By Selina McCallum
There is something special about watching a live television production come together right in front of you. On August 27, I had the opportunity to attend the final live taping of Season 01 of CTRL+ALT+BEAT at Transmission Studios in Toronto, and I walked away genuinely impressed by not only what was happening in front of the cameras, but also the women making it all happen behind them.
CTRL+ALT+BEAT is an entertainment talk show that spotlights artists in front of a live studio audience, prioritizing connection over clickbait. The show draws inspiration from the early 2000s era of music television, and as someone who grew up watching shows like MuchMusic and BET’s 106 & Park, I immediately felt that nostalgia.
There was an energy in the room that reminded me of what made those shows so exciting. You weren't just watching an interview or performance. You were part of an experience.
The Women Behind the Show
One of my biggest takeaways from the evening was learning that CTRL+ALT+BEAT is being brought to life by an all-women crew.
As someone who works in film and production, I know how much work goes into creating something that looks seamless on screen. Live production adds an entirely different level of pressure because there is very little room to hide when something needs to be adjusted.
Being in the studio allowed us to see some of that process firsthand.
At one point, Director and Producer Tisania stopped the show to make sure the audio was right and that the audience seats were filled properly before continuing. It might seem like a small moment, but I loved seeing it because it showed the level of care behind the production.
There was no sense of rushing just to get through the taping. The priority was making sure the show looked and sounded the way it was supposed to.
Those are the behind-the-scenes moments audiences don't always get to witness, and they made me appreciate the final product even more.
Chelsi Campbell Was Born to Host
Then there is Chelsi Campbell, Creator, Producer and Host of CTRL+ALT+BEAT, who truly felt like she was born to do this.
Hosting a live show requires so much more than simply knowing which questions to ask. You have to listen, respond naturally, keep the conversation moving, engage an audience and make your guest feel comfortable, all while being aware that cameras are rolling.
Chelsi made it look effortless.
She is a great interviewer, but what stood out most to me was how natural she felt in the role. The conversations didn't feel overly rehearsed or transactional. They felt like genuine opportunities to learn more about the artist sitting across from her.
That feeling of connection extended into the audience as well. The crowd was engaged throughout the taping, reacting to the conversation, laughing, cheering and bringing an energy that made the studio feel alive.
Amaka Brought the Conversation and the Music
Season 01's final special guest, Amaka, was incredibly charming and knowledgeable.
Hearing her speak about her journey as an artist gave the audience an opportunity to connect with the person behind the music. She spoke with openness and confidence about her experiences, and Chelsi created the space for the conversation to unfold naturally.
Then we got to experience Amaka as a performer.
Watching her perform after hearing her story made the performance feel even more meaningful. It was beautiful to both see and hear, and it reinforced what I think CTRL+ALT+BEAT does particularly well: it gives artists space to be more than a song, clip or piece of content.
You get the conversation and the performance. You get to know the artist and then experience their art.
More Than a Taping
The experience extended beyond what was happening on stage.
DJ Shysofly kept the energy going and absolutely killed it throughout the evening. There was also screen printing by Loddery, which was such a fun interactive addition to the night, along with sweet treats from Zakilo Bakes and popcorn courtesy of Bomb-choc-alot.
The production was also proudly supported by Corex Creative, helping make an experience like this possible.
All of those elements contributed to the sense that CTRL+ALT+BEAT isn't simply trying to record episodes. It is intentionally creating a space where artists, audiences, creatives and community can exist together.
And I think that distinction matters.
Connection Over Clickbait
We live in an era where so much entertainment is created with the intention of becoming the next viral moment. Interviews get chopped into seconds. Artists are often expected to tell their stories in whatever format will perform best on an algorithm.
CTRL+ALT+BEAT's tagline, "Prioritizing connection over clickbait," feels especially relevant because the live experience genuinely reflects it.
There is time to talk. There is time to perform. There is time for the audience to react. There is room for people to connect with each other.
It brought me back to the era when music television felt like a gathering place. Shows like 106 & Park and MuchMusic weren't only places to hear what was popular. They created culture and community around music, artists and fans.
CTRL+ALT+BEAT captures some of that feeling while creating something that belongs to this generation.
Small Team, Big Production
What impressed me most is the level of production value this team has been able to achieve with minimal resources.
When you see the lighting, cameras, sound, interviews, performances, audience coordination and overall experience, it feels much bigger than the size of the team behind it.
That is a testament to what can happen when a group of committed women come together with a clear creative vision and take their work seriously.
There is professionalism in the details. There is care in how the artists are presented. There is intention behind how the audience is included. And there is clearly a community forming around what they are building.
As a filmmaker myself, I left feeling inspired by the ambition of the production. Creating anything independently requires an enormous amount of work. Creating a polished live show with a small team and limited resources is another challenge entirely.
CTRL+ALT+BEAT is proof that you don't need an enormous production to create something that feels meaningful and exciting. You need people who care deeply about what they're building.
One of the most memorable moments of the night actually happened before Amaka came out. Chelsi had a heart-to-heart with the audience about just how difficult it has been to bring CTRL+ALT+BEAT to life. She spoke openly about the long nights and early mornings, balancing the production while still working full-time, and how she and Tisania have invested their own money into the show to make everything come together. At one point, she became emotional while admitting that there have been moments when she has questioned whether continuing is even worth it.
That vulnerability really stayed with me because I could relate to it personally. I have put my own money into producing the Leverage Lens Film + Art Festival, so I understand how difficult it can be to keep investing your time, energy and finances into something you believe in, especially when you are working with limited resources. There are moments when you naturally question how sustainable it is and whether all of that sacrifice is worth it.
But then you look around the room.
You see the community that has formed. You see how appreciative the artists are to have a platform. You see people connecting with one another, and you see how one opportunity can create another opportunity for someone else. Those moments remind you why you started in the first place.
By the end of her conversation with the audience, I think Chelsi came back to that realization too. No matter how difficult the process becomes or how financially draining it can feel, seeing a room filled with creative, empowering women who genuinely believe in what CTRL+ALT+BEAT is building gives her a reason to keep going.
I think that is ultimately what stayed with me most about the night. Beyond the impressive production value, the performances and the professionalism, there are women behind this show making real sacrifices because they believe this kind of platform should exist.
After attending the Season 01 finale, I am incredibly impressed by the effort, quality, professionalism and community behind CTRL+ALT+BEAT. But more than anything, I left inspired by the girl power behind it and by the reminder that sometimes the projects that require the most from us are also the ones that create the most meaningful spaces for others.
If this is what Season 01 looks like, I am excited to see where CTRL+ALT+BEAT goes next.