The Firm, Global – Season finale
Comedy Now!, CTV – “Richard Ryder”
Comedian Richard Ryder covers everything from road trips with his mom, his brother’s wedding, getting in shape and working for Nuns.
Comedy Now!, CTV – “Ali Rizvi Badshah”
Toronto comedian Ali Rizvi Badshah talks about his visits to the flea market with his wife and how his father likes to celebrate birthdays.
From a media release:
CTV Enlists A-List Comedic Talent for New Pilots SATISFACTION and SPUN OUTÂ
CTV announced today the pilot orders for two new original half-hour comedies, backed by some of Canada’s most successful TV comedy writers and producers. From Halifax’s DHX Media comes ensemble comedy SATISFACTION, written by Tim McAuliffe (UP ALL NIGHT) and produced by Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine, THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES). Toronto’s Project 10 Productions are winding up for SPUN OUT, CTV’s first ever multi-camera workplace comedy, created by Jeff Biederman (LIFE WITH DEREK), Brent Piaskoski (ACCORDING TO JIM) and Brian K. Roberts (EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND) and produced by Andrew Barnsley (HOTBOX). The two comedy pilots set to shoot this fall in Toronto are the latest original productions announced by CTV, and join the order of two new unscripted series by The Comedy Network today. The four series complement the previously announced order of scripted dramas MOTIVE (working title) for CTV and ORPHAN BLACK for SPACE.Â
In the ensemble comedy SATISFACTION, long-time twenty-something couple Peter and Claire invite Peter’s best friend Mark to live with them to help pay the rent. Newly single after a recent breakup, Mark hopes to learn from his friends the secrets to a great relationship. Each member of the household tries their best to make the arrangement work – but like with anything in life – it is easy to romanticize how the “other half†lives. With a supporting cast of characters full of issues all their own, SATISFACTION is a relationship showdown between freedom and commitment, with Peter, Claire and Mark all wanting what everyone else has – but with no idea how to get it.
SATISFACTION is produced by DHX Media in association with CTV. Executive producer is Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine, THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES) and Tim McAuliffe (UP ALL NIGHT, LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON) is writer/showrunner.
In the multi-cam workplace comedy SPUN OUT, disgraced writer Beckett Ryan joins King PR, a public relations agency staffed with people who can spin everyone’s problems but their own. After accusing a famous author of stealing his book with disastrous results, Beckett turns to King PR for help, and quickly realizes that the agency needs someone with his charm and wit just as much as he needs them to help him earn a little forgiveness. No matter how bizarre the cases are that the agency takes on, they pale in comparison to the workplace romances, rivalries, personal successes, and often hilarious failures of the close-knit and dysfunctional colleagues at King PR.Â
SPUN OUT is produced by Project 10 Productions in association with CTV. Gemini Award winners Jeff Biederman (LIFE WITH DEREK, OVERRULED) and Brent Piaskoski (ACCORDING TO JIM, RADIO FREE ROSCOE) are co-creators, writers and executive producers. Co-creator, director and executive producer is Brian K. Roberts (EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, THE DREW CAREY SHOW). Andrew Barnsley (HOT BOX) is executive producer.
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.
From a media release:
 HISTORY and Shaw Media announced today additional casting for the new scripted series, VIKINGS, including Travis Fimmel (The Beast, Baytown Outlaws) as Ragnar, the first great Viking leader, a man of both history and myth; Gustaf Skarsgard (The Way Back) as Floki, a close friend of Ragnar’s who is an eccentric jokester yet an inventive, creative boat-builder and Clive Standen (Camelot, Robin Hood) as Rollo, Ragnar’s excessive, cruel cousin. The series also welcomes two high-profile Canadian actresses. Jessalyn Gilsig (Glee, Heroes, CSI: NY, Nip/Tuck, Friday Night Lights) has signed to play Siggy Earl Haraldson’s beautiful wife and Katheryn Winnick (Bones, Love and Other Drugs) will play Lagertha, Ragnar’s first wife and famous shield maiden who often fights alongside him.Â
Notable Canadian director Ken Girotti (Bomb Girls, Copper, Fairly Legal), has signed on to direct a number of episodes. He joins Johan Renck (Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead), who is set to direct episodes 1 – 3 of the series.Â
They join previously announced Golden Globe® Award winner and Emmy® Award nominated actor Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment, Usual Suspects, Millers Crossing), who will star as Earl Haraldson, the most important local ruler in Ragnar’s district, and George Blagden (Les Miserables, Wrath of the Titans), who will play Athelstan, an Anglo-Saxon monk captured by Ragnar on his first raid on England.Â
VIKINGS will be a series high on adventure, exploration, conflict, warfare and bloodshed – for these were extreme times – but, at its heart, it will also be a family saga. It follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, a historical figure, and the greatest hero of his age – and the gripping sagas of Ragnar’s band of Viking brothers and his family – as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes.Â
Ragnar Lothbrok (Fimmel) is based upon the real-life Viking leader who literally exploded out of Scandinavia and onto the world stage in the 8th Century. A young Norwegian farmer with a wife and family, Ragnar is deeply frustrated by the unadventurous policies of his local chieftain, Earl Haraldson (Byrne), who continues to send his Vikings raiders east every summer, to the Baltic states and Russia, whose populations are as materially poor as themselves. Lagertha (Winnick) is the first wife of Ragnar’s and their marriage is a love-match. Ragnar was first attracted to Lagertha when she came to fight for a local Norwegian ruler against an invading Sweden. Floki (Skarsgard), based partly on the Norse god Loki, is an impish character and ship builder who designs and builds the prototype of the new generation of Viking ships which can sail across the open ocean but also up the shallowest of rivers. He is a design genius and he allows Ragnar to fulfill his dreams of sailing west and discovering new lands and new civilizations. Siggy (Gilsig) is Earl Haraldson’s beautiful wife and an enigmatic character. She performs her duties impeccably and with style, but she may not be completely loyal to her husband. Rollo (Standen) is Ragnar’s cousin and initially one of his closest friends, involved in his early raids. But soon becomes jealous of his fame and success.
Created and written by Michael Hirst – one of the premier historical story-tellers in the industry (Academy-Award winning film Elizabeth; and the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series The Tudors), Michael serves as Executive Producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; The Tudors), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn (The Tudors; The Borgias) and Sheila Hockin (The Tudors; The Borgias).Â
VIKINGS is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. VIKINGS is produced in association with Shaw Media, and the series will air on History Television in Canada. HISTORY will broadcast in the United States and Nancy Dubuc, Dirk Hoogstra, and Julian P. Hobbs will serve as the executives on behalf of the channel. MGM Television will bring VIKINGS to the global audience, serving as the international distributor outside of Ireland and Canada.
From a media release:
Critically-Acclaimed Original Series THE L.A. COMPLEX Returns to MuchMusic for Season 2, July 17
MuchMusic’s red-hot, critically acclaimed original drama series THE L.A. COMPLEX returns with a thermometer-popping second season, Tuesday, July 17 at 9 p.m. ET following the smash-hit, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS. Airing day and date with The CW, its U.S. partner, the 13-episode second season delivers the same intense, character-driven plots, complex characters, and sharp humour as its riveting debut season. Season 2 also introduces six brand new characters, including Alan Thicke as the demanding and hot-headed director/actor/producer, Donald Gallagher. Â
Shot on location in Toronto and Los Angeles, THE L.A. COMPLEX is a no-holds-barred, relationship drama that follows the exploits of young hopefuls in search of stardom in Hollywood. The series is produced by Emmy®-nominated Epitome Pictures (DEGRASSI) and executive produced, written, and directed by Martin Gero (HBO’s BORED TO DEATH, Young People F*cking).
Season 2 sees the return of fan-fave cast members Jonathan Patrick Moore (Neighbours, All Saints) as Connor; Stratford, Ontario native Joe Dinicol (MURDOCH MYSTERIES, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) as Nick; Andra Fuller (The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Entourage) as Kaldrick; Torontonian Cassie Steele (DEGRASSI, RELIC HUNTER) as Abby; Vancouver’s Jewel Staite (FLASH FORWARD, STARGATE ATLANTIS) as Raquel, and British/Canadian Georgina Reilly (Murdoch Mysteries, Eddie, Republic of Doyle) as Sabrina. New cast members joining in on Season 2’s action include:
Arguably one of the best-reviewed Canadian dramas of the year, Season 1 of THE L.A. COMPLEX left viewers mouth agape as they witnessed their favourite characters hook-up, screw-up, and come undone. Spoiler Alert! In the first episode of Season 2, “Vacancyâ€, the high-octane drama picks up where Season 1 left off. Still reeling from the beating he gave Tariq, Kal sets out to make things right, only to find that Tariq’s gone into hiding. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the fire, Connor is eager to drown his sorrows and turns to Raquel for comfort. Raquel, however, faces life-changing news. Back at The Lux, Nick and Abby take their relationship to the next level. Â
With MuchCloser, the exclusive MuchMusic social rewards and loyalty program, fans of THE L.A. COMPLEX can watch the all-new episodes while logged on to muchmusic.com where they can earn points and rewards by interacting with show content on the site- sharing, exploring, commenting and much more! Full episodes are also available on muchmusic.com after the premiere broadcast.
THE L.A. COMPLEX is Executive Produced by Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn of Epitome Pictures (DEGRASSI, INSTANT STAR) and Martin Gero. Directors are Martin Gero, Stefan Brogren, Bruce McDonald, and Peter Wellington. Writers are Martin Gero, Brendan Gall, Carl Binder, Lara Azzopardi, Kate Hewlett, and Karen Hill. For Bell Media, Trish Williams is Production Executive; Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production; Neil Staite is Vice-President and General Manager, Music and Entertainment; Catherine MacLeod is Vice-President, Specialty Channels; Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and CTV Production, and Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.
Rookie Blue, Global – “Girls Night Out”
On Traci’s first day as a detective, all hell breaks loose when a carload of girls from a drunken bachelorette party is involved in a fatal accident. When Traci’s “rookie†handling of the car crash appears to have compromised the investigation, she is pulled from the case. Meanwhile, Chris realizes he still has feelings for Gail, and while dealing with the effects of shooting a suspect, Dov turns towards a surprising and disturbing source of comfort – the sister of the boy he killed.
Saving Hope, CTV – “The Fight”
After finding out that Charlie’s (Michael Shanks) condition hasn’t improved, Alex (Erica Durance) is growing concerned about her fiancé’s chances of recovery. Her worries are exacerbated when she detects a crackling in Charlie’s chest. To keep her mind active, an already exhausted Alex takes an overnight shift in the ER. Hoping for a peaceful night, the ER instead turns into a hotbed of activity when a hockey superstar comes in with injured ribs from a street fight. Encore episode airing on Sunday, July 1 at 9 p.m. ET on CTV.
