From Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter:
Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? is posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Ken Cuperus earned one of three nominations for My Babysitter’s a Vampire in the Children and Youth category, for the “Blood Drive†episode.
Can you describe the episode, and how it fit into the My Babysitter’s a Vampire season?
“Blood Drive” takes place early in the season as Sarah struggles to keep herself from drinking blood, which would turn her from a fledgling into a full vampire. But temptation comes knocking in the form of a school blood drive, and Erica is piling on the peer pressure to get Sarah to drink. Everything gets more complicated when it is revealed that the two nurses who are running the blood drive are, in fact, vampires themselves… and the blood drive is a long-running scam to stock up on fresh blood. Rory and Erica try to steal the blood from the blood truck, but get captured by the vamp nurses — and Ethan, Benny and Sarah are forced to give chase, to rescue their pals. That’s where the title comes from. It’s a blood drive … but also they are driving in a blood truck. Forget the script, the title alone is award worthy, right? (crickets)
What about this episode are you particularly proud of?
Did I mention how clever the title is? I mean, it’s a blood drive, right? But also … there’s the driving of a truck that contains actual blood. Rarely is an episode as aptly titled as this one. Also, I managed to cram in a “Sarlacc Pit” reference, which will be mildly interesting to Star Wars fans and nobody else.
What does this recognition mean to you?
It’s really great to have my work recognized, and I love that I am up against some of my favourite people in the industry. I’ve been working alongside both Ben and Alice since my earliest days as a preschool writer, and I would be thrilled to see either one of them take home the award. I don’t know Evan, but I have no doubt he is equally deserving, and I’m rooting for him as well. Of course, if I do win, I will rub it in all of their faces mercilessly.
And finally (imagine my best Joan Rivers impression): what will you be wearing to the ceremony?
Probably the same outfit I wear to every single event ever. I mean, I own maybe three pairs of pants. And my “good” shirt has holes in the sleeves. I’m not what you’d call a sharp dresser. If it wasn’t for my wife, I’d probably just show up in my pajamas. I have serious issues.
My Babysitter’s A Vampire, Teletoon – Season finale
The “Fly Off to the Moon†dance is approaching and Ethan and Benny want to go in style. But the return of an old enemy puts a wrinkle in their plans and forces Sarah to make the one choice she’s been dreading all year.
Instant Cash, TVTropolis – Season 3 premiere
The third season of Instant Cash premieres Thursday April 5 with back-to-back episodes at 7pm and 7:30pm. There’s only one ATM in the world like this. INSTANT CASH delivers plenty of surprises, huge prizes and even bigger laughs. Hidden cameras capture every unscripted moment as unsuspecting contestants are put to the test with trivia questions, cheeky challenges and mischievous set-ups. With $10,000 at stake, they’re willing to do just about anything to win the ultimate payout.
Titanic, Global – Part 3 of 4
Italian stoker Mario lands a job on the Titanic for his brother Paolo, who meets cabin steward Annie Desmond during their journey and is instantly smitten. Arguments and romance are set aside when the iceberg strikes, and fear builds in steerage as passengers find themselves behind locked gates. Meanwhile, Ismay is worried that the Italian waiters, including Mario, will spread more panic among the passengers and opts to lock them up with no chance for escape.
Dragons’ Den, CBC – “Inside the Den” (Season finale)
For the first time ever, all five Dragons gather to reminisce about the very best – and worst – moments over the past six seasons of DRAGONS’ DEN. The show includes highlights from the last six seasons of the show – the sexy stuff, the singing, the stand-out pitches, the in-fighting, the making-up – and we count down the three MOST memorable moments in DRAGONS’ DEN history. Throughout it all, Dianne Buckner puts all five Dragons in the hot seat.
Republic of Doyle, CBC – “Under Pressure” (Season finale)
The Doyles struggle to prove Mal’s innocence when he’s accused of murder but end up digging a deeper hole; Kathleen gets some brotherly help with the George situation; Tinny discovers the identity of her father.
The Real Housewives of Vancouver, Slice – two-hour premiere
Real Housewives of Vancouver takes viewers on a wild ride into the never before seen world of Vancouver’s wealthiest and most fabulous women. The first season dives into the everyday lives of Jody, Christina, Reiko, Ronnie, and Mary, revealing intimate and often outrageous details about their relationships, career triumphs and pitfalls, sex lives and family drama.
Rick Mercer Report, CBC – Season finale
Rick attends celebration festivities at the winning schools in the annual Mercer Report Spread the Net Student Challenge. Highlights include an extreme dodgeball game with students at an elementary school in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, African drumming at a high school in Peterborough, Ontario, and at Montreal’s McGill University Rick drives a ‘Baja’ off-road car on campus.
22 Minutes, CBC – Season finale
Shaun Majumder heads to the Junos as host of ’22 Morning Zoo’ to check in with some award nominees, we travel to Peggy’s Cove to look into the sale of an iconic lighthouse, and – after weeks of trash-talking – Mark Critch brings us the outcome of the Trudeau/Brazeau boxing match. We also comment on the new federal budget, with Don Cherry (Mark Critch) weighing in on the cuts.
I, Martin Short, Goes Home – CBC
This one-hour special features a star-studded line up of talent including Fred Willard (Modern Family), Eugene Levy (American Pie), Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Robin Duke (Saturday Night Live), Joe Flaherty (The Second City’s Next Comedy Legend) and CBC’s own George Stroumboulopoulos (George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight).
Buy.o.logic, OWN Canada – Series premiere
In the premiere episode, Isla and Dr. Dave examine the cause of bad breath and how different products work to combat the problem. They also hit the town to teach men to stop procrastinating on prostrate health. Allergies force Isla to figure out which vacuum cleaners suck. A flash mob puts five ab machines through a real workout and our shopping gurus Anna and Kristina discover the life changing joys of neti pots.
