Finally...Zombielopoulos!!!!

The Hour is still on "Summer Shuffle"
For the week of July 19th - 23rd

But first, for those of you hungrily awaiting for the North American premiere of George A. Romero's "Survival of The Dead"....well, you're in for a tasty treat!!
Our Strombo, appears in this film as a TV host (although I can't imagine him not wanting to appear in a realistic flesh rotting costume at least once!).
The movie will be shown at TIFF, but is also slated for an exclusive one week run at the Toronto Underground Theatre, for those of you that can't wait for the main course.

Mon, July 19th

Canadian Actor - Bruce Greenwood,


Scottish comedian - Danny Bhoy, Hip Hop Band - Cypress Hill

Tues, July 20th

Filmmaker - Michael Moore,


Actor - Peter Sarsgaard, Actress/Rock Star - Juliette Lewis

Wed, July 21st

Actor - Morgan Freeman,


Comedian - David Cross, Canadian Author - John Irving

Thur, July 22nd

Actor - Harrison Ford,


Actor/Screenwriter - Terry Gilliam, Wrestler - Hulk Hogan

Fri, July 23rd

Comedian - Bill Maher,


Actress - Vivica Fox, Actor/Singer/My other boyfriend - Hugh Dillon

Kicking-off February...

February is likely the most dreary weather month for Canadians.

I think this quote sums it up pretty well:

"Everything around is dead, the trees black and frozen...the ground hard and cold, the snow dirty, the winter hateful, hanging on too long."

- author Anna Quindlen

However, we do have some things to help us get forget just how awful the weather is...

On the Corus Radio Network...

The week starts with The Strombo Show. Sources have told us that this week's edition is a "Best Of" show. According his Facebook updates, George is in California...I wonder what February looks like there? It also happens to be Super Bowl Sunday. So if you are a football widow or not a fan of the sport, you can always tune into the show for some great music.

The Edge 102.1 (Toronto) The Fox 99.3 (Vancouver)
Power 97 (Winnipeg) Y108 (Hamilton) FM96 (London)

On The Hour...

Monday, February 2nd

It's Groundhog Day! Similar to the theme of the movie by the same name,

you can watch two repeat interviews from The Hour's archives.

"Foodie" Nigella Lawson.

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole.

Tuesday, February 3rd

It's movie makers night!

During the mid-60's Paul Saltzman travelled to the Mississippi Delta as a civil rights worker. Four decades later, the Canadian filmmaker went back to gather footage for one documentary and found material for another. Saltzman's latest project, Prom Night in Mississippi, documents the FIRST EVER integrated senior prom in Charleston. The prom, funded by actor Morgan Freeman, took place in 2008...44 years after the United States Supreme Court had ordered desegregation of all schools and school related events.

The resume of Garry Marshall is rather impressive. Particularly in light of the fact that he has been the driving force behind some of the most memorable projects in both television and motion picture history. Regardless of which hat he was wearing (director, producer, writer or even actor), chances are you have seen at least one of his five dozen plus productions spanning over forty years. Among them, on the small screen, The Odd Couple, Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days and Mork & Mindy. On the silverscreen, Beaches, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries and The Runaway Bride. His latest film, Dear Eleanor is scheduled to hit theatres in 2009.

Wednesday, February 4th

If you are a hockey fan, then chances are you have an opinion of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Since his election as the first Commissioner in February '93, Bettman's mission has been to 'grow the game'. And grow it has! Under his tenure, revenue has gone from $400 million to over $2 billion. He has been responsible for team expansion to atypical hockey markets such as Arizona and Florida. In addition, the game itself has undergone significant rule changes. Love him or hate him, Gary Bettman has left an indelible mark on professional hockey.

Thursday, February 5th

If you are a fan of some of Kevin Smith's work, then you likely know New Jersey native Jason Mewes as the "Jay" from a slew of films including Clerks, Chasing Amy, as well as Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. More recently you may have caught his performance as "Lester" in Zack and Miri Make a Porno, which comes out on DVD this week. Here is an interesting tidbit surrounding the release of the aforementioned DVD.

Australia's 25th Prime Minister (1996-2007) John Howard.

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In other news...

Have you checked out the progress of One Million Acts of Green? As of today, there have been over 950, 000 acts registered from over fifty countries!! Have you registered yours?

Rockers and reruns...it's the week starting August 10th

The week starts with a LIVE edition

of The Strombo Show!

Listen starting at 5 pm (est) via the web or conventional radio on these Corus Radio stations:

The Edge 102.1 (Toronto)
The Fox 99.3 (Vancouver)
Power 97 (Winnipeg)
Y108 (Hamilton)
FM96 (London)

Guests to include...

American metal band (and mask enthusiasts) Slipknot.

(Update...George has announced that Slipknot will be on NEXT Sunday)

South African rock band Seether.

The band and their record label Wind-up Records are involved in a unique project to benefit The Kids Help Phone. Click here to learn about the project. Better yet, click HERE, watch the video for Rise Above This and help raise money for a truly worthy cause.

AND it just keeps getting better and better...

the return of Alex Liu to The Strombo Show!!!!

Coming up on The Hour...

As you are undoubtedly aware, the CBC is providing indepth coverage of the

2008 Olympic Games from Beijing and their schedule reflects this.

Therefore, things may not be as they usually are...keeping this in mind...

...according to The Hour's website,

the following interviews will be re-broadcast this week:

Author Naomi Klein

Actor Jeff Goldblum

Musician Kylie Minogue

Actor Alan Alda

Canada's Favourite Contractor Mike Holmes

Actor Nicholas Campbell

Hip Hop performer Wyclef Jean

Chef Jamie Oliver

This Week on The Hour.....

Tonight:
Augusten Burroughs

The bestselling author ('Running With Scissors') talks about his new book 'A Wolf At The Table', a memoir of his father.

Dave Foley

Best known for his work in The Kids In The Hall, Newsradio & Celebrity Poker Showdown.

Tues, June 17
Coldplay

George interviews acclaimed British rock band Coldplay in a full hour special.

Wed, June 18
Rick Mercer

Political satirist & host of CBC's 'The Rick Mercer Report'

George St. Pierre

Canadian mixed martial arts fighter

The Foo Fighters

American alternative rock band.

Thur, June 19
Valerie Bertinelli


Chris Bosh


Fri, June 20
According to CBC-TV schedule:

~George interviews actor John Cusack and Emmy Award-winning actress Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond).

Starting with Sunday

For the Week of March 9 th to March 14
-----------------
If you haven't already, don't forget to turn forward your clocks an hour for Daylight Savings Time!

George is in Los Angeles this weekend, but if he can get a flight out of LA as planned, he will be live on
The Strombo Show this Sunday 5 pm EST.

There are about 10 hours to spare between arrival home and show time but with the snow here in Toronto it may be a close thing.

Don't you just love that scarf?

On the Strombo Show this Sunday, George talks to Yoav.... check them out on their myspace link they may be playing in a town near you soon.

--------------------------------------------

The Hour

News from the set of The Hour: they have a new look and new merchandise! If you attend a taping of the show, you can purchase your fill of new Hour merchandise right outside the studio.

Left to Right: The new mug, the new T-Shirt and a new look to the set.

Last week, on Round One of Greatest Thing Ever "Sex versus the Wheel", Sex won by a landslide. George is very proud of you.

Round Two this week, "Democracy vs Sleep"

Don't forget to vote for 'em at http://cbc.ca/thehour

Monday March 10 th on The Hour

Hip-hop artist RZA

RZA is the Wu-Tang Clan’s chief producer.

Also known as the Abbott, Prince Rakeem, Rzarector, Bobby Steels and Bobby Digital. He was born as Robert Diggs.

--

Major General Patrick Cammaert

Division Commander of the UN peacekeeping forces in Eastern Congo.

Tuesday march 11

Actress, spokesperson and subject of gossip, is here to talk about her new memoir.
Valerie Bertinelli

Hungry?
If you want to hear about food fights, Raj Patel knows all about it.

Wednesday March 12

Just when I though I Thought I’d Seen Everything

Canadian songsmith Bryan Adams sits down with George to talk about his career and new release.

Plus

New * Documentary filmmaker Peter Raymont talks about his latest film that looks at the Canadian Tar Sands.

Thursday March 13

New *Starbuck aka Katee Sackhoff from Battlestar Galactica will be visiting.

A spotlight on Dr. Samantha Nutt with her work for War Child Canada.
According to UN estimates, there are at least 300,000 child soldiers worldwide, says Dr. Samantha Nutt, executive director of War Child Canada.

"Kids make great combatants, and I say that with great despair," Dr. Nutt says. "They are compliant, they are easily intimidated, they'll take risks, they follow instructions and they can be brutalized into submission."

Friday is the best of the week and sometimes from other weeks...

Coming Up on The Hour January 14th-18th

Who's On this Week? Glad you Asked!


Monday January 14th - Athletes and Adventurers



He's a 4 time World Champion Canadian Figure Skater, the first man to land a quadruple jump in competition and a perpetual fan favourite. Kurt Browning will spin by The Hour to share what's up next for him.

You might not complain about your personal challenges quite as much after hearing from Warren MacDonald!

After losing both legs in a climbing accident in 1997, Wa rren has gone on to climb Mt. Killimanjaro, El Capitan and more... the author of 'A Test of Will' and subject of the documentary 'A Second Step' will join George.


Tuesday January 15th - Real and Reel life Drama




Belinda Stronach - Her name alone generates discussion and strong opinions. So much to be discussed ... her decision to leave politics to return to the family business, philanthropy, personal relationships and health. Tune in to see the conversation unfold as she returns to The Hour.

Nazneen Contractor- one of the Stars of the new CBC series "The Border" - a show described by the Executive Producer as "24, but with a conscience" will stop by The Hour on Tuesday.

Could this slick series make strides during neverending reruns caused by the writers strike?

Wednesday January 16th - Actor and Activist

A mainstay of Canadian television who's perhaps best known for his current role as the endearing and perpetually cranky Oscar Leroy on Corner Gas - Eric Peterson is a passionate champion of performers' rights and has actively lobbied for more Canadian dramatic programming. Peterson will be honoured with ACTRA Toronto's Award of Excellence in Feburary 2008.

* Note that this interview is scheduled to be taped Wednesday* It may air an alternate day

Thursday and Friday... nothing is officially listed.
Consult your crystal ball or better yet...
Check out the Schedule on the Hour's website for the latest updates!

Is an Hour not enough for ya? Check out the rotating clips of extras, outtakes, random musings and bizzare little gems on After the Hour.

'Twas the week before Christmas...

Here is what's coming up this week on The Hour...

Monday, December 17

Former Afghanistan Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Abdullah

New CEO and former coach of the Toronto Argonauts

Mike "Pinball" Clemons

Tuesday, December 18

Mandalay Entertainment executive and talk show host Peter Guber

Award winning Canadian R & B singer and songwriter Jully Black

Wednesday, December 19

Check here for up-to-date details.

Thursday, December 20

"The Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver

Humanitarian and member of the Order of Canada Judy Feld Carr

Quick note...

In preparation for this post, I stumbled upon a "mystery" on The Hour's Blog. Check it out.