From a media release:
OLN Announces Cast and Start of Production on Original Series, Storage Wars Canada
- One auctioneer and six bidders cast for first ever Canadian version of the hit Storage Wars franchise
- Start of production on 36, half-hour episodes now underway
After auditioning hundreds of bidders looking to score big, OLN today announced cast and production details for the highly anticipated original reality series Storage Wars Canada. With principal filming on the 36-episode, half-hour series now underway in Ontario, the cast features a seasoned auctioneer and six determined professional bidders, each with the same amount of motivation, but all with their own unique strategy. Commissioned by OLN’s original programming team, produced by Proper Television, and licensed by FremantleMedia, Storage Wars Canada is slated to premiere on OLN this summer. Full broadcast details to be announced at a later date.
Storage Wars Canada is a modern-day treasure hunt, as professional bidders use their combined knowledge, expertise, and wit to bid on the contents of abandoned, repossessed, and forgotten storage containers. Second-generation auctioneer Don Reinhart is joined by six fierce bidders, including: Roy Dirnbeck – “The Instigator”; Cindy Hayden and Rick Coffill – “The Veterans”; Ursula Stolf – “The Knock Out”; and father-and-son duo Paul and Bogart Kenny – “High Roller and The Kid.”
From Jaime Woo of the Toronto Standard:
OutTV’s Canadian Cop-Out
Here’s the thing: OutTV sounds embarrassed by its Canadian content. Yet if OutTV is in such dire straits with its Canadian programming, why not throw a Hail Mary then and go for some really interesting, out there stuff? It doesn’t even need to be expensive. Take a look at Comedy Central, the American channel that built itself up with the Daily Show, Colbert Report, Tosh.0, and other talking head shows. The biggest question is—and without knowing the financials or how syndication deals are structured at OutTV—how did New Addams Family became the poster child for queer television? Especially when Canadians are or were behind huge chunks of Degrassi, Lost Girl, and Wonderfalls. Read more.
From a media release:
CABLE PULLER TO ICE CLIMBER TARA GAUCHER SELECTED AS MY TOP 10 HOST ON TRAVEL+ESCAPE
- Series Begins Production In Iceland
- Original Series Premieres Fall 2013
Travel+Escape is proud to announce the winner of the Travel+Escape’s My Top 10 Travel Host Search is Edmonton, Alberta born Tara Gaucher. Production begins in Iceland on the new hour-long documentary series Travel+Escape’s My Top 10, and premieres fall 2013.
With over 500 entries there was no shortage of talent, but it was twenty-seven-year-old Tara Gaucher’s, funny and engaging personality and anecdotes that separated her from her competitors. A born entertainer and seasoned traveller thanks to her love of dance, stand-up comedy and performing, Tara’s quick-witted charm and thirst for knowledge proved she could hold her own when providing viewers with the kind of engaging adventure travel Travel+Escape fans have come to love.
Tara’s journey begins with her dream destination, Iceland. There, she’ll shoot the pilot episode for My Top 10 and begin her new Travel+Escape Digital Magazine column detailing her travels and giving audiences a behind the scenes look, as she tastes local delicacies like sheep’s head and puffin. While there she’ll take her body to the limits as she glacier hikes, ice climbs and gets the chance to train with one of her heroes, the fittest woman in the world, Iceland Annie.
From a media release:
DE-CLUTTERING EXPERT JILL POLLACK RETURNS TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES AND HOMES OF CANADA’S MOST DISORGANIZED FAMILIES
- Second season of Consumed premieres Sat., June 1 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on HGTV Canada
HGTV Canada’s extreme home experiment, Consumed is returning for a second season of home de-cluttering with host Jill Pollack – a former television producer turned celebrity home organizational expert. This season, Pollack pushes families overwhelmed by stuff further than ever before by taking them on an intense physical and emotional journey where each family must survive for a gruelling two weeks with only the bare essentials. While Jill deals with the underlying emotional clutter, resident handyman Darren Doyle takes on the challenge of making their physical space more functional. Produced by Paperny Entertainment, Consumed (9 x 60’) season two premieres Sat., June, 1 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on HGTV Canada.
From packing up their own home to confronting emotional issues and clutter, Jill is there for the families in each episode to better their lives.
EPISODE 1: THE TAIT MACDONALDS
Sat., June 1 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
Career-woman Trish Tait-MacDonald had no idea what she was in for when she had twins. Trying to stay on top of the house, the kids, and her job has left the state of the house in chaos. And where’s hubby Bruce in all this? If he is not at work, he is out hunting. In this two-week de-cluttering experiment, Jill attempts to get this couple back on track and working as a team. But stubborn Bruce gives Jill a run for her money.
EPISODE 2: THE KERRS
Sat., June 8 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT
With four kids under the age of eight, including three-year old twins, the Kerr family is overwhelmed by stuff. Heather, in an attempt to be supermom, home-schools her kids and buys them an excess of toys – even ones they don’t want. The toys have added to their already cluttered space which contributes to their overwhelmed household and rocky marriage. Hubby Mike can’t face the clutter and has removed himself both mentally and physically from the situation. Heather and Mike constantly fight about the mess and the kids are starting to feel their stress. With the clutter gone during this two-week experiment, real issues are exposed and the couple realizes their relationship is in serious jeopardy.
For full episodes after they air and exclusive photos visit www.hgtv.ca.
From Scott Stinson of the National Post:
Panic Button is a real horror show
On the set of Panic Button, the Space channel series in which foolishly brave contestants must encounter all manner of spiders, snakes and other such obstacles that are designed to scare the sweet bejeesus out of them, co-creator and producer Jonathan Dueck shows me around the former meat packing plant. Furry things hang from a rack. As do some squishy things. Read more.