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
Never Tweet a Stampede Queen
What I saw at the Williams Lake rodeo, 30 years after the town told me to buck off.
August Schellenberg: Gravitas and Wicked Wit
With his brilliant performances he graced many key productions. And saved mine.
A Teen Magician's Brush with Fame
In 1980, Mark Leiren-Young set out to write the greatest 'rock and roll magic show' ever.
Care to Reserve a Tweet-Seat?
A playwright and a critic debate whether tweeting during shows signals the apocalypse.
'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.
The Activist's Actor
Woody Harrelson talks championing hemp, the 's' word and his upcoming film 'Seven Psychopaths.'
Rob Stewart's Mission to Save the Humans
Shark conservationist, filmmaker and author tackles a new subject in 'Revolution.' See it at VIFF.
2012, Year of the Television Apocalypse?
Our man at Banff World Media Festival gauges fear and confusion among TV's elite.
No Fun City Hall
Why the wet blanket? Big screens, boisterous crowds didn't cause Stanley Cup Riot 2.0.
Curtains for the Vancouver Playhouse
With no hero in sight, the theatre is closing. In its honour, let's keep the arts centre stage.
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.
Highly Aggregated for 2011
Collected, tagged and bagged, the year's big moments and various signs of the Apocalypse.
The Artist Who Made 'The Artist'
The Tyee talks with Michel Hazanavicius, who wrote and directed the silent film blockbuster touted for an Oscar.
'Billy Bishop' Goes to Movie Screens
Playwright John Gray on the well-timed film reinterpretation of his classic Canadian play.
'Seeking the Current'
Dammed Quebec and energy alternatives are subjects of film having its English language premiere tonight in Vancouver.
'Waking the Green Tiger'
Watch China's enviro movement unfold in this new doc, debuting at Vancouver's film fest.
'Surviving Progress' at Vancouver's Film Fest
Talking with the co-director. And seven more great films this year.
Getting Used to Superman's New Underwear
A die-hard fan tries to make sense of DC Comics' massive superheroes do-over.
Ten Questions I Posed to the Riot Review Panel
Here was my submission to the commission. How many answers will we get?
Canucks' Loss: Dissection Is Painful
They were the favourites. So losing the Cup this time is going to hurt a whole lot more.
A Social Media Riot Made for TV
This wasn't '94. This was weirder, more violent, driven by a lust for digital attention.
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.
Hockey Nut in Canada
These are my memories from a bittersweet lifetime of rooting for the Canucks. What are yours?
Hockey Riot Vancouver: Myth and Fact
Time to set record straight on why a melee broke out last time Canucks made the finals.
Win One for the World, Canucks
When they say we're not Canada's team, just smile. We're bigger than that.
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.
Congratulations, Preston Manning
It's your country now, with adversaries defunded, in disarray, or both.
How Dare You Censor the, Um, 'N-Word'
Twain's classic 'Huckleberry Finn' gets cleaned up, and maybe it's time.
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.
'Oh Christmas Tree, Correct Politically...'
Weary of your kid lecturing you on how holiday fun kills the planet? Sing along.
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.
Two Kids Who Cut the Scary Successful 'Saw'
Now Wan and Whannell have crafted the horribly good 'Insidious.'
Pilgrimage with David Suzuki
Sturla Gunnarson, director of the bio-doc 'Force of Nature,' on Suzuki's anger, urgency and faith in miracles.
Goodbye, Babz
The actress was feisty, funny, fully alive. And she distilled a lot of wisdom into 10 words.
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.
Ken Wu Wants to Save 'the Avatar Grove'
The veteran BC forests activist has a new organization and cause. A Trees and Us podcast.
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.
'Wild Foresting'
New book by UVic profs Drengson and Taylor is a guide to 'practicing nature's wisdom.' A Trees and Us podcast.
Tourist Trapped
For a young Cariboo reporter it was a major scoop. The damnedest way to catch a bear.
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.
Betty Krawczyk, Proud Fanatic
The queen of protest on activism, prison life and second acts after raising kids. A Trees and Us podcast.
Reviving Forest Protests in BC
Kenneth Wu is working hard to make it happen. A Trees and Us podcast.
Puffins Pooped, Duffy Scooped, Canadians Hooped
And more fast rewinding of 2008. Happy New Year everyone!
My Joust with Senators over Free Speech in Film
Jitters, the F word, and what I told the Bill C-10 hearings.
BC's Eco-Activist 'Rock Star'
Tzep Berman on celebrity and getting things done. A 'Trees and Us' podcast.
BC's Vanishing Timber Worker
A Trees and Us podcast with Wade Fisher, 'the best person on trees in Williams Lake.'
Trees and Us
Our new podcast series asks: what does the forest mean to you? First up, Severn Cullis-Suzuki.
God Bless You, Mr. Vonnegut
What he told me about writing, lying and science. An interview and memoir.
Searching for Intelligent Life Beyond the Steves, Hillary and Press Corpse
Our fast rewind of January.
Green Aliens, Smoking Bouquets and the Undead Mick
Those are just the B.C. highlights of The Tyee's Fast Rewind for July.
Canada’s Next Top Anchor Launched, Aniston Out-Riced, Campbell Souped
The Tyee’s fast rewind of June.
Fast Rewind of a Weird Month
Libs Fry, Frey burns, Trump primps, Harper coughs up a cold war and more.
'Best City in the World' for Strikes and Barbies
And more headlines in this month's 'Fast Rewind' of BC news.
Man in Wheelchair Runs over Christy Clark!
And more news updates from 'Fast Rewind', a new Tyee feature.
Lock-Out? Life is Good!
With the hockey monkey finally off my back, today is the first day of the rest of my life.
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.
No Tory Defence for Artistic Merit
Culture barely registers on the Conservative election platform, except as a shocking excuse for porn.
I'll Hate Calgary Next Year
I've fallen in love with the Flames. Does that make me a traitor to the Canucks?
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.
