From Etan Vlessing of The Hollywood Reporter:
Writer and producer Sam Egan (Quincy, The Outer Limits, Continuum) and director Jeff Barnaby (Rhymes for Young Ghouls) have joined forces to develop a crime-family drama for Canadian indie Rezolution Pictures and the APTN cable channel.
Dirty Red Boys explores smuggling, violence and “crazymakers” in the world of Native Canadians. The drama is in development, and APTN has ordered eight scripts. Continue reading.
From a media release by the CRTC:
Ads during the Super Bowl get a lot of hype. They are an important part of the overall spectacle, and viewers look forward to watching them.
For Canadian viewers this has been a problem. They don’t see the same ads as those seen in the US because they are replaced with Canadian ads.
For a number of years, Canadians have complained to the CRTC that they want to see the American ads during the Super Bowl. Many Canadians spoke about this considerable irritation during  Let’s Talk TV: A Conversation with Canadians. The CRTC has taken action to resolve the issue.
Beginning at the end of the 2016 NFL season (i.e., the Super Bowl in 2017), simultaneous substitution will no longer be allowed during the Super Bowl. Canadian viewers will see the same ads as American viewers.
Until then, you can watch the American ads broadcast during the Super Bowl on YouTube’s AdBlitz channel.
From a media release:
Disney XD Canada announced today a season two order for its innovative original series Gaming Show (In My Parents’ Garage) from Banger Films’ kids division, B-Minors. Ten new 30-minute episodes of the Canadian Screen Award nominated, live-action show brings the series total to 20, with production set to begin in Toronto next month. The series, which debuted in November with a six-episode run, currently ranks as the network’s #1 series for boys aged 6-12.1
The commissioning decision comes as the remaining new episodes from Gaming Show (In My Parents’ Garage)’s first season bow in its new timeslot Sundays at 7:30 p.m. ET, starting February 8. Among the four all-new episodes are special appearances by Raptors’ NBA baller Jonas ValanÄiÅ«nas, Billy Talent’s Ian D’Sa and Aaron Solowoniuk, and Olympian Patrick Chan. In addition to the series return, new TV and online content will be available weekly leading up to season two’s launch, which is slated for summer 2015.
Gaming Show (In My Parents’ Garage) stars newcomers and real-life video game addicts Jesse Sukunda, Julia Schwartz and Ian Duchene, a trio of quirky young teens who aspire to create a popular and inventive YouTube channel devoted to gaming. The series takes place in Jesse’s parents’ tricked out garage; this is where they hang out, debate the virtues of video games and shoot cool and informative field segments. Among those spots are reviews on the latest games, head-to-head competitions and visits to prominent gaming headquarters. Plus, the gang often receives surprise visits from high profile YouTube, sports, music and gaming celebs. Gaming Show has been recognized for its innovative format with a 2015 Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series.
Commissioned by Disney XD Canada, Gaming Show (In My Parents’ Garage) is executive produced by Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen of Banger Films’ kids division, B-Minors (Big Ticket Summer Concert, Grizzly Cup) and was created by Jesse Shamata (Grizzly Cup, George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, Long Story Short). Banger Films is an award-winning film and television production company based in Toronto. In its first 10 years, Banger has produced feature documentaries, TV series, live concerts and kids programs, broadcast worldwide.
From Bill Brioux:
Once upon a time, a TV western was a western. Now it’s “an original action-adventure crime procedural drama.â€
That’s the way The Pinkertons is being pitched. The series, which is shot in and around Winnipeg, premieres Tuesday night with a two hour launch beginning at 8 p.m. on CHCH. Continue reading.
I’m a sucker for historical dramas. Need proof? My current list of favourites includes Hell on Wheels, Vikings, Murdoch Mysteries, Downton Abbey and the upcoming X Company. Now I’m adding The Pinkertons to my list. The syndicated shoot-em-up debuts Tuesday on CHCH, and it’s one heck of a good time.
Produced by the folks at Rosetta Media and Buffalo Gal Pictures (and with Murdoch Mysteries‘ Philip Bedard and Larry Lalonde, Remedy‘s Alison Lea Bingeman, Flashpoint‘s Christina Ray and Corner Gas‘ Rhonda Baker among producers), The Pinkertons is based on the real cases of the legendary law enforcement, detective and security agency founded in 1850. Hired by President Abraham Lincoln to be his security detail during the Civil War, the company was headed by Allan Pinkerton and based out of Chicago.
Tuesday’s two-hour debut quickly introduces viewers to founder Allan (Angus Macfadyen, Turn), his son William (Jacob Blair, Dark Rising: Warrior of Worlds) and Kate Warne (Martha MacIsaac, 1600 Penn) as they team to solve the case of ex-Confederate outlaws who rob a train. Kate Warne, it turns out, really was the first female detective in the U.S., a point made early on and the source of sarcasm and laughs because William can’t handle the fact she’s better at sleuthing, disguises and infiltrating gangs than he is.
Shot in and around Winnipeg (the primary location is Grosse Isle, Man.), the first two instalments in the 22-episode season are light-hearted with the touches of drama that has made Murdoch so successful. Yes, the ex-Confederates are plotting to make a bomb, but you never feel like they’ll really get away with it. The costuming is lush, the old-timey sets suitably dusty and the three keys leads are charming, especially MacIsaac, who has canny comic timing and is able to set herself apart from her craggy co-stars.
It’s too early to be sure, but I’m pretty confident that, as time goes on, sexual tension will simmer between Kate and William. And while I’m not averse to that TV trope, I hope it’s kept on the back burner for now; to me the story is the thing and with a group like the Pinkertons, there are lots of stories to tell.
The Pinkertons airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CHCH.
