On the Saturday November 8, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse Show we meet John Irving, an American-Canadian novelist and screenwriter. He achieved critical and popular acclaim after the international success of the 1978 novel “The World According to Garp.” He is an Academy Award winner whose other work includes “The Cider House Rules,” “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “Avenue of Mysteries.” Today we talk about his new novel “Queen Ester.”

Then we get to know celebrated actress, writer, and musician Elizabeth McGovern. You have seen her in her Academy Award-nominated role in “Ragtime,” and in iconic films like “Ordinary People” and “Once Upon a Time in America.” Her portrayal of Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, helped make “Downton Abbey” a global phenomenon. Today we’re talking about “Ava: The Secret Conversations,” which she wrote and stars in as Hollywood icon Ava Gardner. It is a poignant play about Hollywood legend Ava Gardner, which she’s brought to life in London, New York, Chicago and now in Toronto at the CAA Theatre in Toronto.