From Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter:
Canada’s CBC Gives Six-Episode Order to ‘Best Laid Plans’ Drama
Canada’s CBC has given a six-episode mini-series order to Best Laid Plans, written by actor/writer Susan Coyne (Slings and Arrows) and screenwriter Jason Sherman (The Listener). Read more.
From a media release:
YTV greenlights Season 6 of hit series The Next Star
Corus Entertainment’s YTV is pleased to announce that the network’s top-rated series The Next Star will be back for Season 6. Hot on the heels of Season 5 winner Brooklyn’s popular single “Lemon & Lime,†The Next Star is anticipating another year of pop-star talent discovery. The series will premiere July 2013 on YTV and will follow the young finalists on their once-in-a-lifetime journey as they master their sound, style and stage presence.
JUNO Award-winning R&B/pop recording-artist Keshia Chanté, country sweetheart and TV personality Tara Oram, and A&R pro and label executive Mark Spicoluk return as this year’s judges and mentors. A soon to be announced new host will join the trio and embark on a nationwide, six-city search for Canada’s most talented young performers, one of whom will be crowned Canada’s Next Star.
Later this month, the identity of the new host and audition date schedule will be revealed on the show’s new cross-platform destination Next Star Nation. The Next Star 6 supporting social media pages will all fall under this hub, where #TNS6 devotees can have the ultimate fan experience, discover, share and become more involved in the show than ever before. With a rapidly growing and loyal online fan base, Next Star Nation will be the place fans can find breaking news, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage – including special clues about the new host prior to the official reveal – and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes and more.
From Richard Ouzounian of the Toronto Star:
Olivia Chow relives life and death of Jack Layton in CBC TV movie Jack
Olivia Chow is getting ready to lose Jack Layton for a second time. The CBC drama special Jack, the story of their life together and the death of the former NDP leader from cancer in 2011, will air on Sunday, March 10 at 8 p.m. Chow hasn’t seen it yet, but she knows the time is coming soon. Read more.
From Rob Salem of the Toronto Star:
Why Canadian television is superior to Canadian movies
Canadian film is passionate, distinctive, challenging, brave, thoughtful, thrilling, hilarious, inspirational, eloquent and, yes, entertaining. But if not for Canadian television, it would not exist. Is Canadian TV better than Canadian film? It depends on your definition of “better.” Read more.
From the Canadian Press:
Canadian Screen Awards: Flashpoint, Fitz take home trophies
“Flashpoint,†“Call Me Fitz†and “John A: Birth of a Country†head into Sunday’s inaugural Canadian Screen Awards with a leading four trophies apiece after an industry gala Thursday night handed out most of the prizes celebrating homegrown TV. Read more.