In this episode, John joins the army before returning to Melonville, then makes a big splash at the movies. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash , Planes, Trains and Automobiles , and Home Alone . Follow us on our socials: Instagram , Bluesky , LinkedIn , YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Ad...
Jul 03, 2025•36 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In the wake of SNL's success the Second City gang get their own show, they rub elbows in Hollywood, and John gets his first taste of movie stardom after scoring a plum role in Steven Spielberg's next film. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash , Planes, Trains and Automobiles , and Home Alone . Follow us on our socials: Instagram , Bluesky , LinkedIn , YouTube & Substack Written &am...
Jun 19, 2025•35 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode, John begins his improv career on the main stage of Second City Chicago, where he befriends Bill Murray. Then, just as he's settling into his new surroundings, he's called back to Toronto to help launch a new incarnation of the Toronto troupe. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash , Planes, Trains and Automobiles , and Home Alone . Follow us on our socials: Instagram , B...
Jun 05, 2025•22 min•Season 4Ep. 2
John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash , Planes, Trains and Automobiles , and Home Alone . In this episode, we explore John's beginnings, growing up in the Toronto area, and his early days working in children's theatre, which eventually leads to his first big audition: Second City Toronto. Follow us on our socials: Instagram , Bluesky , LinkedIn , YouTube & Substack Written & Hos...
May 22, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Starting May 22, 2025, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North is back with a new season in which we deep dive into the life and career of comedy legend John Candy. And I won’t just cover Uncle Buck or Planes, Trains and Automobiles . I’m looking at the whole enchilada, from the stage of Second City Toronto to heights of Hollywood stardom, and a brief detour into Canadian Football. So, whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering the magic that John brought to both the big and smalls screens, ...
May 01, 2025•2 min
In this episode, we explore queer interpretations of Anne of Green Gables. In conversation with playwright Rosemary Rowe and cartoonist Kathleen Gros, we delve into the deep bond between Anne and Diana, often dubbed the "Bosom Friends Affair." For more: Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros I Hated You in High School by Kathleen Gros Anne and Diana Were Totally Doing It by Rosemary Rowe Follow us on our socials: Bluesky , LinkedIn , YouTube & Substack About This Series: Discover the life and lega...
Apr 03, 2025•20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
How did Anne of Green Gables become an icon in Japan? This is the story of Hanako Muraoka, the writer who faced grave danger in translating Maud's book—an enemy text—for future generations of Japan. Follow us on our socials: Bluesky , LinkedIn , YouTube & Substack About This Series: Discover the life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery in this insightful 7-part podcast, in which we explore her childhood, literary journey, and the timeless impact of Anne of Green Gables on generations of readers. W...
Mar 20, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 7
This episode, we're doing something a little different. We are taking a pause from our narrative series to hear from you, the listeners. We asked you to send in voicemails with your feelings on Maud and her work, and you answered. A big thanks to Mike DiMascio , Irina Levchenko, Rebecca Sullivan, Laura Leden , Gabrielle Fortier, Naomi Burger, Kelly Gerner & Ragon Duffy , and Lois Adamson for your contributions to the show. Here is a link for information regarding the book collection rebuild ...
Mar 06, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Maud faces some of the toughest years of her life : nuisance lawsuits, an unwanted pursuer, social ostracism, personal humiliations, and drug dependency colour her final days. Regional Mental Health Resources . A call to listeners: Working on this podcast has been rewarding, but also heartrending, because Maud lived a life. And we want to do something that celebrates that life and its legacy. This is where you come in. We're asking you to record a voice memo expressing your thoughts or feelings ...
Feb 21, 2025•38 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Learning that she is under a bum publishing deal, Maud makes the decision to take on her long-time publisher, the shewed, Boston-based L.C. Page. About This Series: Discover the life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery in this insightful 7-part podcast, in which we explore her childhood, literary journey, and the timeless impact of Anne of Green Gables on generations of readers. Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Associate Producers Maia Foster-Sanchez &a...
Feb 06, 2025•23 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Maud is now a published author, and she is about to become a multi-hyphenate. In this episode, Maud also becomes a minister's wife, and a mother, and sadly she endures the greatest loss in her life. About This Series: Discover the life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery in this insightful 7-part podcast, in which we explore her childhood, literary journey, and the timeless impact of Anne of Green Gables on generations of readers. Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Son...
Jan 23, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Maud is now an adult. She attends teacher's college, gets engaged and falls in love (not necessarily in that order). She also begins writing the novel that will change her life: Anne of Green Gables . About This Series: Discover the life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery in this insightful 7-part podcast, in which we explore her childhood, literary journey, and the timeless impact of Anne of Green Gables on generations of readers. Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & S...
Jan 09, 2025•20 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Discover the life and legacy of L.M. Montgomery in this insightful 7-part podcast, in which we explore her childhood, literary journey, and the timeless impact of Anne of Green Gables on generations of readers. In this episode, we explore the formative years of author Lucy Maud Montgomery. We delve into her early life in Prince Edward Island and discuss the influences and experiences that shaped her writing, including the loss of her mother and the complexities of growing up in a strict househol...
Dec 26, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On this Remembrance Day, Knockabout introduces a new limited series: The Black Hum In 1914, the Canadian government called on all able-bodied men to serve their country in the Great War. However, when Black men went to enlist, they were turned away. In this first episode in our new series, we look at those early years of the war, when Black Canadians found themselves having to fight for the right to fight. *Download our Discussing Questions for your class* Written & Hosted by Cindy Charles P...
Nov 11, 2024•20 min
In our final episode on the life and work of filmmaker David Cronenberg, we're transported with The Fly, and seeing double with Dead Ringers. Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking. Donate here to the Welcome Collective. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Consider becoming...
Oct 17, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode, David uncovers the secrets behind Videodrome and has a brush with The Dead Zone! Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking. Donate here to the Welcome Collective. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Consider becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/onceinhol...
Oct 03, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode, David uses his art to work through his divorce and custody battle. He releases THE BROOD on a unsuspecting public, and the quickly follows it up with SCANNERS , his first hit in America. Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking. Donate here to the Welcome Collectiv...
Sep 26, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode, David is raked over the coals for his film SHIVERS. Will he kowtow to critics and censors as he attempts to mount his sophomore effort, a horror picture called "Mosquitoes"? Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking. Donate here to the Welcome Collective. Where to f...
Sep 25, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode, David is back from the Cannes Film Festival and he has a fire in his belly to make movies. He pens the script for a horror film entitled Orgy of the Blood Parasites . But getting his picture funded proves harder than he thought. Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmma...
Sep 12, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 2
DEAD RINGERS. THE FLY. VIDEODROME. SCANNERS. The films of David Cronenberg have delighted horror fans, grossed out audiences and challenged censors for the last five decades. His name was at one time cursed in the halls of parliament for using public film funding—Canadian tax dollars—to make movies like SHIVERS and RABID; films that earned him the moniker the “Baron of Blood.” They inspired controversy, but his films were profitable, and in Ottawa, just like in Hollywood, money talks. Discover t...
Sep 05, 2023•25 min•Season 2Ep. 1
**Warning** This episode contains language that some may find offensive. BONUS: In this episode, I have a conversation with the man in the towel, the legend, an "interesting physical specimen": Paul Bellini. We talk about the early days of the troupe, working as a writer on the show, and origins of the Touch Bellini contest. Donate here to the Welcome Collective. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Sponsor Link: https://www.audibletrial.com/hollywoodnorthpod Watch the entire Kids in the Ha...
May 30, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 8
BONUS: In this episode, I have a conversation with John Semley, author of This is a Book About the Kids in the Hall. We talk about each member of the troupe, the legacy of their show and their post-troupe careers. Donate here to the Welcome Collective. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Sponsor Link: https://www.audibletrial.com/hollywoodnorthpod Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. Try Prime for 30 days by using our link: https://amzn.to/3FbEcKR Written and Produced ...
May 19, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 7
S1, E6: In this episode, the Kids in the Hall embark on making their feature film debut. They struggle to stay together as a troupe as opportunities begin to spring up for them as individuals. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional voices: Matt Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti. Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario. Follow us @knockaboutmedia on TWITTER , ...
May 12, 2022•28 min•Season 1Ep. 6
S1, E5: In this episode, Kids in the Hall is in full swing on HBO and CBC. The guys are beginning to gain notoriety, and rub elbows with celebrities. Then, a network shakeup threatens to upset the apple cart. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. *Content Advisory* This episode includes an archival excerpt from a sketch featuring a white actor in Yellowface. Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett | Co-producer Sonia Gemmiti. Additional ...
Apr 27, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 5
S1, E4: In this episode, the Kids await the premiere of their HBO special, hoping it will lead to bigger things. Special archival audio courtesy of Retrontario. The Kids in the Hall series is available now on Amazon Prime. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. Try Prime for 30 days by using our link: https://amzn.to/3FbEcKR Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett. Additional voices: Matt Barnett, Susan Passmore & Sonia Gemmiti. Speci...
Mar 31, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 4
S1, E3: In this episode, the Kids find themselves apart. Bruce and Mark are in New York working as writers for SNL, while the other three tour Southern Ontario with Second City. But not all is going well. Their secret sauce may just be in performing together -- they just need to figure out how to stay together. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. Try Prime for 30 days by using our link: https://amzn.to/3FbEcKR Written and Produced b...
Dec 14, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 3
S1, E2: In this episode, the Kids are together, performing as a group in the back room of The Rivoli on Toronto's Queen West. But will they stay together as they catch the eye of a talent scout from Saturday Night Live? Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Watch the entire Kids in the Hall series on Amazon Prime. Try Prime for 30 days by using our link: https://amzn.to/3FbEcKR Written and Produced by Ryan Barnett. Additional voices: Matt Barnett, Susan Passmore & Sonia Gemmiti. Special ...
Dec 14, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 2
S1, E1: In this episode, we're focusing on the days before the Kids were the Kids. How did Kevin meet Dave? How did Bruce meet Mark? And where did Scott enter the picture? It's origin stories galore as we look back at the Canadian improv comedy scenes of the early 1980s. Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and ...
Dec 14, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1
