TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 1723
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Dramas and Comedies, Featured

Victoria Duffield is a Cross Country Fun Hunt treasure

By Chris Lackner

Canadian kids can bring singer home by nominating their own local fun spot

Canadian kids are being challenged to put their community on the map by winning their hometown a national reputation —— and a special concert performance.

With the help of the country’s youth, host Jordan Francis is uncovering Canada’s coolest spots on CBC Television’s Cross Country Fun Hunt. Between now and December, under-16 youth from across the country can submit their local fun spots at cbc.ca/kids/funhunt. The winning location will earn bragging rights as Canada’s most fun place to visit, and a special concert featuring Francis and Victoria Duffield.

“Kids across the country are going to be looking forward to a fun finale, so I can’t wait to put on a great show for them,” the 17-year-old Duffield said in an interview. “It’s going to be an amazing celebration!”

The TV series, from Apartment 11 Productions, airs every Saturday morning on CBC, and is based on Francis’s cross-country road trip. Francis visited communities across Canada and took part in activities suggested by — and, in many cases, voted on — by kids.

The Toronto-born Francis (Camp Rock) called the adventure the “trip of a lifetime” and said it opened his eyes to the diversity of youth from coast to coast.

“Canada is great. It’s huge! Just don’t stay in one province because it has so much to offer,” he said in an interview. “These Canadian kids . . .they’re crazy, they’re amazing. I did some wonderful things (with them).” Francis’s travel itinerary, as chosen by kids, exposed him to new experiences — from rock climbing in the Rockies to lobster fishing in the Atlantic.

The online contest for Canada’s top fun spot is far from over. During the TV run, kids under 17 can continue to submit a destination by posting videos, photos and writing about the activities they love to do there. They can also enter secret codes from the TV episodes to win a trip to the Fun Hunt concert. Those who enter before Oct. 31 are also eligible to win an iPod touch. In December, fans will vote on 20 top destinations, and the winning entry will earn one child — and their community — the special concert set to air on CBC in March.

“I’m really excited to find out where I’m actually going,” Francis said.

Duffield, who released her debut album, Shut Up and Dance, this summer, echoed his sentiments: “I can’t wait to see what all the people vote (for) as the most-fun,” the Abbotsford, B.C.-native said. “I haven’t seen all of Canada so this could be a treat for me, too. But, who knows, maybe it will be close to where I live!”

Francis also recorded a song for each episode, released weekly on iTunes. The soundtrack will be performed at the grand finale concert and eventually be released as an album.

“All my experiences were definitely influences (on) my songs,” Francis said. “Seeing how diverse the different provinces were definitely gave me some inspiration to add different sounds I wouldn’t normally use.”

Where is Canada’s most-fun spot? With the help of Canadian kids, we’re about to find out.

The CBC’s Cross Country Fun Hunt airs on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. PT, 10 a.m. in Newfoundland)

Chris Lackner is a writer and media consultant with Holmes Creative Communications. His work as a journalist has appeared in the Globe and Mail, National Post and Montreal Gazette.

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Dragons' Den

Dragons’ Den student special airs October 31

1 Comment

From a media release:

STUDENTS DARE TO ENTER THE DEN IN NEW ALL-STUDENT DRAGONS’ DEN SPECIAL THIS HALLOWEEN

  • The all-student episode of DRAGONS’ DEN airs Wednesday, October 31 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC-TV

This Halloween as students across the country set out in pursuit of haunted houses, ghosts and witches, others will brave a different frightening experience – facing the fierce Dragons. On Wednesday, October 31 at 8:00 p.m. (8:30 NT) DRAGONS’ DEN will feature some of Canada’s best and brightest young entrepreneurs in a special all-student episode. From a West Coast pitcher deemed the youngest person to enter the Den, to Waterloo University students with a creative twist on interactive learning, these inspiring – and brave – young Canadians dare to pitch their businesses to the Dragons.

In what’s termed the “Dragons’ Den Effect” – interest in small business startups and venture capital has sparked. Business discussions are no longer limited to boardrooms as Canadians are now discussing inventions, valuations, and investment strategies around the water cooler after every episode. The motivated youth featured in the upcoming student special are proof that age is not a factor when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship.

DRAGONS’ DEN’s newest Dragon, David Chilton, commented that “the student pitches seen this year were among the most impressive seen all season”. Win or lose, the students featured on the show will experience the benefits of the “Dragons’ Den Effect,” as exposure in the Den often leads to dramatic jumps in sales and other interesting growth opportunities.

As well, for the first time ever, people at home now have the chance to have their say. By visiting cbc.ca/dragonsden, viewers are able to engage with the show, and see results displayed live on the screen. This kind of social TV integration is the first of its kind to occur live, in each time zone.

Every week, never-before-seen content launches online. Web-exclusive pitches are available on cbc.ca/dragonsden on Wednesdays in advance of the evening broadcast – with two bonus student pitches online leading up to this special episode. Follow the show through Twitter and Facebook.

DRAGONS’ DEN is the highest rated Canadian unscripted program on television, with an average audience of over 1.4 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.

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Flashpoint, Ratings

Ratings: Flashpoint up 13% from last fall

From a media release:

Canadian success story: In its new premium Thursday at 10 p.m. timeslot, FLASHPOINT’s final season is averaging 1.7 million viewers, up 13% from last fall’s season average. Episode 2 (Oct. 4) made history as the first stand alone Canadian series in 16 years to win the prestigious 10 p.m. timeslot with overnight data in the fall season.

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Flashpoint, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

New tonight: Flashpoint, The Nature of Things, Anger in America

Flashpoint, CTV – “Sons of the Father”
Team One responds to the abduction of Peggi Walsh (Gemini Award-nominee Sarah Manninen, MURDOCH MYSTERIES), a young nurse who has been taken by a man at knifepoint (Chad Donella, SMALLVILLE). With time running out, the Team finds the killer’s brother (Gemini Award-nominee Andrew Francis, VOLTRON FORCE) and must convince him to unlock the secret of his tragic family past to save Peggi’s life.

The Nature of Things, CBC – “The Buffalo Wolves”
The predator-prey relationship between the buffalo and the wolf still exists in Wood Buffalo National Park, the only location left on the planet. Canadian wildlife filmmaker Jeff Turner who once followed the wolves returns once again to see if he can get closer to these ancient warriors.

Doc Zone, CBC – “Anger in America”
A two part series which looks at one of the driving forces in the lead up to the presidential elections. The series will take you behind the money, the politics, and into the lives of those who feel their America is disappearing. Episode 1 – “Between Fear and Anger” – Doc Zone goes across the country to meet those Americans who have lost so much, and find out who they blame. Behind the scenes with leaders of the Tea Party movement, and Occupy who are fighting for their vision of America. In this US election year a portrait of ANGER IN AMERICA.

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