Bios

Mark Leiren-Young

Mark Leiren-Young is a writer/director/performer who spends too much of his free time worrying about the environment, the Canadian political scene, and the Vancouver Canucks (not necessarily in that order). Mark won the Leacock Medal for Humour for his comic memoir, Never Shoot a Stampede Queen: A Rookie Reporter in the Cariboo. He was a finalist for the WGC Award for screenwriting for his first feature film, The Green Chain. His most recent book, This Crazy Time, was written with/about controversial environmentalist, Tzeporah Berman. He's half of the satirical duo Local Anxiety. Their latest comedy CD, Greenpieces, is available on iTunes and their 21st century version of O Christmas Tree is becoming a holiday favourite thanks to The Tyee.

Reporting beat: Life, the universe, and hockey.

Connection to B.C.: Mark was born in Vancouver, grew up in Williams Lake, and attended school at the University of Victoria.

Twitter: @leirenyoung

Personal website: http://leiren-young.com

Stories by Mark Leiren-Young

artsculture

Care to Reserve a Tweet-Seat?

A playwright and a critic debate whether tweeting during shows signals the apocalypse.

By Mark Leiren-Young and Shannon Rupp, 4 May 2013

artsculture

'West of Memphis' Makes Case Against Death Row

How one wrongly convicted man kept hope alive for years until his release. New doc out now.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 22 Feb 2013

artsculture

The Activist's Actor

Woody Harrelson talks championing hemp, the 's' word and his upcoming film 'Seven Psychopaths.'

By Mark Leiren-Young, 6 Oct 2012

artsculture

Rob Stewart's Mission to Save the Humans

Shark conservationist, filmmaker and author tackles a new subject in 'Revolution.' See it at VIFF.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 3 Oct 2012

mediacheck

2012, Year of the Television Apocalypse?

Our man at Banff World Media Festival gauges fear and confusion among TV's elite.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 13 Jun 2012

opinion

No Fun City Hall

Why the wet blanket? Big screens, boisterous crowds didn't cause Stanley Cup Riot 2.0.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 29 Mar 2012

opinion

Curtains for the Vancouver Playhouse

With no hero in sight, the theatre is closing. In its honour, let's keep the arts centre stage.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 12 Mar 2012

artsculture

Is William Gibson's 'Neuromancer' the Future of Movies?

Two who are turning the 1984 book into a film and game explain why now's perfect timing.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 6 Jan 2012

life

Highly Aggregated for 2011

Collected, tagged and bagged, the year's big moments and various signs of the Apocalypse.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 30 Dec 2011

artsculture

The Artist Who Made 'The Artist'

The Tyee talks with Michel Hazanavicius, who wrote and directed the silent film blockbuster touted for an Oscar.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 16 Dec 2011

artsculture

'Billy Bishop' Goes to Movie Screens

Playwright John Gray on the well-timed film reinterpretation of his classic Canadian play.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 11 Nov 2011

artsculture

'Seeking the Current'

Dammed Quebec and energy alternatives are subjects of film having its English language premiere tonight in Vancouver.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 10 Oct 2011

artsculture

'Waking the Green Tiger'

Watch China's enviro movement unfold in this new doc, debuting at Vancouver's film fest.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 7 Oct 2011

artsculture

'Surviving Progress' at Vancouver's Film Fest

Talking with the co-director. And seven more great films this year.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 30 Sep 2011

mediacheck

Getting Used to Superman's New Underwear

A die-hard fan tries to make sense of DC Comics' massive superheroes do-over.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 14 Sep 2011

opinion

Ten Questions I Posed to the Riot Review Panel

Here was my submission to the commission. How many answers will we get?

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Sep 2011

life

Canucks' Loss: Dissection Is Painful

They were the favourites. So losing the Cup this time is going to hurt a whole lot more.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 16 Jun 2011

opinion

A Social Media Riot Made for TV

This wasn't '94. This was weirder, more violent, driven by a lust for digital attention.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 16 Jun 2011

life

Game Seven: Mental Preparation

Thinking about how the Canucks got here, and why they will win.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 15 Jun 2011

life

Why My Money's Still on Luuuuuuuuuu

I'm not sure why any goalie would want to play for the Canucks, but I'm still glad Luongo does.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 10 Jun 2011

life

Hockey Nut in Canada

These are my memories from a bittersweet lifetime of rooting for the Canucks. What are yours?

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Jun 2011

life

Hockey Riot Vancouver: Myth and Fact

Time to set record straight on why a melee broke out last time Canucks made the finals.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 27 May 2011

life

Win One for the World, Canucks

When they say we're not Canada's team, just smile. We're bigger than that.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 20 May 2011

life

Puck Luck and the Vancouver Canucks

After 40 years of open-ice hits and headshots from the hockey gods, Mark Leiren-Young wonders if this is the year the pain ends.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 13 May 2011

opinion

Congratulations, Preston Manning

It's your country now, with adversaries defunded, in disarray, or both.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 3 May 2011

mediacheck

How Dare You Censor the, Um, 'N-Word'

Twain's classic 'Huckleberry Finn' gets cleaned up, and maybe it's time.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 7 Jan 2011

life

The Tyee's Year in ReTweet

Meating Gaga, birthing Obama, the Gordo heave ho, Cherry's bombs, the wrath of Kwan, and more of 2010.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 31 Dec 2010

life

'Oh Christmas Tree, Correct Politically...'

Weary of your kid lecturing you on how holiday fun kills the planet? Sing along.

By Kevin Crofton and Mark Leiren-Young, 20 Dec 2010

artsculture

Dennis Foon's (Latest) Big Break

The screenwriter of Oscar entry 'Life, Above All' talks about Soweto's baby toy strewn cemetery, Roger Ebert, blind luck, and more.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 10 Nov 2010

artsculture

Two Kids Who Cut the Scary Successful 'Saw'

Now Wan and Whannell have crafted the horribly good 'Insidious.'

By Mark Leiren-Young, 29 Oct 2010

artsculture

Pilgrimage with David Suzuki

Sturla Gunnarson, director of the bio-doc 'Force of Nature,' on Suzuki's anger, urgency and faith in miracles.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 14 Oct 2010

mediacheck

Celebrity Journalism: Who's the Boss?

Notes on watching Edward Norton interview Bruce Springsteen.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 20 Sep 2010

artsculture

Goodbye, Babz

The actress was feisty, funny, fully alive. And she distilled a lot of wisdom into 10 words.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 10 May 2010

opinion

A Tyee Series

Patrick Moore, Proud Heretic

Why did fellow Greenpeace founders shun him? He defends nuclear power, corporate forestry and other eco-bugaboos. A Trees and Us podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 26 Mar 2010

opinion

A Tyee Series

Ken Wu Wants to Save 'the Avatar Grove'

The veteran BC forests activist has a new organization and cause. A Trees and Us podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 9 Mar 2010

opinion

Fill Your Opening Ceremony with Arts, then Cut Them

Thanks for the show, artists -- now get lost. BC to slash 90 per cent of culture funding.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 15 Feb 2010

books

A Tyee Series

'Wild Foresting'

New book by UVic profs Drengson and Taylor is a guide to 'practicing nature's wisdom.' A Trees and Us podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Feb 2010

life

Tourist Trapped

For a young Cariboo reporter it was a major scoop. The damnedest way to catch a bear.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 27 Jan 2010

opinion

A Tyee Series

He Sees Our Hot Future

A 'Trees and Us' podcast with botanist geologist Richard Hebda.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 19 Jan 2010

opinion

A Tyee Series

How Adbusters Grew on Trees

Kalle Lasn on how his fight against Big Timber and Big Media sparked creative dissent. A Trees and Us podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 16 Sep 2009

opinion

A Tyee Series

Betty Krawczyk, Proud Fanatic

The queen of protest on activism, prison life and second acts after raising kids. A Trees and Us podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Jun 2009

mediacheck

Obama Wuz Here, Gang War Fear, BC in Arrears

And more Fast Rewind of February.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 4 Mar 2009

opinion

A Tyee Series

Reviving Forest Protests in BC

Kenneth Wu is working hard to make it happen. A Trees and Us podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 25 Feb 2009

mediacheck

Bridge Burners! Eco-John Turner! Dirty Earners!

And more Fast Rewind of January.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 3 Feb 2009

mediacheck

Puffins Pooped, Duffy Scooped, Canadians Hooped

And more fast rewinding of 2008. Happy New Year everyone!

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Jan 2009

mediacheck

Mayor Smoothie, Harper's Doozy, God Got Choosy

And more Fast Rewind of a wild November.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Dec 2008

mediacheck

Eeek! Run from October!

Our Fast Rewind of a very scary month.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 31 Oct 2008

opinion

Campaign Silliness So Far

A special election version of the Tyee's Fast Rewind.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Oct 2008

A Tyee Series

Velcrow Ripper's 'Fierce Light'

PODCAST: The doc director on 'non-flaky spirituality' and more.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 30 Sep 2008

mediacheck

Russia Grabbed, Dems Blabbed, Duchovny Rehabbed

And more Fast Rewind of August.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Sep 2008

mediacheck

Sundin Thinks, Starbucks Shrinks, Barenaked in Klink?

And more Tyee fast rewind of July.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Aug 2008

mediacheck

Barack's Black! Ladner Attacks! SkyBridge Cracks!

And more of our fast rewind of June.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 3 Jul 2008

A Tyee Series

Simpson Chops Coleman

PODCAST: NDP critic calls shuffled forest minister 'worst in BC history.'

By Mark Leiren-Young, 25 Jun 2008

mediacheck

Twain Unhitched, Preacher Ditched, Baby Pitched

And more Fast Rewind of May.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 10 Jun 2008

A Tyee Series

Beyond 'Molly's Reach'

A 'Trees and Us' podcast with Jackson Davies.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 19 May 2008

mediacheck

Feist Snares, Slur Airs, Miley Bares

And more of our fast rewind of April.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 May 2008

mediacheck

My Joust with Senators over Free Speech in Film

Jitters, the F word, and what I told the Bill C-10 hearings.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 14 Apr 2008

mediacheck

Les Done? Iggy Mum? Zalm's Plum?

And more Fast Rewind of March.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Apr 2008

A Tyee Series

A Certified Forest Saviour

A 'Trees and Us' podcast with Antony Marcil.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 20 Mar 2008

mediacheck

Castro Retired, Nader Aspired, 'DiscDrive' Expired

Tyee's fast rewind of February.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 3 Mar 2008

mediacheck

PG Freezes, Lunn Fires, Spidey Splits

And more Fast Rewind of January.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 4 Feb 2008

A Tyee Series

Green Is The New Black

Tzeporah Berman: Part two of a 'Trees & Us' podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 22 Jan 2008

opinion

A Tyee Series

BC's Eco-Activist 'Rock Star'

Tzep Berman on celebrity and getting things done. A 'Trees and Us' podcast.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 15 Jan 2008

mediacheck

2007 Fast Rewind

The loonie flew, so did Luongo, and Vancouver got trashed.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Jan 2008

opinion

A Tyee Series

BC's Vanishing Timber Worker

A Trees and Us podcast with Wade Fisher, 'the best person on trees in Williams Lake.'

By Mark Leiren-Young, 7 Dec 2007

mediacheck

Lindros's Brain, Feenie's Flambé, Harper's Privy

And more Fast Rewind for November.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 4 Dec 2007

opinion

A Tyee Series

Building Treeless Houses

A Trees and Us podcast with 'Garbage Warriors' director Oliver Hodge.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Nov 2007

mediacheck

October's Fast Rewind

Loony's crazy, Dumbledore's gay, Harper's revved, and more...

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Nov 2007

opinion

A Tyee Series

Tree Love and Murder

A Trees and Us podcast with George Bowering.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 19 Oct 2007

mediacheck

Oops! Britney, O.J. and Sam Sullivan Do It Again

The Tyee's fast rewind of September.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Oct 2007

opinion

A Tyee Series

Why Rocket Science Is Easier than Forestry

A 'Trees and Us' Tyee podcast with Jean-Pierre Kiekens.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 28 Sep 2007

opinion

Why Humans and Nature Collide

A 'Trees and Us' Tyee podcast with John Vaillant.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 7 Sep 2007

opinion

A Tyee Series

Trees and Us

Our new podcast series asks: what does the forest mean to you? First up, Severn Cullis-Suzuki.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 17 Aug 2007

mediacheck

Black Clams up, Beetles Spruce Up, Paris Rises Up

The Tyee's Fast Rewind of June.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Jul 2007

mediacheck

TV 2.0

TV is dying. What will replace it?

By Mark Leiren-Young, 22 Jun 2007

mediacheck

Loonies Shot Up, Paris Locked Up, BC Lotteries' Fix Up

The Tyee's fast rewind of May

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Jun 2007

mediacheck

Imus Kissed Off, Sanjaya Idoled Off, Harper Buzzed Off

Our fast rewind of April.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 May 2007

books

God Bless You, Mr. Vonnegut

What he told me about writing, lying and science. An interview and memoir.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 16 Apr 2007

mediacheck

Harper Budget Hatched, Ahnold and Gordon Matched, Britney Scratched

Our fast rewind of March.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 30 Mar 2007

mediacheck

Britney Shorn! Gay Rev Reborn! No Telus Porn?

And more in our fast rewind of February.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Mar 2007

mediacheck

Searching for Intelligent Life Beyond the Steves, Hillary and Press Corpse

Our fast rewind of January.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Feb 2007

mediacheck

Fast Rewind of 2006

Dion, truthiness, and 'you,' win.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 29 Dec 2006

mediacheck

Britney Warred, Dion Scored, Lions Roared, and More...

Our fast rewind of November.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 4 Dec 2006

mediacheck

Hot Air Harper, Dogged MacKay, Mum Madonna, and More...

Our fast rewind of October.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 Nov 2006

mediacheck

Gordo Bored, Domi Scored, Paris Burns, Bye Bye Fry...

Our fast rewind of September.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Oct 2006

mediacheck

Harry's Naked Wand, Baby Luv's Bite, Harper's Icy Heart and More...

Our fast rewind of August.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 31 Aug 2006

mediacheck

Green Aliens, Smoking Bouquets and the Undead Mick

Those are just the B.C. highlights of The Tyee's Fast Rewind for July.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 31 Jul 2006

mediacheck

Canada’s Next Top Anchor Launched, Aniston Out-Riced, Campbell Souped

The Tyee’s fast rewind of June.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 3 Jul 2006

mediacheck

Wind Broken, Apologies Made, Shiloh Born, Monkeys Fingered...

The Tyee's fast rewind of May.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 2 Jun 2006

mediacheck

April Fools, Alberta Rules, Snoop Dogg Drools…

Time for another Fast Rewind of the month that was.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 1 May 2006

artsculture

Death and Renewal for America on Prime Time

'The West Wing' ends as it began.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 14 Apr 2006

mediacheck

Fast Rewind of March

Harper is ‘steely’, Bardot went sealy and Emerson stays squirrely.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 3 Apr 2006

opinion

Fast Rewind of February

Deadeye Dick Cheney, Kleanup Klassen, 'Brokeback Bond' and more.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 28 Feb 2006

mediacheck

Fast Rewind of a Weird Month

Libs Fry, Frey burns, Trump primps, Harper coughs up a cold war and more.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 31 Jan 2006

opinion

The Tyee's Fast Rewind of 2005

Belinda's gay marriage intelligent design Republican shootout.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 30 Dec 2005

artsculture

Tyee's Fast Rewind of November

CSIS non-profit brothel returns Madonna's chihuahua in election.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 30 Nov 2005

artsculture

'Best City in the World' for Strikes and Barbies

And more headlines in this month's 'Fast Rewind' of BC news.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 31 Oct 2005

opinion

Man in Wheelchair Runs over Christy Clark!

And more news updates from 'Fast Rewind', a new Tyee feature.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 26 Sep 2005

opinion

Canada's Stupid Party

New reasons I fret about the ReformaTories.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 10 Jun 2005

opinion

The Year in Revue

Taking stock of a world gone mad.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 30 Dec 2004

life

Lock-Out? Life is Good!

With the hockey monkey finally off my back, today is the first day of the rest of my life.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 21 Oct 2004

opinion

The Case for Voting Liberal

You don't need to trust Paul Martin to re-elect his party. You just have to trust less Stephen Harper's Reform 2.0.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 14 Jul 2004

opinion

No Tory Defence for Artistic Merit

Culture barely registers on the Conservative election platform, except as a shocking excuse for porn.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 24 Jun 2004

life

I'll Hate Calgary Next Year

I've fallen in love with the Flames. Does that make me a traitor to the Canucks?

By Mark Leiren-Young, 7 Jun 2004

opinion

This Is a Svend We Never Knew

I've seen Robinson in leg irons, and relied on him for political drama, but I never expected this.

By Mark Leiren-Young, 13 Apr 2004