CBC: The election issue that wasn’t (but should have been)
It is a Dickensian democratic conundrum: Election campaigns are both the best of times and the worst of times to talk about political issues. On the one hand, millions of people take time out from their busy lives for a heated national conversation about their collective future; on the other hand, most of the conversation ends up being about money. If politics used to be the art of the possible, it’s become the art of the pecuniary. Don’t know what I mean? Take the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation … “Please!†Continue reading.
CBC fall schedule proves ever-beleaguered public broadcaster has plenty to live for
The debut of the self-consciously steamy Romeo Section this past Wednesday marked the last premiere of the CBC’s major fall programming, though the degree to which you’re aware of that fact may depend largely on how closely you pay attention to bus shelter ads. What precisely the CBC is doing, particularly on its primetime television schedule, doesn’t often impinge on Canadians’ group consciousness, unless and until someone needs a convenient drum to bang on about why the network shouldn’t have funding or where the good Canadian television shows are. Continue reading.
Following an announcement made by the show’s producers today, Global says goodbye to the beloved series Rookie Blue after six incredible seasons that saw Canada’s favourite stars in blue grow from rocky rookies to fearless crime-fighters.
“The success of Rookie Blue is a testament not only to the extremely talented team of Ilana Frank, Tassie Cameron, David Wellington and studio Entertainment One (eOne), but the electrifying cast that has resonated with legions of fans that have followed the show since Season One,†said Christine Shipton, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Shaw Media. “After six seasons the series reached a natural conclusion and this season’s finale was the perfect wrap up for both our rookies and for fans, especially with the marriage of our favourite couple, Sam and Andy.â€
While Rookie Blue has come to a close, Shaw Media is embarking on a new venture with the team behind Rookie Blue, partnering with Ilana Frank’s ICF Films and eOne on a new project. More details on that venture to be announced at a later date.
The sixth season of Rookie Blue delivered emotional twists and turns, from the bombing that rocked 15 Division, to the pregnancy that rocked Sam and Andy, and the event that fans have been waiting for – the “McSwarek†wedding! There are so many Rookie Blue moments that live in the hearts and minds of everyone that the series touched, so Global looks back at the drama as it grew from the new kid on the block to the country’s #1 Canadian drama series of 2015* with its Top 10 Rookie Blue Moments.
Top 10 Rookie Blue Moments
Finally! Sam and Andy “McSwarek†tie the knot!
Handcuffed at the Penny…the Rookies try to get out of a sticky situation
Gail and Holly’s budding romance
The heartbreaking break-up of Chloe and Dov
The love triangle that had fans choosing team Nick or team Sam
Every sarcastic quip from Gail
A blue time for 15 Division – the death of Detective Jerry Barber
Oliver getting the white shirt…and trying to reject it (unsuccessfully!)
Three’s company with Rookie roomies Chris, Dov and Gail
Sam and Oliver’s epic bromance
Viewers can also catch up on the final season of Rookie Blue on GlobalTV.com and Global Go and Seasons 1 through 5 on shomi.
Rookie Blue’s award-winning executive producers include lana Frank, Tassie Cameron, Russ Cochrane, David Wellington and John Morayniss. Rookie Blue is a production of IFC Films and leading indie studio eOne, who also distributes the series internationally.
Young Drunk Punk: An Interview with Arnold Pinnock
“One of the things that I really do like about it, is the fact that it really does challenge you as an artist. When you first read it, you grasp the basics, then when you read it again you see the multiple layers and situations that set up something two episodes ahead or brings back something from three episodes back. That, to me, is really good writing and a really good showrunner.” Continue reading.
Hollywood disaster movies never have much in the way of reality in them. Take Twister. Monster tornadoes tear up the American midwest, growling like Godzilla, spinning cows and water towers around while a couple on the verge of divorce alternately chase and outrun them? Outrageous, right?
“The only fake part of that movie is Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt’s love life,” says Greg Johnson. “They actually under-did the tornadoes.” He should know. The former Parliament Hill staffer, former hockey referee and former marketing executive left the rat race behind to race after tornadoes and other extreme weather. With veteran storm chaser Chris Chittick and extreme sport enthusiast Ricky Forbes alongside, the trio are the Tornado Hunters. Debuting Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CMT Canada, Tornado Hunters climbs into a truck alongside the boys on a wild ride across the Canadian and American prairies in search of wild weather and, hopefully, some twisters.
Unlike other funnel-themed programming on the dial, Tornado Hunters showcases all kinds of extreme weather and captures it with video and still cameras, creating stunning works of photographic art. There’s nothing more awe-inspiring and educational than time-lapse images of bruised purple clouds roiling thousands of feet in the air while enrobed in bristles of lightning.
“You’ll watch a tornado once, and then that’s it,” Forbes says. Johnson concurs, explaining tornadoes are extremely rare; if his team captures a half-dozen on-camera in a summer season, it’s been a good year. To fill time in between storms—and to allow viewers to get to know them better—Saloon Media’s cameras follow the boys during various hijinks, from Chittick winning a push-ups bet against his buddies to Forbes’ phobia of snakes revealed in a hilarious way.
Technology has come a long way in the past several years, enabling photographers and camera people to capture images of incredible beauty. Chittick says the Tornado Hunters stand apart from other storm chasers because they use the latest tech to great effect.
Meanwhile, the three are protected by a souped-up Ford, capable of withstanding a violent beating at the hands of Mother Nature.
“People ask about safety, and we’re in an armoured truck that has a roll cage,” Forbes says. “We’re not being cowboys about this; we have radar and we have the training. There are three of us on the team and we have specific responsibilities and watch each other’s back.”
“There’s video of a truck like ours that rolls 15 times down a hill and the cab survives,” Johnson says. “Of course, we don’t want to be in that situation.”
Tornado Hunters airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CMT Canada.
