Paramount+ today announced that its new original comedy series FRASIER, starring Kelsey Grammer, has been renewed for a second season. Season one currently is available to stream exclusively on Paramount+.

Produced by CBS Studios, season two of FRASIER will continue to film 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.

“Kelsey made a triumphant return as one of the most iconic and beloved characters on television,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, Paramount+. “The new series introduced FRASIER to a whole new generation while reminding fans of Kelsey’s truly timeless portrayal of Dr. Crane. We’re so excited to see what the creative team and superb cast serve up for season two.”

“FRASIER is a love story, and I am very happy we will be allowed to continue it. I’m delighted that our partners at CBS Studios and Paramount+ are on board for another season, and I can’t wait for the fans to see what we have in store!” said Kelsey Grammer, star and executive producer of FRASIER.

In addition to Grammer, the series stars Jack Cutmore-Scott as Freddy, Frasier’s son; 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, Freddy’s roommate; and Anders Keith as David, Frasier’s nephew. Season one featured guest appearances from original series cast, including Bebe Neuwirth and Peri Gilpin.

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 Kelsey 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.

By Mr. Will Wong

Animated Nickelodeon series AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER left behind a legacy that is remembered to this day with a devout following. Lasting 2005-2008, the Series is now re-imagined in the live-action format, ready to be unleashed on Netflix later this month!

Synopsis:

The four nations – water, earth, fire and air – once lived in harmony, only to undergo upheaval. Hope lies in Aang (Gordon Cormier), a young Air Nomad — and the last of his kind — who realizes his destiny as the next Avatar. He and others in the Southern Water Tribe embarks on a journey to save the world from the tyrannical Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), all while Crown Prince Zuko (Dallas James Liu) is in pursuit of them. AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER is not only about the journey, but the many personalities Aang and his allies encounter along the way.

We were thrilled to partake in a virtual press junket with the Cast of this exciting new Series, which happened to be filmed here at home in Vancouver. Joining us were:

The Cast are asked what the orignal Nickelodeon series meant to them, including the Lead Actor Gordon Cormier, who happens to be Canadian.

Cormier: “Yeah, no, I didn’t actually watch it before I booked the role. But after I figured out what the show was, I started watching it and binging it, and then really fell in love with my character, with the TV show, and since then, I’ve seen it about 26 times. So, people could say I like the show.”.

Kiawentio: “Yeah, I grew up with the show, so I wish I had a moment that was like when I first discovered it. But it was just kind of like always in my life. I was born like after it came out, so [laugh], so yeah, but I have older siblings that would watch it too. So, it was just kind of like always a part of my life growing up. And then rediscovering it later when it was put on Netflix and just falling in love all over again.

Ousley: “The Last Airbender was something that I did watch as a kid before landing the role. And it is actually a huge reason why I started participating in martial arts. And as you guys know, like, you know, there’s a lot of bending sequences and, you know, a lot of the bending styles are influenced by real life martial arts styles. So, just beiing able to be a part of this has been a privilege.”.

The Cast, including veterans Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-0) and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Kim’s Convenience) are asked about their experiencing ‘bending’ on-camera and attending bootcamp for it. The method of Martial Arts, based on the Baguazhang style, involves smooth coiling and uncoiling actions, employing dynamic footwork, throws, and hand techniques

Leung: “Well, I mean, we didn’t see what it would look like until, you know, [laugh] until afterwards. So, I mean, for me, it was more about a kind of concentrated energy. And it was this choreographed motion. So, it was, I mean, it was that. It was like a choreographed, you know, it was choreography.

Cormier: “Oh, okay. What was the boot camp like? It was incredible, personally, for me. I was really high energy, or I am real high energy person. No lie there. But it was really exciting for me personally because I also really enjoyed the Martial Arts part of it. And I had so much energy. Like it would be so easy for me to go on and on and on, run forms back to back to back to back, and just wire work was incredible. So, I had a really good experience with boot camp.”.

Kim: “Can I just say that, you know, all these young actors here, they were running around, doing their scenes, prepping their work as actors, and then in between set ups, they were coming into the stage where they had the stunts set up and pads and all the stunt people were waiting there. So, there was very little down time for everybody. Their work ethic was exemplary. They were taking time that they didn’t have to be there and wanting to make things right. And that was really impressive for us OGs to see.”.

Lee: “Man, that was humbling. It was humbling because, and props to the entire stunt team, the coordinators, the fight choreographers. They really brought it and for me, it was an intensive like two or three week process where I had to go in and they would video, they would record each session on an iPhone.”.

“And I had to learn how to move, how to breathe properly. I’d have to stretch, which is something that become harder and harder as the days go by, right? And so, we’d be working these scenes and then we’d work out the choreo and we’d run it and they’d tape it and I’d go okay. And in your brain, you’re thinking I look really good. And then you watch the playback and you go, oh, no, I do not look as good as I think I am. And so, the patience of the team was tremendous. And when you feel you have that level of support, and from every source we felt we were fully supported. Like that’s what I loved about the experience was they worked with us tirelessly and they were always available if we wanted to do extra. Because they wanted us to succeed, and they knew the bending has to look right. In this world, for it to be believable, you have to do it right. And I love that commitment to detail. And as a performer, you don’t wanna let people down, either.”

“And it also helps when you have a prodigy who’s doing all the heavy lifting in all the sequences to just sort of like lean back and watch him do his magic. And all of them really, it is a tremendous privilege to see them do their thing. And it’s gonna be wonderful when the rest of the world gets to see them do their thing.”.

The Cast also are asked about the resources and inspirations used in bringing their characters to life in live-action.

Yu: “Well, obviously the original show. And I watched a lot of YouTube videos of the fans breaking down. And I think it was also important to note how the audience viewed these people. Yeah, and you know, we have the comics as well. I think that something I connected with Azula more profoundly with is this sort of place where she is where she’s a woman in power surrounded by a male dominated kingdom, you know. And I think that that struggle a lot of women can connect to and also the word being thrown around where, you know, she’s crazy or she’s insane. I feel like that is really telling for, you know, what women in power go through. And I think on our show, we sort of like stray away from that and kind of explain further into who she is and where she’s coming from. Yeah. I think I pull a lot from myself to be able to connect with her because it’s so outlandish sometimes, she may be doing.”.

Liu: “Similar to Lizzy, I also did a deep dive into YouTube analysis videos. But I really think our source material was research in itself. Every time we got scripts and things like that, because there are a lot of similarities, but also many differences in our show. And so sometimes, you know, when the circumstances of our characters might slightly be different, I think it changes that character as well while maintaining the essence of what the original creators had in mind.”.

“And also at the end of the day, because we are making this live action adaptation, I don’t think anybody here would wanna do an impersonation of these characters, of an animation. I think we really did our best in making these people real and allowing for everything that was going on in the world to, you know, be grounded.”.

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER arrives February 22, 2024 on Netflix.

Today, Prime Video announced that the Emmy-winning global hit drama series The Boys, will premiere its fourth season on June 13, 2024. The diabolical drama will return with three mind-blowing episodes on June 13, followed by a new episode each week, ending with the epic season finale on Thursday, July 18. The eight-episode season will stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

In celebration of Homelander’s birthday, Prime Video also revealed new artwork from the highly anticipated fourth season.

In Season Four, the world is on the brink. Victoria Neuman is closer than ever to the Oval Office and under the muscly thumb of Homelander, who is consolidating his power. Butcher, with only months to live, has lost Becca’s son and his job as The Boys’ leader. The rest of the team are fed up with his lies. With the stakes higher than ever, they have to find a way to work together and save the world before it’s too late.

The Boys stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Claudia Doumit, and Cameron Crovetti. Season Four will welcome Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

The Boys is based on The New York Times best-selling comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, who also serve as executive producers, and developed by executive producer and showrunner Eric Kripke. Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Phil Sgriccia, Michaela Starr, Paul Grellong, David Reed, Meredith Glynn, Judalina Neira, Ken F. Levin, and Jason Netter also serve as executive producers. The Boys is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios with Kripke Enterprises, Original Film, and Point Grey Pictures.

SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:
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Today we get a new Trailer for TIFF ’23 selection BOY KILLS WORLD, starring Bill Skarsgård! In theatres April 26, 2024.

Synopsis:

Bill Skarsgård stars as “Boy” who vows revenge after his family is murdered by Hilda Van Der Koy (Janssen), the deranged matriarch of a corrupt post-apocalyptic dynasty that left the boy orphaned, deaf and voiceless. Driven by his inner voice, one which he co-opted from his favorite childhood video game, Boy trains with a mysterious shaman (Ruhian) to become an instrument of death and is set loose on the eve of the annual culling of dissidents. Bedlam ensues as Boy commits bloody martial arts mayhem, inciting a wrath of carnage and blood-letting. As he tries to get his bearings in this delirious realm, Boy soon falls in with a desperate resistance group, all the while bickering with the apparent ghost of his rebellious little sister.

Directed by Moritz Mohr
Written by Tyler Burton Smith, Arend Remmers
Produced by Sam Raimi, Roy Lee, Simon Swart, Alex Lebovici, Stuart Manashil, Wayne Fitzjohn,
Zainab Azizi, Dan Kagan
Starring Bill Skarsgård, Jessica Rothe, Michelle Dockery, Brett Gelman,
Isaiah Mustafa, Yayan Ruhian, with Andrew Koji, Sharlto Copley and Famke Janssen
Voice of “Boy” Narrated by H. Jon Benjamin

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

After premiering at TIFF ’23 and winning People’s Choice Award at the Windsor International Film Festival, today we get a new Trailer for IRENA’S VOW.

Synopsis:

Through the eyes of a strong-willed woman comes the remarkable true story of Irena Gut Opdyke and the triumphs of the human spirit over devastating tragedy. 19-year-old Irena Gut is promoted to housekeeper in the home of a highly respected Nazi officer when she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be liquidated. Determined to help twelve Jewish workers, she decides to shelter them in the safest place she can think of: the basement of the German commandant’s house. Over the next two years, Irena uses her wit, humor, and courage to hide her friends until the end of the German occupation, concealing them in the midst of countless Nazi parties, a blackmail scheme, and even the birth of a child. Her story is one of the most inspiring of our time.

Elevation Pictures release IRENA’S VOW April 19, 2024.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

Whether it’s an Adidas collaboration or Caribana themed menu item, Patois Toronto’s Chef Craig Wong is no stranger to integrating his menu into the city’s social and music fabric. Did you check out Toronto Star’s recent profile on Co-Owners Craig Wong and Ivy Lam? Check it out here.

In addition to weekend brunch service, Patois will now be hosting a series of Concert Brunches in tandem with Toronto’s exciting live music scene, featuring themed playlists, cocktails and dishes.

Concert attendees can kickstart their day with the themed brunch, setting the perfect mood for the upcoming concert. Exclusive Offer: Concert ticket holders also receive a complimentary mimosa or orange juice!

Reservations are recommended which can be placed directly via the Patois website, www.patoistoronto.com/book

Upcoming events:
Burna Boy Brunch: Feb 24 & 25
Olivia Rodrigo Brunch: March 30
NickiMinaj Brunch: April
Taylor Swift Brunch: November
More dates to be announced soon!

CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster and #1 Canadian podcaster, today shared highlights and programming from CBC Radio, CBC Podcasts and CBC Music that will be available to listen to across arts, culture, music, news and current affairs.

CBC RADIO

JUST ASKING – Broadcasts Saturdays live across the country at 5 p.m. ET (6 AT/4 CT/3 MT/2 PT) on CBC Radio One and CBC Listen starting February 24.

A new live call in show on Saturday afternoons, JUST ASKING is ready to tackle smart questions, with solid answers. Host Saroja Coelho is joined by guest experts, turning the week’s news and latest trends into tips that help listeners grappling to make decisions about tech, money, career or health. JUST ASKING will hear you out, and help you out. The show takes live calls, voice notes and texts on CBC Radio every Saturday afternoon. Have a question? Call 1-888-416-8333 or send voice memos and texts to 226-758-8924 Live on CBC Radio One, Saturdays at 6pmAT/5pmET/4pmCT/3pmMT/2pmPT. A podcast version drops the same day on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.

“I am thrilled to be part of this fantastic team and look forward to the challenging questions we’ll hear from every corner of the country,” says Coelho. “I hope to create a home for genuine curiosity and a diversity of perspectives, while occasionally having a laugh too.. because live radio can be wonderful and a little bonkers.”

CBC MUSIC

Coelho will continue to host MORNINGS ON CBC MUSIC, four days a week – Tuesday to Friday on CBC Music and CBC Listen. Damhnait Doyle will now helm the show on Mondays, while continuing her current role as host of WEEKEND MORNINGS ON CBC MUSIC.

CBC BOOKS:

The countdown is on to CANADA READS, CBC’s annual book debate. Check out all the books and their champions, plus exclusive interviews on the lead up to the live debates, which are taking place March 4-7 on CBC TV, CBC Radio, CBC Listen, CBC Gem and CBC Books.ca.

Livestream the debates at 10 a.m. ET on CBCBooks.ca, CBC Listen, and CBC Gem. Also available on demand later each day on CBC Gem, and as a podcast on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to CBC Radio at 10 a.m. ET/CT/MT/PT, 11 a.m. AT, 1 p.m. NT.

Watch CBC TV at 1 p.m. ET/CT/MT/PT, 2 p.m. AT, 2:30 p.m. NT.

CBC PODCASTS:

All below episodes and series can be found on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available.

THE SECRET LIFE OF CANADA (12 episodes) – New episodes return Thursday, February 22

The history podcast about the terrible, hilarious, dirty, and wonderful history of Canada returns with all-new episodes exploring the politeness of Canadians, popular teen drama Degrassi, the history of the CBC, and more. Hosts Leah-Simone Bowen and Falen Johnson aren’t historians; they’re just two curious people with a passion for little-known stories and underrated people. They bring humour and a healthy skepticism to this country’s founding narratives.

WHO REPLACED AVRIL LAVIGNE? JOANNE MCNALLY INVESTIGATES (6 episodes) – Launching Wednesday, March 6

Avril Lavigne struck a chord with her rebellious teen angst in the early aughts, and she still performs to sold-out crowds to this day. But what if the Avril we’ve been following all these years is not the same Avril we fell in love with? What if — as a curious theory claims — Avril was replaced by a look-alike at the height of her fame?

In this six-part series from CBC Podcasts and BBC Sounds, comedian Joanne McNally immerses herself in a mind-bending world of fake celebrity deaths, doppelgangers, conspiracies, and downright absurdity in an effort to understand how this rumour started, and if there’s any truth to it.

THE PORNHUB EMPIRE: UNDERSTOOD (4 episodes) – Launching Monday, March 11

With about 100 million visits per day, Pornhub is one of the biggest websites on the planet. THE PORNHUB EMPIRE: UNDERSTOOD pulls back the curtain on the scrappy, Montreal-based startup that revolutionized sex on the internet — and the massive scandal that exposed its dark side. Hosted by journalist Samantha Cole (How Sex Changed the Internet and The Internet Changed Sex).

THE PORNHUB EMPIRE is the second season of UNDERSTOOD, an anthology podcast that takes audiences out of the daily news cycle and inside the events, people, and cultural moments they want to know more about. From the fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, to the rise of Pornhub, each season unfolds as a story hosted by a well-connected reporter, and rooted in journalism audiences can trust.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today that Mae Martin, award-winning Canadian comedian, actor, writer, and producer, will host The 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, airing on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 8:00 PM (9:00 PM AT, 9:30 PM NT) on CBC and CBC Gem.

“We are thrilled that Mae Martin will be hosting The 2024 Canadian Screen Awards,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “They are the perfect fit for this show: a dynamic and accomplished Canadian who is breaking barriers and making waves globally both in front of and behind the camera, just like the many talented individuals who we will be celebrating during Canadian Screen Week 2024.”

Join comedian and host Mae Martin for The 2024 Canadian Screen Awards at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto on Friday, May 31. The one-hour broadcast, airing at 8:00 PM (9 AT, 9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem, promises an innovative blend of unpredictable, emotional award-show moments and unprecedented access to nominees and Special Award winners, offering audiences a celebratory look at the best in Canadian film and television. Produced by creative forces Roma Ahi and Katie Lafferty of Makers, this year’s broadcast will continue to redefine the award show and shine a spotlight on the achievements of our homegrown talent.

“I am elated to be hosting this celebration of all the amazing talent in Canada, and plan on asking a lot of people I admire for selfies,” said host Mae Martin.

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Mae Martin is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer who presently hosts the hit comedy podcast Handsome alongside Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster. They are best known for creating, starring, and co-writing Feel Good, a critically acclaimed drama-comedy series for which their stunning performance earned them a 2021 BAFTA TV Award nomination. Beloved for their stand-up comedy, Martin’s show Dope was nominated for “Best Comedy Show” at the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards, and their standup special SAP, directed by Abbi Jacobson, launched on Netflix in March 2023.

The nominees for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards will be announced on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 7:00 AM ET on academy.ca/nominees.

The full schedule for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards can be found at CanadianScreenWeek.ca. For more information about the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards and Canadian Screen Week 2024, please visit Academy.ca.

(Photo credit: Joseph Sinclair)

The family behind successful restaurants Thai House Cuisine (downtown Toronto, Port Credit) and Thay Thai Bar, are introducing a one-of-a-kind boxing-themed venture, Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar. Located in the neighbourhood of Queen West (325 Queen St. West), owners Inchai Tabun and Thanyaporn Tinthanasan have created a hub that marries Thai culture, food and martial arts. Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar will have its grand opening to the public on March 9, 2024 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, complete with celebratory free pad thai for customers (while supplies last) and Thai-themed trivia with cash prizes.

Chef Inchai Tabun has years of experience working with Thai cuisine. He started his culinary journey as a trainee and was eventually promoted to chef de partie at a five star Thai restaurant in his hometown of Chiang Mai. Chef Tabun moved to Toronto in 2002 and worked as a head chef at various restaurants before taking the leap and opening his own initial establishment in 2012.

“My menus are most inspired by sharing ideas with other chefs and finding the freshest ingredients throughout my travels. I combine my hometown cooking skills with modern techniques to create Thai dishes that are both relevant and authentic,” says chef Tabun.

As Thai food is a staple and source of fuel for many fighters, Tabun wanted to blend his passion for cooking with his love for Muay Thai.

“Food is a universal language. We look forward to showcasing popular local dishes from different parts of Thailand that connect Muay Thai fighters on a daily basis. Our menu will incorporate sharing platters which are popular among fighters from Esarn with my own hometown recipes and popular Thai street food,” says chef Tabun.

Menu items include Crispy Miang Kham (savoury leaf wraps), Crispy Catfish Flake Salad, Thai Street Pad Thai Shrimps & Hoy Tod (crispy fried mussel pancake, pictured above), and hero item Vancouver Crab Fried Rice (pictured above).

Much like food, the drink offerings do not fall short. Signature drinks including the Knock Out Punch (pictured above), Spicy Boxer (pictured above) and Thai Tea Martini accompany a list of Thai beers and mocktail options. Hero cocktail Beautiful Boxer (pictured above) is inspired by Thai boxer and former champion, Parinya Charoenphol. The ingredients (vodka, coconut, mango) and presentation were curated to represent Charoenphol: strong, beautiful and sexy.

The interior decor is decked out from top to bottom with traditional Thai colours and Muay Thai elements including murals and paintings done by a Thai artist, Muay Thai punching bags and boxing ring-style rope along the perimeter.

With unique sporting decor, friendly service and Thai menus not quite done the same elsewhere, Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar is excited to become part of the Toronto culinary, mixology and sports community.

Reservations for Muay Thai Restaurant and Bar will be available to book through OpenTable once the website is finalized. Delivery and pick-up will be available through UberEats, SkipTheDishes, DoorDash, Ritual and an online portal directly through the website.

(Photo credit: Ananta Gulati)

MIGRATION Collector’s Edition will be available to own on Digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray™ and DVD February 27, 2024. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment want to give Readers a chance to win a copy on 4k!

Synopsis:

The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica. As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience inspires them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. Share this Post from our X account or IG for an extra chance.

Rules and regulations here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)