Launching as Banned Books Week begins, Xtra, the leading LGBTQ2S+ digital publication from Pink Triangle Press, today announced Comics Against Censorship, a five-part series of original comics examining the censorship of queer and trans stories from across North America. The series is guest edited by acclaimed author and cartoonist Maia Kobabe, whose book Gender Queer: A Memoir, was named the most challenged book in the United States by the American Library Association (ALA) for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023 and remains one of the top banned books in North America.

Since the publication of Gender Queer in 2019, Kobabe has become a prominent advocate against censorship and for the freedom to read and experience queer and trans stories. “I believe the fact that my book is a comic is absolutely one of the reasons it has been so heavily challenged. Images carry power,” writes Kobabe in an introductory essay for the series. “We are often impacted more viscerally by words and images together than by words alone. While comics might be especially vulnerable to challenges, they are also extremely well suited to fighting back against censorship.”

Through five original works from artists across North America, Comics Against Censorship explores the impact of censorship on LGBTQ2S+ creators, readers, educators and communities, while examining why comics have become a particular focus of book challenges and restrictions:

Cassy Lee (San Francisco) explores the experience of a Librarian who makes a conscious decision to ensure queer books are available to the young people who need them.

Audra McNamee (Portland) tells the story behind a Pride-themed children’s book that became the subject of a U.S. Supreme Court case in Pride Puppy.

Winter Wei (Toronto) looks back at the History of queer censorship and the suppression of LGBTQ2S+ information and stories.

Hal Monitor (Calgary) reports from Alberta, documenting the experiences of trans artists and educators amid changing provincial policies affecting LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Hazel and Bell (Vancouver) explore how queer webcomic creators are navigating restrictions on explicit content and growing pressure from online platforms and payment processors in Raccoon.

Excerpt from Cassy Lee’s comic, Librarian.

The series comes amid increasing scrutiny of LGBTQ2S+ books in schools and libraries. In 2025, the ALA reported that 92 per cent of book challenges in the United States were initiated by pressure groups, government officials and other decision makers, up from 72 per cent in 2024. Of the 4,235 unique titles challenged that year, 1,671, or 39 per cent represented the lived experiences of LGBTQ2S+ people and people of colour.

In Canada, the Alberta government introduced new standards in 2025 restricting sexually explicit content in school library materials. Four graphic novels were repeatedly cited by government officials during the debate: Flamer by Mike Curato, Blankets by Craig Thompson, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel and Kobabe’s Gender Queer. Three of the four explore LGBTQ2S+ experiences.

Comics Against Censorship is an Xtra editorial initiative dedicated to retired Pink Triangle Press Board Member Didier Pomerleau who has long been a vocal advocate against censorship.

About Pink Triangle Press
Founded in 1971, Pink Triangle Press produces 2SLGBTQIA+ journalism at Xtra Magazine and through a variety of content distribution channels in Canada and abroad. The Press also operates travel site Pink Ticket Travel, a gay adult dating website, and has produced a number of television projects. The organization began as a gay liberation newspaper, The Body Politic, named by Masthead Magazine as one of “Canada’s 20 most influential magazines of all time.”

Halloween just got a whole lot more mischievous.

For the first time ever, Looney Tunes™ characters are coming to Krispy Kreme Canada, with Bugs Bunny™, Tweety™, Sylvester™, Taz™ and Lola Bunny™ getting a spooky-season makeover in a limited-edition doughnut collection available in Canada.

Beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2026 the new Looney Tunes™ Halloween Collection will be available for a limited time at all Krispy Kreme Canada locations, bringing some of the most iconic animated characters to the doughnut case in festive Halloween form.

The collection includes:

Bugs Bunny Doughnut – An unglazed shell doughnut filled with chocolate dulce Kreme, dipped in red dulce icing and topped with chocolate drizzle, bat sprinkles and a Bugs Bunny Vampire sugar piece.

Tweety & Sylvester Doughnut – An Original Glazed® doughnut dipped in candy-corn flavoured icing and confetti sprinkles, topped with a Tweety & Sylvester Pumpkin sugar piece.

Taz Doughnut – An unglazed shell doughnut filled with OREO cookies & Kreme, dipped in chocolate icing and OREO pieces, finished with green icing drizzle and a Taz Mummy sugar piece.

Lola Bunny Doughnut – An Original Glazed doughnut topped with a purple buttercreme-flavoured swirl, gold stars and a Lola Bunny sugar piece.

The collaboration brings together the nostalgia of Looney Tunes with Krispy Kreme’s Halloween lineup, offering fans a playful new way to celebrate the season, whether for Halloween gatherings, family celebrations or simply a festive treat.

The Looney Tunes Halloween Collection will be available for a limited time only at all Krispy Kreme locations across Canada, beginning October 6 and ending October 31, 2026.

Check here for your nearest location.

By Nicholas Porteous and Mr. Will Wong

Just For Laughs Toronto 2026 officially is back, taking place across multiple venues across the City, running from September 24 to October 3, 2026. After a brief hiatus, the beloved comedy festival is stronger than ever. The 10-day event this year features an incredibly studded lineup of headliners (Pete Davidson, Tiffany Haddish, John Cleese), local stand-up showcases (Jacob Balshin), podcasts (Tracy & Martina, The Evil Men Podcast) and live recordings with rising stars.

Nicholas Porteous and Mr. Will check out some of this year’s most-anticipated shows at JFL Toronto and here are your highlights!

TIFFANY HADDISH

Funnywoman Tiffany Haddish brought her fierce confidence to the Elgin Theatre on September 26th, recounting her life story—all the way from her Track & Field days, to finding her father, and next her plans for the future, which include shooting Girls Trip 2 next year, publishing seven books over the next five years, opening multiple grocery stores, and seducing Mark Carney to heal the US-Canada relationship!

She’s also running for President under the slogan “Mind your own damn business” and recruiting a cabinet of people who ‘actually work in government’. Haddish opened the floor to the audience for an extended Q&A following her show, and made plans with a group of rowdy teachers in the back of the audience before taking a bow in the spirited show.

THE SKLAR BROTHERS

Nicholas Porteous had the best time ever at this, his favourite show of the Festival this year! The Sklar Brothers brought their signature synchronistic Twin Comedy stylings to the Comedy Bar Main Stage on September 25th, painting a tragic and hilarious portrait of parenthood. They likened themselves to a North Korean news outlet for their children, and described the lose/lose scenario of showing them (and subsequently ruining) all their favourite movies. They made the case that Obama’s real legacy was actually raising two teenage girls in the White House, playing out a horrific call to dinner. They also pitched their ‘Young Daddy’ app, for when your kids ask for the impossible: intentionally rolling down a hill with them. Before the set was over, they clarified that they do actually enjoy having kids—just in case you weren’t sure! The Sklar Brothers gave Festival Goers a second chance to see them the following night – not that it was easy getting tickets to see this hot act.

PETE DAVIDSON

Almost three years to the last date he played in Toronto, much-talked-about Funnyman Pete Davidson makes a big return to the City, with JFL! The show being sold-out entirely gave fans a chance to preview new material from him after a lengthy absence. While we couldn’t nab a ticket to this, we are thrilled that the reviews are in, and the funnyman is indeed back! Fans in attendance, couldn’t stop raving about his set on the 26th at Meridian Hall:

We caught up with Davidson quickly after the show and he was in great spirits, placing dental hygiene first with toothpaste in-hand!

STEF DAG

Stef Dag confronted Toronto with a tangled web of relationship histories, including a neverending situationship with her dad, a long-distance open relationship with Brad Pitt (and anybody else who doesn’t live nearby!), and a recurring lineup of six “ugly” dudes from Hinge. She celebrated the cosmic joke of Stephen Hawking’s visits to Epstein Island, and spread her conspiracy theory that there are wayyyy fewer than 8 billion people on the planet. If you’re worried about whether she’ll find her soulmate, she knows he’s statistically somewhere in Shanghai. In the meantime, she’s invested in what she jokes is a military-grade vibrator, which she believes is deeply unfair to all men! Dag played two full houses at Comedy Bar Bloor on September 26th and 27th.

JOHN CLEESE

Comedy icon John Cleese regaled (and re-grailed) the Winter Garden Theatre with a screening of timeless classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, followed by a very silly Q&A. He was delighted by an audience that left their homes to sit in ‘slightly uncomfortable chairs’ to watch a 51 year-old movie, telling them, “You could all be at home enjoying yourselves!”. He shed light on the Film’s unlikely production, including a first draft that was almost completely thrown out, and a quest for £240,000 ($453k CDN) that was mostly successful due to a tax loophole for rock bands supporting the Arts—Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin among the donors.

Cleese emerged after the screening (wearing official killer bunny rabbit slippers) to take the temperature on his classic. “‘”You still like it, do you? I think it’s overrated. It’s very good for about 70 minutes. Then Terry Gilliam took over.”. He described the struggle between the two director Terrys—engaged in a constant back-and-forth throughout production. One Terry re-editing the movie while the other Terry slept. He playfully questioned the audience’s sanity more than once, and reflected on turning down a knighthood in light of his mortality and the whole idea feeling “a bit silly”. If anyone would know, it’s him.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a childhood dream-come-true for Nicholas!

RAY LAU

This Seattle-based Funnyman who went viral for sharing his Steakhouse Date anecdote, plays his biggest show yet at Just for Laughs Toronto, with sold-out shows at Comedy Bar and Bluma Appel Theatre October 2nd and 3rd. Lau delighted the crowd, getting their buy-in from the get-go, having them partake in increasingly-chaotic wave formations. He brought the laughs with a fun dash of relatability and physical comedy, including stories with his girlfriend driving crazy yet being forced to side with her, and also the time he was the lone guy at a Belly Dancing class. He tested the waters with some new material, including the time he put himself in a scary situation, getting offered J Cole tickets via Instagram. The audience loved it up! The buzz is warranted and Ray Lau has the makings of Comedy’s next big breakout star.

LAUREN LAPKUS & MARY HOLLAND

Lauren Lapkus and Mary Holland brought their fantastic, friendship-fuelled improv to the Randolph Theatre October 3rd in The Lauren & Mary Show. They set their sights on air travel and surveyed the audience for stories before delivering a hysterical longform set revolving around mismatched strangers on a plane, fighting over the arm rest and personal space. They branched off into a dream-within-a-dream about botched fox surgery, and a pair of kids trying to impress each other with their non-existent girlfriends before boarding. Several rounds of truth or dare, bathroom breaks, and futile attempts to sleep later, the audience was gasping for air. Hopefully their return trips won’t bear any resemblance to what unfolded on stage.

JOEL KIM BOOSTER

Joel Kim Booster brought a newly-married comedic fire to Randolph Theatre on October 3rd. He described the persistent pleasure of uttering the word “husband” no matter the context, and how he found himself married to a white guy. He also shared his reasoning behind why Jesus was ABSOLUTELY “an annoying gay guy”, how NASA is the biggest waste of resources when we have an unexplored ocean at home, and the reasons Lady Gaga might want to reconsider the bridge lyrics to “Born This Way”. He pointed his biting-but-playful energy at the audience throughout, poking at the line between monogamy and open relationships, who else was part of the “dead dad club”, and how many straight men were in the audience—unaccompanied by a girlfriend, gay friend, or wife. Yours truly was part of that supposedly next-to-nonexistent demo, so JKB’s profile must be—rightfully—on the rise!

Some highlights so far:

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That’s a Wrap! What a comeback for JFL TORONTO! Learn more about the Festival here!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Nicholas Porteous)

Chris pemberton Conor Janda JFL Joel Kim Booster John Cleese Just for Laughs Lauren Lapkus Mary Holland Pete Davidson ray lau Stef Dag the sklar brothers tiffany haddish

Down Home, the MICHELIN Guide–recommended restaurant in Grey County, has opened a new retail store, giving visitors the chance to take home some of the same local ingredients that shape the restaurant’s cooking.

The store features fresh produce from across Grey County, including carrots, squash, beets, radishes and winter kale, along with edible flowers grown on the Down Home farm. Guests will also find farm-fresh eggs, local honey, small-batch jams and Canadian-made glassware by local artists.

It’s a natural extension of the restaurant and a new stop for anyone visiting Grey County who wants to shop local and bring a little of the Down Home experience home with them.

Learn more about DOWN HOME here. Reservations only.

tiff ’26 selection CLARISSA is in theatres very soon via Elevation Pictures. Here is a look at its Trailer.

Directed by: Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri

Starring: Sophie Okonedo, Ayo Edebiri, David Oyelowo, India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh, Fortune Nwafor

The film follows society woman Clarissa as she prepares to host a party at her home in Lagos, Nigeria, where she will unexpectedly encounter once-intimate friends from her youth. As the group reflects on their shared past over the course of a single night, memories of their intricate relationships, passionate love, hidden desires, and lost aspirations give rise to bittersweet reckoning.

New comedy series, Ted: The Animated Series, premieres on Thursday, December 17 with back-to-back episodes at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET. on Showcase and STACKTV. The Ted franchise enters a bold, new animated era, allowing fans to experience a fan-favourite cast and Ted’s signature, outrageous humour in a whole new way. Ahead of the premiere, viewers can enjoy more Ted hijinks by streaming Season 1 and 2 of the prequel, live-action series, Ted, on STACKTV.

Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad!, The Orville) is set to reprise the voice of the iconic and loveable, foul-mouthed teddy bear “Ted”, and will also executive produce all episodes alongside executive producers/co-showrunners Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh (Modern Family), who also executive produced the live-action series Ted.

Ted: The Animated Series picks up after the Ted films and sees the return of original film franchise stars as series regulars to voice their roles including Mark Wahlberg (The Union, The Family Plan) as “John”, Amanda Seyfried (Long Bright River, The Dropout) as “Sam” and Jessica Barth (Ted & Ted 2) as “Tami-Lynn”. Additional series regulars include: Kyle Mooney (Y2K, Saturday Night Live) as “Apollo” and Liz Richman (Little America, Ted) as “Ruth”. Erica Huggins, Alana Kleiman, Jason Clark, Aimee Carlson for Fuzzy Door and Claudia Katz for Rough Draft also executive produce.

The series is produced by Universal Global Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, Fuzzy Door and MRC.

Ted: The Animated Series and more hit series including The Paper, The Five Star Weekend, The Day of the Jackal, All Her Fault and The ‘Burbs can be streamed via STACKTV, available on Amazon Prime Video, Bell Fibe TV app, Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite Streaming. Showcase is also available through all major TV distributors, including: Shaw, Shaw Direct, Rogers, Bell, Videotron, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink and SaskTel.

VERITY is a verifiable smash hit, debuting with $32 million from 3,510 theatres for Amazon MGM Studios. While Critics didn’t love it with 34% on Rotten Tomatoes, Author Colleen Hoover fans did and they continue to support, following the smash success of 2024 book adaptation IT ENDS WITH US, which opened with $50 million. Review here.

Second is RESIDENT EVIL with $11.5 million, taking it to $123.8 million over three frames for Sony Pictures.

Third is THE HEART OF THE BEAST with $10.3 million for Paramount Pictures, a two weekend run of $37.6 million.

DIGGER debuts in fourth with $10 million from 3,321 theatres for Warner Bros., with a 51% on the Tomatometer. Review here.

Rounding out our Top Five is PRIMETIME with $7.6 million, taking it to $32.7 million for A24 and Elevation Pictures.

Like me, I’m sure you were dumbfounded when you heard that THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL was an actual thing, but it is and it’s now here in Toronto, brought to us by Mirvish Productions. After a successful run in St. Louis and London, there is talk of this crowd-pleasing production going to Broadway. But first, Toronto, a city of impeccable taste, gets it first!

Based on the smash 1984 film of the same name, this adaptation follows 17-year-old Daniel (Gino Ochello) who moves to California to New Jersey with his widowed mother Lucille (Jodie Jacobs). He hits it off with Ali (Abigail Amin), but not without stepping on the toes of her ex-boyfriend Johnny (Joe Simmons). Subjected to relentless bullying, things are looking dire for Daniel until he enlists the help of handyman Mr. Miyagi (Adrian Pang), who happens to be a former veteran. Before he knows it, he’s entered into a Karate competition to face-off against arch-nemesis Johnny who trains with the aggressive and ruthless Cobra Kai under John Kreese (Matt Mills), while learning how to defend himself.

While it takes a bit of time to absorb, we absolutely loved the second act here which really goes in deeper on the kindred friendship between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel. From different worlds, but somehow their connection makes sense. The choreography, including fight sequences look dynamite, as is the set design also.

Truly fantastic performances from Singapore’s Pang, alongside up-and-comer Ochello, and together they have a winning chemistry which will win hearts!

THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL plays at Princess of Wales Theatre till November 1, 2026. Get your tickets now at Mirvish.com.

Some opening night highlights including appearances from original Karate Kid himself Ralph Macchio, Writer Robert Mark Kamen and Composer Drew Gasparini.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Multiplatinum global superstar Hilary Duff has released “CATastrophe,” an original song written for THE CAT IN THE HAT, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s first full-length feature film and the beloved character’s animated theatrical feature film debut, in theaters and IMAX® November 6. Written by Duff alongside Matthew Koma, Madison Love, and Brian Phillips, and produced by Koma and Phillips, “CATastrophe” serves as the emotional anchor of the film. First heard in a new film trailer which debuted earlier today, the track is available now via Atlantic Records and arrives alongside an official music video directed by Dano Cerny.

Watch the visual, which brings the Seussian aesthetic to life, following Duff as she moves through a series of whimsical, oversized worlds and seamlessly folds them into her own environment, HERE:

“Dr. Seuss was on repeat in our house for years, so when this came around I didn’t have to think about it,” shares Hilary. “CATastrophe” is about that feeling when your whole world gets picked up and moved somewhere else and nobody asks you first. I wanted it to be honest about those feelings, and still be something you’d turn all the way up in the car.”

“CATastrophe” is featured on THE CAT IN THE HAT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), releasing on October 30 from WaterTower Music. The album features a score by GRAMMY® Award-winning composer Lorne Balfe, Duff’s original single, and “The Cat in the Hat Theme Song” written by Tim Minchin and performed by FITZ & Tim Minchin featuring Bill Hader.

ABOUT HILARY DUFF

One of the defining stars of her generation, multiplatinum global icon Hilary Duff returns to the pop world with her boldest and most self-assured project yet, luck… or something. Duff first kicked off her music career with 2003’s 4X platinum Metamorphosis (featuring the Top 40-charting “So Yesterday” and “Come Clean”), then released her platinum-selling 2004 self-titled LP and 2007 autobiographical dance-pop collection Dignity. With those three albums alone selling a collective 15 million copies worldwide, she also established herself as a producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and New York Times-bestselling author, all while continuing to deliver standout performances in TV and film, including her award-nominated turn on Darren Star’s “Younger.”

Now signed to Atlantic Records, Duff launched a thrilling new chapter with her sixth studio album, her first new music since 2015’s Breathe In. Breathe Out. (a No. 5 debut on the  Billboard 200, made with an extensive lineup of producers/co-writers, including Tove Lo and Ed Sheeran). Co-written by Hilary and produced by her husband, GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter/producer Matthew Koma (Britney Spears, P!nk), and Brian Phillips (Alec Benjamin, blink-182), luck… or something debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, marking Duff’s highest chart position since 2007 and at the time, became the second-largest debut for a female artist this year. Named one of the “Best Albums of 2026” by Billboard, Rolling Stone and Variety and garnering additional critical praise from LA Times, Associated Press, Pitchfork, Glamour and more, the project officially became Duff’s sixth career Top 5 entry while simultaneously landing at #2 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales Chart. Internationally, luck… or something has soared to the top of the charts with Top 5 debuts in 6 countries, including #1 in Canada and Australia. Marking her first major tour in over 18 years, Duff’s critically acclaimed global headline “the lucky me tour” spans 18 countries including SOLD-OUT performances at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, London’s The O2 and more.

Today, Netflix announced that A Different World has been renewed for a second season.

Season 1 premiered September 24th, following Deborah, Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert’s free-spirited, well-intentioned, yet rebellious youngest child, during her freshman year at Hillman College alongside a whole new generation of Hillman’s best and brightest.

Quotes from Tudum.com
Creator, Showrunner, and Executive Producer Felicia Pride: “It’s so validating to be bolstered by our amazing audience. We are beyond excited to return to Hillman and continue to tell meaningful and heartfelt stories that resonate across generations. I am thrilled for our brilliant cast and our hard-working crew.”

Executive Producer and Director Debbie Allen: “YAY! HALLELUJAH! The people and NETFLIX have spoken. A Different World brought something everybody needed: joy, romance, relevance, authenticity, and HEART! Thank you for getting us into the Top 10 worldwide! And now, gear up! We’re coming back at you with Season 2!!”

Tracey Pakosta, Vice President, Comedy Series, Netflix: “We are so excited to see how audiences around the world have embraced the next chapter of this beloved series. We believed in this incredible team from day one, and can’t wait to see what unfolds next year at Hillman College.”

Season 2 Logline: After transformative summers, Deborah and her Hillman classmates return to campus for sophomore year with a “New Year, New Me” attitude, only to find themselves faced with past decisions, uncertain futures, new loves and friendships, and deeper questions of purpose… all while, of course, getting themselves into a whole lot of new mess.

A Different World debuted at #4 in the Global Top 10 English TV list, earning 4.2M views and hit the Top 10 in 15 countries. Fans of the series have been loving the opening credits theme performed by Brandy, which has received over 1.3 million streams globally.

More About A Different World S1
Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer: Felicia Pride (Grey’s Anatomy, Bel-Air)

Director/Executive Producer: Debbie Allen (Grey’s Anatomy) – who directed 83 episodes of the original series and served as primary director from 1989-1993

Executive Producers: Tom Werner (The Connors, Roseanne), Reggie Rock Bythewood (Get On The Bus, Swagger), Gina Prince-Bythewood (Children Of Blood And Bone, Love & Basketball), Mandy Summers (That 90’s Show, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh)

Synopsis: A Different World returns to Hillman College with a new class stepping onto campus — and beloved faces coming home. At the center is Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), Whitley and Dwayne’s lovingly sheltered youngest daughter, a free spirit with a flair for the spotlight and a big heart who’s still figuring out her own path at Hillman. Along the way, she’s joined by a new generation that reflects the breadth of Black life on campus: Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), a first‑gen criminal justice major; Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), a five‑star athlete choosing legacy; Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall), a sharp psych major better at fixing everyone else’s problems than facing his own; Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece), a church‑raised small‑town girl defining her own values; and Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche), a Ghanaian‑Nigerian fashion entrepreneur finding the courage to follow his vision. Legacy favorites also return, including Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy), Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer), and Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell). Set against the rituals, humor, and contradictions of an HBCU, A Different World is a hopeful dramedy, full of heart and unapologetically centered on the richness and complexity of the Black experience.

Format: 10 episodes, single camera, half-hour format