Movies and TV

Norm Macdonald arrives at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day at The Langham Huntington Hotel on April 2, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Chris Pizzello

UPDATED: Canadian comic Norm Macdonald dies after a private battle with cancer

Former anchor of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” dead at 61

Norm Macdonald arrives at the NBC Universal Summer Press Day at The Langham Huntington Hotel on April 2, 2015, in Pasadena, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Chris Pizzello
Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Rebecca Ferguson pose for a photo as they promote the film “Dune” in Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Villeneuve says he’s relieved to see many rave reviews for his sci-fi epic “Dune” on the festival circuit, but the real test will be how it performs in theatres next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

After festival kudos, director says ‘Dune”s biggest test is the box office

Montreal’s Denis Villeneuve needs success in order to green-light part two of epic sci-fi adaptation

Director Denis Villeneuve and actor Rebecca Ferguson pose for a photo as they promote the film “Dune” in Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Villeneuve says he’s relieved to see many rave reviews for his sci-fi epic “Dune” on the festival circuit, but the real test will be how it performs in theatres next month. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
FILE - Host Bob Barker appears with contestants during filming of a special prime-time episode of "The Price Is Right," in Los Angeles on April 17, 2007. The longest-running game show in television history is celebrating it’s 50th season. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

Game show ‘The Price Is Right’ celebrates its 50th season

If you can remember the price of a 30-ounce jar of mayonnaise,…

FILE - Host Bob Barker appears with contestants during filming of a special prime-time episode of "The Price Is Right," in Los Angeles on April 17, 2007. The longest-running game show in television history is celebrating it’s 50th season. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
This image released by MGM shows Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in a scene from "House of Gucci," releasing on Nov. 24. (MGM via AP)

A fall movie season (like everything else) in flux

Delayed movies hope to find better conditions with an autumn release

This image released by MGM shows Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in a scene from "House of Gucci," releasing on Nov. 24. (MGM via AP)
Margot Robbie in, 'Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.' (DC Entertainment/TNS)

Opinion: Hollywood’s superheroes not feeling so super

No one is calling on Polka Dot Man, and hopefully Hollywood is taking notice.

Margot Robbie in, 'Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.' (DC Entertainment/TNS)
This combination photo shows Mike Richards, left, in the pressroom at the 43rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on May 1, 2016, in Los Angeles and Mayim Bialik at a Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Israel on June 10, 2018, in Los Angeles

Mike Richards out as ‘Jeopardy!’ host after past scrutinized

Richards made comments about women, the homeless and others on a 2013-14 podcast

  • Aug 20, 2021
This combination photo shows Mike Richards, left, in the pressroom at the 43rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on May 1, 2016, in Los Angeles and Mayim Bialik at a Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Israel on June 10, 2018, in Los Angeles
Chicago White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn warms up in the outfield before a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021 in Dyersville, Iowa. The Yankees and White Sox are playing at a temporary stadium in the middle of a cornfield at the Field of Dreams movie site, the first Major League Baseball game held in Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Study: Pandemic speeded trends away from live TV viewing

‘People had a lot more time so they had a vacuum to fill’

Chicago White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn warms up in the outfield before a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021 in Dyersville, Iowa. The Yankees and White Sox are playing at a temporary stadium in the middle of a cornfield at the Field of Dreams movie site, the first Major League Baseball game held in Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
FILE - Persons portraying ghost player characters, similar to those in the film “Field of Dreams,” emerge from the cornfield at the “Field of Dreams” movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, in this undated file photo. Three decades after Kevin Costner’s character built a ballpark in a cornfield in the movie “Field of Dreams,” the iconic site in Dyersville, Iowa, prepares to host the state’s first Major League Baseball game at a built-for-the-moment stadium for the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Field of Dreams: Inspired by 1989 film, Major League Baseball makes Iowa debut

White Sox and Yankees play at a temporary venue built for about 8,000 fans in tiny Dyersville

FILE - Persons portraying ghost player characters, similar to those in the film “Field of Dreams,” emerge from the cornfield at the “Field of Dreams” movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, in this undated file photo. Three decades after Kevin Costner’s character built a ballpark in a cornfield in the movie “Field of Dreams,” the iconic site in Dyersville, Iowa, prepares to host the state’s first Major League Baseball game at a built-for-the-moment stadium for the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
This combination photo shows Mike Richards, left, in the pressroom at the 43rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on May 1, 2016, in Los Angeles and Mayim Bialik at a Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Israel on June 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. Eight months after the death of beloved “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek, the daily syndicated quiz show chose its executive producer as Trebek’s successor over a field of celebrity candidates. Sony also chose Mayim Bialik as emcee for “Jeopardy!” primetime and spinoff series, including a new college championship. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Producer Mike Richards, Mayim Bialik named new ‘Jeopardy!’ hosts

Mayim Bialik will host prime-time and spinoff series

This combination photo shows Mike Richards, left, in the pressroom at the 43rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards on May 1, 2016, in Los Angeles and Mayim Bialik at a Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Israel on June 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. Eight months after the death of beloved “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek, the daily syndicated quiz show chose its executive producer as Trebek’s successor over a field of celebrity candidates. Sony also chose Mayim Bialik as emcee for “Jeopardy!” primetime and spinoff series, including a new college championship. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
Ryan Reynolds is shown as Guy in 20th Century Studios’ “Free Guy” in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/2020 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Alan Markfield

Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy talk up the Canadianness of ‘Free Guy’ and Alex Trebek’s cameo

Vancouver-born actor taps into “earnest Canadian optimism for role as unwitting video game character

Ryan Reynolds is shown as Guy in 20th Century Studios’ “Free Guy” in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/2020 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Alan Markfield
Members of the Canadian women’s soccer team watch the flag rise after being presented with their gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo, Japan on Friday August 6, 2021. The CBC is touting record-breaking digital audiences for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while television viewership ranked it the most-watched network in Canada throughout the Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn

CBC nets record-breaking digital audiences for Tokyo Olympics

Meanwhile, CBC says 28 million viewers — 74 per cent of all Canadians — tuned in for its TV coverage

Members of the Canadian women’s soccer team watch the flag rise after being presented with their gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo, Japan on Friday August 6, 2021. The CBC is touting record-breaking digital audiences for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while television viewership ranked it the most-watched network in Canada throughout the Games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Frank Gunn
This image released by Focus Features shows Matt Damon in a scene from “Stillwater.” (Jessica Forde/Focus Features via AP)

Review: In ‘Stillwater,’ a red state American hero roams chic France

Matt Damon’s “Stillwater” is after more than just caricature

This image released by Focus Features shows Matt Damon in a scene from “Stillwater.” (Jessica Forde/Focus Features via AP)
This image released by Disney shows Emily Blunt, right, and Dwayne Johnson in a scene from “Jungle Cruise.” (Disney via AP)

Review: Emily Blunt transcends overstuffed ‘Jungle Cruise’

A fine adventure with two genuine movie stars comes across as an earnest and safe homage

This image released by Disney shows Emily Blunt, right, and Dwayne Johnson in a scene from “Jungle Cruise.” (Disney via AP)
Scarlett Johansson stars in “Black Widow.” Marvel Studios

Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over ‘Black Widow’ release

Earnings tied to the box office of the film, which was given simultaneous streaming release

Scarlett Johansson stars in “Black Widow.” Marvel Studios
The popular animated children’s series Arthur is no longer in production. (arthur.pbs)

‘Arthur’ to end on PBS Kids after 25-season stint

Long-running kids’ show set to end in 2022

The popular animated children’s series Arthur is no longer in production. (arthur.pbs)
Thea VanHerwaarden of Comox. (Photo supplied)

Food: Catching up with British Columbia chef, TV personality Thea VanHerwaarden

Podcast: Talk includes an early introduction to food, time on TV and future plans

Thea VanHerwaarden of Comox. (Photo supplied)
Nanaimo man Todd Cameron and his son Jack play with a miniature replica of Schitt’s Creek Cameron made from vintage children’s toys. (Photo courtesy Nicole Cameron)

B.C. man builds miniature ‘Schitt’s Creek’ out of vintage children’s toys

Nanaimo’s Todd Cameron previously had viral success with stop-motion video

Nanaimo man Todd Cameron and his son Jack play with a miniature replica of Schitt’s Creek Cameron made from vintage children’s toys. (Photo courtesy Nicole Cameron)
Michael J. Fox was bestowed with Simon Fraser University’s highest honor this week. (YouTube/SFU)

VIDEO: High school dropout turned actor Michael J. Fox receives honorary B.C. degree

‘The closest I got to Simon Fraser University was parking at the Burnaby lookout with my girlfriend on Saturday night,’ he joked

Michael J. Fox was bestowed with Simon Fraser University’s highest honor this week. (YouTube/SFU)
This image released by Disney shows Emma Stone in a scene from “Cruella.” (Laurie Sparham/Disney via AP)

Fueling box office rebound, ‘Quiet Place’ opens with $58.5M

U.S. Memorial Day weekend movie take about a third of the holiday weekend’s normal business

This image released by Disney shows Emma Stone in a scene from “Cruella.” (Laurie Sparham/Disney via AP)
Gavin MacLeod, a cast member on the TV series “The Love Boat,” salutes the crowd as he speaks at a Friends of Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque ceremony (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Gavin MacLeod, ‘Love Boat’ captain, dies at 90

MacLeod achieved stardom as Murray Slaughter, the sardonic TV news writer on the 1970s comedy ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’

Gavin MacLeod, a cast member on the TV series “The Love Boat,” salutes the crowd as he speaks at a Friends of Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque ceremony (Chris Pizzello/AP)