Movies and TV

The cast from ‘Chesapeake Shores’ pose for a photo in season three, filmed in 2018, of the hit Hallmark series. The cast and crew are now back in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area shooting season five. (Submitted photo)

‘Chesapeake Shores’ back to film TV series in Parksville and Qualicum Beach

Crews working within strict COVID-19 restrictions

Mark Brandon has discovered there are more acting roles available for seniors now than ever before. (Photo submitted)

Act your age means more movie roles for seniors like Mark Brandon

Island-filmed The Baker’s Son provides a prominent role as a news anchor

This image released by Netflix shows , from left, Yahya Abdul-Mateen, Ben Shenkman, Mark Rylance, Eddie Redmayne and Alex Sharp in a scene from "The Trial of the Chicago 7." (Niko Tavernise/Netflix via AP)

‘Mank’ leads Oscar nominations in a year of record diversity

Netflix, as expected, led all studios with 35 nominations

This photo released by Paramount Pictures shows, David Oyelowo, centre, as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Carmen Ejogo, right, as Coretta Scott King in the film, “Selma,” from Paramount Pictures and Pathé. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Paramount Pictures, Atsushi Nishijima

Cineplex curates Black History Month slate of films; partners with The Black Academy

Select films will also screen in Cineplex theatres in markets where cinemas are permitted to operate

This photo released by Paramount Pictures shows, David Oyelowo, centre, as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Carmen Ejogo, right, as Coretta Scott King in the film, “Selma,” from Paramount Pictures and Pathé. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Paramount Pictures, Atsushi Nishijima

Dawn Wells (Mary Ann from ‘Gilligan’s Island’) aboard the ‘SS Minnow’. (Photo submitted, courtesy Ken Schley)

Gilligan’s Podcast: tales of Mary Ann and more with co-owner of the ‘SS Minnow’

Podcast: Quality Foods founding partner a co-owner of iconic ‘Gilligan’s Island’ boat

Dawn Wells (Mary Ann from ‘Gilligan’s Island’) aboard the ‘SS Minnow’. (Photo submitted, courtesy Ken Schley)

K. Trevor Wilson, left to right, Nathan Dales and Jared Keeso of “Letterkenny” pose in this undated handout photo. “Letterkenny” has signed a number of new merchandising deals, including one with collectible figurine creator Funko. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Bell Media, Amanda Matlovich

‘Letterkenny’ inks multiple licensing deals with merchandise companies

The show, which is stacked with quotable catchphrases, has found a cult following in Canada

K. Trevor Wilson, left to right, Nathan Dales and Jared Keeso of “Letterkenny” pose in this undated handout photo. “Letterkenny” has signed a number of new merchandising deals, including one with collectible figurine creator Funko. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Bell Media, Amanda Matlovich

Bridgette Murphy, 2nd Assistant, ‘B’ Camera slates the next scene on location in Toronto for production of the third season of “Coroner” in this undated handout photo. While some shows affected by pandemic lockdowns last March were able to resume production in the summer and air in the fall, many were held up by restrictions, a lack of COVID-19 insurance, and the development of expensive and extensive health and safety protocols with officials and unions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - CBC, Ramona Diaconescu

‘It was nail-biting but we did it’: Canadian shows didn’t let COVID derail production

There has been lots of testing, distancing, sanitization and personal protective equipment

Bridgette Murphy, 2nd Assistant, ‘B’ Camera slates the next scene on location in Toronto for production of the third season of “Coroner” in this undated handout photo. While some shows affected by pandemic lockdowns last March were able to resume production in the summer and air in the fall, many were held up by restrictions, a lack of COVID-19 insurance, and the development of expensive and extensive health and safety protocols with officials and unions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - CBC, Ramona Diaconescu

Alex Trebek, left, and Howie Meeker. (File photos)

Opinion: Meeker, Trebek were true Canadian icons

Pair of legends remembered fondly by many across the country

Alex Trebek, left, and Howie Meeker. (File photos)

Sacha Baron Cohen arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 4, 2018, left, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. on Nov. 20, 2016. Giuliani appears in a scene in the new “Borat” film. The scene, which was filmed in a New York hotel room in July, resulted in Giuliani calling police. (AP Photo)

Giuliani caught in hotel bedroom scene in new ‘Borat’ film

Trolling those close to President Donald Trump is a central theme of the new “’Borat’ film

Sacha Baron Cohen arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 4, 2018, left, and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse in Bedminster, N.J. on Nov. 20, 2016. Giuliani appears in a scene in the new “Borat” film. The scene, which was filmed in a New York hotel room in July, resulted in Giuliani calling police. (AP Photo)

Catherine O’Hara arrives on the red carpet at the Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto on Sunday, March 11, 2018. Canadian “Schitt’s Creek” star Catherine O’Hara has won an Emmy Award for lead actress in a comedy series. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Quirky Canadian comedy ‘Schitt’s Creek’ takes Emmys by storm with comedy sweep

Toronto-raised Daniel Levy and Ottawa-born Annie Murphy both got supporting actor nods

Catherine O’Hara arrives on the red carpet at the Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto on Sunday, March 11, 2018. Canadian “Schitt’s Creek” star Catherine O’Hara has won an Emmy Award for lead actress in a comedy series. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Television journalists work before the announcement of the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, in Ottawa on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. As many as 40 local television outlets and up to 200 Canadian radio stations could be forced to close in the next three years as the pandemic adds to financial pressures media companies were facing before COVID-19, according to a new study from a media advocacy group. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Media study says hundreds of Canadian radio stations, TV outlets risk closure

Radio stations may be hardest hit in the short term, the report suggests

Television journalists work before the announcement of the new leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, in Ottawa on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. As many as 40 local television outlets and up to 200 Canadian radio stations could be forced to close in the next three years as the pandemic adds to financial pressures media companies were facing before COVID-19, according to a new study from a media advocacy group. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

FIE - In this Aug. 28, 2018, file photo, Simon Cowell arrives at the “America’s Got Talent” Season 13 Week 3 red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Cowell broke his back Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, while testing his new electric bicycle at his home in California. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

Simon Cowell breaks his back falling from electric bike

Incident happened at his home in California

FIE - In this Aug. 28, 2018, file photo, Simon Cowell arrives at the “America’s Got Talent” Season 13 Week 3 red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Cowell broke his back Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, while testing his new electric bicycle at his home in California. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

Jake and his sole companion Sparky in ‘Woodland’ (Joie Anacker)

Psychological thriller filmed on northern Vancouver Island debuts on AppleTV

‘Woodland’ is set in Haida Gwaii, but was filmed around Port McNeill

Jake and his sole companion Sparky in ‘Woodland’ (Joie Anacker)

Todd Cameron of Nanaimo scored a viral hit with his short stop-motion music video tribute to ‘Schitt’s Creek.’ (Photo courtesy Todd Cameron)

Vancouver Island man scores viral hit with stop-motion tribute to ‘Schitt’s Creek’

Todd Cameron used vintage Fisher Price toys to create one-minute music video

Todd Cameron of Nanaimo scored a viral hit with his short stop-motion music video tribute to ‘Schitt’s Creek.’ (Photo courtesy Todd Cameron)

Broadcasting legend Bernie Pascall in the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat Podcast: Canadian broadcasting legend Bernie Pascall

Listen: Olympics, Canada Cup, Flin Flon and more

May 18, 2020

Broadcasting legend Bernie Pascall in the PQB News/VI Free Daily studio. (Peter McCully photo)

Netflix adds 16 million global subscribers partly during start of pandemic

Netflix shares edged up by less than one per cent in Tuesday’s extended trading

Lauren Spencer-Smith at Aulani Disney resort in O’ahu. (Lauren Spencer-Smith Instagram photo)

Vancouver Island’s Lauren Spencer-Smith advances to American Idol top 20

Teen performs Respect at outdoor concert in Hawaii

Lauren Spencer-Smith at Aulani Disney resort in O’ahu. (Lauren Spencer-Smith Instagram photo)

Netflix reduces video quality in Canada to lower internet bandwidth use

Netflix reduces video quality in Canada to lower internet bandwidth use

Bell Media said it’s planning its own traffic measures for the Crave streaming service,

Netflix reduces video quality in Canada to lower internet bandwidth use

Lauren Spencer-Smith on this past Sunday’s episode of ABC’s American Idol. (American Idol/ABC/Lauren Spencer-Smith/Twitter photo)

Teen singer from Vancouver Island passes American Idol audition

Nanaimo’s Lauren Spencer-Smith going to Hollywood after impressing celebrity judges

Lauren Spencer-Smith on this past Sunday’s episode of ABC’s American Idol. (American Idol/ABC/Lauren Spencer-Smith/Twitter photo)

Nanaimo’s Carol Rosher is one of the houseguests on season eight of ‘Big Brother Canada.’ (Photo courtesy Global TV)

Vancouver Island woman to compete in new season of ‘Big Brother Canada’

Carol Rosher, a Nanaimo cancer survivor, is one of 16 houseguests appearing on reality TV show

Nanaimo’s Carol Rosher is one of the houseguests on season eight of ‘Big Brother Canada.’ (Photo courtesy Global TV)

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