I join John Moore of “Moore in the Morning” to talk about “Barbie’s” eighteen day journey to a record breaking billion dollar box office gross, and the life and legacy of the late, great William Friedkin.
On the Saturday December 12, 2020 episode of “Pop Life” we meet Claire McNear, author of “Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy!” We talk about the passing of host Alex Trebek, the shows enduring appeal and how to beat the buzzer.
Then, the “Pop Life” panel, one day “Jeopardy!” champion Emma Badame, John Moore who played the game but was gone before Final Jeopardy and Francisco Ramos, a Los Angeles stand up comedian who says he learned comic timing by watching the show.
Film critic and pop culture historian Richard Crouse shares a toast with celebrity guests and entertainment pundits every week on CTV News Channel’s talk show POP LIFE.
Featuring in-depth discussion and debate on pop culture and modern life, POP LIFE features sit-down interviews with celebrities from across the entertainment world, including rock legends Sting and Bob Geldof, musicians Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman, comedian Ken Jeong, writer Fran Lebowitz, superstar jazz musician Diana Krall, stand-up comedian and CNN host W. Kamau Bell, actors Danny DeVito and Jay Baruchel, celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Nigella Lawson, and many more.
Here are five things you might not know about Big Bird and the man behind the mask.
Muppet mastermind Jim Henson created Big Bird, but Spinney says, “I was given a lot of freedom to create the kind of guy he is. He’s a person like I was as a kid, except he doesn’t get pushed around as much. I was the smallest boy in my class so there is a lot of satisfaction playing the largest character who’s ever been on television. To be loved like a little child but be eight-feet-two, what a strange accomplishment.”
Caroll’s relationship with Big Bird lasted longer than his first marriage, which blew up because his then wife was “embarrassed” by his career choice but Spinney calls his job “a dream come true. From the moment I first became aware of television I knew I wanted to be on TV regularly for children. So many of the things that have happened for me have been things I dreamed of doing.” As for retiring? “I can’t imagine it,” he says. “It keeps me young.”
Underneath Big Bird’s feathers is a device called “an electric bra” strapped to Spinney’s chest so he can see what’s happening outside the feathers. “We call it that just as a joke,” says Spinney. “It’s really a TV monitor, a tiny little television set. We have a new one now, an LED monitor and it is too big. It takes up room and it is robbing me of space for the scripts inside.”
Caroll is President Obama’s ninth cousin, but Big Bird isn’t dogmatic in the least. “Big Bird, I’m told by the owners of him, does not have political opinions. I thought of an idea that would get around that problem if someone [ever asked about it]. ‘I don’t know who that is,’ he says in Big’s voice. ‘I thought we had a king.’ In most fairy tales lands are run by kings or queens.”
NASA invited Big Bird’s to be a passenger on the doomed Space Shuttle Challenger to get kids interested in the space program. “I said, ‘Yes, I’d love to go.’ About a month later they found out there was no place on the craft to put Big Bird. I realized it would be dangerous, but who could picture what actually happened?”
Richard joins Moore in the Morning host John Moore on NewsTalk 1010 to discuss the impact of the documentary “Leaving Neverland” and the legacy of the late Luke Perry.
Andrew Morton on the public’s fascination with the Royal Family; plus what makes a scandal? Then Pop Life panel, broadcaster John Moore, investigative reporter Kevin Donovan and “The Social” host Lainey Lui, share their take on deciphering fact from fiction.
Film critic and pop culture historian Richard Crouse shares a toast with celebrity guests and entertainment pundits every week on CTV News Channel’s all-new talk show POP LIFE.
Featuring in-depth discussion and debate on pop culture and modern life, POP LIFE features sit-down interviews with celebrities from across the entertainment world, including superstar jazz musician Diana Krall, legendary rock star Meatloaf, stand-up comedian and CNN host W. Kamau Bell, actor and best-selling author Chris Colfer, celebrity chef Jeremiah Tower, and many more.
Watch all new shows every Saturday at 8:30 pm on Saturday or 2:30 pm on Sunday on the CTV NessChannel! (channel 1501 on Bell Fibe, 62 on Rogers) AND on CTV midnight on Saturday nights. Also, check your listings for airings on Bravo and Gusto.
What makes a scandal? The Pop Life panel, broadcaster John Moore, investigative reporter Kevin Donovan and “The Social” host Lainey Lui, share their take on this and deciphering fact from fiction.
Richard and NewsTalk 1010 morning show and “In Conversation” host John Moore talk about Richard’s new talk show “Pop Life.”
Set in a bar, the show features Crouse sharing a toast with celebrity guests and entertainment pundits each week. Guests will include jazz musician Diana Krall, rock star Meatloaf, stand-up comedian and CNN host W. Kamau Bell, among others.
In addition to in-depth conversations, the show will also include panel discussions with actors, musicians, authors and journalists on hot-button topics of the week from the world of show business, pop culture and media.