TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Slo Pitch

Beer, lesbians and baseball! Casting announced for new Crave original comedy series, Slo Pitch

From a media release:

Crave announced today casting details for its new original series SLO PITCH, produced by Shaftesbury in association with Boss & Co, and Elliot Page’s PAGEBOY Productions. The 10-episode, half-hour mockumentary, which is in production now through October, is centred around a queer, underdog, slo pitch softball team and their dedicated and determined coach.

Welcome to the world of beer league sports, where Joanne Pico (Jess Salgueiro) is coach to six-time league losers, “The Public Lass Brovaries.” Coach Joanne is dead set on turning things around this season despite having just been brutally dumped by her girlfriend and co-founder of the team. Throughout the summer, Joanne leads her lovable, chaotic crew through a season of strikeouts, petty rivalries, conservative-politician sponsors, and sexy carwash fundraisers gone wrong. With her ex now playing on a rival team, Joanne’s got a lot to prove this season. It’s time to win the breakup, get the gang back together, and maybe even find new love over beers in the dugout.

SLO PITCH also stars Karen Knox, Gwenlyn Cumyn, Chelsea Muirhead, Emma Hunter, Lane Webber, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, Amanda Cordner, and Emily Hampshire.

Guest stars include actors Varun Saranga, Laura De Carteret, Don MacLean Jr., Nadine Bhabha (who is also a writer on the series) and comedians Carolyn Taylor, Chris Locke and Chris Sandiford, plus a cameo from Japanese softball pitcher Ayami Sato, who recently made history as the first woman to play in a Canadian men’s professional baseball league. 

Created by J Stevens, and Karen Knox and Gwenlyn Cumyn who also star, SLO PITCH is based on the short-form series of the same name and is developed for television by Katie Ford and Jane Cooper Ford. The series marks Bell Media’s first project with PAGEBOY Productions following the announcement of a co-development deal earlier this year.

The series will be available to Crave audiences in both English and French, and is distributed internationally by Shaftesbury.

SLO PITCH is produced by Shaftesbury in association with Crave, Boss & Co, and PAGEBOY Productions, with participation of the Bell Media Fund and Ontario Creates. Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, and Paige Haight are executive producers for Shaftesbury. Karen Knox and Gwenlyn Cumyn are executive producers, writers, and stars. Katie Ford and Jane Cooper Ford are executive producers. J Stevens is executive producer and director. Michael Schram is executive producer. Elliot Page is executive producer for PAGEBOY Productions, and Emily Hampshire is executive producer.

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Acting Good, Featured

CTV Comedy Channel original series Acting Good returns for Season 4

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From a media release:

From duo to trio, there’s a new boss at Grouse Lake First Nation and he’s bringing a whole lot of diapers! After three seasons of uproarious antics, family chaos, and community love, the hit original series ACTING GOOD returns for its fourth season Mondays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, beginning Oct. 20 with a special two-episode premiere kicking off at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Comedy Channel, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, and streaming next day on Crave. Filmed on location in Winnipeg and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, the 10 half-hour episodes blend humour with the ups and downs of northern first nation life at Grouse Lake.

In Season 4, Paul (Paul Rabliauskas) is now a dad with a toddler in tow and determined to be a better man – but is still clashing with Rose (Cheyenna Sapp), a newly elected councillor finding her voice while juggling her relationship with Paul and life as a new mom. With Chief Jo (Roseanne Supernault) in Ottawa, her daughter Chickadee (Avery Sutherland) finds herself in new relationships and figuring out where she wants to be in the world. Dean (Gabriel Daniels) is still running his community store, but between needy customers, supply issues, and Cousin Leon (Michael Greyeyes) back from banishment claiming to be reformed – it’s a full-time job. Meanwhile, Lips (Jason Mason) wrestles with guilt and justice, Agnes (Tina Keeper) and Rita (Wanda Barker) enter full-on Kookum competition mode, and Roger Laughingstick (Billy Merasty) battles community chaos, artificial intelligence, and the rise of true crime podcasts.

Guest stars for Season 4 include Brent Butt (CORNER GAS), Vance Banzo (TALLBOYZ), William Belleau (Killers of the Flower Moon), Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Night Raiders, THREE PINES), Tatanka Means (Killers of the Flower Moon), and Darla Contois (LITTLE BIRD), along with returning guest stars Ashley Callingbull (BLACKSTONE), Miss Universe 2015 and Miss Universe Canada 2024, and Joel D. Montgrand (TRUE DETECTIVE).

On the Season 4 premiere, titled “Diamond in the Bush” (Monday, Oct. 20 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Comedy, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, and streaming next day on Crave), Paul (Rabliauskas) hires a Lou Diamond Phillips impersonator for Agnes’ (Keeper) birthday – but panics when the guy (guest star Brent Butt, CORNER GAS) looks nothing like the real deal. To Paul’s surprise, the impersonator is a hit, charming the entire party. Feeling upstaged, Paul grows jealous and teams up with Dean (Daniels) to sabotage the celebration and get rid of the impersonator.

In Part 2 of the two-episode premiere, titled “Mean Dads” (Monday, Oct. 20 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Comedy, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, and streaming next day on Crave), Paul (Rabliauskas) struggles to connect with his son PJ (Celones). After pressure from Stephen Harper (Aqqalu Meekis) and Rose (Cheyanna Sapp), he reluctantly takes PJ to the park where he’s dazzled by “superdads” Carson (guest star William Belleau, Killers of the Flower Moon) and Jasper (guest star Vance Banzo, TALLBOYZ). Wanting to fit in, Paul exaggerates his own involvement in PJ’s life and minimizes Harper’s role.

Season 3 of ACTING GOOD ranks as the most-watched series among the key A25-54 demo for three years in a row on CTV Comedy Channel, Canada’s most-watched English entertainment specialty network. Previous seasons of ACTING GOOD are available for streaming on Crave, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.

ACTING GOOD is produced by CTV Comedy Channel, in association with Kistikan Pictures Inc. and Buffalo Gal Pictures Inc., with the participation of Canada Media Fund, APTN, and Manitoba Film & Music.

ACTING GOOD is co-created by Paul Rabliauskas, Amber-Sekowan Daniels, Eric Toth, and Pat Thornton. Producers are Tina Keeper (Kistikan Pictures) and Vanessa Loewen(Kistikan Pictures), with Phyllis Laing (Buffalo Gal Pictures), Paul Rabliauskas, Jennifer Beasley (Buffalo Gal Pictures), and Amber-Sekowan Daniels as Executive Producers. Jeff Peeler is Supervising Producer. Tim Fontaine and Eric Toth serve as Executive Producers, Writers, and Co-Showrunners.

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Featured, I Kill the Bear

Casting announced for new Crave original comedy series from Jared Keeso, I Kill the Bear

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From a media release:

Crave unveiled today the cast of its upcoming original comedy series, I KILL THE BEAR, created, written by, and starring Jared Keeso (LETTERKENNY, SHORESY). Production on the six-episode, half-hour, series is underway in Sudbury, ON and it’s set to premiere on Crave in 2026.

I KILL THE BEAR is a comedy about a family of bear wranglers for film sets, and why – after 100 years – they’ve decided to make this film their last. 

Keeso is joined onscreen by an ensemble cast including multi-award-winning, Diamond-selling Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, Adrian Holmes (19-2, BEL-AIR), Mixed Martial Arts star Georges St-Pierre (CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER), Jonathan Torrens (TRAILER PARK BOYS), Sarah-Maude Beauchesne (BELLEFLEUR), Kristin Kreuk (SMALLVILLE), Dylan Playfair (LETTERKENNY), Eliana Jones (SHORESY), Frederick Roy (SHORESY) and Megha Sandhu (PAINKILLER).

The series is distributed internationally by New Metric Media.

The new series from Jared Keeso is produced by New Metric Media, in association with Play Fun Games. Jared Keeso is Executive Producer, writer, star, and creator, with story by Keeso and Producer Trevor Risk. Dan and Sean Skene are directors and Executive Producers. Mark Montefiore and Kara Haflidson are Executive Producers with Max Wolfond serving as Supervising Producer for New Metric Media.

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Featured, Small Achievable Goals

Production begins on Season 2 of CBC’s Small Achievable Goals

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From a media release:

CBC and Sphere Media today announced that production is underway on the second season of menopause comedy SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS (8×30). Created by and starring Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen and produced by Sphere Media, the new season will continue to follow Julie (Whalen) and Kris (MacNeill) as they redefine menopause and friendship — finding strength and humour in a bond they didn’t initially want, but now depend on, to survive the gauntlet of symptoms and life changes challenging them. Filmed in Hamilton and Toronto, season two will premiere on CBC and CBC Gem in winter 2026. Audiences can watch season one of SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

“It’s been incredible to see such an engaged and positive response to Small Achievable Goals,” said Trish Williams, Executive Director, Scripted Content, CBC. “Jennifer, Meredith and the team at Sphere have created something uniquely hilarious and equally moving. There is a lot to explore in the menopause experience, and season two isn’t afraid to go there.”

“We’re very excited to explore the further adventures of odd couple Julie and Kris, as they experience the roller coaster ride that is menopause,” shared Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen, creators, stars and executive producers of the series.

“We’re thrilled to be underway on production of season two, and to be working again with Small Achievable Goals’ amazing cast, crew, and partners at CBC,” said Elise Cousineau, VP Content, English Scripted, for Sphere Media. “We’re excited for audiences to reconnect with Kris, Julie, and the entire cast of characters.” 

In addition to MacNeill and Whalen, cast returning for season two of SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS are Alexander Nunez (Moonshine), Paul Braunstein (Hudson & Rex), Jon Dore (The Jon Dore Television Show), Tricia Black (Pretty Hard Cases), Georgie Murphy (Safehaven), Leslie Adlam (Slumberland), Kevin Whalen (Baroness von Sketch Show), Tamara Podemski (Murderbot), Kiori Mirza Waldman and Evan Mok. Billy MacLellan (Nobody) and Jackie Richardson (Pretty Hard Cases) will guest star this season.

A CBC Original Series, SMALL ACHIEVABLE GOALS is produced by Sphere Media. The series is created by Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill (Baroness von Sketch Show), who also serve as Executive Producers alongside Sphere Media’s Jennifer Kawaja, Bruno Dubé and Elise Cousineau. The series is produced with the participation of the Bell Fund and Canada Media Fund (CMF).

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Featured, Trailblazing Talks

Dini Petty’s Trailblazing Talks debuts October 13 on The News Forum

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From a media release:

Canada’s most fearless interviewer is back. At age 80, Dini Petty steps back in front of the cameras once again for Trailblazing Talks with Dini Petty, with a one-hour television event airing Monday, October 13 at 9:00 PM ET on The News Forum network and on thenewsforum.ca. With warmth, humour, and fearless curiosity, Petty invites audiences into conversations that span generations and challenges expectations. Ahead of its premiere, Trailblazing Talks has been greenlit to go to series. Broadcast details to follow.

“At this point in my life, I am drawn to deeper conversations about resilience, courage, and the true cost of leadership,” said Dini Petty. “Trailblazing Talks is about honouring those who dared to lead and reminding us that it is never too late to step forward with purpose”

This premiere brings together two remarkable guests for a deeply personal and inspiring hour of television. Tonya Williams shares her journey breaking barriers as a Black actress, from early roles in Toronto to becoming a household name for two decades on The Young and the Restless. She also reflects on founding the Reelworld Film Festival & Screen Institute, which have grown under her leadership to create meaningful change in Canada’s screen industry.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Senator Marnie McBean opens up about her legendary partnership with the late Kathleen Heddle, her service in the Senate of Canada, and why advocacy for the 2SLGBTQ+ community remains central to her legacy. She even gives Dini a lesson in proper rowing technique. Both guests revisit moments from their interviews on The Dini Petty Show in the 1990s, bringing their stories full circle in a celebration of resilience, legacy, and trailblazing impact.

“Dini has been a huge source of inspiration to me over the years—not only as a pioneering broadcaster and a pilot, but as a woman unafraid to speak the truth,”  said Kate Campbell, Creator, Showrunner and Executive Producer. “To collaborate with her on Trailblazing Talks is a full-circle moment, and I feel honoured to help carry forward her legacy and bring her voice and presence back to audiences in a new way.”

Petty is bringing the same sharp mind, wit, and courage that shaped her career, but this time, the focus is on sparking a bigger conversation about the future of leadership, aging, and the courage it takes to stay in the arena.

Created by Kate Campbell, who also serves as Showrunner and Executive Producer, Trailblazing Talks is helmed alongside award-winning Executive Producer Ken MacDonald, former Vice-President and General Manager of Discovery Channel Canada. Marina Cordoni of Marina Cordoni Entertainment (MCE) and Dini Petty also Executive Produce. Former broadcaster and commissioner at CRTC Martha Wilson joins as Consulting Producer.

Trailblazing Talks is not just a television special; it’s a bold invitation to rethink what’s possible. 

Channel numbers are different for each TV provider, so the fastest way to find us is by checking your on-screen guide, or clicking HERE.

Featured Channels:
Bell Satellite: Channel 506
Rogers: Channel 107
Shaw Direct:Channel  253
Telus: Channel 842

About The News Forum
The News Forum is a Canadian national television network that values integrity, balance, and the inclusion of multiple voices. Privately owned by Canadian shareholders, the network delivers programming that aims to empower viewers with diverse perspectives and support a robust Canadian democracy. Learn more at www.thenewsforum.ca.

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