It's summer - no doubt about it which means lots of great movies to be checking out at your local theatre (or drive-in!) and I'm the lucky one who gets to keep you in-the-know as to what movies are out right now. Awhile ago I told you about The Incredible Hulk which was, well, dare I say it - incredible! I saw it just this past week and really enjoyed the film. I loved spotting various spots around Hamilton and Toronto that were recognizable in the film (as it was filmed in this area), especially my alma mater, McMaster University! Edward Norton is fantastic in his role as Bruce and Liv Tyler is great in her supporting role as Betty. Also fun to see was the cameo played by the original Hulk of the TV series, Lou Ferrigno who is a security guard opposite Norton in a scene. The plot is great and for fans of the previous TV movies, episodes and feature films, you're sure to enjoy this too!
Now of course there are other things that are wonderful about summer: being outdoors, barbecuing, swimming, walking on a beach or really anywhere, the fun clothes and shoes...so much! But what better to celebrate a great day outdoors than spending it with us this Thursday, July 10th at Barangas on the Beach where the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Bond will be performing from 1-4 pm. We'll be there taping for the show this coming Monday, July 14 where we'll show you all the fun that went on...but if you're in the area, stop by and we'd love to meet you and hang out for a bit enjoying a taste of the Bahamas!
Also, wow, are there ever a ton of babies being born lately!?!?!? Well, not literally but it seems like every week there are new updates of brand-new bundles of joy. Just today Nicole Kidman gave birth to her daughter with Keith Urband, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban; Tanya just had her baby in June and it seems many more moms I've seen are either ready to pop or are just at the beginning stages of pregnancy. Any new moms out there or new moms-to-be? My sister just had her first boy and he is super cute, although I suppose I'm quite biased.
That's all for now but hopefully we'll see some of you on Thursday at Barangas!
Beth
Nothin' like an outdoor baseball game to really get you in the summer spirit! Real Life was on-location at the Rogers Centre in Toronto today for the mid-week afternoon Blue Jays game against the Seattle Mariners. We had the chance to chat with Scott Rolen, new 3rd baseman for the Jays plus take in some of the sights around the venue. Tons of kids packed the seats today...probably the last big hoorah for class trips this year - saw many tired teachers too! Be sure to watch our coverage of the Rogers Centre and Jays next Wednesday, June 18 on Real Life.
Got any fun summer plans? Staying close to home given the terrible cost of fuel right now? Well we've got it covered as we're checking out things you can do with your family this summer right near your home - you don't have to drive too far to find some great activities to keep you busy and connected with your family.
We'd love to hear about a favourite vacation spot you have or perhaps a fave summer recipe...send us an e-mail by going to the Contact Us page on the RL website.
Stay cool out there and enjoy the fantastic weather!
Nail-biting, tense eating, heart pounding and surging with every slap of the stick...yup, it's Stanley Cup finals and last night's game between Pittsburgh and Detroit was, well, exhausting...? And I wasn't anywhere close to exerting the energy the players did in the triple overtime game. Imagine being 33 seconds away from clinching the Stanley Cup and then having it ripped right out of your hands and made to fight and claw to try and get it within your grasp again only to have it completely torn away...and then asked to do it all over again in 2 nights!??!! Yeah, that's how quick it happens and what a game it was to watch and experience. I was watching it with my brother whose favourite NHL team is the Red Wings so needless to say it was a rather sorrowful night for him. Isn't it interesting though how sports can draw people together from all walks of life and from anywhere around the world (or in this case, probably more just in the U.S. and Canada).
All that said, this week on Real Life we're not really focusing on the Stanley Cup finals but what a week it will be just the same! We've gone to some new restaurants in the Toronto area cooking with the chefs and chatting with them about what makes their restaurant unique, plus we've got more fashion tips from Joelle's for prom season and the upcoming hot months of summer and lots more cooking and recipes you don't want to miss! Also coming up next week we've got Rob Howard, host of his own gardening show on 900 CHML radio in Hamilton plus a garden writer for The Hamilton Spec who will be sharing tips with you on your flower/garden care and maintenance plus ideas on how best to showcase your flowers in window boxes and in your garden.
So, lots to watch and be sure to send us any ideas you have for upcoming shows as we head into the dog days of summer!
The May long weekend is over...and I'm still trying to get warm...it was just a tad too cold here in southwestern Ontario. Anyone else agree? Although today went a long way in helping get into a summer frame of mind...nice sunshine and we had the chance to be taping in Spencer Smith Park today so enjoyed being by the water, etc.
Be sure to tune into Real Life today to watch a true southern chef at work in the Real Life kitchen with Tanya...cookin' up grits and changing hats (literally!). To get his recipe and many more great southern dish recipes, be sure to check out www.gosouthfresh.com
We're also very excited about our Weber BBQ giveaway contest we're holding over the next few weeks leading up to Father's Day. That would be the ultimate gift for dad or your husband, eh? You'd definitely be earning top-notch brownie points there...be sure to check out the contest section of Real Life to find out how you can enter.
Enjoy your shortened week back at work or whatever is keeping you busy this week and as always, be watching Real Life weeknights at 5:30 pm on CTS!
The show is playing at the Toronto Centre for the Arts at 5040 Yonge St. and is there until May 31. It's the first time in ten years that a musical has been on-stage at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (formerly the Ford Centre) and the venue is perfect, not a bad seat in the place. So, that being said, if you're a fan of musicals or even if you'd like a fun evening out, be sure to check out My Fair Lady.
OK, now for the uber-fan of musicals, here's an extra fun tidbit for you. Marni Nixon stars in the production as Mrs. Higgins, the wise-cracking mother of Prof. Higgins. Doesn't mean anything to you? Well, Marni Nixon is the "Phantom Voice of Hollywood" having voiced the singing for Audrey Hepburn in the original film version of My Fair Lady, Natalie Wood in West Side Story and playing one of the nuns in Sound of Music. Very cool seeing her on-stage as well...she performed and knew/knows Julie Andrews & Audrey Hepburn! See, that's where the inner-musical geek comes out in me...:-)
Cheers!
Real Life has been very busy lately getting some great new segments lined up for your enjoyment...and perhaps even to help inform you on new recipes, ingredients, decorating tips, fashion help and much more. This past weekend, Sharon had the chance to catch up with Debbie Travis...yes, THE Debbie Travis and chatted with her about her new designs featured in the Tribute Communities homes that have been debuting all around the Greater Toronto Area. Be sure to watch Wednesday's show, April 30th to see Debbie taking Sharon on a tour of one of the new homes she helped design and decorate.
Also on the horizon, we've got great new summer recipes for you to test on your BBQ. And hey, we'll even be giving a brand-new Weber BBQ to one lucky dad, just in time for Father's Day...that's coming up in May!
Be sure to let us know what's happening in your church or community as we'd love to help get the word out about it with our new Faith 411 billboard in every episode of Real Life. E-mail reallife@ctstv.com with your events!
Have you ever spent time at the Metro Toronto Zoo? Well, Real Life had the chance to do so yesterday and it was a very fun, albeit too short, adventure. Katie Gray, one of the supervisors at the Zoo showed us around and introduced us to many of the animals that can be seen on any given day. We met some orangutans, gorillas, elephants, rhinos, giraffes and many exotic fish as well! It was an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday and I think a lot of the animals were out enjoying the sun. At one point, our personal little Zoomobile was zipping up a road by the elephants and they were all on our side of their yard so we immediately stopped and started taping. What great backdrops they make! I'm always fascinated by animals such as elephants, lions, tigers, giraffes...but being so close to the elephants had me realizing I'd never noticed how wrinkly their skin really is...looks like touching it would make some of it crumble (which is weird to say, I know). To see the elephants up close, be sure to tune in to this Friday's edition of Real Life on-location at the Zoo. You'll see the elephants at the very beginning of the show.
Katie was telling us about the new exhibits everyone is getting very excited about - they've revamped their Australasia pavilion and have added a new wing to include the Great Barrier Reef exhibit. New marine exhibits have been built to feature the beautiful and enchanting Great Barrier Reef, one of the Wonders of the World and a World Heritage Site. The centerpiece of this exhibit is the Great Barrier Reef Community Tank. Over 23 feet in length (7m) and 32,000 litres it offers over 1,000 reef fish such as Bamboo Shark, Parrot and Angel Fish all set within a colourful coral reef display. Also new to the Zoo will be a Moon Jelly Fish, Australian Sea Horse and live Coral Reef Exhibits. And premiering the same day (May 16) as the Great Barrier Reef exhibit is the grand opening of Stingray Bay which will feature up to 25 Cownose and Southern Stingrays. You can also participate in special feedings and learn all about these graceful animals with keeper talks and even have the chance to touch one of them. Up close and personal with a stingray...not a bad way to spend a day!
So, in planning any weekend trips or day trips in the summer, keep the Toronto Zoo in mind which is a great destination for events, parties or a fun-filled family day!
Well, the Easter weekend is basically over by now...I hope you all enjoyed the extra day off, time spent with family and for those of you that attended any special services this weekend, that it was a time of reflection and blessing for you!
In the midst of the Easter services and preparations, I had the chance to take two little girls to see Disney on Ice Presents Princess Classics at the Rogers Centre this past Saturday night and it was a lot of fun! As the title suggests, the stories/performances encapsulated all the animated princess stories that Disney has produced in the past 60 years or so. The first act had us reliving the adventures and fantastic songs of Princesses Jasmine (complete with "flying carpet" and Aladdin and even the Genie!), Aurora (along with the three fairies, her prince and evil witch Melificent), Ariel (and Eric and Sebastian and other underwater creatures), Mulan, Snow White (and all seven dwarfs and the evil queen) and Belle and the Beast. All the acts were fabulously choreographed and we moved seamlessly from one story to the next. At the end of Act 1, Mickey and Minnie dismissed us to the intermission and also teased the fact that there was one very important princess story that hadn't been covered yet...Cinderella!
Act 2 was the re-telling of the Cinderella story complete with step-mothers, ugly step-sisters, four of the mice and of course the Duke and Prince and then there was a huge finale at the end that had all the princesses and their princes out on the ice together showing off some of their ice-skating talent and terrific dancing skills. All in all it was a very fun night and I should mention that tickets are still on sale for tomorrow's shows...last day to catch the show while it's in Toronto so be sure to visit ticketmaster to buy your tickets! Your own little princesses will love the show...and they're encouraged to dress up in their princess costumes as well! After several visits to the washroom with my guests, I saw a great deal of little tiaras and big puffy/fluffy princess dresses...wow!
Hope you all have a great week and let's hope spring will be arriving soon, at least here in southwestern Ontario!
Cheers,
Beth
Well, given that it's Holy Week, Real Life's content has been entirely devoted to everything Easter - we've taken you into the home of Bruxy Cavey, teaching pastor of the Meeting House, had Rev. Ray David Glenn into studio cooking up a favourite dish while chatting with Sharon about the season, and we've taken you behind-the-scenes of a fantastic Easter production taking place at New Life Church in Milton. Then we've had Nadine Hughes, the Cook's Companion, sharing some tips for setting a fun, simple yet very festive Easter table...great for kids and adults alike! Chef Mike gave us some great recipe ideas for the Easter feasting we all enjoy and even a segment on the new Easter cards available at Carlton Cards. Whew...busy and yet informative! Here's hoping you were inspired by one or more of the segments we've been bringing you this week.
Also, since I wasn't able to tape an entertainment segment this week, I did want to let you know about newest DVD releases:
Enchanted - Real Life was privileged to be able to host an advance screening of this film when it first came out...it's a wonderful, original film for kids and I think even the grown-ups in the room will enjoy it too. ENCHANTED is the story of Princess Giselle who finds herself catapulted into the real-world, gritty streets of Manahattan whose inhabitants find themselves not living in the "happily-ever-after" mentality of which Princess Giseelle is accustomed. She meets a no-nonsense, divorce lawyer who also has a young daughter and proceeds to, well, enchant him! Lots of great original music by Alan Menken (3 of the songs in the film were nominated for Oscars) and Amy Adams does an exceptional job in her role as Giselle...and she has a lovely voice too! So, be sure to check this out in the next few weeks - might make a great movie to watch over the Easter long weekend!
I Am Legend - Will Smith stars as a lone survivor in New York City after a massive viral outbreak wipes out the entire city...perhaps even the world. Smith plays Robert Neville, a scientist who faithfully sends out daily radio messages desperately trying to find any other survivors who might be out there. The Infected - mutant victims of the plague - hide in the shadows watching Neville and waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Driving Neville is his hope of finding survivors and to figure out a way to reverse the effects of the virus by using his own immune blood. I know, sounds a bit gory perhaps, but it's actually a very interesting and dramatic film that will keep you on the edge of your seat...watch out for the Infected!
So there you have it - Easter ideas from every angle and even some newly-released DVDs to enjoy over the weekend.
Here's something for you: this is the earliest the Easter holiday will be for the next 200 years, so all that to say, the rest of your life Easter will fall later in the year. Just something I thought I'd throw out there.
So what are your Easter plans this year? I'm involved in an Easter cantata at my church...we dress up in the traditional "Bethlehem/Biblical" costumes that seem to be prevalent in most church's cantatas or productions. And can I just add how flattering the square shape of the costumes is? All kidding aside, I absolutely love the Easter season and while it is earlier than normal this year, I love the freshness in the spring air (hopefully!), the snow melting away, all the candy, especially the chocolate eggs!, and of course celebrating the reason for the season! I should also mention that if you would like to promote events at your church or in your community, to e-mail us at reallife@ctstv.com and we will do our best to include it in our daily community calendar of events at the end of each episode now.
I just noticed that it seems I like posting on Wednesdays...? No matter! I have 6 words for everyone..."Roll up the rim to win!" Yes, it's that time again, when those who might normally pass by the Tim Hortons on the way to work, church, school, shopping..really anywhere, stop and indulge in a medium-XL hot drink (because everyone knows the exciting roll-ups aren't on the small cups!). I've already won a free coffee which, 3 coffees later, keeps me motivated to buy more coffees, ever in pursuit of the elusive prizes. Do you know anyone who's won the bigger prizes like the vehicles, TVs, etc? I have to say, no one that I know of has ever won the big stuff...all that more "incentive" to keep trying though, eh? Isn't it fantastic being caught up in the marketing that is the Roll up the Rim to Win?
Moving on - who watched the Oscars this past Sunday night? I was fortunate in that after church, my friends recorded it on their PVR and we were able to skip through commercials and - dare I say it - the more "boring" categories. I also must confess that I loved the look-back montages (which I heard were produced to fill time if the ceremony was without writers had the writers' strike continued)...it's fun to see the various outfits that were worn to the ceremony and also the stage itself has really evolved in the last few years! The sentimental side of me always seems to take over when I see the look-back montages...seeing people like Barbra Streisand, Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Julie Andrews, Audrey Hepburn & Hattie McDaniel (Mammy in Gone with the Wind) and so many more up on the platform accepting their award is really quite something and I always love the reminiscent parts. I know what you're probably thinking but just being honest! :-)
Be sure to watch Real Life this week as we're including more segments from the Bahamas and of course, be watching to get the daily clue that might see you and a friend/spouse/significant other on a plane to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island! I have lots of tips for the winner...places and things to do, what to do around the hotel...oh the fun they will have!
Last but not least, I had the awesome privilege of seeing the Harlem Gospel Choir in concert at Toronto's Sony Centre this past Saturday night. While it wasn't the full choir (as that would be fairly tricky transporting the hundreds of choir members), the ensemble that was there did a fantastic job. At one point, they split up the audience by vocal range: sopranos, altos, tenors and basses and had us singing one of their warm up songs...we became the Toronto mass choir! I've never been to a gospel concert that had so many people jumping out of their seats, clapping, singing along and just generally feeling great about getting some praise on! The choir is headed out east so if you live out there, be sure to check their touring schedule on their website
That's all I have for now...cheers everyone and have a great rest of the week!
Real Life is back from the Bahamas and wow, did we every have a fantastic time! I was lucky enough to be able to go along and help with the production end of things and I had an absolutely wonderful few days in the sunny tropics. I learned so much about Grand Bahama Island (all of which I found quite fascinating) and seeing so many parts of the island was, well, inspiring? That might not be the right word, but I found myself humming a lot and felt the creative juices flowing!
On a non-Bahamas note, I have to share about the most recent film I came across in my perusing the new releases shelves. It's called Martian Child and stars John Cusack, his real-life sister Joan Cusack, Amanada Peet and Bobby Coleman in his debut performance. It is the touching tale of a recent widower who is a science-fiction writer working on his newest project. We begin our journey as David (John Cusack) is considering adopting a child and he encounters one particularly fascinating little boy, Dennis, who - at that time - resides in a box as he is very afraid of the sun's UV rays. Dennis believes he is from Mars and acts in differnet ways - as if he is encountering things like a pool or a bike rack for the first time. David finds himself drawn to Dennis and ends up adopting him. The story continues as the 2 learn more about each other, how to live with each other and also how to finally help Dennis deal with his life, without retreating into "visiting human form" mode.
Amanda Peet plays David's friend who helps him teach Dennis about things like baseball and enjoying fun activities together. Joan Cusack plays David's sister in the movie who gives him a bit of a hard time about his parenting skills but is ultimately wanting the best for her brother. There are many touching moments that will have you reaching for tissue but also some very light-hearted moments. I have to say, I am a big fan of John Cusack and find him very versatile in terms of the roles he chooses. In fact, if any of you choose to watch the movie in the next few weeks, I'd love to hear what you thought of it - and especially how it is that John is able to pull off the wardrobe he does...I mean, it works on him so easily and yet someone who might try it would look like they're trying to bring back style from 10 years ago. Feel free to contact me with your thoughts and your own review. For the parents out there, this film is very clean - no swearing, bedroom scenes and I think it could actually serve as a great tool to start up discussion on how kids can interact with other kids who seem or act "differently". Great film as well for those thinking of adoption! Overall, a terrrific movie that I wholeheartedly endorse...yeah, not holding much back there with that review am I?
Cheers all!
P.S. Sorry I haven't posted in quite awhile...I did post quite a bit on the Bahamas blog though, so happy reading if you have a few more minutes!
Well, here in balmy southwestern Ontario (that's right, it's 8:20 in the morning here and we've already hit a record high of 11 degrees Celsius...record for this area, on this day...you know the headline) the week is looking fairly jammed pack for Real Life! It was great to have a break at Christmas, enjoy some scrumptuous food, delightful conversation...or not...with family and friends but now we're back and we hit the ground running in 2008.
Be watching Real Life as we head to the Total Wedding Show in Toronto (sigh...some day that will personally mean so much more to me), highlight all the newest products that you need to know about for that little baby in your life. I've had the chance to take a sneak peek at some amazing new gadgets and toys out this year, and wow! Makes me feel a bit un-sophisticated thinking back to my childhood and the very un-tecnical pillar of plastic, rainbow-coloured rings.
Hope you've all been enjoying the start to your new year thus far...are you still on track with your resolution?
Till next time,
Beth
"Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat...please put a penny in the old man's hat." Everyone, sing along! Well, we're winding down in the Real Life office...and gearing up for Christmas next week! Hope you've been enjoying our Christmas segments that we've been bringing to you every day. I especially love all the baking segments as I myself am not the most excellent cook in the world, but I love baking! I especially enjoy it around Christmastime. My mom has the most amazing and simple fudge recipe...literally 5-minute fudge...that completely gets me in the Christmas spirit when I make it. If you'd like the recipe, be sure to e-mail me and I'd love to pass it along. It's one of those no-fail recipes that help food-challenged people like myself.
I still have yet to wrap presents...for some reason I just haven't been motivated to start yet. Course, I shouldn't be complaining as I only have five people I'm buying for this year: my immediate family. My grandparents have said repeatedly that they are topped up in terms of presents, not needing anything. My one grandma just had replacement knee surgery so I did buy her the new Christmas album from Josh Groban (who doesn't love his voice?) and the first season of I Love Lucy which she finds absolutely hilarious...I happen to agree most of the time!
How are you doing with presents for those on your list? I was at Wal-Mart last night around 10:00 p.m. and couldn't believe how busy it was. I really shouldn't have been surprised as it is 5 days to Christmas...you can feel the panic and anxiety in the air!
Well, from all of us at Real Life, I do want to wish you all a merry Christmas, a restful and peaceful holidays spent with family and friends (wait, is that any oxymoron?), perhaps go tobogganing with friends/kids, drink lots of hot apple cider (tip: add cinnamon sticks and bay leaves when heating it up...makes for a fantastic flavour), go nuts on the Christmas baked goods and above all, remember the ultimate reason for this Christmas season. I know there are those of you out there who don't celebrate Christmas, so enjoy the time off and the manner in which you will be spending your holidays! As for me, I'm off to wrap presents, make more fudge and listen to The Carpenter's Christmas albums.
Merry Christmas and have a happy holiday!
Cheers,
Beth
Well, all I can say is that White Christmas at the Sony Centre is a must-see for your family, friends, you...basically anyone this Christmas! I was a bit hesitant at first to be accepting of those who played the lead characters, only because, well, Bing, Danny Kaye and Rosemary are pretty hard to top. But the actors last night did a phenomenal job...there are additional songs written by Irving Berlin included in the stage production, so there's a ton of music. And then you have the countless amazing musical sequences involving tap dancing, ballroom-esque dancing, gorgeous costumes and the sets are fabulous as well. All in all a visually stunning evening that I would highly recommend to anyone! Graham and Kate were fantastic in their roles - both have great voices and Graham, well, you just have to see him dance...he's very good!
Enough of my gushing, let me just say that for the die-hard fans of the classic White Christmas film, you won't be disappointed! And even for those who aren't familiar with the storyline, be sure to go and see it at some point this Christmas season...the show runs until Jan 5!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Happy December everyone! Here at Real Life we've been busily taping a whole bunch of Christmas-themed segments that will be coming to you these next few weeks before Christmas. We've already been enjoying guests who have shared some of their expertise in food and holiday party-planning but we were also very fortunate to have Jim from Carlton Cards here to show off some vintage Christmas greeting cards and some of the newest cards available at any Carlton store. I think my personal favourite was "To the man I married, Christmas greetings. I'm most content that you're the gent who sits across the table" from the 1940s. Our editor, Luke, said he wouldn't mind getting that card from his wife, and I think it's very quaint! Jim was also showing us some of the newest Christmas cards that play clips from some of the most popular Christmas songs...we especially enjoyed the one that you could send to a significant other with "Santa Baby" (Eartha Kitt, NOT Madonna) playing as the card opens. Tons of fun for both the giver and receiver!
Now, I must confess something here: I have not started any Christmas baking. My traditional Christmas treat offering includes an easy 5-minute fudge recipe, sugar cookies that have been cut in Christmas shapes and iced and decorated, and my new favourite is an orange chocolate-chip shortbread cut into fingers and dipped in melted chocolate. Certainly not the nicest for the waistline, but tasty for all who partake. Actually, I just got back from taping some segments with Canadian Living's Elizabeth Baird and Karen Kirk and Elizabeth actually talked about the orange chocolate chip shortbread in one of her baking segments. Be sure to watch Monday's episode of Real Life to see that segment!
Well, I'm off to watch "White Christmas" at the Sony Centre in Toronto tonight. It was such a treat to have the 2 lead singers/actors on Real Life to talk about the show and I'm very much looking forward to seeing them on-stage. Have a great night everyone! And happy Christmas baking for all those who might have already started or are going to be jumping in this weekend...I know I will be!
Can anyone believe it's November already? The time has gone so fast and already I've been seeing Christmas ornaments decorating many shop windows and it just seems a bit early! For those of you who aboslutely love the Christmas season, Real Life will be devoting the whole month of December and a good portion of November to getting ready for those parties, gift-wrapping, shopping, visitors, relatives and bringing some very well-versed guests who will be able to help with any Christmas anxieties and hopefully help to alleviate some stress.
If you've had a busy week, perhaps you'll want to check out Bee Movie, the highly-anticipated animated movie created and written by Jerry Seinfeld who also lends his voice as the lead character. The film is about Barry B. Benson, a bee who has recently graduated from college and is a bit put off by his only career choice - making honey. He decides to venture out into the world and meets a New York City florist, Vanessa who tells him about the human world and Barry is shocked to discover that humans actually eat honey! Subsequently he decides to sue the entire human race...sure to be a lot of fun and with other big name actors such as Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock and Matthew Broderick voicing some of the characters, the laughs will be plentiful!
Before I go, I wanted to let you know that there are a multitude of new videos available to watch in the Multimedia section. Click here to go to the videos page and be sure to let me know if there's a particular segment you'd like to see uploaded!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Ah...Wednesday! Plus, on the upside, it's not raining! Well, Real Life craziness never stops but it's incredible the amount of things we get to learn and experience in an average day. Take yesterday, for example: Real Life makeup artist, Rich, shared various skin-care items that you can find in your kitchen and that basically duplicate what a lot of the higher-end cosmetic/skin-care products promise to do. Then we went in to the studio taping a segment with Kim Busato, a Creativ Festival contributor who walked Sharon through fabric painting. And then we had Gerry Mishcuk from Salivation Corporation who tested Tanya on her taste for hot sauce. See, Tanya enjoys hot sauce, (the hotter the better - once I saw her order the suicide chicken wings and she did not think they were nearly hot enough for that particular label). You'll have to watch today's show to see whether or not Gerry got her tearing up after trying some of his vast collection of hot sauces. And that's just ONE day of Real Life...!
Before I go, I need to let you know about a DVD release out this week:
Meet the Robinsons
The 46th animated Disney film has been generating lots of buzz about the technical aspect of the film, great 3-D animation that you're sure to enjoy, especially on the newer HD television screens! This film is based on the William Joyce book, "A Day with Wilbur Robinson" and is the story of Lewis, parentless inventive genius, who creates a mechanism that will allow him to go back into his memories and try to find his mother who he believes is the only person who would ever want him. As news of his invention gets out, he meets Wilbur Robinson who claims to be from the year 2037 and warns Lewis about a villain named Bowler Hat who is also from the future and is after Lewis for his invention. Along the way, Lewis also meets Wilbur's family, the Robinsons who delightfully quirky and a whole bunch of fun. Angela Bassett, Harland Williams and Laurie Metcalf - to name a few of those lending their voices to this story - star and the combo is sure to please any kid...maybe even some grown-ups too?
Thanks for reading and for watching "Real Life". Always happy to get any feedback, so if you have a particular question for me, click here to send off an e-mail!
It's Tuesday and that means new DVD releases hitting your local movie rental establishments, as well as new CDs making their debut in music stores and on-line. This week's list of DVD releases includes:
Transformers
Starring Shia LaBeouf and Josh Duhamel, it's every boy's childhood catapulted to the big screen as the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons go up against each other...effects are pretty fantastic, I must say, especially with all the transformations into cars, trucks, planes, etc. And I should also note Shia LaBeouf's performance is great and during the summer, reading up on the film, many compared him to a young Tom Hanks. So, if that tickles your fancy, I'd recommend this film. Boys are sure to love it as there are a LOT of action sequences. Girls will probably enjoy it too...
The Jazz Singer - 80th Anniversary Collector's Edition
Thought I might throw in this one as it came up in more than one of my film classes. This classic film, touted as the "first sound film" (which is actually not quite accurate as every film before this had sound...the music!) which includes several musical sequences where the lyrics can be heard, not read and even the very famous scene where Jackie's (Al Jolson's character) shouts, "STOP" (and you can hear it) upon entering his house and seeing his son singing ragtime songs to his mother. If you enjoy watching the old, vintage flicks then you might really enjoy this film. This edition has three discs dedicated to this mega-hit of1927 including a 93-minute documentary about the dawn of sound-on-film technology, some vitaphone shorts and much, much more. Might make a great Christmas gift for that certain someone you know who can't get enough of film history.
That's all I've got for now. Enjoy your week and keep watching Real Life, weekdays at 5:30 p.m.
Cheers,
Beth
Happy Monday everyone...for those of you in southwestern Ontario, it's a rather bleak, rainy day here and it always is a bit of a rough way to start the week. That is, of course, unless you work in the Real Life office and you get to go along for some cooking segments at Lucy's Seafood in Mississauga. Gotta tell ya, there's nothing like eating scallops, spicy shrimp and sausage jambalaya and other fantastic seafood dishes at 9 in the morning...really helps lift the "case of the Mondays" and Ross Milller, the executive chef who you'll see for these segments was fantastic as always! He even had coffee ready for the Real Life crew which always earns extra brownie points.
Last week was jam-packed for us as we taped a lot of fun segments - from cooking in the Real Life kitchen with Elizabeth Baird of Canadian Living fame or hanging out at Chudleigh's Apple Farm in Milton munching on apple blossoms, hot chili and the biggest tea biscuits you've ever seen! One of the exhibitors at the upcoming Creativ Festival, Peggy Quan, also stopped by our set and showed off some of her quilts and how she goes about quilting in 3-D patterns (no, we didn't have to use special glasses, although I'm sure that would have made for some fun pictures!). All this to bring you some fun half-hours of Real LIfe every day at 5:30 p.m.
Would love to hear from you if you have any specific questions about behind-the-scenes of the show or perhaps have some show ideas! Click here to send me an e-mail.
Thanks for watching!
Beth
Working at "Real Life" has so many pluses (or is it "plusses"?) and every day I count myself to be incredibly lucky to work for the show. This past Saturday was no exception as I was sent to help cover the "I Love the Escarpment Too" fundraiser hosted by Sarah Harmer, Burlington native/resident and Juno award-winner and P.E.R.L. (Protecting Rural Land Escarpment).
This event was held on the Burlington escarpment, Mt. Nemo on the Johnston farm right off of Guelph Line. The weather couldn't have been lovelier and the fall colours were absolutely gorgeous...all in all, the perfect setting for the day's event. The reason for the fundraiser was helping to protect the natural space on the escarpment, which is one of PERL's main mandates. This is the second fund-raising concert Sarah herself has helped host, the first in 2005. This time, she invited her friends (whom she claimed were all good kissers!), the Barenaked Ladies, to perform as well. The 400+ lucky people able to be there were treated to intimate performance by Sarah and BNL. I had not previously seen either of these musical artists in concert, so was blown away by the incredible fun and talent that was present in both sets. Sarah started things off with a full set of music, including her "Escarpment Blues" song specifically written about saving the escarpment from the
aggregate companies who wish to build a quarry on the land, taking away much of its natural beauty and materials.
Sarah also revealed, during her performance, that the Jefferson Salamander was recently discovered to be inhabiting that particular portion of the escarpment and so made an especial appeal that the land be preserved not only for the biosphere properties of the Niagara escarpment but also to ensure the Jefferson Salamander is not uprooted and forced out, as there are only 9 pin-pointable spots in all of Canada where they have been discovered. It was quite funny later then, when Andy, one of the lead singers and guitarists of BNL mentioned that the Jefferson Salamander is also very tasty and during that well-known portion of "If I Had A Million Dollars" when they go back and forth about expensive sauces/ketchups that could be used for Kraff Dinner, Andy again mentioned that to get a spicier flavour, sprinkle some salamander on the pasta!
BNL was a uber-fantastic treat for me as the 5 men so obviously just enjoy performing together, having fun and improving much of the show. "If I Had A Million Dollars" - the closing song - featured Andy going into a bit of an improv monologue (this is during that part of the song where they, again, go back and forth about the kinds of sauces and ketchups that can be used by richer people...) that had him rhetorically asking why we ask the recipe for certain dips when you can see all the ingredients? The banter continued between Andy and the other lead singer, Steve Page, for about a minute and then they resumed the song. I could go on and on with little bits they did, but overall, it was fantastic! After their performance, they all jumped into their own cars and sped away. Sarah stuck around for their performance and signed autographs, took pictures and just hung out with the crowd. Oh, and a really cute add-on to the afternoon's festivities was the sweetest dog who randomly wandered around, weaving its way through hundreds of pairs of legs...I only realized later that the dog had only 3 legs! I tried to take a picture, but he was a pretty fast mover!
That's all I've got for now, but thanks for reading my ramblings. I'd love to hear any general questions or comments you might have, so please click here to contact me! Thanks for watching Real Life!
Well, you probably thought we just posted a Real Life Insider Blog to see how many would click on the page and have absolutely nothing on said page! Couldn't be further from the truth and I must start the first blog by apologizing for taking such a long time in posting the very first entry. Things have been wonderfully busy here at Real Life as we've begun our second season, going 5 days a week.
I did want to share with you about a particularly amazing time we had last week at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. First, if you've never been to the museum off Hwy 6 in Hamilton, right by the Hamilton International Airport, then you need to plan to go there soon. Any males in your life will absolutely love it! Our camera man, Geoff, was absolutely beside himself with excitement when he arrived at the museum. You'll be in awe as you walk around the hangar with the various planes that are on display, some modeled after original airplanes dating back to the early 1900s and other planes that have been preserved since WW 2.
We had the chance to tape a segment featuring three of the planes on display at the museum, hosted by a long-time museum volunteer and tour guide, Ted Lowery. It was incredible watching this man talk, without breaking, for 5 minutes about these planes. The information he was able to share was very detailed and I hope you enjoy the segment as it's airing this coming Monday, October 1st at 5:30 p.m. on CTS.
We also taped another segment on-location at the museum, this one featured the stars of the stage-version of Irving Berlin's White Christmas which is coming to Toronto's Sony Centre this November 20. Yup, Sharon interviewed Bob Wallace and Betty Haynes...well, er, that is the actors who play them on-stage. Graham plays Bob and his real-life wife, Kate, plays Betty - how much better could the chemistry be on-stage with a true married couple? They were lovely people and even ended the segment singing "Count Your Blessings", one of the songs from the film. The stage version features many more songs added to the production and for those of you who are already excited about the thought of seeing this fantastic, warm-fuzzies, cozy and Christmasy movie on-stage, then you can head over to www.sonycentre.ca to buy tickets for the show which runs well into January '08. Watch for this segment to air Monday, November 19th right here on Real Life. Oh, and let me know if you think Graham looks like Clinton of the famous Clinton-Stacy duo of What Not To Wear. Graham's a bit taller and has darker hair, but I think you might see the resemblance!
That's all I've got for now...it'd be great to get any blog comments or suggestions you have for me. Perhaps you want to know a behind-the-scenes question about the show...I'd love to help answer it! Just click here to fire off a message.
Happy Wednesday everyone!