From Steve Eramo of the Morton Report:
Helping Hand: Interview with Arctic Air’s Adam Beach
“A friend of mine gave me a copy of the first Arctic Air script after hearing that they [the show’s producers] were casting a character that was similar to who I am,†recalls Beach. “I read the script, liked it, and then the producers called me. I had a meeting with them and agreed to come on board. So that’s how I originally became involved with the show.” Read more.
From Andrew Ryan of the Globe and Mail:
Recap: The highs and (many) lows from the Canadian Screen Awards
It wasn’t the Oscars or even the Emmys, but the first Canadian Screen Awards provided a perfectly telling snapshot of our entertainment industry. The fact most Canadians never heard of the films and TV shows being feted didn’t stop the show’s producers from staging a glitzy Hollywood-style awards show. Read more.
Lost Girl, Showcase – “There’s Bo Place Like Home”
Bo faces the daunting task of having to return to where it all started: down home on the farm. Accompanied by BFF Kenzi, Bo must face her old demons – and a new one – in order to clear the way for the path she will soon be forced to travel.
Motive, CTV – “Against All Odds”
A high-priced lawyer is discovered murdered in his home, the apparent victim of a burglary gone awry. A million dollar life insurance policy payout gives the victim’s wife motive, but Flynn (Kristin Lehman) is not biting. While she works the case, her son Manny (Cameron Bright) is arrested for vandalism, forcing her to apply some tough love on the home front.
Vikings, History – series premiere
While Vikings is filled with conflict, warfare and bloodshed – for these were extreme times – it is a family saga at heart. It follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel, The Beast), a curious, compelling man who is always looking to break through barriers and discover new worlds to conquer. A young farmer and family man, Ragnar is deeply frustrated by the unadventurous policies of his local chieftain, Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment). Vikings charts Ragnar’s ambitions to discover civilizations across the great ocean to the west, as well as his inevitable conflicts along the way. With the help of his jester friend Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard, The Way Back), they build a new generation of boats – faster, sleeker and more beautifully crafted than anything else on the sea.
Heartland , CBC – “After All We’ve Been Through”
To clear his own name, Ty searches for damning evidence to prove Jeremy was behind Buckingham’s death.
Canadian Screen Awards, CBC
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT) unites its film, television and digital media awards into one gala event with the Canadian Screen Awards. Hosting the inaugural live gala is Canada’s king of comedy, Martin Short. The Academy’s new awards are a true showcase of our country’s finest talent in all screen industries in this star-studded celebration.
By Diane Wild of TV, eh?
After seconds of thought put into the name, days of Industry Galas where a baffling variety of untelevised awards were dispensed, weeks of pondering which nominees might prevail, months of wondering about the combined Gemini (TV) and Genie (film) ceremonies, and years of neglect from viewing audiences for both, the Canadian Screen Awards will have a two-hour live broadcast tonight on CBC at 8 pm across Canada (8:30 in Newfoundland). Which means not live at all in most time zones. [Edit: It’s even worse – the ceremony is taped this afternoon and the Academy will have a webcast of the winners before the broadcast.]
Rachel Langer has been reporting for TV, eh? on the industry galas in Toronto and will do so for tonight’s festivities as well – check out twitter and her on-the-spot interviews.
Host Martin Short will preside over a ceremony that doesn’t include the format that made him a star. Rick Mercer Report already won the Screenie (please, let’s come with with a better nickname) for Best Music, Variety, Sketch Comedy or Talk Program or Series, and the Best Comedy award will apparently be presented outside of the live broadcast. Perhaps CBC is protesting that category because Call Me Fitz absurdly wasn’t nominated but Good God and Kenny Hotz were. OK, probably not.
Other notable snubs include Best Drama non-nominees The LA Complex, Murdoch Mysteries and Republic of Doyle.
The most glaring head-scratcher is host Short’s own nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role for the one-time special I, Martin Short, Goes Home. I suppose it’s undeniable Martin Short continues to be Martin Short and he does make a wonderful Martin Short.
Canadian film will be celebrated tonight as well, but since that’s outside the purview of this site I can safely admit I’ve seen none of the nominees (though I very much want to see Midnight’s Children and Rebelle/War Witch if I can find them anywhere).
The film community stands to benefit more from the new award structure, with the television nominations drawing more eyeballs to the broadcast. Those television nominations that actually made the cut, that is.
A full list of nominees is here . Who are your favourites to win?
