J. Kelly Nestruck
@nestruck.bsky.social
The Globe and Mail television critic and recovering theatre critic. Find me by email at [email protected]. 🇨🇦
Pinned
Crave’s Heated Rivalry is hot as h-e-double-hockey-sticks Canadian television
Jacob Tierney, of Letterkenny and Shoresy fame, crafts crisp and elegant scenes for both domestic audiences and those watching abroad on HBO Max
www.theglobeandmail.com
Heated Rivalry premieres on Crave Friday. Hot stuff. Here’s my review. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film...
So, @hertzbarry.bsky.social is up in arms. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film...
Why the Netflix, Warner Bros. deal is a disaster for movie theatres, filmmakers and audiences
Among other concerns, this acquisition could singlehandedly sink the Canadian media ecosystem
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
So, @hertzbarry.bsky.social is up in arms. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/film...
It's not that Marc Milller isn't mostly right here - it's that picking this fight in this way isn't going to help with his portfolio. Channel that "chu tanné" energy into the needed work on cultural and digital sovereignty. montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/03/m...
Marc Miller hurt by Legault's ‘disgrace to all Quebecers’ comment
The new minister responsible for official languages in Mark Carney’s government, Marc Miller, says he’s hurt by comments from Quebec Premier François Legault, who accused him of being “a disgrace” and...
montreal.citynews.ca
December 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
It's not that Marc Milller isn't mostly right here - it's that picking this fight in this way isn't going to help with his portfolio. Channel that "chu tanné" energy into the needed work on cultural and digital sovereignty. montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/03/m...
Would help not to rotate through three Culture ministers in a single calendar year.
We need to get real about Canadian cultural protections and content laws.
December 5, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Would help not to rotate through three Culture ministers in a single calendar year.
Free Jeremy! That's like one dose of MDMA. Poor guy.
Playwright Jeremy O. Harris has been in the custody of Japanese authorities since last month after being arrested at the airport in Japan on suspicion of smuggling illegal drugs into the country (it was .78 grams of MDMA).
Why are we just hearing about this now?
Full Story: bit.ly/3KF2fcq
Why are we just hearing about this now?
Full Story: bit.ly/3KF2fcq
December 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Free Jeremy! That's like one dose of MDMA. Poor guy.
I don't see any way this would be a win for viewers.
And definitely coming a time in which you wish media regulation in the US wasn't rife with political interference and about paying the biggest tribute to Trump. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
And definitely coming a time in which you wish media regulation in the US wasn't rife with political interference and about paying the biggest tribute to Trump. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Netflix to buy Warner Bros Discovery’s studios, streaming unit for US$72-billion
Deal would hand control of prized Hollywood assets to the streaming giant
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I don't see any way this would be a win for viewers.
And definitely coming a time in which you wish media regulation in the US wasn't rife with political interference and about paying the biggest tribute to Trump. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
And definitely coming a time in which you wish media regulation in the US wasn't rife with political interference and about paying the biggest tribute to Trump. www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Me, last night: I have all these new shows to check out if you want to join me…
Wife: *polite hemming and hawing*
Me: … or I suppose I’ve got a screener of the new Heated Rivalry episode we could watch.
Wife: *literally teleports onto the couch next to me*
Wife: *polite hemming and hawing*
Me: … or I suppose I’ve got a screener of the new Heated Rivalry episode we could watch.
Wife: *literally teleports onto the couch next to me*
Good new episode of Heated Rivalry today. I think my wife is going to leave me for François Arnaud though, alas.
December 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Me, last night: I have all these new shows to check out if you want to join me…
Wife: *polite hemming and hawing*
Me: … or I suppose I’ve got a screener of the new Heated Rivalry episode we could watch.
Wife: *literally teleports onto the couch next to me*
Wife: *polite hemming and hawing*
Me: … or I suppose I’ve got a screener of the new Heated Rivalry episode we could watch.
Wife: *literally teleports onto the couch next to me*
Good new episode of Heated Rivalry today. I think my wife is going to leave me for François Arnaud though, alas.
December 5, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Good new episode of Heated Rivalry today. I think my wife is going to leave me for François Arnaud though, alas.
Reposted by J. Kelly Nestruck
I wrote a bit for McSweeney's about Isaac Chotiner interviewing Santa Claus. Just a little something for the holiday season. Enjoy!
The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner Interviews Santa Claus
For several centuries, Santa Claus has been one of the most prolific mythical gift-givers in the world. Formerly known as Saint Nicholas of Myra, a...
www.mcsweeneys.net
December 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I wrote a bit for McSweeney's about Isaac Chotiner interviewing Santa Claus. Just a little something for the holiday season. Enjoy!
Reposted by J. Kelly Nestruck
December 4, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Reposted by J. Kelly Nestruck
I'm sure Eurovision will have this all resolved by the time Canada is theoretically able to join in 2027, right? www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
At least four countries boycott 2026 Eurovision after Israel cleared to stay in contest
Members of the European Broadcasting Union voted to adopt tougher voting rules in response to allegations that Israel manipulated the vote
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I'm sure Eurovision will have this all resolved by the time Canada is theoretically able to join in 2027, right? www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Canada just made the top half of this list. We got a chance!
From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: Which nation is most likely to win the 2026 World Cup? We ranked all 64 teams. nyti.ms/3MjW5Po
December 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Canada just made the top half of this list. We got a chance!
Had fun booing the baddy played by Damien Atkins with a bunch of kids at the opening of Robin Hood at the Winter Garden last weekend
Atkins is the panto villain we've been waiting for since Ross Petty hung up his evil cloaks. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
Atkins is the panto villain we've been waiting for since Ross Petty hung up his evil cloaks. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
Meet Ming Wong, the designer behind the elaborate costumes in Toronto’s holiday pantomime
Here’s how Wong took her designs from sketch to stage for this year’s Christmastime show
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Had fun booing the baddy played by Damien Atkins with a bunch of kids at the opening of Robin Hood at the Winter Garden last weekend
Atkins is the panto villain we've been waiting for since Ross Petty hung up his evil cloaks. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
Atkins is the panto villain we've been waiting for since Ross Petty hung up his evil cloaks. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
Playback reports 23% of Empathie's views on Crave were with English subtitles - and that it generated "more than 11 million viewings" on Canal+ in France. playbackonline.ca/2025/12/04/s...
Series of the Year: Empathie
Crave's Suzane Landry and Trio Orange's Annie Sirois discuss how Empathie's success is opening doors for Quebec stories in the global market.
playbackonline.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Playback reports 23% of Empathie's views on Crave were with English subtitles - and that it generated "more than 11 million viewings" on Canal+ in France. playbackonline.ca/2025/12/04/s...
Here's some math from @thelocal.to: When adjusted for inflation, funding per student in the TDSB has declined $794 between the 2018-19 and 2024-25 school years. Administration makes up just 2.4 percent of the TDSB’s total expenditures. thelocal.to/tdsb-2025-26...
December 3, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Here's some math from @thelocal.to: When adjusted for inflation, funding per student in the TDSB has declined $794 between the 2018-19 and 2024-25 school years. Administration makes up just 2.4 percent of the TDSB’s total expenditures. thelocal.to/tdsb-2025-26...
I really hate these school board-shaming propaganda emails from Paul Calandra. "You expect better results for your children, and so do I."
You've been in power seven years. Your "back-to-basics" stuff has only marginally improved EQAO scores? Your answer is a new "advisory body"? On you.
You've been in power seven years. Your "back-to-basics" stuff has only marginally improved EQAO scores? Your answer is a new "advisory body"? On you.
December 3, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I really hate these school board-shaming propaganda emails from Paul Calandra. "You expect better results for your children, and so do I."
You've been in power seven years. Your "back-to-basics" stuff has only marginally improved EQAO scores? Your answer is a new "advisory body"? On you.
You've been in power seven years. Your "back-to-basics" stuff has only marginally improved EQAO scores? Your answer is a new "advisory body"? On you.
I'm a bit sad to lose Helen Shaw in my New Yorker - but hope the NYT exploits her talents to the fullest and gives her space and flexibility. www.nytco.com/press/helen-...
Helen Shaw Joins Culture | The New York Times Company
www.nytco.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I'm a bit sad to lose Helen Shaw in my New Yorker - but hope the NYT exploits her talents to the fullest and gives her space and flexibility. www.nytco.com/press/helen-...
Thankfully, Stoppard lived another 18 years and wrote a beautiful final play inspired by his later-life anagnorisis that has helped open up new ways of viewing his entire oeuvre.
Here's my contribution to the Stoppard tributes. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
Here's my contribution to the Stoppard tributes. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
December 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Thankfully, Stoppard lived another 18 years and wrote a beautiful final play inspired by his later-life anagnorisis that has helped open up new ways of viewing his entire oeuvre.
Here's my contribution to the Stoppard tributes. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
Here's my contribution to the Stoppard tributes. www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...
I only met Tom Stoppard once - approaching him as a fan at the Barbican. Pavarotti had just died and I thought: "What if I never get the chance to shake Stoppard's hand again?"
Unfortunately, I told him that was what I had thought as I approached him. He was kind about the awkward intrusion.
Unfortunately, I told him that was what I had thought as I approached him. He was kind about the awkward intrusion.
December 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I only met Tom Stoppard once - approaching him as a fan at the Barbican. Pavarotti had just died and I thought: "What if I never get the chance to shake Stoppard's hand again?"
Unfortunately, I told him that was what I had thought as I approached him. He was kind about the awkward intrusion.
Unfortunately, I told him that was what I had thought as I approached him. He was kind about the awkward intrusion.
So funny to see American YouTubers repackage 22 Minutes sketches like this...
"WATCH: Canada TV Just HIT TRUMP Where It HURTS MOST, Goes VIRAL🚨"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXo9...
"WATCH: Canada TV Just HIT TRUMP Where It HURTS MOST, Goes VIRAL🚨"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXo9...
WATCH: Canada TV Just HIT TRUMP Where It HURTS MOST, Goes VIRAL🚨
YouTube video by Occupy Democrats
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:55 AM
So funny to see American YouTubers repackage 22 Minutes sketches like this...
"WATCH: Canada TV Just HIT TRUMP Where It HURTS MOST, Goes VIRAL🚨"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXo9...
"WATCH: Canada TV Just HIT TRUMP Where It HURTS MOST, Goes VIRAL🚨"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXo9...
There was a Pierre Poilievre/Chris Wilson as Pierre Poilievre collab at the Parliamentary Press Gallery. Fun roasting both ways. m.youtube.com/results?sp=m...
YouTube
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
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December 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
There was a Pierre Poilievre/Chris Wilson as Pierre Poilievre collab at the Parliamentary Press Gallery. Fun roasting both ways. m.youtube.com/results?sp=m...
An uninterrupted run of Quebec heritage/culture ministers since 2015... sends a message.
Barry does a good job outlining where the Liberals have fallen short on the file in this column.
Also: How do we get that promised (10+ years now) new CBC mandate designated a "Project of national interest"?
Barry does a good job outlining where the Liberals have fallen short on the file in this column.
Also: How do we get that promised (10+ years now) new CBC mandate designated a "Project of national interest"?
I'm sorry to see @mark-carney.bsky.social's choose a lawyer and yet another Quebec MP as the new Culture Minister - esp. when he's got musicians like Jaime Battiste and David Myles out east and ex-Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain CEO Ginette Lavack out west.
www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
In Ottawa, the Heritage Department is a revolving door at best, a nuisance at worst
Carney shuffled in another Trudeau loyalist without a particularly strong history of cultural advocacy
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:42 PM
An uninterrupted run of Quebec heritage/culture ministers since 2015... sends a message.
Barry does a good job outlining where the Liberals have fallen short on the file in this column.
Also: How do we get that promised (10+ years now) new CBC mandate designated a "Project of national interest"?
Barry does a good job outlining where the Liberals have fallen short on the file in this column.
Also: How do we get that promised (10+ years now) new CBC mandate designated a "Project of national interest"?
I'm sorry to see @mark-carney.bsky.social's choose a lawyer and yet another Quebec MP as the new Culture Minister - esp. when he's got musicians like Jaime Battiste and David Myles out east and ex-Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain CEO Ginette Lavack out west.
www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
In Ottawa, the Heritage Department is a revolving door at best, a nuisance at worst
Carney shuffled in another Trudeau loyalist without a particularly strong history of cultural advocacy
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I'm sorry to see @mark-carney.bsky.social's choose a lawyer and yet another Quebec MP as the new Culture Minister - esp. when he's got musicians like Jaime Battiste and David Myles out east and ex-Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain CEO Ginette Lavack out west.
www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/arti...
What's the point of announcing an early renewal of a show that you don't have a premiere date for its first season yet? playbackonline.ca/2025/12/02/c...
Corus renews Private Eyes West Coast for second season
EXCLUSIVE: The Global original spinoff series was given an early renewal ahead of its premiere next year.
playbackonline.ca
December 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
What's the point of announcing an early renewal of a show that you don't have a premiere date for its first season yet? playbackonline.ca/2025/12/02/c...
A question for Bluesky theatre fans: Has there ever been a professional production of Tom Stoppard's Jumpers in Canada?
December 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
A question for Bluesky theatre fans: Has there ever been a professional production of Tom Stoppard's Jumpers in Canada?