose novels have been translated into over 30 languages, been #1 international bestsellers in several countries and sold more than two million copies worldwide. Her newest book, “A Great Country,” has been named an Anticipated/Top Book of 2024 by over a dozen publications, a Heather's Pick at Indigo, and received a starred review from Publishers’ Weekly.

On the Saturday March 16, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, a.k.a. Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took, from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. . They've built upon their famous friendship by working together on podcasts (“The Friendship Onion,” “Moriarty: The Devil's Game”) and TV (Boyd appeared on Monaghan's travel show “Wild Things,” and the two just announced a new reality series “Billy and Dom Eat the World”). But now they're making their stage debut together as a different dynamic duo. The pair will star in a new production of Tom Stoppard's “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” in Mirvish Productions' Off-Mirvish series at Toronto's CAA Theatre until April 6, 2024. Then, best-selling author Dolly Alderton stops by. She’s a regular columnist for the Sunday Times Style Magazine, and the author of the phenomenally successful memoir “Everything I Know About Love,” which she’s just finished making into a hit BBC TV series; and a bestselling novelist thanks to her barnstorming fiction debut “Ghosts.” Her latest best seller, “Good Material,” a story of heartbreak and friendship and how to survive both. We wrap up with Glass Tiger singer Alan Frew who talks about music, how he keeps his voice in shape and much more.

On the Saturday March 9, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Kathleen Munroe, “Law & Order” superfan, and the star of the new “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent.” It’s the new adaptation of the legendary “Law & Order” brand, based on the classic series created by Dick Wolf. A psychological thriller wrapped in a criminal investigation, It will showcase original Canadian stories written and produced by, and starring, Canadians. Kathleen Munroe, who you’ve seen for portraying Dr. Amanda Perry on Stargate Universe, Samantha Flack on CSI: NY, and on shows like Chicago P.D., Chicago Med and FBI, plays Det. Sgt. Frankie Bateman, part of an elite squad of detectives who investigate high-profile crime and corruption in metro Toronto. Kathleen and I talked about how watching Jill Hennessy as Claire Kincaid influenced her decision to pursue acting and more! Then, we’ll get to know reggae-fusion artist Ammoye, who recently received a JUNO Award nomination for Reggae Recording of The Year for her incredible song, “Stir This Thing”. Seven-time JUNO Award-nominee Ammoye presents an innovative and unique reggae sound that blends elements of old-school rocksteady, dancehall, soul, and R&B. With an infectious voice and messages of empowerment, Jamaican-born Ammoye is a self-declared soul rebel.

On the Saturday March 2, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we get to know Alex Mallari Jr. The actor is known for his performances in the television series “Dark Matter” and “Ginny & Georgia.” You’ve seen him in movies “The Adam Project,” with Ryan Reynolds and “Shotgun Wedding” with Jennifer Lopez. Today we’ll talk about his latest Netflix movie, “Code 8 II” and working with Ryan Reynolds and Jenifer Lopez. We’ll also meet Liz Locke. If you like cocktails and classic movies like I do, you’ll want to check out her site CinemaSips.com and then check out her debut novel “Follow the Sun,” a portrait of the 1960s International Jet Set Era through the eyes of an aspiring singer-songwriter. Then, Dianne Whelan stops by. She is an award-winning director and cinematographer known for making films in extreme locations. She’s made movies in the Canadian Arctic and Mount Everest's base camp but her latest, “500 Days in the Wild,” tested her in ways she had never experienced before. She filmed herself traversing the entire 24,000 kms of longest trail in the world, Canada’s land and water trails from sea to sea to sea. It is an epic journey of discovery—hiking, biking, paddling, snowshoeing and skiing across the country—that provided challenges over the six year it took her to complete the journey, but at the end she emerged a bit wiser, and certainly more hopeful about the state of the world.

On the Saturday February 24, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet award-winning, former Toronto Star journalist Morgan Campbell. His new memoir “My Fighting Family: Borders and Bloodlines and the Battles That Made Us,” offers a history of his family’s multigenerational battles, a coming-of-age story, and a powerful reckoning with what it means to be Black in Canada when you have strong American roots. Morgan Campbell joins CBC Sports as our first Senior Contributor after 18 standout years at the Toronto Star. In 2004 he won the National Newspaper Award for "Long Shots," a serial narrative about a high school basketball team from Scarborough. Later created, hosted and co-produced "Sportonomics," a weekly video series examining the business of Sport. And he spent his last two years at the Star authoring the Sports Prism initiative, a weekly feature covering the intersection of sports, race, business, politics and culture. Morgan is also a TedX lecturer, and a frequent contributor to several CBC platforms, including the extremely popular and sorely-missed Sports Culture Panel on CBC Radio Q. His work has been featured in the New York Times, the Literary Review of Canada, and the Best Canadian Sports Writing anthology. Then we meet New York Times bestselling author Nita Prose joins me to talk about her new book, The Mystery Guest,” it’s a follow-up to her phenomenally successful first The Maid. It follows the adventures of Molly Gray, a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel who launches an investigation of her own into the death of an acclaimed author who died in one of the hotel’s rooms. We’ll learn how a mummified rat was part of the unusual inspiration for this book and much more.

On the Saturday February 17, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse Show, get to know Reinaldo Marcus Green, director of the Oscar winning film “King Richard.” He returns to theatres this weekend with “Bob Marley: One Love,” a story of how reggae icon Bob Marley overcame adversity, and the journey behind his revolutionary music. We talk about why Bob Marley’s influence still resonates today, when his life was cut short in 1981, when he was aged just 36. Then we’ll hear from Bob Marley’s son Ziggy Marley who talks about his father as an icon, a father and a musician. Rik Emmett also joins me. He left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career, and released records in a variety of styles, including rock, blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass, and flamenco. He’s he won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Guitarist of the Year and now has written a book called “Lay It On the Line: A Backstage Pass to Rock Star Adventure, Conflict and Triumph,” available now wherever you buy fine books. Finally, Chris Hadfield joins the show. He is an astronaut, engineer, singer, fighter pilot and author of many books, including the one we’ll talk about today, “The Defector.”

On the Saturday February 17, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Supinder Wraich and Enrico Colantoni, stars of the new CBC police drama “Allegiance.” Supinder stars as Sabrina Sohal, a star rookie police officer who must grapple with the limits of the justice system as she fights to exonerate her politician father. She serves her diverse hometown of Surrey alongside Vince Brambilla (played by Enrico Colantoni), a veteran training officer who sees her potential but doesn’t always agree with her forward-thinking methods. The first season of Allegiance airs on Wednesday nights on CBC and is available on the free CBC Gem streaming platform. We’ll also meet debut author Ashley Tate arrives on the crime fiction scene with a bang on 1 February. "Twenty-seven Minutes" is described as a twisty psychological thriller filled with dark secrets – like why, on the fateful night of a car crash that killed his sister, Phoebe, did it take Grant Dean 27 minutes to call for help? As the anniversary of Phoebe’s death approaches, Grant is haunted by what happened. We’ll also spend some time with comedian Ronny Chieng. You know him as a senior correspondent on "The Daily Show," the star of Ronny Chieng Takes Chinatown, one of the stars of “Crazy Rich Asians” and the blockbuster “M3GAN,” and as one of the most I demand comedians out there. Today we’ll talk about why he waited until he was in university to give stand-up comedy a try and why he says, “I’m still trying to figure out if I am funny,” despite selling out theatres across the world.

On the Saturday February 3 edition of the Richard Crouse Show, we meet Kristen Vaurio, director of the new Paramount+ documentary June. The feature documentary shines an important spotlight on the history of country music and the mark the Carter and Cash families made on the genre before diving into the complex life of the legendary June Carter Cash. The five-time Grammy® Award-winning singer, comedian, musician, actor and author has opened for Elvis, appeared onscreen with Robert Duvall and Jane Seymour and co-wrote one of the most recognizable country songs of all time, “Ring of Fire.” Perhaps at times overshadowed by her iconic husband Johnny Cash, she now takes center stage. Then, we meet Roger Mooking. As a celebrity chef, restaurateur, television host, author, and award-winning recording artist Roger has earned an international reputation as a multi-media artist and entertainer showcasing a globally inspired vision that reflects his rich family heritage, love for people and travel. He does lots of things… and has even won a special All-Star Chopped celebrity chef episode… today we talk about his career in food and music, and how he combined all of his interests in a new book called “Curious Sounds.”

On the Saturday January 27, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Nick Broomfield, director of the new documentary “The Stones And Brian Jones,” now playing in theatres. With candid interviews and never-before-seen footage he reveals how Brian Jones, the founder of the Rolling Stones, was left behind in the shadows of history. Broomfield props the film up with first-hand accounts, particularly from former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, whose enthusiasm for the music, and Jones’s contributions to it, is infectious. The old stories are bolstered by the addition of new, fresh interviews but it is the focus on Jones as a brilliant musician and not simply another rock ‘n’ roll casualty, that elevates “The Stones and Brian Jones.” The story has its sordid moments, but Bloomfield emphasizes the very heart of Jones’s being, the music. We’ll also meet Douglas Smith, author of “The Dream Rider Saga.” Douglas is following up the award winning first two books in the series, “The Hollow Boys” and “The Crystal Key,” with a third book to round out the successful trilogy. The new book, which is available wherever fine books are sold, is called “The Lost Expedition.” Described by Library Journal as "one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction." Smith calls the series “Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans.” All three books have been "Editor's Picks" from BookLife, which described "The Lost Expedition" as “The explosive conclusion to this spectacular fantasy joyride.” “The Lost Expedition” has a five out of five star rating on Good Reads and in this interview we’ll find out how Douglas came to writing as a second career, how he approached writing a trilogy, and much more.

On the January 20, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse we spend some time with Rik Emmett. He is a solo artist, a guitarist, a poet, a song writer, a teacher, a Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and is probably best known as the co-singer and guitar player of Triumph, the gold and nine platinum selling rock trio who lit up radios in the 70s and 80s. Rik Emmett left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career, and released records in a variety of styles, including rock, blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass, and flamenco. He’s he won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Guitarist of the Year and now has written a book called “Lay It On the Line: A Backstage Pass to Rock Star Adventure, Conflict and Triumph,” available now wherever you buy fine books. In this conversation we talk about the memoir, objective perspective of a career when you’re inside it, his favorite guitar players and much more. Then, we’ll get to know Alan Frew, the Scottish-Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, and author, and notably lead singer of the Canadian rock band Glass Tiger. Today we’ll talk about his up-coming 80’s>90’s<<REWIND! Shows that will feature performances of classic hit songs that have left an indelible mark on the music industry to this very day. Concert goers can expect to hear Frew perform hit songs by Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, Midnight Oil, REM, INXS, Tragically Hip, Pearl Jam, and Robert Palmer to name a few.

On this edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Mark Critch and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth of the show “Son of a Critch,” now in its third season on CBC. Based on Mark’s best-selling memoir of the same name, Mark plays his own father, Mike Critch, a reporter for a Newfoundland radio station called VOCM. Benjamin plays a fictionalized younger version of Mark Critch, a preteen, who is much older on the inside than his years. The show also stars Malcolm McDowell as Pop Critch, Mark Critch’s grandfather and Claire Rankin as Mark’s mother. In Son of A Critch Season 3, Mark faces a near-death experience, business ventures, and explores stand-up, culminating in a reflective night with friends before saying goodbye to middle school. Then, we’ll get to know Adam Garcia. You’ll remember him as Kevin O'Donnell the Australian heartthrob in Coyote Ugly, who, after one striptease scene at the bar, becomes the boyfriend of Violet, played by Piper Perabo. He is also an Olivier Award nominated stage star, and television actor who is best known for lead roles in musicals such as Saturday Night Fever and Kiss Me, Kate. We talk about how being an anatomical model gave him a sense of being on stage, how The Rocky Horror Picture Show changed the direction of his life and his starring role in 42nd Street, now playing on stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

It’s the first show back in the new year, and I wanted to do something a little different. It’s a time of year when many of us are making resolutions and trying different things. Maybe starting a new hobby… and as I thought of that, I thought to all the people who have approached me since my first book came out way back in 1997, to tell me that they had always wanted to write a book, but didn’t know how to get started. The New Year is as good a time as any as to get started. I’ll give you some information on how to write your own book. In the last few years I have interviewed hundreds of writers and received lots of advice… and today I’ll share some of that with you.

On the Saturday December 30, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we have at two movies to end your year with a smile. First, we’ll meet Jon Heder, Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez, the stars of “Napoleon Dynamite,” the movie Jim Carrey said “changed comedy movies.” The story of a listless and alienated teenager who decides to help his new friend Pedro win the class presidency in their small western high school, while dealing with his bizarre family life back home, is one of the most quoted movies of all time. We go deep on the legacy of the movie. Then, I welcome brothers David and Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, the writers and co-directors of “Airplane!,” the 1980 hit spoof about which David Letterman said, “film comedy became different after that movie.” the Zuckers and Abrahams have a new book, “Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!,” available now wherever you buy fine books, will stop by in just a bit to tell all about the making of the movie and the film’s lasting impact.

On the Saturday December 23, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we have look at some of the greatest Christmas songs of all time. First we meet Moe Berg, one forth of the Trans-Canada Highwaymen, a new band that consists of four of this country’s best rock singer-songwriters, Sloan’s Chris Murphy, Odds’ Craig Nothey and former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page. The album, “Explosive Hits Vol. 1,” is covers of Canadian AM rock radio hits from the 1960s and 70’s and it’s super fun. Moe Berg and I talk about the new album, and then get into the spirit of the season as Moe talks about a Christmas song he wrote with the Pursuit of Happiness and a tune he loves so much, he has a plaque with the lyrics. “Furious Devotion” author Richard Balls joins me to talk about “Fairytale of New York,” a song that is an Irish folk-style ballad and was written as a duet, with the Pogues' singer Shane MacGowan and Kristy MacColl as bickering former lovers on Christmas Eve. A song about their youthful hopes crushed by alcohol and drug addiction doesn’t sound like a Christmas cracker, but in the UK it was the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century and re-enters the music charts every December. We’ll also get to know Larry Weinstein, director of the documentary “Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas,” a musical documentary about the amazing story of a group of Jewish songwriters who wrote the soundtrack to Christmas, and we’ll learn how the Cuban Missile Crisis inspired one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Finally we wrap with Brent Butt, the star, writer and/or producer of TV shows such as “Corner Gas,” “Hiccups” and “Corner Gas Animated,” and the author of the best-selling thriller “Huge,” and home designer, television host and producer, best-selling author, sought-after public speaker, and host of her own special Tuscan getaways Debbie Travis on their favorite Christmas songs and stories.

On the Saturday December 16, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we get to know Tom Wilson. He is a Canadian music legend, famed storyteller and visual artist. Wilson’s memoir, “Beautiful Scars” reveals the impact of discovering his Indigenous heritage after a chance encounter with a stranger caused him to question everything he had always known about his past. As a musician he has won the Polaris Prize, Juno Awards, and has certified gold and platinum records. His song writing has seen his works recorded by and with artists such as: Sarah McLachlan, Jason Isbell, Colin James, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples as well as his own bands Lee Harvey Osmond, Junkhouse, and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Today we talk about creativity, specifically around a new show called “Amplify.” Each episode features a different Indigenous artist, and in his episode, Tom Wilson crafts a powerful song based on a famous painting by Métis artist Christi Belcourt. In conversation at a diner, the two remarkable artists explore their creative processes and sources of inspiration. Find the show on APTN or streaming on APTN lumi. Then, I welcome Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley, both internationally best-selling authors, and now, bestselling co-authors of the new romantic comedy novel “Three Holidays and a Wedding.” The story takes place in the year 2000 when Hannukah, Christmas and Ramadan all overlap. It follows two strangers who meet on a plane headed to Toronto but due to the weather end up in a charming small town with all the holiday spirit. Alternating between the perspectives of Maryam and Anna, you get a story about different cultures coming together, unlikely friendships and two separate love stories.

On the Saturday December 9, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Salah Bachir, author of a new memoir, “First to the Leave the Party: My Life with Ordinary People Who Happen to Be Famous,” available now wherever fine books are sold. Salah is a Canadian business executive, entrepreneur, publisher, art collector, fundraiser, and philanthropist, who has raised millions of dollars for charity… and says the only autograph worth having is on a cheque. He is a pioneer in consumer video, the founding president and chair of Famous Players Media, and later the president of Cineplex Media and creator of the Scene program, which I know you’ve all used… It is a storied career, which he covers in the book in 54 short chapters about the people he has met and befriended over the years… chapters like: Elizabeth Taylor Tries on My Pearls; Eartha Kitt is Not For Sale; Wooing Gregory Peck; Harvey Milk Sets Me Free and Keith Haring Does New York. Then we meet Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris. “The Pigeon Tunnel,” his latest film, now streaming on Apple TV+, is a look at the extraordinary life of David Cornwell a.k.a. prolific author John le Carré. Through a retelling of his life, Cornwell examines the very essence of truth, and how memory and manipulation play a part in how we shape our world and our perceptions. It is a greart movie and Morris is an interesting man, you’ll want to stick around for that one… We’ll also meet actor and author R.H. Thomson. You know him from his film and television work as Matthew Cuthbert in Anne With An E, in the movie Chloe directed by Atom Egoyan and as Marshall McLuhan in The Message by Jason Sherman. Today we’ll talk about his new book, In "By the Ghost Light," he looks at his family history and relatives who fought in World War I and World War II, as a starting point to examine war and its aftermath.

On the Saturday December 2, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Olympic gymnast, Cirque du Soleil acrobat, entertainment executive and now author, Mary Sanders. Mary inherited an Olympic dream by her father, a Big Ten Champion from the University of Michigan. Determined to follow in his footsteps, the young gymnast struggled through training setbacks, financial hardships, and personal rivalries, to compete in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. But that achievement was only the beginning for a woman determined to reinvent herself and consistently raise her own standards for success. In her memoir “9 Lives By 35,” now available wherever fine books are sold, Mary recounts her journey from Olympian to Cirque du Soleil acrobat to entertainment executive while balancing life at home with two children. It’s a story of dedication and personal sacrifice that led to success and reinvention. Then we’ll meet American comedian, radio host, writer, musician, actor and author Dave Hill. He is also part-Canadian, as he explained in his previous book, Parking The Moose. He’ll explain more about that in this interview. Today we’re here to talk about his latest book, “The Awesome Game: One Man’s Incredible Globe-Crushing Hockey Odyssey.” At the heart of the book is a simple question, Why is hockey so incredibly awesome?

On the Saturday November 25, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet two Canadian legends. First up is stand-up comedian Brent Butt, the star, writer and/or producer of TV shows such as “Corner Gas,” “Hiccups” and “Corner Gas Animated.” He recently added a new line to his resume, thriller author. His debut novel is “Huge,” and it is indeed a huge bestseller. Set in 1994, the darkly comedic psychological thriller follows a trio of comics on a tour put together by a shady Winnipeg-based comedy booker, through small-town Manitoba and Ontario. The situation goes from bad to worse to downright frightening and violent as they try and get off the road in one piece. Then, we’ll meet Canada's sharpest and funniest political satirist, Rick Mercer. His latest project is a book titled “The Road Years: A Memoir, Continued…” It’s a look at the his wildly popular show The Mercer Report, it’s beginnings, it’s end and everything in between, including Every living prime minister. Rock and roll royalty from Rush to Randy Bachman. Olympians and Paralympians. A skinny-dipping Bob Rae. And Jann Arden, of course, who gets a chapter to herself.

On the Saturday November 18, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show, we meet Nick Broomfield, director of the new documentary “The Stones And Brian Jones,” now playing in theatres. With candid interviews and never-before-seen footage he reveals how Brian Jones, the founder of the Rolling Stones, was left behind in the shadows of history. Broomfield props the film up with first-hand accounts, particularly from former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, whose enthusiasm for the music, and Jones’s contributions to it, is infectious. The old stories are bolstered by the addition of new, fresh interviews but it is the focus on Jones as a brilliant musician and not simply another rock ‘n’ roll casualty, that elevates “The Stones and Brian Jones.” The story has its sordid moments, but Bloomfield emphasizes the very heart of Jones’s being, the music. We’ll also get to know Chelsea McMullen, director of Swan Song, a documentary that takes us inside the National Ballet of Canada’s 2022 legacy-defining new production of “Swan Lake,” choreographed for the first time by the company’s artistic director Karen Kain, who famously debuted in the ballet in 1971. The film’s intimate, character-driven approach chronicles creative conflicts, devastating injuries and personal sacrifices amongst its subjects who, in various ways, confront ideals of race, class and body standards as they navigate a tradition that has historically valued uniformity and compliance. Then, John Carney, the Irish musician and director of Flora and Son, a new Apple TV+. comedy about a mom, played by the fabulous Eve Hewson, who tries to connect with her rebellious son with music. The director of the Academy Award winning film “Once” tells me about his music saved his life and why he didn’t include my favorite Dublin pub in the film.

On the Saturday November 11, 2023 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we get to know Paul Langlois. Best known as the guitarist and songwriter for the Tragically Hip, he was asked to play the closing ceremonies of the Canada Summer Games in Niagara Falls in August of 2022. That gig got him playing again after Gord Downey’s passing, and the break up of the Hip, and rekindled his love for songwriting. From there, the collection of songs that became his new solo record “Guess What” emerged. Then, Chris Hadfield joins the show. He is an astronaut, engineer, singer, fighter pilot and the author of the memoir An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, the children's book The Darkest Dark, which was illustrated by the Fan Brothers, and the photo book You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes. Last year he wrote a thriller called “The Apollo Murders,” a Cold War thriller that introduced audiences to former U.S. test pilot Kaz Zemeckis, as he attempted to stay one step ahead of his Soviet rivals as Russian and American crews sprint for a secret bounty hidden away on the Moon’s surface. James Cameron called it a nail biter, and it hit number one on the best seller charts. Hadfield returns with “The Defector,” once again placing Kaz Zemeckis in the middle of the action, this time as he takes to the sky in aerial combat to hunt down a high-level defector and uncover Soviet secrets. Chris Hadfield joined me via Zoom to talk about creating the character Kaz, and how he approached writing his second book of fiction.

On the Saturday November 4, 2023 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Rik Emmett. He is a solo artist, a guitarist, a poet, a song writer, a teacher, a Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and is probably best known as the co-singer and guitar player of Triumph, the gold and nine platinum selling rock trio who lit up radios in the 70s and 80s. Rik Emmett left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career, and released records in a variety of styles, including rock, blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass, and flamenco. He’s he won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Guitarist of the Year and now has written a book called “Lay It On the Line: A Backstage Pass to Rock Star Adventure, Conflict and Triumph,” available now wherever you buy fine books. In this conversation we talk about the memoir, objective perspective of a career when you’re inside it, his favorite guitar players and much more.

On the Saturday October 28, 2023 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet David and Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, the writers and co-directors of Airplane, the the story of a washed-up pilot summoned to greatness on a potentially doomed aircraft. It spoofed the genre of airline disaster movies, made a fortune at the box office in 1980 and inspired a generation or two of filmmakers like Peter Farrelly, one of the filmmakers behind s Dumb and Dumber; There's Something About Mary and the comedy-drama Green Book, who said, “Seeing Airplane for the first time was like going to a great rock concert, like seeing Led Zeppelin or the Talking Heads.” The movie’s secret weapon was the casting of serious actors, like Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges and Peter Graves, who played the comedy straight. The result was a great spoof and a comedy unlike anything else. Now you can learn the story behind the making of the film in “Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!,” the new book by David and Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, which is available now wherever you buy fine books. We’ll get to know New York City-based stand-up comedian Tina Friml. She has performed at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, is a regular at the Comedy Cellar in New York City and has a large following on line for her unique take on her own physical disability, and fearless honesty about the social assumptions that come with living with cerebral palsy. Finally, author Ainslie Hogarth stops by. She is the author of four novels, including “Motherthing,” a darkly comedic novel about a woman who must take drastic measures to save her husband and herself from the vengeful ghost of her mother-in-law that was chosen as one of New York Times picks for best book of the year in 2022. Today we’re here to talk about her new novel, “Normal Women,” a darkly comic story about how we value female labor—and how we don’t. In the story a new mother becomes embroiled in a dangerous mystery when her friend, a controversial entrepreneur, goes missing.

On the Saturday October 21, 2023 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we welcome a household name. In the NHL Ken Dryden backstopped the Montreal Canadiens to six Stanley Cup championships in eight seasons. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was a Liberal Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2011 and Minister of Social Development from 2004 to 2006. In 2017, the league counted him in history's 100 Greatest NHL Players. He received the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2020. He's also an author. His books include the bestselling “The Game” and “Face Off at the Summit.” His new book is “The Class: A Memoir of a Place, a Time, and Us,” a look back to class 9G at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute. Then, we’ll meet Irish-Canadian playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. Her 2010 novel “Room” was a finalist for the Booker Prize and an international best-seller. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Room,” and since then she has released a number of best-selling novels, including “The Wonder,” and her latest, “Learned by Heart,” which was shortlisted for the 2023 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. The new novel is based on the true story of two girls who fall secretly, deeply and dangerously in love at boarding school in nineteenth century York.

On the Saturday October 14, 2023 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we get to know Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris. His film “The Thin Blue Line” placed fifth on a Sight & Sound poll of the greatest documentaries ever made, and he has, in his films, documented everything from the career of Robert S. McNamara, the Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War and physicist Stephen Hawking to a topiary gardener, a robot scientist and a naked mole rat specialist. “The Pigeon Tunnel,” his latest film, now streaming on Apple TV+, is a look at the extraordinary life of David Cornwell a.k.a. prolific author John le Carré. Through a retelling of his life, Cornwell examines the very essence of truth, and how memory and manipulation play a part in how we shape our world and our perceptions. “The Pigeon Tunnel” is as compelling as any le Carré novel. Cornwell/ le Carré knows how to tell a tale, and like any good spy, he knows what details to include, and which to hide away. Morris doesn’t attempt to chip away at the façade and get at the underlying truth, because he knows, in the hands of master storyteller, a good story is a good story, whether it is true or not. We’ll also meet Robert McCallum, director of the Amazon Prime documentary “Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe,” an award-winning look at the life and legacy of legendary children’s entertainer Ernie Coombs. Finally, we’ll chat with Tatiana Maslany. You know her as the Emmy winning star of thew science-fiction thriller “Orphan Black,” and as part of the Marvel Universe as the star of “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” Today she joins me to talk about playing Jennifer, a Monarch butterfly who suffers from acrophobia, a fear of heights, in the new animated film “Butterfly Tale.” We talk Butterflies, Broadway and much more.

On the October 6, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet actor Peter Facinelli. You know him from roles on TV shows such like Six Feet Under, Damages and Nurse Jackie but he’ll likely always be best known as Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the wildly popular Twilight franchise. Today we talk about his new film On Fire, the story of a family who lives in a trailer home in the woods who are suddenly confronted by a wildfire. Then we’ll meet John Carney, the Irish musician and director of Flora and Son, a new Apple TV+. comedy about a mom, played by the fabulous Eve Hewson, who tries to connect with her rebellious son with music. The director of the Academy Award winning film “Once” tells me about his music saved his life and why he didn’t include my favorite Dublin pub in the film. We’ll also meet Michael Crummey, an award-winning poet and novelist from Newfoundland and Labrador. The Toronto Star called his latest novel, The Adversary, a story about two rivals who represent the largest fishing operations on Newfoundland's northern outpost, a masterpiece. We’ll talk about the novel and how it begins with one of the best opening lines I’ve read in recent memory.

On this episode of the Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Stewart Reynolds a.k.a. Brittlestar, a fifty-something social media star who bills himself as “The Internet's Favourite Dad* (*unproven).” He has a massive following—his videos have been viewed over 650 million times on all the platforms—and done so without licking an airplane toilet seat, like viral video sensation Ava Louise, or posing provocatively on an OnlyFans page… yet. Today we’ll talk about his latest project, a new book called “Welcome to the Stupidpocalypse: Survival Tips for the Dumbageddon,” a collection of short comedic essays on politics, life, and more as a field guide for life. Then, we’ll meet Emily Pohl-Weary, a writer and creative writing instructor at the University of British Columbia. Her previous books include YA novels Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl and Strange Times at Western High and the poetry book Ghost Sick. Today we’ll talk about her latest novel “How to be Found,” a young adult novel about inner-city teens who live on a razor's edge and understand that chosen family is just as important as blood.

On this episode of the Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Bill Welychka. Fans of Much Music and MuchMoreMusic will remember Bill as the longest serving VJ on those channels, including a long stint as the host of the channel's country music series Outlaws & Heroes. These days Bill is still working in broadcast television, and has recently written a book about the lessons he learned from hanging out with many of the music industry’s biggest stars. The book is called “A Happy Has-Been (Exciting Times and Lessons Learned by One of Canada’s Foremost Entertainment Journalists.)” Today we talk about the book, Much Music, and his battles with depression. Then, we’ll get to know Canadian singer/songwriter, Astrid Young. She is the younger sister of Neil Young, with whom she toured and recorded for many years, and an accomplished musician whose discography dates back to 1984 and boasts over forty releases, including four solo albums and a multitude of credits as a side-musician and background singer. Through the years, Astrid has played stages large and small, from the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Hollywood to Paradiso in Amsterdam, Brazil's Rock in Rio, and everywhere in between. Today we talk about the rerelease of her album ‘One Night At Giant Rock’ and some new songs, including “Lay Me Down (Borrowed Tune),” which I can’t stop listening to.

On the September 16, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse show we’ll meet Jon Heder, Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez, the stars of “Napoleon Dynamite,” the movie Jim Carrey said “changed comedy movies.” The story of a listless and alienated teenager who decides to help his new friend Pedro win the class presidency in their small western high school, while dealing with his bizarre family life back home, is one of the most quoted movies of all time, and now you can revisit the fun when the stars bring "Napoleon Dynamite" to Toronto for a special screening and Q&A at the Elgin Theatre as part of Just For Laughs Toronto on September 27. Then, we’ll get to know comedian Ronny Chieng. You know him as a senior correspondent on The Daily Show, the star of Ronny Chieng Takes Chinatown, one of the stars of “Crazy Rich Asians” and the recent blockbuster “M3GAN,” and as one of the most I demand comedians out there. Today we’ll talk about why he waited until he was in university to give stand-up comedy a try and why he says, “I'm still trying to figure out if I am funny,” despite selling out theatres across the world, including two shows at the Meridian Hall in Toronto on September 23 and 24th as part of Just For Laughs Toronto.

On this episode of the Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet award-winning country artist Jason McCoy. He has racked up multiple CCMA and CMA awards along with a Gold album and CMA Global Artist Award (Nashville CMA). As the creator and front man of the best-selling band in Canadian Country Music history, The Road Hammers, Jason embarked on a journey through the Country Rock genre and guided the band to unprecedented success throughout Canada and the United States. Along the way, the band earned a Canadian Platinum-certified album, secured three CCMA Band of the Year awards, and a JUNO award. Jason McCoy joins me today to talk about being inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame and much more. Then, we’ll meet Claudia Dey. She is a best-selling author, playwright, actor and the co-designer of women's clothing brand Horses Atelier. Her books have been listed as one of the Most Anticipated Books by Entertainment Weekly, The Millions, Publishers Weekly (starred review) and BuzzFeed. Her latest book is “Daughter,” a searing and hypnotic tour de force about a woman, long caught in her charismatic father's web, who strives to make a life—and art—of her own.