Chris talks to Marcus Youssef and James Long. The award-winning Vancouver playwrights and performers shared how they accidentally created their hit show while playing a warm-up game for a different show they were co-writing. They also share the rules they put in place for their intentionally "dangerous" semi-improvised play, and what they've learned at the "edge of the potential loss of friendship."

By James Long and Marcus Youssef. The game moves to the tense terrain of Marcus and James’ fathers. Marcus says his dad is a big winner because he emigrated from Egypt, went to Berkeley University, and became a wealthy, successful executive. James doesn’t want to talk about his dad. But Marcus reminds him, that’s how the game works.

By James Long and Marcus Youssef. Real-life friends Marcus and James play a game. They sit across from each other and pick people, places and things to declare either “winners” or “losers.” They start with microwaves and Mexico but soon move to more personal matters. Who has more street smarts? Who has more privilege? And which man was raised by a loser?

By James Long and Marcus Youssef. Some tougher topics and deeper jabs prompt James to decide it’s time to debate his dad. His life couldn’t be more different than that of Marcus’s dad, and all the ugly stories start to spill out. Then, with parents out of the way, the friends turn on each other. The game gets as personal as personal gets.

The longest, shortest, weirdest, most surreal year in our recent history is about to come to an end and we wanted to celebrate. PlayME’s special 2020 episode features five shows that we feel speak to this unique moment in time. Plays, mostly recorded remotely during the age of physical distancing, that have inspired, moved and transported us during this turbulent time. Plus, we pull back the curtain to share how we pulled this off working from home (ft. eavesdropping spouses and minor earthquakes).

Now that the nights are longer, we find ourselves at the time of year when we’re most willing to give into our fears and visit the darkest places of our imagination. PlayME's special Horror Highlights episode features some of the most haunting shows we've featured on our podcast. We have a Pandora's box full of horrors and thrillers that we wanted to resurrect in time for Halloween — because listening to scary stories makes us feel a little less alone with our fears. (Warning: this episode contains strong language and graphic imagery.)

A couple of overwhelmed Quebecois parents are caught off guard when their children make a power-play. A thriller by Governor General's Award winner Erin Shields.

A swanky restaurant invites a naive food reviewer to taste a truly rare dish. A humorous horror by Dora Award winner Kat Sandler.

A strained relationship between two sisters, who are separated by much more than a border. A family drama by Dora award winner Rosamund Small and Governor General Award winner Nicolas Billon.

Travel to a distant future where Rihanna rules the world and people are mandated to socialize ... or else. A sci-fi by Secret Life of Canada co-host Leah-Simone Bowen.