Neil Young's almost-acting debut
Did you know Neil Young was supposed to be in this Oscar-winning film? Director Cameron Crowe got Young onboard for one of his films and even got his wardrobe approved, but on the day of the shoot, Young bailed.
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Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
SmartLess comedians launch U.S. cellphone service with Canadian backers
The trio of actors behind the popular SmartLess podcast have launched a U.S. discount cellphone service promoted through their irreverent comic personas and backed by Canadian executives and investors. On Tuesday, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Toronto-born Will Arnett lifted the curtain on SmartLess Mobile, a service premised on cutting cellphone bills by helping subscribers avoid paying for data they don't need. SmartLess Mobile's marketing campaign will use the trio's humorous exchanges to show cellphone users can save money by dropping expensive data plans. 'If you own your phone, spend most of your day on Wi-Fi, and are on an unlimited data plan, moving to a SmartLess Mobile plan could literally cut your monthly bill in half,' Mr. Hayes, a comedian and star of the sitcom Will & Grace, said in a press release. He said: 'Honestly, if your phone bill knew how often you're on Wi-Fi, it would be embarrassed.' Canadian telecoms quietly raise cellphone plan prices and fees after years of better mobile deals All three actors are equity investors in the wireless company. Mr. Bateman, whose credits include Arrested Development and Ozark, said: 'Our SmartLess podcast now reaches millions of listeners each month, almost all of whom listen on their phones. Extending the SmartLess brand into mobile is a logical next step.' The trio are following a script written by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, co-founder and brand ambassador at discount cellphone service Mint Mobile. Launched in 2016, Mint Mobile sold to T-Mobile in 2023 for US$1.3-billion. The chief executive officer at Smartless Wireless is Paul McAleese, former president of Calgary-based Shaw Communications Inc. and head of its Freedom Mobile wireless service, which is now owned by Quebecor Inc. SmartLess Mobile's chief brand officer is his wife Jeni McAleese, a telecom veteran. SmartLess Mobile's lead investor is Thomvest Asset Management, a fund manager owned by Toronto-based billionaire Peter Thomson. Mr. Thomson's family owns The Globe and Mail through holding company Woodbridge Co. Ltd. SmartLess Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator or MVNO running on the T-Mobile US Inc. network. Piggybacking on one of the largest U.S. wireless providers allows the founders to launch their service with minimal network costs. Telecom giants taking action to address the debt elephant in the room In the telecom industry, SmartLess Mobile is referred to as a flanker brand, marketed to cost-conscious customers. As part of the launch on Tuesday, Arrested Development star Mr. Arnett said: 'We're pretty sure that Big Wireless isn't going to let you know that your phone isn't using their network 90 per cent of the time. So, we'll say it: If you're using less, you should be spending less.' SmartLess Mobile has no plans to launch in Canadian markets, Mr. McAleese said in an interview. The major Canadian telecom companies run flanker brands such as BCE Inc.'s Virgin Plus, Koodo Mobile at Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc.'s Fido service. U.S. telecom regulations allow most wireless subscribers to switch providers, while keeping their phone number, by simply scanning a QR code. SmartLess Mobile said its sign-up process only takes a few minutes. The SmartLess podcast launched in 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic arrived. The show draws millions of listeners each week to a conversation between the three actors and a guest. Episodes that drew large audiences include sessions with Will Ferrell, Wayne Gretzky, George Clooney and Mr. Reynolds. What business leaders can learn from Earth's most rizz-tastic human, Ryan Reynolds In 2021, the founders signed a broadcast deal with Inc. valued at up to US$80-million. Last year, The New York Times said SmartLess 'remains one of the rare cultural tent poles that were born during the pandemic era and have continued to thrive.' In January, the SmartLess founders signed a three-year contract with satellite radio network SiriusXM worth an estimated US$100-million. The mobile phone venture is their first foray outside show business. Numerous celebrities have profited from co-founding companies with industry operators, then lending their names to marketing campaigns. This month, model Hailey Bieber sold her cosmetics brand Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty for US$1-billion in cash and stock. In 2014, Apple Inc. paid US$3-billion to buy music platform Beats Electronics, launched by rapper Dr. Dre and music executive Jimmy Iovine.
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
MLB acquires stake in Jomboy Media to expand digital presence
Major League Baseball has agreed on a strategic partnership with Jomboy Media and will acquire a stake in the company. The two sides announced the deal on Tuesday. Article content Jomboy Media will be used across MLB's digital channels. MLB will also help grow Jomboy Media's other shows, including Talkin' Baseball, Talkin' Yanks, and The Warehouse Games. Article content Article content According to the release, Jomboy Media set revenue and profitability records last year, and had more than 93 million engagements on social media. Jomboy Media was founded by Jimmy 'Jomboy' O'Brien and Jake Storiale in 2017. Article content 'We have long admired the passionate fandom of Jimmy O'Brien and his unique ability to connect with baseball fans,' Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner, business and media, said in a statement. 'This partnership will ensure that Jomboy Media will have the resources and access to MLB intellectual property necessary to help it continue to grow. We are looking forward to bringing baseball fans more entertaining content to help further expand baseball's online presence and deeper the connection between our sport and its fans.' Article content Jomboy Media's key property is 'The Warehouse Games,' a league modeled after classic backyard games. The series has nearly 400 million all-time views. Article content 'I continue to be amazed by what our community enables us to do through their endless support. When we started talking about baseball on the internet, it was just a fun hobby. Our community is the reason we've been able to turn this from 'just a hobby,' into something bigger than we ever could've imagined,' O'Brien said in a statement. 'Partnering with MLB marks a huge moment for Jomboy Media, and through this partnership, we'll be able to give back to our community with storytelling that's deeper than ever before.'
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Weinstein jury pores over accuser's emails during deliberations
Harvey Weinstein appears in state court in Manhattan for his retrial on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in New York. (Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP) Warning: This story contains graphic details. NEW YORK — Jurors in Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes retrial appeared to be focusing on one of his three accusers as deliberations stretched into a fourth day Tuesday, with no further sign of interpersonal tensions that flared earlier. The jury had requested to start off Tuesday with electronic copies of emails and other evidence pertaining to Jessica Mann — the accuser with arguably the most complex history with Weinstein. Jurors deliberated through the morning without sending any further requests. During days of testimony, Mann said the Oscar-winning movie producer raped her in 2013 amid a consensual relationship that continued for years afterward. Weinstein's lawyers emphasized that she kept seeing him, accepting invitations and sending warm messages to him. Mann said she 'compartmentalized' the pain he caused her. Weinstein, 73, has pleaded not guilty to all the charges in the case. In addition to the rape charge, he's accused of sexually assaulting two other women, Mimi Haley and Kaja Sokola. Weinstein didn't testify during the current trial, but maintained through his attorneys that he had completely consensual encounters with his accusers, who wanted his help building show business careers. Weinstein was one of the movie industry's most powerful figures until a series of sexual misconduct allegations against him became public in 2017, fueling the #MeToo movement and eventually leading to criminal charges. The jury is made up of seven women and five men. Their closed-door discussions began Thursday and apparently have been fractious at times. One juror asked Friday to be excused because he felt one member of the group was being treated unfairly. Then on Monday, the foreperson complained to the judge, prosecutors and defense lawyers that some jurors were 'pushing' others to change their minds, talking about Weinstein's past and going beyond the charges. The foreperson didn't specify what was said. Trial evidence has included some testimony about allegations outside the scope of the current charges, such as mentions of the groundswell of claims against the ex-studio boss in 2017. Yet another juror soon asked to speak to the court, where she opined that things were 'going well.' By the end of Monday, the jury as a whole said in a note that it was 'making good progress.' There was progress Tuesday on at least one front: Jurors ultimately were given coffee, as requested, Judge Curtis Farber said. He hadn't initially thought the state court system could provide it. Weinstein originally was convicted in New York in 2020 of raping Mann and forcing oral sex on Haley. Sokola's allegation was added last year, after New York state's highest court overturned the 2020 conviction and sent the case back for retrial. Meanwhile, Weinstein is appealing a 2022 rape conviction in Los Angeles. The Associated Press generally does not identify people without their permission if they say they have been sexually assaulted. Sokola, Mann and Haley have agreed to be named. Jennifer Peltz, The Associated Press Resources for sexual assault survivors in Canada If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
