MARK CRITCH + SIMON FRANGLEN

MARK CRITCH + SIMON FRANGLEN

Author: Richard Crouse February 1, 2026 Duration: 38:26
On the Saturday January 31, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet Mark Critch. For twenty-three years he has starred on CBC’s popular political satire show “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.” He adapted his first book, “Son of a Critch,” into a hit TV series, co-staring movie legend Malcolm McDowell, and airing on the CBC in Canada and Netflix in the United States. Today we talk about his latest book, “Sorry, Not Sorry.” In the book, which is available now wherever fine books are sold, Mark delves into the heart of what it means to be Canadian at a time when national pride is on the rise. He examines everything from the historical decision of Newfoundland to join Canada, to the modern-day implications of the Freedom Convoy, the evolving symbolism of the Canadian flag, and of the many reasons Canada is worth fighting for. Then, we have a look at the incredible career of Simon Franglen. His credits include four of the list of top grossing films and six of the list of best-selling albums of all time. He began his career as a synthesizer programmer for Trevor Horn (working with acts like Frankie Goes to Hollywood), moved into composing famous jingles for big products, and became a top LA session musician/producer in the '90s, contributing to massive hits with artists like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Madonna, and more. He won a Grammy for Record of the Year as producer on Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic, directed by James Cameron. He worked with the late James Horner as an arranger/producer on films like “Avatar,” “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and others, before fully scoring “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Today we talk about his work, from Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s dancefloor anthems to Avatar’s lush, habitable moon, Pandora.

The address for House of Crouse is a flexible one, existing more as a state of mind curated by host Richard Crouse than a physical location. This podcast builds a welcoming, conversational space where compelling figures from the worlds of television and film feel comfortable enough to settle in and share stories you might not hear elsewhere. The tone is less of a formal interview and more like an engaging chat between friends, where the focus is on the person behind the public profile. Each Monday, a new episode arrives, featuring a relaxed and in-depth dialogue with guests like Amy Schumer, Josh Gad, or Daniel Radcliffe, among many others. Listening feels like pulling up a chair in a room where the conversation is always genuine, often surprising, and deeply connected to the craft and culture of screen storytelling. It’s an opportunity to hear familiar voices in an unfamiliar way, exploring the experiences and ideas that shape the entertainment we watch. Richard Crouse facilitates these discussions with a knowledgeable ease, ensuring every visit to this particular house is time well spent for anyone curious about the people who make our favorite shows and movies. The result is a consistently interesting audio experience that prioritizes substance and personality, making it a standout listen in the vast landscape of film and TV podcasts.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

House of Crouse
Podcast Episodes
KEVIN GILLIS + LINDSAY MERBAUM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:53
On the Saturday June 6, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet singer-songwriter, TV host, producer, director and composer Kevin Gillis, creator of the beloved and legendary animated show “The Raccoons.” He i…
MAGDALENA KAISER + ANDREW LOWNIE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:22
On the Saturday May 30, 2026 edition of the Richard Crouse Show we meet Andrew Lownie, renowned royal biographer and literary agent. A Cambridge history graduate and President of the Union, Fellow of the Royal Historical…
ERIC JOHNSON + SONYA SINGH [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
On the Saturday May 23, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet award-winning comedian, actor, and author Eric Johnston. His book “Run with the Bull: Three Generations of Sports and Entertainment” chronicled his…
JESS GIBSON + NICK FRADIANI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
On the Saturday May 16, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Jess Gibson. She is a Canadian-born writer (daughter of Margaret Atwood and the late Graeme Gibson), art historian with a Yale PhD, who has lived…
JASMEET RAINA  + SHAMIER ANDERSON + NICHOLAS BRAUN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:44
On the Saturday May 9, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet YouTuber, actor, screenwriter, comedian, and musician Jasmeet Raina. His series “Late Bloomer,” a dramedy about a millennial Sikh content creator bal…
AY FRANCO + NICK MANNA + THE ROADHAMMERS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
On the Saturday May 2, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet Jay Franco, the author of the Star Wars tie-in book “Star Wars: Be More Boba Fett.” As every Star Wars fan knows, bounty hunter Boba Fett was sele…
ELYSE AERYN + MATT JOHSNON + JAY MCCARROL [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:11
On the Saturday April 25, 2026 we’ll meet we’ll meet Elyse Aeryn, a roots-rock singer-songwriter from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She spent nearly a decade in the pulp and paper industry—then, in her late 20s, walked away…
TOM HOWE + RICK MOFINA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
On the Saturday April 18, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we’ll meet USA TODAY, Globe and Mail, and Toronto Star bestselling author Rick Mofina. He’s the author of more than thirty crime fiction thrillers that ha…
MEGHAN PATRICK + ANDY HINES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:23
On the Saturday April 11, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet JUNO award-winner Meghan Patrick. Her bold honesty and powerhouse presence has made her one of country music’s most compelling voices. Her 2026 JU…
PETER ELKAS + ALIREZA KHATAMI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:19
On the Saturday March 28, 2026 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet singer-songwriter and producer Peter Elkas. He’s toured the world as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with the likes of Neko Case, Joel Plaske…