Anyone who visits here regularly knows I'm not an especially big fan of the CBC, at least as far as their on-air broadcast shows are concerned. 

Online, however, is a totally different story. 

There are some amazing things to see on the CBC Gem site, and while you have to sign up, it's otherwise completely free in Canada. 

One show coming up starting Dec. 3 is a documentary based on the life and times of Ernie Coombs, known to most of us as Mr. Dressup. The program was one of the longest running kids' TV show in Canada and the story of how he and Mr. Rogers started together - along with the problems along the way, how they made those puppets and stories behind the scenes - look pretty compelling. 

"Mr. Dress-Up: The Magic Of Make Believe" was screened at TIFF and previously aired on Prime's streaming service but starting Dec. 3rd, you can access it for free. Check out the trailer.

Also on the service: the life story of the late David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash fame and the way he completely turned off the others he worked with and the regrets he came to have, all the while making some incredible hit music. That's available now, with the trailer containing some nuggets about the rest of the doc. 

There's also a Gilda Radner documentary and many more worth a look if you're so inclined. (Or even if you're standing up!)

gem.cbc.ca