TV, eh?

From Alex Strachan of Canwest News Service:

• What’s wrong with the Canadian TV dramas on the networks this fall . . . and what’s right about the comedies.
  “Canadians are watching Hiccups and Dan For Mayor, in other words, because there isn’t a same-but-better version on NBC or CBS.” Read more.

From a media release:

THE BORDER SEASON THREE

In the final 12 gut-wrenching episodes of The Border, the elite Immigration and Customs Security Squad (ICS) fights for its future with Major Kessler (James McGowan) critically wounded and Gray Jackson (Graham Abbey) suspended from the squad. Khalida Massi (Athena Karkanis) joins ICS as a new language specialist – and obsession of Slade (Jonas Chernick). Liz Carver (Grace Park) recovers from near-fatal injuries to resume work for the Department of Homeland Security. Certain that she left her feelings for Gray with the bullets at Walter Reed, she strides back into the world of cross-border security. Powerful emotions are at the core of the struggle as the squad fights to return to its former strength and unity.

Nominated for nine 2009 Gemini Awards including Best Dramatic Series, and nominated by the Monte Carlo Television Festival for five awards including Best Dramatic TV Series, Best Performance by an Actor for the show’s star James McGowan, and Best Performance by an Actress for Sofia Milos.

Bonus features include:

* Character Psychology Sessions
* Behind the Scenes with Graham Abbey, Director
* Cast commentary of the season finale

The Border: Season Three
3 Disc Set
Run Time: 530 min
SRP: $29.98
Street Date: 10 August 2010

From Bruce Kirkland of QMI Agency:

• Quality Canadian shows exist
  “But the constant complaining about problems with government funding, government regulations and the private sector’s penchant for buying American has had one unfortunate side effect. It makes it appear that there is nothing Canadian to celebrate. Wrong. And the new release of two box sets, Heartland: The Complete First Season and Heartland: The Complete Second Season is a poignant reminder.” Read more.

From Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family:

• 22 Minutes Down to 13 Amid CBC Cuts for Fall
  “The most dramatic cut could come at the expense of the network’s longest-running entertainment series, 22 Minutes. The Halifax-based comedy may be down to a half-season, with just 13 episodes ordered, down from 18 last season and 20 the season before that.” Read more.

From Amber Dowling of TV Guide:

• Creator speaks on ‘The Border’s cancellation and its cliffhanger
  “But while the ending may have left anguished fans in the lurch, co-creator Peter Raymont maintains he’s proud of the many accomplishments the series helmed during its run. He called TV Guide Canada to give his take.” Read more.

From Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family:

• Border Closed, Republic Endures
  “The Border was thrown into a suicide slot in its third season and got overrun by CTV powerhouse Grey’s Anatomy. Unlike Doyle, which enjoyed the public network’s strongest lead-in (Dragon’s Den), The Border got squat from Doc Zone. The finale drew a little over a half million viewers with some weeks dipping closer to 400,000.” Read more.

From Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter:

• CBC renews ‘Republic of Doyle’
  “Republic of Doyle seizing the public broadcaster’s last 9 p.m. slot will mean the axe for the action drama The Border from White Pine Pictures after three seasons. ” Read more.

From Facebook/Twitter:

The Border is not being renewed for season 4

From Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family:

• Border No More Secure After Final Draw

From Denis McGrath of Dead Things on Sticks:

• One More Border Run
  “THE BORDER AIRS its 38th episode on CBC tonight at 9pm.  The third season finale is full of its own twists & turns, plenty of action & is rip-roaringly rendered by the same able hands who helmed the show’s pilot, John Fawcett. But the real cliffhanger is whether this will be the final adventure of Kessler & Co.” Read more.

312 – No Refuge
Written by Janet MacLean
Directed by John Fawcett

Kessler must protect his ex-wife’s lover from a deadly Mexican drug cartel.

A kingpin in Mexico’s Los Zetas drug cartel is en route to Toronto to meet his new distributors – the ultraviolent street gang, MS-13. Ramon Esteban – the new flame of Kessler’s ex-wife Terri – is a Mexican journalist whose articles on Los Zetas have put him on the cartel’s hit list. When Kessler, Carver, and Gray attempt to transfer Ramon from Terri’s shelter into protective custody, MS-13 launches an all-out attack. Kessler must fight back with an unlikely team of warriors.

From Denis McGrath of Dead Things on Sticks:

• My Fame Is Bonafide, Check It, Worldwide…
  “‘Credible Threat’ is written by Sarah Dodd, who besides being an adorable brand-new Mom was always The Border writer who could be counted on for the mind-bendingest twists & contortions. Great writer. Great Director. Gunplay, Slade, and the U.S. Prez? Heck, I’m in. What more do you need?” Read more.

Kessler and Carver join forces to prevent the assassination of the visiting American President.

From Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family:

• Blue Christmas for Elvis, Ratings-Wise

Kessler, Darnell, and Charlotte uncover a deadly Canadian link to coltan smuggling in the Congo.

Darnell and Khali are caught up in the intrigue surrounding a priceless Buddha.

From Bill Brioux at TV Feeds My Family:

• Post Sweeps Survivor Takes Quiet Night

ICS must save Maggie’s daughter from a cross-border serial killer.

From Guy Dixon of the Globe and Mail:

• WATCH ME GRACE PARK
  “Part of her allure is that actress Grace Park, who plays U.S. Homeland Security agent Liz Carver on CBC-TV’s The Border, comes across as an everywoman – an everywoman, that is, who sprang to stardom on Battlestar Gallactica and has electrified the pages of Maxim magazine. Yet the Vancouver-raised actress does seem down to earth. How does she do it?” Read more.

Khali helps a young Indian woman track down her runaway groom.