Television

Alberta, Canada, Comedy, In Memoriam, Television, Toronto, United States April 5, 2024

Everyone knows Joe Flaherty was funny. These Canadian comedians say he was also generous, friendly and kind

Comedians who met and worked with Flaherty, like Naomi Snieckus, Ron Pederson and Seán Cullen, say he was always ready to lend a hand to his fellow funny people. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Joe Flaherty was not only a master of impressions but knew how to leave a good one. Local comedians described the beloved Pittsburgh-born Second City and SCTV star, who died Monday at the age of 82…

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Americana, Arranger, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Bob Dylan, Canada, Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame, Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, Composer, Country, Folk, Guitar, JUNO, Music Industry (Trade), Neil Young, New York, Producer, Record Labels, Robbie Robertson, Songwriter, Television, The Band, Toronto, Video, Voice, Willie Nelson November 4, 2023

‘I just thought it was time’ — Sylvia Tyson on ‘At the End of the Day,’ her (maybe) final album

If anyone thinks Sylvia Tyson at 83 is any less authoritative an artist, hearing “At the End of the Day” will quickly quell that notion. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Her singing voice is a little more weathered, but no less formidable; her lyrics are incisively sharp. If anyone thinks the legendary Sylvia Tyson at 83 is any less authoritative an artist, hearing her newly released 12-song album At…

Australia, Children's Music, Education, Television October 7, 2023

The Wiggles got flak for going ‘woke’ — but they say it was time to wake up

‘Your audience isn’t all white with blue eyes’: The Wiggles, popular Australian entertainers, doubled their lineup in an effort to better reflect the diversity of their fans. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Now there are even more Wiggles to embrace. Until their 30th anniversary in 2021, there were four members of the Australian children’s entertainment phenomenon under the leadership of Wiggles founder Anthony Field. But now the group has doubled…

Chicago, Comedy, Perspective, Spoken Word, Television, United States May 3, 2023

Nick Offerman — actor, humorist, woodworker and musician –brings his multiple skills to Casino Rama

The former “Parks and Recreation” star talks By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Hey, Parks And Recreation fans: Ron Swanson is headlining  at Casino Rama this Saturday. Actually, it’s not the deadpan Swanson who is appearing, but the comedic actor who portrayed him for seven memorable seasons on NBC, Nick Offerman. Curiously, do fans of the show ever confuse him with his character? “It’s interesting,” said Offerman, 52, late last week…

Comedy, Television, United Kingdom April 14, 2022

John Cleese explains the inspiration behind a classic Monty Python “Holy Grail” skit ahead of Toronto show

Cleese appears at Roy Thomson Hall on April 26 for “An Evening of Exceptional Silliness: Unique Lives and Experience.” By Nick Krewen Special to the Star And now for something completely different: John Cleese, how silly is your upcoming An Evening of Exceptional Silliness  Unique Lives and Experience appearance at Roy Thomson Hall going to be? Very, very silly or just semi-silly?  “I think semi-silly, probably,” responds the legendary British comedian and…