In a mild upset, CAITLINHERGRTNESS surged past heavy favourite MY BOY PRINCE late to take the 165th running of the $1 million King’s Plate, the race formerly known as the Queen’s Plate. The lone filly in the race was coming into the race off an improving second in July’s Woodbine Oaks against female company. She becomes the 39th filly to win either the King or Queen’s Plate. This proves that you can’t have a King’s Plate without a Queen!

She was a late addition to the race for owners Siena Farm and Winstar Farm, made eligible via the payment of a supplement fee. Ridden by Rafael Hernandez, who guided her Kevin Attard stablemate MOIRA to victory in the same race back in 2022, CAITLINHERGRTNESS certainly is living-up to her name.

The 3/4 length victory was clocked at 2:03.4 for the 1 1/4 mile distance, with MY BOY PRINCE finishing second, and his Mark Casse stablemate MIDNIGHT MASCOT taking third. A $2 bet on her to win rewarded backers with $20.70.

The King’s Plate was the highlight of Friday’s race card at Woodbine Racetrack, an unusual move to place the season’s marquee race on a weekday. The race was to take place Saturday, August 17, 2024, only to be postponed after a torrential downpour which made track conditions unsafe to run what is known as North America’s most historic race.

Other major winners of the day included:

FILO DI ARIANNA taking the Grade II King Edward under Sahin Civaci for Wachtel Stable, Peter Deutsch and Gary Barber. The talented eight-year-old gelding won the same race back in 2022, continuing to show amazing consistency and resilience for trainer Mark Casse. He is being pointed towards September’s Grade I Woodbine Mile next.

PATCHES O’HOULIAN winning the Bold Venture Stakes a second time. The reigning champion sprinter was late to start his 2024 campaign but has been flawless thus far, doubling-up following a win in the Pink Lloyd Stakes (a race named a horse owned and trained by his connections) late July under Sofia Vives, for owner Frank D. Di Giulio, Jr. and trainer Bob Tiller.

SHIFTY broke her maiden in style on her second try, winning under Sahin Civaci for trainer Mark Casse and owner DJ Stable. The race is seen as a stepping stone to September’s Grade I fixture, the Natalma Stakes.

CAIRO CAPER scoring in the Soaring Free Stakes under Jose Luis Campos. He is trained by Nathan Squires and owned by William B. Thompson. He very much echoes CAIRO CONSORT, champion two-year-old filly of 2022 (also by stallion Cairo Prince), while owned and trained by the same connections as she. He is being pointed to the Grade I Summer Stakes next month.

Some Videos highlighting the King’s Plate ’24:

The second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown takes place September 10, 2024 at Fort Erie Racetrack.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

An estimated 125k+ guests are expected to attend FAN EXPO CANADA 2024 at Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre. The end-of-summer fixture is a celebration of Fandom, bringing fans together in a packed four-day schedule of events that include panels, meet-ups, Cosplay, autograph signings and photo ops – a chance for fans to connect with their idols.

It is a star-studded year which welcomed a list of top talent to the event including the likes of Helen Hunt. Giancarlo Esposito, Simu Liu, Rosario Dawson, Josh Gad, Marisa Tomei, Bryce Dallas Howard, Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Dolph Lundgren and more offering in-conversations, signings and photo ops to fans.

Highlights include:

-A Squishmallows activation giving guests a chance to pose for pics with the beloved plush characters, and also win dolls via claw machines; this saw the longest queues.

–Paramount+‘s The Lounge, an activation highlighting some of the streaming service’s top programming offerings with photo ops and a chance to putt to win a Sponge Bob toy in celebration of the beloved character’s 25th anniversary. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES and STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS also are highlighted.

–Prime Video Canada took guests into Middle-Earth giving guests a chance to make The Lord of The Rings-inspired resin rings at their activation.

–Marvel Studios Canada‘s AGATHA ALL ALONG booth with costumes, promoting the spinoff off Wandavision. Stars Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke and Showrunner Jac Schaeffer made an appearance Friday night at Constitution Hall to give fans a taste of what’s to expect of the September 18, 2024 Disney+ Canada release.

-Director Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) appears at TIFF Lightbox Saturday night for a Q&A following a screening of Oculus.

–Academy Award-winning Actress Helen Hunt appears at a Q&A for her hit film TWISTER at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas Saturday night.

-Special Screenings of Rick and Morty: The Anime and also Common Side Effects, which will arrive on Adult Swim and STACKTV

–NERDs Gummy Clusters Giveaway – guests receive free samples of this popular new candy which recently arrived in Canada after oustanding response in the U.S.

Some highlights from Fan Expo Canada 2024:

Some additional snaps:

More on tickets here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Julie Wright/Tina Chan)

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE may have been de-throned last week but it finds itself on-top once again, taking $17 million this weekend from 3,840 theatres for Marvel/Disney. Over four weeks, it has grossed $576 million domestically.

ALIEN: ROMULUS earns $16 million in its second weekend out for 20th Century Studios, a tally of $72.5 million.

Third is IT ENDS WITH US with $11.8 million from 3,839 theatres, taking it to $120 million over three weekends for Sony Pictures.

Fourth is a debuting BLINK TWICE with $7.1 million from 3,067 theatres for Warner Bros. Zoë Kravitz‘s directorial debut gets 79% on the Tomatometer.

THE FORGE, a spiritual film, rounds this Top Five out with $6.4 million from 1,818 theatres for Sony Pictures.

TIFF buzz is taking over Toronto! 1 Hotel Toronto, in Toronto’s King West neighbourhood, is the ultimate destination to experience the festival like a celebrity. Nestled in the heart of the city, this eco-chic retreat offers an unparalleled blend of luxury, sustainability, and exclusivity—perfect for those looking to enjoy TIFF in style.

1 Hotel Toronto’s lush green spaces, sustainably sourced interiors, and rooftop oasis create the ideal backdrop for star-studded events. Whether it’s the A-listers retreating after a premiere or industry insiders mingling at private soirées, this hotel is where the magic happens.

There are three main go-to hotspots at 1 Hotel Toronto:

Harriet’s Toronto:
An elevated rooftop experience atop 1 Hotel Toronto, Harriet’s provides stunning skyline views with delicious cocktails and music flowing.
Sun-Wed: 12pm-11pm
Thurs-Sat: 12pm-2am

Flora Lounge:
Rooted in nature, the Flora Lounge, located in the lobby of 1 Hotel, curates an experience for the senses. Flora shines with its sustainably focused dishes that feature ingredients from local farmers and the hotel’s very own Garden Pavilion.

Sunday – Thursday | 12pm – 12am

Friday – Saturday | 12pm – 2am

Casa Madera:
Casa Madera is the premier destination for an unforgettable culinary and cocktail experience. The first location in Canada, from famed restaurateurs Noble 33, Casa is an immersive dining experience. Enjoy Casa Madera’s Golden Hour, a version of Happy Hour, $10 margaritas and delicious dishes from authentic tacos to octopus croquetas and truffle fries. Casa Madera at 1 Hotel offers the perfect setting for sipping on signature tequila cocktails. Nestled in the heart of the city.

1 Hotel Toronto is located in Toronto’s King West neighbourhood at 550 Wellington St. West

About 1 Hotel Toronto:

1 Hotel Toronto is Canada’s first mission-driven hotel that celebrates the beauty of Toronto’s natural environment and offers an urban oasis in the heart of the city. The 112-room hotel is the first of its kind in Canada setting a new standard for a sustainable luxury experience in the city. The property’s biophilic design was done in collaboration with award-winning architecture and design firm, Rockwell Group and project managed by The Athen’s Group which specializes in the development of environmentally conscious upscale hospitality properties. With a rooftop pool deck that overlooks Toronto’s iconic skyline, the property also features 11,000 square feet of functional event space, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, and five distinct dining outlets. 1 Hotel Toronto is a Mohari Hospitality property and managed by SH Hotels & Resorts. Steps away from the city’s bustling entertainment district, 1 Hotel Toronto, is located at 550 Wellington Street West.

To learn more, visit: https://www.1hotels.com/toronto

Ted Danson stars in A MAN ON THE INSIDE this November, only on Netflix.

Logline:

Charles (Ted Danson), a retired man, gets a new lease on life when he answers an ad from a PI and becomes a mole in a secret investigation. From creator Mike Schur, A Man on the Inside is based on the documentary The Mole Agent, a 2021 Oscar® nominee for Best Documentary feature.

Format: 8 x~30 minute episodes
Cast: Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Stephanie Beatriz, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sally Struthers, Margaret Avery, John Getz, Susan Ruttan, Lori Tan Chinn, Clyde Kusatsu, Marc Evan Jackson, Jama Williamson, Wyatt Yang, Deuce Basco, Lincoln Lambert, Kerry O’Malley.
Executive Producers: Mike Schur (Fremulon), Morgan Sackett, David Miner (3 Arts Entertainment), Maite Alberdi and Marcela Santibañez (Micromundo Producciones), Julie Goldman and Christopher Clements (Motto Pictures)
Studio: Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Fans of Marvel’s WANDAVISION will be delighted for upcoming series AGATHA ALL ALONG, giving the enchanting Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) a Mini-Series all her own!

The upcoming Mini-Series has Agatha answering the teen (Joe Locke) and his pleas for help. She reclaims her powers once again, but must decipher what the teen’s intentions truly are.

Stars Hahn and Locke both did the rounds this morning including CP24 Breakfast and BT to talk about their new project. Later this afternoon they will be joined by Showrunner Jac Shaeffer to speak at Fan Expo Toronto as well!

Hahn always is a delight and we are thrilled she is having her moment on a large platform! So nice to catch-up earlier for a Snap., and to see Heartstopper star Locke who whizzed by quickly also.

AGATHA ALL ALONG arrives September 18, 2024 on Disney+ Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Marvel Studios Canada/Mr. Will Wong)

Paramount+ today debuted the official trailer and key art for the highly anticipated second season of its original comedy series FRASIER, starring Kelsey Grammer. Season two will premiere on Thursday, September 19, with two episodes. New episodes will then drop weekly exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada, the U.S., U.K. and Australia. The new season will launch later this year in additional territories where the service is available.

Also announced today, FRASIER’s sophomore season will see Dr. Frasier Crane return to his radio roots at KACL in Seattle for an episode. The episode will feature previously announced guest stars stepping back into their roles from the original Frasier including Dan Butler as Bob “Bulldog” Briscoe, Edward Hibbert as Gil Chesterton and Harriet Sansom Harris as Frasier’s delightfully devilish agent, Bebe Glazer.

Produced by CBS Studios, FRASIER films in front of a live studio audience at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. The series follows Frasier Crane (Grammer) in the next chapter of his life after he returns to Boston to face new challenges, forge new relationships and – with hope – finally fulfill an old dream or two.

In addition to Grammer, the series stars Jack Cutmore-Scott as Frasier’s son, Freddy; Nicholas Lyndhurst as Alan, Frasier’s old college buddy turned university professor; Toks Olagundoye as Olivia, Alan’s colleague and head of the university’s psychology department; Canadian Jess Salgueiro as Eve, Frasier and Freddy’s neighbor; and Anders Keith as Frasier’s nephew, David.

Peri Gilpin will return for season two as a recurring guest star to once again reprise the beloved role of Roz Doyle. Other previously announced guest stars include Rachel Bloom, Yvette Nicole Brown, Greer Grammer, Patricia Heaton and Amy Sedaris. Legendary director James Burrows also returns to direct two episodes.

The original Frasier still holds the record for most Emmy® wins for a comedy series with 37 wins and 107 nominations.

FRASIER comes from writers Chris Harris (How I Met Your Mother) and Joe Cristalli (Life in Pieces), who executive produce with Grammer, Tom Russo and Jordan McMahon. The series is produced by CBS Studios in association with Grammer’s Grammnet NH Productions. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution outside of the Paramount+ markets.

Season one of FRASIER is currently available to stream exclusively on Paramount+.

By Mr. Will Wong

Vancouver’s DREW RAY TANNER is a major star on the rise. For one, he’s got two feature films out back-to-back in 2024 from Wattpad. Having established a large fan base thanks to his role as Fangs Fogarty on beloved series RIVERDALE, Tanner also starred alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Liza Koshy in Netflix‘s WORK IT – filmed in Toronto.

With deep roots in City, Tanner is no stranger here and was back in town to promote BOOT CAMP, based on Gina Musa‘s novel. Centering on the unathletic Whitney (Rachel Boudwin) who in an effort to improve herself, enrolls herself in a Boot Camp. The forbidden happens when she falls for her trainer (Tanner) and in her time at the camp, she finds her true self in the way least expected. It arrives August 27, 2024 in Canada on Apple TV, Prime Video and on-demand.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Tanner as he made a visit to Toronto to promote BOOT CAMP. We chat about his process getting cast alongside Boudwin, navigating the transition from supporting cast to leading man… or co-leading man as he puts it. He dishes on his favourite Toronto treat (hint: he couldn’t wait to head there after Press Day!) and tells us all about his amazing, supportive mother. And even tells us about the advice his famous roommate, it boy Charles Melton gave him.

We ask Tanner about the casting process for this Film – this being his first time starring in a leading role.

Tanner: I like to say ‘co-lead’ too because this is really Rachel’s movie. The Cast process was great. She played Whitney Carmichel. She was the first person to be cast and the whole movie sort of hinged on finding the right Whitney Carmichel. Once they found her, they started reading for Axels and and they asked me to read with her one hot summer’s day in my apartment when the AC wasn’t working. And I was like sweating and I was nervous, but I tried my best and luckily enough, they they liked me and it worked out.

We ask if his Riverdale character Fangs Fogarty informed his Boot Camp character Axel Chandler or not.

Tanner: You know Cole (Sprouse) and KJ (Apa), they were the leads of Riverdale and KJ in particular like always had his shirt off. I watched him go through that on Riverdale like having to uphold that sort of archetype of a character and so I knew that this type of movie was going to be something similar. So I took a lot from them. They offered great advice and really helped out.

Tanner tells us about his greatest challenge getting into this role – and it wasn’t the physical aspects of it.

Tanner: I think as a supporting character, when you’re the supporting character a majority of your career – which I always have been – you’re either comedic relief or you pop-in and you say something funny and it’s like wink and a smile and you run off. I had to channel-in something different which I had to be a lot more reserved. He’s a lot quieter -you know the term is like ‘dark and brooding’, but trying to do that without it being too much of a caricature as well. The hardest part for me I think, was trusting that process having the entire Script to sort of develop the character and have that room to breathe and to just sort of take those small moment. A less is more type of thing. I had to sort of turn off the the part of my brain that was like thinking I was only going to be in it for one scene, so I better make most out of it! Steal the scene! No, let’s actually try to let this story develop over the course of the Film.

We ask about building chemistry with his Co-Star Boudwin.

Tanner: She’s just a present actress, and incredibly talented. She’s just so with you in the scene and a lot of the stuff that you see on-screen is just little improv moments. You know I would throw something at her, she would throw it right back or you know, she was incredibly good at that. In real life too, she’s very witty, she’s very smart, she’s very funny. She was able to bring that into our little relationship and I think it really helped sort of propel them from friends to something more about it.

Tanner tells us about his deep Toronto roots, and also his favourite Toronto treat.

Tanner: I’ve got deep roots here. I have lots of family that live out here and came here every summer when I was a kid. So every time I come here, I’m always trying to get some good Jamaican food and patties. So I’m always on the hunt for that.

Last time I was here filming WORK IT – if you remember in that movie as well – Liza Koshy‘s character she sees I’m a mattress store salesman, and then all of a sudden my shirt’s off. I had to get in shape for that one too and when we wrapped I was like dying for something delicious and tasty. I went to this place called Eva’s Original Chimneys and I was obsessed with it. Mine had Nutella in it the cone – it was a life-changing experience! It makes it all worth it, I mean it’s all worth it. The whole time it’s like you’re working towards something.

The Actor gives his mother Amber credit for encouraging him to chase his dreams and did the job of both parents as a single mother.

Tanner: My mom you know, she was a she is a trailblazer, but back when she was going to University, you know she was very open and hip to the idea of having like biracial kids. Wanting to that was sort of the future that she wanted to see. You know, she did the job of both parents. She is a teacher, she’s retired now, but she was a teacher her whole life. But to me, she was always mom. You know she would try to like help me out with school work and I’d be like, ‘Don’t help me out with that! I don’t need a tutor!’.

On top of that, she came to every single football game. She was always on the sidelines cheering me on, she came to every single one of my plays. I was always in a play every single year. She came to every single one and when I told her that. You know, when I graduated high school and I said I want to be an Actor, I was really scared. I was nervous, like you know she’s a teacher. She’s very smart right and on my mom’s side of the family, there’s a lot of like highly-educated people. I was nervous to tell her that I want to pursue the Arts and she had no hesitation. She completely supported that decision and she’s always made me feel I can feel like I can do anything. I want to take this opportunity to sort of shout-out single parents out there that are raising kids on their own. If only they knew how much of an impact that they have. My mom had that impact on me. It was just incredible.

Tanner had the distinction of rooming with fellow Actor Charles Melton during the pandemic and he shares some wisdom his friend imparted upon him.

Tanner: Charles is a really interesting friend to me. I love him very much and he has given me some incredible advice throughout my friendship with him. Everything that he would tell me or whatever he was going through, or any questions I had, it was always sort of a year away. He would say to me, ‘Here’s what I want you to think about, here’s what I want you to like plan for, here’s what I want you to envision for yourself’. He’s been an incredible support system. He’s always a phone call away and he’s sort of been the blueprint for me in a lot of ways. If he’s seeing this, like dude, I hate to admit it, but I look up to you!

Watch the interview here:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

He crafted a sound that defined a generation and an era. TIMBALAND needs no introduction, having won four GRAMMYs, collaborating with some of the influencial Artists of all time including Ludacris, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé and more.

Just as Hip-Hop legend Missy Elliott launches a comeback on her OUT OF THIS WORLD Tour, her longtime collaborator and friend Timbaland joins her on the road as a supporting act. A bona fide star in his own right even aside from the Producer’s credit, Timbaland has achieved success under his own name, most notably with his 2007 star-studded collaborations album, SHOCK VALUE.

Though Elliott‘s tour was to span two nights in Toronto, the second night got cancelled, which gave Timbaland a night out to make a surprise visit at the El Mocambo supporting New Friends at their show there.

Timbaland to this day is marking his influence on the next generation of Artists and every week mentors them on his Instagram live where he accepts and reviews beats from aspiring Musicians. A legend who walks the walk. And you know what? He’s the absolute nicest. Honoured to be in his presence.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

New Line Cinema’s original anime feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” returns audiences to the epic world brought to life in “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, based on the revered books by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Under the direction of award-winning filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama (the “Blade Runner: Black Lotus” and “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex” TV series), the talented voice cast is led by Brian Cox (“Succession”) as Helm Hammerhand, the mighty King of Rohan; Gaia Wise (“A Walk in the Woods”) as his daughter Héra; and Luke Pasqualino (“Snowpiercer”) as Wulf. Miranda Otto,

who delivered an unforgettable, award-winning performance in “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, reprises her role as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, who serves as the tale’s narrator. The voice ensemble also includes Lorraine Ashbourne (Netflix’s “Bridgerton”), Yazdan Qafouri (“I Came By”), Benjamin Wainwright (“World on Fire”), Laurence Ubong Williams (“Gateway”), Shaun Dooley (“The Witcher”), Michael Wildman (“Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw”), Jude Akuwudike (“Beasts of No Nation”), Bilal Hasna (“Sparks”) and Janine Duvitski (“Benidorm”).

Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg—a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.

With Kamiyama at the helm, the original feature is being produced by Oscar winner Philippa Boyens, from the screenwriting team behind “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” Trilogies, alongside Jason DeMarco and Joseph Chou, who, in addition to their many separate animation projects, collaborated on the “Blade Runner: Black Lotus” series. The executive producers are Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Sam Register, Carolyn Blackwood and Toby Emmerich. The screenplay is by Jeffrey Addiss & Will Matthews and Phoebe Gittins & Arty Papageorgiou, story by Addiss & Matthews and Boyens, based on characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien. The team of creative collaborators returning from “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy also includes Oscar winners Alan Lee and Richard Taylor, along with esteemed Tolkien illustrator John Howe.

A New Line Cinema Presentation, a Warner Bros. Animation / Sola Entertainment Production, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” will be distributed theatrically worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, released in theatres nationwide this December.