With over 12 million TikTok views, Mark Critch reflects on reaction to viral ‘22 Minutes' tariffs sketch
A sketch about Trump's tariffs from CBC comedy show 'This Hour has 22 Minutes' has raked in over 12 million views on TikTok, plus millions more on other platforms. Mark Critch talks about the reaction, and what it's like being a comedian during these turbulent times.
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Globe and Mail
5 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
CBC shows off circus tricks and rescue pups, but no new dramas or comedies at 2025-26 upfront
Rescue dogs! Circus tricks! CBC put on a show about its upcoming 2025-26 season at its downtown Toronto headquarters on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the overall impression left by the live performance was not of a national public broadcaster reinvigorated after a brush with death by defunding, but an institution spinning its wheels, especially in terms of scripted entertainment. It's 'upfront' week in Toronto - with Corus and Rogers and Bell Media all showcasing shiny new wares to advertisers and the media. But unlike those private companies, the CBC didn't have any new English-language comedies or dramas for linear or streaming to announce. Instead, the public broadcaster enlisted radio personalities Tom Power and Elamin Abdelmahmoud to promote the mostly already revealed renewals of a strong TV comedy slate, diverse in style and substance, and a less inspiring drama lineup overloaded with procedural cop shows. Given that the CBC didn't have major news or interviews with talent for invited media - and there weren't many media buyers in attendance either - it was unclear what the two-hour dog-and-carnie show really was for. Mark Strong, who hosts a CBC podcast called Olympics FOMO, accurately described the atmosphere as 'very cubicle energy' when he came on stage and tried to hype up the staff-heavy audience about Milan-Cortina 2026. If it felt pro forma, that's because it was. 'The way the upfront game works in Canada, everybody does it in the same week, right?' said Barbara Williams, CBC's executive vice-president English services. 'That's just been historically how it's been done in Canada.' Any impression left, however, that the Crown corporation might have put the commissioning of new scripted work on pause as it awaited to find out its funding fate in the recent election would not be accurate, according to Williams and Sally Catto, general manager, entertainment, factual and sports, at CBC. 'We have green-lit more than a handful of dramas and comedies and would have loved to announce them today,' said Catto. 'Every show that we support now in the scripted realm needs a partner in order to complete its financing. So some of that is still in progress.' So, what was new, fully financed and ready to reveal? CBC has three short new docuseries coming up - all centring on Montreal-area stories. Running Smoke, a three-part docuseries about the Mohawk NASCAR driver Derek White and the biggest tobacco-smuggling bust in North American history, looks true-crime-adjacent and thrilling. But if a series about Quebec's Tupperware queen Maria Meriano (Diamonds & Plastic) or a behind-the-scenes look at a Cirque du Soleil touring show that's been around since 2016 (Cirque Life; hence the circus performer) are going to have any depth to them, it wasn't apparent in the trailers. Canadian comedian Jack Innanen pivots from social media to mainstream TV in new FX/Disney+ series Adults On the front of factual entertainment - that's exec-speak for reality TV - Must Love Dogs, in which CFL All-Star Brady Oliveira and influencer and ex-Bachelor contestant Alex Blumberg, find forever homes for Manitoba mutts (a couple were present and, admittedly, cute) seems like something the private sector could have covered. The Assembly, on the other hand, in which interviewers on the autistic spectrum have conversations with celebrities (based on an international format), was charming and moving in its sneak peak. CBC's returning comedy lineup was rightly front and centre - with the always entertaining Mark Critch perking up the crowd as he talked about the perennially popular Son of a Critch, Anna Lambe charming as she spoke about finding international fame starring in North of North, and an amped-up Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill selling Small Achievable Goals, their menopause-themed workplace comedy that will be given a second season to find its legs. If CBC is as proud of its dramas, it was less apparent as no stars were on hand from Heartland or its four case-of-the-week cop shows - Saint-Pierre, Wild Cards, Murdoch Mysteries and Allegiance. (SkyMed is not returning - or, at least, not on CBC.) CBC-watching Canadians looking for anything a little more prestige and less procedural in the drama department currently only have the six episodes of season three of the time-travel anthology drama Plan B to look forward to - a solid remake of a Radio-Canada show that nevertheless would, with the addition of English subtitles to the original, be redundant. Review: Jesse Armstrong's Mountainhead: Succession's successor sharply satirizes a new class of billionaire While Williams hailed Saint-Pierre for its bilingual elements, she also defended the supposedly cash-strapped CBC/Radio-Canada essentially making the same show twice at a time when subtitled drama like Shogun and Squid Game thrives (and when Bell Media's Crave is bilingual by design). The two solitudes are still mostly siloed off even as streaming has allowed for shows to easily cross linguistic barriers. 'Partly it's about whether we think our audiences are really going to be as likely to engage with the show if it's got subtitles,' said Williams. That the CBC struggles with allowing itself to find new ways of doing things was certainly another impression left by an upfront that ultimately could've been an email. 'We had to go this week with what we had,' Williams said. 'We would have been really happy to announce dramas and a couple of comedies today, trust me.'
The Province
14 hours ago
- The Province
'Blush blindness'? Do your thing, says Dior Beauty pro Peter Philips
Makeup pro supports a you-do-you approach to beauty Dior Beauty Ambassador Jenna Ortega with the newRosy Glow Blush Stick. Photo by Dior Beauty Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. 'Blush blindness' is a beauty term that's been trending for a while on TikTok and Instagram. The New York Times defined the beauty affliction as 'not being able to tell, empirically, how rosy is too rosy.' Thrown around as both a criticism and a beauty trend term, the idea behind 'blush blindness' is that the wearer boldly wears the makeup product. Perhaps, sometimes, too boldly. Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is a celebrity name that's become attached to the trend, as fans point out that her preference for adding extra blush to her look appears to have grown. Whether it's a liquid, balm or powder formulation, 'blush blindness' can apply to both the amount applied, hue and pigmentation of a product. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors But Peter Philips, celebrity makeup artist and the creative and image director of Christian Dior Beauty, says if you are a big fan of going big on blush — well then, you go ahead wear it. 'I think there's absolutely too much blush sometimes. But I'm not judging,' Philips says. The longtime makeup pro says that wearing too much makeup of any kind can be a delicate balance, but one that only you can perfect. 'It's very difficult to give tips now, in general, because there is no 'in general',' Philips says. 'Every face is different.' And not every makeup fan, he notes, wants to look the same as everyone else. Philips points to a young colleague on his Dior Backstage Beauty team who 'loves' blush, opting to add the cheek tint with a 'full-on' application approach. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'She wears it so confidently. And so, I'm not judging her,' notes Philips, speaking during a virtual call with international media. 'I mean, she feels good. She feels great … 'Maybe in five years time, she will see a picture of herself and say, 'Oh, my god. What was I thinking?' I have pictures of me when I was a teenager going out, and I felt fantastic. And then I was like, 'Oh my god, what was I thinking?'' As is often the case with younger generations exploring makeup products, they play with particular product categories with the aim of making them feel new. Blush has become a main medium of play, and they're using it as more than just a pop of colour on the cheeks. 'Now, for younger kids, blush blends into fashion, almost,' Philips says. 'They go really high with a bit of blush and it combines almost with the eyeshadow.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While Philips admits he'd step in to offer some tips for blending or a better shade suggestion if he felt someone's 'blush blindness' had truly gone a bit too far, he'd be hesitant to hinder someone's sense of play or creativity with their own beauty look. Makeup is, above all else he stresses, about being creative. And making you feel good. 'It's just fun, you know?' Philips says. 'You can be playful and creative with new makeup at any age.' Perhaps in an effort to promote that play, while also offering wearable, blendable shades that play down the possibility of a 'blush blindness' snafu, Philips and the Dior Beauty team have created a new collection of blush sticks just in time for the easy-breezy beauty days of summer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Dior Rosy Glow Blush Stick ($59 at Dior and Sephora) features a dewy finish and a pH-reactive technology that allows each shade to react to skin's unique balance, adopting a cooler pink or warmer coral undertone. 'It's a beautiful, caring formula. It gives a beautiful shine and glow,' Philips says. 'It's just yummy.' Available in seven shades, with glowing, radiant and pearlescent finishes, the blush sticks offer buildable colour, easy application — 'Just place a little bit where you think you should, and blend it out,' he advises — and long-wearing performance. When prompted to point to an MVP shade within the range, Philips said that making a selection is a 'very individual' process. 'It's very personal. You have to try it out,' he says simply. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dior Rosy Glow Blush Stick. Photo by Dior Beauty While glowing skin and bold cheeks, paired with a glossy lip, are trending beauty trends this season, Philips reminds that makeup trends are cyclical. So, what's in will be out and what's out will, once again, be back in. 'Matte, skin contouring, matte red lips, mascara, lashes, eyeliner, thick eyebrows, thin eyebrows … they will never die out,' Philips says. 'It's like a plant. Maybe they will lose their leaves, but they will blossom again. At some point.' Aharris@ Read More
Winnipeg Free Press
17 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Delegate and experiment'
Within a blink, a man turns into a Lego figurine. Not actually. The man's image is dancing in a video; via artificial intelligence, his face and body change into blocks, shifting with the song's beat. The clip garnered more than 928,000 views on TikTok. It's one of a few shorts Adam Fainman created that reached online viral status. PARISA SEPEHRI PHOTO Moonlite Labs' online platform Fainman saw the interest, read the comments — 'tutor pls' — and decided to turn the AI model he'd created into a user-friendly platform. Two years later, he and a team are launching the Moonlite Labs tool. When on the web platform, people can upload or record music and dictate AI-generated visuals to go alongside. The platform can pulse video graphics to song beats by detecting beats per minute. 'I think it's going to allow a lot of artists and creators to go much further with their art than they ever imagined,' said Fainman, who grew up in Manitoba. 'Ideally, they can delegate and experiment.' Nearly one-quarter of Canadian businesses in information and culture industries used generative AI in 2024's first quarter, Statistics Canada reported. The sector led other industries in generative AI use. Fainman, 32, started tinkering with AI as soon as he noticed it used for image creation. He's been toying with computers since childhood after his grandfather bought one for his family. The elder, Jacob T. Schwartz, is credited as a pioneering U.S. mathematician and the founder of New York University's computer science department. Schwartz taught Fainman about programming during a summer together. He died when Fainman was in high school. 'I wanted to lean into … computer science to honour him,' Fainman said. Meantime, he was building his beatboxing career. His mother — who goes by the stage name Rachel Kane — was making records and performing, and encouraging Fainman to beatbox with her. He's since output music under the name Beatox. 'Everything was always based around music,' Fainman said, considering his education. A University of Winnipeg computer science degree — a foundation to create websites for artists. Visual production courses at Red River College Polytechnic? A pathway to music video creation. While completing a masters degree at the University of Toronto in music technology and digital media, Fainman began using Vochlea's Dubler 2, a system and microphone where people use voice to control instruments digitally. Fainman recalled teaching the system what a snare drum was and a kick sound: 'You could work with tech to make this human expression fuller.' So when he saw the first images being created using artificial intelligence, he decided generative AI was a rabbit hole he wanted to fall down. Fainman used open source codes and math calculations to make AI-generated images that morphed with music beats. Once some videos went viral online, he pitched himself to the National Research Council. 'I basically proposed — how about we create the platform that does the calculating and does heavy lifting for people who aren't as math or technically savvy?' Fainman said. It worked. The NRC granted Moonlite Labs — also called Moonlite Media — several rounds of funding. Fainman hired developers, enrolled in a North Forge incubator program and saddled up to mentors like Bronuts' founder and the founding tech lead of SkipTheDishes. Months before its Wednesday launch, Moonlite Labs' concept won an audience choice award at the Manitoba AI Innovation Showcase. JOSH KIRSCHNER PHOTO Adam Fainman is the founder of Moonlite Labs. Fainman's mother was among the first clients. She and Fainman used the platform to create videos for songs on her new album, Holler at the Wind. 'That was really funny and cool,' Fainman said. 'She's maybe not the most tech-savvy person. My goal with the platform was like, if my mom can use it, then almost anyone can use it.' The platform — — is best on a laptop or desktop. Users can import music, record from the site or opt to go without audio, Fainman said. From there, people use text to describe scenes they want. Credits for video creation are available for purchase. Subscriptions for individual artists and corporations will come later, Fainman said. He's Paris-bound this month for Viva Technology, Europe's largest startup event. The conference — namely, its 165,000 attendees — is an opportunity to grow Moonlite Labs internationally, Fainman stated. '(They're) pretty scrappy,' said Harry Roy McLaughlin, founding chairman of the Manitoba Association of AI Professionals. 'That's what you need to be able to succeed.' Many AI startups want to leave Manitoba for Silicon Valley or Toronto. Moonlite Labs growing in Winnipeg is 'encouraging,' McLaughlin said. Joelle Foster, North Forge president and CEO, said she anticipates demand for Moonlite Labs. 'Most people require extensive engineering and design resources to do this,' she said. 'Now people who don't have that background … but have the ideas and the passion to do this will be able to use his platform.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Artificial intelligence will likely eliminate some jobs, Foster said. However, it could 'open up the world' to more creativity, mitigating losses, she predicted. Backlash came when people started using computers for music creation, Fainman recalled. He views AI, like computers, as a tool. 'It can't just do things on its own,' he said. 'It needs to be directed, it needs to be worked with … I believe that it just improves your ability.' Credits to Moonlite Labs will range from $10 to several hundred dollars. Subscription costs are still being finalized. Gabrielle PichéReporter Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle. Every piece of reporting Gabrielle produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
