Tag Archives: Great Canadian Baking Show

Featured, Industry News, Murdoch Mysteries

CBC unveils 2022-23 programming slate

10 Comments

From a media release:

CBC today announced its 2022-23 programming slate for CBC TV and CBC Gem, featuring over 40 new and returning original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers and storytellers across all genres.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Coroner and Tallboyz have not been renewed.]

ENTERTAINMENT, FACTUAL AND SPORTS

ORIGINAL COMEDY SLATE

CBC and CBC Gem will continue to offer the best original comedy in Canada, including the second seasons of authentic comedies SORT OF, STRAYS, RUN THE BURBS, and SON OF A CRITCH – alongside returning favourite WORKIN’ MOMS and the 30th anniversary of THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES. New shows include COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER and CBC Gem original FAKES, offering an unconventional rollercoaster ride of teen drama.

New Original Comedy Series

COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER (Premieres Fall 2022; 8×60; Just For Laughs TV and Counterfeit Pictures) is a Canadian comedy event to remember, composed of eight unforgettable one-hour specials presented by legendary comedy icon and TV personality, Rick Mercer. Featuring an incredible lineup of the country’s new and notable comedians, including stand-up performances from Mercer himself, the series will also feature never-before-seen conversations between Mercer and some of today’s most impressive Canadian comedy talent, including Sophie Buddle, D.J. Demers, Dakota Ray Hebert and Dave Merheje, among others.

FAKES (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 10×30; Reality Distortion Field), created by David Turko and a co-production with Netflix, follows two best friends who accidentally build one of the largest fake ID empires in North America. Before they even graduate high school, Zoe and Rebecca move into a sick penthouse, earn more cash than they know what to do with, and then get raided by the feds. This is the story of their ultimate betrayal, told from each of their unreliable POVs as they compete for the last word. Starring Emilija Baranac (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), Jennifer Tong (Grand Army), and Richard Harmon (The 100).

Returning Original Comedies & Festivals

SORT OF (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×30; Sphere Media’s Sienna Films)

STRAYS (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 10×30; Thunderbird Entertainment)

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (Season 30 premieres Fall 2022; 24×30; IoM Media) celebrating its 30th anniversary season.

THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 4×30; Just For Laughs TV)

RUN THE BURBS (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Pier 21 Films)

SON OF A CRITCH (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Project 10 Productions)

WORKIN’ MOMS (Season 7 premieres Winter 2023; 13×30; Wolf + Rabbit Entertainment)

ORIGINAL DRAMA SLATE

This summer brings the adventure of new medical drama SKYMED, while the fall sees the return of audience favourites HEARTLAND and MURDOCH MYSTERIES, and east coast tales MOONSHINE and DIGGSTOWN, as well as a treacherous journey to the Arctic in THE NORTH WATER. New family drama ESSEX COUNTY joins the winter lineup alongside a new English-language adaptation of Radio-Canada series PLAN B; and critically acclaimed female-driven procedural PRETTY HARD CASES returns for a third season.

New Original Drama Series

SKYMED (Premieres in Canada beginning Sunday, July 10 at 9 p.m. [9:30 NT] on CBC and CBC Gem; 9×60; Piazza Entertainment) Life, death, and drama at 20,000 feet, SKYMED is a drama wrapped in high-stakes medical adventure. The series weaves compelling stories around a diverse ensemble of young First Responders in the remote North, where help – and survival – are literally thousands of miles away. Over the course of the season, the trials, triumphs, hookups and heartbreaks of a perilous job in an unforgiving setting will challenge each of them to face their fears and grow up. Created by Julie Puckrin (X Company, Transplant, Nurses, Killjoys, Mad Men), the one-hour drama features an ensemble cast of young Canadian talent including Natasha Calis (Nurses), Morgan Holmstrom (Siberia), Ace (Aason) Nadjiwon (Batwoman), Praneet Akilla (Nancy Drew), Mercedes Morris (Between), Thomas Elms (The Order), Kheon Clarke (Riverdale), and Rebecca Kwan (Taken).

THE NORTH WATER (Premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Rhombus Media and See-Saw Films) In 1859, Patrick Sumner (BAFTA winner Jack O’Connell, Seberg, Godless) joins The Volunteer as a ship’s surgeon, hoping to lose himself in the tough physicality of an Arctic whaling trip. But the ferocity of the elements is matched by the violence of his crew mates, with harpooner Drax (Golden Globe™ winner Colin Farrell, In Bruges, The Batman) a distinctly brutal force of nature. As the true purpose of the expedition becomes clear, confrontation between the two men erupts, taking them on a journey far from solid ground and way beyond the safe moorings of civilization.

ESSEX COUNTY (Premieres Winter 2023; 5×60; First Generation Films) is a five-part limited series based on the brilliant graphic novel trilogy by Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth, Moon Knight). A redemptive tale of family, ESSEX COUNTY tells the story of four disparate characters linked together through bloodlines. From old Uncle Lou, to young Lester, to Anne the country nurse and Ken, the stoic farmer, the four lead characters ebb and flow into each other’s lives, slowly weaving connections between them that ultimately save and redeem them.

PLAN B (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×60; KOTV) Adapted from the Radio-Canada French-language drama created by Jean-François Asselin and Jacques Drolet and set in Montreal, this high-concept, gripping and intimate psychological drama from Asselin, Drolet and Lynne Kamm follows a man on a desperate and relentless quest to save his relationship – and by extension, his whole world. Who has not at one time wanted to go back and change the course of events? And what if you were given a second chance, a Plan B? The day when Philip (Patrick J. Adams, Suits) discovers the possibility of going back in time, he does not hesitate. Since Evelyn (Karine Vanasse, Cardinal), the love of his life and companion for the past six years, has left him, his life has lost its meaning. With the tremendous power he wields thanks to Plan B, he attempts to save his relationship, his law firm and his dysfunctional family. But Philip soon realizes that even the smallest choice has repercussions – as uncontrollable as they are unexpected – on his life and the lives of others. And even though he can stop tragic events before they happen, Philip cannot erase the memories and the emotions associated with them. Nothing will ever be without consequence again.

BONES OF CROWS (Premieres 2023-24; 5×60; Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions) is a five-part hour-long drama told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch, Aline Spears (played throughout her life by Summer Testawich; Grace Dove, Monkey Beach; and Carla Rae, Rutherford Falls), as she survives Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse. The series is an expanded story from the feature film version; a truly epic tale that spans over a hundred years and multiple generations of the Spears family, the series connects and deepens the events of the past with a cumulative force that propels us into the future with power. Commissioned by CBC/Radio-Canada in association with APTN and created by Marie Clements (Red Snow), BONES OF CROWS the series will debut on CBC and Radio-Canada in 2023-24. BONES OF CROWS the feature film, which focuses specifically on Aline Spears as she confronts her traumatic past, will be released theatrically in 2022-23.

Returning Original Dramas

DIGGSTOWN (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 6×60; Circle Blue Entertainment, Freddie Films Inc. and Waterstar Entertainment Inc.)

HEARTLAND (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 15×60; Dynamo Films and SEVEN24 Films)

MOONSHINE (Season 2 premieres Fall 2022; 8×60, Six Eleven Media and eOne)

MURDOCH MYSTERIES (Season 16 premieres Fall 2022; 24×60; Shaftesbury)

PRETTY HARD CASES (Season 3 premieres Winter 2023; 10×60; Cameron Pictures)

FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT

CBC’s factual entertainment slate features even more people and places across the country this year including Canadians and communities in pursuit of their personal best, with RACE AGAINST THE TIDE with host Maestro Fresh Wes making waves this summer, favourites DRAGONS’ DEN, FAMILY FEUD CANADA and THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW returning this fall, and BEST IN MINIATURE and STILL STANDING with Jonny Harris warming up the winter schedule. Joining the lineup is BOLLYWED featuring the Singh family of Toronto’s Little India, thrilling competition series CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE; and podcast adaptation STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE. The fall also brings the inaugural edition of THE LEGACY AWARDS from The Black Academy, as well as a variety show like no other – CBC Gem original LIDO TV hosted by Colombian-Canadian musician and artist Lido Pimienta.

New Original Factual Series & Specials

THE LEGACY AWARDS (September 25, 2022 at 8 p.m. (9 AT/9:30 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and Bay Mills Studios)

The inaugural edition of The Black Academy’s award show, The Legacy Awards, is the first major Canadian award show to celebrate and showcase Black talent and will be broadcast from Live Nation Canada’s newest entertainment venue HISTORY, in Toronto’s east end. The live 90-minute telecast will feature performances, award presentations, and tributes honouring both established and emerging Black Canadian talent. The Black Academy is co-founded by Scarborough natives Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4) and Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk).

LIDO TV (Premieres Fall 2022 on CBC Gem; 6×20; Lido Pimienta TV/Visitor Media) is a variety show with a mission: to help people cope with life in a world that sometimes feels like it’s falling apart, filled with hilarious sketches, inspiring interviews, immersive documentaries, surreal animations, and puppets. At the centre of it all is host Lido Pimienta, the award-winning Colombian-Canadian musician, artist and mother whose hilarious, curious, and tender personality drives the action. The series tackles themes ranging from feminism and privilege to colonialism and success, and features appearances by Nelly Furtado; musicians Shad and Kittie; writer Sarah Hagi; NorBlack NorWhite co-founder Mriga Kapadiya; and artists jes sachse and Jessica Karuhanga.

BOLLYWED (Premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; HeartHat Entertainment) is a heartwarming factual series centred around the Singh family, who have been operating the iconic bridal shop, Chandan Fashion, in Toronto’s Little India for the last 37 years. The series shines a fascinating light on the booming and glamorous world of Bollywood culture and fashion, and offers an authentic glimpse into an intergenerationally run business lead by patriarch Cookie Singh, his wife Sarah, and their two children Chandan and Chandni. There’s plenty of old-school-meets-new-school drama and laughs as two generations take on the ever-changing and extravagant world of Indian weddings.

CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (Premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; Insight Productions (a Boat Rocker Company) and The Gurin Company) is a competition reality format that turns the entire country into a giant obstacle course. Six extraordinary coaches will guide and mentor teams of everyday Canadians at site-specific physical and mental challenges in a unique competition structure. The coaches include: sprinting legend and two-time Olympic champion, Donovan Bailey; Mohawk Olympian in water polo and advocate for Indigenous sport, Waneek Horn-Miller; six-time Olympic medallist in cycling and speed skating, Clara Hughes; three-time Olympic speed skater Gilmore Junio; former captain of Canada’s Olympic bronze medal-winning rugby sevens team, Jen Kish; and NFL Super Bowl Champion and competitive cyclist, Luke Willson.

Each episode will take place at an iconic Canadian location where the teams will compete in spectacular Solo, Tandem or Team challenges that test them physically and mentally. Throughout the eight-episode series, the superstar Canadian coaches will make strategic decisions and motivate their players to victory. In the end, only one team will win CANADA’S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE.

STUFF THE BRITISH STOLE (Premieres Winter 2023; 6×30; Wooden Horse, WildBear Entertainment and Cream Productions) is a new six-part series for the ABC and CBC based on award-winning journalist Marc Fennell’s acclaimed, chart-topping ABC Podcast, also launched by CBC Podcasts in fall 2021. Throughout its reign, the British Empire stole a lot of stuff. Today those objects are housed in genteel institutions across the U.K. and the world. They usually come with polite plaques. This is a series about the not-so-polite history behind those objects.

Returning Factual Formats & Series:

RACE AGAINST THE TIDE (Season 2 premieres Sunday, July 10 at 8:30 p.m. (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem; 10×30; marblemedia) with new host Maestro Fresh Wes

DRAGONS’ DEN (Season 17 premieres Fall 2022; 10×60) featuring returning Dragon Robert Herjavec after a decade away from The Den.

FAMILY FEUD CANADA (Season 4 premieres Fall 2022; 104×30; Zone 3/Fremantle)

THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (Season 6 premieres Fall 2022; 9×60; Proper Television/Love Productions)

BEST IN MINIATURE (Season 2 premieres Winter 2023; 8×60; marblemedia)

STILL STANDING (Season 8 premieres Winter 2023; 10×30; Frantic Films)

DOCUMENTARIES

CBC commissions an average of 80 documentaries each year for CBC, CBC Gem and documentary Channel, with CBC Gem now offering a library of over 800 documentaries, available to stream for free anytime. THE PASSIONATE EYE returns this fall with a new slate of original documentaries that drop audiences into a broad range of cultural conversations, from our fascination with word puzzles, to what it means to be Indigenous, and to a new generation of stock market disruptors.

THE PASSIONATE EYE’s two-hour season premiere will feature Hot Docs 2022 Opening Night selection, INTO THE WEEDS, telling the powerful story of Dewayne “Lee” Johnson, a former Bay Area groundskeeper who takes on a multinational agrochemical corporation after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Directed by celebrated filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal (Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, Long Time Running), the film follows Johnson through his battle, setting his personal journey against a global environmental crisis.

New original doc series this upcoming year include:

SUMMIT ‘72 (Premieres Fall 2022; 4×60; Mercury Films and Impossible Objects) This timely documentary series will tell the definitive story of the legendary 1972 Canada-USSR Summit Series of Hockey upon its 50th anniversary, and through a modern lens explore its legacy and lasting influence on Canadian national identity, framing it against the political and cultural climate of the times in both countries, and around the world. With never-before-seen 16mm archival footage restored in stunning 4k, and exclusive interviews with key players, SUMMIT ‘72 will bring an unforgettable moment in Canadian history to life on screen as never seen before. Audiences will relive—or experience for the first time—the adrenaline-fuelled, edge-of-your-seat drama of one of the most monumental cultural proxy battles of the Cold War, and trace its many reverberations in the zeitgeist right up to the present day.

STAY TOONED (Premieres Winter 2023 on CBC Gem; 6×22; Fathom Film Group) Eric Bauza – the Canadian who voices legendary characters from Bugs Bunny to Luke Skywalker – takes us on a deep dive through our favourite cartoons to see how they shaped us into who we are today. In each episode, he meets with friends and experts to explore villains, race, sexuality, and so much more. Featuring Ben Schwartz, Lake Bell, Ken Jeong, Bobby Moynihan, Tara Strong, Lamorne Morris, Cree Summer, and James Adomian, among others.

Returning Documentary Formats & Series:

THE PASSIONATE EYE (Premieres Fall 2022; 9×60 (+1×120 premiere))

THE NATURE OF THINGS (Season 62 premieres Winter 2023; 13×60)

CBC KIDS

Building on CBC’s ongoing commitment to inspire, entertain and inform young audiences, CBC Kids will continue to share new programming for kids and tweens across all platforms this upcoming year, including over 500 hours of ad-free programming on CBC Gem. New titles for preschoolers include JEREMY AND JAZZY (Fall 2022; 27×2 and 1×11; Vérité Films Inc.), an animated musical adventure series about song and story creation, starring award-winning musicians Jeremy Fisher (as Jeremy) and Aiza Ntibarikure (as Jazzy), plus celebrity musical guests. MITTENS AND PANTS (Fall 2022; 39×7, Windy Isle Productions and Thunderbird Entertainment) is cuteness overload for preschoolers, featuring the town of Kibble Corners with real puppies, kittens, chicks, piglets and more, voiced by kids.

CBC SPORTS

Coming off of an unprecedented year featuring two Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022, CBC SPORTS will continue to keep Canadians connected to the world of high-performance sport through coverage on CBC TV and CBC Gem, as well as live streams of key competitions on cbcsports.ca and the CBC Sports app. Upcoming featured events include: 2022 World Athletics Championships (USA, July 15 – 24); Commonwealth Games (England, July 28 – Aug. 8); FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship (Location TBC, Aug. 26 – Sept. 11); Rugby Sevens World Cup (South Africa, Sept. 9-11); FIG Rhythmic World Championship (Bulgaria, Sept. 14 – 18); and FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship (Poland and The Netherlands, Sept. 23 – Oct. 15). As Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic Network for the next decade, CBC will continue to offer high-quality storytelling that allows audiences to follow the journey of the athletes between Games, all the way to the podium.

CBC NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

From breaking stories to in-depth coverage, CBC News delivers trusted 24-hour news and information on CBC News Network, CBCNews.ca and the CBC News App. CBC News continues to bring audiences the latest news from across Canada and around the world, in addition to an award-winning slate of current affairs, investigative and primetime and weekend news programs, including the 50th anniversary of MARKETPLACE, celebrating five decades as Canada’s investigative consumer watchdog.

THE FIFTH ESTATE (Season 48 premieres Fall 2022; 16×60)

MARKETPLACE (Season 50 premieres Fall 2022; 23×30) celebrating its 50th anniversary season

THE NATIONAL (Weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

POWER & POLITICS WITH VASSY KAPELOS (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

CBC RUNDOWN (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

CANADA TONIGHT WITH GINELLA MASSA (Weeknights on CBC News Network)

ROSEMARY BARTON LIVE (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

FALL 2022 SCHEDULE – CBC TV and CBC GEM

For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add a half hour for all times

MONDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4

8 PM – MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 16

9 PM – THE NORTH WATER New Series / RIDLEY ROAD New Series

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

TUESDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 30

8:30 PM – STRAYS Season 2

9 PM – COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER New Series / SORT OF Season 2

9:30 PM – SORT OF Season 2

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

WEDNESDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – SUMMIT ‘72 New Series / DIGGSTOWN Season 4

9 PM – WAR OF THE WORLDS Season 3

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

THURSDAYS

7 PM – CORONATION STREET

7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA

8 PM – DRAGONS’ DEN Season 17

9 PM – THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 48

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

FRIDAYS

7:30 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)

8 PM – MARKETPLACE Season 50

8:30 PM – TRAVEL MAN

9 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

SATURDAYS

Afternoon – CBC SPORTS

SUNDAYS

Afternoon – CBC SPORTS

7 PM – HEARTLAND Season 16

8 PM – THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 6

9 PM – MOONSHINE Season 2

10 PM – THE NATIONAL

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured, Great Canadian Baking Show

The Great Canadian Baking Show: Judge Kyla Kennaley gets cooking in Season 4

Her Internet connection might be spotty, but judge Kyla Kennaley’s connection to the home bakers on The Great Canadian Baking Show isn’t. Kennaley, who is currently overseas in London, recently chatted with us online (via a persnickety connection) to talk about the newest season of CBC’s Sunday night confection.

Returning Sunday at 8 p.m., a new batch of 10 amateur bakers descended on the show’s tent to compete in weekly baking challenges under the gaze of judges Kennaley and Bruno Feldeisen, and new hosts Alan Shane Lewis and Ann Pornel. We dished with Kyla Kennaley on Baking Show, a resurgence of baking during the pandemic and her take on a controversial classic cake.

Before we talk about The Great Canadian Baking Show, what’s it been like to see so many people starting to bake during the pandemic?
Kyla Kennaley: I love it. I love that friends that I have kept in touch with loosely on Facebook since high school are sending me direct messages saying, ‘I’m feeding my sourdough starter, what do I do next?’ I love the engagement and that it’s connecting people.

What’s your take on Alan and Ann, the new hosts on the show?
KK: In Season 3, I thought I laughed more than I ever had in my life. And this year I learned, ‘No, there is another level.’ My only exercise is laughing and it kept me slim. They are hilarious and so engaged … and Alan is so tall. [Laughs.]

I’m always blown away by what the home bakers can do, and judging by what I’ve seen of Season 4, they are at another level.
KK: It’s phenomenal how talented the home bakers are. I had the luxury of a 2,000-square foot production kitchen and everything that I needed and I look at what they are doing in their homes and it blows my mind. The competition was tighter and I think it shows. They are constantly improving.

Do all of the home bakers come in with fully-formed recipes prepared? I assume they do, but that’s never expressly said during the show.
KK: Yes, and from what I understand they have to have their own version of the recipes. That’s a very important part of the show because it’s what it’s all about, and so the team can source their ingredients.

I find the red velvet cake to be a controversial one. Some people love it, and others hate it. What camp do you fall in?
KK: Because I had a café for 10 years and it was probably one of the most popular cakes at the time, being that it was the early 2000s. What I love about the recipe—and remember that I look at everything very technically and a purist when it comes to these things—is the story. It was invented at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in the 30s when there was a shortage of ingredients and they were trying to make something impressive.

So, I think it’s apropos that, in a very difficult time, what it’s like to look around for ingredients. I’ve never, in my life, gone into a grocery store like I have this year and said, ‘Oh my gosh, there is no baking soda!’

Flavour-wise, I’m a lemon girl. Give me a lemon cake any day!

The Great Canadian Baking Show airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Image courtesy of CBC.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Great Canadian Baking Show

Bake it till you make it! Ten new amateur bakers enter the tent for Season 4 of The Great Canadian Baking Show

From a media release:

CBC today revealed the ten amateur bakers who will compete in the upcoming fourth season of THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW, premiering Sunday, February 14 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service. Over the course of eight episodes, this group of diverse and talented bakers from across the country will don their aprons and head into the iconic tent to face a number of classic culinary-themed challenges that will test their baking prowess, creativity and skill in an effort to win The Great Canadian Baking Show title.

As previously announced, Season 4 of the fan favourite series will be hosted by comedians, actors, writers and Second City alumni Alan Shane Lewis and Ann Pornel. Esteemed pastry chefs Bruno Feldeisen and Kyla Kennaley return to the judge’s table to sample the bakers’ best offerings. The new season was filmed safely last fall on the grounds of the Canadian Film Centre in Toronto adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols.

Based on the beloved British format, each episode features three rounds including the Signature Bake, the Technical Bake and the Show Stopper – during which the bakers will rely on their personal interests, baking styles and cultural backgrounds to make their delicious dishes stand out to the judges. After the bakes are tested and critiqued, the judges decide who will be the week’s Star Baker and who will be sent home. In the final episode, the remaining three bakers face-off in a bid to be named Canada’s best amateur baker.

Following the pandemic-fuelled home baking craze, Season 4 applications reached record-breaking numbers for the series. The Canada-wide virtual casting sessions were rigorous, but these ten bakers met the challenge and came out on top:

  • Anjali Helferty, 36, a recent PhD grad from Toronto, ON
  • Bertie Diaz, 54, a corporate travel agent from Toronto, ON
  • Dominike Audet, 42, a radio host and novelist from Québec, QC
  • Larry Harris, 53, a business operations manager from Edmonton, AB
  • Maggie Frith, 42, a stay-at-home mom and former lawyer from Toronto, ON
  • Mahathi Mundluru, 24, a business analyst from Markham, ON
  • Oyaks Airende, 28, a project scheduler and engineer from Calgary, AB
  • Raufikat Oyawoye, 35, an IT support engineer from Milton, ON
  • Sheldon Lynn, 25, a software developer from Vancouver, BC
  • Tanner Davies, 28, a marketing consultant from Winnipeg, MB

Last season, 33-year-old administrative assistant, Natalia Shevchenko, of Edmonton, AB took home the title after competing against semi-finalists Colin Asuncion of Toronto, ON and Jodi Robson of Regina, SK. In the lead up to the Season 4 premiere, fans can satisfy their craving by catching up on seasons 1 -3 on CBC Gem.

THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW is produced by Proper Television in association with CBC and Love Productions. The executive producers are Cathie James and Lesia Capone, and the series producer is Marike Emery.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Baroness von Sketch Show, Featured, Great Canadian Baking Show

Aurora Browne dishes on Baroness Von Sketch and Great Canadian Baking Show

1 Comment

There are three big changes viewers will notice when they tune in to The Great Canadian Baking Show on CBC this Wednesday night.

Gone is judge Rochelle Adonis, replaced by Kyla Kennaley. And co-hosts Dan Levy and Julia Chan have been swapped out in favour of Aurora Browne and Carolyn Taylor. Browne and Taylor are also, as legions of fans already know, the writers, stars and executive producers of Baroness von Sketch Show, which returns this Tuesday night to CBC.

And while I will miss Levy and Chan’s roles on Baking Show, I was immediately smitten by Browne and Taylor’s witty cold opening and their natural rapport with the 10 new contestants.

We spoke to Browne ahead of both programs’ debut.

How did yourself and Carolyn Taylor end up hosting The Great Canadian Baking Show in the first place?
Aurora Browne: The Great Canadian Baking Show approached us, at the beginning of this year. Carolyn and I have known each other for a very long time, obviously. Long before Baroness, even. It worked out in our schedule to be able to do it with only minimal overlap. Why not? It’s such a fun show. It’s fun and lovely and to be honest, being paid to taste things is like a dream come true. I don’t think that was difficult for either of us.

We actually spoofed it on Baroness. There’s a scene in the third season with Jen and Meredith. The patient is talking about her existential angst and how she can’t let go of any of her anxiety. The psychiatrist advises her to watch a gentle British baking show. We had a little, 10-second insert. Of course, it takes two hours to film, so Carolyn was like the Mary Berry character and I was a contestant. On the day that we were doing that, we were saying, ‘Oh gosh, I could do that all day,’ just talking about food and looking at food.

Two women smile into the camera.Was what you did as hosts scripted?
AB: They do have a very talented writer Elvira Kurt who has been our friend for a long time. She has actually worked on Baroness as well. A bit of the show is scripted. We don’t come up with all those puns on our own, that’s the job of a talented person. We were doing the cold opens of the show. That kind of stuff is scripted. Also sometimes, to be totally honest, there is so much technical stuff for some of the baking things, especially the French patisserie, I really needed that in the script. It’s like texty sci-fi shows you are remembering all these things. Thank goodness for the script on those parts, but the rest of it is just us interacting with the bakers. I think the best training that Carolyn and I could have had for the show is just attending a bunch of parties because it’s a party in a way.

Starting off with 10 people and then fewer as weeks progress you just have to be comfortable going in and chatting to them, it’s just like that part in the party where you wander into the kitchen and the host is trying to get something done or trying to get something in the oven and you ask them questions. Except here on the show they must answer our questions.

They were very easy to get to know, they were just such lovely, lovely people. They are in the middle of this very stressful situation with cameras in their faces and we were just there to encourage them and Carolyn and I didn’t find it hard at all. We were just encouraging them to do what they loved and to sometimes have a good laugh with them, and occasionally commiserate with them if they were having a stressful moment, which of course happens.

Let’s switch things up and let’s talk about season four of Baroness von Sketch Show. What was it like having Jennifer Whalen as the showrunner this season?
AB: Jen Whalen is exceptional. I mean it’s a massive job because you’re the one person who goes between all the departments. All four of us worked very closely on the creative and talking with each other about everything. Jen Whalen, I see her being the CEO of something, before very long. But we also have been doing this for several years now, so we have how we handle the editing and that’s in place, how we work out the sketches that are in place. I’m always just like thankful and in awe of Carolyn and Jennifer being showrunners and how willing they are to just always take those calls and emails. I personally need a little bit of time at the end of the day where I just won’t pick up the phone. I need to not answer emails. I’m always very grateful that those two have been willing to helm such a busy, busy show because we are all so involved.

But they are both fantastic at it and I hope someday that Jen Whalen is captaining the starship and I get to be her XO, I would happily be her second in command for anything.

Two women on a climbing apparatus.There are some great sketches in the first episode. Binge-watching television and translating that into kids’ years. Tony Nappo in the sketch where he uses his kind words to make women smile. The blood pressure cuff. All great relatable stuff. The end credits featured a large group of writers and story editors.
AB: We have a structure that really allows us to welcome in voices and ideas even for a short amount of time because we have a core group of four of us are always there. Then we have some staff writers who are with us all the way through. For Season 4 we had Jen Goodhue who has been with us for every season. We had Monica Heisey in and then Allison Hogg, who had also written for us before. Then with the other people sometimes they will only come in for say three days or four days. That fresh set of eyes is really invaluable and it makes for a really fun room. I don’t think there was one person that came in that one of us didn’t know already.

It’s a pretty joyous thing. Even though it’s a large group it was manageable and it just means that you have these really funny, really talented people who are really thoughtful and interested in the world and are really ready to sit and roll around an idea to get at what’s the essence of this, what’s the funniest take we can take on it. And we were so happy always to be able to offer a paycheque at the very least to our talented colleagues who live and work in this city and the country.

We are very happy to be able to make this show where we live, and other people can too.

Baroness von Sketch Show airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on CBC.

The Great Canadian Baking Show airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Family Feud Canada, Featured, Fortunate Son, Industry News, The Trickster

Family Feud Canada and Fortunate Son among CBC’s new series; Workin’ Moms, Diggstown and 22 Minutes renewed

4 Comments

A Canadian version of Family Feud with Gerry Dee at the helm, a drama based on Eden Robinson’s award-winning Trickster novels and a spy drama based on Heartland, Wynonna Earp and Jann executive producer Tom Cox were among the new series announced by CBC at the network’s Upfront presentation on Wednesday.

The network confirmed that Halifax-based legal drama Diggstown, sketch comedy 22 Minutes and comedy Workin’ Moms have all been renewed for new seasons.

Some sad news: CBC confirmed that Little Dog, Cavendish and Crawford have not been renewed.

Adapted from Eden Robinson’s novels and co-created by Michelle Latimer and Tony Elliot, The Trickster—from Sienna Films (Cardinal)—is described as a darkly humorous coming-of-age story that combines dysfunctional family drama with supernatural thriller. Jared, an Indigenous teen, meets Wade, a mysterious stranger who turns Jared’s life upside down.

Based on the real-life of Tom Cox’s family experience, Fortunate Son—created by Andrew Wreggit—is an eight-episode drama from Seven24 Films and Lark Entertainment about the matriarch of an American activist family who helps smuggle Vietnam war deserters and draft dodgers across the border. He is pursued by the FBI.

Gerry Dee is back on the CBC as the host of Family Feud Canada. Airing weekdays at 7 p.m., the 60-episode program showcases homegrown families from across the country competing to guess the most popular answers to fun, family-friendly survey questions from a sample of Canadians.

The Sounds, a co-production between Canada and New Zealand created by author Sarah-Kate Lynch, is being billed as a relationship drama about the goings-on in Pelorus Sounds, where nothing is quite as it seems. Peter Stebbings will direct all eight episodes.

New and returning unscripted series include Back in Time for Winter, Fridge Wars, High Arctic Haulers and Tallboyz.

CBC also made some casting announcements, noting Great Canadian Baking Show is swapping out Daniel Levy and Julia Chan for Baroness Von Sketch Show‘s Aurora Brown and Carolyn Taylor. As much as I’ll miss Levy and Chan, Brown and Taylor are going to be amazing.

And finally, Kurt Browning has been named head judge for Battle of the Blades with Ron MacLean back as the host. Olympians Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir will participate as guest judges. Those confirmed to take to the ice for the competition include figure skaters in Violetta Afanasieva and Vanessa James, and hockey players Sheldon Kennedy and Natalie Spooner.

The new series announcement comes just over a month after CBC revealed the projects returning for new seasons this fall and winter, including Murdoch Mysteries, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Heartland, Still Standing, Baroness Von Sketch Show, Anne with an E, Coroner, The Detectives, Kim’s Convenience and Schitt’s Creek.

Which new shows are you planning to check out this fall and winter? Let me know in the comments below.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail