The Produce Stand Podcast 🍁

This week on The Produce Stand, we cap off our summer-long Don Cherry retrospective with the man who helped bring his story to the screen: Tim Cherry, award-winning writer, producer and son of Don Cherry.Tim takes us behind the scenes of Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story and The Wrath of Grapes, revealing how the films came together . He shares memories of growing up around the Boston Bruins, his father's coaching career and the real stories that inspired some of our favourite scenes.Tim tells the incredible story of how the Cherry family immediately knew Jared was their Don, while CBC initially resisted casting the relatively unknown actor.We also talk Coach's Corner, Ron MacLean, Ralph Mellanby, Sarah Manninen's remarkable performance as Rose, Don's departure from television, and why Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Hockey never made it into the movies.It's the perfect epilogue to our summer with Grapes.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction and Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Hockey00:01:51 – Making the Don Cherry Miniseries00:40:17 – Don Cherry’s Hockey, Family and Broadcasting Legacy01:15:54 – Behind-the-Scenes Stories and Future Projects01:28:48 – OutroLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week on The Produce Stand, we gather the Degens in the AG Hall to put a bow on our Summer of Cherry with an evening celebrating Keep Your Head Up, Kid and The Wrath of Grapes.Al and Victor kick things off by reflecting on their interview with Tim Cherry, including just how much time he spent sharing stories about his father and the making of the two Don Cherry miniseries.Then it's time to find out who was actually paying attention all summer with a Don Cherry Trivia!After trivia, we watch and discuss behind-the-scenes interviews featuring Jared Keeso, Sarah Manninen, Don Cherry and director Jeff Woolnough, offering even more insight into how the movies were made.Plus, the Degens catch up on their summers, debate movies and television, and discuss how playing Don Cherry may have influenced Jared Keeso's later work on Letterkenny and Shoresy.Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:02:00 Interviewing Tim Cherry00:06:00 What We’ve Been Watching00:10:00 Catching Up With the Degens00:38:00 Don Cherry’s Secret Cameo00:42:00 Don Cherry Trivia01:02:00 Behind the Scenes of the Don Cherry Story01:22:00 Final Thoughts on the Don Cherry Movies01:24:00 Final Comments From the DegensLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week, we pick up in the aftermath of the infamous 1987 World Junior brawl and follow Grapes through the most controversial years of Coach’s Corner. From his unforgettable partnership with Ron MacLean to the political firestorms that threatened his career, we revisit the moments that cemented Don Cherry as one of Canada’s most polarizing and influential broadcasters. We also spend time on the quieter, more emotional side of the story, exploring Rose Cherry’s battle with cancer and the lasting impact she had on Don’s life both on and off the air.As always, the recap is packed with behind-the-scenes observations, hockey nostalgia, and plenty of debate. Did the film stick the landing? Did it give Rose’s story the attention it deserved? And was this a stronger movie than Keep Your Head Up, Kid? The panel is split, leading to one of our liveliest review discussions yet.We also hand out our final ratings and MVPs, with Jared Keeso earning well-deserved praise for his remarkable transformation into Don Cherry… though one panelist makes a compelling case for Blue the dog instead.If you’ve been following our Don Cherry series, this is the finale you’ve been waiting for. And next week, we take it one step further as Tim Cherry joins The Produce Stand to share the stories behind the stories.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:03 – How Was Your Week?00:13:20 – Don’t Bore Us Get To The Chorus (Episode Recap)01:09:22 – Initial Thoughts01:19:26 – Ratings01:25:19 – MVPs01:30:35 – Patreon Roll Call01:33:21 – Final Comments01:38:38 – OutroEpisode Rating:Al: ClearanceTanya: FreshVictor: FreshMat: ClearanceEpisode MVP:Al: Jared KeesoMat: Jared KeesoTanya: Rose CherryVictor: BlueLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week on The Produce Stand, we welcome veteran Canadian actor Patrick Garrow, who Shoresy fans know as Teppo Mäki, the smug and supremely confident coach of Team EU.Patrick takes us through his unconventional journey into acting, from discovering theatre at university to training at the National Theatre School and building a career spanning film, television, theatre, voiceover and video games.We talk about his memorable turn as a villain in Kaniehtiio Horn's Seeds, including what it was like watching Kaniehtiio juggle writing, starring and directing, plus some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from the Northern Ontario shoot. Patrick also discusses The Westies and working alongside J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver.Then we get to Shoresy. Patrick talks about landing the role of Teppo Mäki, developing his Finnish accent and drawing inspiration from real-life coaches like John Tortorella and Paul Maurice.We also go behind the scenes of Shoresy's hockey sequences, talk about working with Jared Keeso and a cast filled with real hockey players, and discover why Patrick believes that experience gives the show an authenticity few hockey productions can match.Plus: Reacher, RoboCop, Leafs misery, listener questions, Sudbury stories and plenty more.Set the tone and join us for our conversation with Patrick Garrow!Chapters:00:00:00 - Opening00:01:51 - Career00:32:50 - Shoresy00:40:17 - Listener Questions01:15:54 - OutroLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week on The Produce Stand, we continue our summer deep dive into the Don Cherry story with the first half of The Wrath of Grapes Part 2.We pick up in 1984 with Don’s television career once again hanging by a thread as CBC grows increasingly uncomfortable with its controversial star. Ralph Mellanby goes to bat for Grapes, securing him another contract before leaving Hockey Night in Canada, while Don and Rose embrace their newfound celebrity with a hilariously recreated series of TV commercials.But the real turning point comes with the arrival of a young broadcaster named Ron MacLean. We watch their awkward first meeting and the beginnings of the chemistry, bickering and relentless trolling that would eventually define Coach’s Corner.The film also takes us back to Don’s playing days under the notoriously eccentric Eddie Shore, with appearances from Brian Kilrea and legendary goaltender Gump Worsley.Finally, we reach the infamous 1987 World Junior Championship brawl between Canada and the Soviet Union, where Don’s fiery defence of the Canadian players puts him at odds with Brian Williams and once again threatens his broadcasting career.Along the way, we marvel at Jared Keeso’s uncanny performance, debate how much of Don Cherry’s persona was genuine versus carefully crafted shtick, and, naturally, get hopelessly distracted by some glorious 1980s nostalgia.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction00:00:57 – How Was Your Week?00:20:16 – Don’t Bore Us Get To The Chorus (Episode Recap)01:20:37 – Initial Thoughts01:26:18 – Listener Comments01:27:11 – Patreon Roll Call01:31:28 – Final Comments01:34:17 – OutroLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week on The Produce Stand, we celebrate six years of TPS and finish our recap and review of The Wrath of Grapes Part 1.After Don Cherry’s disastrous season in Colorado, his coaching career appears to be over. But when Hockey Night in Canada comes calling, Grapes begins an unlikely second act that will eventually make him one of the most recognizable personalities in Canadian television.We follow Don through his awkward first appearances on television, where producer Ralph Mellanby recognizes something special beneath the wrong cameras, mangled names and refusal to follow directions. Mellanby’s advice to stop saying “I think” and start trusting his instincts helps transform the hesitant analyst into the Don Cherry audiences would come to know.As Coach’s Corner begins taking shape, Jared Keeso seemingly disappears into the role, while Don’s growing popularity puts him increasingly at odds with CBC executives.We wrap things up with our ratings and MVPs.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction00:00:57 – How Was Your Week?00:16:28 – Don’t Bore Us Get To The Chorus (Episode Recap)01:18:07 – Initial Thoughts01:25:46 – Ratings01:30:04 – MVPs01:32:40 – Patreon Roll Call01:35:12 – Final Comments01:38:26 – OutroEpisode Rating:Tanya: FreshVictor: FreshAl: FreshMat: FreshEpisode MVP:Victor: Rose & Mellanby phone SceneAl: Harold CottonMat: Ralph MellanbyTanya: Ralph MellanbyLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week on The Produce Stand, we begin our coverage of the second Don Cherry miniseries, The Wrath of Grapes. After giving Keep Your Head Up, Kid a TPS Unicorn, we turn our attention to the next chapter in Grapes’ story.The story rewinds to Don’s departure from the Boston Bruins before following him to his ill-fated season coaching the Colorado Rockies. We discuss his decision to honour his handshake deal with Colorado despite a richer offer from Harold Ballard and the Toronto Maple Leafs, his clashes with Rockies management, and the stubborn principles that ultimately helped end his NHL coaching career.Along the way, the movie flashes back to Don’s formative years, giving us a look at his relationship with his father and the experiences that shaped his views on loyalty, hard work and standing up for others. And for Letterkenny fans, there’s a familiar face playing teenage Don: Tyler Johnston, better known around these parts as Stewart.We also discuss the movie’s recasting, Rose’s new role as narrator, Don’s tumultuous year in Colorado, and whether this sequel works as a continuation or as its own standalone story.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:58 – How Was Your Week?00:17:16 – Don’t Bore Us Get To The Chorus (Episode Recap)01:29:44 – YEWniversal News01:31:44 – Patreon Roll Call01:34:33 – Final Comments01:40:36 – OutroLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week on The Produce Stand, we wrap up our coverage of Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story, finishing Part 2 of the Jared Keeso-led Don Cherry miniseries.We pick up with the Cherry family facing one of their toughest moments as Tim battles kidney failure and Cindy steps up to donate a kidney to her brother. The support of Don’s Bruins players provides one of the episode’s most emotional moments before the story shifts back to hockey and Don’s increasingly strained relationship with Boston management.Then it’s on to the infamous 1979 Bruins-Canadiens Game 7, complete with Don’s iconic bow to the Montreal crowd, Guy Lafleur, Don Marcotte and the devastating too-many-men penalty that helped end Boston’s Stanley Cup hopes.From there, we follow Don out of Boston, through his brief Colorado Rockies stint and into the unexpected next chapter of his career: television. We watch the beginnings of the personality that would eventually make Coach’s Corner appointment viewing across Canada.Finally, we give our overall thoughts, ratings and MVPs as we close the book on Keep Your Head Up, Kid and prepare for The Wrath of Grapes.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:06 – How Was Your Week?00:10:10 – Victor On The Supergirl Movie00:18:40 – Victor On Toronto Sports news00:22:39 – Don’t Bore Us Get To The Chorus (Episode Recap)01:12:11 – First Impressions01:21:05 – Ratings01:22:48 – MVP01:25:54 – YEWniversal News01:27:08 – Listener Comments01:28:39 – Patreon Roll Call01:30:53 – Final Comments01:33:07 – OutroEpisode Rating:Victor: FreshAl: FreshMat: FreshTanya: FreshEpisode MVP:Victor: RoseAl: RoseMat: CindyTanya: Jared KeesoLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon

This week on The Produce Stand, we continue our offseason deep dive into Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story, tackling the first half of Part 2.We pick up with Don Cherry beginning his coaching career in Rochester, where his hard-nosed philosophy quickly takes shape. After clashing with management and finding himself unemployed, Don gets another shot at Rochester, this time building an independent team from scratch around skill, toughness and players other teams overlooked. Sound familiar?The parallels to Shoresy become impossible to ignore. From surrounding skilled players with the toughest guys available to locker-room speeches and an obsession with hating to lose, we find plenty of DNA that appears to have carried into Jared Keeso’s later work. There’s even a surprising connection when future Shoresy director Sean Skeen turns up as Battleship Kelly.Don’s success eventually earns him the Boston Bruins job, where he inherits Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and a talented team that isn’t quite playing his kind of hockey.We also discuss Jared Keeso’s performance, Rose Cherry’s influence and the beginnings of the larger-than-life Don Cherry Canadians would eventually know from Coach’s Corner.Chapters:00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:10 – How Was Your Week?00:21:55 – Don’t Bore Us Get To The Chorus (Episode Recap)01:12:19 – First Impressions01:23:43 – Listener Comments01:31:27 – YEWniversal News01:32:20 – Patreon Spotlight01:35:42 – Final Comments01:39:25 – OutroLinks:Opening Theme: Rightfully Mine by Poised For The WormClosing Theme: Inebriation by Poised For The WormTPS on Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | YouTubeJoin Our Patreon