TV, eh?

From a media release:

Elvis is in the Building: SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH… Returns for Season 2, March 20 on CTV

• Bravo! to air encore episodes Sundays starting March 21 –
• Special episode devoted to Costello shot at Toronto’s historical Masonic Temple –
• Super-sized Springsteen season finale airs in two parts –

Microphone check! CTV announced today the return of Season 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH…, kicking off on Saturday, March 20 at 10 p.m. ET on CTV (visit ctv.ca to confirm local broadcast times). After the much buzzed-about December sneak peak of Episode 1, featuring Bono and The Edge, all seven new episodes roll out with additional artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett and the legendary Bruce Springsteen, whose season finale episode airs in two parts. Viewers can also catch encore episodes on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET, starting March 21, on Bravo!

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From Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family:

• Blue Christmas for Elvis, Ratings-Wise

From Rob Salem of the Toronto Star:

• Elvis Costello and stars who won’t talk
  “Elvis was in the building. And Bono was with him. It was one of worst-kept secrets of last September’s Toronto International Film Festival. While George Clooney and Oprah were downtown walking their red carpets, Elvis Costello was uptown, quietly shooting the second-season opener of his hit interview/jam series, Spectacle.” Read more.

10 p.m. – SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH… Bono and The Edge – ALL-NEW SNEAK PEEK EPISODE

In this Season 2 sneak peek episode shot at the historic Masonic Temple in Toronto, host Elvis Costello presents an in-depth look at the musical roots of the Dublin rockers, their philanthropy initiatives and the inspiring words of their musical idols Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Frank Sinatra. Bono and The Edge pull the curtain back on the writing and recording process behind some of their most famous recordings; discuss their unlikely friendship with Frank Sinatra; and perform rarities as well as a show ending mash-up with Elvis and The Imposters. Songs performed during the episode include “Stuck In a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of”, “Stay (Faraway, So Close!)”, “Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad”, and “Pump It Up / Get On Your Boots”.

From Bill Harris of Sun Media:

• U2 makes a ‘Spectacle’ for Costello
  Music fans fantasize that all the biggest rock stars know each other. And they live together in a big house. “Like the Monkees,” Elvis Costello said enthusiastically. “Or Help!” added Costello, referring to the Beatles movie. “We live in a row of terrace houses, and they’re connecting inside.” Read more.

From a media release:

CTV Welcomes U2’s Bono and The Edge to Canada with Dec. 11 Season 2 Sneak Peek of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH…

CTV announced today a special holiday sneak peek of Season 2 of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH… featuring special guests Bono and The Edge. Premiering Friday, December 11 at 10 p.m. ET on CTV (visit ctv.ca to confirm local broadcast times), the special episode marks the first time CTV’s critically-acclaimed original music/talk series has been taped in Canada. The top-secret performance caught Torontonians by surprise last September, creating a fan frenzy when locals realized Bono and The Edge were appearing at CTV’s historic Masonic Temple studio, joining an impressive lineage of rock royalty that have performed in the building. The rest of the seven-part season will be seen in its entirety as part of CTV’s mid-season schedule.

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From Canoe:

• No more ‘Spectacle’ for Costello
  “Rocker Elvis Costello is to end his run as a chat show host after just two seasons because his “side project” takes up too much of his time.” Read more.

From Alex Strachan of Canwest:

• Elvis Costello has a rep for being a difficult — read: prickly — interview. So why is he so mellow and talkative on the phone, then?
  “I guessed – possibly correctly, though you never know with the celebrity/gossip tabloid crowd – that I was the only interviewer that day dumb and/or craven enough to lead off with a question about American Idol. And I knew that, given Costello’s rep for being a difficult interview, I was risking him pulling a Carrie Prejean, who famously – if somewhat incoherently – stormed out on Larry King after being asked one too many questions that she didn’t like. He got it, though, and it was all good from there.” Read more.

From a media release:

Bono, The Edge and The Boss are Centre Stage In Second Season of SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH … on CTV and Bravo!

• Critically-acclaimed series lines up musical heavy weights such as Sheryl Crow, Lyle Lovett and Ron Sexsmith join host Elvis Costello in seven-part season
• Special episode taped with Bono and The Edge at Canada’s historic Masonic Temple

With the ultimate backstage pass, fans of rock ‘n’ roll can rejoice! CTV and Bravo! announced today the impressive list of guests ready to entertain in the second season of the critically-acclaimed music/talk series SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH … (broadcast premieres to be announced at a later date). Bringing together the best elements of talk and music television, the program invites viewers into an intimate conversation between host Costello and his guests, which are both legendary performers and promising new artists. This season’s line-up is full of musical masters, including members of one of the greatest rock bands of all time  Grammy and JUNO Award winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Bono and The Edge of U2, who recorded their session with Costello in Toronto, Canada, at the celebrated historic musical venue, the Masonic Temple. Produced in part by Sir Elton John and David Furnish, the series features unprecedented pairings, group discussions and impromptu, historical performances.

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From a media release:

Toronto Hosts a SPECTACLE

• Celebrated Talk/Music series begins production of second season in Canada
• Season 1 DVD/Blu-ray box set released throughout North AmericaNovember 10, 2009

SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH…, the internationally acclaimed music television series conceived and developed in Canada, begins production today on season 2 with a special taping in Toronto. Canada’s first ever SPECTACLE taping will take place in the legendary Concert Hall at CTV’s historic Masonic Temple. Host Elvis Costello said “In the words of the great Joe Strummer, ‘Let’s Rock again!’”

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From Cameron Archer of URBMN:

• Canadian TV-on-DVD Roundup
  Includes The Tudors, Sanctuary, Blood Ties, Kenny vs. Spenny, Total Drama Island, Spectacle: Elvis Costello With … Read more.

From TV Shows on DVD:

• Spectacle: Elvis Costello with … Season 1

From a media release:

THE CTV FALL 2009 PRIME-TIME SCHEDULE

All times ET. New programs are bold IN ALL CAPS.

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From a media release:

Coming to CTV in 2009/2010 is the eagerly anticipated Original CTV Series THE BRIDGE. Starring Aaron Douglas (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) as controversial police union head Frank Leo, THE BRIDGE is a gripping one-hour drama about police, power and politics, currently in production and set to premiere on CTV and CBS in mid-season.

CTV also confirmed today the first projects on its production slate for the 2010/11 season, including two, new, 13-part comedy series. Created, executive produced and written by the incomparable CORNER GAS creator and star Brent Butt, HICCUPS stars CORNER GAS’ Nancy Robertson as a children’s author with anger issues and Butt as her hapless “life coach”. DAN FOR MAYOR, from three of Canada’s most respected comedy writers and producers, Mark Farrell, Paul Mather and Kevin White, stars CORNER GAS alumnus Fred Ewanuick as a 30-something bartender who runs for mayor of his hometown.

The two new series join additional CTV Original Series entering new production cycles, including DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION, FLASHPOINT, and SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH… CTV also announced today that it will premiere a new two-hour TV movie event, PARADISE CITY: DEGRASSI GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, this September.

From Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family:

• Leno’s Final Tonight Show Numbers Way Up
  “CTV’s Spectacle slumped to a new low Friday of 346,000 (BBM overnight estimates, ‘commercial.’).” Read more.

“Jenny Lewis, Jakob Dylan and She & Him”

Also airs at 10 p.m. ET in a super-simulcast on ‘A’
Elvis brings together some of “the next generation” of singers and songwriters catching his ear – all of whom come from musical/show business families.

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 25

THE BEST YEARS, E!, 10pm ET/PT
“Deluth, Minnesota”: Sam assists Poppi in handing out condoms and safe sex pamphlets to the student body, which leads to an unexpected connection with Jake, Alicia’s ex. Meanwhile, Noah, Kat and Robyn struggle to make sense of their feelings for each other, while Rich realizes he wants to get back together with Sam.

Tuesday, May 26

CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, CTV, 8 pm
“Ice Baby Ice” – SEASON PREMIERE: After scouring the country from Vancouver to Halifax, CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL has un-earthed 11, all-Canadian beauties bound for the big-time. Join Host/Executive Producer Jay Manuel as he coaches the girls on their way to modeling stardom.

Friday, May 29

SPECTACLE: ELVIS COSTELLO WITH…, CTV, 10 p.m.
“Jenny Lewis, Jakob Dylan and She & Him”: Elvis brings together some of the next generation of singers and songwriters catching his ear – all of whom come from musical/show business families.

Sunday, May 31

BOB & DOUG, Global, 8:30pm ET/PT (NEW TIME)
“Bob Falls in Love”: Doug vows revenge after suffering a hockey injury at the hands of the rival LeDoux Brothers. Meanwhile, Bob finds romance with Juliet, the LeDoux’s sister, an extremely gifted hockey player. When Doug sees this as an opportunity to get back at his enemies, will he jeopardize Bob’s one shot at love?

Friday, May 22 at 10 p.m. ET

Saturday, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET and Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. ET on Bravo!

Now in his ninth decade, the irrepressible Tony Bennett is not only the steward of the Great American Songbook, but one of the last living connections to it. In this seductive and utterly charming hour, Bennett and Costello discuss many of the great songs and the colourful people responsible for them with warmth and affection. Accompanied by (in Tony Bennett’s estimation) “the finest jazz pianist today,” Bill Charlap, Bennett sings several classics, and pulls a very special surprise guest from the audience for a spontaneous and irresistible duet.

Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family finds the dark side of the CBS renewal. Includes ratings for Flashpoint and Spectacle:

• Flashpoint picked off CBS schedule
  “There are several reasons. No. 1, while Flashpoint was generally winning its Friday night timeslot on CBS, it was trending down and lagging slightly behind Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs.” Read more.

From a CTV media release:

2008/09 Season Report Card: Two CTV Original Series Break into Canadian Top 20

• SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA and FLASHPOINT rank among Canada’s most-watched programs in 2008/09
• SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA continues to reign as Canada’s #1 New Program

As the 2008/2009 television season heads into the last week of finales, CTV released today a report card looking back at the most-watched programs on Canadian television – and for the first time in years, two Canadian series have landed among the Top 20*. CTV original series SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA (#14) and FLASHPOINT (#18) are among the sixteen CTV programs dominating the Top 20. The season-to-date data also reveals that, despite the ascendancy of new hits like FRINGE and THE MENTALIST, last fall’s premiere season of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA remains the #1 New Television Series of the season. Finally, a closer look at the data dispels notions that audiences are abandoning conventional television; on the contrary, CTV’s primetime audience actually increased by nearly 3% over the course of the past season.

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