TV, eh?

From a media release:

New this fall:

CONVICTION KITCHEN

World-renowned executive chef, Marc Thuet, and his wife and business partner, Biana Zorich, put their reputations on the line with a high-stakes challenge that will push them – and their charges – to the limit In Conviction Kitchen, Marc and Biana have just three weeks to train a staff of former bank robbers, thieves and minor offenders, completely outfit a brand new business, and create an Italian menu around fresh and seasonal ingredients… But the real challenge will be making it beyond opening night — Because once the eatery opens, the restaurant’s motley crew have only three months to turn a profit – or their bosses will pull the plug, and they’ll lose their second, and for many – the last chance to turn their lives around.

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From a media release:

Head North of the Border For a Series of Fascinating Adventures in MURDOCH MYSTERIES

The new American Public Television-distributed series MURDOCH MYSTERIES, airing on public television stations nationwide beginning June 30, 2009, follows the exploits of young detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) as he navigates the streets of 1890’s Toronto. Using unconventional, cutting-edge forensic science techniques, Murdoch battles ridicule from his fellow officers and skepticism from his superiors to solve a series of challenging killings that plague the city.

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MURDOCH MYSTERIES, Citytv, 10 pm
“Let Us Ask The Maiden”: Murdoch’s investigation into the death of a young Jewish man leads to Toronto’s small Jewish ghetto – the Ward. There he finds a tale of forbidden romance and himself again being drawn to Dr. Ogden.

Here’s what’s coming up this week for new episodes of Canadian series. Check local listings to confirm times. Information is subject to change.

Monday, May 11

THE BEST YEARS, E!, 10pm ET/PT
“Different Hearts”: Sam’s relationship with Rich begins to fall apart amid the prank war started by Alicia, who seems hell-bent on severing her family ties to Dorothy. Noah asks Robyn to join him in catching the prank war on video, but when she turns him down and Kat takes him up on the offer, Noah struggles with his growing feelings for Kat.

Tuesday, May 12

FAMILY BIZ, YTV, 9 pm
“Damage Control”: Dad’s in the house. And that means big changes for the Keller kids. Ronnie gets an actual bedtime. Avalon loses her cell phone and unlimited calling privileges. And no more killer Keller-Casa parties. Desperate to save her plummeting social stock, Avalon maneuvers Eli into booking the EMO band Yellow Stayne to play a concert Chez Keller. This will be the house party to end all house parties. And Eli will get to hook up with the super hot Tracey Dupont-Roymont. Now all Eli has to do is keep Dad out of the house. Just for six hours. How hard can that be?

Wednesday, May 13

MURDOCH MYSTERIES, Citytv, 10 pm
“Let Us Ask The Maiden”: Murdoch’s investigation into the death of a young Jewish man leads to Toronto’s small Jewish ghetto – the Ward. There he finds a tale of forbidden romance and himself again being drawn to Dr. Ogden.

Thursday, May 14

DA KINK IN MY HAIR, Global, 9:30pm ET/PT
“Oil’s Well That Ends Well”: Letty has to find a serious amount of dough, if she wants to save her salon from falling into competitor’s hands.

Friday, May 15

FLASHPOINT, CTV, 9 pm
“Exit Wounds”: Derek (KC Collins, Doomstown) has been taking care of his little brother Matt (Jahmil French) since their mother was killed years ago. When Matt witnesses a gangland slaying by drug dealer Shane (Cle Bennett, INSTANT STAR), Shane turns the gun on a fleeing Matt. Matt manages to escape, but is badly wounded. Shane and his crew follow Derek and Matt to a downtown hospital for a deadly ambush, but find Derek is a surprisingly resourceful adversary. Team One responds to the shootout and have their hands full chasing multiple shooters through a busy downtown hospital.

SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH…, CTV, 10 pm
“Rufus Wainwright”: The brutally honest Canadian musician Rufus Wainwright talks about his influences and inspirations as a musician, from his family to the heavyweights of pop and opera, and throws in a passionate performance while he’s at it.

MURDOCH MYSTERIES, Citytv, 10pm ET/8pm MT/8pm CT

Murdoch.com: The discovery of a decomposed body leads Murdoch into the fascinating world of telegraphy- the 1895 equivalent of the internet. When Murdoch calls on Enid to assist in the investigation, she finds herself in peril. Meanwhile, Inspector Brackenreid’s erratic behaviour has Dr. Ogden questioning the Gold Cure the Inspector is taking to help him stop drinking.

Here’s what’s coming up this week for new episodes of Canadian series. Check local listings to confirm times. Information is subject to change.

Monday, May 4

PRODUCING PARKER, TVtropolis, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT
Series Premiere: This animated series follows the outrageous adventures of Parker Kovak (Kristin Booth), an overworked and underpaid television producer, as she manages her boss’s delicate ego, the quirky production crew and all the hilarious behind-the-scenes antics of “The Dee Show.” The Dee Show’s colourful cast of characters includes self-absorbed, high-maintenance host, Dee (Kim Cattrall); the resident copywriter, Simon (Aaron Abrams); the sexy, under-qualified intern, Chicago (Sarah Cornell); and the charismatic station owner, Bake Bellamy (Peter Keleghan).

THE BEST YEARS, E!, 10pm ET/PT
Dermabrasion: Sam juggles putting on a play and her duties taking care of Alicia while trying to bond with Robyn, who sees the play as an opportunity to send a message to her father. Meanwhile, Del and Kat are partnered up for a project that has them psychoanalyzing everyone around them.

COLD BLOOD, Global, 10pm ET/PT
Double Jeopardy: On June 16th 2001, police rush to a gas station after a man is shot in the face in broad daylight. The victim is Jeff Zack, a 40-year-old with a criminal record and a long list of enemies. His killer’s identity and motive remain a mystery, but key evidence leads police to the home of one of Akron’s most powerful families. A tangled web of secrecy, adultery, and murder begins to unravel.

Wednesday, May 6

MURDOCH MYSTERIES, Citytv, 10pm ET/8pm MT/8pm CT
Murdoch.com: The discovery of a decomposed body leads Murdoch into the fascinating world of telegraphy- the 1895 equivalent of the internet. When Murdoch calls on Enid to assist in the investigation, she finds herself in peril. Meanwhile, Inspector Brackenreid’s erratic behaviour has Dr. Ogden questioning the Gold Cure the Inspector is taking to help him stop drinking.

Friday, May 8

FLASHPOINT, CTV, 9 pm
Last Dance: Team One is called to intercept a volatile young couple (guest stars Kathleen Munroe, WITHOUT A TRACE and Luke Kirby, TELL ME YOU LOVE ME) on what appears to be a drug-fuelled crime spree. But as ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ hold a roomful of terrified wedding guests hostage, the team discovers the tragic secret behind this unforgettable night. And Parker (Enrico Colantoni) must make a wrenching ethical decision that threatens Team One’s unity.

SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH …, CTV, 10 pm
President Bill Clinton: Clinton joins Elvis Costello in an unprecedented and revealing chat about his early career aspirations and the astonishing degree to which music shaped him as a man, a politician and a president.

Sunday, May 10

BOB & DOUG, Global, 7:30pm ET/PT
Ice Road Truckers: After a trip to the Maple Lake Ice Carnival resurrects memories from Dwight’s past as an ice road trucker, he is sent into a state of shock. Bob and Doug take it upon themselves to help Dwight overcome his demons, only to get all three of them stranded in the middle of the Arctic.

From a media release:

Michael Seater Guest Stars in Murdoch Mysteries Wednesday, April15 on Citytv

Michael Seater (Life With Derek) stars as ‘James Gillies,’ a curious physics student, in the Murdoch Mysteries episode ‘Big Murder on Campus,’ premiering Wednesday, April 15th at 10pm (8pm CT/MT) on Citytv.

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From Cameron Archer on URBMN:

• Canadian TV-on-DVD Roundup (April 2, 2009)

From TV on DVD:

• The Murdoch Mysteries

From Bill Harris of Sun Media:

• Murdoch back with more Mysteries: Series works as both crime and historical drama
  “Man, those collars are white.  Big and white.  Detective William Murdoch, played by Yannick Bisson, arguably has the most impressive collars in the history of TV (Don Cherry notwithstanding). And since the excellent Canadian series Murdoch Mysteries, which kicks off its second season tomorrow night on Citytv, is set in Toronto in the 1890s, maintaining the cleanliness of a white collar is no small feat. ” Read more.

From Fiona Morrow of the Globe and Mail:

• Go west, young Murdoch
  “Starring Yannick Bisson as the eponymous hero, Detective William Murdoch, the first season of Murdoch Mysteries garnered two Gemini awards and 14 nominations. Originally set and shot in Toronto, the show made the trek across the country to film two episodes out West for the second season – a prerequisite in order for production company, Shaftesbury, to receive all of its funding.” Read more.

From a media release:

Outstanding list of finalists announced for the 2009 WGC Screenwriting Awards

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) will celebrate the winning words of 2008 on April 20 at the 13th Annual WGC Screenwriting Awards, honouring excellence in screenwriting. More than 150 scripts vied for the judges’ attentions this year. The entries have been narrowed to 37 finalist scripts across 11 categories, including screenwriting for feature film, episodic half-hours and one-hours, documentary film and more. In all, 51 screenwriters are up for awards. Several special awards, including the WGC Showrunner Award, will also be handed out at the event. Click here for a full list of nominees.

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From  a media release:

Murdoch Mysteries – Season 2
Premieres Wednesday, March 4 at 10pm ET/PT (8pm CT/ MT)

Explore the intriguing world of William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), a handsome young detective using radical forensic techniques in like fingerprinting and trace evidence to solve some of the 1895 Toronto’s most gruesome murders. Though his unconventional ways often elicit ridicule from Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) Murdoch is often the only one who can solve the case. This season, Murdoch comes to terms with the relationship developing between himself and Dr. Julia Ogden (Hélène Joy). Investigations take Murdoch out to the Calgary Badlands and to a deserted mining town in British Columbia and Murdoch continues to meet some of the period’s more popular characters like Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley and Harry Houdini.

From Clive Morgan of The Telegraph (UK):

• Interview: Thomas Craig on Murdoch Mysteries
  “Thomas Craig is best remembered as Tommy Harris, the Coronation Street mechanic who was killed by his daughter Katy. He now appears as Inspector Brackenreid in the Victorian crime drama Murdoch Mysteries, an police inspector who prefers an old-fashioned approach to his crime solving.” Read more.

From TV Scoop:

• TV Scoop Interview: Thomas Craig, Murdoch Mysteries
  “Most people remember Thomas Craig [below, left] as Tommy Harris in Coronation Street (he’s also appeared in Where The Heart Is too), and now Thomas pops up in Canadian-set period crime drama Murdoch Mysteries.” Read more.

From Citytv website (thanks to Groove Kitty for the tip):

• Premieres March 4, Wednesdays 10 pm/8 MT/9CT

From Randy Shore of the Vancouver Sun:

• Story, character drive Murdoch Mysteries
  “It’s raining and his boots are soaked from shooting in the mud all morning, but Yannick Bisson is all business, assiduously repeating the scene over and over.” Read more.

From the Canadian Press:

• ‘The Tudors,’ ‘The Englishman’s Boy’ among early winners headed into Geminis
  “Period dramas from the CBC were the big winners at the Gemini Awards on Wednesday, when the racy historical series The Tudors and the miniseries The Englishman’s Boy each snagged four trophies in advance of next month’s televised gala.” Read more.
• See all winners so far at the Gemini website

From Bill Harris of the Toronto Sun:

• Call her Lucky Joy
  ” Murdoch Mysteries got the most Gemini award nominations this year with 14. Durham County got 13. And Helene Joy stars in both shows. ‘My friends in Australia call me Lucky Joy — I guess I’m getting what they mean,’ said Joy, a native of Australia. Joy also received a Gemini nomination for best actress in a drama for her work on Durham County.” Read more.

From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce the nominations for the 23rd Annual Gemini Awards, recognizing the year’s best in Canadian English-language television. The Gemini Awards Broadcast Gala will be presented in Toronto, ON at the John Bassett Theatre on Friday, November 28, 2008. Canwest Broadcasting joins the Academy in celebrating this year’s exceptional achievements, airing the Gemini Awards Broadcast Gala on E! Network and Showcase at 9 pm ET.

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