Yearly Archives: 2012

Dramas and Comedies, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

New tonight: Doc Zone, The Nature of Things, The Firm, Undercover Boss

Sext up KIDS tween photo

Doc Zone, CBC – “Sext Up Kids”
The powder keg that is porn culture has exploded in the lives of North American children. The often-devastating consequences are explored in the new film Sext up KIDS, premiering Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 9 pm on CBC’s main network documentary showcase, “Doc Zone”. Directed by award winning documentary filmmaker, Maureen Palmer (Leaving Bountiful, How to Divorce & Not Wreck the Kids), Sext up KIDS is produced by Rick LeGuerrier and Timothy M. Hogan of Dream Street Pictures (Canada Russia ’72, Sticks and Stones).

The Nature of Things, CBC – “Journey to the Disaster Zone”
One year later, as Japan grapples with the aftermath of the triple disaster—earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown—David Suzuki travels to the country to learn how the people most affected are responding. Featuring dramatic footage of the tsunami never seen outside Japan, Journey to the Disaster Zone: Japan 3/11 airs on CBC-TV’s THE NATURE OF THINGS WITH DAVID SUZUKI, Thursday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT).

The Firm, Global – “Chapter Nine”
Mitch and Ray probe the death of a sergeant’s son when the case becomes a national security matter. Meanwhile, Tammy lands a new job with the hope of breaking new ground in the Sarah Holt case.

Undercover Boss, W Network – Brian Scudamore, founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT- JUNK?
Brian goes undercover as a driver and junk collector, hauling loads of unwanted clutter in the world’s largest junk removal franchise, 1-800 –GOT-JUNK?, which was founded in Vancouver. During the episode, he works alongside Calgary franchise office manager, Dani, who not only runs the day-to- day in the office, but actually gets out there to haul junk when they are short staffed on truck crews.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan in production for OLN

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From a media release:

WILD THINGS WITH DOMINIC MONAGHAN

  • New original travel series follows actor Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings, Lost) as he hunts for the most dangerous and elusive critters known to man
  • Co-production features eight, one-hour episodes to air on OLN and in the U.K. on BBC America and Channel 5 later this broadcast year

OLN, BBC America and Channel 5 in the U.K. announced today that production is underway for their newest original travel-adventure series, Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan. Exploring some of the most remote corners of the globe, the series follows actor Dominic Monaghan (Lost, Lord of the Rings) as he searches for the biggest, baddest and weirdest insects on the planet. A co-production commissioned by OLN, BBC America and Channel 5, the series is produced by Cream Productions and Wildfire Television and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment. It is scheduled to film in Ecuador, Venezuela, Cameroon, Namibia, Thailand and Borneo. Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan will premiere later this year on OLN.

In each episode, Monaghan takes the viewer along on an intimate, action-packed quest as he struggles to track down and get up-close-and-personal with some of the planet’s most rare and life-threatening insects. Whether he’s on the hunt for a few million flesh-slicing army ants in the steamy rainforests of Ecuador, searching for a giant venomous centipede in the caves of Venezuela, or facing off with a deadly scorpion in the arid deserts of Namibia, each episode of Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan takes viewers on a heart-pumping adventure.

“I have been obsessed and interested in nature all my life,” said Dominic Monaghan. “This show brings together years of excited preparation by finally creating a series that demonstrates my love for travel, animals, adventure and people.”

Dominic Monaghan is best known for his role in the movie adaptations of Lord of the Rings and as Charlie Pace in Lost. A true nature lover, Monaghan’s knowledge and love for insects and reptiles developed during his childhood and remains to this day.

Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan is an OLN original production and produced by Cream Productions and Wildfire Television, in association with BBC America and Channel Five. Executive Producers are Dave Brady and Co- Executive Producer Jenn Kuzmyk Ruch for Cream Productions and Philip Clarke and Simon Raikes for Wildfire Television. Paul Kilback is the Series Producer. Claire Freeland is Director of Original Programming, Rogers Media Television and Marni Goldman is Production Executive for Rogers Original Programming. Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

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Dramas and Comedies

King season 2 premieres February 29 on Showcase

From a media release:

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Hot on the heels of her ACTRA nomination for outstanding performance as Jessica King, Amy Price-Francis continues to shine in the highly anticipated return of King season two on Wednesday, February 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showcase.

The Canadian original drama King follows a charismatic but unconventional lead investigator of Toronto’s Major Crimes Task Force, Jessica King (Price-Francis). Taking over the cases that the boys in blue can’t crack, all the while rocking killer heels, King leaves quite the impression on any crime scene.

Last season, a disgruntled Detective Sergeant Derek Spears (Alan Van Sprang) had a public meltdown and Jess jumped at the opportunity to lead the force. Accepting the new position had its consequences and Jess struggled to find a balance between tackling deadly cases and planning a family with her third husband, Danny (Gabriel Hogan).

After trying to get pregnant in season one, Jess finally gets her wish, but is Danny the father? This season sets fires to viewers’ burning questions about King’s pregnancy, her husband’s gambling issues, and the changing dynamics of the M.C.T.F. Rebuilding the squad according to her own style and flair, King has brought on new team members who will inevitably shake things up, forcing Spears to adjust if he wants to keep up.

Joining returning leads Price-Francis, Van Sprang, Hogan and Tony Nardi are new cast members Rossif Sutherland (ER, The Con Artist) as Pen Martin, a hot shot from the Spin Unit, Karen Robinson (Lars and the Real Girl) as Ingrid Evans, one of Organized Crime’s most experienced players and Romina D’Ugo (Degrassi Goes Hollywood, Turn the Beat Around) as Alessandra Taylor, Danny’s sexy, young new partner. The second season features 13 one-hour episodes.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

David Suzuki journeys to Japan’s tsunami disaster zone one year later

From a media release:

DAVID SUZUKI MAKES A PERSONAL JOURNEY TO JAPAN’S TSUNAMI DISASTER ZONE, ONE YEAR LATER

  • CBC-TV’S THE NATURE OF THINGS PRESENTS JOURNEY TO THE DISASTER ZONE: JAPAN 3/11, THURSDAY, FEB. 23 AT 8 P.M. (8:30 NT)

One year later, as Japan grapples with the aftermath of the triple disaster—earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown—David Suzuki travels to the country to learn how the people most affected are responding. Featuring dramatic footage of the tsunami never seen outside Japan, Journey to the Disaster Zone: Japan 3/11 airs on CBC-TV’s THE NATURE OF THINGS WITH DAVID SUZUKI, Thursday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT).

For David Suzuki, it’s a very personal journey, as he explores the impact of the earthquake and tsunami and sees whether the Japanese people are re-thinking their nation’s approach to nuclear energy—and the entire idea of a high-consumption lifestyle.

“I found lots of ideas bubbling to the surface, focused on sustainable communities, food and energy,” Suzuki says. “The challenge for the Japanese is that the great strength of the people—orderliness, discipline and stoicism—demonstrated during the terrible time after 3/11, also presents a hurdle. That is, there is a great reluctance to rise up and demand change. Where will Japan go in the years to follow?” 

Suzuki presents his quest for answers and finds that innovative technology and the re-assessment of conventional thinking might turn a cataclysm into a blueprint for the future.

Journey to the Disaster Zone: Japan 3/11 was produced and directed by Michael Allder. Executive producer is Gordon Henderson. This 90th Parallel Production for The Nature of Things is produced in association with Japan’s NHK. The documentary will be broadcast in Japan in March.

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Awards

New Gemini rules reduce categories, expand voting

From a media release:

New Gemini Rules expand voting

“The rules and regulations for the 27th Annual Gemini Awards have been revised to reflect the new market reality for Canadian television and digital media,” it was announced today by Martin Katz, Chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

Following extensive industry consultations and deliberations by the two new Gemini Award Governance Committees for television and digital media—and approval of the ACCT Board—the number of eligible Gemini Award categories has been reduced by 20% through the merging or elimination of categories and the creation of two new ones.

In recent years, the number of international co‐productions on Canadian television has been growing. With the introduction of this new category—Best International Drama—series such as The Borgias will compete directly with mini‐series such as The Pillars of the Earth, for example, which is fitting,” Katz explained.

The price for submission of Digital Media Original Content categories has also been reduced from $350.00 to $100.00 in keeping with the market reality for Canadian creators at the vanguard of the Digital Media revolution.

“Feedback from Academy Members in this growing segment of our industry made it clear that submission fees were out of scale with digital production and promotion budgets. Since we want to encourage participation in the Digital Media Original Content categories, we adjusted the price to reflect that market reality,” explained Katz.

‘Vote Weighting’ for eligible television programs has also changed. Effective immediately, a new 50/50 split between Gemini Awards Jury votes and ACCT Members votes takes effect. “Changing the ‘vote weighting’ to a 50/50 Jury/Academy Members split is a major evolution in our voting procedures. A consensus among the new TV Gemini Awards Governance Committee and the new Board was easily reached placing more weight with Member ballots in deciding who the Gemini goes to,” Katz explained.

In addition, Academy Members in the TV and Digital divisions will now be eligible to vote in ALL Gemini Award categories. “This voting expansion allows Academy Members the opportunity to vote in every single category,” says Katz.

27th Annual Gemini Awards will take place in Toronto: Industry Gala #1 Tues. Aug. 28; Industry Gala #2 Wed. Aug. 29; and Broadcast Gala Wed. Sept. 5 2012.

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