Behind-the-scenes of a behind-the-scenes moment 📺
I make cool stuff - I want to tell you about it :)
Hi All,
Happy Friday! Hope everyone is relaxing, and starting to enjoy their long weekend!
I have an exciting little update for you this week. I alluded to this project a few weeks ago but now I can share it! I produced this BTS tour with the Leafs!
Here’s the back story. Our team does great work — but we’ve done a lot of Q&As. All of our shows with our external guests get repackaged for reruns, but if we are constantly repackaging the same show, that gets boring fast. So I pitched an idea to switch it up. I wanted to do a Jeopardy-style game show and a video Q&A (get kids to submit their qs via video rather than our usual phone-in). I learned a lot in those first two shows about producing and we had a lot of fun putting them together. But I knew we could do more…
So when we found out we were doing a solo show with John Tavares, I pitched my big idea: What if we did a virtual tour? Instead of just sitting on Zoom, what if he showed us around. It would switch it up for our viewers but as a producer, I also knew it would be fantastic for the MLSE team because they could film him as well, getting great footage that would make a more memorable social media moment. It took me a while to gain their trust (a little “hey did you go to summer camp” really helped) and it took a lot of time to figure out the logistics, but I’m so glad I put in the time to build this relationship because the result is so good. I’m really proud of this and I hope you take the time to watch the full video.
I often talk about my career goals. This clip fits into it. I want to make stuff that helps grow our Canadian star system and allows our talent to showcase their true personalities. IMO — with a bit more budget and a team of talented writers, this could be a segment on any of the late-night TV shows. So, dear readers of this newsletter (have I watched too much Bridgerton… yes) … bookmark this email because in a few years we’ll make it happen.
Anyways, enough storytelling. I have a major paper due this weekend and an exam next weekend so let’s get into it so I can go back to my homework.
Things to watch this week:
Okay today on Netflix, I’m watching Anatomy of a Scandal. It’s a British political thriller and I’m here for it. It looks fantastic.
On Crave, Poplar River First Nation comedian Paul Rabliauskas’ original comedy special, Paul Rabliauskas: Uncle starts streaming. Highly recommend. He’s very funny. No trailer but here’s a link to his last special on Gem.
On Sunday, Showtime’s much-buzzed-about series The First Lady premiers on Crave. Starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, this show “delves deep into the ladies' personal, and political lives.” It’s a 10-episode weekly release schedule. Critics are disappointed with the series but my curiosity is going to make me hit play. Check out the trailer here.
So this next one has totally caught my attention. White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch is a documentary about the ugh that was A&F in the late ’90s and early ’00s. This was the store for a while but it also made a lot of people feel terrible about themselves for not fitting in with this hyperspecific “look.” Fast forward, I’m sitting here writing this newsletter wearing my A&F jeans. I really like the stuff I have from the brand now (side note, if you are also on the A&F renaissance… I have no affiliate links or ways to make money off this but hot tip —they are having a 25% off sale… and the jeans are GOOD). Basically, what I’m trying to say is this is a fascinating brand to me and this doc looks great. It’s out on Tuesday on Netflix.
As you all read this newsletter, I’m sure you won’t be surprised by this next plug. On Wednesday, April 20th, it’s National Canadian Film Day! Go watch a Canadian movie. Their website has a great guide showcasing all the options and where to find them streaming.
Also on Wednesday, season two of Russian Doll drops. I didn’t get into season one but I know some of you did. Watch the show on Netflix and the trailer here.
Lastly, on Thursday HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant is back with season two. It’s on Crave.Check out the trailer here.
Other things to check out:
🎶 Kacey Musgraves did an AD Tour of her house. It’s fantastic.
🎬 If you missed last week’s Canadian Screen Awards you can watch it on YouTube here. It’s fantastic. Like just an incredible hour of TV. It makes me really proud to work in this industry.
📺 The Kids in the Hall are back. Check out their new trailer for their new Amazon series here.
📺 I saw this trailer for Heartstopper and immediately want to watch this show. I cannot wait for it to come out.
🍿Did you hear about A$AP and Rihanna? Well, “Drake” did. It’s too good.
🐕 Lastly here are my top three dog TikToks from the week to bring you * joy *
Have a great weekend,
-Paula
📝📝📝 This newsletter was graciously edited by Emma Sakamoto 📝📝📝
Editor’s Pick:
This feels like a good moment to mention that the Heartstopper TV series is based on a webcomic by British author and comic artist Alice Oseman, which you can read for free on Tumblr, Tapas or Webtoon. The comic has also been published in graphic novel form (we’re up to volume 4). It’s very sweet and funny — a little blast of sunshine if you want something to dip into before the show airs.
This newsletter was written by me — Paula Sanderson — a freelance Television Producer and current MBA student based in Toronto. After years of recommending the best shows to my friends, I decided to start a newsletter so everyone could get the recommendations. If you want to learn more about what I do professionally or follow me on the various social channels click here.