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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Battle of the Blades, Cracked, Dragons' Den, Featured, Heartland, Murdoch Mysteries, Republic of Doyle, Rick Mercer Report, This Hour Has 22 Minutes

CBC kicks off fall schedule on September 16

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From a media release:

CBC IS HOME TO THE BEST CANADIAN TELEVISION THIS FALL

  • Kicking-off on September 16, CBC-TV’s 2013 Fall Schedule Delivers Award-Winning Hits, Bright Stars, and Investigative Journalism That Matters

With gripping dramas, hilarious comedies, live events, award-winning news and investigative programs, CBC continues to be a leader in providing top-notch Canadian content this fall. The new schedule features the highly anticipated return of BATTLE OF THE BLADES, and the made-for-television movie, STILL LIFE: A THREE PINES MYSTERY. The season premiere of GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS TONIGHT kicks off the fall schedule, which also features the return of hits MURDOCH MYSTERIES, DRAGONS’ DEN, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, HEARTLAND, RICK MERCER REPORT, MARKETPLACE and HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA.

  • BATTLE OF THE BLADES – The show Canadians fell in love with and embraced for three seasons is back! It returns with big Sunday night entertainment where anything is possible. This season of BATTLE OF THE BLADES promises to be the most interactive and innovative yet. CBC will kick off the digital campaign by announcing this year’s cast over one week in September, exclusively on the website and via social media. Visit cbc.ca/battle/ for more details. The season launches Sunday, September 22, at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). @CBCbattle
  • Starring Canadian acting luminary Donald Sutherland, CROSSING LINES is an action-packed international crime drama about a new global FBI unit that specializes in cross-border crimes and brings intercontinental criminals to justice. It joins the prime-time lineup at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT) on Tuesday evenings, and premiering October 8.
  • New set, new sizzle. Catch DRAGONS’ DEN in their new ominous den as the extraordinary deals continue to unfold. The season launches Wednesday, October 2 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). @CBCDragon
  • Celebrating the 10th season of GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS TONIGHT, George brings us the world’s most influential and fascinating actors, musicians, and newsmakers through his signature interview style. The season launches September 16 at 7 p.m. (7:30 NT). @strombo/@strombodotcom
  • HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA returns for the 2013–14 NHL season with a full slate of games featuring the sport’s biggest stars and best NHL match-ups and marquee events. The season begins with Molson Canadian NHL Face Off from Montreal on Tuesday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET/ 3:30 p.m. PT, as the Canadiens host their longtime rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, followed by Winnipeg at Edmonton at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. The Ontario township of Sterling-Rawdon plays host to Kraft Hockeyville on Saturday, September 14 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT as the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals face-off in a pre-season match-up in Belleville, ON.@hockeynight
  • This season on MARKETPLACE, Canada’s consumer watchdog goes all out to put the bite on wrongdoers and set things right. Undercover, online and on TV, Marketplace gets more bark for your buck with a revealing checkup on vet bills and goes on a nationwide hunt for Canada’s most frustrating packaging for the first-ever Wrap Rage Awards. The season launches Friday, October 4 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). @CBCMarketplace
  • MURDOCH MYSTERIES – Canada’s number-one dramatic mystery provides a season full of surprises as Detective Murdoch continues to unravel the city’s most devious murder mysteries all the while elevating his romance with Dr. Julia Ogden to new heights. Fans can also get ready for a Web series that peeks behind the scenes of CBC’s hit mystery show, with an exclusive inside look at the making of season seven. Dive into the history, characters, inventions, costumes, props and storylines featured in the new season, including interviews with the cast, crew, writers and producers who bring the show to life. The season launches Monday, September 30 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). @CBCMurdoch
  • REPUBLIC OF DOYLE – Like any family, 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. REPUBLIC OF DOYLE brings you an all-new Web series featuring quirky ne’er-do-well Ned Bishop (Mark Critch), who is becoming more of a regular fixture in the life of the Doyles, whether Jake likes it or not. The season launches Wednesday, October 2 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT). @RepublicofDoyle
  • STILL LIFE: A THREE PINES MYSTERY, airing Sunday, September 15 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). Based on Canadian author Louise Penny’s international best-selling novel, STILL LIFE focuses on a picturesque small town that becomes unraveled after a beloved community member is found dead and the investigation into her death reveals layers of deceit, rage and long-simmering resentments.
  • With compelling in-depth stories and fast-reaction investigations of ongoing events, the fifth estate digs into things Canadians care about and gets results. This season Gillian Findlay discovers a hidden ingredient in most prepared food that is making us mighty sick — and asks ”Are we in North America eating ourselves to death?” Linden MacIntyre visits a village in Canada with a deadly secret. Bob McKeown delves into a mystery that certain institutions would prefer was kept silent. Mark Kelley encounters extortion in a menacing new form. And the fifth estate reveals a tragic human exodus in The Last Great Escape. The season launches Friday, October 4 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT). @CBCfifth
  • Canada’s number one political satirist, Rick Mercer, is back for an 11th season of THE RICK MERCER REPORT with his weekly dose of political satire, ranting, funny takes on the week’s top stories, and lively cross-country adventures. Providing a unique viewpoint on Canada from coast to coast to coast, THE RICK MERCER REPORT returns with two of the most talked-about features of every show: Rick’s rant and his cross-country adventures. The season launches Tuesday, October 8 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). Fans can also get a daily dose of the show weekdays at 6:30 p.m. (7 NT). @rickmercer

OTHER CBC-TV FALL 2013 PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS:

  • BEST RECIPES EVER, Canada’s most-watched daily food program returns to CBC this fall for its fifth big season with host and chef Christine Tizzard. The show has recently released its second cookbook, featuring the very best Canadian Living recipes from seasons three and four. The season starts Monday, September 23 at 3 p.m. (3:30 NT). @BestRecipesEver
  •  The Psych Crimes Unit is back with CRACKED, more unified and stronger than before, with a new female lead along with David Sutcliffe, and Brooke Nevin (from Chicago Fire, Breakout Kings). This season, CRACKED brings you The Tenants, an eight part Web series building up to the season two finale. A corrupt property manager is found murdered and there’s no shortage of suspects. . . over the course of eight weeks, we’ll flash-forward to an assortment of characters who are somehow connected to a brutal case that will be solved in the thrilling finale. The season launches Monday, September 30, at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT). @CrackedonCBC
  • DOC ZONE returns to enlighten and entertain with another season of thought-provoking documentaries. This fall, look for stories about Canada’s Not Criminally Responsible laws and the Condo Game in Toronto and Vancouver. The season launches Thursday, October 3 at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT). @CBCDocs
  • Season seven of HEARTLAND brings a new way to watch Canada’s favourite family drama: The Heartland Companion app. The app works on your tablet or smartphone and syncs to the live (or PVRed) broadcast, serving up a wide range of HEARTLAND companion content — from extra scenes and elements that extend the story even further, to behind-the-scenes extras, and even a nationwide HEARTLAND Trivia Challenge where viewers can win great prizes from the show. The season starts Sunday, October 6 at 7 p.m. (7:30 NT). @HeartlandonCBC
  • IN THE KITCHEN WITH STEFANO FAITA is back for a third season of all-new recipes, guests and fun this fall. The first official IN THE KITCHEN… cookbook, featuring the most popular recipes from seasons one and two, will be released in October 2013. The season starts Monday, September 23 at 3:30 p.m. (4 NT). @CBCinthekitchen
  • STEVEN AND CHRIS remains the hottest daytime destination for all things lifestyle — continually bringing more fun and fabulous content to weekday viewers. The fun starts Monday, September 23 at 2 p.m. (2:30 NT). @stevenandchris
  • THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, Canada’s longest-running political satire, returns to take on big issues and small-minded politicians. 22 Minutes a week is not enough! The intrepid news team behind THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES brings you a new Web series: The 22 Minutes Update. It’s a bite-sized version of the show you know and love, a 2.2 Minute mid-week update that delivers (and sends up) the very, very, very latest news with exclusive newsdesk stories, field pieces, and more. The season launches Tuesday, October 8 at 8:30 p.m. (9:00 NT). @22_Minutes
  • THE NATURE OF THINGS, Canada’s longest-running science series, presents an ambitious new season: from invasive carp and zombie ants, to decoding the “gay gene” and David Suzuki’s very personal quest to understand Alzheimer’s. And starting on March 13, 2014, Wild Canada, a stunning four-part series in the style of Planet Earth: it’s Canada as you’ve never seen it before, an epic story through time and across the vast scale of the Canadian landscape. The season launches Thursday, October 3 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT). @CBCDocs

CBC-TV FALL 2013 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE:

MONDAY

7 p.m. (7:30 NT) – George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

7:30 p.m. (8 NT) – Coronation Street

8 p.m. (8:30 NT) – Murdoch Mysteries

9 p.m. (9:30 NT) – Cracked

10 p.m. (10:30 NT) – The National

TUESDAY

7 p.m. (7:30 NT) – George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

7:30 p.m. (8 NT) – Coronation Street

8 p.m. (8:30 NT) – Rick Mercer Report

8:30 p.m. (9 NT) – This Hour Has 22 Minutes

9 p.m. (9:30 NT) – Crossing Lines

10 p.m. (10:30 NT) – The National

WEDNESDAY

7 p.m. (7:30 NT) – George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

7:30 p.m. (8 NT) – Coronation Street

8 p.m. (8:30 NT) – Dragons’ Den

9 p.m. (9:30 NT) – Republic of Doyle

10 p.m. (10:30 NT) – The National

THURSDAY

7 p.m. (7:30 NT) – George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

7:30 p.m. (8 NT) – Coronation Street

8 p.m. (8:30 NT) – The Nature of Things

9 p.m. (9:30 NT) – Doc Zone

10 p.m. (10:30 NT) – The National

FRIDAY

7 p.m. (7:30 NT) – George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

7:30 p.m. (8 NT) – Coronation Street

8 p.m. (8:30 NT) – Marketplace

9 p.m. (9:30 NT) – the fifth estate

10 p.m. (10:30 NT) – The National

SUNDAY

7 p.m. (7:30 NT) – Heartland

8 p.m. (8:30 NT) – Battle of the Blades

9 p.m. (9:30 NT) – Dragons’ Den

10 p.m. (10:30 NT) – The National

CBC-TV FALL 2013 DAYTIME PROGRAMMING

MONDAY – FRIDAY

2 p.m. (2:30 NT) – Steven and Chris

3 p.m. (3:30 NT) – Best Recipes Ever

3:30 p.m. (4 NT) – In the Kitchen with Stefano Faita

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Some Assembly Required

Some Assembly Required in production

From a media release:

Thunderbird Films Announces Cast & Start of Live Studio Audience Production for Original Comedy Series, Some Assembly Required

Corus Entertainment’s YTV and Thunderbird Films announced today that production on the new original multi-camera comedy Some Assembly Required has begun. Shooting in front of a live studio audience in Burnaby, British Columbia, the 26-episode, half-hour series will be produced by Thunderbird Films and the creative team behind the international teen hit Mr. Young. Some Assembly Required creators Dan Signer (A.N.T. Farm, Mr. Young) and Howard Nemetz (Mr. Young, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) are back in the studio. Full broadcast details to be announced at a later date.

Kolton Stewart plays 14-year-old Jarvis Raines, an average teenager who becomes a boss overnight after he sues a toy company over a defective chemistry set that blows up his house. Kolton played Young Simba in the North American tour of Lion King, as well as appearances in TV and movies (The Art of War, What’s Up Warthogs!). Jarvis’s first act as CEO of Knickknack Toys is to recruit a diverse group of kids from his high school to help him run the company. His first hire is computer-savvy “hacker chick,” Piper Gray, played by singer/songwriter Charlie Storwick (winner of YTV’s The Next Star, Season 4).

Rounding out the cast is Jarvis’s best friend, Bowie, an engineering wiz played by Harrison Houde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid); Sydney Scotia (Spooksville) playing the gorgeous personal assistant Geneva; Knox, an extreme sports daredevil played by Dylan Playfair (Mr. Hockey: the Gordie Howe Story), and Aster, the most fashionable guy in school, played by Travis Turner (Marley & Me: The Puppy Years).

Running a toy company is going to take more than one kid, it’s going to take all six kids. And while this group would not normally be friends, they must work together and get to know each other better as they run the world’s first teen-owned game company.

“After the international success of Mr. Young, we’re excited to be working with Dan Signer, Howard Nemetz and Thunderbird Films again,” said Jocelyn Hamilton Vice President, Programming and Original Production, Corus Kids. “Some Assembly Required celebrates the antics of an unexpected group of kids living every child’s fantasy, running a toy company. We’re thrilled to make this fantasy a reality.”

“We are so excited to be back in the studio with Dan, Howard, and the extraordinary writing team and crew that delivered 80 amazing episodes of Mr. Young. The talent we have assembled is extraordinary and we cannot wait to share the news” said Thunderbird CEO & President Tim Gamble.

The next live audience taping of Some Assembly Required takes place on Friday, August 30 and continues on most Friday evenings (with the exception of September 6th) from 5 to 9 p.m. in Burnaby, B.C. For more information about studio location and to reserve seats, viewers can email someassemblylive@gmail.com

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, Rookie Blue

New tonight: Rookie Blue, Storage Wars Canada

Rookie Blue, Global – “Deception”
When a suspected pedophile is found beaten within an inch of his life, Andy discovers Marlo has been conducting a mania-fueled, off-hours “investigation” into the man for days. Andy and Swarek must scramble to cover for Marlo’s unprofessional conduct and find the real assailant before Marlo is exposed.

Storage Wars Canada, OLN – “Northern Lights, Northern Fights” series premiere
Six buyers and a veteran auctioneer travel to Aurora, ON, to begin their hunt for abandoned treasure in the series debut of Storage Wars Canada. Roy, “The Instigator,” spots a hidden gem while Rick and Cindy, “The Veterans,” uncover an item worth investigating. Later, Paul and Bogart, “The High Roller and The Kid,” battle against the buyers for a valuable locker while Ursula, “The Knockout,” quickly learns that there are no friends at the auction.

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Uncategorized

Andrea Martin joins Working The Engels

From a media release:

COMEDY LEGEND AND AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS ANDREA MARTIN HEADLINES THE CAST OF GLOBAL’S NEW CANADIAN ORIGINAL SERIES WORKING THE ENGELS

Shaw Media and Halfire-CORE Entertainment announced today that award-winning comedy legend Andrea Martin (Pippin, SCTV, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) will star in Global Television’s new half-hour original comedy series Working the Engels. Commissioned by Shaw Media’s original content team, produced by Halfire-CORE Entertainment and written by Katie Ford (Miss Congeniality, Desperate Housewives) and Jane Ford (Listen Missy, Material World), the 12-episode series begins production in Toronto this fall.

Andrea Martin portrays Ceil (short for Celia) Engel, the overly confident matriarch of the Engel clan, who mixes both momma bear motherly love and myopic self-involvement. Direct and blunt, Ceil has an unquenchable need for attention, often accompanied by a flair for the dramatic. She’s all about her family – except when she’s all about herself.

“I am so looking forward to shooting another TV series in Canada and working with Katie and Jane Ford – I have been an admirer of theirs for years,” said Andrea Martin. “And to get to stay in Toronto for an extended period is icing on the cake. I couldn’t feel luckier or more excited. It’s going to be a great show and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

A veteran of television, stage and film, Andrea Martin most recently won Tony®, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Awards for her remarkable performance in the current Broadway revival of Pippin. Her theatre credits include My Favorite Year at the Lincoln Center (Tony, Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards), Fiddler on the Roof, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein and the legendary Toronto production of Godspell in which she co-starred with Gilda Radner and future collaborators and SCTV alumni Martin Short, Eugene Levy and Dave Thomas. On SCTV, Martin not only earned two Emmys® for her writing, but also created some of television’s most indelible sketch comedy characters including the hilarious leopard-skin clad Edith Prickley. Martin has done extensive voice work in television and film (The Simpsons, Anastasia, The Rugrats Movie) and made memorable guest appearances on hit shows such as 30 Rock and Nurse Jackie. Her film appearances include The Producers, Wag the Dog, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

“With a comedic force like Andrea Martin on board for the series, we are well on our way to establishing another hit for Global,” said Barb Williams, Senior Vice President, Content, Shaw Media. “We are ecstatic that she has signed on and have no doubt she will flawlessly bring Kate and Jane’s outrageously clever script to life.”

“Andrea is a living legend, a consummate pro and, of course, a brilliant comedian,” said Noreen Halpern, President, Halfire-CORE Entertainment. “We’re completely thrilled to pair her extraordinary talent with this wonderful world that Katie and Jane have created. Casting Andrea is a huge coup for us which only adds to the international appeal of this series.”

In this laugh-out-loud comedy, a family of ne’er-do-wells must band together to keep their heads above water when their father and breadwinner passes away, leaving them a mountain of debt. They all go to work running Dad’s storefront law firm, with one minor problem – daughter Jenna Engel is the only one who is actually a lawyer and qualified to practice. It’s not pretty, but it’s family.

The series is produced by Halfire-CORE Entertainment with Katie Ford, Jane Ford, Howard Busgang, Tom Nursall, and Noreen Halpern serving as Executive Producers.

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