TV, eh?

From a media release:

New Class. New Year. New Channel.

• Season 10 of DEGRASSI: TNG Begins Production and Lands on MuchMusic Later This Year
• Exclusive engagement on MuchMusic begins Summer 2010

MuchMusic rings in a new school year when DEGRASSI moves exclusively to Canada’s premiere channel for young adults. MuchMusic is proud to announce the start of production on Season 10 of the critically-acclaimed series, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION. Production commences Monday, March 29 in Toronto. This summer, DEGRASSI finds a new home with 48 brand new 30-minute episodes and the premiere of the television movie, D:NYC – Degrassi Takes Manhattan.

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From Jennifer Wells of the Toronto Star:

• Brett Wilson: The Dragon with a heart
  “Entrepreneur pushed the reset button on life when phenomenal success in business cost him his health, marriage and family.” Read more.

20:00 – “The Road to Riches” is an in-depth look at the Dragons’ journeys to self-made success. From humble beginnings and darker days, to the joys of personal and professional milestones, this distinctive finale reveals the Dragons like never before.

When a dubious chip truck owner notices his truck is missing — along with his driver/best buddy — he cons Jake into taking the case; Martin really crosses a line with Rose and she takes matters into her own hands; and Jake’s divorce becomes final and he’s happy to tell Leslie that he’s now a free-agent. But Leslie’s just been bumped up the ladder with a promotion to Sergeant, and her eye is on the job, not Jake Doyle.

From Robert Cushman of the National Post:

• To serve and protect the police
  “‘Together’ says Frank Leo, newly elected president of the police union, ‘we own this city.’ The city is unnamed, but looks very much like Toronto; and when Frank says ‘we,’ he appears to mean not the population at large but just him and his fellow cops. It is not a very reassuring message; but The Bridge, the new CTV drama series of which Frank is the central figure, seems disinclined to question it. It may be the first ever right-wing pro-union show. That’s probably the newest thing about it.” Read more.

From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:

• Brit fans of Cdn. sleuth series ‘Murdoch Mysteries’ follow actors during shoot
  “‘It was like it was their show and we’re their people,’ Bisson said with a laugh in a recent interview. ‘And these people are very picky about their murder mysteries and they’re very picky about their Victorian-era shows. And you know, they wrote the style, and for them to like it is a huge honour.’” Read more.

From Anne Brodie of Monsters & Critics:

• Brandon Firla interview – Little Mosque on the Prairie
  “Monsters and Critics had the chance to speak with Brandon Firla, the newest character, a villainous new Anglican minister Rev. Thorne, who loves stirring up trouble when he can get away with it. His latest project – ejecting the Muslims from the church for once and for all. And he has a particular need to compete with the charming young Muslim Imam Aamar.” Read more.

From Guy Dixon of the Globe and Mail:

• A double dose of teen angst: Next season of Degrassi high-school series to spread over twice as many episodes
  “For its 10th season, Degrassi: The Next Generation will be modelled on the Spanish-language soap operas that are hugely popular south of the border, doubling the number of episodes in their season so fans don’t have to wait to find out whether, say, Dave will finally ask Jenna out, or if Snake is still around.” Read more.

From tonight’s 22 Minutes:

From Francine Kopun of the Toronto Star:

• Robert Herjavec: The nice Dragon
  “Millionaire businessman says he’s more builder than hands-off investor — and drawn to mentoring.” Read more.

Rick goes to the Toronto Bike Show and visits the Spread the Net Student Challenge winners at Simon Fraser University and the University of Ottawa.

This week on 22 Minutes … Mark Critch reports from the “Seal Meat Luncheon” on Parliament Hill. The Celtic Sisters (Cathy Jones, Geri Hall and Gavin Crawford) with a brand new album welcoming Immigrants to Canada. And Mark Critch also reports from the 2010 Brier in Halifax, NS.

22 Minutes with audience favorites Mark Critch, Gavin Crawford, Geri Hall and Cathy Jones airs on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 8:30 pm on CBC Television.

Unfair and unbalanced. The news will never look the same. Armed with political satire, sketch comedy and parody in this 17th season beloved characters return and new characters emerge to share the spotlight.

22 Minutes is produced by Halifax Film, a DHX Media company in association with CBC Television. www.cbc.ca/22minutes

To receive regular updates about the show become our fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

In the series conclusion, Mayor Marilyn holds a public execution and all is revealed – in the nick of time.

From Bill Harris of the Toronto Sun:

• ‘Death Comes to Town’ wraps up
  “‘We (the Kids) are not thinking of coming back and being in a studio for eight more years doing sketch again,’ said Mark McKinney, who plays Death, among many other characters. ‘But that’s not to say we wouldn’t do a chunk of sketch stuff.’” Read more.

From Jim Henshaw of The Legion of Decency:

• The Guy With The Movie In His Head
  “The entire series operates on a level of paranoia and self-delusion that beggars belief. Leo and his fellow officers are downtrodden and abused by all those of higher rank. Every Captain and Deputy Chief practically sneers with venality while twisting their Snidely Whiplash moustaches — and those are just the women!” Read more.

From Daniel Dale of the Toronto Star:

• Jim Treliving: The loving Dragon
  “He treats budding entrepreneurs with respect because he was once one of them.” Read more.

Thorne tries to hide the fact he has evicted the mosque when a visiting archbishop demands to meet Amaar and the Muslims.

Tom and Phil team up in an ill-fated business scheme; Jessie gets in over her head when helping Judith re-design her kitchen.

8:30 p.m.

Dan’s (Fred Ewanuick) stand on cats becomes a hot button campaign issue, but he finds two unlikely allies, his ex, Claire (Mary Ashton), and Brianna (Agam Darshi), the niece of his main opponent.

8 p.m.

Millie (Nancy Robertson) tries out life as an office worker, while Stan (Brent Butt) tries out a new look.