House of Crouse

On the Saturday February 17, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Supinder Wraich and Enrico Colantoni, stars of the new CBC police drama “Allegiance.”

Supinder stars as Sabrina Sohal, a star rookie police officer who must grapple with the limits of the justice system as she fights to exonerate her politician father. She serves her diverse hometown of Surrey alongside Vince Brambilla (played by Enrico Colantoni), a veteran training officer who sees her potential but doesn’t always agree with her forward-thinking methods. The first season of Allegiance airs on Wednesday nights on CBC and is available on the free CBC Gem streaming platform.

We’ll also meet debut author Ashley Tate arrives on the crime fiction scene with a bang on 1 February. "Twenty-seven Minutes" is described as a twisty psychological thriller filled with dark secrets – like why, on the fateful night of a car crash that killed his sister, Phoebe, did it take Grant Dean 27 minutes to call for help? As the anniversary of Phoebe’s death approaches, Grant is haunted by what happened.

We’ll also spend some time with comedian Ronny Chieng. You know him as a senior correspondent on "The Daily Show," the star of Ronny Chieng Takes Chinatown, one of the stars of “Crazy Rich Asians” and the blockbuster “M3GAN,” and as one of the most I demand comedians out there. Today we’ll talk about why he waited until he was in university to give stand-up comedy a try and why he says, “I’m still trying to figure out if I am funny,” despite selling out theatres across the world.

On the Saturday February 3 edition of the Richard Crouse Show, we meet Kristen Vaurio, director of the new Paramount+ documentary June. The feature documentary shines an important spotlight on the history of country music and the mark the Carter and Cash families made on the genre before diving into the complex life of the legendary June Carter Cash. The five-time Grammy® Award-winning singer, comedian, musician, actor and author has opened for Elvis, appeared onscreen with Robert Duvall and Jane Seymour and co-wrote one of the most recognizable country songs of all time, “Ring of Fire.” Perhaps at times overshadowed by her iconic husband Johnny Cash, she now takes center stage.

Then, we meet Roger Mooking. As a celebrity chef, restaurateur, television host, author, and award-winning recording artist Roger has earned an international reputation as a multi-media artist and entertainer showcasing a globally inspired vision that reflects his rich family heritage, love for people and travel. He does lots of things… and has even won a special All-Star Chopped celebrity chef episode… today we talk about his career in food and music, and how he combined all of his interests in a new book called “Curious Sounds.”

On the Saturday January 27, 2024 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Nick Broomfield, director of the new documentary “The Stones And Brian Jones,” now playing in theatres. With candid interviews and never-before-seen footage he reveals how Brian Jones, the founder of the Rolling Stones, was left behind in the shadows of history.

Broomfield props the film up with first-hand accounts, particularly from former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman, whose enthusiasm for the music, and Jones’s contributions to it, is infectious. The old stories are bolstered by the addition of new, fresh interviews but it is the focus on Jones as a brilliant musician and not simply another rock ‘n’ roll casualty, that elevates “The Stones and Brian Jones.” The story has its sordid moments, but Bloomfield emphasizes the very heart of Jones’s being, the music.

We’ll also meet Douglas Smith, author of “The Dream Rider Saga.” Douglas is following up the award winning first two books in the series, “The Hollow Boys” and “The Crystal Key,” with a third book to round out the successful trilogy. The new book, which is available wherever fine books are sold, is called “The Lost Expedition.” Described by Library Journal as "one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction." Smith calls the series “Indiana Jones meets Teen Titans.” All three books have been "Editor's Picks" from BookLife, which described "The Lost Expedition" as “The explosive conclusion to this spectacular fantasy joyride.”

“The Lost Expedition” has a five out of five star rating on Good Reads and in this interview we’ll find out how Douglas came to writing as a second career, how he approached writing a trilogy, and much more.

On the January 20, 2024 edition of The Richard Crouse we spend some time with Rik Emmett. He is a solo artist, a guitarist, a poet, a song writer, a teacher, a Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and is probably best known as the co-singer and guitar player of Triumph, the gold and nine platinum selling rock trio who lit up radios in the 70s and 80s.

Rik Emmett left Triumph in 1988 to pursue a solo career, and released records in a variety of styles, including rock, blues, jazz, classical, bluegrass, and flamenco. He’s he won the Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Guitarist of the Year and now has written a book called “Lay It On the Line: A Backstage Pass to Rock Star Adventure, Conflict and Triumph,” available now wherever you buy fine books.

In this conversation we talk about the memoir, objective perspective of a career when you’re inside it, his favorite guitar players and much more.

Then, we’ll get to know Alan Frew, the Scottish-Canadian singer, songwriter, actor, and author, and notably lead singer of the Canadian rock band Glass Tiger. Today we’ll talk about his up-coming 80’s>90’s<

On this edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Mark Critch and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth of the show “Son of a Critch,” now in its third season on CBC. Based on Mark’s best-selling memoir of the same name, Mark plays his own father, Mike Critch, a reporter for a Newfoundland radio station called VOCM. Benjamin plays a fictionalized younger version of Mark Critch, a preteen, who is much older on the inside than his years. The show also stars Malcolm McDowell as Pop Critch, Mark Critch’s grandfather and Claire Rankin as Mark’s mother.

In Son of A Critch Season 3, Mark faces a near-death experience, business ventures, and explores stand-up, culminating in a reflective night with friends before saying goodbye to middle school.

Then, we’ll get to know Adam Garcia. You’ll remember him as Kevin O'Donnell the Australian heartthrob in Coyote Ugly, who, after one striptease scene at the bar, becomes the boyfriend of Violet, played by Piper Perabo. He is also an Olivier Award nominated stage star, and television actor who is best known for lead roles in musicals such as Saturday Night Fever and Kiss Me, Kate. We talk about how being an anatomical model gave him a sense of being on stage, how The Rocky Horror Picture Show changed the direction of his life and his starring role in 42nd Street, now playing on stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

It’s the first show back in the new year, and I wanted to do something a little different. It’s a time of year when many of us are making resolutions and trying different things. Maybe starting a new hobby… and as I thought of that, I thought to all the people who have approached me since my first book came out way back in 1997, to tell me that they had always wanted to write a book, but didn’t know how to get started.

The New Year is as good a time as any as to get started.

I’ll give you some information on how to write your own book. In the last few years I have interviewed hundreds of writers and received lots of advice… and today I’ll share some of that with you.

On the Saturday December 30, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we have at two movies to end your year with a smile.

First, we’ll meet Jon Heder, Jon Gries and Efren Ramirez, the stars of “Napoleon Dynamite,” the movie Jim Carrey said “changed comedy movies.” The story of a listless and alienated teenager who decides to help his new friend Pedro win the class presidency in their small western high school, while dealing with his bizarre family life back home, is one of the most quoted movies of all time. We go deep on the legacy of the movie.

Then, I welcome brothers David and Jerry Zucker, and Jim Abrahams, the writers and co-directors of “Airplane!,” the 1980 hit spoof about which David Letterman said, “film comedy became different after that movie.” the Zuckers and Abrahams have a new book, “Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane!,” available now wherever you buy fine books, will stop by in just a bit to tell all about the making of the movie and the film’s lasting impact.

On the Saturday December 23, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we have look at some of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.

First we meet Moe Berg, one forth of the Trans-Canada Highwaymen, a new band that consists of four of this country’s best rock singer-songwriters, Sloan’s Chris Murphy, Odds’ Craig Nothey and former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page.

The album, “Explosive Hits Vol. 1,” is covers of Canadian AM rock radio hits from the 1960s and 70’s and it’s super fun. Moe Berg and I talk about the new album, and then get into the spirit of the season as Moe talks about a Christmas song he wrote with the Pursuit of Happiness and a tune he loves so much, he has a plaque with the lyrics.

“Furious Devotion” author Richard Balls joins me to talk about “Fairytale of New York,” a song that is an Irish folk-style ballad and was written as a duet, with the Pogues' singer Shane MacGowan and Kristy MacColl as bickering former lovers on Christmas Eve. A song about their youthful hopes crushed by alcohol and drug addiction doesn’t sound like a Christmas cracker, but in the UK it was the most-played Christmas song of the 21st century and re-enters the music charts every December.

We’ll also get to know Larry Weinstein, director of the documentary “Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas,” a musical documentary about the amazing story of a group of Jewish songwriters who wrote the soundtrack to Christmas, and we’ll learn how the Cuban Missile Crisis inspired one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.

Finally we wrap with Brent Butt, the star, writer and/or producer of TV shows such as “Corner Gas,” “Hiccups” and “Corner Gas Animated,” and the author of the best-selling thriller “Huge,” and home designer, television host and producer, best-selling author, sought-after public speaker, and host of her own special Tuscan getaways Debbie Travis on their favorite Christmas songs and stories.

On the Saturday December 16, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we get to know Tom Wilson. He is a Canadian music legend, famed storyteller and visual artist. Wilson’s memoir, “Beautiful Scars” reveals the impact of discovering his Indigenous heritage after a chance encounter with a stranger caused him to question everything he had always known about his past.

As a musician he has won the Polaris Prize, Juno Awards, and has certified gold and platinum records. His song writing has seen his works recorded by and with artists such as: Sarah McLachlan, Jason Isbell, Colin James, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples as well as his own bands Lee Harvey Osmond, Junkhouse, and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.

Today we talk about creativity, specifically around a new show called “Amplify.” Each episode features a different Indigenous artist, and in his episode, Tom Wilson crafts a powerful song based on a famous painting by Métis artist Christi Belcourt. In conversation at a diner, the two remarkable artists explore their creative processes and sources of inspiration.

Find the show on APTN or streaming on APTN lumi.

Then, I welcome Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley, both internationally best-selling authors, and now, bestselling co-authors of the new romantic comedy novel “Three Holidays and a Wedding.”

The story takes place in the year 2000 when Hannukah, Christmas and Ramadan all overlap. It follows two strangers who meet on a plane headed to Toronto but due to the weather end up in a charming small town with all the holiday spirit. Alternating between the perspectives of Maryam and Anna, you get a story about different cultures coming together, unlikely friendships and two separate love stories.

On the Saturday December 9, 2023 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Salah Bachir, author of a new memoir, “First to the Leave the Party: My Life with Ordinary People Who Happen to Be Famous,” available now wherever fine books are sold.

Salah is a Canadian business executive, entrepreneur, publisher, art collector, fundraiser, and philanthropist, who has raised millions of dollars for charity… and says the only autograph worth having is on a cheque. He is a pioneer in consumer video, the founding president and chair of Famous Players Media, and later the president of Cineplex Media and creator of the Scene program, which I know you’ve all used… It is a storied career, which he covers in the book in 54 short chapters about the people he has met and befriended over the years… chapters like: Elizabeth Taylor Tries on My Pearls; Eartha Kitt is Not For Sale; Wooing Gregory Peck; Harvey Milk Sets Me Free and Keith Haring Does New York.

Then we meet Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris. “The Pigeon Tunnel,” his latest film, now streaming on Apple TV+, is a look at the extraordinary life of David Cornwell a.k.a. prolific author John le Carré. Through a retelling of his life, Cornwell examines the very essence of truth, and how memory and manipulation play a part in how we shape our world and our perceptions. It is a greart movie and Morris is an interesting man, you’ll want to stick around for that one…

We’ll also meet actor and author R.H. Thomson. You know him from his film and television work as Matthew Cuthbert in Anne With An E, in the movie Chloe directed by Atom Egoyan and as Marshall McLuhan in The Message by Jason Sherman. Today we’ll talk about his new book, In "By the Ghost Light," he looks at his family history and relatives who fought in World War I and World War II, as a starting point to examine war and its aftermath.