Latest news with #TheSexiestManinWinnipeg
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg': True crime film tells odd story of sportscaster-turned-bank robber
In the documentary The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg (now on Prime Video), narrated by Will Arnett, directors Ben Daughtrey and Charlie Siskel chronicle the odd true crime case of broadcaster-turned-robber, Steve Vogelsang. The beloved sports anchor confused locals when he was found to have led a number of odd bank heists. For Daughtrey and Siskel, it's the character study component of Vogelsang's story that interested them. With a "made for TV personality" — Vogelsang even reenacts his own crimes for the documentary — it's a fascinating film that brings up several questions about fame and celebrity. "I don't think either of us has a particular interest in true crime as a genre, but this was an opportunity to take it apart as a form, and break it open and look at the true crime industrial complex that we seem to all feed on," Siskel told Yahoo Canada. While Vogelsang's crimes weren't victimless, with traumatized bank employees impacted by his actions, the heists were so mishandled and executed without strategic thinking that they're more like heists you would see in a comedy movie, not real life. "When you look at Steve's crimes, his half a dozen robberies, he created characters for each of these crimes," Siskel highlighted. "They were theatrical, they were performative. They're funny. He's got little jokes in them." "He hid the money that he stole from one of the banks inside an urn with his mother's ashes. Did he have to do that? Was that the best hiding place? Or was it something that would make a great story to tell afterwards." But all of that also feeds into is Vogelsang's desire for attention. "He's a media animal," Siskel said. "As a kid, his mother called him, 'My son the Prime Minister.' This was a guy who knew his way around storytelling." "He made himself kind of a centrepiece of a lot of the sports stories he did. So it seemed fitting to kind of take him apart as a character, as someone who didn't want to live an ordinary life. Steve got quite used to being a celebrity, lost that celebrity, and I think we kind of asked the provocative question, is it possible that Steve robbed a bunch of banks in order to tell a great story. In order to become a celebrity again, in order to have ... another crack at fame?" Going one step further, The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg also becomes an evaluation of its audience, and the filmmakers. There's a moral question about how we create and consume crime stories as entertainment. "We wanted all of that complexity, moral complexity, narrative complexity, and allow the audience to be jury members and decide what they think of it," Siskel said. "What do they think of Steve as a character? What do they think of the filmmakers? What do they think of themselves as consumers of this kind of entertainment? And hopefully have a lot of laughs too. Sometimes at Steve's expense, because he is quite willing to play the fool, I would say." What's brought up in The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg is who the "real" Vogelsang is, and what's just a facade or a show. When asked if the directors believe they got to know the real Vogelsang, they identity him as both a "publicity monster" and "a human being trying to figure out who he is." "I think both things are equally true, and that's what we're trying to do with the film," Daughtrey said. "I think Steve maybe grew in some ways over the course of the film. I think Charlie and I were like, at moments, 'God, I hate this guy.' And then other parts of us were like, 'I sort of empathize with him.'" Vogelsang also claims in The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg that he didn't enjoy fame very much, but the filmmakers aren't so sure, and the audience is likely to be dubious of that statement as well. "Steve is hyper-intelligent and he's super delusional, in my opinion, and he has an answer for everything," Daughtrey said. "Some days I believe him, some days I don't." "Clearly where he ends up is quite modest, but maybe that's just a fault of his life choices."
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg': True crime film tells odd story of sportscaster-turned-bank robber
In the documentary The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg (now on Prime Video), narrated by Will Arnett, directors Ben Daughtrey and Charlie Siskel chronicle the odd true crime case of broadcaster-turned-robber, Steve Vogelsang. The beloved sports anchor confused locals when he was found to have led a number of odd bank heists. For Daughtrey and Siskel, it's the character study component of Vogelsang's story that interested them. With a "made for TV personality" — Vogelsang even reenacts his own crimes for the documentary — it's a fascinating film that brings up several questions about fame and celebrity. "I don't think either of us has a particular interest in true crime as a genre, but this was an opportunity to take it apart as a form, and break it open and look at the true crime industrial complex that we seem to all feed on," Siskel told Yahoo Canada. While Vogelsang's crimes weren't victimless, with traumatized bank employees impacted by his actions, the heists were so mishandled and executed without strategic thinking that they're more like heists you would see in a comedy movie, not real life. "When you look at Steve's crimes, his half a dozen robberies, he created characters for each of these crimes," Siskel highlighted. "They were theatrical, they were performative. They're funny. He's got little jokes in them." "He hid the money that he stole from one of the banks inside an urn with his mother's ashes. Did he have to do that? Was that the best hiding place? Or was it something that would make a great story to tell afterwards." But all of that also feeds into is Vogelsang's desire for attention. "He's a media animal," Siskel said. "As a kid, his mother called him, 'My son the Prime Minister.' This was a guy who knew his way around storytelling." "He made himself kind of a centrepiece of a lot of the sports stories he did. So it seemed fitting to kind of take him apart as a character, as someone who didn't want to live an ordinary life. Steve got quite used to being a celebrity, lost that celebrity, and I think we kind of asked the provocative question, is it possible that Steve robbed a bunch of banks in order to tell a great story. In order to become a celebrity again, in order to have ... another crack at fame?" Going one step further, The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg also becomes an evaluation of its audience, and the filmmakers. There's a moral question about how we create and consume crime stories as entertainment. "We wanted all of that complexity, moral complexity, narrative complexity, and allow the audience to be jury members and decide what they think of it," Siskel said. "What do they think of Steve as a character? What do they think of the filmmakers? What do they think of themselves as consumers of this kind of entertainment? And hopefully have a lot of laughs too. Sometimes at Steve's expense, because he is quite willing to play the fool, I would say." What's brought up in The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg is who the "real" Vogelsang is, and what's just a facade or a show. When asked if the directors believe they got to know the real Vogelsang, they identity him as both a "publicity monster" and "a human being trying to figure out who he is." "I think both things are equally true, and that's what we're trying to do with the film," Daughtrey said. "I think Steve maybe grew in some ways over the course of the film. I think Charlie and I were like, at moments, 'God, I hate this guy.' And then other parts of us were like, 'I sort of empathize with him.'" Vogelsang also claims in The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg that he didn't enjoy fame very much, but the filmmakers aren't so sure, and the audience is likely to be dubious of that statement as well. "Steve is hyper-intelligent and he's super delusional, in my opinion, and he has an answer for everything," Daughtrey said. "Some days I believe him, some days I don't." "Clearly where he ends up is quite modest, but maybe that's just a fault of his life choices."
Tom's Guide
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Prime Video's 'The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg' is a true crime train wreck — here's why it still fascinated me
A Canadian sportscaster turned convicted felon with six bank robberies under his belt is one hell of a sales pitch for a true crime documentary. More brow-raising still is the fact that you get to hear how it all went down from the criminal himself. Throw in a come-hither title like "The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg" and a voiceover from Will Arnett cast, somewhat bafflingly, as a bison, and it sounds like a true crime documentary engineered in a lab to generate buzz. "The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg" landed on Prime Video last week (May 9). After watching it, I can tell you Prime Video's not challenging Netflix's place on the true crime throne anytime soon. But I enjoy dissecting documentaries as much as I do watching them to learn. Questions surrounding how the narrative is shaped, what context gets glossed over, or who is allowed a voice and who isn't are often more fascinating to me than the subject matter itself. "The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg" is a case study in why these kinds of documentary ethics are so important, and as a nerd for that stuff, I couldn't take my eyes off this trainwreck as it was happening. I can genuinely say it's unlike any other true crime documentary I've ever seen, but I'm not convinced that's a good thing. The closest comparison I can think of is if Netflix gave Tiger King the reins to make a documentary about his side of the story. Ill-advised? Absolutely. Entertaining? Debatable. So if you're looking for a memorable watch, here's everything you need to know about Prime Video's latest true crime documentary. Directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Charlie Siskel, "The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg" follows the rise and fall of Steve Vogelsang. Once a fan-favorite sportscaster in Winnipeg back in the 1990s, he started making headlines for completely different reasons in 2017 when he was arrested for sticking up banks in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Surprisingly, we learn much of this from Vogelsang himself, now a few years out from his six-and-a-half-year prison sentence. And he does much more than just tell his story. As narrator Will Arnett — playing a snarky talking bison that Vogelsang calls his "spirit animal" — says: This is a "true-crime documentary in which the criminal does his own reenactments.' It quickly becomes clear why Vogelsang found success as a TV personality. He's a natural on camera, with a friendly, funny vibe that instantly connects with audiences. We see as much in the documentary's opening moments via old footage of Vogelsang in his prime, dressed sharp, full of charisma, and commanding attention as a local news anchor. Interviews with former coworkers, students, family, and even his ex-wife paint a picture of a man respected in his field. Which is why his eventual fall from grace drew as much attention as the stranger-than-fiction facts of the case. Also immediately apparent is that this is no career criminal we're dealing with here. That he managed to rob six banks before getting caught defies explanation. At one point, he describes holding up a bank with a glue gun made to look like the real deal, saying "I was more of a danger to bedazzle someone's jeans than shoot them." In a gimmicky move that feels more tone-deaf than entertaining, Vogelsang teams up with the filmmakers to reenact his crimes, at times pretending to drive an invisible car, other times dressing up to mimic the blurry figures seen in old security footage. Vogelsang earned the title that the documentary is named for from a local now-defunct magazine. At first, it comes off as a bit of cheeky irony, but as you learn more about his crimes, it takes on a much sinister tone. My biggest frustration with "The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg" is that it gestures at the uncomfortable truths it raises without ever fully examining them. What could've been a powerful deep dive into mental health, media, and who gets to tell their story ends up caught between spectacle and indictment. The filmmakers can't seem to commit to portraying Vogelsang as either a joke or a villain, settling instead on a milquetoast framing that punts the question to the audience to decide. Arnett even says as much in the documentary: 'The filmmakers wanted to tell a good story, but they couldn't decide whether Steve was a hero or a villain, sympathetic or insincere, an unfeeling monster or a remorseful, complicated soul.' It leans heavily on the outlandish elevator pitch and gimmick of Vogelsang being the one to recount his crimes. But when it comes time for Vogelsang to reckon with the fallout of his actions, he's lobbed softball questions. His victims are briefly mentioned but remain mostly anonymous, as the focus stays locked on Vogelsang himself. Ultimately, it feels like Vogelsang is the one getting the last laugh. His initial crime spree came from a need to get back in the spotlight, and now we're talking about him once again. Which just left me thinking maybe this is one true crime story that should have stayed buried. I'm not interested in fueling this guy's narcissism, and I doubt many viewers will be thrilled at the chance to do so.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From prime time to prime suspect: the rise and fall of Winnipeg's 'Sexiest Man'
Steve Vogelsang, once known as Winnipeg's "Sexiest Man," faced a shocking turn. He transitioned from a popular sportscaster to a bank robber. A new documentary explores his life. It reveals the personal and financial struggles he encountered. These challenges led to his arrest and conviction. The film examines media's role in shaping public image. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A star on the rise The unraveling A story of complexity Reflections on media and identity In a tale that seems scripted for the silver screen, Steve Vogelsang , once celebrated as Winnipeg's "Sexiest Man," has experienced a dramatic descent from esteemed broadcaster to convicted bank robber . A new documentary, The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg , now streaming on Amazon Prime, delves into the complexities of his life, exploring the factors that led to his unexpected career began with promise. As a charismatic sportscaster, he became a household name in Winnipeg, earning accolades and a loyal following. His transition to academia as a college instructor further solidified his reputation as a respected figure in the beneath the surface, challenges loomed. The documentary reveals a series of personal and financial struggles that Vogelsang faced, culminating in a series of bank robberies across Alberta and Saskatchewan. These actions led to his arrest and conviction, shocking those who once admired Sexiest Man in Winnipeg doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it presents a nuanced portrait of a man grappling with internal demons and external pressures. Through interviews and archival footage, viewers are invited to consider the multifaceted nature of Vogelsang's documentary also prompts broader discussions about the media's role in constructing public personas and the challenges individuals face when their private realities diverge from public expectations. Vogelsang's story serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in human lives and the importance of empathy in understanding Sexiest Man in Winnipeg is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Toronto Star
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Documentary details fall of former broadcaster once dubbed ‘sexiest man in Winnipeg'
There was a time back in the 1990s when Steve Vogelsang was known as the 'sexiest man in Winnipeg.' A former sportscaster, college instructor and executive with True North Sports and Entertainment, Vogelsang helped several Winnipeggers shape their careers. So when the Saskatoon native was arrested in 2017 for sticking up banks in Saskatchewan and Alberta, his once made-for-TV persona became rife with static. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'It raises a lot of questions,' said Charlie Siskel, a director and producer for 'The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg,' a new documentary detailing Vogelsang's rise and fall that releases Friday on Amazon's Prime Video. 'What happened to this guy? Why did he end up robbing a bunch of banks? Why did he do it in such theatrically ridiculous fashion?' Vogelsang was sentenced in 2019 to six and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to a string of bank robberies in Saskatchewan and Alberta between July and October 2017. In one case, he walked into a Regina bank with a fake bomb strapped to his chest, slid a note to the teller demanding $50,000 and pleaded for help, saying 'They've got my grandson.' On its face, it's a ridiculous but tragic story, says co-director Ben Daughtrey. 'We decided to embrace both sides of Steve's personality,' he said in an interview. 'He is genuinely a funny person, but there's also something ultimately tragic about a person going to these depths to try to change his life.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW In an interview from Washington state, Siskel said the documentary has been in the works since Vogelsang's release from prison. Vogelsang himself was involved in its making, re-enacting elements and sharing his thoughts for the cameras. The documentary also hears from several current and former Winnipeg reporters who knew Vogelsang and recall their shock at learning he had been arrested. 'The film is a character study, ultimately,' he said. 'Not so much a whodunit because we know who committed the crimes, but a whydunit.' Vogelsang's trial heard the former broadcaster's marriage had fallen apart, his prescribed medication for depression wasn't working and he was deep in debt from lengthy unemployment. Asked why Vogelsang gets a documentary when ordinary people convicted of bank robberies don't, Siskel said humans are obsessed with true crime and fame. His crimes were minor, so it's all the more surprising, the director said, that Vogelsang thought it was his way back. 'What is it about these crimes and criminals and crime stories that so fascinates the public and makes such a ready market for these kinds of stories ... Is this all fame seeking on his part? ... What role do we have in turning these people back into celebrities?' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Siskel said the viewer should 'play jury' when watching the documentary. Was Vogelsang 'some sort of monster,' he said, or an ordinary person who got a taste of fame, lost it and went about a 'weird way' of getting it back? Siskel adds that Vogelsang routinely points out in the film that he doesn't want 'that much fame.' But Siskel thinks otherwise. 'I do think that fame and fame seeking is at the heart of Steve's story,' he said. 'I think there is an element of redemption in the sense that Steve is coming to terms with his own past and his choices. 'Is it a redemption story, is it exposing the deep flaws of another human being, or is it something in between?' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2025.
