Yearly Archives: 2012

Package Deal

Citytv’s Package Deal to tape in front of live Vancouver-area audience

From a media release:

Citytv Announces Start of Live, Studio Audience Production for Original Comedy Series, Package Deal

  • Multi-camera comedy series created by Emmy-award nominated producer Andrew Orenstein (Malcolm in the Middle)
  • Acclaimed Canadian comedians Harland Williams (There’s Something About Mary) and Jay Malone (Monk) headline ensemble cast
  • Production begins October 21 in front of a live studio audience in Burnaby, B.C.

Citytv and Thunderbird Films today announced that production begins Sunday, Oct. 21 on the new original multi-camera comedy Package Deal. Taping in front of a live studio audience in Burnaby, B.C, the 13-episode, half-hour series from critically acclaimed creator Andrew Orenstein (Malcolm in the Middle, 3rd Rock from the Sun) is slated to air in 2013 on Citytv. The writing team also includes Denise Moss (Frasier, Roseanne), and veteran stand-up comedian Stevie Ray Fromstein (Roseanne, Reba). Full broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

Package Deal follows three overly-close brothers and the woman who comes between them. When Kim (Julia Voth, Bitch Slap) starts dating Danny (Randal Edwards, Degrassi:The Next Generation, The Killing), he seems too good to be true – a successful lawyer, charming, and single. Then, she discovers he’s already committed – to his two older brothers, Sheldon (Harland Williams, There’s Something About Mary) and Ryan (Jay Malone, Monk).

“Citytv is committed to delivering Canadians fresh new content,” said Claire Freeland, Director of Original Programming, Broadcast, Rogers Media. “Package Deal is currently the only Canadian adult sitcom to be shot in front of a live studio audience and we are excited to offer a new way for viewers to engage with our programming by seeing the production come to life first-hand.”

“In-studio filming presents a unique opportunity for audiences to get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the filming process, along with an evening of free entertainment,” said Thunderbird President Michael Shepard.

The first live audience tapings of Package Deal take place Sunday, Oct. 21 and 28. Following these dates, the tapings continue each Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. in Burnaby, B.C. For more information about studio location and to reserve seats, viewers can email packagedealtickets@gmail.com.

An example of the Citytv’s strong commitment to original Canadian programming, Package Deal joins the roster of high-profile original series currently in production for the network, including Seed and The Bachelor Canada.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

New tonight: Marketplace, The Fifth Estate

Marketplace, CBC – “Money Where Your Mouth Is”
When it’s time to get our teeth checked, most of us trust our dentist to determine the treatment plan and how much it will cost. They are the experts, aren’t they? In this week’s episode, MARKETPLACE’s Erica Johnson puts dentists to the test: how does one know for sure what work needs to be done and how much it should cost? We reveal that dentists themselves can’t even agree. In Money Where Your Mouth Is, MARKETPLACE sends a researcher with hidden cameras to 20 different dentists in Toronto and Vancouver. We want to know: what treatments are recommended for her pearly whites? We discover a wide variation in treatments and costs. It seems dentistry is not that black and white after all—there are various shades of grey. MARKETPLACE wants to know why—to get answers for the millions of Canadians who visit their dentist every year.

The Fifth Estate, CBC – “Whistleblowers: Moment of Truth”
They have the courage to stand up and speak out when no one else dares, yet the popular perception of whistleblowers is they are doomed to be victims of reprisals. But when the fifth estate caught up with some of its more memorable whistleblowers, we found out their lives can take twists and turns no one ever expected. These cases offer an ironic insight into what was supposed to be a new era of transparency and integrity in Canada. To date, not a single case has been prosecuted under Canada’s Public Servant Disclosure Protection Act, and the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner was dismissed in disgrace.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Ice Pilots NWT premieres November 7 on History

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From a media release:

Yellowknife and Beyond! Season Four of Omnifilm Entertainment’s hit series Ice Pilots NWT premieres Wednesday, November 7 at 10pm ET/PT on HISTORY

HISTORY’s fan-favourite series Ice Pilots NWT is back and better than ever. The hugely popular docu-series returns this November for an action packed fourth season, following the adventures of maverick arctic airline Buffalo Airways.

Season four takes Buffalo – and viewers – to places they’ve never gone before. The airline sends water bombers to South Korea, battles it out with Transport Canada and struggles to keep the business going in whatever manner they can. As the drama unfolds, everyone from rock stars to the Prime Minister drops by Buffalo for a visit. The action gets underway Wednesday, November 7 at 10:00PT/ET on HISTORY.

“Although Buffalo has become a famous airline worldwide and attracts everyone from tourists to VIP’s, the work to keep the planes flying all winter goes on,” says Executive and Series Producer David Gullason. “Keeping the planes flying – no matter what – is job number one for Joe and Mikey.”

Gabriela Schonbach, Executive Producer and Partner at Omnifilm Entertainment says, “With Ice Pilots NWT, the world is getting a taste of Canada’s North; its culture, landscape and people. This series has become a part of Canadian history and heritage. Each season just gets better!”

In one of the most compelling episodes to date, the turbo‐prop Lockheed Electra gets in serious trouble when the bitter cold wreaks havoc on the plane’s landing gear. Captain Ray Weber has to put down this beast of a cargo plane without a right wheel as the crew at Buffalo stands helplessly watching the plane get ripped up on landing.

While touring the Canadian North, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stops in to admire Joe’s vintage planes and plays co-pilot to Joe. Later in the season, Joe lends a hand to his old friend “Ice Road Trucker” Alex Debogorski. And rock legend Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, an avid pilot, gets more than he bargained for when he shows up to fly the big DC-4 and bonds with the Buffalo boys.

Sadly, this season the crew says goodbye to beloved Buffalo chief pilot Arnie Schreder, who succumbed to cancer. The local airlines give their friend and colleague a proper send off as a fleet of planes does a fly-by in Schreder’s honour.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Scoring With Science airs on Discovery November 4

From a media release:

Hockey Night on Discovery! Iconic Broadcaster Jay Ingram Reveals How the NHL is SCORING WITH SCIENCE, Nov. 4

Need your hockey fix, Canada? Iconic broadcaster Jay Ingram fills the void with SCORING WITH SCIENCE, an all-new, action-packed original production looking at how hockey teams are getting a winning edge from scientific research. Premering Sunday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Discovery, the one-hour special features marquee NHL players including Steve Stamkos, Jake Gardiner, Stephen Weiss, former player Gary Roberts, prominent scientists, and super slow motion video. Together, they explore how the newest advancements in science and technology are aiding the NHL’s top clubs by determining how best to shoot a puck, build a better body and make top-notch skates and sticks.

Highlights from SCORING WITH SCIENCE include:

The Third Team

When fans watch hockey they see two teams on the ice. But there’s a critical third team – scientists. They’re discovering how to improve hockey skills, equipment and bodies. Among their findings: the three keys to the perfect wrist shot, the skate that’s as light as a running shoe, the machine that improves skating, the best way to sharpen blades, the ideal way to train in the off season, and the best time to pull the goalie.

A Team of All-Stars

Ingram hits the ice for a skate and chat with marquee NHL players including former all-star Gary Roberts, Steve Stamkos, Jake Gardiner, and Stephen Weiss. Then, the legendary broadcaster meets up with Alain Hache, a physicist, author, and beer league goalie. He’ll reveal the secrets of the slap shot from the point of view of the shooter and the goalie. Next, award-winning chemist Gabor Somorjai aims his sophisticated equipment at ice to tell us what makes it slippery.

Let’s See That in Slow Mo!

No hockey broadcast is complete without slow-motion replays, so of course, the SLO-MO in SCORING WITH SCIENCE is extraordinary. It’s all thanks to a high-speed camera known as the Phantom Flex. It shoots 1000 frames a second and doesn’t miss anything, ever.

Program Note: SCORING WITH SCIENCE will repeat on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m on Discovery Science.

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Dramas and Comedies, Featured

Victoria Duffield is a Cross Country Fun Hunt treasure

By Chris Lackner

Canadian kids can bring singer home by nominating their own local fun spot

Canadian kids are being challenged to put their community on the map by winning their hometown a national reputation —— and a special concert performance.

With the help of the country’s youth, host Jordan Francis is uncovering Canada’s coolest spots on CBC Television’s Cross Country Fun Hunt. Between now and December, under-16 youth from across the country can submit their local fun spots at cbc.ca/kids/funhunt. The winning location will earn bragging rights as Canada’s most fun place to visit, and a special concert featuring Francis and Victoria Duffield.

“Kids across the country are going to be looking forward to a fun finale, so I can’t wait to put on a great show for them,” the 17-year-old Duffield said in an interview. “It’s going to be an amazing celebration!”

The TV series, from Apartment 11 Productions, airs every Saturday morning on CBC, and is based on Francis’s cross-country road trip. Francis visited communities across Canada and took part in activities suggested by — and, in many cases, voted on — by kids.

The Toronto-born Francis (Camp Rock) called the adventure the “trip of a lifetime” and said it opened his eyes to the diversity of youth from coast to coast.

“Canada is great. It’s huge! Just don’t stay in one province because it has so much to offer,” he said in an interview. “These Canadian kids . . .they’re crazy, they’re amazing. I did some wonderful things (with them).” Francis’s travel itinerary, as chosen by kids, exposed him to new experiences — from rock climbing in the Rockies to lobster fishing in the Atlantic.

The online contest for Canada’s top fun spot is far from over. During the TV run, kids under 17 can continue to submit a destination by posting videos, photos and writing about the activities they love to do there. They can also enter secret codes from the TV episodes to win a trip to the Fun Hunt concert. Those who enter before Oct. 31 are also eligible to win an iPod touch. In December, fans will vote on 20 top destinations, and the winning entry will earn one child — and their community — the special concert set to air on CBC in March.

“I’m really excited to find out where I’m actually going,” Francis said.

Duffield, who released her debut album, Shut Up and Dance, this summer, echoed his sentiments: “I can’t wait to see what all the people vote (for) as the most-fun,” the Abbotsford, B.C.-native said. “I haven’t seen all of Canada so this could be a treat for me, too. But, who knows, maybe it will be close to where I live!”

Francis also recorded a song for each episode, released weekly on iTunes. The soundtrack will be performed at the grand finale concert and eventually be released as an album.

“All my experiences were definitely influences (on) my songs,” Francis said. “Seeing how diverse the different provinces were definitely gave me some inspiration to add different sounds I wouldn’t normally use.”

Where is Canada’s most-fun spot? With the help of Canadian kids, we’re about to find out.

The CBC’s Cross Country Fun Hunt airs on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. PT, 10 a.m. in Newfoundland)

Chris Lackner is a writer and media consultant with Holmes Creative Communications. His work as a journalist has appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post and Montreal Gazette.

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