Toronto Mike'd: The Official Toronto Mike Podcast - Melissa DiMarco: Toronto Mike'd #127

Episode Date: June 29, 2015

Mike chats with actress and television host Melissa DiMarco about playing the principal on Degrassi, working with Robin Williams on Death to Smoochy, what she thought of Aubrey Graham before he was Drake and all the awesome people she interviews on Out There with Melissa DiMarco.

Welcome to episode 127 of Toronto Mic'd, a weekly podcast about anything and everything, often with a distinctly Toronto flavour. I'm Mike from torontomike.com and joining me this week is actress and television host, Melissa DeMarco. Hello, hello, hello. Melissa. Well, Mike, this is great fun. Oh, one of my favorite bands, U2. Do you know why I'm playing this song? Why?

Okay, I have a crack research staff, okay? And they uncovered this interesting nugget. To me, anyways, you were born on New Year's Day. I was. This is true? Okay, good. They got it right. I'm impressed.

Thank you. They do good work. Your young kids are incredible research team. That's right. I think that was Thank you. They do good work. Your young kids are incredible research team. That's right. I think that was the baby who came up with that one. But born on New Year's Day. What's that like? Like, does everyone just forget? Actually, yeah, I'm at the end of all the holidays. So that becomes a bit of an issue when it comes to good gifts. However, everyone remembers my birthday because I don't make them forget. And it's always a big party, right? I've always had a big party

on my birthday. I've always celebrated into the new year. It's always been a lot of fun. I can't have wished for anything better. And you're always the oldest person in your class when you're in school. And the smartest. No, not necessarily. They're probably related. One of my boys is born in January and he's always like one of the oldest, but he's like January 20. But January 1st, you can't beat that. So is he a Capricorn as well? I don't know those things. I'm not like, I don't know all the ins and outs, but all I know is like, oh, you're a Capricorn. Well, that explains it. Please tell me you don't put any weight in that. You wouldn't make life decisions based on when you were born.

All I do know is that because my birthday is the first day of the year, I always feel this inner need to start a new year with new things. Not just like a New Year's resolution, but I feel this extra pressure. And in fact, Val Kilmer, also born on New Year's Day. Wow. And so he had the same, it was the first time I met someone who was born on the same day and who felt the same way I did, which is Val Kilmer was saying like, he feels like he has to start fresh every year. And I feel the same way. Cool. And you've met lots of fame. We're going to talk soon about all the cool, famous people you've talked to. You know, besides me, you've talked to some big people.

So we're going to get into that. But can I ask you a question? I went into imdb.com and they got this fact here. So I'm just going to read this fact as it is, okay? While in Asia, Melissa faced her fear of snakes by letting a snake wrangler wrap a six-foot albino boa constrictor around her neck. That is true. That is true.

Yes, I was in Asia. And I don't know what overcame me. Might have been the heat. Stupidity. I'm not sure. But I have a fear of crawling things like spiders, centipedes, and snakes. So this guy had this albino, huge snake. And I don't know why I decided to wrap it around my neck. And I was so tense that I was holding on so tight. And of

course, hello, boa constrictor. And it was constricting me. So the guy didn't speak English, but kept tapping me. I'm like, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. And he was trying to tell me that. And you know what? It was actually really great to do this because I felt I'd started to realize what was my big problem. I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't have done it. But it was so muscular, this snake.

And it felt so interesting to feel it as it coiled around my neck. No, yes, that is a true fact. There's a term for that. Asphyxiation. Anyway. Yes. But yes, good fact finding. That is true. Yeah, that was hard because I had to go to imdb.com. There's two things I got to say. One is a fear of snakes is probably a good thing. I think that's a healthy thing to have. Really? Yeah, I think so. I think it keeps people alive. Yeah. Well, I'm also afraid of little crawly things. Like I said, like just before I came here, right. I was grabbing a coffee, thought, you know, I'd use the facilities at the coffee place. And there was a centipede that was like seven inches. I'm not even kidding. I'm not exaggerating because I freaked out. I

grabbed my stuff, ran out and there was a lineup of people and they're wondering why I was, you know, screaming intensely. There's a centipede in there. They're like, really? And it was, and then when they saw how long it was, then, you know, yeah, seven inches is that's like a snake. Maybe it wasn't a centipede. I don't know, man. You don't have to go to like the six foot boa constrictor. You could have like down at the Humber River, they got lots of garter snakes. Like they're like not that big. Are you saying like...

They don't bite. Like you could have just handled one of those. I know. I should have started like baby steps is what you're saying. Yeah. I'm saying you just... Yeah, it's good. I'm glad you went big,

but I just thought that was a little crazy. It is. It is. And will I do it again? No. No. You're a bonafide TV star. Did you know that? I did not know that, but thanks for saying that. Well, you know what?

From your mouth to someone's ears. Okay. I got some, I'm going to run down some credits. Okay. And there's one in particular I want to talk about. Uh-oh. I always end up saying, uh-oh. Yeah. Because you're afraid of where I'm going to go. Exactly. I never know. Kung Fu, Hardy Boys. You don't know what's coming. But there was like that CBC soap opera, Riverdale.

Yes. Which I remember. You remember Riverdale? I do remember. I don't think I watched, but I saw the promos. Yes. And you were on that. Yes, I was. On Riverdale, I was in a character Irene Stavros Greek background and she was always

involved in love triangles so it had a bit of a soapy kind of storyline it was um fashioned along the Coronation Street from the UK so it was actually it's great for an actor to do something like that because Coronation Street and that kind of soap platform which riverdale was allows you to kind of work your acting muscle you know learning lines being quick lines that are you know scripts that are written fairly quickly and you have to kind of make them sing like i'm in love with this character and i'm upset at my sister so it was very it was a lot of fun when i have an evil twin yeah i didn't get to that point if i got to season five i think i would have had an evil twin and i mean big time canadian show

like due south you were guests you guessed i got a whole list here come on yeah uh and you were uh blue murder the hardy boys ps is it psi factor it's psi factor or Psi factor? It's Psi factor. Oh, I see. I didn't know that. And that was fun because that show, obviously, delving into the paranormal, supernatural stuff everyone was into. So that was a lot of fun. So yeah, I enjoy doing all those kind of parts. And I enjoy doing a lot of variety. And I think that that's the best part about being able to do those kind of shows. Kung Fu, The Legend Continues.

Yes. Worked with David Carradine. Cool. Yes. Great with David Carradine. Cool. Yes, great guy. Relic Hunter. Yes. Kojak.

We'll leave it there. Wow! Is it tough? And there's another one I'll talk to you in a bit. I mean, you know what? You're good because I don't remember half of these things I've done. That's good. Crack research team.

You know, on the way up, I'm going to steal your kids from you. Just borrow them for a few hours a day. Film festival's coming up. I could use some research team. So they're hired. Sorry. Is it tough for an actress in Canada?

I think that that's a great question. I think that one was mine. Was that yours? Oh, good job. Good job. I think that one was mine. Was that yours? Oh, good job. Good job. I think that the acting world altogether, you have to really want to do this for a living, right? I mean, here you are with your show. You have to really want to do this because it's not the easiest job in the world. And when I was university, I was kind of debating, do I want

to go into business and law? Do I want to go into theater and acting? And my heart said theater and acting, but my family was like, oh my, our daughter is never going to make anything of herself. Because it's true. It's very difficult. So you have to have a lot of patience. You have to deal with rejection well, and you have to want it. So it is difficult whether you're, I don't think it's gender specific.

I think for women, I think for both men and women, there are certain kind of typecasting that gets involved in both sexes. Gabe, you made a decision to stay based in Toronto. Have you always been based in Toronto? Yeah, I mean, my job with Out There takes me all around the world. And I chose to stay here because the show started to become successful. I'm not sure if I would have stayed here if the show didn't sort of lift off and do well, but it was very successful. And I was doing Degrassi, which is also shot here in Toronto at the same time. Spoiler alert, because I'm going into the Degrassi hole soon. We're diving in. I

love that show. Oh yeah. It's been so much fun. So yes, so definitely I stayed here because there were a lot of opportunities and there still are. So this is home for me, but my job makes me travel all around the world. So I can't complain. Sometimes you got to go to can or whatever. Yeah, I know.

Boring, huh? It's like going to, it's not quite Boise, Idaho, you know? Yeah. There's that in the French Riviera. I don't know.

But did you ever consider, you know, moving to LA and seeing what's there? You know, I did, but I think that, I think being distant from, you know, from Los Angeles allows me to have perspective, especially because I'm an actor producer and it gives me perspective and I can fly there anytime I need to. So it doesn't really get in the way of making good decisions cool that's true they have these airplanes now yes it's a phenomenon that's true um okay we also I've got you've got uh you directed you produced you wrote dream seeker yes uh Nia okay let me do this Vardalos very good. Everything you've been typecast is Greek stuff. I know. My last name is DeMarco, but somehow, you know, everything I've done is

Greek. I was Mediterranean. Yes. And the sensibility is the same. So I decided my first venture into producing was to do something where I had an opportunity to keep it entertainment, was to do something where I had an opportunity to keep it entertainment, something I'm passionate about and tell a good story. So I pitched this idea of doing something on actress Nia Vardalos, who's also a writer and became a producer. And though she's Canadian, she tapped into a unique thing around the world and became the highest grossing independent film of all time with My Big Fat Greek Wedding. That's crazy. And so I thought, well, this would be a really good biography. And I pitched it. I got a license deal and I got Tom Hanks in it, Rita Wilson, Nia Vardalos. And I followed her story, which is like 25, you know, she was an overnight success that took 25 years in the making, which is pretty much every good entertainment story yeah I know that's a great story and it won an award yes it did I

ended up winning an award and it was how I started being a producer and when it came time for me to come up with this show it was because I produced Dream Seekers that I realized maybe I could do this myself so am I allowed to, I can talk about this strange thing happening in the room. Yeah. It's very, very strange people. Very strange for this show. It is. And, um, I kind of threw this on you. So, so sorry about this, Mike, but you know, the way my show goes is like anything goes just like your show, which is what I love about it. And I have an appendage that follows me around. So do I.

It's my camera, and so my cameraman's joining us. So you're cool with that? Okay, yeah. So let me just tell people listening. There's a guy here. His name's Paul. Paulie Walnuts. Can I call him that?

He is Paulie Walnuts. Sometimes people call him Balthazar for no apparent reason. So he's got a real camera, not one of like, not like a little camera. There's a big light on there. It's huge. Yes. He's got a big camera and I'm miked like Toronto Mike on Toronto Mike is not only using his podcast, Mike, he's also miked.

That's right. It's a lot of Mike. And it's, it's a lot of Mike happening in this room and the light keeps flashing in and out. Are you okay with that? I, I, she, I don't care. You're good? Yeah, I don't care. I'm a professional. You are. But you need to be paid to be professional. That's my question. You can't be a professional if you're not paid. Do you know this show is a labor of love?

It is a labor of love. So I'd pass around a hat after the show and see what comes. You know what, this and this is good because my show is a labor of love. And Pauly is here. Pauly Walnuts, is that what you call them? Pauly Walnuts. So he's filming this for your show. Yes. Which we'll get into in detail very soon. But I got to take care of...

I want to talk a bit about movies. And then I have to talk about Degrassi before we get in there. Oh, nice. But it's all good. But yeah, so I'm miked for this. And he's taking footage. And this will maybe appear somewhere. Yes, of course.

I didn't do makeup, I noticed. Because you have makeup on. See, this is the thing. Girls, you know, we just do it. And guys, you guys just show up and, you know, sometimes there's a little jealousy there. You guys don't have to put makeup on or anything. But I'm a pasty guy.

I feel like I needed a little makeup. You can do some post-production. He's going to do post-production. Yeah, he'll do something. But no, we're going to put this on our website and share it with our fans. And we always like to do a little fun thing on our side. So we like to cross promote. No, it's very cool. So no one's done this yet. So it was really the first camera in the Toronto Mike studios. Nice. I'm thrilled. I'm thrilled. Thank you for the honor

and opportunity for letting us be here. And thank you for springing it on me because if you give me a heads up, I might have got like anxious about it.

Like, oh crap, I got to look good or whatever. I like to surprise. Do you like surprises? I love surprises. You do? Yeah.

Good. Yeah, I do. Now, you were a host and producer of Nightlife. So that's, this is where I, I believe my,

I first discovered you on Omni. I did a first discovered you on Omni. I did a show which aired on Omni. You're correct. The show opened up David Letterman in the markets. So Nightlife was a segment that opened up David Letterman and I would introduce him. So it became pretty popular for that. And that's where I started to get my love for doing something a little different, not just interviewing stars, but having fun and bringing out my personality. And that's how I came up with. That's right.

I was watching Letterman at the time. And yes, so I would see you. There you are. Channel four, I believe, was my Omni. Okay. This research? No, that's not research. That's up here.

I have like a good memory. I'm telling you. I remember Melissa DeMarco on Channel 4 before Letterman. Well, that was how it all kind of, that show kind of brought everything together for me. So I'm very thankful of that opportunity that I had. It was CFMT at the time. See, Paul is older than.

I remember that. They used to like have married with children and like, yeah, they used to do the of like uh sitcoms and syndication yeah that was a very popular time slot and the simpsons too the simpsons they had jerry springer there for a while absolutely yeah those are the good old days omni how can you forget omni now um yeah that's amazing so uh you also do movies so we talked a lot about these tv roles but i gotta do similar list here real quick because it's kind of cool. You've got the Pete Rose story. You were like a star of the Pete Rose story.

I did, yes. So you remember this movie? I remember Pete Rose. Yes. Is that close enough? Yes, that's great. So this movie was about the Pete Rose story and Tom Sizemore played him

and I played Carol Rose, his wife. Is he in jail right now, Tom Sizemore? I don't, you know what, it's a good question. I don't know where he's at. Get your crack research team on this. I think he's behind bars. Please continue. And it was directed by Peter Bogdanovich.

Obviously, like he's a legend. And so for me, it was a great opportunity to do this role and to work with, you know, Tom is a great actor and Peter Bogdanovich is like an amazing director. So I really enjoyed doing that. It was a lot of fun and pretty intense because the character was really intense. I was listening to the Blue Jay game on CJCL 1430, the day that Pete Rose broke the record for hits in a career. And they broke, I remember they broke into the game.

So like I'm listening to Tom Cheek and Jerry Howarth call the Jays game. And they broke into like, I think it was Sparky Anderson. Like Sparky Anderson came in and said, it just happened in Cincinnati. Pete Rose just hit his fourth. Like I remember this announcement live on the radio that he just broke the record. It must have gave you goosebumps

because those kinds of things are historical when they happen and you're part of that moment. And to think he's still not in the Hall of Fame. I know, I know. And the movie kind of talked a bit about that controversy a little bit. you're part of that moment. And to think he's still not in the hall of fame. I know. I know. It's, I mean, the movie kind of talked a bit about that controversy, controversy a little bit.

And it taught, and it made you kind of feel, you know, feel a bit sorry for the guy. And I think it was kind of, those kinds of movies give you perspective that there isn't, things aren't just black and white. There's a lot of gray.

Absolutely. Uh, 50 shades of gray. Yes. A lot of gray. All right. Wait, I wasn't in that movie

That's not on my bio is it? No no it's not But you might be in the sequel I heard you're up for a role The Also you were in the Red Green Show Yes The Duct Tape Forever

Duct Tape Forever Yes That was great Working with Steve Smith And all those boys Who were together for a long time So I ended up doing the movie Yeah

And it was the first time They kind of led a female Sort of into the movie. And it was the first time they kind of led a female sort of into the boys club. And I was deputy Don. Oh, cool. So on the right side of the law. All right. And you were in a bunch of TV movies for Degrassi.

But I'm trying to save Degrassi. Are you? Imagine I just forget to do Degrassi and we just wrap up. It'd just be horrible. But you know which part you can't forget? Have you seen this online? I'm supposed to be in a movie with Jennifer Aniston.

Did you find that? Yeah. All right. I love Jennifer Aniston. We will just keep that as a surprise. Tell me though. How does that? That's like a big, that's an A list.

If you can find it online or your fans can find this movie, quote unquote, that Melissa DeMarco is in with Jennifer Aniston and what the movie is, then I'll tell you if it's happening or not. Oh, that's like an Easter egg you've got there. It is. They have to listen to how much of this before... That's right.

They have to take some action. Yeah, she worked at Chodgki's and she didn't want to wear all the flair. Yeah. Okay, so let me talk briefly with you about Death to Smoochie. Working with Robin Williams. Yeah, this is like, this movie's strange because people, it's referenced a lot.

Like it's this cult kind of film that at the time I remember it was just panned. Like people just hated this movie, right? This was like, so this is Danny DeVito's dark comedy. It is. This is the list of people in addition to Melissa DeMarco, okay? Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine, Catherine Keener, Jon Stewart, and of course, Danny DeVito. Like tell me what it was like filming Death to Smooch. Well, I had a small part in this, but what was interesting is when I got

the script and I read the draft, I'm like, what is this? And what am I doing? Because it was really hard to initially kind of grasp what was happening. But Diane DeVito is so great and was a real genius with the words that it all kind of came together. And if you love dark comedies, it's really twisted, but it all came together and the script was refined. And as I got the drafts, I started to see how this was going to come to life. And it just goes to show that from the page to the screen, there's so many people involved to make it happen, especially the amazing actors you mentioned

that were a part of it. Sure. So it was so much fun to work on this with that kind of cast and director. So when you sign on to do this movie, you're sold on that cast, right? The script is nice and all, but it could have been anything, right?

Yeah, I mean, the cast is great. I got to work with some of those cast members. And I think that being involved, and I think I really looked forward to working with Danny DeVito because I really like him and I didn't really know much about him. So it was pretty cool. So did you actually meet Robin Williams?

Yes. And actually he was also on my show out there as well. So I got to see both sides of him and he was a great talent. But when the cameras weren't rolling was this really amazing, sweet guy. And that's the part I remember. I remember being on set and he would just come over and, you know, I was a bit shy. I know it's hard to believe.

And he would just engage even, you know, and he would kind of spot the shy people and kind of knew who they were and he would kind of come and talk and he was really, really warm and sweet. Yeah. I heard this that he's like with the cameras off, he's just this like. But I remember also when you walk on set and all the crew members and other cast members and everybody, you know, they just, they don't look at him because they just, you know, they want to give him his space, but he had this aura and you can feel that everybody wanted Robin Williams to be turned on, like to be Robin Williams, the crazy, the manic guy, right? And he would walk. And I remember seeing this one time he had his head down, like kind of, you know,

he has a bit of a shyness about him in a quiet space. He was walking on set and everything was quiet and he was looking down. All of a sudden he became Robin Williams, like manic and funny and was just incredible. And everybody was laughing and clapping and he just brought a smile to everyone's face. That's the Robin Williams that I like. Cool. Now he got nominated for a Razzie award for that death to Smoochie, you know. I know. Well, you know what?

The Razzies, you know what? The Razzies, I look at life this way. Either be at the top or at the bottom of the list, and people will talk about you. That's right. That's right. Unfortunately, maybe it's fortunate, you were not nominated for a Razzie.

Not yet, but I'm working on it. You know what I'm saying? Listen, Oscar or Razzie, I'll take either. Some of them won. Was it Sandra Bullock? Was it? Yeah, Sandra Bullock. Who was Batgirl? Yeah, for Catwoman.

It was Halle Berry. Yes. Halle Berry. And it's good because people kind of joke about it. Adam Sandler got a Razzie as well. So you know what? He deserves several, to be honest. He mails it in now, this guy.

Come on. This is a dog. I like the old Adams. I liked Billy Madison. I liked Happy Gilmore. Yeah. Please. he mails it in now this guy this is come on this is a dog i like the old adams i liked billy madison i liked uh happy gilmore yeah yeah please he's mailing it in now but i look at it this way it's like you know he's adam sandler still yeah he's still he's still funny uh what's easier tv or film i enjoy television because it's more fast paced and I'm a fast paced kind of girl. That's what I enjoy about television. Film, I enjoy the outcome of it, but it's a longer process.

It's a little bit more laborious. And I really like the fact that television is more immediate and I enjoy that more. But I like both for different reasons. Have you ever seen Death to Smoochie? Be honest with me. I'm looking you in the eyes. You've seen it from front end? Of course. That's how, that's how, when I, when I saw it come together, it's when I realized, wow, what was on the page, if I saw you the early scripts to what made it is, is, you know, quite different. And I really like how it turned out. And I think also there is, like you said, initially it was like panned,

but there's this fan base that is totally into this movie because you have to be twisted and maybe messed up a little bit when you're watching it. I don't know. But it was just, it was a fun movie to do. So I enjoy it. No, I just was going to have that exclusive. I can see the headlines,

like Melissa DeMarco never watched After Smoochie. Like, this would be like big time exclusive. It would. And you didn't give it to me. Darn. Okay, the next movie. I won't see. All right.

I grew up when I came of age in the 80s. Okay, there's a show I used to watch called Degrassi. And there was Degrassi Junior High. And Degrassi High. There was the kids of Degrassi first. And I even saw that. This is how long ago we're going back. I love this show.

Like Joey Jeremiah. Caitlin was like a big time early crush for me. Caitlin. So you watched Degrassi like way back before I was even a part of it. Way before you. Yeah. When my principal was Mr. Radich. Oh, right.

Dan Woods. Dan Woods. So Mr. Radich is my principal was Mr. Radich. Oh, right. Dan Woods. Dan Woods. So Mr. Radich is my principal. But they made, of course, they made several reboots, I guess. But they brought back Degrassi, The Next Generation. And you were like a teacher who became the principal. You are typecast as a Greek woman. I know.

There I am again. You know, I played Miss Hatsalakos. And she was Miss H. And yeah, I started off as a science teacher and then I became principal all of a sudden. I have like the chronology timetable of principal. So Mr. Radich was the principal when they brought back Degrassi.

He was still principal. That's my principal. Guy's my age. We want him to be principal for life, right? But there was a great controversy. There was a shooting controversy there was a shooting and there's a whole thing that went down and somehow you end up principal and radditch is out well here's the thing is that i show up for reading one day and you know here i am thinking

oh i'm the science teacher right you know and i'm like what wait a second i'm principal all of a sudden so it was it was a great it's a big promotion i didn't have to go to teacher's college nothing you know. But I think also Dan moved on to the U.S. to work on some of the shows. Oh, yeah. And they were just rebooting. And I think it was great to have a female principal. I think it was a great choice, whether it was me or someone else,

but it was fun doing it. No, I mean, I'm going to read a quote from like Super Degrassi fandom soon, like that this was a great choice. But is that just like this whole like he went to the U.S. to true? Is that just a line people use? No, no, no. We're done with Radish. He's got a show in the U.S. and it's about cars, classic cars.

Really? Cars. Yeah. So this is the exclusive I was looking for. See? See? Wow. I hope I'm not making stuff up.

That's amazing. I think that's true. So, all right. So you're on the next generation of Degrassi. You're, like you said, Principal Daphne. And then there's a name that starts with H. Yeah, it's Hatzalakos. It took me a while to learn how to say my own name.

I've had, you know, George Strombolopoulos was on this show. Good job. I can say that word. See? And I've met Nick Kiprios've had, you know, George Strombolopoulos was on this show. Good job. I can say that word. See? And I've met Nick Kiprios. Whoa, you are ahead of me. That's right. DeMarco doesn't quite sound as Greek,

but that's okay. That's okay. So you met, you worked with a guy named Aubrey Graham. Yes. And to the rest of the world, he's known as Drake. Drake.

So did you know, like when you're working with him, did you have any sense that Aubrey Graham would become this world famous Drake? So when I worked with Aubrey and as the world knows him as Drake, it was, he was popular on Degrassi, but he was pretty much just as popular as everyone else at the time. Super nice guy. And I remember being in the green room and he would talk about going to LA and he was writing music. And I think he had a record deal or working on one with Universal at the time. And he was really motivated, but also a super, super down

to earth guy. And I just wished things were going to work out for him. And they did. And I remember one day we were doing an ADR session and he was, I said, Oh, what are you doing for the summer? And I said, Oh, I'm going to be going to LA, going to be writing some music and stuff did and I remember one day we were doing an ADR session and he was I said oh what are you doing for the summer and he said oh I'm going to be going to LA going to be writing some music and stuff and I'm not so sure about that I said to go for it it's going to be fun you never know what's going to happen and ta-da if you had said ah don't do that Aubrey you got no chance

life would have been very different for Aubrey Graham I'm saying I was a little part he could have been the principal he could have been the principal on Degrassi, but no, he ended up being like a world-class, you know, musical sensation. So one or the other. That's quite the jump like from Degrassi.

He was the guy in the wheelchair though. So you did notice him. He's in the wheelchair. Jimmy or Timmy? Jimmy. It was Jimmy. Yeah. Drake played Jimmy.

Like this is quite the step up, like Degrassi, Next Generation. It was Jimmy, yeah. Drake played Jimmy. Like this is quite the step up, like Degrassi, Next Generation. It is, but he was always talented musically as well. And, you know, life especially, the great thing about Degrassi is it opened up a world for everybody. A lot of people came off of that series and became successful,

not only on that series, but on other projects, right? So he sends 15% of his earnings to the Degrassi people just to say, you know what? There could be something. I actually have a clip. I'll play it later when we talk further about out there with Melissa DeMarco. But I got a clip from your YouTube channel of you talking to Aubrey Graham, who I'm just going to call Aubrey Graham from now on. Like, Aubrey. There's not a lot of Aubreys out there.

No, no. And I think that's the thing. Well, when you play this, I probably... I'll play it now if you want. Okay, play it. Go for it. Okay. All right.

Here we are. Drake and Melissa. Aubrey, Melissa. How you doing? I get to see you. I guess I should call you Drake, right? No, that's all right. That's more cool.

We're working on Degrassi together. I remember one summer we're doing, you know, ADR. And you're saying, I'm going to go to L.A. I don't know if I should do this and start writing. And you were just on the cusp of it all. Did you ever expect it was going to turn out to be so huge for you? I mean, you know, I don't think you can ever expect anything like this. But I always had a vision, you know, with my friends and

trying to do it with people from Toronto and the fact that it's happening is great. I'm saying you should be doing some movies. I might be working on some things. Nice. Alright, okay. It's going out there. Alright. Are you prepared to unveil the fact that it will be

you, Jennifer Aniston, and Drake in this new movie? Okay, another exclusive. This is unbelievable. Even if we make up our exclusives, I'm okay with that. I'm okay. By the time they realize it's not happening, they'll forget they ever knew. Yeah, or maybe, you know what? We'll put it into the universe and it will happen.

So that was cool. Like he remembered you. Yeah, you know what was really weird is that there are so much other media there and um this was for the justin bieber uh premiere of his movie and and you know aubrey or drake showed up and he wasn't doing any press but he came over to me hugged me and started to talk so i instinctively called him aubrey in front of everybody i'm like oh should i say you actually called him brie like it's like a you didn't even oh, should I say that? I think you actually called him Bree. You didn't even do the Aubrey thing. That's right. I just went totally...

At least he was cool with it. He was. He was cool. But because that's how I remember him, so it was kind of weird to call him Drake. But he was cool and he came over and he chatted and he's very, very down to earth. But he didn't really start from the bottom, right? We can end that nonsense right now. He's on to grassy. He sounds like he's in a very down to earth. But he didn't really start from the bottom, right? We can end that nonsense right now.

Like he's on to grassy. He sounds like he's in a nice middle-aged upbringing. That's not the bottom. You know, I think it's not the bottom. Well, I look at it this way. He worked at Shoppers Drug Mart, I think. Probably. That's, you know, to some people.

I mean, that's the bottom relative to like maybe some Silver Spoon kids or whatever. But I think I do know that when he was trying to get a record deal and his music, that it was challenging because even though he was on a well-known television show, it was also in Canada. It's very difficult. It's very difficult to make a mark. And to what degree that mark would be, you never know. So there's also a lot of that doubt and to what degree that mark would be, you never know. So there's, there's also a lot of that doubt and insecurity that happens in this business.

And, and you know, it's, he has to deal with some of that. So, okay. You're, that's great spin right there.

That's fine. I, by the way, if you ever see him again, tell him to come over and do my show. Uh, Toronto Mike, it's a safe environment.

I'll say, look, Toronto Mike does not believe that you had to start from the bottom. Yeah, let's talk about it. So let's get the story straight. Let's go on the show and let's set the record straight. How about that? For the record, I'm a Drake fan.

I just want to put that out there. I like his tunes. I like the guy. I'm a big Raptors fan and I like seeing him out there like a fanboy. I dig it all. Yeah. And the fact that he supports the 416 and he's all into that, I think is really cool. Yeah. The six. The six. The four and six to the six, four, seven, the six.

You are a fan. Look at you. I am a fan. I am a fan. Do you ever get hate mail from Radich fans? Like me? Did you get my hate mail? I guess. Was that you? Okay. Are there old guys like me who are pissed off you took Radich's job as the principal at Degrassi? You know, he had his performance review. I don't know. Because that Radich, you're thinking, we're teenagers, okay? Radich is our principal. He's my principal.

It's funny that you say that because I was a little apprehensive at the time because I thought, you're absolutely right. He was the original with the original Degrassi and all the different morphings of the show before the next generation. And it was a big, big move, a big, bold move. And so initially I was a little nervous about that, wondering how people would take it. But because I was already on the show and my character had really positive feedback, And my character had really positive feedback. The transition was very good. And people really responded to Miss H.

So I was very happy. And you know what? The best thing is Degrassi fans are awesome. I'll be in LA or I was in Vegas. And they'll just find me. And I'm kind of surprised by that. And they'll just come by and they'll say, oh, my gosh. And they're very, very cool.

It's like being on Star Trek. Like forever you can. And they're very, very cool. It's like being on like Star Trek, like forever. You can do Degrassi conventions because of this. It's true. Yeah, I got, okay. So I,

I, not that I regularly go to this, but I was doing some homework and I'm on like a Degrassi wiki, wiki for Degrassi where like the super fans are all over this thing. You are a super fan. I got to read a quote though. I'm not, this is not written by me. I don't want to take credit for this,

but, uh, let me read something about, uh, principal D. This is not written by me. I don't want to take credit for this. But let me read something about Principal Daphne H. That's me. Okay. During her first term, she would have to deal with a gonorrhea outbreak, the ongoing feud with Lakehurst Secondary School, which resulted in the off-campus murder of J.T. York.

Wow. This school has got some issues. Some craziness. And the volatile assimilation of the Lakehurst students. Despite these setbacks, Hatzeleikos was seen as an effective and successful principal who was able to maintain high approval ratings by both students and parents throughout her time at Degrassi,

something her predecessor, Mr. Radich, and successors, who we'll talk about, but I believe it was Snake. Yes, that's Snake. Wow. Failed to do. Her second term saw her rebuilding the students' confidence after the short, unsuccessful term of the Shep. By effectively dealing with the issues that were left for her, she was able to pass on a safe and productive school to her successor.

That's a rave review. You did a great job. Well, good writing. Wow. I mean, I lost a bit. I'm going to be honest. The new generation lost me a bit. But reading that, I had no idea.

You had these… Yeah, there was shootings. What's the Shep? What is the the Shep Chris Shepard appeared like as a guest role in DJ to dance you don't know I can't believe you don't know because there's an unsuccessful term of the Shep I am I am quite surprised of all this research you found you know what probably not that hard you know I'm not even recording i just wanted to chat with you about you know what's really neat about it is that um yeah you're you're right that when they brought the character on she had a balance that the teachers and the students liked her so i think that opened up a lot of doors for storylines

but how does this wiki know it was there like it's not a real school right this is fiction right like well some people think the school really exists. So when they come on set, it's like, whoa. Well, there isn't like a Degrassi, but it's two words. Two words, yeah. I think what's neat too is that like Kevin Smith is a huge fan of Degrassi. And he came on set while I was working on the show, like during my seasons there. And I think he helped propel like two audiences. And he liked the new people on the show like during my seasons there and I think he helped propel like two audiences and he

liked the new people on the show so I think that that helped people kind of you know feel good about us as well so why did they replace uh you with Snake like why did you leave well um at the time when I started Degrassi um out there with Melissa DeMarco the the show we're going to get to right next. Okay. The show that I produce and, uh, star in, it was in its early stages and it just became really overwhelming. And then City renewed another season and it just became very difficult to do both shows at the time. And so, you know, so it was time to kind of move on and do other things, but I'm still, you know, an alumni and still the biggest fan biggest fan of the producers, Linda and Steven, who worked so hard to keep this alive. And they're amazing. So I'm always there.

And I ended up doing some movies as well. So Degrassi movies. How come I got this news? I was just heartened to learn Degrassi was canceled. Everyone picked up this story, right? And then it was like the next day they're like, actually, it's on Netflix now and it's still going. Yeah, so it was, you know what?

It's good PR, right? It's like, what? It's cancelled? And so then people were also reaching out to me going, well, it's cancelled? What are you going to do? And then it's like, I'm like, hang tight, hang tight, hang tight. You knew something. Does Snake ever talk about, I know it's Stefan, right? Okay, Mike, listen.

Last question. Just to let you know. He's not real? Not real. Because I got to ask you, was the band real? Come on, The Zit Remedy. Okay, you admit it. You're a fan of The Zit Remedy.

They had that one big hit, Everybody Wants Something. You remember this? This was like, I never, like, I ended up watching the older episodes once I got the part. Because people would ask me questions about. But you didn't watch it when it was on CBC. No, I didn't. I didn't. But I did watch it afterwards.

And so I knew all the characters. And Stefan is a great guy who plays Snake. And I remember there was an episode when I was principal where they had myself and his character sort of have a little fling. Wow. And we went out on a quote unquote date and kissed. And people were not happy because they didn't want me to break up the marriage or the relationship. Oh, right, because he's with Spike. Yes.

And it was like, oh, do not go there. Do not go there. You can take over as principal, but do not break up that relationship. But you had a kiss. So we had a kiss and it just, people just went crazy. And so we, you know, the writers and the producers, I guess, you know, kind of softened that and put everything back to normal. And you hooked up with Joey. No, no, I did not.

I'm going to leave Degrassi now. It would take too much time for me to ask about Degrassi. But is there any Toronto shop production like you haven't been in? You've been in all Toronto shop productions. Oh, no. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. There's so many productions going on

and I love to see Toronto thriving with production because it just helps in so many ways. So any way we can support more productions here, I'm in. Is there one in particular, one Toronto shot production you wish you had worked on, but did not like get one? I think I would have liked, oh yeah, there's a show that I, I'm a fan of suits. Yeah. Yeah. And that's not something I've ever auditioned for or thought about. It just, I keep forgetting it's shot here. And I'm so busy with my show that I keep forgetting that it's here.

I go, oh, that's a show I'd like to do. Yeah. Bunk from the wires in that show. Oh, yeah. Just fact. It's a fun fact for you. You can share that like tonight at the bar or whatever. Okay, done.

You are the star, the star, the creator and the writer. That's a big, the star. You got a special chair with that on it. That's a lot of characters. You're the star creator and writer on Out There with Melissa DeMarco, which you know, it's a great show to be on when your name is in the title.

Like that's the secret. Yes. Get your name in the title. Well, that was an early thing that came up because I was trying to come up with a name for the show. And back then it was just like a team of three people. It was me, Adam and an editor. And, and we were just trying to come up with something and talk to the network about some options. And I really liked something out there because just like nightlife, I'm, I don't say on the streets cause that sounds really

weird, but my show is about being out there. So I thought, well, that would be a cool name, but how do we make it have some kind of distinction? And it was like, what about out there with Melissa DeMarco? And I felt really weird putting my name in the title of a show because I think like Jay Leno and David Letterman, I'm like, that's like, that's just weird for me to do that. And they're like, no, no, this is good. Then, you know, and so it's turned out to be a good decision. But at the time it just felt really weird for for me i think that the only show worth doing is the one when your name's in the title there you go so that's no excellent move now these are big names like you've talked to some guy named george clooney yeah not rosemary clooney george clooney i know i wanted rosemary but i ended up with george clooney then you missed your chance because Rosemary has passed on.

I know. Pierce Brosnan. Pierce Brosnan. Cameron Diaz. Colin Farrell. Yes, he's been on the show a few times. Fun guy. And he's in True Detective now.

Yes, yes. Selma Hayek. Yes, beautiful. She's very beautiful. A lot of these actresses are just as gorgeous in person as they are in the movies. Queen Latifah? Yes. She's been on the show as well. I'm old enough to remember when she was a rapper. Did you know that? Oh, isn't that weird? That is weird. Ludacris? Yes. Speaking of Raptors. Yes. I interviewed him when he was in town for rock and roll for a movie. Matthew McConaughey. Yes. Did he have a shirt on? He did. He did. But the

funny thing is, is I was sick when I interviewed him. And if you check online, there's a clip of me kind of snotting kind of on him and he was helping me out like a true gentleman. And so I wasn't really looking to see if he was shirtless or not at the time, but, uh, but looking back at the tape, he had his clothes on. All right, all right, all right. Nice. Good one. Was he driving a Lincoln?

Come on, that's nonsense. He's not driving a Lincoln, right? You know what? This was before the Lincoln campaign, but I'm curious. But he's been driving a Lincoln since before he was paid to drive a Lincoln. That's right. I should have checked. Come on. Come on.

Brad Pitt. That's like top of the food chain. It is. Right with Cooney. Yeah. Pitt. That's like top of the food chain. It is. Right with Clooney. Yeah. Yeah. He's, Brad Pitt,

I found a little shy, which was kind of nice. You know, he seems quite, there's a shyness to him, which I found very endearing. But is he a nice guy? Yeah.

He's nice. And I feel bad, like I read these names, like McConaughey and Brad Pitt and George Clooney, and now I got to read Gene Simmons. It feels like a drop. I feel like I could get Gene Simmons. Yeah? I feel bad. Like I read these names like McConaughey and Brad Pitt and George Clooney. And now I got to read Gene Simmons. It feels like a drop. I feel like I could get Gene Simmons. Yeah.

I think so. Well, let's get him in here. I think so. Let's do it. Yeah. He was, he's been on the show a couple of times and he's a lot of fun. We did this whole episode on him actually. And at the end, I ended up getting this exclusive interview backstage when Kiss was touring.

And I got to interview him and Paul Stanley. And it was great. It was exciting. Okay, so this show out there is like, it's like a fiction and nonfiction blend, right? Like you're playing like a fictionalized version of yourself who interviews celebrities. So it's like, it's like Curb Your Enthusiasm, right? You got Larry David's playing Larry David, but it's like a fictionalized version of Larry David. Yeah, you know, it's a really keen way of kind of describing the show. It is really,

it's my life story. It's based on my real experiences. And then we zhuzh it up and have some fun and add some comedy and some improv, some flavor and some script. And sometimes things are reenacted and sometimes they just happen. So it's a bit of everything. And yeah, we just bring it to life on the screen. Yeah, like Louis, right? Because Louis plays like a stand-up comic named Louis, but it's not exactly Louis. It's like a version of Louis. The show has been compared to, in terms of stylistically,

to Louis, to Curb Your Enthusiasm, and to... Which are amazing shows, by the way. And I feel honored to kind of be, you know, in that mix. And to be the girl. You know, these are all guys. Like, Larry Sanders was one of the shows that I really liked. And so Larry Sanders, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Louie, I mean, they're all guys that do this.

And it's kind of cool that I'm the girl that's kind of considered in that same pack. And this show is on City TV. It is, nationally on City. Which is on City TV. It is nationally on City. Which is everywhere. It's, yeah, it's airing right now throughout the summer. So check it out Saturdays and come to our website actually, outtherewithmelissa.com. See, I put my name even on the website. That's the trick. Like people, if you don't put your name in there, like now it's you, branded you.

There you go. You know, you're bigger than the show. This is all about Melissa. Very good. But, uh, I gotta say, cause I, I, when I found out it was like a fictionalized version and there's, so there's actually like acting and scripting going on. And then I found out through my, you know, crack research that there's like a casting call for a love interest for you on the show.

Okay. So I'm reading that. I'm like, they're looking for like a male. They said any ethnicity. I'm a male. I'm like, they're looking for like a male. They said any ethnicity. I'm a male. I'm any ethnicity. You are. And they said like 31 to 40 years old.

They're looking for, and I'm like really close. Yeah. You know what, Mike, you're there. And just, we had the auditions and you didn't show up.

What about this? Uh, Paulie Walnuts camera action. Like you're, can you just show this to like the, the consortium that are going to pick your love interest and see if see if i would make the poly walnuts is one of the casting directors is that right and uh adam pal and poly walnuts make the decision and you know there but i have to warn you there might be a kissing scene i'm okay are you okay with that i'm okay with that

okay anything for the art like i'm a big fan of the art. I think we show them tape and we go for it, right? Because I am, I want to point out, I am any ethnicity. This is important. I am any ethnicity. The only thing is, are you going to be okay that it's Melissa DeMarco and not the principal on Degrassi? Or are you going to be bothered? Listen to me. I'm just going to pretend you're Caitlin from my Degrassi.

Because I know this next generation nonsense. All okay and stephanie k i know you didn't watch but all the way with stephanie k that was a character that i could uh get behind really yeah so there you go just that's part of the acting so you just pretend and uh we're there so i have a chance now what uh of all these like famous people who's your your favorite interview? Um, I have to say that, and this has been something that, that when I'm asked, it's the only the last couple of years I've been able to say this before that I used to say that they're all pretty equal because I feel like I'm having a conversation with these stars. And then a couple of years ago I had the chance to interview Kermit the frog. Get out of here. Yeah.

And so it brought back childhood memories. And then he popped up and he said my name. That's cool. Melissa. Now, when Kermit the Frog says your name, I mean, come on. I felt like I was six and I started to tear up. Yeah, I used to like that. And so all I remember is I went back to my office and I go, guys, I have no idea what happened, what went on.

I don't even know if there's tape on this. And then I got up, I got a kiss from him and we went out for ice cream and it was just awesome. So. And Kermit was special because he got to be on Sesame Street and the Muppet Show. Like there weren't many that got to cross over. I know. He's a crossover artist. That's all I'm saying. And I was like, used to blow my mind that like he was on both. Like that was a big thing to me as a kid. Like he's on both so to me that was just because you know part of my job is to not be affected by the stars that I interview because it's my job and they're real people they're normal people and we're talking about their careers which happen to interest a lot of people around the world but Kermit was just something special so I don't know if they kind of need. But then again, you know, like some of the names you mentioned, like it was kind of cool to be backstage with Kiss.

That was cool for me. For sure. Right. It was just a whole generation and it was just really neat. So stuff like that really kind of sits with me. Cool. Do you call it the beaches or the beach? Both.

Depends on who I'm talking to. The both. This is, what do you go, running for office? Well, you know what? Because it's confusing.

Because you film a lot of your show in the beaches. We film all around Toronto, but the thing is, is that I'm confused, you know? It's like the beach, the beaches,

ah, whatever. I call it the beaches because when I call it the beach, I feel it's pretentious. It just feels wrong. But I do know the proper term is the beach. It when I call it the beach, I feel it's pretentious. It just feels wrong. But I do know the proper term is the beach. It is.

So it's like I'm purposely wrong. I feel a bit weird to say the beach because it's not the only beach, right? You know, but the beaches just feels right. So they'll argue it's only one beach. So here's the thing. The way I look at it is for people outside of the area, it's the beaches. People in the area, you say the beach. And I think that satisfies everyone.

All right. I just dying to know that answer. I'm glad I could assist. That's important to me to hear if you're a beaches or a beach person. You make your own perfume. What? Look at you. That's my last little tidbit on Melissa DeMarco.

Yes. Makes her own perfume. Yes. I started as a science fair project when I was, I think, 14. I'm very bad with sort of timelines. Okay. But it was a science project when I was in school. And I won a lot of awards for it. And I really enjoyed it.

So it was some little hobby that I did over the years. And I'm better at perfumes. I've tried colognes. I haven't quite nailed that, but I wish I had more time in my schedule to, to do that. Do you, did you bring me any samples of your cologne? You know what? I will. My cologne sucks. So I don't think I'd wish that on anybody. Perfect. Perfume though. Yes. I'll do that next think I'd wish that on anybody. Perfect. Perfume, though, yes. I'll do that next time I see you, see what you think.

Okay, and this, it out there with Melissa DeMarco, I have learned it is, of course, on City TV, Saturdays at 7.30. Is that accurate? You are so accurate. I'm very impressed. This has been an incredible time to sit here with you. Would you say that to everyone that interviewed you?

No, I'm very impressed with the research that you did. I'm just saying you're going to lose your research team starting now. I'm taking them. Leave the girl, Michelle. I've grown quite attached to her.

And she's also an artist and I could use a new logo. You took footage and stuff. Is that artwork going to make it somewhere? I guess it's going to be on YouTube or something? Oh, yeah.

Look at this. I'm going to need a trademark release. She has to sign something? Yeah, she does. She's very affordable. Good, good at this. I'm going to need a trademark release. She has to sign something? Yeah, she does. She's very affordable. Good, good, good. And that brings us to the end of our 127th show.

You can follow me on Twitter at Toronto Mike and Melissa is at Melissa DeMarco. It's good you got that because that's the one you should have. Good job. See you all next week. Oh, it's Mocha from Roz and Mo's the one you should have good job see you all next week oh it's Mocha from Roz and Mocha

next week oh nice and my wife and my daughter Michelle are very excited they're big they prefer Mocha to Roz I don't know if you have

an opinion on that they're both great guys good answer see you all next week.