#FIRSTLOOK: MIKE MYERS AND COLIN MOCHRIE TO HEADLINE “IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING” FOR GILDA’S TORONTO

Gilda’s Toronto, a cancer support community named in honour of beloved comedian Gilda Radner, has announced its upcoming fundraiser: It’s Always Something: Open Mike. The comedy event, hosted by David Shore, featuring Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, and Monkey Toast: The Improvised Talk Show will take place at The Second City Toronto on Monday, May 12, 2025.

“At Gilda’s Toronto, we believe laughter connects us all, even in the hardest moments,” said Elizabeth Dalgleish, Executive Director Gilda’s Toronto. “It’s Always Something: Open Mike isn’t just a comedy event, it’s a celebration of what Gilda Radner stood for – that no one should face cancer alone. To bring this event to The Second City Toronto, where her comedy journey began, is a powerful tribute to her legacy.”

Gilda’s Toronto stands as a beacon of hope and support for individuals and families facing cancer, providing a welcoming space where no one has to navigate the journey alone. Inspired by the legacy of comedian Gilda Radner, the organization offers free social and emotional support, ensuring that those affected by cancer can find strength, connection, and community during challenging times.

“We are honoured that Gilda’s Toronto approached us to host It’s Always Something: Open Mike at The Second City Toronto,” said Reem Farag, General Manager, The Second City Toronto. “Bringing people together to enjoy a night of laughter for Gilda Radner’s cause with comedy giants Mike Myers and Colin Mochrie, felt not only fitting, but truly special.”

It’s Always Something: Open Mike marks Mike Myers’ first performance at The Second City Toronto in over 30 years and reunites him with fellow alum Colin Mochrie on the iconic comedy stage. Proceeds from this special evening will help Gilda’s Toronto continue to provide resources to those impacted by cancer.

About Gilda’s Toronto
Gilda’s Toronto helps people live, while living with cancer. Comedy legend Gilda Radner believed that no one should have to face cancer alone. Instead, they should have access to complete psychosocial cancer support from communities with shared experiences. Led by highly qualified experts, our innovative programs and services offer personalized and specialized support to those suffering the emotional and psychological impacts of a cancer diagnosis. This would not be possible without the support of a diverse group of professionals, partners and communities who share our vision. With the help of cancer care partners and providers, Gilda’s Toronto continues to foster diversity, equity and inclusion to support growing communities in the GTA and beyond. That’s why we have been a leader in innovative psychosocial cancer support for more than 20 years. And we are just getting started. Learn more visit gildasclubtoronto.org.

About The Second City
The Second City first brought its iconic improv and sketch comedy to Toronto in 1963 for a week of performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. After a decade of sold out shows at the 1200-seat theatre, The Second City established a permanent home in the city with the opening of “The Old Firehall” on Lombard Street. In 1976, The Second City Toronto further solidified its place in comedy history by creating the groundbreaking television show SCTV.

In December 2022, The Second City began an exciting new chapter by relocating to its state-of-the-art facility at One York Street. This move introduced three distinct theatres: The Mainstage, Theatre ’73, and The John Candy Box Theatre, each offering nightly performances that continue The Second City’s tradition of bringing laughter to audiences.

Since making a home in Toronto over 50 years ago The Second City has grown to become the most influential name in comedy launching the careers of countless Canadian comedy legends. Our illustrious alumni list includes names such as Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Bob Martin, Jerry Minor, Gavin Crawford, Kevin Vidal, Darryl Hinds, Chris Wilson, Lauren Ash, Ann Pornel, Alan Shane Lewis and so many more.

#SPOTTED: COLIN MOCHRIE X ASAD MECCI IN TORONTO FOR “HYPROV”

Running now through April 21, 2024 at Toronto’s CAA Theatre, Mirvish Productions present HYPROV! The innovative stage show brings together the talents of comedy legend Colin Mochrie and world-renowned hypnotist Asad Mecci for twisty, unpredictable and wildly-entertaining time!

Each show 20 volunteers go up on stage and are placed under hypnosis by Mecci, and from there Mochrie joins on-stage, guiding them through a series of improvisational sketches. You just never know what you’re going to get and the results that ensue are bound to be hilarious. It’s so magical what the mind can do when uninhibited!

A reel of highlights from last night’s Media and Influencer preview:

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Tickets here.

(Photo/video credit: Ryan Emberley/Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: NIPPON TV’S “OLD ENOUGH!” COMING TO TVO

Blue Ant Studios has secured the coveted Canadian rights to the long-running Japanese unscripted hit Old Enough! from Nippon TV in Japan. Production on the first North American version of the show has begun and is set to air this September on TVO. Canadian comedy star and improv genius Colin Mochrie will lend his voice to the project as the narrator. The announcement was made jointly today at the 2024 Realscreen Summit by Matthew Hornburg, Co-President of Blue Ant Studios, Natasha Negrea, Head of Programming at TVO and Akane Alex Inoue, Global Format Licensing, Nippon TV.

Old Enough! is a heartwarming, unscripted series that follows toddlers independently running errands for the first time. While each episode focuses on the child’s task, the series will also explore each parent’s approach to raising their kids. On each adventure, the kids are always under the watchful eye of the show’s safety team. The highly sought-after format has been a ratings juggernaut and cultural phenomenon in Japan for over 30 years. Its popularity skyrocketed in English-speaking territories when Netflix streamed Nippon TV’s original series in 2022 in over 190 countries, and even Saturday Night Live tapped into the cultural zeitgeist with a skit that parodied the show.

“Old Enough! typifies the vision of our studio moving forward – entertaining and enlightening franchises – and we’re thrilled to be bringing the first North American version to audiences,” said Matthew Hornburg, Co-President of Blue Ant Studios. “This series is going to be an engaging, co-viewing experience for families, and children will definitely enjoy watching their peers find their independence when given the freedom to do so. It also explores themes of what parenting means from different cultural perspectives and in the modern age.”

“Independence is a key part of healthy childhood development. It begins with taking our first steps and flourishes through our appetites to learn and explore,” says Natasha Negrea, Head of Programming at TVO. “This exciting new version of Old Enough! showcases young kids discovering their delightful first moments of being independent.”

“It is such a joy to announce the Canadian adaptation of Old Enough!, our heart-warming factual entertainment format and global phenomenon,” says Akane Alex Inoue, Global Format Licensing, Nippon TV. “I am very proud that the passionate team at Blue Ant Studios has created a truly enjoyable version using the unique new camera style we developed together. We are delighted to show the world that children’s big adventures can be delivered in different cultures and hope for more international versions to follow.”

Matt Hornburg, Mark Bishop and Donna Luke from Blue Ant Studios are Executive Producers for the series. Stefanie Haist is the Supervising Producer. Mitch Burman (Undercover High, Extreme Babysitting) serves as Series Producer and Showrunner. For TVO, Natasha Negrea is the Head of Programming, Kirsten Hurd is the Commissioning Editor, TVOkids and Alexandra Roberts is the Commissioning Editor, TVO Docs. For Nippon TV, Naoko Yano and Akane Alex Inoue are Executive Producers. Kiyotaka Tokunaga (Masquerade) is the Chief Director and Ayaka Isshiki is the Producer for the original Japanese series. Tom Miyauchi (Sokkuri Sweets/Eye Candy, Mute it!) is the Format Producer and Yuko Nakano is the Flying Producer. Old Enough! was produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and in association with Rogers Sports & Media.