Featured topics
HIGHLIGHT / SUPERBAD
The traditional male rite of passage theme is sharply skewered in this profanely juvenile teen comedy. This generation's version of Revenge of the Nerds , the 2007 feature was written by Canadians Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who began working on the script when they were 13-year-old schoolmates in Vancouver. Hence, the story's lead characters are named Evan - portrayed by Arrested Development 's Michael Cera, another Canuck - and Seth, played by the scene-stealing wiseacre Jonah Hill. As the saga opens, the best friends and social outcasts are rounding out their final year of high school and on the verge of leaving for separate colleges. At the seductive behest of classmate Jules (Emma Stone), the pair become convinced that the act of procuring alcohol for her upcoming year-end party will allow one or both of them to experience carnal delight. After trying to buy booze with phony ID, the pair are befriended by a pair of wildly irresponsible cops, played by Rogen and Saturday Night Live 's Bill Hader, who were clearly geeks themselves as teenagers. The story thereafter is partly road picture and partly coming-of-age story, but the reason to watch is the mile-a-minute dialogue and the oddly moving friendship between the story's two lovable losers. Misery really does love company.
WATCH ME / ANNA WALLNER
Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic met while working in TV news in Vancouver in the nineties. But they found their stride with shopping rather than journalism, creating the TV series The Shopping Bags , which became the anchor for a little media empire. Their new show Anna & Kristina's Beauty Call premieres Tuesday on W Network at 9 p.m. Each episode features a $500 makeover. A poor man's What Not to Wear ? No way, says Wallner, as the show also offers useful beauty information. For example, did you know that the right eyebrow shape can knock 10 years off your face?
REALITY CHECK / AFTER ELIZABETH
This morning Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, officially open the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at the Exhibition grounds in Toronto. Later today they'll tour the Evergreen Brick Works, a heritage site trying to build green and become a showcase for urban sustainability in the centre of the city. The events are a mix of royal duty and Charles's passion for raising awareness about the environment - a passion that's earned him "the meddling prince" moniker. And Charles's outspoken manner puts him at a disadvantage when it comes to taking over the top job, according to many full-time royal watchers interviewed in After Elizabeth II: Monarchy in Peril (airing Thursday, 8 p.m. on CBC). This documentary ponders the monarchy's popularity ("The Queen is an exemplary figure," says one royal watcher. "Unfortunately, it's all the strap hangers, those lower down the line, that let her down") and the likelihood of Parliament insisting that Charles be passed over for his son William. It's a thoughtful film airing at just the right time - interest in Charles's future might not be so high if he weren't touring the country this week. More documentary
THE NUMBERS
CBC-TV has had a nightly national newscast for the past 55 years. It's had various monikers over the decades - CBC TV National News, The National News, Prime Time News, National Edition among them.
LATE-NIGHT TALK
The Late Show with David Letterman
THIS WEEK / HIGHLIGHTS
FRIDAY NOV. 6
DAYTIME TALK
Live with Regis and Kelly
THE CHANNEL
JANET SPEAKS!
Streetcar talk show rides the rails in Toronto
A Toronto news cable channel is offering an offbeat new program. On Nov. 5, CP24 launches a monthy talk show to be broadcast live from a moving streetcar. Hosted by city councillor and Toronto Transit Commission chairman Adam Giambrone, On The Rocket (so-named for the rail-riding vehicle's nickname) encourages passengers to board the vehicle and talk transit. Staff
Television
Mad Men playlists
In case you're not getting enough TV trivia, now you can stock your iPod with the music your favourite characters like
Homegrown shows and old standbys shine in the ratings
We remain a land of eclectic TV tastes. As always, Canadian viewers remain faithful to American programming, but homegrown television is coming on with a vengeance.
The huge hits are missing
jdoyle@globeandmail.com
WHAT I'M WATCHING / BILL MAHER
Nobody can accuse Bill Maher of taking on the easy targets. In the past few months, the standup-turned-political-pundit has crossed horns with Barack Obama, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and flu-shot advocates.
THE CHANNEL
ALIEN NATION
Television
By the People: The Election of Barack Obama
As a shared TV experience, watching the American public vote a black man into the White House magically transcended politics, culture and borders, however briefly
HIGHLIGHT / THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
Let's do the time warp again. Shrewdly scheduled for Halloween viewing, this campy British rock-musical has been completely remastered and should look glorious in high-definition. Based on the stage musical by Richard O'Brien, the 1975 feature spoofs every known horror-movie convention and still endures as a cult classic at midnight screenings this time of year. For those who have never had the pleasure, the story begins on a dark and stormy night with the naive young couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) unavoidably stranded at the castle of Dr. Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry), a mad scientist who would not appear out of place in any forties-era Universal horror movie (except for his makeup, leather jacket and fishnets). The wide-eyed innocents are promptly initiated into sexual awakening by the mad doctor and entranced by a series of dazzling production numbers, most notably Time Warp, Hot Patootie and Sweet Transvestite . Although the rambling plotline of Rocky Horror has more holes than Furter's stockings (so which ones were the aliens?), the best advice has always been to sit back and surrender to the bizarre experience. Don't dream it, be it.
REALITY CHECK / THE FIFTH ESTATE
Why would anyone want to join the military? Particularly after seeing this fifth estate documentary - as startling an anti-recruitment film as it is a rare insight into battle-induced posttraumatic stress. In Broken Heroes (tonight, 9 p.m., CBC), three soldiers tell reporter Gillian Findlay what their life has been like upon returning from tours of duty, some altered after one deployment, another after spending time in a few war zones. Plagued by nightmares, racked with survivor guilt and trouble coping with tasks such as grocery shopping or minding the kids make it almost impossible to re-enter "normal" life. One of the biggest hurdles these men have to overcome, though, is the idea that they have a problem at all: "Nobody wants to be broken in the army," says one. "I've got my airborne wings. I'm army. I'm a sergeant. ... I'm in command of eight men in a combat zone, how are you going to tell me how to function at night?" explains another about why it took so long for him to seek help. Findlay respectfully tells their stories, and checks in with Canada's Chief of Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk to see what the military is doing about erasing the stigma of PTSD. Senator and former general Roméo Dallaire is also interviewed, reminding us just how long the trauma can linger, and how it can turn up unannounced years later.
LATE NIGHT TALK
The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
THIS WEEK / HIGHLIGHTS
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30