Entertainment Is Broken

This week on Entertainment Is Broken, Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon open the mailbag and get into the big questions... and, because this is us, also several deeply specific side quests.Is Canada finally building a real star system? Sarah makes the case that something is shifting, with shows like North of North, Heated Rivalry, and a new wave of Canadian storytelling helping audiences get over the old “good... for a Canadian thing” problem.Richard talks about Canadian film, Last Night, Don McKellar, celebrity interviews, and why the biggest stars are often the ones who arrive with the smallest entourage.And Sarah answers the question everyone secretly wants answered: what was the weirdest thing about Big Brother Canada that didn’t make it to air? The answer involves microphones, production secrecy, two bathrooms, laundry chaos, and men who apparently believed the shower was a suggestion box.It’s a fun, loose mailbag episode about Canadian entertainment, reality TV, celebrity culture, and the strange machinery behind the things we watch.

Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon open the Entertainment Is Broken mailbag to answer listener questions about the strange machinery behind show business.Richard shares what celebrity junkets are really like, from exhausted movie stars answering the same question 40 times in a day to memorable encounters with Meryl Streep, Madonna, and Bill Murray. Sarah breaks down the reality TV machine from her own experience on Big Brother Canada, explaining what feels real, what gets shaped, and why pressure can create drama without producers needing to fake it.Then they tackle the big one: if they could fix one thing about Hollywood or media, what would it be? The answer involves risk, weird movies, smaller budgets, and letting audiences miss things before the next franchise installment arrives.

Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon take on comedy as an art form… and why it so often gets treated like drama’s unserious cousin.They discuss the craft behind great comedy, from timing and rhythm to improv, physical performance, writing, surprise, and the invisible work that makes a joke land. They also dig into the Kevin Hart roast, modern roast culture, the difference between shock and surprise, and whether some comedy has become more about cruelty, grievance, and identity than actual jokes.Along the way: Kinky Boots, Mr. Dressup, Jim Carrey, Gary Shandling, the Comedy Cellar, the Joe Rogan comedy universe, and underrated comedy favourites including After Hours and I Love You to Death.Because if drama makes you cry, it’s art. But if comedy makes you laugh, somehow it still has to prove itself.

What if the best concert you’ll ever see… only has 50 people in the room?This week on Entertainment Is Broken, Richard and Sarah explore the phenomenon of massive artists going small — from secret shows and fake band names to surprise appearances in tiny venues.Inspired by stories like The Rolling Stones at the El Mocambo and recent pop-up gigs from Olivia Rodrigo, they unpack why these intimate performances often feel more powerful than arena spectacles.Along the way, they share personal experiences, unforgettable moments with artists like Dr. John, and discuss what these small shows reveal about creativity, connection, and the true nature of performance.Because sometimes… stripping it all back is what makes it unforgettable.

This week, Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon explore the thrill—and fragility—of live performance.From Broadway productions like Rocky Horror and Chicago to the high-wire act of Saturday Night Live, they ask: what makes live entertainment feel so different… and why does it matter now more than ever?Richard shares a surreal night inside SNL during its 90s heyday—featuring Paul McCartney, Chris Farley, and an after-party encounter with Allen Ginsberg—while the hosts unpack the legacy of Lorne Michaels, the Canadian roots of SNL, and the challenge of staying relevant across generations.They also debate the rise of SNL UK, the evolution of sketch comedy, and why audiences are often hardest on the shows that take the biggest risks.A conversation about comedy, culture, and the irreplaceable magic of being there when anything can happen.

The Junos came and went… but where were Canada’s biggest stars?In this episode of Entertainment Is Broken, Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon dig into the growing debate around Canadian identity in entertainment… and whether artists like Justin Bieber, Drake, and Tate McRae are still “Canadian” when it counts.Is it about where you’re born… or where your career is built?They break down:Why so many major artists skipped the Juno AwardsWhether success in the U.S. changes an artist’s identityThe idea of being “Canadian when convenient”Why artists like Joni Mitchell and Rush still feel deeply connected to CanadaAnd whether Canada needs to rethink how it supports its own talentIt’s a funny, sharp, and surprisingly real conversation about culture, success, and what we actually mean when we say “Canadian.”If you’ve ever wondered why Canada’s biggest stars don’t always come home… this one’s for you.

Remember when red carpets were about journalism… and not vertical video, viral moments, and whether someone got free cake? This week on Entertainment Is Broken, hosts Richard Crouse and Sarah dive into the growing clash between influencers and traditional entertainment journalism — and ask the uncomfortable question: who actually belongs on the red carpet anymore? From the Oscars red carpet controversy to the backlash surrounding TikTok influencer Jake Shane at the Vanity Fair party, we break down what happens when viral culture meets legacy media… and whether the result is evolution or erosion. Along the way, we explore:How red carpet interviews have changed from journalism to content creationThe rise of TikTok influencers in Hollywood spacesWhether viral moments are replacing meaningful conversationsBehind-the-scenes stories from TIFF, press junkets, and old-school Hollywood accessWhy authenticity still matters — whether you have millions of followers or nonePlus: BTS Army shows up in a big way, Richard shares wild junket stories (including Rome and the Vatican…), and Sarah defends the idea that maybe disruption isn’t the enemy — maybe it’s the point.Are influencers ruining the red carpet… or just revealing what it’s become?

Did Jim Carrey really appear at the César Awards… or did the internet just decide he didn’t look like himself anymore?This week on Entertainment Is Broken, Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon dig into the bizarre online conspiracy about Jim Carrey’s face — and why fans feel personally betrayed when celebrities age, change their look, or get a little work done.From Jennifer Grey’s infamous nose job to Hollywood’s impossible beauty standards, they explore why the public thinks it owns celebrity appearances… and why people would rather believe in clones and prosthetic masks than accept that famous people are just human.Plus: Richard shares stories from his early encounters with Jim Carrey and why the new indie film Sweetness is worth seeing.Because in the age of the internet, apparently even your own face isn’t yours anymore.

Canadians are proudly buying local, waving the maple leaf, and rallying behind homegrown culture — so why are Canadian movie theaters suddenly empty?This week on Entertainment Is Broken, Richard and Sarah unpack the surprising 40% drop in Canadian film attendance and ask a big question: if we love Canadian creators, why aren’t we showing up for Canadian movies?From Mike Myers’ cultural rallying cry to the legacy of comedy icons like John Candy, plus a heartfelt tribute to the late Robert Duvall, the conversation dives into movie-going habits, streaming culture, national identity, and whether Canadian storytelling needs a reinvention… or just a bigger audience.Are Canadian films overlooked, misunderstood, or simply waiting for their moment? Grab your popcorn — this one gets personal.

This week on Entertainment Is Broken, Richard and Sarah try to make sense of a glossy new Melania Trump “documentary” that feels less like filmmaking and more like the soft launch of a lifestyle brand. From its eye-watering budget to its suspicious lack of actual substance, the conversation quickly turns to what this project really is…and where it’s likely headed next (hint: streaming platform, branded candles, possibly an apron).

This week on Entertainment Is Broken, Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon break down the freshly announced Oscar nominations, from surprise snubs to horror films finally getting some long-overdue Academy love.The conversation kicks off with a brutal (and oddly fascinating) hate watch of Mercy, a new sci-fi thriller built around an AI judge, a ticking clock, and a future where justice takes 90 minutes or less. Is it anti-AI? Pro-AI? Or just… inert? Richard explains why this might be the ultimate “seatbelt movie.”From there, they dig into this year’s major Best Picture contenders, including Sinners, Hamnet, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, Frankenstein, and One Battle After Another. The conversation covers Oscar predictions, blockbuster fatigue, genre bias, and what actually makes a great film.

In this engaging conversation, Sarah Hanlon and Richard Crouse explore the potential for Canadian television to create hit shows, particularly focusing on the success of 'Heated Rivalry.' They discuss personal experiences, the unique aspects of Canadian culture, and the importance of risk-taking in storytelling. The dialogue also touches on the impact of location and authenticity in Canadian productions, as well as the evolving landscape of media and representation in the industry.

In this episode of 'Entertainment is Broken', Richard Crouse and Sarah Hanlon delve into the complexities of award season, discussing the Golden Globe nominations, notable snubs, and the evolving role of hosts. They explore the significance of the Golden Globes in the current entertainment landscape, the impact of streaming on theatrical releases, and the emotional weight of personal stories in music. The conversation also touches on Quentin Tarantino's controversial remarks about actors and the irreplaceable experience of watching films in theatres. The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of shared experiences in cinema and the ongoing dialogue about entertainment.