TV, eh?

From a media release:

A NEW WAVE OF BIOLOGICAL THREATS MARK THE FOURTH AND FINAL SEASON OF REGENESIS

The award-winning bio-thriller takes its final bow beginning Sunday, March 2 at 8 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT

Astral Media’s The Movie Network (eastern Canada) and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central (western Canada) present the final 13 episodes of the Gemini award-winning Canadian original drama series ReGenesis, premiering Sunday, March 2 at 8 p.m. ET on The Movie Network and 9 p.m. PT on Movie Central.

ReGenesis continues to follow a team of scientists, virologists and researchers who work together at the fictional NorBAC (North American Biotechnology Advisory Commission) lab, facing the baffling and often lethal global consequences of advanced biotechnology. In the premiere episode of season four, Bob (Dmitry Chepovetsky) is put into a medically-induced coma to reduce the risk of infection resulting from the brain surgery he underwent at the end of season three; David (Peter Outerbridge) and Carlos (Conrad Pla) investigate a drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis that’s killing Mexico’s Zapatista revolutionaries; and Rachel (Wendy Crewson) and Mayko (Mayko Nguyen) travel to a farming community where citizens are suffering horrific injuries due to an inability to feel pain.

(more…)

From a media release (so please don’t ask me what makes these Canadian TV shows independent):

Association announces CFTPA Indie Awards nominees

The Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA) is extremely pleased to announce the nominees of the CFTPA Indie Awards.

The awards were created by the CFTPA in order to recognize and honour the outstanding achievements of Canadian independent producers. The Awards will be presented at a special reception and ceremony in Ottawa on February 20th, 2008.

“There is an incredible number of talented independent producers across Canada, and this is a reality that is not celebrated nearly as often as it ought to be,” said Guy Mayson, President and CEO, CFTPA “On behalf of the members of the CFTPA and the Board of Directors, we are proud to showcase such excellence and we congratulate all the nominees.”

(more…)

From me at Blogcritics:

• TV Show ReGenesis Generates Interest in Science
  “Dr. Aled Edwards is a scientific consultant for the show, and it’s his mandate to keep the show’s writers from taking storytelling shortcuts that lead to those instant lab results on House or absolute certainty on CSI. “ReGenesis is the most accurate scientific drama out there, no holds barred, for sure,” he claimed in a recent interview.” Read more

For even more of the interview with Dr. Edwards, click here.

Terry Poulton of Media in Canada :

• ReGenesis breaking the fourth wall big time
  “The idea for the public forums sprang from a brainstorming session the series’ science consultant - renowned structural biologist Dr. Aled Edwards - had with a colleague. ‘They got talking about the commonality of creativity between science and the arts, and how both areas need to be well supported to foster innovation in Canada.’” Read more.

Gayle MacDonald of the Globe and Mail adds another article on US networks looking north during the strike, but also the international success of Canadian shows in general:

• Wanted: Cancon, everywhere
  “‘They can’t do reality and reruns forever, and they only have so many movies in the can,’ says Jennings. ‘So they’re looking around. ReGenesis is on the desk of three networks, and I had a call this week from one of the Big Three presidents,’ she adds, referring to the chiefs of NBC, ABC and CBS. ‘Whether it amounts to anything, who knows? These calls may – or may not – have happened regardless of the strike, but let’s just say it pushes [available Canadian programming] up the pile.’” Read more.

James Reaney of the London Free Press talks to ReGenesis Gemini winner Ingrid Kavelaars:

• Actor praises ‘beautiful death’
  “Former Londoner Ingrid Kavelaars paid the price for winning a Gemini while guest starring on the Canadian bio-thriller ReGenesis.” Read more.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

• ‘ReGenesis’ generates most Geminis
  “The Canadian sci-fi drama “ReGenesis” led all comers Wednesday night as Canada’s TV industry continued to honor its own at the Gemini Awards.” Read more.

From CanWest News Service:

• Rick Mercer, Doomstown big Gemini winners
  “The Rick Mercer Report and the movie Doomstown were among the big winners at tonight’s Gemini Awards gala for Drama, Variety and Comedy.” Read more.

From Variety:

• ‘Doomstown’ sweeps Gemini Awards
  “A hard-hitting CTV movie about guns and violence in a tough housing project was the big winner at the Gemini Awards for drama, variety and comedy Wednesday night in Toronto.” Read more.

From CBC:

• Stars of The Robber Bride earn acting Geminis
  “Other winners at the Geminis for drama, variety and comedy, handed out Wednesday evening in Toronto, included CBC’s Dragon Boys, which was named best dramatic miniseries.” Read more.

From the Mississauga News:

• Producer picks up two more Geminis
  “9 Story Entertainment won two Gemini Awards last night for the program, Skyland. The show was chosen Best Animated Program or Series and also won in the Best Original Music Score for an Animated Program or Series category, for composer Paul Intson’s piece, Mogura.” Read more.

Susan Tolusso of Playback talks to the successful production company:

• Shaftesbury’s fabulous 42 nods
  “The Toronto prodco’s drama series ReGenesis - which follows a team of scientists investigating medical and ethical dilemmas - received 12 nominations this year, marking the third time it has been nominated in the best drama series category. Read more.

Rob Salem of the Toronto Star gives the lineup of new and returning shows this fall, with blurbs from Jim Bawden about Canadian content relegated to its own little listing ghetto within:

• Fall TV preview: Day-by-day
  “Rob Salem takes a day-by-day look at the U.S. television season.” Read more.

From the Toronto Star:

• ‘Mosque’ fails to win Gemini nomination
  “The hugely successful CTV sitcom Corner Gas will compete against Royal Canadian Air Farce and This Hour Has 22 Minutes at this year’s Gemini Awards, but the much-discussed Little Mosque on the Prairie failed to make the cut for best comedy series.” Read more.