Everything about Less Than Kind, eh?

Dramas and Comedies, Featured, Industry News, Less Than Kind, Murdoch Mysteries, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Industry Update – Rogers/Citytv 2012 Upfronts

3 Comments

This is my first time at the Rogers Media/Citytv 2012 upfronts. This year, they are held at Toronto’s Massey Hall. Historically, the Rogers upfronts don’t provide much in the way of Canadian scripted fare, or Canadian content. In fact, Murdoch Mysteries‘ Citytv run ends this summer. If viewers miss the fifth season, they can watch it on CBC this fall…or watch Citytv’s reruns of the fifth season, if they air as “encore presentations” this fall. Try to wrap your head around that one.

I go into the Rogers upfronts not expecting much – maybe a low-rated documentary series for Citytv, foreign reality-show formats with the word “Canada” flour-pasted onto the side, and American programming – the usual.

Citytv’s fall schedule is its usual heady mix of American shows, and “encore presentations” of Rogers “original series.” Saturday, by now, is Citytv’s Canadian cultural ghetto. Less Than Kind will even air 9:30 PM ET on Saturdays this fall, and it better not be four-year-old reruns of the first season.

More encouragingly, Citytv has two original comedies up for 2013, Seed and Package Deal. Seed is about a sperm bank donor, and how he deals with the byproducts of his white gold. Package Deal is “about three overly close brothers and the woman who comes between them,” which reads as generic. So did Shaw Media’s Continuum, when it was announced.

The Citytv press conferences are basic. There are the usual American stars to sell their wares – Katie Couric promoting her new talk show, Brandon Routh and Michael Urie promoting Partners, and Max Greenfield shilling New Girl. Dominic Monaghan beats the drum on Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan, an OLN/Channel 5/BBC America nature show, while Tyler Harcott sells viewers on the merits of The Bachelor Canada.

Andrew Orenstein and Joseph Raso promote their respective shows, Package Deal and Seed. Citytv sells Package Deal as the first Canadian multi-camera sitcom in decades, which ignores YTV’s Mr. Young. Perhaps youth sitcoms aren’t as glamorous as adult sitcoms. Package Deal shoots in Vancouver, and has Mr. Young‘s production company, Thunderbird Films, behind it.

An interesting announcement concerns Citytv and Sportsnet sewing up rights to HBO’s 24/7 Maple Leafs/Red Wings: Road to the NHL Winter Classic. This isn’t a Canadian series, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are the first Canadian team with a 24/7 profile. Given that Rogers is set to own 37.5% of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, this is Canadian content, in a way. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment owns quite a few sports channels, so Rogers wants to feature a prospective acquisition.

Hopefully, Rogers and Citytv build on their commitments to homegrown programming. It’s nice to see Rogers and Citytv muster a little more effort than usual, even if the overall strategy is “let’s buy a lot of American programming, and here’s our version of a popular reality show format.” I didn’t expect Citytv to announce any new shows, beyond The Bachelor Canada.

One niggling issue: no announcements regarding G4 Canada, or bio? What did they do, break Rogers Media’s priceless Ming vase, or something?

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Awards, Continuum, Industry News, Less Than Kind, Podcast, The Listener

TV, eh? podcast episode 94 – “We’re a Nice Pat on the Back. Shut Up.”

Diane couldn’t think of another excuse to ditch Anthony for the podcast so we’re back this week talking about Continuum’s great numbers, Sanctuary’s demise, The Listener and Pawnathon Canada’s returns, Less Than Kind’s fourth and final season is in production, the Leo awards were handed out, Astral approved the BCE acquisition, EOne is looking at Alliance, and how to get to the next level in Canadian television.

Episode 94: Listen or download here or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed

Your hosts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Less Than Kind

Less Than Kind season 4 in production

3 Comments

From a media release:

LESS THAN KIND, THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING SERIES ON HBO CANADA, STARTS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN WINNIPEG ON ITS 4TH AND FINAL SEASON

LESS THAN KIND, the original series from Astral’s The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central (Western Canada) with 45 nominations and 15 awards, including the coveted Gemini trifecta of Best Comedy, Best Acting, and Best Writing, goes into production on its fourth and final season starting Monday, May 28.

The series stars Jesse Camacho (Rapturepalooza, Happy Slapping, Kids in the Hall, Death Comes to Town), Wendel Meldrum (Queen of the Lot, Seinfeld), Benjamin Arthur (American Reunion, Hang Loose, Switch, Charlie), Nancy Sorel (Rufus, Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story, Cashing In), Lisa Durupt (Hitched for the Holidays, Psych), Brooke Palsson (Molly Maxwell, Keyhole, Rusted Pyre), Tyler Johnston (The Killing, BecomingRedwood, The Odds, Flashpoint) and this season Nicholas Campbell (Antiviral, Republic of Doyle, Haven). Series is directed by Gemini-award winning Kelly Makin as well as Leo-nominated Canadian Comedy Award-winner James Dunnison, Mark McKinney (who made his directing debut last season), Doug Mitchell, and the newly-minted directing team of series co-creators Marvin Kaye and Chris Sheasgreen. Principal photography runs from May 28- July 10 in Winnipeg and season four will premiere in 2013.

“We are all thrilled to be doing a fourth season that offers the creative challenge of concluding this story and this wonderful series. It’s incredibly satisfying as so few shows get this opportunity. It is truly ‘rare air’,” says executive producer, writer and director Mark McKinney.

In season four of LESS THAN KIND, nothing is certain but change and for the Blechers, change is in the driver’s seat throughout a bittersweet summer of turmoil and goodbyes.

Anne’s anxiety is rising at the looming loss of Sheldon to a gap-year adventure and a university far away and to the advances of employee Jim Sheridan. Newly engaged, Josh pursues a career at Manitoba Labels in order to move out, move up and start his own family with the increasingly demanding Shandra. Aunt Clara finds herself facing the harsh prospect of unwelcome spinsterhood. As for Sheldon, Miriam and Danny, they will reel as their relationships are strained past the breaking point by tumultuous events coming from all directions. Life will never be the same again for the Blechers. And that might not be bad.

LESS THAN KIND is produced by Breakthrough Entertainment and Buffalo Gal Pictures, in association with Astral’s The Movie Network and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central, and is helmed by executive producer, writer and showrunner Mark McKinney, executive producers Peter Williamson and Ira Levy for Breakthrough Entertainment and Phyllis Laing for Buffalo Gal Pictures.  The series is also written and executive produced by former Winnipegger Marvin Kaye and Vancouver born Chris Sheasgreen, who created the series based on Kaye’s semi-autobiographical one-act play, They Have Mayonnaise in Montreal. Paula J. Smith is producer. The fourth season of the series was written by Mark McKinney, Garry Campbell, Marvin Kaye and Chris Sheasgreen, Karen Hill and Jenn Engels.  

LESS THAN KIND is a Breakthrough Entertainment/Buffalo Gal Pictures production, and produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Manitoba Film & Music, The Canadian Film and Video Tax Credit,  The Government of Manitoba – Manitoba Film & Video Productions Tax Credit, and the Government of Ontario – The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit. Distribution by Breakthrough Entertainment Inc.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Dramas and Comedies, Heartland, Less Than Kind, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

New tonight: Heartland, Less Than Kind, Lost Girl, Canada’s Got Talent

Heartland, CBC – “Candles in the Wind”
When a mystery horse arrives at Heartland, Amy and Ty are sent down a path that will alter their lives.

Less Than Kind, HBO Canada – “March Fourth”
With Danny and Miriam upset by the prospect of separating for university, Sheldon comes up with an inspired solution. Anne, Jim and Clara risk it all to save the driving school from their rival “Killigans.” Shandra is furious when the family seem oblivious to the implications of her renewed romance with Josh. Nicholas Campbell and Kevin McDonald guest star.

Lost Girl, Showcase – “Into the Dark”
In the wake of emotional losses, Trick reveals his deepest secret to Bo. Bo realizes there is no turning back and she must go to any extreme, which includes aligning herself with a sworn enemy, to take on a battle that could decide the fate of the Fae. Written by Emily Andras, directed by John Fawcett.

Canada’s Got Talent, Citytv – “Montreal Auditions”
Montreal’s longstanding tradition of unique talent is on full display when host Dina Pugliese and judges Martin Short, Measha Brueggergosman and Stephan visit the last stop on the cross-country audition tour.
“The Cut Down”
After an extensive cross-country audition tour, judges Martin Short, Measha Brueggergosman and Stephan Moccio choose their favourite acts from across Canada to advance to the semi-finals.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Dramas and Comedies, Less Than Kind

Less Than Kind bids farewell Sunday

1 Comment

From Chris Jancelewicz of the Huffington Post:

  • ‘Less Than Kind’ Takes A Bow
    Canadians have the TV comedy market cornered. That’s not me being a smug Canadian, it’s just fact. Think about it. In addition to the obvious “Second City” alumni, we’ve produced some serious comedic talent in this country. Maybe it’s in the water. Whatever the case, this Sunday we’re bidding farewell (perhaps forever) to one of the best — if not the best — Canadian-made TV comedies. “Less Than Kind” is finishing up its three-season run in what some are speculating might be the last-ever episode (titled ‘March Fourth’). Read more.
Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail