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Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)

@gracingthestage.bsky.social

530 followers 350 following 440 posts

A&E critic emeritus—Torontoist/AV Club/Now Magazine, etc. HMCS YORK Recruiter/Master Sailor/BOSN. Canadian Theatre Critics Association board member, #TheaTO hashtag creator. Burly #BikeTO boi, karaoke kid, LGBTQ+ Ally. BLM

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Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him) @gracingthestage.bsky.social · Nov 18

Intro yerself w/ past gigs:

-Ziplined off Enercare Centre as SONAR the RCN Nfld Dog
-Walked in on Beyoncé, Renée Zellweger, & Michael Keaton (as bellhop)
-Hostage actor on train & plane for JTF2
-Wrote a stage intimacy article that went viral
-Crewed aboard HMNZS TE KAHA, Pearl Harbour>Victoria, BC

Carly Rhiannon @carlyrhiannon.bsky.social · Nov 10

I’ve done such a weird mix of things but some memorable ones include:

-flower shop co-op placement (probably the loveliest job I’ve ever had)
-chocolate factory production line (SO boring but AYCE free chocolate)
-scoring targets at a rifle match
-hair salon assistant
-Parks Canada receptionist

Kathleen Jacques @kathmachine.bsky.social · Nov 10

Introduce yourself with some jobs you have done apart from what you do now:

...okay, apart from all things design & comics:

-mall food court Taco Time cashier
-Safeway cashier
-Zellers department store clothing section
-teaching assistant / marking exams
-art gallery staff / reception bartender

Reposted by Steve Fisher, BFA, CD (he/him)

Justin Ling @justinling.ca · 22h

Friendly reminder that Tidal ($10.99) is now cheaper than Spotify ($11.99), delivers better audio quality, pays its artists 2x as much, and generally doesn't allow AI slop.

You can move your entire music library over in a matter of minutes.

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Simon Frankel Pratt @simonpratt.bsky.social · 16h

This is tough to read and, I imagine, it might be hard for many Israelis or Jews with close ties to Israel to believe.

I believe it, though. I might have been sceptical prior to 7 October, but we know the behaviour of prison guards and conditions of detention are now extremely abusive.

Christine Binzel @christinebinzel.bsky.social · 23h

Horrific testimony by Greta Thunberg

www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/25...

Greta Thunberg: “They kicked me every time the flag touched my face”

– Greta Thunberg on her days in Israeli captivity Beating, kicking, and threats of being gassed in cages. Greta Thunberg and several others from the flotilla ar

www.aftonbladet.se

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Damien Nelson @5onthe5.bsky.social · 19h

My silly little blog has a new news column. You’re invited to submit your news. News.
www.partonandpearl.com/blog/eh-mate...

Eh Material: Canadian comedy and country music news roundup — Parton and Pearl

News from Tom Hearn, Steph Tolev, The Second City, Bobby Dove and more

www.partonandpearl.com

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Ilana Lucas @ilanalucas.bsky.social · 19h

Review: BREMEN TOWN, Tarragon Theatre's season opener, is a heartbreaking meditation on obsolescence #theatre #theaTO www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/arti...

Review: BREMEN TOWN at Tarragon Theatre

With compelling performances by Toronto theatre stalwarts, this tight, heartbreaking production might inspire you to call your grandparents and tell them that they matter.

www.broadwayworld.com

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The Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 1d

“Restore merit, end DEI” says man who could only get elected in Canada’s safest Conservative stronghold

OTTAWA - Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has launched a petition to "end DEI programs and restore merit", just months after losing his own heavily-favoured seat before running in an even more hea...

www.thebeaverton.com

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Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 1d

"Safe Parkside" filed a Freedom of Information request to get top speeds from the ill-fated & much abused Parkside camera. The speed limit is 40km/h.

Killers, all of them, with the ear & heart of Premier Doug Ford.

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Nicholas Grossman @nicholasgrossman.bsky.social · 2d

When Mike Johnson or another national leader repeatedly claims they haven’t seen relevant things in the news, an appropriate reporter reaction would be “Holy cow, how do you not know?!? How can you do your job without knowing what’s happening? What are you doing to fix your ‘not knowing’ problem?”

BeijingPalmer @beijingpalmer.bsky.social · 2d

I don't understand why U.S. reporters so regularly seem to let politicians get away with 'I haven't seen that' about stuff a) they obviously know and b) is directly relevant to their job. Did they sign some kind of agreement never to ask a follow-up question?

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d

REPORTER: We know the president moved forward with mass layoffs. We're also learning there were significant cuts to staff at special education services. Are you comfortable with those cuts?

MIKE JOHNSON: I haven't seen the specifics of that and I don't know

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Brian F. Kelcey @stateofthecity.bsky.social · 3d

Praise for Montreal's bike-share system, from TIME. Worth a holiday thread on a couple of operational + political aspects of Bixi's history that are intriguingly left unsaid.

Cult MTL @cultmtl.com · 4d

“Montreal revolutionized the bicycle-sharing trend. The tech behind BIXI became the backbone for bike-sharing programs in London, New York, Chicago and dozens of other places, turning two wheels into a genuine option for navigating cities.”

BIXI named among top 25 inventions of the past 25 years by TIME magazine

TIME magazine has released a list of the top 25 inventions of the past 25 years, and Montreal's bicycle-sharing system BIXI is on it.

cultmtl.com

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Karen Dalton Beninato 🐦 @kbeninato.bsky.social · 4d

Lived through this at a small paper. Every consultant pitch seemed like what someone would recommend if they didn't want any more newspapers.

Blake Leyh @earlofedgecombe.bsky.social · 5d

If you think you know why US newspapers died, this feature documentary now streaming for free on PBS might surprise you. It wasn't the Internet. Newspapers were specifically targeted by vulture capitalists.

I composed the score for the film, which features electric cello & Crowfoot guitars.

Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink

A handful of journalists rebel against a hedge fund that is gutting newspapers nationwide.

www.pbs.org

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Dr. Bucky Isotope, PhD, BOFA @buckyisotope.bsky.social · 4d

I have busted
the ghost
that was in
your hood

and which
you were probably
scared of
and screaming

Forgive me
busting
makes me
feel good

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Dan Pasternack @danpasternack.bsky.social · 4d

October 11, 2025 is a milestone in comedy history. Not only is it the 50th anniversary of the 1st SNL, today is also the final new Dr. Demento show. After 55 years, Barret Hansen is hanging up his top hat. Please go to drdemento.com to hear his all time demented top 40 countdown special.

Dr. Demento

drdemento.com

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aisling murphy @aislingmurph.bsky.social · 4d

For @theglobeandmail.com, I spoke to eight (or nine, if you count Stratford) of the new artistic directors at theatres across Canada.

Lots of great ideas in these roles. Now comes the hard part: making them happen.

www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/stag...

These incoming artistic directors have big ideas about the future of Canadian theatre

Eight recently appointed company leaders from coast to coast talk about a new era of national culture

www.theglobeandmail.com

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James McLeod @jamespmcleod.ca · 7d

"Toronto"

Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 7d

What’s the word where you’re from that, when pronounced exactly as it looks, identifies a tourist immediately?

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Brendel @brendelbored.bsky.social · 7d

Ok this story has now taken a twist. They tell me Tim Meadows is on Cameo and then two days later they’re like “do not worry about the absence of Tim Meadows, everything is fine”. Is Tim Meadows fine?!

cameo
While they're away... try someone new
CADILLAC
Tim Meadows is still away, but in the meantime, maybe a Cameo video from one of our fan favorites can scratch that itch?

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David Levy @itsdlevy.me · 7d

"We work six days a week, 52 weeks a year," said Jacqueline Jarrold, a co-chair of the negotiating team and a Broadway actor. "We need robust healthcare, yes, but also appropriate physical therapy, adequate job coverage, and reasonable time off to rest and recover."

www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...

Talks resume as Broadway actors consider a strike

Broadway's union for performers and stage managers says the sticking point is health care.

www.npr.org

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Kommander Karl @kommanderkarl.bsky.social · 9d

AI still can’t do this

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tapeworthy @tapeworthy.bsky.social · 12d

the production photos look like pieces of art. Like I said, such a gorgeous set and lighting. (Also a great play and cast) bsky.app/profile/theh...

The Howland Company @thehowlandcompany.bsky.social · 12d

💫 Last Chance to see THE WELKIN! ⚖️ There are just 4 performances left to experience the most talked-about show of the season, closing Sunday at Soulpepper.

⚡️Act Fast - Performances have been selling out all week long and limited tickets remain.

🎟️ Book now: tickets.youngcentre.ca/overview/15182

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William Shakespeare @shakespeare.lol · 13d

There’s matter in these sighs, these profound heaves⁠—
You must translate, ’tis fit we understand them.

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Charles M. Schulz Museum | The home of Snoopy & the Peanuts Gang @schulzmuseum.bsky.social · 13d

It’s your 75th anniversary, Charlie Brown! 💛⁠
⁠
🎉 Today marks the official 75th anniversary of Peanuts! On October 2, 1950, the first Peanuts comic strip, shown here, was published in seven newspapers nationwide. Charles M. Schulz was 27 years old.

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Jessie Gender @jessiegender.bsky.social · 13d

I'm not saying boycotts AREN'T worthwhile but I said the same during Hogwarts Legacy as people bragged about “standing with trans folks” by not buying a game. That’s the easiest gesture capitalism allows you. If your activism starts & ends with not swiping a credit card, you’re not resisting power.

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Gwen Snyder is undead @gwensnyder.bsky.social · 14d

This is the actual reason it is fun to have a big account

Me: if I don't see a picture of an otter in a witch hat soon I will be pissed

Reply: pic of otter in witch hat

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Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 14d

One of my favorite anecdotes from THE PREHISTORY OF THE FAR SIDE: "That doesn't sound like the Jane Goodall we know."

A few days after this cartoon was published, my syndicate received a very indignant letter from someone representing the Jane Goodall Institute.
Not only did my syndicate and I both get read the Riot Act, there was a vague implication that litigation over this cartoon might be around the corner.
I was horrified. Not so much from a fear of being sued (I just couldn't see how this cartoon could be construed as anything but silly, but because of my deep respect for Jane Goodall and her well-known contributions to pri-matology. The last thing in the world I would have intentionally done was offend Dr. Goodall in any way.
Before I had a chance to write my apology, another complication arose.
The National Geographic Society contacted my syndicate and expressed a

desire to reprint the cartoon in a special centennial issue of their magazine. My editor, aware of what had just occurred, declined, explaining why.
Apparently, whoever it was that sent the inquiry from National Geographic was shocked. They told my editor that "that doesn't sound like the Jane Goodall we know." They did some checking themselves, and an interesting fact was eventually discovered: Jane Goodall loved the cartoon. Furthermore, she was totally unaware that any of this "stuff" was going on. Some phone calls were made, and the cartoon was not only reprinted in the centennial issue of National Geographic, but was also used by her Institute on a T-shirt for fund-raising purposes.
I've since had an opportunity to visit Dr. Goodall at her research facility in Gombe. It's a wonderful place (sort of like right out of National Geographic).
"To refer to Dr. Goodall as a tramp is inexcusable even by a self-described 'loony' as Larson. The cartoon was incredibly offensive and in such poor taste that readers might well question the editorial judgment of running such an atrocity in a newspaper that reputes to be supplying news to persons with a better than average intelligence. The cartoon and its message were absolutely stupid." —Excerpt from the above-mentioned letter that started the ruckus

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Micah @rincewind.run · 14d

an extraordinary person with an extraordinary legacy who nevertheless didn’t take herself too seriously

when Gary Larson published this cartoon, she was in Africa and her institute was horribly offended and drafted a complaint

the whole thing was defused when she returned - she found it funny

Far Side cartoon with a female chimpanzee grooming a male chimpanzee

“Well, well - another blond hair. … Conducting a little more ‘research’ with that Jane Goodall tramp?”

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Carl Wilson @carlzoilus.bsky.social · 14d

Today in "Crritic!", reading Chandler Levack's Mile End Kicks in dialogue with the Lilith Fair documentary on indie-boy sexism, and other reviews & reflections. Plus a sad farewell to Kaleb Horton.

Pumping up the Kicks

Thoughts on Mile End Kicks, the Lilith Fair doc, Cécile McLorin Salvant, The Lowdown, and the Hidden Cameras. But first a sad farewell

carlwilson.substack.com

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Justin Ling @justinling.ca · 15d

Oh if you want a gift link here's a gift link: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

www.thestar.com

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