Loving production

A call that sparked a journey

It was a Tuesday afternoon in 1990 when my mom, Marion Schwarz, called me while I was working at MTV–Channel 47. She was so upset she could barely speak. While grocery shopping, she had witnessed a woman abusing a small child. When she stepped in and told the woman to stop, the woman swore at her and dragged the child out of the store before my mom could get help.

That same day, the publisher of a local magazine, TV Facts, was in my office venting that he couldn’t find anyone to write Canadian content. He was tired of relying on American syndicated material. I asked him if he’d be willing to give my mom a shot as a columnist. To my surprise, he said it would be his pleasure.

I called my mom. Though initially hesitant—she had no writing experience—she eventually agreed. Her first column was about the troubling incident at the supermarket. She called it The Bubbie Break, a name inspired by what her grandchildren lovingly called her: “Bubbie.”

From column to television

The Bubbie Break column was met with overwhelming support. Its popularity sparked the idea of turning it into a television series about grandparenting. My sister Susie, my mom, and I formed a production company, and soon The Bubbie Break was airing weekly.

The series ran for five seasons, first on CHEX-TV (a CBC affiliate in Peterborough, Ontario), and later across Canada on the Women’s Television Network. It was even broadcast in select U.S. markets. The media response was unprecedented.

We were incredibly proud. The Bubbie Break was the first North American television series dedicated to grandparenting—executive produced and hosted by a mature woman. It never hid its identity or its mission. The show crossed socio-economic, demographic, and cultural lines. It was, without question, ahead of its time.

A commitment to meaningful content

After the show’s five-year run, we moved on to other creative projects. Our focus remained the same: quality over quantity. We produced several documentaries and pilots based on subjects we loved.

Then I discovered Bell Fibe, a dynamic new broadcast platform. I admired the diversity and creativity of their programming and began to imagine what stories we could tell there.

Tracking the Ten

I often thought about the Jewish boys I grew up with in Oshawa—all of whom celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs in 1973. Where were they now? With that question in mind, Susie and I created a proposal for a docuseries titled Tracking the Ten, and Bell Fibe gave it the green light.

Finding those ten men was both a challenge and a joy. The series was met with enthusiastic response. What made it so powerful was its universal appeal. Regardless of background or faith, viewers related to the idea of reconnecting with childhood friends and exploring how life had unfolded for each of them.

Today, Tracking the Ten is broadcast on Bell Fibe and has received critical acclaim.

The Grandmother Who Tried to Save the World

One of our dreams was to ensure The Bubbie Break would not be forgotten. A year after Tracking the Ten, we proposed another docuseries: The Grandmother Who Tried to Save the World. It took a deep dive into the life and impact of Marion Schwarz and the legacy of The Bubbie Break. Bell Fibe once again said yes.

This was a deeply emotional project. Susie and I spent countless hours watching archival footage of our mom. The passion behind the production was unmistakable, and Bell Fibe supported it wholeheartedly. The final result captured the essence of a woman—and a show—that left a lasting imprint on television and on society.

Creating with heart

Our production company has always had a clear vision: to create meaningful, heartfelt programming. The Bubbie Break succeeded because it was unapologetically authentic. Marion Schwarz never tried to be anything she wasn’t. On camera and off, she was simply herself—and that truth resonated with people.

When we launched the series, we said that if it helped even one person, it would be a success. Looking back now, I can say with confidence: that goal was not only met, it was surpassed.

Why stories still matter

Tracking the Ten followed ten Jewish boys from a small, working-class city, chronicling how they maintained their identities and became productive, kind members of society. It proved, in many ways, that good guys really can win.

The Grandmother Who Tried to Save the World was a labor of love—a tribute to a mother, a Bubbie, a trailblazer. It also reminded us that there’s still a place in the media world for stories that are driven by love and human connection.

Susie and I remain committed to telling stories that matter. In today’s fragmented media landscape, filled with endless streamers and flashy content, we believe there’s still room for heartfelt, high-quality programming.

Whether it’s The Bubbie Break, Tracking the Ten, or The Grandmother Who Tried to Save the World, our greatest hope is that viewers feel the care and love that went into every frame—and maybe, just maybe, find their own bliss along the way.