The Globe and Mail - Andrew Ryan Columns

Glee clubs. Mad men. Meteors. And did we mention tattoos?

Fri, 15 May 2009 03:38 EDT

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Glee clubs. Mad men. Meteors. And did we mention tattoos?

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00 EDT

jaryan@globeandmail.comThose hot summer nights could feel like forever in the months ahead. The TV industry is coming off a difficult regular season that saw drastically reduced revenues for all commercial broadcasters. Unlike years past, when networks would launch new shows with giddy abandon, the TV reboot is a little toned down this summer.

WHAT I'M WATCHING RICK MERCER

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00 EDT

What cracks up Rick Mercer? The comedian is normally the one going for laughs on The Rick Mercer Report - recently awarded a Rose d'Or in Switzerland for best TV comedy. But when his shooting schedule allows, he finds time to check out the competition.

THE CHANNEL

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00 EDT

''AMERICA, BE PREPARED'He's allowed cameras to film his colonoscopy and his first experiences with recreational drugs. And now, Canadian Jon Dore's unique comedy perspective will reach a much wider audience: Producers of The Jon Dore Television Show, which recently aired its second season on The Comedy Network, have announced the series has been picked up for three years by U.S. cable channel IFC. The mockumentary-style series was a brief ratings phenomenon in Canada last year: Comedy Network ratings increased 272 per cent among viewers 18 to 34. IFC plans to begin airing the first two seasons of the show in August. ''He's outrageous,'' warns executive producer John Brunton. ''So, America, be prepared.''

HIGHLIGHT CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00 EDT

Risque for its time, this classic film boasts one of Elizabeth Taylor's most sizzling screen turns. Based on Tennessee Williams's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the 1958 feature thrust Taylor into the role of Maggie ''The Cat'' Pollitt, the wanton wife of the alcoholic ex-athlete Brick, played by Paul Newman. The feuding pair come to the 65th birthday celebration of Brick's ailing father, Big Daddy (Burl Ives), who rather enjoys watching his children fight over their inheritance. The torrid family scenarios are vintage Williams, but the film is best watched for Taylor's performance. Spurned by her husband, Maggie lounges in her slight white slip while lashing out against an unkind world. ''Everybody keeps hollering about the truth!,'' she snaps. ''Well, the truth is as dirty as lies!''

From the land of grey skies and Volvos, a truly dour detective

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00 EDT

jaryan@globeandmail.comContrary to popular belief, Sweden does not have the world's highest suicide rate.That unsettling urban myth dates back to a late-1950s speech by former U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower, who made the reference to demonize the Scandinavian nation that famously chose to remain neutral and outside the NATO alliance. The truth: Sweden doesn't even make the top 25 worldwide (nor does Canada). Per capita, more French, Austrians and Lithuanians kill themselves each year.

DVDS NEW RELEASES

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00 EDT

PIE IN THE SKY: SERIES ONERarely shown on North American television, this British detective series casts Richard Griffiths - known for his recurring turn as Emmete Golimply in the Harry Potter films - into the deliciously rich role of gourmand sleuth Henry Crabbe. As established in the series opener, the great detective is about to retire and realize his life dream of owning a restaurant, but is ceaselessly pulled back into high-profile crimes, which, not coincidentally, take place in the realm of fine cuisine. One case leads into the next over the 10-episode first season, which includes guest appearances from such Brit notables as Pete Postlethwaite and Andy Serkis. Ripping good stuff.

HIGHLIGHT / BRAZIL

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00 EDT

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HIGHLIGHT / FRONTLINE: THE MADOFF AFFAIR

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00 EDT

Few people have been more vilified during this global recession than Bernie Madoff. When the walls came tumbling down on his complex Ponzi scheme last December, financial experts estimated Madoff had defrauded investors of roughly $65-billion (U.S.).