In addition to visiting Toronto this weekend for Fan Expo Canada, Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan set a date with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford earlier today – an Arm Wrestling date, that is. Although the choice is clear whom would win on paper, see for yourself who won the Match:

Hogan arrived in Toronto yesterday where Fans spotted him at Toronto Pearson International Airport, signing Autographs for Fans and Autograph Collectors. He was absolute business today traveling with his Entourage and despite several Hulkamaniacs and Shaw Media Employees crowding for a glimpse of him upon existing his The Morning Show (National Edition) appearance, his Handler did the talking for the 6’7, 14-time Champion. “If you want to see him, go to the Expo“, said his Assistant following closely behind. See Hogan‘s Interview right here.  He also just recently celebrated his 60th Birthday!

More on how you can meet Hogan this weekend right here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Among the Stars in Toronto this weekend for Fan Expo Canada are Pop Culture Icon, George Takei and to promote his appearance, the Actor best known for his work in the Television Series Star Trek as Sulu, Co-Hosted Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). The Social Media-savvy Takei sounded-off on various Current Affairs like imprisoned WikiLeaks Source Bradley Manning‘s Sex Reassignment and Prime Minster Hopeful Justin Trudeau‘s admission of having smoked Marijuana. See his Interview here.

Fans and Shaw Media Employees admired the Star through the Studio window, then crowding around the Main Entrance for Photos with Takei upon exit. A few were fortunate enough to get a Snap with him despite a bit of pushing and shoving.

For more on how you too can meet Takei this weekend at Fan Expo, click here!

We had the honour of meeting the lovely Takei last Spring when he visited the City for the Sakura Ball. More on that here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Platinum-selling Singer/Songwriter Matt Nathanson just released his latest Disc Last of the Great Pretenders last month and he is in Toronto currently to promote it.  Known best for his Hit Come on Get Higher, the Massachusetts-born Musician did a Free Concert in front of the Shaw Media Building, also appearing on Global Television‘s The Morning Show earlier.  Several Fans were thrilled to meet him after his performance and he was awesome to stop for Photos with them before being rushed back into the Studio for more Promo.  Watch his Interview right here.

 After having debuted at number 16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart recently with his new Album, Nathanson will be back in town at The Danforth Music Hall on Tuesday, November 5, 2013.

Check-out Nathanson‘s latest Single, Mission Bells below:

Order The Last of the Great Pretenders on iTunes here.

See our Snap:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Music)

HUGE NEWS!  After much speculation whom would win the coveted role of Bruce Wayne in Zack Synder‘s upcoming Superman-Batman Mashup Film speculated to film in Toronto early 2014, Warner Bros. has confirmed that Ben Affleck is set to star opposite Henry Cavill!

Synder said in a Statement: “(Affleck) has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a Man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned Crime Fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne,” said Snyder. “I can’t wait to work with him.”.

This upcoming Blockbuster builds upon a fantastic working relationship Warner Bros. has developed with Affleck, him having directed and starred in critical and commercial successes The Town and Argo, the latter which earlier this year won Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

More to come and we couldn’t agree more with this choice!   Remember that time we met him at TIFF ’12?

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Finally, Funnyman Russell Brand made his long-awaited Toronto debut tonight. We all remember that kerfuffle last year with his postponed CasinoRama Show, but this officially was his bow in the City and Fans were ecstatic.

Brand arrived in Toronto earlier this week before flying off to Ottawa for his Show last night. During his stay, the Star known best for his performance as fictional Rockstar Aldous Snow in Comedies Get Him to the Greek and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, was spotted multiple times by shocked Onlookers. The charismatic Brit was spotted at the CN Tower, The Distillery (Balzac’s Coffee Roasters), Royal Ontario Museum and he even was seen jogging our streets!

Although he was avoidant of Photo-seeking Fans for much of his stay, Brand on the way to his Show threw a quick wave, rewarding one lucky Fan his due Photo after seeing him a multiple times throughout the day, summoning him over for a  Snap and a quick peck on the face.  I was lucky too to get a quick Roll-down, hand-grasp and a Photo, although it didn’t capture the moment quite in time.  Boo!  “I’ve got to go to work!”, he explained to Fans-in-waiting about his one Photo only, declining them diplomatically. “This will have to be a true test of your Friendship!”.

Brand next can be seen in the Comedy Paradise alongside Julianne Hough this October.

Watch Brand interact with hoards of Fans outside Sony Centre for the Performing Arts tonight:

See our hilarious Snap:

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Everyone loves The Hoff! The Actor/Singer/Producer who first gained international recognition in the mid-80s in hit TV Series Knight Rider has become an Icon in his own right. He proved his longevity in the late ’80s in what would go on to become yet another Hit in Beach Action-Drama Series Baywatch, it lasting till 2000.

Hasselhoff arrived in Toronto yesterday to partake in this weekend’s Fan Expo at Metro Toronto Convention Centre where Fans will not only have a chance to see him, but also Photo Ops and Autographs!  More on his appearance here.

The Hoff promoted his appearance this weekend with Stop-offs at KISS 92.5, CP24 Breakfast, CITY‘s Breakfast Television and Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition). Billy and I met him at the latter where he was amazing to stop for Fan Photos with those waiting outside and also happy Shaw Media Staffers in the Building Lobby.  Watch his The Morning Show Interview here.

Hasselhoff next stars in Chauffeur Action-Comedy, Stretch, in theatres March 2014, alongside Chris Pine, Jessica Alba and Patrick Wilson.

See our Snap below:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Filmed in Toronto, a Teaser Trailer for Paul W.S. Anderson’s Pompeii has just surfaced. And although it is rather poetic, all eyes are on Kit Harington who clearly worked hard in preparation for his Leading Role, looking a vision of fitness. The Film is set around an ancient Roman Town which was destroyed following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. A Slave (Harington) must return back home to find the Woman (Emily Browning) he loves.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

eOne Films releases Pompeii on February 24, 2014.

We were lucky enough on multiple occasions to spot Harington out and about in Toronto. Read more about that here!

We also spotted his Co-Star Adewale (pronounced Ah-day-wa-lay) out and about too!  More here.

(Photo/video credit: eOne Films)

One of the most eagerly-awaited Films to debut at TIFF ’13 is Peter Landesman‘s Parkland. The Historical Drama centers on the events of November 22nd, 1963 – a day that changed the world forever – when young American President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. This Film follows a handful of individuals forced to make split-second decisions after an event that would change their lives and forever alter the world’s landscape.

Parkland stars Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks, James Badge Dale, Jacki Weaver, Zac Efron and Marcia Gay Harden.

Watch the riveting Trailer below:

Remstar Films releases Parkland  in Toronto on Friday, October 4, 2013 with additional cities to follow. You have two opportunities to see Parkland at TIFF ’13:

Friday, September 6, 2013 at 9:30 PM – ROY THOMSON HALL
Sunday, September 8, 2013 12:30 PM – WINTER GARDEN THEATRE

(Photo/video credit: Remstar Films)

Now in its 134th year, the Canadian National Exhibition, known affectionately by Torontonians as The Ex for the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, promises novelty, guilty pleasures and an opportunity for Families and Friends to create memories together.  I admit I’ve long outgrown my love for the rides at The Midway and arrive later in the day to take advantage of the $5 Admission Charge after 5:00 PM, enjoying the benefits of less congestion.  I am drawn by the festivity, the lights and all that over-the-top charm.

The highlight for me every year is visiting the Food Building, which essentially is one gigantic Food Court filled with every single variety of not-so-great-for-you, whether it be Tiny Tom’s Donuts, Beaver Tails (a fried Pastry topped with lemon, cinnamon and sugar), Homemade Fudge, Fish & Chips or $0.99 Pasta. The rage this year, The Cronut Burger, combines the Pastry Craze which has consumed New Yorkers, The Cronut (combination Croissant and Donut) with an all-time favourite in The Hamburger.  The item is available exclusively at the Epic Burgers & Waffles Food Stand only.

Although I’ve been on an all-Vegetarian Diet since January, I decided to make one meat-eating exception to try this Novel Delicacy. Splitting it with my BFF Fran after already being decidedly full, the $10 investment came with mixed reactions.  Fran found it “not bad”, while simply it wasn’t a Love Connection for me. For one, the Cronut itself lacked any resemblance to a Croissant, sans flakiness and it appeared to have been sitting out for a while – tough, if you will.  A Maple-Bacon Drizzle was completely unnecessary and did little to complement the flavour other than to cash-in on the Bacon trend, giving the Burger a bit of added relevance.  The Patty itself was smokey though – not bad. Surely, acclaimed New York City Pastry Chef Dominique Ansel would be fuming if he saw for himself what we were doing to his prized Creation north of the Border.  Consumers of the Krispy Kreme Donut Burger at $9, seemed much more pleased with themselves.

If you have $10 in your pocket and want a sure-fire Hit, I’d say go for Far East Tacos, which took noted Korean-American Chef David Chang‘s concept of the milk-infused Steamed Bun (Bao), which can be enjoyed at his Momofuku Noodle Bar in Toronto, fusing it with Asian-inspired fillings like Breaded Fish Filets, Kalbi Ribs and more.  Add a bit of cheese, lettuce, tomato, hot sauce and Kimchi (Pickled Cabbage) and what you have is a sensational delight. You get two for $10 and you have the option of enjoying it in Taco form also.  We learned sadly that the Shop only will be available at The Ex with no immediate plans to launch into a Restaurant just yet.

Learn more about The Ex and start planning your visit right here!

UPDATE 8/21/13 9:00 AM EST: Thank you for everyone’s concern as I’ve received multiple messages asking if I’m well after News of this broke this morning.  Multiple Outlets are reporting that at least 12 people fell ill last night after eating at The Ex and some are reporting that these Patrons consumed The Cronut Burger.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

I really don’t care what anyone says, I still love Avril Lavigne and this new Video for latest Single Rock N Roll has her going all out!  See Avril and The Wonder Years’ Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper) take on the evil forces against Rock N Roll in this amazing Comic-inspired Clip directed by Chris Marrs Piliero.

Spoiler Alert: there is an epic kiss, a fancy guitar solo and a shark-headed bear!

See the Video below (Warning: NSFW language):

Rock N Roll is available on iTunes August 27, 2013. Pre-order here.

We met Avril earlier this year finally.  Read about that here!

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)