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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Satisfaction

CTV orders Satisfaction

Satisfaction

From a media release:

Bell Media’s CTV Orders New Half-Hour Original Comedy SATISFACTION

  • Ensemble comedy stars Luke MacFarlane, Stephanie Lemelin, Ryan Belleville, Vik Sahay, and Leah Renee
  • Tim McAuliffe and Michael Donovan partner on new relationship comedy

Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports, announced today from the Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena, CA that CTV has ordered to series the new half-hour Canadian scripted comedy series SATISFACTION, starring Luke MacFarlane (BROTHERS AND SISTERS), Stephanie Lemelin (BONES), Ryan Belleville (THE L.A. COMPLEX), Vik Sahay (CHUCK), and Leah Renee (THE PLAYBOY CLUB). From Halifax’s DHX Media, the ensemble comedy series is written by Tim McAuliffe (UP ALL NIGHT, THE OFFICE) and produced by Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine, THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES). CTV has ordered 12 half-hour episodes in addition to the pilot shot last fall in Toronto. The series is set to begin production in late spring.

The pick-up announcement for SATISFACTION comes as CTV also orders today the ensemble undercover detective drama PLAYED (working title). The two programs join CTV’s burgeoning lineup of original scripted series including MOTIVE, SAVING HOPE, and THE LISTENER.

SATISFACTION takes a humorous look at a group of friends who are completely uninhibited as they share their relationship woes and romantic wins, life crises, and personal ambitions. Dedicated single man Mark (Belleville) hustles the dating scene while his best friends and long-term couple Jason (MacFarlane) and Maggie (Lemelin) work at keeping the sparks flying as they face the day-to-day challenges of being in a committed relationship. Neighbours Nancy (Renee) and Dan (Sahay) have a marriage that proves that, while opposites can definitely attract, it can also deliver some seriously epic volatility.

SATISFACTION is produced by DHX Media is association with CTV. Executive producer is Michael Donovan and Tim McAuliffe is executive producer/writer. Keith Samples (EVERWOOD, ONE TREE HILL) is director. Sarah Fowlie is Director, Independent Production, Comedy, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Thursday: Doc Zone, The Liquidator, Rocket Monkeys, Match Game

RM_4

Doc Zone, CBC – “Counterfeit Culture”
Explores the world of the fake, the fraudulent, and the faux. The documentary will reveal the hidden, humorous, and often deadly side of the $500 Billion counterfeit industry and bring new significance to the term caveat emptor.

The Liquidator, OLN – “Tough Sell”
Jeff becomes nervous after gambling on a massive purchase of high-end appliances. With a lot of dough on the line, Jeff worries this big hit could be a miss.

Rocket Monkeys, Teletoon – series premiere
Featuring voice work by some of Canada’s brightest comedy stars, including Mark McKinney (voice of Lord Peel), Seán Cullen (voice of Gus) and introducing Mark Edwards (voice of Wally), Rocket Monkeys explores the bizarre and hilarious cosmic exploits of primate siblings Gus and Wally. Inexplicably charged with carrying out all kinds of important missions, the brothers tend to cause more intergalactic calamity than they could ever prevent. Luckily they have plenty of help from YAY-OK, their dashing and devoted (if slightly outdated) robot.

Match Game, Comedy
Yvette Nicole Brown (COMMUNITY), Colin Mochrie (WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?), Graham Chittenden (COMEDY NOW!), and Laura Cilevitz (VIDEO ON TRIAL) fill-in-the-blanks on the rowdiest game show around.

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Rogue

Rogue premieres April 3

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From a media release:

Thandie Newton Goes Rogue

  • Sexy Suspense Drama From The Movie Network and Movie Central Premieres April 3

The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) and Movie Central (Western Canada) today announced that the 10-episode suspense-drama Rogue, starring Thandie Newton (Mission Impossible 2, Crash) and Marton Csokas (The Debt, Alice In Wonderland), will premiere in Canada on Wednesday, April 3 at 9 p.m. ET/MT day-and-date with DIRECTV’s Audience Network in the US. Rogue is a Canada/UK co-production commissioned by The Movie Network and Movie Central in Canada and DIRECTV in the US.

Rogue revolves around Grace (Newton), a morally and emotionally conflicted undercover detective who is tormented by the possibility that her own actions contributed to a family tragedy. Grace’s search for the truth is further complicated by her forbidden relationship with Jimmy (Csokas), the crime boss who may have played a hand in the crime. The series explores loss, grief, identity, family bonds, second chances and redemption. Both Grace and Jimmy not only struggle with who they are, they also struggle with who they want to be. Both cross the line – morally, emotionally, sexually – with devastating consequences for their own lives and those around them.

Shot in Vancouver in 2012, the series is a Canada-UK co-production from Entertainment One (eOne) and Greenroom Entertainment, produced in participation with The Movie Network, Movie Central and DIRECTV. Rogue is executive produced by renowned UK producer/director Nick Hamm for Greenroom Entertainment; John Morayniss and Michael Rosenberg for eOne; and Steven Marrs from Momentum Entertainment Group. Series creator Matthew Parkhill (The Caller) serves as writer and supervising producer.

In addition to Newton and Csokas, the cast includes Ian Hart (Luck), Claudia Ferri (The Killing), Joshua Sasse, Jonathan Holmes, Sarah Jeffrey, Ian Tracey (Intelligence, Hell on Wheels), Jarod Joseph (Fringe), Matthew Beard (And When Did You Last See Your Father), and Martin Donovan (Simple Men, Weeds). Brian Kirk (Luck, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire) directs the first episode.

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Arctic Air, Bomb Girls

Wednesday: Arctic Air, Bomb Girls, Candice Tells All, Match Game

ArcticAir

Arctic Air, CBC – “Wildfire”
Bobby and Krista attempt to rescue a group of stranded tourists from a raging forest fire, but they need help from the rest of the Arctic Air crew if they’re going to make it out alive.

Bomb Girls, Global – “Roses Red”
Kate tries to talk her way out of a delicate situation with her father. Meanwhile, Marco confronts Bob about Lorna, and Gladys’s Valentine’s Day gets a boost when she gets a surprise visit from a soldier.

Candice Tells All, W Network
Viewers tag along as Candice – armed with her trademark sense of humour and a double latte – meets with her army of talented suppliers, sources unique furnishings and handles unexpected renovation challenges along the way. As one of North America’s top designers, Candice dishes her best trade secrets while juggling clients, multiple job sites and a personal life. From inspiration, to execution, to completion – this half-hour series offers an entertaining glimpse into Candice’s world and her design process, revealing the secrets of timeless design principles and where she finds her inspiration.

Match Game, Comedy
Tonight’s guest stars include Janeane Garofalo (Wet Hot American Summer), Robin Dunne (SANCTUARY), Steve Patterson (DAN FOR MAYOR), and Emma Hunter (THE L.A. COMPLEX).

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