It's well known that "American Pie" was written by Don McLean to commemorate the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper on Feb 3, 1959. But what's not as well known is that it's packed with cryptic references to other seminal events in history.  Who were the "Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost"? Who was Miss American Pie? What did McLean mean by "Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry"?   
Well, a quintet from Prince Edward Island has put that song under the microscope and the result is both a fantastic and fascinating play called "Inside American Pie," which is playing at the CAA Theatre in downtown Toronto. Host Steve Paikin speaks with the show's co-creator Mike Ross, and cast member, Alicia Toner.

The Agenda with Steve Paikin is TVO's flagship current affairs program - devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural and economic issues that are changing our world, at home and abroad. The Agenda airs weeknights at 8:00 PM EST on TVO - Canada's largest educational broadcaster.

The Agenda with Steve Paikin is TVO's flagship current affairs program - devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural and economic issues that are changing our world, at home and abroad. The Agenda airs weeknights at 8:00 PM EST on TVO - Canada's

The Agenda with Steve Paikin (Audio)

The Agenda is TVO's flagship current affairs program, devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that are changing our world. We consistently offer a diversity of viewpoints and in-depth analysis of what lies behind the headlines. Hosted by Steve Paikin and Nam Kiwanuka.

<p>The Agenda is TVO's flagship current affairs program, devoted to exploring the social, political, cultural, and economic issues that are changing our world. We consistently offer a diversity of viewpoints and in-depth analysis of what lies behind the headlines. Hosted by Steve Paikin and Nam Kiwanuka.</p>

Decoding the Hidden Meaning of Don Maclean's American Pie

In 1998, measles were declared eradicated in Canada, and reported cases were typically associated with travel. But things have changed. More than 550 measles cases have been reported in Ontario so far this year. So how did this happen - and how concerned should we be?


Let's dig in with:

Dr. Jessica Hopkins, vice-president and chief of Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Ontario;

Why Is Measles Making a Comeback in Ontario?

The CRTC determines which foreign channels can be distributed in this country. In 2022, it banned RT and RT France, state-controlled Russian TV channels. Now some are arguing Fox News deserves the same treatment, as hosts on the network are questioning Canadian sovereignty and ratcheting up the trade-war rhetoric.  But would dropping the channel be a threat to free speech? When does free speech become propaganda, and when - if ever - should propaganda be banned?
To discuss, I'm joined by
In Calgary,
Peter Menzies
Senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and former vice-chair of communications for the CRTC
In Ottawa,
Christopher Dornan
Former professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University
And in the studio...
Joanna Baron
Executive director of the Canadian Constitution Foundation
and
Jeffrey Dvorkin
Senior Fellow at the University of Toronto's Massey College, formerly of NPR News and CBC Radio News

When Should the CRTC Clamp Down on Foreign Broadcasters?

Canada's recent political tensions with its neighbor south of the border have given some historians a déjà vu moment. A 19th century petition was uncovered from Toronto Public Library's archives, demonstrating Toronto's firm determination to resist annexation to the U.S. This movement was outlined in the Montreal Annexation Manifesto of 1849. The Agenda invites historians Adam Bunch and Dominique Marshall to help us understand what we can learn from the past.

Decoding the Hidden Meaning of Don Maclean's American Pie

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