TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 1496
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

New tonight: Marketplace, The Fifth Estate, Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World

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Marketplace, CBC – “Food Secrets”
We dig deep into the grocery store shelves and put the food you eat every day to the test…and reveal 4 food secrets that just may change the way you eat for good.

The Fifth Estate, CBC – “The Sextortion of Amanda Todd”
A year after her death, most people remember Amanda Todd from her YouTube video, holding up hand-written pages describing how one mistake in front of a webcam led to her torment by bullies at school and online. But beyond that viral video, the fifth estate reveals a more complex and disturbing story about what happened to the B.C. teenager driven to suicide in October 2012 – not just bullying, but the deliberate sexual extortion of a 15-year-old girl by online predators. Host Mark Kelley goes deep into Amanda’s world, with never-before-seen videos and web chats from two personal laptops that her family shared with the fifth estate. With in-depth interviews from her mother, father and friends, Kelley reveals the untold story of The Sextortion of Amanda Todd.

Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World, Discover World – “Inspired by Nature”
Hawking and his team investigate groundbreaking innovations in science inspired by nature. Aarathi Prasad road tests two of the most advanced all-terrain robots in the world designed to go where humans and vehicles can’t; Chris Eliasmith examines an extraordinary new fabric that mimics the adhesive ability of gecko feet and bonds to any surface; Daniel Kraft visits Vancouver-based Nuytco Research where underwater subs are used to simulate zero gravity to train astronauts for deep space exploration; Jim Al-Khalili examines how re-engineering a virus can prevent pandemics; and Carin Bondar discovers how Nikola Tesla’s remarkable dream of wireless power is finally being realized.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Interview: Dr. Carin Bondar of Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World

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Dr. Carin Bondar in a Faraday cage at the Boston Museum of Science

She didn’t get to meet Stephen Hawking, but in the Discovery World series Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World, Dr. Carin Bondar did get to explore how Nikola Tesla’s dream of wireless power is being realized, how biomechatronic prosthetic limbs can create enhanced human beings, was embedded with a virtual SWAT team, and drove one of the fastest accelerating electric cars.

“This was a dream job for me, probably one of the coolest jobs I’ve ever had,” she said in a recent interview.

With the second season premiere “Inspired by Nature” airing tonight in Canada, viewers can oooh and ahhh along with the team of scientists who investigate breakthroughs in science, technology, medicine, engineering and robotics, and their implications for the future.

Tonight’s segments include an adhesive modeled after gecko skin and all-terrain robots. The investigative scientists are assigned story topics based on logistics more than their particular areas of expertise, lending them the same sense of wonder as their audience in discovering these cool new technologies.

Plus, “we’re doing jobs like this because we genuinely are blown away by stuff like this, and we want to learn more about it,” said Bondar, whose wireless power segment had her driving a wireless electric BMW (“I’m glad they didn’t tell me how much it was worth of I’d have been way too nervous to drive it”) and charging a phone and various electronics without those pesky cords.

An evolutionary biologist from Chilliwack, BC, Bondar is an online and TV host for Scientific American, PBS Digital Studios and Earth Touch Productions, as well as her own independent web series and various shows.

She gravitated toward video and short-form writing as working with her greatest strengths. Since promoting scientific literacy and wonder among the public is a goal, she balances the need to be accurate and the need to be understandable.

“Shows like The Big Bang Theory have made it ok to include a lot of that geekspeak, as long as you’re clear about it and your audience understands,” she explained.

Part of her work at Scientific American includes reviewing popular media for scientific accuracy, and she pointed to Rise of the Planet of the Apes as a particularly egregious example of the opposite. Yes, she realizes much of it was meant to be ridiculous, “but even the science was ridiculous and I felt they were mocking what scientists do.”

With Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World, she’s thrilled to be part of a show that celebrates rather than fears new technology.

“I’m a mom of four who lives in Chilliwack, so for me to be involved with an international show of this calibre, I’m just so happy.”

Stephen Hawking’s Brave New World is a six-part documentary series airing Fridays on Discovery World.

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Bitten, Sensitive Skin, Spun Out

Bell programming at the Canadian International Television Festival

From a media release:

Bell Media Announces Feature Programming at Inaugural Canadian International Television Festival, Nov. 16

  • Exclusive fan opportunities include world premieres of SPUN OUT and 19-2
  • Free tickets and more event information at www.CITF13.tv

Bell Media is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of Canada’s first and only public television festival, the Canadian International Television Festival (CITF), launching tomorrow from Toronto’s Bell TIFF Lightbox. With free screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox beginning Saturday, Nov. 16, the festival will showcase some of Canada’s best television series and talent.

Bell Media is proud to premiere two new Canadian original productions to fans on Saturday – CTV’s multi-cam workplace comedy SPUN OUT, starring Dave Foley (KIDS IN THE HALL, NEWSRADIO), and Bravo’s English adaption of the French-language smash hit 19-2, a richly nuanced human drama following the lives of patrol officers Ben Chartier (Jared Keeso) and Nick Barron (Adrian Holmes).

Free tickets (plus a small handling fee) for the screenings can be obtained at the Bell TIFF Lightbox box office or via the Festival website at CITV.tv.

Below is a complete list of Bell Media programs represented at the festival:

19-2 – World Premiere
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m.
Bravo’s English adaptation of the hit Québec police drama will receive its World Premiere. MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT’s Teri Hart hosts a Q+A with Executive Producer Jocelyn Deschênes, writer Bruce Smith, and series co-star Adrian Holmes. The Festival will also screen the original French version (subtitled).

SPUN OUT – World Premiere
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.

CTV’s hilarious new half-hour scripted comedy series stars Dave Foley, Al Mukadam, Holly Deveaux, Rebecca Dalton, and Darcy Michael, all of whom are set to be on hand for the 8 p.m. premiere screenings and Q+A session hosted by ETALK’s Devon Soltendieck. Premiering in Winter 2014, SPUN OUT also stars Paul Campbell and J.P. Manoux.

Franchises and Formats
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m.
Saturday also features a session with the producers and talent behind MTV’s DEGRASSI franchise, including actors Aislinn Paul, Munro Chambers, and Luke Bilyk, as well as Stefan Brogren (Director, Actor, Writer), Sarah Glinski (Executive Producer, Head Writer), and Matt Huether (Co-Executive Producer, Writer). The panel is led by AFTER DEGRASSI host, Lauren Toyota.

Additionally, INNERSPACE’s Teddy Wilson hosts a panel on successful factual formats featuring Supervising Producer Mark Lysakowski and racers Jet and Dave from CTV’s THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, as well as Executive Producer Guy O’Sullivan who talks about CTV’s upcoming MASTERCHEF CANADA.

SENSITIVE SKIN – Sneak Peek

Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.

Co-stars Kim Cattrall and Don McKellar along with writer Bob Martin are on hand to discuss their new dramedy series for The Movie Network and Movie Central, MOVIE ENTERTAINMENT’S Teri Hart leads a discussion on the adaptation of the British series, followed by a sneak peek of the series.

THE BEST OF bravoFACT – Hosted by Richard Crouse
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
CITF celebrates short-form content with a screening of some of the best bravoFACT-funded shorts including Winter Garden, an official selection at this year’s TIFF ‘Stage to Screen’ series, starring Enrico Colantoni, and Method, which has just been picked up for development into a series.

ORPHAN BLACK – Marathon

Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.

The first five hours of Space’s critically acclaimed smash hit series ORPHAN BLACK, are presented back to back, following an introduction by co-creators Graeme Manson and John Fawcett.

BITTEN – Sneak Peek
Saturday, Nov. 16 at 10 p.m.
Cast members Greg Bryk, Greyston Holt, Joel Keller, Michael Xavier, Paulino Nunes, and Steve Lund, along with Executive Producers J.B. Sugar and Deagan Fryklind are on hand to chat up Space’s hotly anticipated new thriller. Hosted by INNERSPACE’s Ajay Fry and Morgan Hoffman, the panel also features a never-seen before sneak peek.

 

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Working The Engels

NBC to coproduce Working The Engels

From a media release:

NBC TO CO-PRODUCE 12 EPISODES OF COMEDY ‘WORKING THE ENGELS’

  • Production From Halfire-CORE Entertainment and Shaw Media Stars Emmy- and Tony-Winning Comedienne Andrea Martin

NBC has entered a deal to co-produce 12 episodes of the half-hour singlecam comedy “Working the Engels” from producers Halfire-CORE Entertainment in partnership with Shaw Media.

“Working the Engels” marks the first time a U.S. and Canadian broadcaster have collaborated to produce a half-hour network comedy.

The series, created and written by Katie Ford and Jane Ford, centers on a family who must band together to keep their heads above water when their father and breadwinner passes away, leaving them a mountain of debt. The Engels must all go to work running Dad’s storefront law firm, with one minor problem — daughter Jenna is the only one who is qualified to practice law.

“SCTV” legend and two-time Emmy Award winner Andrea Martin will play Ceil, the overly confident family matriarch. “Working the Engels” also stars Kacey Rohl (“Hannibal”), Azura Skye (“American Horror Story”) and Benjamin Arthur (“Less Than Kind”).

Martin, who also earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” most recently won a Tony Award, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Award for her performance in the Broadway revival of “Pippin.”

Katie Ford, Jane Ford, Howard Busgang, Tom Nursall and Noreen Halpern serve as executive producers.

“We’re over the moon thrilled to work with NBC and Shaw Media on this series,” said Noreen Halpern, President, Halfire-CORE Entertainment. “Katie and Jane Ford have created a laugh-out-loud show and we’re delighted to have a comedic legend in Andrea Martin, complemented by a trio of rising stars.”

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Played, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

New Thursday: Played, Nature of Things, Doc Zone

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Played, CTV – “Cars”
Maria (Lisa Marcos) shows nerves of steel edging her way into an auto-theft ring that specializes in brutality and luxury cars. However, she’s not nearly as brave in her private romantic life. On the play, she risks her safety and that of her colleagues by trusting one of the gang members (Jake Croker, THE KILLING) with her true identity.

The Nature of Things, CBC – “Untangling Alzheimer’s”
David Suzuki has a very personal interest in the disease of Alzheimer’s because his mother, aunt and two uncles died of it. We join David on an intimate journey as he explores the newest breakthroughs in understanding this devastating disease as well as his own chances of contracting the cruel condition.

Doc Zone, CBC – “Bite Me: The Bed Bug Invasion”
Cimex lectularius, mahogany flat, redcoat, bed bug. Call them what you like, these bloodsuckers can really get under your skin – literally!

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