From Scott Stinson of the National Post:
Celebrating the Can-combo of Republic of Doyle and Murdoch Mysteries
But with Murdoch and Doyle both having been around long enough to have become maybe a bit too familiar, and with both part of the public broadcaster’s drama stable, Mitchell says it seemed like a good time to try something different. “It’s a nice sort of craven publicity grab,†he says. Continue reading.
From a media release:
YTV Adds Hilarious New Live Action Series to its Winter Slate
What kid wouldn’t love to be in charge of running a toy company? And what better way to get around the place than a full-scale indoor roller coaster? The sky is the limit for fun and imagination in YTV’s Some Assembly Required, a new live action comedy series, which follows an eclectic and mismatched group of kids who operate Knickknack Toys. The series premieres on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT, following Sam & Cat at 6 p.m. ET/PT on YTV.
Fourteen-year-old Jarvis Raines played by YouTube sensation, Kolton Stewart (The Art of War, What’s Up Warthogs!) is at the helm as President of Knickknack Toys. If Jarvis is going to succeed in running the toy company, he has to invent some of the most exciting, fun and creative toys in history and have a dynamic team to help him. His first hire is a girl from school Piper Gray, a computer-savvy “gamer dude” played by singer/songwriter Charlie Storwick (winner of YTV’s The Next Star, Season 4). Then, he rounds out the team by enlisting: his best friend with dubious talents, Bowie, played by Harrison Houde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid); a charming personal assistant Geneva, played by Sydney Scotia (The Letter); Knox, an extreme sports daredevil played by Dylan Playfair (Mr. Hockey: the Gordie Howe Story), and Aster, fashion-forward “King of Swag” played by Travis Turner (Marley & Me: The Puppy Years). Surrounded by doubters, including the former owner Candace Wheeler (Ellie Harvie, The New Addams Family), Jarvis and his team try to prove to the world that not only can they run the company, they can make it better than ever, restoring honour to the name of the company’s founder, P. Everett Knickknack.
In the premiere episode, a Christmas toy gone wrong blows up Jarvis’ house. When Candace refuses to remedy the situation, a jury awards Jarvis the company, making him the new owner of Knickknack Toys. Jarvis and team invent their first toy, StrongSuit – a bodysuit for kids that makes them big and strong. They decide to test it out on a group of local schoolchildren, but when the kids refuse to give the StrongSuit back Jarvis must stop them before they destroy the company.
Shot in front of a live audience in Burnaby, British Columbia, Some Assembly Required is a YTV original series produced by Thunderbird Films. The series is created by Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody). To be part of the studio audience viewers can email someassemblylive@gmail.com to reserve their seats.
Coinciding with the series launch in January, YTV.com will feature an innovative Some Assembly Required video mash-up tool that allows fans to create their own thematic videos using select clips from actual episodes of the show. Prior to the premiere, fans can play an all-new web game featuring 20 levels of fun and challenging game-play. A free-to-play app version will also be launched in the New Year along with 20 more levels of game-play.
From a media release:
Touchdown! CTV’s MASTERCHEF CANADA Scores January 20 Kickoff and SUPER BOWL Stunt
Hot on the heels of fall’s #1 new reality program MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, and following MASTERCHEF’s most successful season ever, CTV announced last night that its homegrown version of the culinary competition series MASTERCHEF CANADA is set to quarterback CTV’s mid-season schedule. Revealed during the 101st GREY CUP broadcast on TSN, the Canadian edition of the iconic international format airs Mondays at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT beginning Jan. 20 on CTV and CTV GO. Featuring distinguished Canadian culinary experts Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile as judges, the one-hour series celebrates a passion for food, cooking, and the diversity of Canadian cuisine. CTV also confirmed that MASTERCHEF CANADA has been awarded the post-SUPER BOWL XLVIII timeslot for its first elimination episode, airing Sunday, Feb. 2 on CTV. This will mark the third year that CTV has held the most coveted timeslot in television for a Canadian series.
In the premiere episode (Monday, January 20 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT), 50 home cooks chosen from thousands of applicants across the country begin their quest to become Canada’s first ever MasterChef. Each home cook must present their signature dish to esteemed judges Michael Bonacini, Alvin Leung, and Claudio Aprile. As friends and family cheer on the amateur cooks, only those with the most impressive dishes will be given a coveted white apron and an opportunity to move forward in the competition.
As previously announced, Kraft has signed on as the premiere sponsor of MASTERCHEF CANADA. Additional details including the grand prize and the reveal of the Top 50 home cooks will be announced in the coming weeks.
Murdoch Mysteries, CBC – “Republic of Murdoch”
When a traveller is found dead in his hotel room clutching an ancient map, it leads Murdoch and Crabtree to the Colony of Newfoundland. There, a flinty character named Jacob Doyle (Allan Hawco) becomes Murdoch’s prime suspect. As he delves deeper into the case, Murdoch uncovers bitter feuds and promises of riches that reveal the true motive behind the murder.
Cracked, CBC – “Voices”
When the Property Manager at a seedy Parkdale tenement house winds up murdered, things take a strange turn when a resident with schizophrenia appears with the murder weapon, claiming the devil told him where it was. The team need to sort fact from delusion in their quest for the truth, a quest that leads deep into a terrifying nightmare. Guest stars: Natalie Brown, Noah Reid.
Sex & Violence, OUTtv – “Social Work, Part II”
When off-duty police Constable Roach (Jennie Raymond) is assaulted outside a lesbian bar, she combats to have her case taken seriously by the court. Social worker Drucie McKay (Jackie Torrens) places high-risk foster children with a married couple, Steven and Stephen (Thom Payne, Glen Matthews).
Lost Girl, Showcase – “Lovers. Apart.”
No episode description available.
