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

New Saturday: W5

W5, CTV – season premiere
W5 kicks off the new season with an investigation into the rising suicide rate among stressed-out college and university students, which experts say is a problem that is approaching epidemic proportions on campuses across Canada. With frosh week and back-to-school excitement behind them, students are now into the school year facing pressure to get good grades, pay for an expensive education, and perhaps living away from family for the first time. In an important story for parents and families everywhere, W5 reporter Tom Kennedy delves into the darker side of university life with an in-depth examination of student suicide, the #1 health risk and #1 health-related cause of death for young people.

Many students feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of hard work and pressure to succeed. In a national study published earlier this year, nearly 90% of respondents claimed university life was sometimes overwhelming. More striking: nearly one in 10 admit they had seriously considered ending their own lives. W5 explores why many young adults are unable to cope with the stresses of post-secondary education, and the stigma that often prevents young people with mental health issues from seeking the help they desperately need.

W5 explores the tragic story of Jack Windeler, a Queen’s University student who took his life in 2010. Remembered as a bright, quick-witted, and athletic young man with no history of mental illness, he left his parents facing indescribable grief and utter confusion. His death prompted the Jack Project, an awareness program started by his father, Eric, aimed at dispelling the taboo of mental illness among young people. Windeler’s story is one of many that have brought attention to an increasingly common, and tragic, issue.

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Battle of the Blades

Battle of the Blades announces lineup

From a media release:

BATTLE OF THE BLADES IS BACK FOR ITS ALL NEW FOURTH SEASON WITH AN ALL-STAR LINEUP

  • A total of 10 Stanley Cup championships and four Olympic medals among Season 4 competitors
    BATTLE OF THE BLADES returns Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT).

BATTLE OF THE BLADES returns with a fresh crop of eight former-NHL hockey greats, as well as four returning and four new champion figure skating stars. The competition will be fierce for the top prize of $100,000 donated to the winners’ charity of choice.
Premiering Sunday, September 22 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) with a two-hour celebratory presentation titled Battle of the Blades: Made in Canada, a look back at the first three seasons. This special will showcase never before seen footage and reveal season four’s cast pairings. BATTLE OF THE BLADES moves to a new format with an action-packed hour of live performances and elimination each Sunday night — with the exception of the first live two-hour performance show on Sunday, September 29 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT).

To celebrate the return of BATTLE OF THE BLADES, CBC will be providing swag to ten “official” BATTLE OF THE BLADES parties each week. Photos and video from these parties (captured by attendees) will be featured on the website and in the show. Visit cbc.ca/battle for more details.

The hockey players for Season 4 of BATTLE OF THE BLADES are:

Anson Carter played 16 NHL seasons for the Washington Capitals, the Boston Bruins, the Edmonton Oilers, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Carolina Hurricanes, and was part of the successful offensive “Brothers Line” with the Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, during his time with the Vancouver Canucks. In 2003, he was instrumental for Canada in capturing their first World Championship in five years scoring the decisive overtime goal.

Mathieu Dandenault had a storied NHL career, as a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings, he played alongside the likes of Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov. In 2003, he helped to lead team Canada to win Gold at the World Hockey Championships, and ended his 13 year career with the Montreal Canadiens in 2010.

Mike Krushelnyski won three Stanley Cups as a player and one as assistant coach and knows what it takes to succeed on both sides of the bench. In a 15 year career, he played with hockey superstars Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Jari Kurri during the legendary Edmonton Oiler years of the mid-eighties and also spent time with the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings, where he won his fourth Stanley Cup as assistant coach in 1997.

Vladimir Malakhov, a native of Sverdlovsk Ukraine, is a member of the rare and coveted Triple Gold Club, with an Olympic Gold medal, World Championship and Stanley Cup to his credit. He later went on to play four years with the New York Rangers and competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics, which resulted in a Bronze Medal win for Russia. To complete his 14 year career, Vladimir played with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2004 season.

Grant Marshall is a player who exemplifies great power, courage and perseverance. Before being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1992, Grant was victim to temporary paralysis caused by a check into the boards while playing junior hockey. Due to his strength and determination, he was able to have a full recovery and move forward to compete in 700 NHL games and became a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Dallas Stars and the New Jersey Devils.

Brian Savage, assistant captain of the Montreal Canadiens for nine seasons, set multiple game records during his career with the Habs including scoring the first hat trick in Canadien’s history at their new home the Bell Centre in 1996. Traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in January 2002, he later played with the St. Louis Blues before completing his 12 year career in 2006 with the Philadelphia Flyers. He has worn Team Canada’s jersey four times throughout his career, as both an Olympic silver medallist and member of Canada’s World Championship team.

Jason Strudwick was known for his physical style of play during his career with the New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, and Chicago Blackhawks. Making a comeback with the New York Rangers after the 2005-2006 NHL lockout, he ended his 14 year career with the Edmonton Oilers in 2011.

Scott Thornton totalled 1,459 penalty minutes over his 17 year NHL career and is no stranger to being penalized – something he’s hoping won’t happen with the judges on season four of BATTLE OF THE BLADES. Drafted third overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Thornton also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings and was a key contributor the San Jose Sharks playoff run in the 2003-2004 season.

The figure skaters for Season 4 of BATTLE OF THE BLADES are:

Violetta Afanasieva is returning for a third season of BATTLE OF THE BLADES. She joined the Bolshoi Moscow Circus on Ice at the age of 14, and won the first-ever Extreme Ice Skating World Championship with Canadian partner/husband Peter Dack. A BATTLE OF THE BLADES favourite, she has skated with PJ Stock (Season 2) and Cale Hulse (Season 3).

Shae-Lynn Bourne is an internationally revered skater, as a World Champion and three-time Olympian with her former ice dance partner Victor Kraatz. This Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Famer quickly rose to the top of the ice dance ranks. The 10-time Canadian National Dance Champions became the first North American pair to win the World Championships’ Ice Dance title in 2003. Twice a runner-up on Battle of the Blades (season one with Claude Lemieux and season two with Patrice Brisebrois) Shae is hoping to add the show’s title to her overflowing trophy cabinet.

Jessica Dubé and her former partner Bryce Davison had international success with a World bronze medal, and two consecutive trips to the Olympics in 2006 & 2010. While competing in 2007, Bryce’s blade accidently sliced Jessica’s face during side-by-side camel spins leaving her with 83 stitches on her left cheek and nose. After her quick recovery, the pair went on to compete and became three-time Canadian Pairs Champions.

Marie-France Dubreuil is a five-time Canadian National Ice Dance Champion and a two-time Olympian who, with her husband Patrice Lauzon, won silver at the 2006 and 2007 World Ice Dance Championships. A returning favourite to BATTLE OF THE BLADES, she was partnered with Stephane Richard in season 1 and Bryan Berard in season 2.

Amanda Evora is a two-time U.S. Pairs Silver Medallist and the first ever Filipino-American to compete in the Winter Olympics. With partner Mark Ladwig they skated to their personal best 10th at the 2010 Winter Olympics. The duo were also three-time medalists at the U.S. Pairs Championships.

Marcy Hinzmann gained national and international recognition when she teamed up with Aaron Parchem, with whom she skated from 2003-2006. Together, they became two-time U.S. Pairs Medalists and Olympians at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Paired with Todd Simpson during season 3 of BATTLE OF THE BLADES, her past experience will give her an advantage in this season four.

Oksana Kazakova is the 1998 Olympic Pairs Gold Medallist. With her third partner, Artur Dmitriev, the St. Petersburg, Russia native also won the 1996 European Championships and earned a Bronze at the 1997 World Pairs Championships.

Sinead Kerr is a two-time Olympian in 2006 & 2010 and seven-time British Ice Dance Champion. Along with her skating partner and brother John Kerr, Sinead is well known for her unique style, offbeat musical choices and overall creativity.

BATTLE OF THE BLADES premieres Sunday, September 22 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) with a special two-hour episode. Hosted by Ron MacLean, 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.

Tickets to see a live performance of BATTLE OF THE BLADES will be available online this Saturday, September 21 via Ticketmaster.

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Republic of Doyle

Missing: Have you seen Jake Doyle?

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From a media release:

DOYLE-POSTER-SMALL

Jake Doyle has vanished without a trace and we need your help to find him. He was last seen on April 21st at St. John’s Harbour. If you have any information please visit: cbc.ca/republicofdoyle/whereisjake

Season five of REPUBLIC OF DOYLE rocks into high gear Wednesdays at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) with all-new episodes beginning on October 2, 2013. In the season five premiere episode, Jake’s family doesn’t know where Jake is, and they are left wondering whether he’s alive or dead. How long will the Republic hold without him? Will Jake be able to get out of the mess that he’s in without the help of his family and, more importantly, without getting killed?

Some new friends – and some new enemies – come to the Republic this year as the beloved clan solve the compelling (and sometimes downright crazy) cases that land on their doorstep. Fugitives, murderers, hustlers and heists abound in the colourful port city, and the intrigue heats up in this rollicking new Season of REPUBLIC OF DOYLE.

Like any family, though, the Doyles aren’t impervious to fracture, and they will find themselves pulled in dramatic new directions and facing big decisions that could forever affect their relationships – or change the trajectory of their lives – for good. Whether it’s for better or for worse for all of them, well, that remains to be seen.

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Dragons' Den

Dragons’ Den returns October 2

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From a media release:

DRAGONS’ DEN BLAZES INTO A NEW SEASON WITH A BRAND NEW DEN

  • A new season of Dragons’ Den premieres on CBC Television on Wednesday, October 2 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT)

DRAGONS’ DEN returns on Wednesday, October 2 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) with 20 all-new, exciting episodes. A whole new crop of aspiring Canadian entrepreneurs lay it all on the line in front of five intimidating, multi-millionaire venture capitalists. The Dragons each have individual strengths, expertise, knowledge and connections necessary to turn great ideas into unimaginable fortunes.

The season premiere reveals a brand new Den, which is bigger, bolder and more ominous than ever before. Entering the Den this season are entrepreneurs from big cities like Vancouver and Montreal, and small towns like Carcross, Yukon and Salt Spring Island, BC as well as everywhere in between. Viewers will get a chance to see the Dragons take on sideshow entertainers, seasoned food manufacturers, and even brave board game enthusiasts.

This season features five special episodes, including a fan-favourite Student Special, a Holiday Special, a Second Chance Show, an Update Special, and an all-new Canadian-themed episode, Only in Canada, showcasing products that could only have been conjured by Canucks.

The five well-loved – and feared – Dragons in the Den this season are:

David Chilton, publishing powerhouse – Chilton is a former stock broker and author of the personal finance book The Wealthy Barber, ranked as Canada’s all-time best-selling book, having reached 10 per cent of Canadian households. He’s also had incredible success as publisher and president of a series of low-fat cookbooks under the Looneyspoons brand.

  • Bruce Croxon, internet mogul – Croxon is an active investor with his company Round 13 Capital, advisor and start-up champ who co-founded one of the best-known online dating websites in the world, Lavalife.
  • Arlene Dickinson, marketing maven – One of Canada’s most renowned independent communications entrepreneurs and sought after speakers, Dickinson is CEO of marketing firm Venture Communications, a creative powerhouse with a blue-chip client list. Arlene recently founded an online network exclusively for entrepreneurs, called YouInc.com.
  • Kevin O’Leary, investment guru – The Bay Street Bigmouth and television pundit started his fortune selling educational software and is now Chairman of O’Leary Funds, his own mutual-fund company and also helms O’Leary Mortgages.
  • Jim Treliving, franchise baron – This former RCMP officer has 40 years of franchising experience with both Boston Pizza and Mr. Lube. He also manages a portfolio of multi-million dollar sports and real-estate investments.

DRAGONS’ DEN is the highest-rated Canadian unscripted program on during the regular television season, with an average audience of more than 1.2 million Canadians each week. In addition to its success on-air, DRAGONS’ DEN is also a hit online, boasting an active and engaged online community averaging more than 650,000 page views per month. Full episodes and exclusive behind-the-scenes content can be viewed at cbc.ca/dragonsden. DRAGONS’ DEN is filmed at CBC Headquarters in Toronto, ON and airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) and Sundays at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on CBC Television. Tracie Tighe is executive producer and Molly Middleton is senior producer. Dianne Buckner hosts.

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