As the temperature drops and the leaves put on a colourful show, settle in with a new season of The Great Canadian Baking Show, where showstoppers and cake toppers take centre stage. With the U.S. election heating up, The Choice 2024 dives deep into the lives and careers of the two candidates, offering insights into their visions for the future.
Meanwhile, Jonny Harris returns with another season of Still Standing, travelling across Canada to discover small towns with big hearts.
Curious about the spiritual journey? So You Want to Be a Muslim follows five individuals as they navigate the challenges and joys of converting to Islam, exploring what it means to be a Muslim in today’s world. And for those intrigued by the inner workings of reality TV, the podcast Split Screen: Thrill Seekers exposes the dark truths behind the high-stakes media landscape.
Don’t miss CBC’s Top 5 picks for October, packed with stories that will captivate, inspire, and keep you on the edge of your seat.
On your marks, get set, bake! The Great Canadian Baking Show is back for a new season, bringing together 10 amateur bakers from across Canada to compete in a series of culinary challenges. In every themed episode (ie: cake week, cookie week, chocolate week) the bakers face off in three nail-biting rounds: the Signature Bake, the Technical Bake and the Showstopper. Each week, the competitor who shows the most skill, creativity and finesse will be named Star Baker, while the weakest will be sent home until only three finalists are left vying for The Great Canadian Baking Show title.
Frontline’s critically acclaimed series The Choice returns, investigating the lives and characters of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump as they seek the presidency. In an historic election, those who know the candidates best reveal key moments that shape how they would lead America.
Still Standing S10 – Watch Free Tuesday, October 8 on CBC Gem
Canadian comedian Jonny Harris (Murdoch Mysteries) sets off across the country, veering off the main highway to discover the hidden comedy in Canada’s far-flung small towns. Each week, Jonny takes a hilarious and heart-warming journey to find humour in the unlikeliest of places, from Kimberley, B.C. to New Glasgow, N.S. After immersing himself in the lives of local characters and unearthing the tall tales in these tiny towns, Jonny delivers a rousing original stand-up comedy routine — a toast, not a roast — for the whole community. From coast to coast to coast, Still Standing showcases Canada’s vast beauty and highlights the country’s unique and diverse characters.
So You Want to Be a Muslim? – Watch Free Wednesday, October 23 on CBC GemFollowing five North American individuals who have left their respective faith traditions to embrace Islam. For these five, the transition from one Religion to another can be simultaneously enlightening and daunting. Each takes us on a journey that, collectively, illuminates the striking diversity of the Muslim community. Even as they find peace and meaning in their new faith, the varied experiences of these “new” Muslims speak to the reality of the “West versus the rest” mentality. The film aims to break stereotypes, challenge our preconceived notions about Islam, and reveal the struggles and truths around what it means to be a Muslim in the West today.
Split Screen: Thrill Seekers – Available now on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
This is the story behind a multi-million dollar media experiment that promised 12 ordinary people an adventure of a lifetime. But there was a catch: while the audience knew everything, the contestants had no idea what the adventure would be. Love + Radio’s Nick van der Kolk is on a mission to uncover if reality TV only succeeds when it exploits those involved.
Looking for some frightfully good fun? Check out CBC Gem’s Thrills and Chills Collection featuring The Babadook, The Righteous, It Follows, and more. Or set the mood with our playlist Music from the Crypt on CBC Listen.
Photos courtesy of CBC