House of Crouse

On a special Halloween edition of The Richard Crouse Show I’ll have a look at a list of Canadian horror films that are scarier than the Frankenstein Burger King on Clifton Hill. I’ll tell you about a 3D archaeologist, a werewolf movie that reinvents the genre, the first slasher flick, a vocal virus, Canuck zombies and much more.

On the Saturday October 18, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Billy Corben. He is a documentary filmmaker from Miami, whose documentaries have covered everything from religious hypocrisy, baseball doping, drug running and other controversial topics. His latest film, “Canceled: The Paula Deen Story” traces the history of celebrity chef Paula Deen and reconsiders the scandal that exploded her multi-million dollar empire.

Then, Sloan is one of Canada’s most enduring and influential rock bands, blending infectious power pop with sharp alternative rock since 1991. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band—Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott—stands apart for their rare, democratic approach, with all four members writing and singing. Their landmark album Twice Removed is consistently ranked among the greatest Canadian records, and their catalog of hook-laden anthems and harmonies has earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase worldwide. With an unstoppable live show and decades of hits, Sloan continues to define and defy the sound of modern rock.

Today the band’s guitarist Jay Ferguson joins me to talk about their fourteenth studio album, “Based on the Best Seller,” which is available now wherever you buy fine music.

On the Saturday October 11, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Canadian astronaut, author, and musician Chris Hadfield. . A former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, he flew three space missions, including commanding the International Space Station during Expedition 35 in 2013. Hadfield gained widespread acclaim for his viral videos, including a cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity filmed in space. A bestselling author, his works include the memoir An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth and the Cold War thriller series The Apollo Murders, culminating in Final Orbit (2024), which is an edge-of-your-seat thriller about China's secret role in the 1970s Space Race between the US and the USSR.

Then, we’ll meet celebrated Newfoundland-born musician, actor, author, and cultural ambassador Alan Doyle. Best known as the lead singer of the iconic folk-rock band Great Big Sea, today we’ll be talking about his two most recent projects, a stage musical called “Tell Tale Harbour,” which is making its Toronto debut at the Royal Alexandra Theatre after a smash-hit sell-out run at Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, PEI. Based on the screenplay The Grand Seduction by Ken Scott, it’s the story of a small but proud Newfoundland harbour eager to keep its community together.

We’ll also talk about his latest, wildly entertaining and informative book, “The Smiling Land,” a celebration of Newfoundland—both its storied past and its ever-vibrant present.

On the Saturday October 4, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Paul Myers is a Canadian writer and musician living in Berkeley, California. He’s written extensively about music, including books like the critically acclaimed “A Wizard a True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio;” “It Ain’t Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues;” and “Barenaked Ladies: Public Stunts, Private Stories.” If you’re a comedy fan, you may have read “The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy,” which was the source for the Canadian Screen Award-winning documentary “The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks from Amazon Studios.” His latest book, available now wherever you buy fine books, is “John Candy: A Life in Comedy.

Finally, Sloan is one of Canada’s most enduring and influential rock bands, blending infectious power pop with sharp alternative rock since 1991. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band—Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott—stands apart for their rare, democratic approach, with all four members writing and singing. Their landmark album Twice Removed is consistently ranked among the greatest Canadian records, and their catalog of hook-laden anthems and harmonies has earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase worldwide. With an unstoppable live show and decades of hits, Sloan continues to define and defy the sound of modern rock.

Today the band’s guitarist Jay Ferguson joins me to talk about their fourteenth studio album, “Based on the Best Seller,” which is available now wherever you buy fine music.

On the Saturday October 4, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Paul Myers is a Canadian writer and musician living in Berkeley, California. He’s written extensively about music, including books like the critically acclaimed “A Wizard a True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio;” “It Ain’t Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues;” and “Barenaked Ladies: Public Stunts, Private Stories.” If you’re a comedy fan, you may have read “The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy,” which was the source for the Canadian Screen Award-winning documentary “The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks from Amazon Studios.” His latest book, available now wherever you buy fine books, is “John Candy: A Life in Comedy.”

Then, actor musician Donna Garner stops by. Her company Garner Theatre Productions is currently working with Mirvish Productions, on a staging of the Tony-nominated “Bright Star,” a musical, set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, it tells a story of love and redemption inspired by the Iron Mountain Baby story. The bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell will be performed by an all-Canadian cast.

Finally, Sloan is one of Canada’s most enduring and influential rock bands, blending infectious power pop with sharp alternative rock since 1991. Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the band—Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott—stands apart for their rare, democratic approach, with all four members writing and singing. Their landmark album Twice Removed is consistently ranked among the greatest Canadian records, and their catalog of hook-laden anthems and harmonies has earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase worldwide. With an unstoppable live show and decades of hits, Sloan continues to define and defy the sound of modern rock.

Today the band’s guitarist Jay Ferguson joins me to talk about their fourteenth studio album, “Based on the Best Seller,” which is available now wherever you buy fine music.

On the Saturday September 27, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet actress Kim Roberts. She is s a distinguished Canadian actress with over 200 credits in film, television, theater, and voice acting. Born in Toronto to Caribbean parents, she began performing at age seven and is best known for roles like Mayor Goodway in PAW Patrol, Christine in The Handmaid's Tale, and Marnie in Schitt's Creek. A co-founder of Obsidian Theatre Company, she has worked alongside luminaries like Steven Spielberg and Robin Williams, earning accolades such as the 1996 Harold Award and the 2014 Reelworld Trailblazer Award.

Then, we get to know Canadian actress, comedian, and musician Lauren Ash. Best known for her role as the no-nonsense Dina Fox on the NBC sitcom Superstore, Ash has also made her mark in films like Lars and the Real Girl and voiced characters such as Scorpia in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. A Second City Toronto and Chicago alumna, she’s a two-time Canadian Comedy Award winner for Best Female Improviser and co-hosts the popular podcast True Crime and Cocktails. In 2023, she launched a music career, and today we talk about “Call Me When You Get This,” her gut-punching, emotionally charged pop-punk debut album.

On the Saturday September 20, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet musician, songwriter, and director Gerald Casale. Best known as a co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and bassist of band DEVO. He was a key creative force behind DEVO’s satirical, art-driven sound and aesthetic, contributing to hits like “Whip It” and directing many of their innovative music videos. His work is deeply influenced by his experiences as an art student at Kent State University during the 1970 May 4th massacre, which shaped his views on societal devolution, a core theme in DEVO’s music. Today we talk about evolution of a band famous for singing about devolution.

Then, we spend time with actor, director, producer, screenwriter and political activist Rob Reiner. He starred on the classic sitcom “All in the Family,” directed the coming-of-age drama "Stand by Me," the romantic fantasy "The Princess Bride," and the rom-com classic "When Harry Met Sally," and his company Castle Rock Entertainment produced hits like "Seinfeld and "The Shawshank Redemption." Today we talk about the classic “Spinal Tap,” which he directed and starred in, the new sequel “Spinal Tap: The End Continues” and his new book, “A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap.”

Then actor Rade Šerbedžija stops by to talk about "Rise of the Raven," a 10-part historical epic series about Hungarian commander János Hunyadi’s battles against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, and tell a grewat story about working with Maggie Smith.

On the Saturday September 13, 2023 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Rick Mercer. He needs no introduction, but here’s one anyway. Rick is a comedian, satirist, author and television host who co-created the groundbreaking CBC satire “This Hour Has 22 Minutes,” where his “Talking to Americans” segment became a cultural touchstone. As host of “The Rick Mercer Report,” he blended political rants, cross-country adventures, and celebrity encounters, earning over 25 Gemini Awards and multiple honorary degrees. He’s also a bestselling author of memoirs like “Talking to Canadians” and “The Road Years,” and has now launched the Stand-Up for Canada Comedy Tour, performing alongside rising stars in 21 cities, from Saskatoon to St. John’s. Check rickmercer.com. for tickets and info on shows near you.

Then, we meet writer, award-winning journalist and editor Joelle Kidd. In 1999, after three years of secular living in Eastern Europe, she moved back to Canada and was enrolled in an evangelical Christian school. Immediately, she found herself in a world of upbeat Christan pop music and purity education, trying to make sense of this unfamiliar preteen cultural landscape.

In her book “Jesusland,” Joelle writes about the Christian pop culture that she was suddenly immersed in, from perky girl bands to modest styling tips, and draws connections between this evangelical subculture and the mainstream.

On the Saturday September 6, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show documentary filmmaker Nara Garber. Specializing in observational social issue documentaries, her work as a cinematographer has been featured in the Peabody Award winner Best Kept Secret, the Academy Award winner Alex Gibney’s “Finding Fela” and Emmy-nominated “End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock.” Today we talk about her latest film “Bankie Banx: King of the Dune,” explores the life of Anguillian reggae legend Bankie Banx.

He’s a singer-songwriter known by many as “the Bob Dylan of the Caribbean.” Growing up in Anguilla Bankie made his first guitar and voraciously soaked up everything from British top 40 and folk to Rastafarianism and the Pan-Africanism of Walter Rodney. In 1978 he released his first album, and his breakout hit “Prince of Darkness” put both Bankie and Anguilla on the map.

After a decade of touring and battling industry executives determined to pigeonhole his sound, Bankie came home and created the Moonsplash music festival and the Dune Preserve – a beach bar and performance venue.

Nara Garber’s film about his remarkable life, “Bankie Banx: King of the Dune,” is part of this year’s CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, which takes place in Toronto from until Saturday September 13th, 2025, and streaming worldwide until October 3rd. Get more details at caribbeantalesfestival.com.

Then, we get to know world renowned animal trainer Melissa Millett. With 25 years experience training animals, Melissa is known for the Ultimutt Animal Actors and Ontario Animal Actors, which provides animal actors for the motion picture industry in Canada. With a passion for positive reinforcement, she’s trained dogs, cats, and more for blockbuster films like “Pet Sematary,” major commercials, and captivating live performances, which were recently featured on Canada’s Got Talent. A five-time Guinness World Record holder for extreme animal tricks, Melissa has also educated thousands through workshops and ClickerExpo, transforming the art of animal training with her innovative approach.

On the Saturday August 30, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Lauren Holly. You know her from television shows like “Picket Fences,” “NCIS” and “Motive,” among many others. On the big screen you’ve seen her as Mary Swanson, the wealthy but troubled heiress, in the comedy “Dumb and Dumber,” as trophy wife Cindy Rooney opposite Dennis Quaid in “Any Given Sunday,” and many others in a career that spans forty years, and includes comedies like “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane” and “What Women Want,” action movies like “Crank: High Voltage” and dramas like “Chicago Hope.”

She joins me today to talk about “Loathe Thy Neighbor,” a new project very near and dear to her heart. The film, which begins in theatres on August 29, follows Will Larkfield, played by Brennan Clost, a young man forced to relocate to his late father’s farm as part of an unexpected inheritance. What begins as a simple missing package soon spirals into a battle of wills with Lauren Holly’s character, the neighbor from hell, Wanda Bellerose, reminding us that sometimes the smallest problems cause the biggest messes.

Then, guest James Webb tells his an incredible story. Hailing from Australia, he’s a competitive eater, ranked fourth in the world. He has shattered records, by devouring 59.5 donuts in one sitting and taking on the biggest names in the sport.

After overcoming a near-paralyzing illness, James has risen to become the "Champion of the Southern Hemisphere," with his sights set on dethroning the legendary Joey Chestnut at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Today we’re talking about competitive eating as a sport, how he prepares and the documentary “James Can Eat,” his story of resilience, obsession, and jaw-dropping feats will leave you hungry for more!