Taking place five years after its acclaimed first season, MICHAEL: THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS returns to the CBC lineup as MICHAEL: EVERY DAY, after budget cuts at the network back in 2012 prevented a second season. Produced and directed by Genie and Tony Award winner Don McKellar (Sensitive Skin), this latest installment of the acclaimed series reunites Psychiatrist Dr. David Storper (Bob Martin) and his patient Michael (Matt Watts).
We meet the neurotic, though seemingly well-adjusted Michael  just as he has an anxiety attack at the airport prior to boarding a flight, while David himself is coping with the traumatic loss of one of his patients recently, worse for wear than Michael, his 15-year patient. The Ottawa-made sitcom has these two characters reuniting once again unexpectedly and focuses on their intense and co-dependent friendship, darkly-comical while at once heartwarming how it looks at mental illness with a bit of lightness. At once it also makes the matter feel refreshingly “normal”.
We can’t wait to see where Michael and David’s in/out-of-office relationship takes them next. Also returning to the series is  Tommie-Amber Pirie as David’s endearing assistant Claire.
MICHAEL: EVERY DAY airs Sundays on CBC, find out more about it here.
See a special feature on Michael: Every Day from CBC:
(Photo credit: CBC)
Okay, we admit it. We never really got the internet phenomenon known as SHIT GIRLS SAY, hence when we heard its creators, Graydon Sheppard and Kyle Humphrey were unleashing a new web series, we didn’t think much of it.
New CBC Comedy web series COMING IN however takes the rebellious stereotype-owning spirit of SHIT GIRLS SAY and in that same vein of laughter, takes it a level further. This time around, the duo explore the idea of sexual fluidity and asks the question, what if a gay man suddenly were to turn straight?
The 11-part Web Series clocking-in at about three-to-five minutes per episode, centers on Mitchell (Dylan Archambault), a stage actor who on the day of his wedding to his boyfriend Greg (Noah Danby), realizes he no longer is atttacted to men. The story then follows his way over-the-top journey to self-discovery as he grapples with his sudden attraction to women and coping with himself and how the world now perceives him as a ‘straight’ male.
COMING IN while at times playing a bit too heavily on the stereotype for laughs than going deeper – a challenge of the series’ time constraints – ultimately is more a sex comedy of extremes than an examination of the questions we all ask ourselves. It is a voyeuristic fantasy that questions ‘what if’ we went the ‘other way’ and our inhibitons were dulled, managing to keep us engaged the whole time. The series is daring and surprisingly racy, fitting right-in in an era of orientation-diverse mainstream programming like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Mitchell‘s friend and stage co-star Margot (Natalie Krill) proves a comical match to his perpetual self-absorption and Archambault is cast well in the role. Blink and you might miss a cameo from Toronto’s own Sugar Lyn Beard who has made a career of memorable sexually-daring yet funny roles in Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates and Sausage Party.
You can now stream all 11 episodes of COMING IN right here.
Unless you really aren’t paying attention, ads for KIM’S CONVENIENCE have taken over the City these past few weeks. Billboards, bus shelters, you name it – CBC wants you to know about this groundbreaking new comedic series led by an Asian-Canadian cast, based on Playwright Ins Choi‘s play of the same name which won rave reviews. The Series, premiering Tuesday, October 11, 2016 9 PM EST hones-in on the inter-generational conflict between a family of Korean immigrants. We had the chance to chat with up-and-coming actor Simu Liu who not only stars in KIM’S CONVENIENCE as Jung, but also appears on upcoming NBC Series, TAKEN – both filmed here in Toronto.
1. Tell us what drew you most to your role on KIM’S CONVENIENCEÂ and tell us about the casting process.
Liu: What drew me to this role is Jung’s troubled relationship with his father. I related a lot to the struggle of growing up with one culture at home and another at school, and I found a lot of catharsis doing scenes between Jung and Appa. My own relationship with my parents is not what’s on the show, but there are some definite similarities. I hope that a lot of children from immigrant families watching this can learn to appreciate their parents’ hard work and sacrifice in coming to Canada.
2. Tell us a bit more about your character Jung.
Liu: Jung is a guy who has a bit of a rebellious past. He ran with the wrong crowd in high school, got kicked out of the house, and ended up getting in a bit of trouble with the law. Jung begins the show doing grunt work at a car rental company. He’s confident, charismatic and a natural leader, and he’s made a commitment to make something better of his life. While he still keeps in contact with his mom and sister, Jung’s relationship to his father is still rocky; in fact, they haven’t spoken in almost ten years.
3. We see your extensive stunt work on your rĂ©sumĂ©. Tell us about some of the most dangerous work you’ve done thus far.
Liu: Oh jeez – well it would have to be on Heroes Reborn. I was on supposed to do a simple fall in the fight sequence but when we got on set the director wanted something more. So the coordinator asked if I could get clotheslined in the neck, do a backflip and then land on my face. I had practiced the stunt on soft floor before but we were on set already and I hadn’t rehearsed it. I was fairly confident in my abilities and we were able to get the shot!
4. We see you are working on two Toronto productions at once, TAKENÂ and KIM’S CONVENIENCE. How do you juggle both?
Liu: I gave up sleep for a few weeks! On more than one occasion I would be waking up at 5:30am to do a full 14 hr day on one set, have a car waiting to transport me to the other to work an 8 hr day, go home to shower and then be on set again at 6 the next day. I am eternally grateful to the production managers of both shows as well as my eternally dedicated agent Andrea Britton for making it possible to shoot two shows at once. Looking back it truly was the craziest, most memorable summer I have ever had.
5. Okay, you’re at a convenience store. We give you a $10 budget. What do you buy?
A bag of Jalapeño chips, an ice cream sandwich and a can of Diet Coke!
Follow Liu on Twitter here.
Follow KIM’S CONVENIENCE on Twitter also!
Learn more about KIM’S CONVENIENCE:
(Photo credit: CBC/Caitlin Cronenberg)
After a successful first season which just saw multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations, CBC series X COMPANY begins its second season tonight.  Stars Évelyne Brochu (Orphan Black) and Dustin Milligan (90210, Schitt’s Creek) are in Toronto right now promoting the Series which promises to be darker and gritter than its first installment. The Series centers around five secret agents who receive special training near Lake Ontario during World War II.
We caught up with stars Milligan and Brochu earlier today at a promotional stop-off and they were amazingly-nice to stop in the cold for Fans:
To learn more about X Company click here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/CBC)
Recognize this handsome face? While Canadian’s await the forthcoming Season of CBC‘s Republic of Doyle, its Star Allan Hawco is keeping sharp starring in the Company Theatre‘s Production of BELLEVILLE! The Drama examines a Generation struggling with the pressures of success and entitlement and plays at the Berkeley Theatre, with a Gala Performance on April 16, 2014!
We caught-up with Hawco earlier lunching and he was amazing to stop for a quick Snap, extending a handshake!
More details on BELLEVILLE here!
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/CBC)
Some days I’m literally convinced that I was born to meet Celebrities. Â Today at my Day Job, I head down to the Gym to get a nice, nourishing breakfast, when I had to do a triple-take. Â Why in the World would Sportscaster Brian Williams be at my office working out? Â Well he was.
Although I’m not much of a Sports Nut, watching the Olympics as a Kid was unavoidable and you all know how much I love Horse Racing, for which he was a regular Commentator on major Race Telecasts. Brian Williams was always on CBC with a highly-distinctive manner about him which came to define much of my younger years.
We missed Williams’ familiar voice and face on CTV‘s (which he transitioned over to) coverage of the Winter Olympics in Sochi this year, but the Man certainly has left behind a legacy which several after him could only aspire for.
The Officer of the Order of Canada was awesome to stop and pose for a Photo by the Cash Register with me today, extending a handshake. Made. My. Life!
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/The Sweeney Agency)
As TIFF ’13 Festivities are nearing an end, I had the incredible honour of being invited to what is regarded as the most sought-after Gifting Lounge of the entire Festival, George Stromboulopoulous’ Made in Canada Lounge. Now in its fifth year, the Lounge situated in the CBC Building this year decidedly has taken-on an all-Canadian theme. Not only was I floored by the Goodies in store, attending Celebrities loved them some of these locally-made products. As I was guided through the Lounge, my jaw was in an endless state of dropped as name after name was rattled-off to me, processing what these Stars took a liking to.
Celebrity Guests this year at the Made in Canada Lounge included the likes of Ryan Kwanten, Taylor Schilling, Idris Elba, Tom Wilkinson, Taylor Kitsch, Paul Dano, Jesse Eisenberg, Zoe Kazan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Joel Edgerton, Alan Cumming and many others. Several even partook in signing their Autographs on Hockey Sticks, proudly placed on display and later to generate funds for Charity.
Among the biggest Winners at the Lounge this year were: AWAKE‘s delicious and super-caffeinated Chocolates, the uber-refreshing Limonana Beverage, Neals Brothers Foods‘ Bacon Maple Chips (which I am consuming at a rapid rate as I type this post), OMG’s (like Clodhoppers, if not more scintillating), the Montreal Canadiens‘ (Stromboulopoulous‘ favourite NHL Team) exclusive “TIFF“-inscribed Jersey, Smells Like Canada‘s Saskatoon Wheat-scented Candle, Sweets from the Earth‘s Cashew Cookies (personal favourite), Pehr‘s Tea Towels, Leaves of Trees’ super-moisturizing Argan Oil, Cococo Chocolatiers’ Habanero Rosemary Infusion Chocolate Bar (meant to be paired with Dinner), Oliberte Shoes, Daneson’s Toothpicks and several, several, more.
It also is said that “STROMBO” T-Shirts by Lancaster are becoming a bit of a Celebrity-obsession south of the Border also with Game of Thrones Star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau recently being papped in one.
I went, I visited and I didn’t want to leave.
For a complete list of the Canadian Businesses which were featured at George Stromboulopoulos’ Made in Canada Lounge, click here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
If there was one Person I absolutely had to meet this year, without question I would say it is Robin Thicke! For years I’ve enjoyed his Music but no one can deny that this is his year, breaking Airplay records (242.6 million Listeners to be exact) with his Single Blurred Lines, the Song which would define singlehandedly the Summer of 2013.
The R&B Star’s Canadian connections are deeply-rooted. Like his Father, Actor/Singer/Songwriter Alan Thicke, he also holds dual American-Canadian citizenship and the Proud Pop actually accompanied him on his Toronto Press Tour today. Thicke‘s sixth Studio Disc, Blurred Lines released just last week, went on to become his first ever release to reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart. And he is going all out in terms of promotion to ensure we all know how great an Album it is (it really is amazing – read my Review here)!
In addition to visiting CHUM-FM earlier today, Thicke arrived fashionably late with a three-vehicle Entourage to his KISS 92.5 Interview on The Roz & Mocha Show, where both Rogers Media Staffers and Fans awaited with eagerness for his arrival. Looking devastatingly handsome in his Aviators and Blazer, he was absolutely amazing – promising to spend a moment with his Fans on his way out. And he delivered of course – cool, calm and collected! Even his Father was generous to stop and pose for Fans, while younger Brother Carter got a glimpse of what greatness his future could hold, being a part a Family with a firmly-planted place in the World of Entertainment. Did you know that the Father and Son Duo partnered in writing the Track Ain’t No Hat 4 That on the Disc?
In case you missed Thicke, do not fret. His two-day visit to Toronto includes several stop-offs including appearances on CITY‘s Breakfast Television tomorrow, Global Television‘s The Morning Show, an appearance also on CBC‘s Q Radio with Jian Ghomeshi later this week, plus also an intimate performance tonight at an undisclosed location. Basically, he’s running the City this week and we know we want it (!).
Thicke was super-thoughtful to sign a Photo for my Readers. If you want it (I know you want it!), head on over to Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and click “like” on this Post to enter! All are welcome to enter. Double ballots if you share the Post on Facebook! Good luck.
See our Snap below:
Order Blurred Lines on iTunes here!
Thicke headlines the KISS 92.5 WHAM BAM on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Molson Amphitheatre. More details here!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Already a star-studded day in Toronto, Canadian-born Crooner Paul Anka was out and about today cross-promoting his Memoir My Way and latest Disc Classic Songs, My Way. He may 71-years-of-age, but he’s definitely still got the energy, aggressively in promotion mode doing an entire day of Press which saw him on Global Television‘s The Morning Show (National Edition) and at CBC for most of the afternoon for tapings including Q Radio and George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight.
The former Teen Icon and overall brilliant Singer/Songwriter is known best for his own Hits Lonely Boy and My Home Town, but has also penned some Classics in the American Songbook including Frank Sinatra‘s My Way and Tom Jones’ She’s a Lady.
The support was overwhelming for Anka as he exited the CBC Building today swarmed by Autograph Seekers and starstruck Passersby. Being the example of grace he is, none were left disappointed as she signed his signature generously despite the intense vibe.
See our Snap below:
Comedian, Singer, Writer, Actor and Entrepreneur Dan Aykroyd truly is a National Treasure, so who more fitting to present a Diamond Jubilee Medal tonight at Roy Thomson Hall than him? The Funnyman earlier taped an Interview at CBC for George Stromboulopoulos Tonight, only to be joined by that popular TV Personality at the Gala, which honoured Members of the Order of Canada who reside in Ontario. The Medals recognize outstanding contributions and achievements from all sectors of Society. Other Presenters tonight included Jian Ghomeshi, Tom Cochrane, Craig Kielburger, Peter Mansbridge, David Mirvish and Brian Williams.
All dappered-up, Aykroyd was awesome enough to stop for a quick Snap and other Fans-in-waiting had nothing but praise for him being a great sport. Noticing my Camera Strap in the way, he did a quick adjustment to ensure we got a winning Shot!
The Primetime EMMY Winner and Oscar-nominated Actor is attached to the long-overdue Ghostbusters III (Ivan Reitman rumoured to direct) and this year will be featured in Dorothy of Oz which features the Voice Work of Hugh Dancy, Lea Michele, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammer, Meg Hilty, Jim Belushi and Martin Short. The Actor was last seen in 2012’s Box Office Hit The Campaign and coincidentally, we spotted his Co-Star Katherine LaNasa here the other day!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Crystal Head Vodka)
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