From Bill Harris of QMI Agency:

• Majumder hopes show revives N.L. town
  Shaun Majumder wants to be the Newfoundland Newhart. “Yeah, kinda,” Majumder said with a laugh, thinking of his new series, Majumder Manor. “(Bob Newhart) had that beautiful old inn (in the 1980s series Newhart). Ours is a little more modern. But no, I actually have no desire to be Newhart. I want to be Fawlty Towers. That’s really where it’s at.” Read more.

From a media release:

CANADA’S GREATEST KNOW-IT-ALL Returns to Discovery for a Must-See Second Season, Jan. 14

Inspiration strikes again! Back with 10 new players, and 23 even bigger and bolder challenges, CANADA’S GREATEST KNOW-IT-ALL returns to Discovery for a second explosive season, premiering Monday, January 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. An original Canadian series – and smash hit – from Boxing Cats Productions, Season 2 returns with eight new episodes – plus a bonus “Survival Guide to CANADA’S GREATEST KNOW-IT-ALL” wrap-up special – featuring 10 of the country’s biggest self-proclaimed smarties, competing head-to-head in a supersized arena of grit and wit. With physical and mental challenges designed to test their superior knowledge, problem-solving skills, leadership, cooperation, and game-playing strategy, this brains-and-brawn series is the perfect forum to test their mettle. The CGKIA Class of 2013 watched the epic and record-breaking first season, and think they know how to beat the game. But this will only be true for the last player standing…the one who claims the ultimate title of CANADA’S GREATEST KNOW-IT-ALL.

Watch as these Know-It-Alls are thrown out of an airplane and during a 40-second free-fall, must memorize the giant letters scattered in the landing field, then create as many words as possible in the “Free Fall Word Scramble” challenge; the KIAs must learn to SCUBA and develop a non-verbal language to de-code – and defuse – an underwater bomb; and also endeavour to destroy a coffee truck more than ¾-kilometers away with a bowling ball cannon by determining the angle of the barrel, power, and distance. Ka-boom! These are among the smart, spectacular and mind-bending challenges put to 10 of the country’s most passionate experimenters, super-geeks, and jacks-of-all-trades in their quest for the top.

But the race won’t be easy. The tests demand multi-layered problem-solving, independent thought and, (grudgingly), teamwork. Under the eye of host Daniel Fathers (THE TRANSPORTER, HEARTLAND), they compete with – and against – each other in challenges designed to prove which one of them knows the most about a lot of different stuff: how things are engineered, driven, built, powered, and even blown up! Every episode contains several complex and highly-entertaining group and individual tasks. The competitor with the fewest points after each episode’s final elimination challenge leaves the series.

Coming from a wide range of professions, experiences, and educational backgrounds, the competitors think they’re as smart as these challenges. And each is vying to prove that their “know-it-all” moniker is actually justified. It’s street smarts vs. book-smarts; common sense vs. theory; Ego vs. Id. Meet this season’s KNOW-IT-ALLs:

• Bill Robinson, age 65, from Madeira Park, British Columbia: A technological expert, Bill Robinson was one of Canada’s earliest computer programmers, and claims to be the creator of client servers – the precursor to online banking. A retired Renaissance man, he spends most of his time travelling and exploring the open seas on his sailboat. He’s searched for the remnants of the Fraser Expedition in the Arctic, and traversed waters just as far south.
• Carla Davidson, age 36, from Calgary, Alberta: A PhD biologist who specializes in flu vaccine development, Carla Davidson knows she can handle any challenge, no matter how dirty or infectious it is. She is super-competitive and fully expects to win.
• Ben Eadie, age 40, from Calgary, Alberta: Ben Eadie is a an inventor-at-heart, a tinkerer at his core, and a guy who always thinks he has the answer to most problems. He’s a Guinness World Record holder for human-powered transportation engineering. He has also been hit by lightning – twice. Wildly enthusiastic, always ready with an answer, Eadie loves to give input – even when no one’s asked.
• Scott Gravelle, age 40, from Calgary, Alberta: Scott Gravelle’s middle name is “competitive.” He never backs down and is confident that his ideas are consistently the best ones…and often they are. A champion hang glider, a long-board racer, and machine designer, Gravelle faces down his fears by taking them on. Outspoken, opinionated, talented, and driven, Gravelle claims his only competition is himself.
• Owen Garratt, age 44, from Spruce Grove, Alberta: Owen Garratt is a world-renowned artist who prides himself in getting every detail of everything in his life just right – but on his own terms. He learns by taking life by the horns and experiencing it. Adventurous travel, voracious reading, and swimming with sharks makes him supremely confident that he’s prepared for this competition.
• Abraham (Abe) Qamminiq, age 51, from Hall Beach, Nunavut: Born and raised in a Nunavut town of less than 700 people in a traditional Inuit (Inuktitut) culture, Abe Qamminiq possesses truly unique skills that set him apart from anyone else. Fix a car at -45 degrees? Check. Hunt, butcher, and prepare a polar bear? Check. He’s also worked as a Canadian Ranger and is a government liaison/translator. Unlike other competitors, Qamminiq relies on his knowledge and a unique skillset for daily survival – but can he survive among nine other Know-It-Alls?
• Andrew Rader, age 32, from Cambridge, Ontario: When Andrew Rader isn’t busy working on designing innovative spacecraft systems, this MIT Aerospace Engineering PhD graduate is hosting Star Wars dinner parties and creating complicated board games. Rader was a finalist in the Canadian Astronaut Selection in 2009 and fiercely clings to his lifelong goal – to help establish a human base on Mars – and go there himself.
• Laura Suen, age 23, from Mississauga, Ontario: Laura Suen’s just 23, but has done more in her short life than many do in a lifetime. A super high-achiever and gifted student, Suen is currently completing her Master’s Degree in physics. She’s built lasers, worked in biophysics and, despite her mild demeanor, she has a wildly competitive streak that dominates the online gaming world. A strategist by nature, Suen has the brains but must battle her lack of life experience to win.
• Doug Hicton, age 52, Toronto, Ontario: Doug Hicton is a JEOPARDY! Grand Master Champion…with an edge. He’s beat Watson (the IBM supercomputer), and revels in his broad base of trivia knowledge. But Hicton’s a “theoretical guy” and isn’t big on getting his hands dirty – can he overcome that obstacle to take the competition?
• Beth Furlong, age 27, from Pickering, Ontario: Beth Furlong is an adrenaline junkie who has a passion for extreme activities, competition, and feeding her insatiable hunger for knowledge. A straight-A student, Furlong studied genetics and telecommunications at university before becoming a commissioned officer, aircraft mechanic, and a pilot for the U.S. Air Force. Born in the U.S. and now married to a Canadian, she’s fiercely independent and loyal. She has flown in hostile territory and survived – so she can certainly survive this!

From a media release:

OLN Seals the Deal on a Third Season of Original Series The Liquidator

• The stakes are raised in Season 3 as Jeff Schwarz takes his buy-and-sell shenanigans across Canada
• OLN original series snags international distribution deal with Discovery Networks International
• Production on the new 26 half-hour episodes begins January 2013

Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to premium original programming, OLN has ordered a third season of the smash hit series The Liquidator. Viewers will enjoy even more wheeling and dealing as the series expands from 13 to 26 episodes. Additional broadcast details will be announced at a later date.

Beyond its success in Canada, the audience-adored, original OLN series has been acquired by Discovery Networks International, and will be available in households across Europe, including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Italy, and France.

Building on the high stakes of Season 2, fast-talking liquidator Jeff Schwarz ups the ante next season when he takes his expertise – and antics – on the road. Season 3 will see Schwarz haggle with a new set of characters as he visits cities across Canada on his quest for liquidation gold.

Viewers can catch up on Season 1 of The Liquidator over the holidays during all-day marathons airing Thursday, Dec. 27 at 9 a.m. ET and Sunday, Jan. 6 at 2 p.m. ET on OLN (check local listings).

The Liquidator is an OLN original series produced by Anaid Productions. Margaret Mardirossian and Helen Schmidt (X-Weighted) serve as executive producers, and Candice Tipton is the supervising producer. Claire Freeland is Director of Original Programming, Rogers Media and Marni Goldman is Production Executive for Rogers Original Programming.

From a media release:

Canada’s MTV Breaks the Mold With All-New Original Series, CARELESS TEENS, Premiering January 3

Viewers don’t try this at home! Canada’s MTV gets into some risky business with its all-new Original Series, CARELESS TEENS, premiering Thursday, Jan. 3 at 11 p.m. ET. This adrenaline-fueled, eight-episode series follows three fearless teens from Shelburne, Ontario – and their friends – risking lives and limbs in a series of jaw-dropping stunts, all captured from their own home video cameras. From stapling their tongues to lighting themselves on fire, nothing is off limits for these daredevils. CARELESS TEENS airs following MTV’s BUCKWILD Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET.

Meet the CARELESS TEENS:

Aidan

Mr. Squirrell (yes…that’s his real last name) is the daredevil of the group. If it has a motor, he’s either driving on it or it’s driving on him. Aidan does however have one small issue; he always forgets to remove his body parts from underneath nails before they’re hammered. It’s a weakness.

Jesse

While Jesse does enjoy long walks on the beach and the occasional sunset, he’d much rather bask in the pale glow of his hair being set on fire; and he hasn’t met an object that he wouldn’t like to propel into his body. And yes ladies, Jesse is single.

Dalton

Nothing is off limits for Dalton, not even going fishing and using himself as bait. Dalton does have several allergies; he tends to have bad reactions to ragweed, peanuts, and skewers being embedded into his flesh. One thing’s for sure, he’s always ready to get ‘er goin’.

From a media release:

SLICE REVEALS DETAILS OF CANADA’S MOST ANTICIPATED REALITY SERIES OF THE NEW YEAR

• The Real Housewives of Vancouver Returns February 5th with Six Sensational Reasons to Watch
• Big Brother Canada and Big Brother Canada After Dark Premiere February 27th

Slice is unleashing its hottest season on record with some of the most highly anticipated reality series of 2013 on the horizon. Today the network released premiere dates and coveted details for The Real Housewives of Vancouver Season Two, Big Brother Canada and the newly announced, Big Brother Canada After Dark, all set to debut in February exclusively on Slice.

Premiering February 5th at 10pm ET/PT, The Real Housewives of Vancouver returns for an explosive second season. As the highest rated series in Slice’s history, the brand new season will follow the drama-prone daily lives of not five but six of Vancouver’s most glamorous Housewives. Three new Wives will join Jody Claman, Mary Zilba and Ronnie Negus – shaking up the highly-entertaining and often tumultuous dynamic between these three larger-than-life ladies, and providing new drama, new scandals and new alliances along the way. The identities of the three new Wives will be unveiled in the new year.

The first Canadian installment of the international sensation, Big Brother Canada is slated to premiere on February 27th at 9pm ET/PT. Similar to the hugely popular US format, Big Brother Canada will air three nights a week, on Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT, Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT and Sundays at 9pm ET/PT, with live eviction episodes on Thursdays. Shaw Media and Insight Productions are currently searching for a diverse group of contestants to live and compete in the Big Brother Canada house. More details on the final 14 will be revealed in the coming months.

Joining its world renowned counterpart, Big Brother After Dark will kick off on February 27th only on Slice. Offering viewers a look inside the Big Brother house after the network prime-time cameras have been turned off, Big Brother After Dark will air seven days a week from 2am-5am ET/ 11pm-2am PT. Featuring a live, uncut and uncensored feed directly from the Big Brother house, Big Brother After Dark leaves nothing to the imagination.

Visit slice.ca for more information on The Real Housewives of Vancouver and Big Brother Canada.