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The bestselling and award-winning writer Sam Wiebe discusses his new book Shot in Vancouver: Adventures in Hollywood North (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2026), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Shot in Vancouver

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Sam Wiebe joins me again. He’s just published one of the best books of the season, Shot in Vancouver: Adventures in Hollywood North. It’s a highly readable history of Vancouver as a sought-after place to shoot film and television. Known for our diverse landscape, often competitive tax structures, the Canadian dollar, and surfeit of talent behind and in front of the camera, Vancouver ranks third in North America, behind Los Angeles and New York as busiest production hub. The book is replete with stories of notable film and television productions shooting here with Vancouver playing elsewhere. It’s got anecdotes from actors and performers who either loved or didn’t everything from the people or the culture or the weather while shooting here. Sam takes us from the early days of Hollywood North in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when films like That Cold Day in the Park or McCabe & Mrs. Miller or Carnal Knowledge were shot here, through to the 1980s, when it was popular for television productions not just Canadian programs like The Beachcombers and Danger Bay, but various Stephen J. Cannell series as well. The book takes us through the various productions from the 1990s to today like The X-Files, Arrow, Twilight, Deadpool, and so many more. And there are challenges both financial and political as to the future of production here, Sam covers those. But it’s the enthusiasm that he brings to the project, as a fan, as a popular novelist, and a writer on film and television, that makes this book tough to put down, and one to often turn to when you need to look something up, or even settle and start an argument with when it comes to film and television. I’ll ask Sam about particular favourites of his, and to reflect on the impact of works like Skip Tracer, The Changeling, and DaVinci’s Inquest, which each mark a point in this town’s development. Sam Wiebe is an award-winning and bestselling author of fiction set in the Pacific Northwest. His series of novels about Vancouver private investigator Dave Wakeland is considered one of the most authentic and acclaimed in contemporary detective writing. His other works include Ocean Drive, Last of the Independents, and the Ethan Brand series set in Washington State, which he pens under the name Nolan Chase. Visit his website at www.samwiebe.com. This new book is published by Arsenal Pulp Press. We spoke last week, with Mr. Wiebe joining me from New Westminster. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Sam Wiebe; Mr. Wiebe, good morning.

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The hockey commentator, former coach and team executive Doug MacLean discusses his new book Game Day: The Uncensored Life of an NHL GM (Simon & Schuster, 2026), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Game Day

Text of an introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Doug MacLean joins me again. He’s got a new book out today, Game Day: The Uncensored Life of an NHL GM, co-written with Greg Oliver. His gift of storytelling is throughout as he takes the reader into the job of general manager in the National Hockey League. From managing the hockey operations, the players, scouts, coaches and trainers; to the management of the facility, concessions, sponsors; to the ownership, where there might be one wealthy investor in the community where the team is to these large conglomerates that own multiple franchises over different sports altogether. In between all this, there’s managing the fans expectations, whether through relations with the media, or season ticket holders. There’s also relationships with agents, referees, other GMs, the league itself. Mr. MacLean in this new book takes us through all these unique interpersonal and business relationships providing an insiders look at the business and entertainment of the sport of hockey. I’ll ask Doug about what it was like getting fired from a coach’s job (he was the head coach for the Florida Panthers), and calling up the owner of what would become the Columbus Blue Jackets about the job of GM. He had to build not just the franchise from the ground up, but the arena too. The book provides marvelous insight as to the job, his experience, as well as his family’s experience through his life in hockey. Doug MacLean is a former professional hockey coach, general manager, and team executive. He was president and general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, he also coached them for a spell when had to fire the coach, and he was also the head coach of the Florida Panthers, taking them to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996. He became a broadcaster for Sportsnet, eventually co-hosting their popular Hockey Central at Noon on the radio, as well as a panelist on television’s Hockey Central. He was on with his first book Draft Day: How Hockey Teams Pick Winners or Get Left Behind, which was a national bestseller. That book, like this new one, is published by Simon & Schuster. We spoke last week with Doug joining me from Delray Beach, Florida, where he divides his time with his native Prince Edward Island. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Doug MacLean; Mr. MacLean, good morning.

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The acclaimed vocalist and entertainer Terrell Edwards previews A Night of Motown, a concert he conceived and he’ll headline this Saturday, 24 October 2026 at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster, with Joseph Planta.

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Terrell Edwards joins me now. The acclaimed singer will be at New Westminster’s Anvil Centre this Saturday night with A Night of Motown, a program of definitive hits from legendary artists like The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and many more. The show will feature Terrell’s vocal stylings, with slick choreography, nostalgia, and a showmanship with contemporary energy. I’ll ask Terrell about the program he’s put together, the dancers and singers he’s got performing with him, and about his how he maintains his skill as a vocalist, who has been described as the “perfect blend of Sinatra and Motown.” Visit www.anviltheatre.ca for tickets and information, as well as Terrell’s own website www.terrelledwardsmusic.com. The show is Saturday night at 7.30pm. We spoke one week ago, with Mr. Edwards joining me from San Francisco. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Terrell Edwards; Mr. Edwards, good morning.  

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The acclaimed choreographer Catherine Gaudet discusses the Compagnie Catherine Gaudet work ODE, the 2026-2027 season opener for DanceHouse (Friday, 23 and Saturday, 24 October 2026), with Joseph Planta.

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Catherine Gaudet joins me now. The Compagnie Catherine Gaudet work ODE is the season opener for DanceHouse’s 2026-2027 season. It’s at the Vancouver Playhouse this Friday and Saturday (23, 24 October 2026) at 8.00pm. I’ll ask the acclaimed choreographer about the existential questions that provoked and inspired ODE, as well as reaction the piece has gotten. She looks critically at the commodification of happiness, the so-called industrial happiness complex, and how it encompasses therapy speak, self-help books, and New Age TED Talks. I’ll ask her about the work of the choreographer, and how she collaborates with her dancers. Visit www.dancehouse.ca for tickets and information. Catherine joined me last Friday from Montreal. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Catherine Gaudet; Ms. Gaudet, good morning.  

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The community leader and former Manitoba MLA and cabinet minister Kevin Chief discusses his memoir With a Name Like Chief: Reflections on Recovery and Identity Through the Seven Sacred Teachings (Highwater Press, 2026), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: With a Name Like Chief

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

One of the more engaging memoirs of the year is With a Name Like Chief: Reflections on Recovery and Identity Through the Seven Sacred Teachings. Its author Kevin Chief joins me now to reflect on his life, which began growing up in poverty in Winnipeg’s North End. He lived in a single-parent home, after his mother left. He had to contend with his father’s alcoholism. He went on to become an MVP basketball star and captain of his university team. He overcomes his own alcohol addiction, found recovery, and went on to become a member of the Manitoba Legislature. It’s such an instructive book, and as Kevin illustrates, the Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishinaabe: Wisdom, respect, humility, truth, honesty, courage, and love yield so much for him when he keeps them forefront in his mind on a daily basis. I’ll ask Kevin about how he applies these teachings, and what they might offer us as we move about with grace in our day. Kevin Chief is a member of the Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek) First Nation. He is co-founder of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre, and was elected an MLA in Manitoba in 2011 and 2016, and serve as a cabinet minister in two different portfolios. He is currently Community Ambassador for the Southern Chiefs’ Organisation, Chair for the Neeginan Education, Training and Employment Centre, and Senior Advisor at True North Sports and Entertainment, which I bring up as we recorded this conversation on October 6th, a day after a great Winnipeg Jets victory over the Penguins. This new book is published by Highwater Press. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Kevin Chief; Mr. Chief, good morning.  

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The artistic director of Mitch and Murray Productions Aaron Craven discusses their first-ever three-show season thanks to a donation from the Lochmaddy Foundation, and their season opener Mary Jane (23 October-01 November 2026) with Joseph Planta.

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Aaron Craven joins me again. The artistic director of Mitch and Murray Productions joins me to preview their 2026-2027 season that opens a week from tonight (23 October-01 November 2026), with the Western Canadian premiere of Mary Jane by Amy Herzog. I’ll ask Mr. Craven about the rest of their season, which will be their first-ever three-show season. It’s come about because of a donation by one of the theatre company’s patrons, Kevin Campbell, the founder of the Lochmaddy Foundation. Aaron will tell us what changes with an expanded bill of plays, as well as how the generous support came about. In February, the company will stage Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector, and their season will close in May 2027 with a production of David Mamet’s A Life in the Theatre. Visit www.mitchandmurrayproductions.com for tickets and information. We spoke late last month, with Aaron joining me from here in Vancouver. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Aason Craven; Mr. Craven, good morning.  

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The author Ken Wyder discusses his memoir Kill Not the Butterfly (Vespera Collective, 2026), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Kill Not the Butterfly

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

One of the more interesting memoirs of the season is Kill Not the Butterfly by Ken Wyder. He joins me now to relive a lot of his life which he writes about in a book that’s described as harrowing and unsettling, as well as the journey from blame and abuse, to forgiveness and clarity. Ken Wyder’s father Fred, had founded the electrical and mechanical firm that would become Canem. Fred was married to Helen, the granddaughter of Charles P. Bentall, a draftsman who would join Dominion Construction, eventually managing and then becoming president and its majority shareholder. Throughout the Twentieth Century, Dominion and Bentall were synonymous with building and building up in Vancouver. Today five large towers in the Downtown core bear the Bentall name. Fred Wyder’s electrical company is brought into the Bentall empire but his ambitions seemed incompatible with strict nature of the Bentall business, which was rooted in Christian values, philanthropy, and a sort of conservatism that repressed emotion. This would come to affect Ken as he grew up with his siblings. Fred and Helen’s marriage comes apart, and soon Ken has to navigate the expectations of being part of a storied family in town, with the reality of growing up and trying to make a living, not to mention contend with the intergenerational trauma that fuels a path of self-destruction. There’s brutal physical abuse. The book does not spare its author of any blame for rage and abuse he might have inflicted on others, but it also finds himself reckoning with the weight of his family’s privilege and prestige. He himself didn’t grow up with incredible fortunes as we read in the book, but proximity to it inevitably clouds his judgment at times, or outright affects the course of his life and those around him. The book is also a time capsule of the culture kids like Ken consumed in the 1960s and 1970s, and the sort of Vancouver that he’s experienced then and now. The book is published by Vespera Creative. We spoke last week, with Ken joining me from here in Vancouver. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Ken Wyder; Mr. Wyder, good morning. 

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The reporter and author Sam Roberts discusses his work as a reporter on the obituaries desk at the New York Times, and his new book Are They Dead Yet? The Art of the Obit (Bloomsbury, 2026), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Are They Dead Yet?

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

One of my favourite books of the year is Are They Dead Yet? The Art of the Obit. Sam Roberts, its author, joins me now. He’s a longtime reporter at the New York Times, who has spent the last decade one of the reporters on the obituaries desk. He’s written some 1,500 obituaries through his career, and this unique reporting assignment has provided much insight into the art of the obituary, and how the process works at the newspaper of record. I’ll ask Mr. Roberts about how obituaries are assigned, and who gets them. The aspect of obituaries written in advance, usually for notable newsmakers or high office holders is an interesting one, sometimes involving the reporter interviewing the obituary’s subject ahead of their death. And naturally, getting an obit in the Times is a status symbol, so I was curious as to what is said by either the subject, or better yet by family members, loved ones or associates, in those moments after the subject’s death. There is a real art to how the Times reports on a figure’s death. And they’re often works to behold when a succinct account of one’s life is produced literally, at deadline. The book is often funny, and particularly insightful as to how we view life and death, as we look for meaning in the lives we’re reading about. Sam Roberts is a fifty-year veteran of New York journalism, who works at the obituaries desk at the Times, where for many years he was its urban affairs correspondent. He has hosted the television show The New York Times Close Up, and the podcast Only in New York. He is the author of The New Yorkers, A History of New York in 27 Buildings, A History of New York in 101 Objects, and one of my favourites, The Brother, a book on David Greenglass, the brother of Ethel Rosenberg. That book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. And Sam was very kind to indulge me in questions on Greenglass and his reporting on his death. Before joining the Times in 1983, he was the youngest city editor of the New York Daily News. This new book is published by Bloomsbury. We spoke one week ago, with Sam Roberts joining me from New York City. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Sam Roberts; Mr. Roberts, good morning.

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The curator and broadcaster Jarrett Martineau previews the VIFF Live program, the live music performances complimenting this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival, and more, with Joseph Planta.

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

Jarrett Martineau joins me now. The award-winning artist, broadcaster and curator among his many jobs, is back as VIFF Live Curator. He’ll preview the upcoming events starting this weekend, that explore and enliven our relationship as film viewers to music. It’s such an integral part of the movie viewing experience, making movies more memorable as a result. I’ll ask Jarrett about the events with Mark Mothersbaugh, the DEVO founder, as well as the award-winning Cristobal Tapia de Veer, who scored The White Lotus. Jarrett will also preview the other events he’s curated as part of this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival. Visit www.viff.org for tickets and information. Jarrett Martineau is the host, creator and producer of Reclaimed on CBC Radio. He is also the Head Curator at UBC’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, which doesn’t just involve the musical performances, but also their speaker events. He holds an MA and PhD from the University of Victoria, and was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Columbia University and CUNY. We spoke last week with Jarrett joining me from here in Vancouver. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Jarrett Martineau; Dr. Martineau, good morning.

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The award-winning musician Colin James discusses his new book Playing the Changes: A Musician’s Memoir (Random House Canada, 2026), with Joseph Planta.

Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Playing the Changes

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.  

As I tell Colin James in this interview, I’ve been more likely to listen to the music that his grandfather liked, but nevertheless I found myself enchanted by his new book Playing the Changes: A Musician’s Memoir. We see how young Colin’s musical tastes are formed by his parents encouraging his listening widely, and how his own talent moves him through youth, to leaving school, to playing gigs from the prairies of Saskatchewan to going across Canada. He’s candid about having hypochondria, as well as how the divorce of his parents affects him. He talks about wearing his heart on his sleeve, and working at the craft that would eventually get him to open for Stevie Ray Vaughan. A friendship ensues, as well as a name change, and soon his career takes off. One of Canada’s beloved musicians, Colin James writes about coming-of-age in the music world, and coming west to Vancouver. He describes the Vancouver he comes to in the 1980s with equal parts enthusiasm and nostalgia, as the music scene here was where he felt he could really take off from. And that he did. Though the book only takes us to 1988, just as his career is starting to take off, the book is a fine example of how hard work and playing the changes can get us through life, and beyond. Colin James is a Member of the Order of British Columbia. He has released twenty-one studio albums, has had multiple-platinum sales, seven gold-certified albums, four platinum albums, and two double platinum albums. He’s won eight Juno Awards and thirty-one Maple Blues Awards. In 2013, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. He tours constantly. Visit www.colinjames.com for information. This new book is from Random House Canada. We spoke last week, with Colin joining me from Toronto. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Colin James; Mr. James, good morning. 

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