TV, eh?

From Melissa Leong of the National Post:

• Q&A: The judges of YTV’s The Next Star
  “There are no Simon Cowells on this reality television singing competition. “What we don’t do is slice and dice kids for the sake of entertainment value. This show is all about having fun,” says Christopher Ward, a judge on the top-rated YTV talent show, The Next Star. More than 4,000 Canadian youths, aged 15 and younger, have auditioned for their chance to become the next Justin Bieber. The judges spoke to Melissa Leong about the show’s third season.” Read more.

From a media release:

Season 3 of YTV’s THE NEXT STAR Premieres July 19

After a cross-Canada search where over 4000 talented Canadian kids showed up to audition, Corus Entertainment’s YTV delivers its popular top-rated talent series The Next Star beginning on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m. In its third season, families at home can once again join in to witness the entertaining journey unfold from audition process through to the live finale, which has been known to host stars like heartthrob Justin Bieber.

Produced by leading Toronto distributor and producer Tricon Films and Television in association with YTV, the first three episodes take place during the nationwide audition period and feature hopefuls aged 15 and under as they try to make it to the next round. Sixteen aspiring singers continue to participate in episodes four and five with six finalists chosen to be mentored throughout the remaining seven episodes. All six are challenged in every aspect of the biz from vocal exercises to participating in media interviews to perfecting a signature look. The six finalists will also record an original song that will be released on a compilation album. Only one of the six will become The Next Star and receive the grand prize package at the series’ finale on Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m. live from Canada’s Wonderland.

Modelled after the previous two seasons, viewers will vote for their favourite performer via YTV.com and text message. The finalist with the most viewer votes will become The Next Star and take home the coveted prize package which includes: Kool-Aid Jammers Ultimate Jam Space featuring an Apple Macbook and Pro Tools recording software, a distribution deal with Universal Music Canada for the winner’s two songs, and a Songwriter Deluxe Acoustic Guitar courtesy of Gibson Guitar.

Beginning on Monday, July 19 through to Monday, August 9, YTV is giving fans another chance at stardom with The Virtual Next Star. Eligible participants can log onto YTV.com for a chance to be crowned The Virtual Next Star and win a trip to Toronto and two VIP tickets to the series’ live finale at Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m. ET. The prize includes: one round trip economy flight to Toronto for the winner and a parent or guardian, three nights standard accommodation and $500 CDN.

Once the series has launched on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m., The Next Star website, found at YTV.com, will once again be centre stage for audience interaction, full length episodes and the voting process. Beginning on Tuesday, August 10 until Sunday, September 26, as viewers cast their votes, they can be included in a draw to win the Kool-Aid Jammers Ultimate Jam Space featuring an Apple Macbook and Pro Tools recording software – everything one would need to have their own recording session at home.

Viewers will also be able to find show info, surf finalist pages, download extra content and watch exclusive behind the scenes footage on YTV.com. They can also join the community of fans through The Next Star message boards and sign up to receive a The Next Star newsletter which will feature breaking news and show developments. YTV.com will also grant fans special VIP access to additional content online when they tune into the show and receive a special code. If fans think they’re the biggest Next Star fan, they can also login to participate in the Think You Know The Show Contest for a shot at a cash prize of $2,000 CDN.

About the mentors:

Award-winning singer, Suzie McNeil, performed her Olympic-inspired song “Believe” at the 2010 Olympics closing ceremonies. Hot on the heels of a Canadian tour with superstar, Colin James, she recently released her third album, Suzie McNeil – Live Acoustic. JUNO Award-winning composer and MuchMusic’s first VJ, Christopher Ward, has written a number of chart-topping singles including Black Velvet for Alannah Myles and most recently penned songs for Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel. It was Steve Cranwell’s 23 years of experience in music marketing that led to the newest chapter of his life, Executive Director of MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity.

From Bill Harris of QMI Agency:

• YTV’s ‘Next Star’ puts out casting call
  “An open casting call for the third season of the YTV reality-competition series The Next Star takes place in Toronto this Saturday and Sunday. The catch is, you have to be 15 and under to apply.” Read more.

Full audition information is at thenextstar.ytv.com

From a media release:

Nationwide auditions begin for YTV’s The Next Star

• Six-city audition search begins Saturday, May 1 in St. John’s, Newfoundland
• Detailed audition information available at YTV.com

Corus Entertainment’s YTV announced that Season 3 of the network’s hit series The Next Star will hit the road on a nationwide six-city search for Canada’s next young singing sensation. Auditions begin Saturday, May 1 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and continue throughout the month of May. Complete audition information can be found at YTV.com.

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From a media release:

AFTER OVER ONE MILLION VOTES CANADA CHOOSES TIANDA FROM FRASER LAKE, BC TO BE THE NEXT STAR

After a thrilling finale, broadcast live from Canada’s Wonderland, Corus Entertainment’s YTV congratulates 15 year-old Tianda from Fraser Lake, BC who takes the title of The Next Star. With over one million votes cast via online and text message, host Adamo Ruggiero announced the winner in front of a packed live audience.

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From a media release:

Finale features performances by Justin Bieber and FeFe Dobson broadcast live from Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 27 at 7 p.m. ET/PT

After months of preparation, the time has come to crown one of the six finalists from the hit talent series The Next Star. Corus Entertainment’s YTV, Tricon Films & Television and Universal Music Canada invite fans to catch this suspense-filled 90-minute season finale live from Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 27 at 7 p.m.

From a media release:

It’s Almost Time: Who Will Be The Next Star?

After months of preparation, the time has come to crown one of the six finalists from the hit talent series The Next Star. Corus Entertainment’s YTV, Tricon Films & Television and Universal Music Canada invite fans to catch this suspense-filled 90-minute season finale live from Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 27 at 7 p.m.

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From YTV:

Save the Date
The Next Star Finale
LIVE at Canada’s Wonderland (Toronto)
Sunday, September 27th

Click here to buy your tickets for the Finale

From Lia Grainger of the National Post:

• On the Town with Adamo Ruggiero
  “‘It’s always been a case of life imitating art,’ actor Adamo Ruggiero says of Marco Del Rossi, the character that he plays on Degrassi: The Next Generation. ‘It all begins with Marco being gay and my being gay,’ he says, laughing as he sips an icy pint of sangria.” Read more.

From a media release:

Who will be The Next Star? Season 2 of YTV’s hit talent series premieres Friday, July 17 at 6 p.m. ET/PT

• Adamo Ruggiero returns as host, with Suzie McNeil, Christopher Ward and Steve Cranwell returning as judges

Corus Entertainment’s YTV announced today that the second season of its popular top-rated talent series The Next Star is scheduled to premiere on Friday, July 17 at 6 p.m. After an action-packed cross-Canada search where thousands of talented Canadian kids showed up to auditions, viewers at home can now join in on the fun to watch the journey unfold from the audition process to the final winner.

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From a media release:

YTV reveals a star-making prize package for The Next Star

• Popular YTV series Partners with Universal Music Canada to Produce a six-track EP Showcasing the Top 6

YTV’s The Next Star revealed today the grand prize package that will be awarded to the winner, which includes a partnership with Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company. This announcement comes just as the series gets ready to head out on May 2 for a cross-Canada open casting call to discover the country’s next great singing sensation.

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From a media release:

YTV looks for the next singing sensation with auditions this May for The Next Star, Season 2

• Six-city Cross-Canada search begins Saturday, May 2 in Halifax
• Visit YTV.com for Audition Information

It’s time for Canadian kids to warm up their vocal chords. Corus Entertainment’s YTV announced today that Season 2 of the popular series The Next Star will embark on a nationwide six-city search for Canada’s next young talent beginning Saturday, May 2 in Halifax. Complete audition information can be found at YTV.com.

Hosted again this year by Adamo Ruggiero (Degrassi: The Next Generation), The Next Star hopefuls will be mentored by an esteemed panel of Canadian experts, including returning mentors, musician Suzie McNeil, songwriter Christopher Ward and music marketing exec Steve Cranwell.

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From Tamsyn Burgmann of the Canadian Press:

• 14-year-old Nova Scotia boy crowned ‘Next Star’ in YTV talent competition
  “A 14-year-old heartthrob in the making from Nova Scotia serenaded his way Sunday to the title of YTV’s “The Next Star,” a national talent competition for kids.” Read more.

From a media release:

The Moment has Arrived: Who Will be the Next Star?

• Live Finale at Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 28 at 7 p.m.

It’s the question fans have been asking for months: which of the six young finalists will become The Next Star? Corus Entertainment’s YTV, Tricon Films & Television and Universal Music Canada invite viewers to catch the season finale of this popular series live from Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 28 at 7 p.m. on YTV.

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From Blogcritics, based on the TV, eh? Blogtalkradio interview:

• An Interview with Adamo Ruggiero of Degrassi: The Next Generation and The Next Star
  “‘I was annoyed at everyone so petrified about the future and ignoring the present,’ he revealed about the decision to come out and fears about how it might affect his career. ‘I thought, right now I have this voice, and that might not be there in 5 years or 10 years. … All the people I thought wouldn’t be able to adapt or understand suddenly turned around and taught me something: that there’s people willing to learn if there’s people willing to teach. I’ve been blessed to have people be so supportive.’” Read more.

Adamo Ruggiero, who plays Marco on Degrassi: The Next Generation and is host of YTV’s new kids’ talent show The Next Star, talks about both shows and how coming out on Degrassi and real life has allowed him to be an advocate for an issue close to his heart.

Listen in the player below, visit the show site, or subscribe via iTunes or with any other program via the TV, Eh? feed.

Adamo Ruggiero, who plays Marco on Degrassi: The Next Generation and is host of YTV’s new talent competition, The Next Star, is Sunday’s guest on TV, eh? Blogtalkradio. Joining me as interviewer is Blogcritics‘ “Degrassi specialist” Maddy, who also has her own Blogtalkradio show, The Teenaged World of Maddy.

Listen live Sunday, July 20 at 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern and join the discussion by calling 646-200-4063 (or sign in and look for the Click to Talk button on the show site). Or catch the podcast afterwards.

July 27, we’re joined by Casey Walker, a director with YTV’s The Adrenaline Project who is funding his upcoming feature film project in a very unusual way — by selling frames of the movie for $10 each.

From Eric Kohanik of the Ottawa Citizen:

• YTV series turns spotlight on talented Canadian youngsters
  “OK, so we’ve already got Canadian Idol. And, yes, there’s America’s Got Talent. There’s Dance Machine and So You Think You Can Dance, too. And, of course, how could we ever forget something like How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? There are plenty of others. So, hey, what’s wrong with adding yet one more entry to the overcrowded arena of talent shows on TV this summer?” Read more.

From Catherin Dawson March of the Globe and Mail:

• Fame-seeking children: adorable and annoying
  “Consider the show Canadian Idol’s kid sister; just like a little sister, it can be both adorable and annoying as it apes the look and affectations of its older sibling.” Read more.

From Victoria Ahearn of the Canadian Press:

• TV Tonight