Knockabout Media

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Channel • 8 Shows

TV & Film

TV & Film

Biweekly Series
History

History

Biweekly Series
History

History

Weekly Series
History

History

Weekly Series
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Updated Weekly
Stories for Kids

Stories for Kids

Updated Weekly
History

History

Updated Weekly

5D AGO

Gordon Korman | Bestselling Author at 14

What if your middle school English project became a published book? That’s exactly what happened to Gordon Korman. At just 12 years old, he turned a classroom assignment into This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall—the start of a legendary career in children’s literature. Featuring insights from cultural historian Ed Conroy (Retrontario) and Gordon Korman himself, this episode is a nostalgic, funny, and inspiring look at how a kid from Thornhill, Ontario became a household name in children’s literature. For more reading: Snoop by Gordon Korman here. ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids' TV by Ed Conroy available here. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Featuring Gordon Korman & Ed Conroy A Knockabout Media Production Additional audio material: Newspapers.com, CBC *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5d ago

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32 min
AUG 14

John Candy Movie Hall of Fame with Tracey Morgan and Joe Ramoni

What makes a John Candy classic? Ryan Barnett invites Joe Ramoni (Hats Off Entertainment) and Tracey Morgan (author of Searching for Candy) to take a joyous, laugh-filled tour through John Candy’s entire filmography — from beloved hits to forgotten gems. Along the way, they debate, reminisce, and wrestle with the impossible task: narrowing it all down to the 10 essential John Candy movies. Biting The Big Picture's beloved format, this special episode is a celebration of heart, humour, and the man who could make anyone smile. About our guests: Tracey Morgan is an animal lover and John Candy biographer. She lives in Shrewsbury, UK, with her cats, boyfriend and chicken. Joe Ramoni is a filmmaker and content creator, presenter of Hats Off Entertainment on YouTube and Co-host of Almost Cult Classics the podcast. See John in Career Opportunities here! John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman A Knockabout Media Production *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 14

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2h 15m
JUL 3

John Candy Part 4 of 6 | Bigger Fish

John Candy enlists in Stripes, returns to the familiar chaos of Melonville on SCTV, and then makes waves in Hollywood with a breakout role in Splash. This episode follows a pivotal stretch in Candy’s career, as his comedic chops earn him big-screen attention and set the stage for stardom. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Additional voices by Matthew Barnett & Sean Quinlan A Knockabout Media Production Additional audio material: The Bobbie Wygant Archive, Later with Bob Costas, Late Night with David Letterman, Nebraska State Historical Society, Terrence Thompson, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Columbia Pictures *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 3

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36 min
JUL 17

John Candy Part 5 of 6 | A First-first Banana

John Candy spends the early ’80s steadily climbing the ranks—grinding out supporting roles, inching toward leading man status. He misses out on Ghostbusters, but gains something greater: a growing family with his wife Rose, and a career-defining turn in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. This episode traces Candy’s breakout moment and the beginning of a lasting creative bond with John Hughes—one that would shape the next chapter of his career. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Additional voices by Matthew Barnett & Sean Quinlan A Knockabout Media Production Additional audio material: The Bobbie Wygant Archive, Later with Bob Costas, Late Night with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Columbia Pictures, Sesame Workshop, TriStar Pictures, Paramount Pictures, AppleTV+, Tribune Media, CBC *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 17

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45 min
JUL 31

John Candy Part 6 of 6 | The Argonaut Twist

In the late ’80s, John Candy's hit a rough patch with a string of underwhelming films—Hot to Trot, Speed Zone, and Who’s Harry Crumb. But a creative reunion with John Hughes soon put him back on track, leading to some of the most memorable roles of his career. In this episode, we chart Candy’s quiet resurgence and surprising pivot into sports ownership, as he becomes a co-owner of the Toronto Argonauts and proves there’s always more than one way to steal the show. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Additional voices by Matthew Barnett & Sean Quinlan A Knockabout Media Production Additional audio material: Later with Bob Costas, Late Night with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Columbia Pictures, CBC. CityTV *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 31

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54 min
JUN 19

John Candy Part. 3 of 6 | "The Lou Gehrig of Comedy"

As SNL takes off, the Second City crew launches SCTV, carving out their own place in sketch comedy history. Hollywood soon comes calling, and John Candy lands a coveted role in Steven Spielberg’s 1941—his first real taste of movie stardom. This is the moment Candy begins to bridge the gap between cult favourite and big-screen contender. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Additional voices by Matthew Barnett & Sean Quinlan A Knockabout Media Production Additional audio material: Retrontario, The Bobbie Wygant Archive, Breadcrustcouncil, Dash Retro, Kamenliter, Ugazzovision *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 19

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35 min
AUG 28

What Made John Candy Funny? Paul Myers on His New Biography

Author Paul Myers talks about his new book John Candy: A Life in Comedy—exploring what made Candy funny, with anecdotes about Chevy Chase, Richard Pryor, Dave Thomas, and more. Paul Myers is a Canadian writer and musician living in Berkeley, California. His previous books include The Kids in the Hall: One Dumb Guy, which was the source for the Canadian Screen Award-winning documentary The Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks from Amazon Studios, and the critically acclaimed A Wizard a True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio; It Ain’t Easy: Long John Baldry and the Birth of the British Blues; and Barenaked Ladies: Public Stunts, Private Stories. More About: John Candy: A Life in Comedy Drawing on extensive research and exclusive interviews with many of Candy’s closest friends and colleagues, including Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Steve Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, and many more, John Candy: A Life in Comedy celebrates the comedian’s unparalleled talent, infectious charm, and generosity of spirit. Through ups and downs, successes and failures, and struggles with anxiety and self-doubt, Candy faced the world with a big smile and a warm demeanour that earned him the love and adoration of fans around the world. Get the book! Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman A Knockabout Media Production *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 28

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1h 25m
MAY 22

John Candy Part. 1 of 6 | Acting Chops

Before the fame, John Candy was a kid from the Toronto suburbs with a big heart and a knack for making people laugh. This episode looks back at his early years—from children's theatre stages to his first big break auditioning for Second City Toronto—marking the quiet start of a legendary comedic journey. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Additional voices by Matthew Barnett & Sean Quinlan A Knockabout Media Production *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 22

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21 min
JUN 5

John Candy Part. 2 of 6 | Johnny Toronto

John Candy takes his first steps into professional comedy on the main stage at Second City Chicago, where he strikes up a friendship with a young Bill Murray. But just as he’s finding his rhythm, he’s called home to help launch a new chapter of Second City in Toronto. We trace Candy’s early days in improv—and the beginnings of a career rooted in collaboration, heart, and homegrown talent. John Candy: The Lou Gehrig of Comedy is a series that honours the timeless humour and heartfelt performances of John Candy, star of hits like Splash, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and Home Alone. Follow us on our socials: Instagram, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube & Substack Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Produced by Ryan Barnett & Sonia Gemmiti Recorded by Tyler Rauman Additional voices by Matthew Barnett & Sean Quinlan A Knockabout Media Production *This program and all relevant content is for educational purposes only and to the best of our knowledge is being used under Fair Dealing/Fair Use Act guidelines and within Canadian and United States standards of fair dealing/fair use* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 5

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22 min
JUL 24

Story Girl presents: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North

Hey Story Girl listeners! I hope you enjoyed the repost of our series Among Equals. We’re busy at work right now on our follow up series to Story Girl, which I’ll have more information about that soon. But, in the meantime, we're sharing a season from another Knockabout podcast: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North. Discover the captivating stories behind Canada's film and television industry with 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North,' the must-listen podcast that takes you deep into the making of iconic movies and the stars who shaped the history of Canadian filmmaking. In this episode, we're focusing on the days before the Kids were the Kids in the Hall. How did Kevin meet Dave? How did Bruce meet Mark? And where did Scott enter the picture? Its origin stories galore as we look back at the Canadian improv comedy scenes of the early 1980s. Written & Hosted by Ryan Barnett Additional Voices by Matthew Barnett Where to find: Buster: A Life in Pictures Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 24

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23 min

Knockabout Media specializes in creative non-fiction storytelling. We are the makers of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood North, Story Girl, Among Equals, and The Black Hum.

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