Rick’s Rant for November 19, 2013:
Rick’s rant: Explaining Rob Ford’s popularity
New Monday: Murdoch Mysteries, Cracked
Murdoch Mysteries, CBC – “Loch Ness Murdoch”
A summer heat wave finds much of Toronto taking refuge at the beach, but when a body marked by a large bite washes ashore, rumours of a sea monster quickly spread across the city.
Cracked, CBC – “Hideaway”
The murder of a community health worker takes on a special meaning for Pysch Crimes, as the deceased is someone from Leo’s past, forcing him to confront his deepest regrets. Meanwhile, the investigation leads the team to discover an abused young woman who could be a victim, the perpetrator or both. Guest stars: Rossif Sutherland, Chuck Shamata, Rachel Wilson, Arnold Pinnock.
Battle of the Blades names its winner
From a media release:
CANADA’S VOTES WERE COUNTED AND THE BATTLE OF THE BLADES’ SEASON FOUR CHAMPIONS ARE AMANDA EVORA & SCOTT THORNTON
In perhaps the most enthralling season ever for the CBC original BATTLE OF THE BLADES, Amanda Evora & Scott Thornton were crowned Season Four champions in a grand spectacle tonight. Having received the most votes from coast to coast, following an extended voting period ending Friday, the final outcome caps off an exhilarating season. It was seven intense weeks of twists and turns, both dramatically and on the ice, with perhaps the most advanced all around skating ever seen on BATTLE OF THE BLADES.
After two routines last week and stellar praise from Kurt Browning and fellow judges Jamie Salé and P.J. Stock, it was up to Canada’s votes alone to determine the winner as the judges didn’t score the final performances. The numbers were close between the three finalists – Violetta Afanasieva & Jason Strudwick, Marie-France Dubreuil & Mathieu Dandenault, and Amanda Evora & Scott Thornton – but when the snow fell at the end of it, it was Amanda & Scott who would earn the most votes and be declared champions of Season Four.
Canada’s votes for Amanda & Scott were also a major gift for The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation with a $100,000 donation as result. Second runners up Violetta Afanasieva & Jason Strudwick and third runners up Marie-France Dubreuil & Mathieu Dandenault will receive $35,000 and $30,000 respectively for their charities.
It was a jam-packed finale with all 16 skaters returning for a special group number to start the show. Having hoisted 10 Stanley Cups and brandishing four Olympic medals among them, the highly decorated Season Four skaters looked on as the three final pairs performed a special sextet to celebrate the season. Fans also enjoyed a special performance from Kurt Browning and a guest routine from Mini Blades champions Georgia-Ann Reidl and Austin Martell.
New for Season Four, the Mini Blades competitions were a partnership between CBC and Skate Canada where select clubs were invited to host their own Mini Blades competitions, to serve as a fundraising initiative and to spotlight local skating clubs across Canada. Georgie and Austin hail from the Stayner Skating Club of Stayner, ON.
Fans can also watch the final Season Four winners, judges, choreographers and host Ron MacLean reflect on the past seven weeks in a one hour episode, which will air Dec. 1 at 8 p.m (8:30 NT). Loaded with exclusive footage and behind the scenes revelations, BATTLE OF THE BLADES devotees can celebrate the stories from a riveting season.
Amanda & Scott join an elite group of skaters with Season One champions Jamie Salé & Craig Simpson, Season Two Champions Ekaterina Gordeeva & Valeri Bure, and Season Three Champions David Pelletier & Tessa Bonhomme. As Season Four concludes, BATTLE OF THE BLADES has raised over $1 million for various charities since the first episode aired in 2009.
First time participant Amanda Evora is two-time U.S. Pairs Silver Medallist and the first ever Filipino-American to compete in the Winter Olympics. Her partner Scott Thornton was drafted third overall in 1989 by the Toronto Maple Leafs and in his 18-year NHL career also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks.
BATTLE OF THE BLADES is the highest-rated original Canadian format of all time. Combining athletes from two of Canada’s favourite sports, figure skating and hockey, eight World and Olympic figure skaters pair up with eight NHL hockey greats in the ultimate skating competition for charity. Anchoring CBC’s 2013 Fall Sunday night schedule, BATTLE OF THE BLADES airs at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC.
New Sunday: Heartland, Battle of the Blades, Meet The Family
Heartland, CBC – “Best Man”
When an old friend turns to Ty for help, Ty is torn between his ties to the past and his loyalties to his family at Heartland.
Battle Of The Blades, CBC – “Final – Champion Revealed”
Meet The Family, City – “Dimwit Dadâ€
Justin and Stephanie are taking their relationship to the next level: meeting the family. What Justin doesn’t know is that Stephanie’s family is played by actors determined to give him a hard time. But it won’t be easy: Mom shows him a grisly crime scene, Dad’s a clinical moron who entertains himself by throwing sandwiches at the fan, and brother Jason has rabies. Worst of all, sister Hannah needs a new groom after being left at the altar – and Justin would be the perfect replacement.
Bell reveals development slate
From a media release:
Five New Comedy Projects Join Bell Media’s Original Development Slate
- New comedies in development include projects from Mark McKinney, Rob Sheridan, Jared Keeso, Paul Mather, and llana Frank
- Bell Media working with several seasoned production companies including Breakthrough Entertainment, Lone Eagle Entertainment, Force Four Entertainment, Amaze Film + Television, New Metric Media, Six Eleven Media, Entertainment One, Vérité Films, Just For Laughs, Farpoint Films, Wild West Productions, Foundry Films, and Sphere Media
- 71 new original Bell Media projects currently in development, including 20 comedies
 Bell Media announced today from the Canadian International Television Festival the addition of five new comedy projects to its original development slate, led by seasoned writers and producers Mark McKinney (LESS THAN KIND, KIDS IN THE HALL), Rob Sheridan (NEXT CALLER, 18 TO LIFE, LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE), Jared Keeso (19-2), Paul Mather (CORNER GAS, DAN FOR MAYOR, THE MICHAEL J. FOX SHOW), and Ilana Frank (SAVING HOPE, ROOKIE BLUE). The new projects join a robust slate of at least 15 other original Bell Media comedies already in development for potential new pilots and/or series. Drama and Factual development projects will be announced at a later date.
The five new comedies are (working titles):
WE’RE ADULTS NOW
From comedic genius Mark McKinney, a half-hour scripted series about young 20-somethings.
Attached:
Mark McKinney
Breakthrough Entertainment (Ira Levy and Diane Boehme, LESS THAN KIND)
THE TEAM
A multi-cam sitcom about a rag tag group of friends.
Attached:
Rob Sheridan
LETTERKENNY
A comedy series based on the YouTube sensation LETTERKENNY PROBLEMS.
Attached:
Jared Keeso
New Metric Media (Mark Montefiore and Patrick O’Sullivan), Ben Nemtin (THE BURIED LIFE)
THE UNTITLED PAUL MATHER PROJECT
A scripted workplace comedy about lifelong frenemies.
Attached
Paul Mather
METHOD
A comedy series loosely based on a BravoFACT short of the same name.
Attached
ICF Films (Ilana Frank), Peter Mooney (ROOKIE BLUE), Gregory Smith (ROOKIE BLUE), and David Wellington, Peter Wellington, and Sonia Hosko (SAVING HOPE, ROOKIE BLUE)
The five new comedies join Bell Media’s current development slate featuring 15 other projects (working titles):
AGAINST THE LAW
An unscripted half-hour courtroom format.
Attached:
Jeremy Hotz
Lone Eagle Entertainment (Rachel Horvath, YOU GOTTA EAT HERE)
BESTIES
An ensemble comedy about family and friendship.
Attached:
Force Four Entertainment (Rob Hardy and John Ritchie, SEED)
James Phillips (LAST RIDE)
.
BREAKING
A workplace comedy set in the world of new media.
Attached:
Amaze Film + Television’s Michael Souther and Teza Lawrence (CALL ME FITZ)
Author Zoe Whittall (Bottle Rocket Hearts)
CHASING MANHOOD
A scripted ensemble comedy inspired by Darrin Rose’s stand-up material.
Attached:
Darrin Rose
DIVORCE PARTY
A scripted comedy about three women experiencing life after divorce.
Attached:
New Metric Media (Mark Montefiore and Patrick O’Sullivan)
Jessie Gabe (BEING ERICA, MR. D)
Linsey Stewart (BEING ERICA)
FRIDAY
An edgy, urban ensemble comedy.
Attached:
Six Eleven Media’s Charles Bishop
Carolyn Taylor (CORNER GAS)
GOOD BEHAVIOUR
A scripted half-hour comedy about parenthood.
Attached:
Entertainment One’s Mackenzie Lush and Rachel Fulford
Allana Harkin (The Atomic Fireballs)
Jennifer Whalen (INSECURITY)
THE LAINEY GOSSIP PROJECT
A half-hour dramedy inspired by LaineyGossip.com.
Attached:
Amaze Film + Television’s Michael Souther and Teza Lawrence (CALL ME FITZ)
Elaine Lui (THE SOCIAL, ETALK)
MATT & JEFF
A half-hour bromance comedy.
Attached:
Vérité Films’ Virginia Thompson (CORNER GAS)
Mike McPhaden (SEED, INSECURITY)
THE ANGELO SHOW
A multi-cam sitcom inspired by the comedy of Angelo Tsarouchas (SULLIVAN & SON, MAD MEN).
Attached:
Wild West Productions’ Vince Vaughn (SULLIVAN & SON), Howard Busgang, and Tom Nursall
UNGROWN UP
A scripted half-hour hybrid comedy about family.
Attached:
Just For Laughs’ Evi Regev (JUST FOR LAUGHS: ALL ACCESS)
Adam Brodie (FUNNY AS HELL, SCARE TACTICS)
David Derewlany (FREAK ENCOUNTERS, THE JON DORE TELEVISION SHOW)
THE UNTITLED VERA SANTAMARIA PROJECT
A blind pilot deal with acclaimed writer/producer Vera Santamaria (COMMUNITY).
Attached:
Vera Santamaria
THE VIRGIN CHRONICLES
A scripted, half-hour, “fish-out-of-water†comedy.
Attached:
Mark Sawers (ALIENATED)
WHO NEEDS ENEMIES
A scripted, half-hour relationship comedy.
Attached:
Farpoint Films’ Kyle Bornais (HOUSE PARTY)
Collin Friesen (THE BIG WHITE)
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU
A female-centric scripted comedy about friendship.
Attached:
Sphere Media’s Carolyn Newman(19-2)
Barbara Haynes (SPUN OUT)