When marketing a blockbuster goes too far

Season 12 of Because News is back with Gavin Crawford! Subscribe on your favourite podcast app, or check out new episodes on CBC Listen.

Teenage Dream or PR Scheme? The Justin Trudeau x Katy Perry romance has got Canada shaking its head. DAHHHH Blue Jays win! And the team tries to seal the Honmoon with a new baseball fight song. How did Doug Ford convince Ronald Reagan to star in the Premier’s new ad? Plus, New Brunswick is having a fire sale of the American liquor it pulled of the shelves. Gavin Crawford quizzes Miguel Rivas, Ann Pornel and Brandon Ash-Mohammed about this week’s headlines. (This episode aired October 2025)

Who is behind all these fake Alberta separatists on YouTube? They can’t even pronounce “Regina” correctly. The Tragically Hip is now a musical and there’s a real connection to Because News. With soaring fuel prices more fees are being added to our flights. Thanks, America. Try a new nightly ritual that will make you feel alive: mortality check-ins. Or try a new nightly ritual that will make you fall asleep: bedtime stacking. Gavin Crawford hosts the news quiz with comedians Jan Caruana, Kris Siddiqi, and Alice Moran. (This episode aired April 2026)

Artemis II breaks a record and a toilet. A new app is changing the way we run away from angry Canada geese. Polymarket and Kalshi are letting people test their luck and bucks on the prediction market. Why were the sites in the headlines this week? And who has stinkier farts: men or women? Yes, this was a news story this week. Listen now to this week’s panel of Miguel Rivas, Ann Pornel and Martha Chaves with host Gavin Crawford. (This episode aired April 2026)

Difficult people age you faster, so Trump has made us all ancient. This week, when he needed backup in Iran, his allies said, “New phone, who dis?” Taylor Swift fans at her Vancouver show might be getting refunds because their seats were that bad. The rich are now collecting dinosaur skeletons instead of fine art. And people are running while churning butter in their backpacks — or, as some call it, Amish CrossFit. A special episode from Vancouver, with host Gavin Crawford and comedians Ivan Decker, Caitlin Howden, and Kevin Vidal. (This episode aired March 2026)

Will the Minions be banished…from the Olympics? Will Alberta betray Canada and join the US? Will Jean Chrétien and Stephen Harper form an alliance? Plot twist, what is ski-mo? Has frozen juice been murdered? Mattea Roach, Eric Peterson and Jan Caruana take the news quiz with host Gavin Crawford. (This episode aired February 2026)

Why did Mark Carney get a standing ovation at DAVOS? Should Canada be “grateful” to Donald Trump? Is Greenland, Iceland? Which Canadian is going to space? How is Muskoka and Ottawa capitalizing on Heated Rivalry? What is a hegemon? (This episode aired January 2026)

Wicked is impossible to avoid, even on this podcast. “Quiet, Piggy” did not rank in the most-used words of the year, but parasocial did. Why was it chosen as the word of 2025? A Hamilton man stole a bus and no one was hurt, so we rejoice about a victimless crime that does not include any mention of files or famine. Gavin Crawford quizzes Andrew Phung, Eric Peterson and Jan Caruana about this week’s headlines. (This episode aired November 2025)

Our panellists beg: please, Santa, do not bring us a Christmas election. Red, yellow and green traffic lights are outdated because a fourth colour might be added to intersections. There’s a big innovation in menstrual products and thank god, it’s not AI! Peanut allergies have fallen fast, yet the PB sandwich remains a schoolyard crime. Why no one’s allowed to celebrate The Great Peanut Comeback just yet. (This episode aired November 2025)

The world is so bleak the Louvre heist feels like a happy story. Whatever will become of Napoleon’s family jewels? And please donate to our Go Jays Gofundme so we can get World Series tickets. The media has the Blue Jays as underdogs, but what’s underneath an underdog? Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre can’t stop talking about his ex-running mate, Justin Trudeau. Finally, our panellists are trying to speedrun a high grindscore. (This episode aired October 2025)