This week Micheal talks with Terrorpeg festival organizer and filmmaker Coby Friesen about what we can expect at the festival on October 27th at the Park Theatre, the horror genre with emerging filmmakers in Manitoba, and whether you can do a horror film fest with movies that have no blood. Challenge accepted. Tickets on sale now. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/terrorpeg-2026-tickets-2001408093484 @terrorpeg Credits Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Guests: Coby Friesen Recorded at: Panda Be...

This week, Emily and Micheal talk to John de Lancie and composer Nick DiBerardino about 60 years of Star Trek, blending the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra into the storytelling and what Q thinks of the world today. Thank you to the WSO, Jensen Maxwell, and John and Nick for taking the time to bring us behind the scenes. Tickets Humanity is on trial. And Q is the judge. Celebrate six decades of Star Trek with John de Lancie, who resurrects his iconic character Q and puts humanity to the test throug...

This week Micheal talks with June Laporte from American Hostage about their role as reporter Ginny Hughes, on set with their ensemble cast, working with John Hamm, their ugly babies of musical theatre, and what they and Ginny had in common long before they discovered the character. American Hostage is an MGM production and airs Sundays on Crave. Catch the first 3 episodes streaming now. Credits Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Guests: June Laporte Recorded at: Panda Bear Studios...

This week, the cast broods over the best movies and TV they consumed while on summer break; they introduce the new format of the show moving forward and bring Martin back from a long awaited return while his was in video game design school. Credits Executive Producer: Michael Petrow Producers: Jimmy Skinner, Emily Clark, Charles Fernandes Martin Navarro Recorded at: Panda Bear Studios Audio Engineering & Editing by Micheal Petrow The Reel Debaters podcast combines "comedic" debates and indu...

The Oscars are supposed to be the final word on the best film of the year. But every movie fan has at least one moment where the envelope opens, and the reaction is: wait… what? This week on The Reel Debaters, we step into the cinematic multiverse and debate the Oscars that almost were. If a single vote, campaign, or moment of momentum had shifted, the Academy’s history might look very different. And what else would Oscar week be like with a conversation about good old Timothy Chalamet stepping...

Awards season is hitting its chaotic final lap, and the Reel Debaters are stepping into the prediction arena. In Episode 315, the panel breaks down their 2026 Oscar predictions, the unexpected moments and controversy from the BAFTAs, and the massive studio shake-up involving Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Topics include: The Best Picture showdown between One Battle After Another and Sinners Why Paul Thomas Anderson may finally take Best Director The rise of Michael B. Jordan as a Best Ac...

In this episode, we open the alternate-universe vault and peek inside the casting decisions, last-minute rewrites, and near-misses that reshaped Hollywood history. Some were accidents. Some were gambles. All of them changed everything. We also touch on: Which sports are in movies the most? Baseball Training Camp Heated Rivalry Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Wonderman The Olympics Send Help Next Reel Debaters Trivia+ Night 4-5 rounds of Themed Trivia A Colouring Contest A Cosplay Challen...

In Episode 313, we step on the gas and build a brand-new character for the final ride of the Fast & Furious saga. What kind of chaos agent joins the family? Street racer? International fixer? Long-lost legacy wildcard? We craft the backstory, the vibe, and how they would shake up the franchise’s last lap. Then it’s review time: The Beauty (FX) Iron Lung (2026) The Olympics. Heated Rivalry (Crave) New characters. Bold reviews. Big swings. Strap in and press play. Next Reel Debaters Trivia+ Ni...

In this episode, we lace up with legendary Hollywood shoemaker Jeff Churchill, the man whose craftsmanship has quite literally carried some of cinema’s biggest characters across the screen. From the emotional textures of Jojo Rabbit to the high-speed intensity of Mission: Impossible, and across the superhero universes of Marvel and DC, Jeff has been quietly shaping movie history… one pair of boots at a time. We go behind the scenes of his fascinating career, exploring: -How he got started in ...

Welcome back to the circus. Episode #311 is stacked with fan fiction fantasies, Oscar-season chaos, and a classic Reel Debaters internet skirmish that absolutely did not need to happen. This episode includes: The Teen Heartthrob Fan Fiction Debate We challenged each other to pitch the best teen heartthrob fan fiction idea imaginable. Tropes were abused. Logic was abandoned. Dignity left the building early. You’re welcome. Movie Reviews Mel Brooks’ The 99 Year Old Man – Does the comedy legend ...

The future is knocking, and it’s holding a release calendar. In Episode 310, we crack open the crystal ball and take a long look at what 2026 has lined up for movies and television. From big studio swings to prestige TV gambles, we sort the hype from the head-scratchers and argue about what’s worth getting excited about. Before we race ahead, we rewind briefly to Hollywood’s first major awards stop of the year with a review of the 2025 Golden Globes and.... The continued blur between film and ...

“Can’t go back and keep making same mistakes. Must keep moving forward and make new ones.” Thanks, Bridget. Before we officially close the book, the Reel Debaters hit rewind one last time. In Episode 309, we look back at the beautiful chaos that was 2025. The movies we loved. The shows we binged. The decisions that left us staring at the screen asking, “Who approved this?” We debate what ruled the year, what completely missed the mark, and what surprised us for better or worse. Film, streamin...

In Episode 308, the Reel Debaters sit down with the Director Finn McCager, Actor and Stunt performer Kristen Sawatzky and Cinematographer Jesse de Rocquigny of Give a Chad a Spot for a deep dive into the making of the film. This conversation pulls back the curtain on indie filmmaking, creative collaboration, and the choices that shaped the final product you see on screen. We cover: The origin of Give a Chad a Spot and how the story came together Writing the script and shaping the film’s tone ...

What happens when the Reel Debaters go Secret Santa shopping… for their favourite movie and TV characters? Bad ideas, inspired choices, and a lot of judgment. In Episode 307, the cast debates the perfect Secret Santa gifts if they were shopping for iconic characters, deciding who deserves something thoughtful and who’s getting a wildly inappropriate gag gift. Then it’s back to business with sharp takes on Knives Out, Wake Up Dead Man, reactions to the Jake Paul fight, Bugonia, and more. Reel ...

This week on The Reel Debaters, we’re heading behind the blood, sweat, and prosthetics with Doug Morrow and Ashley Hyra, the makeup artists behind The Long Walk. Doug and Ashley take us deep into the creative trenches of modern film makeup, breaking down their methods, the realities of working on set, and the problem-solving wizardry required when things do not go according to plan. From long days in the chair to last-minute fixes under pressure, they share candid behind-the-scenes stories stra...

On Episode 305 of The Reel Debaters, we debate the best movies adapted for television. Some films thrive when stretched into episodic storytelling, gaining depth, character arcs, and cultural staying power. Others lose what made them special the moment the opening credits roll. From prestige series to cult curiosities, this is a no-holds-barred debate on when adaptation elevates the original… and when it pulls the plug. 🎙️ Topics include: Why Hollywood keeps adapting movies for TV Films that...

This week, we descend into the shadowy corridors of Safehaven, the new supernatural thriller premiering on Tubi. This week's guest is a double-threat force behind the series: the head of special FX and makeup design and the actor who steps into the enigmatic role of Francis Zelk, Aaron Merke We get to find out more about the architect behind Safehaven’s bruised dreamscapes and haunting practical effects, and also being one of the faces pulling you deeper into the show’s mystery. On this episod...

We’re heading back to Oz — and this time, it’s all about the movie. Episode 304 is your full-blown Reel Talk review of Wicked (2024) It's all on the table: the performances, the music, the visuals, the changes from the stage, and whether the movie sticks the landing as one of the most anticipated musical adaptations of the decade. We break down everything, including: Did Wicked, the movie, hit the emotional beats fans expected? Ariana Grande vs. Broadway Glinda — who floats higher? Cynthia E...

Set your profile icon, because Episode 301 goes full cinematic cage match as we throw eight streaming giants into a single-elimination showdown. Who keeps autoplaying their way to victory? Who freezes on the loading screen? And which service becomes the true King of the Content Jungle Topics: Wpg Comic Con 2025/Cute As Can Be Vendor Shoutout/London Listens To The Show?/We Love Paul Gross/ We also roll out fresh reviews including: MJ: The Musical IT: Welcome to Derry Netflix’s Frankenstein Fea...

In this episode of The Reel Debaters Podcast, we sit down with the creative minds behind The End Of Our Own Making — a tense, character-driven Winnipeg production that explores the fallout of an active shooter targeting the staff of a private security company. Host Michael Petrow is joined by writer/director Cam Paterson, actors Darcy Fehr and Suzanne Pringle, and director of photography Ryan Herdman to unpack the emotional weight, creative process, and technical challenges of bringing such a r...

It’s our 300th episode, and we’re celebrating with a scream! The Reel Debaters mark this milestone by facing off in one wicked debate: What’s the best Halloween special — movie or TV? From nostalgic sitcoms to cult horror flicks, each debater brings their own version of Halloween greatness to the ring: Emily enchants the room with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, WandaVision, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Hocus Pocus. Charles brings chaos with That ’70s Show Halloween Special, Goosebump...

What happens when Hollywood’s biggest characters get stranded on a deserted island with nothing but their egos, alliances, and a few hidden immunity idols? Welcome to The Reel Debaters’ Survivor Island — where we take some of our favorite movie heroes, villains, and misfits and throw them into a cinematic version of Survivor using the modern 26-day format. We break down the tribes, alliances, and inevitable betrayals as these on-screen legends battle it out for the ultimate title: Sole Survivor...

This week, we sit down with writer-director Coby Friesen to talk about his haunting and provocative new short film, Cruising Gamorah — a bold exploration of faith, repression, and desire set against the eerie calm of a reportedly haunted creek. Childhood friends Chris and Alex reunite for a camping trip that spirals into tension, temptation, and truth as their worldviews — and hidden feelings — collide under a dark, watching presence. We dig into the film’s origins, the creative balance between...

Who is the greatest wrestler-turned-actor of all time? From Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s box-office domination to Dave Bautista’s dramatic chops, John Cena’s comedic timing, and Roddy Piper’s cult hero status, the Reel Debaters step into the ring for a 12-actor single-elimination showdown to crown the ultimate crossover champion. We break down the contenders, set the scene, and go all-in on the debate because someone has to bring order to all this cinematic chaos. Also in This Episode Body Slam...