TV, eh?

From a media release:

• PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA WRAPS UP HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION SHOOT IN OTTAWA
• AN ALL NEW SEASON WITH HOST IMAN DEBUTS JANUARY 2009 ON GLOBAL

It’s a wrap… Project Runway Canada completed its shoot yesterday in the nation’s capital, and the all new season promises an exciting installment of 12 drama-filled episodes as the contenders experience their most thrilling fashion highs and grueling lows. Legendary fashion icon, Iman returns as Host, alongside series mentor, cherished Canadian designer Brian Bailey.

Premiering January 2009, Project Runway Canada makes its highly anticipated debut on Global.

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From a media release:

Canwest Broadcasting confirmed today the return of Supermodel Iman as Host of Project Runway Canada.
 
An internationally-recognized glamour and style icon, Iman brings back her keen sense of fashion and savvy business know-how to guide a brand new roster of budding Canadian designers. Along with series mentor, Brian Bailey and a panel of industry experts, Iman leads the team on its way to give one exceptionally talented designer the opportunity of a lifetime.

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From Tony Lofaro of the Ottawa Citizen:

• Reality fashion show to tape in Ottawa
  “A TV-reality series searching for Canada’s hottest fashion designer comes to Ottawa this summer to tape episodes for broadcast next season on Global-TV.” Read more.

From a Writers Guild of Canada media release:

Canadian Nets Not Upfront About Lack of Canadian Original Scripted Drama

Canadian broadcasters CanWest and CTV held their upfronts this week, allowing a sneak peek at what Canadians can look for on their TV screens come Fall. To the Writers Guild of Canada, the new season is best summed up in the title of CanWest’s new show: “True Hollywood Story Canada” – the Canadian networks are filling their best time slots with U.S. programming, and offering very little new original scripted Canadian drama.

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From a media release:

Canwest Announces Original Production Slate for 2008-2009

Global Television, E! & Specialty Channels Debut All-New Offerings:

THE LAST TEMPLAR, HOWIE DO IT, XIII,
INSTANT BEAUTY PAGEANT, PRODUCING PARKER,
CHEF ABROAD, OUTLAW BIKERS,
MAKE IT RIGHT: NEW ORLEANS, THE FOUNDATION, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

- AND –

Returning Hit Series Include:
THE GUARD, ‘DA KINK IN MY HAIR, THE BEST YEARS,
THE RE-INVENTORS, KENNY VS. SPENNY, SARAH’S HOUSE AND PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA

Canwest announced details of its original production slate today at their annual Fall Launch Presentation to advertisers and industry in Toronto.

In addition to unveiling an impressive roster of returning original programming across conventional and specialty networks, Canwest proudly revealed its line-up of new Canadian Original series for the 2008-2009 season, including a total of three NBC simulcasts: romantic adventure-drama, THE LAST TEMPLAR starring Oscar® winner Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite) and Canadian Victor Garber (Alias); comedy HOWIE DO IT starring comedian Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal); and political thriller, XIII starring Stephen Dorff (Blade) and Val Kilmer (Wonderland, The Doors).  (more…)

From a media release (I’m including Canadian series only):

Key returning 2008 Canadian highlights include the #1 new drama series* THE GUARD; and #1 new Canadian comedy series ’DA KINK IN MY HAIR. (BBM-NMR National Meter Data, Adults 18-49, Sept 10/07-May 25/08)

GLOBAL PRIMETIME 2008 – DAY-AT-A-GLANCE
All times EST. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Wednesday
10pm The Guard (Season 2)

Saturday
7pm Global Currents (Season 3)
10pm Renagadepress.com
10:30pm Renagadepress.com

MID-SEASON: ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING (Global)

• THE ANIMATED ADVENTURES OF BOB AND DOUG MACKENZIE (30 minutes; animated)
• COLD BLOOD (10 x 1 hour; documentary)
• HOWIE DO IT (30 minutes; comedy)
• XIII (2 x 2 hour; drama)
• THE LAST TEMPLAR (2 x 2 hour; drama)
• PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA Season 2 (1 hour; reality)

MID-SEASON ORIGINAL SERIES (E!)

• PRODUCING PARKER (animation)

From a media release:

Canwest Broadcasting announced today the official kick-off to the nationwide search for the country’s next big fashion designer as the all-new season of Project Runway Canada makes its Global Television debut in January 2009.

Starting TODAY, Monday, May 12 - 8am ET, all fashion designer hopefuls can go direct to www.globaltv.com to download the official application form. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, June 20 – 6:00PM ET.

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From Katie Mapes of the Harvard Law School Record:

• Harvard Law (Television) Review: Canadian Television
  “For reasons that are beyond me, our neighbor to the north apparently doesn’t think it’s worth their time to police what videos are put on YouTube. But I’m not complaining. As a result, you can watch full seasons of Canadian television on-line. It’s a perfect way to kick back and to assure yourself that even a nation with universal health care and money that is terrifyingly worth more than yours still can’t manage to properly pronounce words like ’sorry’ and ‘about.’” Read more.

Lindsay Ward of Sun Media reports on the finale:

• Project Runway Canada’ winner revealed
  “Evan Biddell is in. The potty-mouthed, Saskatoon-raised fashion designer proved he ‘measures up’ and became the first winner of Project Runway Canada.” Read more.

The Canadian Press uses the same “measured up” line:

• Saskatoon’s Evan Biddell wins inaugural ‘Project Runway Canada’
  “Self-taught Saskatoon designer Evan Biddell’s raw talent ‘measured up’ Monday night as he won the inaugural season of Project Runway Canada.” Read more.

Brianna Goldberg of The National Post visited the show:

• Behind the Seams
  “During an exclusive visit to the taping of Project Runway Canada’s final four episode, Brianna Goldberg learned that fashion television production isn’t always pretty. To prime you for tonight’s finale, we bring you an inside peek of what host Iman and the finalists, judges and crew went through last week in anticipation for this last show.” Read more.

From Steven Davey of Now Toronto:

• PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA
  “The three finalists are a motley bunch. Toronto’s Lucian Matas is perhaps the most flamboyant, his often repetitive designs derivative of Galiano. The judges have regularly criticized him for this, so that guarantees him third place.” Read more.