Netflix's fall lineup is solid.
The streaming service's latest Original series, "The Good Cop", brings the funny and characters that will grow on you. The plot goes a little something like this: "In The Good Cop, Tony Danza plays Big Tony, a lovable yet not exactly honorable, former NYPD officer who never followed the rules. He lives with his son, TJ, Josh Groban, a brilliant, straight-laced NYPD detective who makes a point of always following the rules while solving Brooklyn’s toughest cases. This “odd couple” become unofficial partners as Tony Sr. offers his overly-cautious son blunt, street-wise advice." Each episode brings a new mystery which always ends up being somewhat predictable, but the journey to solving each one is always enjoyable. The chemistry between Danza and Groban is solid. I'd highly recommend this if you're looking for something light to watch after a stressful day/week of work or something to play in the background while your scrolling through your various social media feeds. Award-winning fiddle-player and musician Karrnnel released his highly-anticipated brand new solo double album Crazy Old Man and SKMB on September 13. I had the pleasure of chatting with him ahead of the release. Check out the Q&A below:
Describe the process of putting together a double album. Well the idea for the double album came about a number of years ago, so the planning involved with everything around making the album (i.e. writing the music, arranging, rehearsing, recording, etc.) took a long time. Once the idea of a double album was born – and specifically the plan to have one album be my ‘solo’ album and the other be songs I had written sung by guest singers – the writing and arranging phase took off. Throughout this phase, I was repeatedly applying for funding opportunities to help with the production costs of a double album and those costs associated with working with an abundance of artists collaboratively. Once some of this funding came through, I was able to confirm my producer of the two albums, Murray Pulver, and then the project was full steam ahead. The band was purposely made up of friends and artists that I had worked with before, that had worked together on countless occasions, and were all the type of musicians to bring their creative output to rehearsals, writing sessions, and the studio. I really wanted the creative, arranging, and recording process to be collaborative with these incredible musicians. Looking back at the time in the studio, it was an absolute blast because of the conscience effort I made to work with these artists. The music that I write and record is created with purpose and meaning, and the energy and vibe that was created in the studio amplified the intentions of my musical creations. What are some common misconceptions that people have about this genre of music? I think overall, people here the word fiddle and have an idea that it is one thing. Usually, the idea that it is that old man/woman playing old time music my grandparents like. My goal with this double album was to make music that spans a wide variety of genres and stages my creative voice. How do you hope people will respond to the album? I want people to love my music. Not all of it. That would be too much to ask. But at least, some of it. The spread of genres throughout both of these albums is wide, so I am fully aware that some tracks are not for everyone. But I truly believe that there is something on these two albums for everyone. Each album for me has its own goal to try to change some of the misconceptions people may have when they hear the word fiddle. I wanted Crazy Old Man to really expand the sonic definitions of what a fiddle could sound like – specifically, using the copper fiddle with some effects pedals on the song Crazy Old Man. I really feel that the cross section of music that is on Crazy Old Man paints a picture of who I am as an artist. For SKMB, I wanted to make music with the fiddle as the main solo instrument in a wide variety of genres. Each song was crafted for the guest singer that I wanted to voice the song I had written, and really I want the album to reach audiences in each of these varied genres. Another Emmys in the book, another year where I find myself regretting all of the TV show choices I’ve made. I only watched a few of the shows that won (Game of Thrones, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, and The Crown). The rest I never hear of until last night. Fret not though, the show was still enjoyable. Here are a few highlights: 1) Musical Opening Award show musical openings are usually totally cringeworthy, but the Emmys opening had everything you could possibly want and more. The show started with a star-studded tongue-in-cheek number about how Hollywood’s diversity problem has been solved. 2) The Hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost are literally the only reason why I still watch Saturday Night Live, so I was thrilled to see them host the Emmys. It was like a three hour long edition of Weekend Update. I loved it. 3) Betty White This woman is #goals. She’s 96 and still in the game. Betty White is incredibly talented and oh so humble. 4) Wedding Proposal Well here’s a first. Glenn Weiss won an award for directing the Oscars and used his acceptance speech as an opportunity to propose to his girlfriend. There was not a dry eye in the room as everyone’s jaws dropped and they gave the newly engaged couple a standing ovation. 5) Final Thoughts
The 70th Annual Emmys came and went and now I’m counting down the days until award season madness begins in November. The Golden Globes television nominees and winners are usually synonymous with The Emmys and this past year was a solid year for television so it should be interesting. For the full list of winner, click here. I recently had the chance to catch up with SiriusXM Canada Radio host Allison Dore who, on September 19th, will be launching Howl & Roar Records - a female centric comedy record label aimed at empowering artists and facilitating the creation of content for women and underrepresented performers in comedy. The official launch will coincide with a party and an album taping show taking place at Bad Dog Theatre featuring a stellar line‐up of celebrated female comedians including Michelle Shaughnessy, Aisha Brown and Kate Davis.
Check out our Q&A below: I think now is the perfect time to launch a female centric comedy record label. What are your goals for this? I want to create a place where comics feel supported and valued. We already undervalue our artists in Canada, and comedians are treated like the bottom of the barrel. So at Howl & Roar, we think you are important, and doing great work, and we’re going to tell everyone about it! I program a show for SiriusXM’s Canada Laughs channel, called Allison Dore’s BroadCast. Doing that show made me realize that women aren’t putting out content as much as men, and so I am looking to remove the obstacles that are standing in the way - whether they are financial, mental, whatever - and help them keep building their career. One of the analogies I use that seems to resonate with comics is that when women come to a door, they stand outside and wait to be invited in; when men come to a door, they open it and walk in. This is obviously a generalization, but it’s the clearest way I can explain it. So I’m inviting them in. All they need to think about are their jokes, I’ll do the rest. I am lucky enough to be working with one of the best sound engineers around, so these albums will sound great too. We’re also going to put out some EP’s (shorter albums) to introduce you to some of the newer comics taking the stage by storm. And though women are the top priority, we’re going to be helping some men out along the way too. What can people expect? Great shows and quality recordings! Many of the albums we record will be from shows we produce ourselves, and we have one planned every month up to the New year, and I imagine that will continue in 2019. Our shows won’t just feature comics who are working with Howl & Roar on an album, we want to showcase all the amazing talent this country has to offer! "Norm Macdonald has a Show features host Norm Macdonald along with his trusty sidekick, Adam Eget, as they dive into hilarious and unexpected conversations with celebrity guests. The premiere season of the talk series welcomes Drew Barrymore, David Spade, Judge Judy, David Letterman, Jane Fonda, Chevy Chase, M. Night Shyamalan, Michael Keaton, Billy Joe Shaver and Lorne Michaels."
I don't know how you couldn't be sold by that description of Netflix's new original show, but perhaps my thoughts will help persuade you to give it a shot. Norm Macdonald is one of my favourite comedians and that lineup of guests features my idols Jane Fonda and David Letterman. I was jumping for joy when I received an email notifying me that I was assigned the screener for review. As per usual, Norm brings the funny and nothing is off limits in the conversations. Not that I thought Netflix was missing anything before, but I think this just took the streaming service to the next level. I truly hope that we'll get more episodes. The world needs more funny. Please bingewatch it when it starts streaming tomorrow. |
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September 2019
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