Category Archives: Television

Why Jon Stewart should listen to Johnny Carson

Posted on February 13, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett Count me among those who will hate to see Jon Stewart walk away from “The Daily Show” and I wish he could have heard what Johnny Carson told me about his own temptations to quit “The Tonight … Continue reading →

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Warrior Andy McNab loves a good story like ‘Mamma Mia’

Posted on February 2, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett Things you might know about Andy McNab: He was a highly decorated SAS soldier; he wrote the bestselling “Bravo Two Zero” about his time in combat in the Gulf War; and he writes action thrillers, the latest … Continue reading →

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Peter Cook’s pact with the devil for Dudley Moore

Posted on January 9, 2015 by admin

By Ray Bennett There’s a general view that comic genius Peter Cook, who died 20 years ago today, was a bitter and unhappy man who resented the film success of his former partner Dudley Moore. That’s not how he appeared … Continue reading →

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Rock Hudson and the Hollywood AIDS scare

Posted on November 17, 2014 by admin

Rock Hudson, who would have been 90 years-old today, had a more significant impact on Hollywood when he died than in a long acting career that included “Giant” (pictured), 1960s comedies with Doris Day and TV series “McMillan & Wife”. … Continue reading →

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TIFF 2014: A tale of three Equalizers

Posted on September 7, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett File under “it’s a small world”: I’m at my old pal Ron Base’s place in Milton for a Sunday brunch chatting with another guest, Hans Gerhardt, who ran the Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto when it was … Continue reading →

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Here’s the original ‘Equalizer’, Edward Woodward

Posted on September 7, 2014 by admin

As Denzel Washington steps into the shoes of Robert McCall in “The Equalizer”, here’s what the original TV Equalizer told me about it in 1986. Edward Woodward died in 2009 aged 79. Hey, instigator! Hypnotizer! Extricator! No matter what you call him, … Continue reading →

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New ‘Doctor Who’ to bow in cinemas and on TV

Posted on August 1, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett BBC Worldwide said that Peter Capaldi’s debut in the title role of “Doctor Who” will be shown in cinemas across the UK and Ireland as well as on BBC One on Aug. 23.

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So long, Gentleman Jim Garner …

Posted on July 20, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Three times I interviewed James Garner, who has died aged 86, once in a long phone call and twice on set in Hollywood, and each time it was because he agreed to talk about someone else.

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Monty Python show set to be biggest for Event Cinema

Posted on July 1, 2014 by admin

By Ray Bennett Picturehouse Entertainment said that its July 20 screening of “Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five to Go” will be the biggest Event Cinema broadcast yet seen in the UK.

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When Knowlton Nash became Superman at CBC News

Posted on May 26, 2014 by admin

Very sad to see that Knowlton Nash, who had a long career with the CBC and was the face of CBC News for more than a decade, died on May 24. He was 86. As the TV writer for the … Continue reading →

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