Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Preview: HGTV Canada’s Hoarder House Flippers returns for more renovations and re-sells

October 29, 2024 Greg David 1 Comment

The pandemic gave everyone the unique opportunity to re-access the contents of their homes, condos and apartments. Where I live, in western Quebec, we were able to pare down our stuff by joining a social media group designed to offer gently used items to those interested for free. The idea? To foster community while saving things from the landfill.

Some folks look to cash in when getting rid of clutter, and that’s explored to the nth degree in Hoarder House Flippers.

Returning for Season 2 this Wednesday on HGTV Canada, house flippers from across the country, buy, clear out and overhaul houses that, in some cases, are packed to the rafters with the previous owners’ things.

In the first episode, siblings Heather and Nathan head to Portage la Prairie to assess the trash and treasure lurking in their latest flip. They are greeted with rooms that are filled with stuff. Picture a packed storage locker… in each room. Overwhelmed by glassware, an overgrown fish tank, clothes and creepy dolls, the siblings call on friends to help fill dumpsters and sell small items, with the profit returning to the community. (The siblings acquired the property from relatives who had encountered unexpected challenges with the property, including a hoarding situation.)

Then it’s on to gutting, renovating and reselling. With the rooms emptied, the true potential of Heather and Nathan’s purchase and big issues are revealed. A complete rewiring of the home could eat into their profits big-time and delay their planned two-month reno schedule. The end results? Simply stunning.

I watch a lot of renovation series on HGTV Canada, and what sets Hoarder House Flippers apart for me is how relatable—in the first episode anyway—Heather and Nathan are. Funny, capable and honest, I feel like I could grab a drill, hammer or pry bar, and help without feeling embarrassed or out of place.

This second season includes episodes featuring the Mbaye brothers, more of Heather and Nathan and new flippers Stephanie and Deidre.

Hoarder House Flippers airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.

Image courtesy of Corus Media.

Featured, My Dead Mom

LoCo Motion Pictures and Crave’s new original comedy series, My Dead Mom, premieres November 1

October 25, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

LoCo Motion Pictures announced today that its new, seven-episode Crave Original comedy series, MY DEAD MOM, premieres on Friday, November 1. The series follows a daughter through her grief journey three years after the passing of her mother. From LoCo Motion Pictures, creator Wendy Litner, and executive producer Lauren Corber, the seven-part series directed by Chandler Levack explores the complicated nature of grief and the enduring relationship between mothers and daughters and stars Lauren Collins (DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION, SLIP) and Megan Follows (ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, REIGN).

Emmy (Collins) wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail after her mother died, she was just really busy. But three years on now, her grief is catching up with her. As she questions her lipstick and life choices, her dead mother, Fern (Follows), pops into her life to voice her opinions and tell her red really isn’t her colour. Even death hasn’t stopped Fern from being fabulous. Emmy is trying to live her best life, but how do you let go of someone that is so present? With sharp wit and aching tenderness, MY DEAD MOM explores the complicated nature of grief through mothers and daughters, and death.

Rounding out the cast for MY DEAD MOM are Rainbow Sun Francks (HIGH FIDELITY), David Reale (THE BOYS), Daniel Maslany (MURDOCH MYSTERIES, ACCUSED), Daniel Kash (SLASHER) and Jenny Raven (KIM’S CONVENIENCE), and guest stars Matt Murray (IN THE DARK, ROOKIE BLUE, 9JKL) and Naomi Snieckus (MR. D).

MY DEAD MOM is produced by LoCo Motion Pictures, in association with Bell Media, with the participation of Independent Production Fund, Ontario Creates, and the Bell Fund. The series is distributed internationally by Blue Ant Studios. Wendy Litner (HOW TO BUY A BABY, POPULARITY PAPERS, RUN THE BIRD) is creator and executive producer, alongside executive producer Lauren Corber (DETENTION ADVENTURE, I HATE PEOPLE, PEOPLE HATE ME) of LoCo Motion Pictures. Chandler Levack (I LIKE MOVIES) directs and Palmer Baranek is supervising producer.

Featured, Industry News

Corus announces a slate of premium Canadian original programming debuting next year on Home Network and Flavour Network

October 22, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Following the recent announcement of Corus Entertainment’s two new lifestyle brands launching December 30, 2024, the company shares further details on Home Network and Flavour Network’s upcoming originals slate. With 14 new and returning Canadian original titles, audiences can look forward to schedules packed with premium content and big-name talent, including series starring Pamela Anderson, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, Scott McGillivray, Anna Olson, Andrew Phung, Eden Grinshpan and more. Viewers can learn more about these new brands by visiting HomeNetwork.ca and FlavourNetwork.ca.

Home Network

Home Network brings viewers the very best in renovation and home design with nine new and returning Canadian original titles. Audiences will feel at home with the familiar faces of Canada’s favourite and established home renovation stars, plus the introduction of talented new personalities ready to make their mark.

Three brand-new series are currently in production. In Beer Budget Reno (10×60 – Proper Television), lifestyle expert Kristen Coutts delivers life-changing renos for people who are told they can’t afford them, transforming tired outdated spaces into something fresh and functional. For Rentovation (13×30 – Nikki Ray Media Agency), designer Natalie Chong helps renters transform transient spaces with nonpermanent solutions that give forever-home vibes without forever-living commitments. Then, Building Baeumler (10×60 – Si Entertainment) sees fan-favourites Bryan and Sarah Baeumler give viewers an inside look at their lives as they tackle a resort renovation in the Florida Keys, expand their Bahamas property and invest in a new project in the area, and tackle a personal renovation back home in Canada.

Additionally, three returning titles have wrapped production and are expected to premiere in Winter/Spring 2025. This includes Renovation Resort, Season 2 (8×60 – MEM) with Bryan Baeumler and Scott McGillivray, Scott’s Vacation House Rules, Season 6 (8×60 – MEM) with Scott and co-host Debra Salmoni, and Season 2 of Pamela Anderson’s home-renovation show Pamela’s Garden of Eden (8×60 – Fireworks Media Group).

Come 2025, three additional series will be in pre-production or development. The all-new Life is Messy (8×60 – Scott Brothers Entertainment) with Kortney Wilson and Kenny Brain follows the duo as they work with families facing unique life changes that have put a strain on both their relationships and their homes. Titles in development include new seasons of Rock Solid Builds (8×60 – Cineflix Productions), and House of Ali (8×60 – Nikki Ray Media Agency).

Flavour Network

Flavour Network turns up the heat in the food space, with three returning hits and three upcoming new Canadian originals packed full of flavour, fresh perspective and star power.

Winter 2025 will see the premiere of Pamela’s Cooking with Love (8×60 – Fireworks Media Group) hosted by Hollywood icon Pamela Anderson as she welcomes world-renowned chefs to Vancouver Island, creating beautiful plant-based meals for family and friends. Next year will also see the premiere of new seasons of Great Chocolate Showdown (8×60 – Nikki Ray Media Agency) with Anna Olson, Cynthia Tooley and Steve Hodge putting 10 home bakers to the ultimate test in the indulgent world of chocolate for a grand prize, and Carnival Eats (13×30 – Alibi Entertainment), where Noah Cappe brings viewers along on a food-frenzied roller coaster of culinary delights.

Meanwhile, comedian Andrew Phung heads into production this fall on Big Burger Battle (6×60 – Nikki Ray Media Agency). With judges George Motz and Connie DeSousa, the newly greenlit series will see seven burger-obsessed cooks and chefs come together to crown the world’s best Burger Master. Then, with a fresh season of Top Chef Canada on air now with Season 11, the most prestigious culinary competition in the country will return for Season 12 (8×60 – Insight Productions Ltd.), heading into production next year.

Currently at MIPCOM, Corus Studios is proudly presenting many of these titles for international distribution including Big Burger Battle, Building Baeumler, Life is Messy, Rentovation, Great Chocolate Showdown, House of Ali, Pamela’s Cooking with Love, Pamela’s Garden of Eden, Renovation Resort, Rock Solid Builds, and Scott’s Vacation House Rules.

Additional details on Home Network and Flavour Network’s programming will be unveiled in the coming weeks, along with the launch of the brands’ supporting social channels.

The new HomeNetwork.ca offers a fresh take on real estate, DIY projects, home decor and more, delivering inspiring articles, expert tips and the latest decor trends to help audiences create beautiful, functional living spaces. The new FlavourNetwork.ca will be a reflection of Canada’s vibrant food culture, from honest reviews to delicious recipes, ranging from comforting classics to quick and easy meals and international cuisines, all tailored to the tastes and trends Canadians are searching for.

Flavour Network and Home Network will replace the current channel position of Food Network Canada and HGTV Canada on December 30, 2024. Customers can contact their service provider for more details. Flavour Network and Home Network will be available for free preview for two months, from January 3 – February 28, 2025. Viewers will also be able to stream full episodes from both networks on STACKTV.

Featured, Underbelly

Crave announces new original crime drama series Underbelly, starring Stephen Amell, Hamza Haq, Tamara Podemski and Minnie Driver

October 22, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Crave announced today the new, six-episode, one-hour crime drama UNDERBELLY. Also announced today are the series’ stars Stephen Amell (ARROW) as Officer Henry Roland, Hamza Haq (TRANSPLANT) as Tommy, and Emmy^® and Academy Award^®-nominee Minnie Driver (THE SERPENT QUEEN) as May, the residents of a tranquil riverside town in the Thousand Islands region of Ontario, who are caught up in a dark, twisted mystery centred around an international drug ring.

In a quiet riverside town in the Thousand Islands, Officer Henry Roland (Amell) finds evidence linking a case of missing illegal substances to his childhood best friend, Tommy Hawley (Haq), with whom he shares a dark secret. As Henry embarks on a mission to save his friend, a ruthless British crime family, led by matriarch May Ferguson (Driver), is also on the hunt for the drugs and Tommy.

A tragic accident sets off a chain of events involving international drug trafficking, and Henry faces the concerns of his police chief father-in-law (Christopher Heyerdahl, VAN HELSING), and suspicions from rival officer Erica Ross (Tamara Podemski, RESERVATION DOGS). As Henry digs deeper, he uncovers unexpected ties between the crime, his friend’s daughter Ruby (Katia Edith Wood, 8-Bit Christmas), and her partner Miles (Jeremy Watson, SURREALESTATE), pulling him further into the chaos. Henry must confront his friend’s betrayals as they face an epic, life-changing showdown.

Produced by Shaftesbury in partnership with Crave, with global film and TV studio FIFTH SEASON co-financing and handling worldwide rights (excl. Canada), UNDERBELLY began filming in the Thousand Islands, and is continuing production on location across Southern Ontario, including Grimsby, Brantford, Cobourg, and Bowmanville. Filming will move to Toronto in the coming weeks. All episodes are directed by Robert Budreau (Stockholm). The writing team is led by Graeme Stewart and Aaron Martin (SLASHER).

Children's Programming, Featured

Blue Ant Studios announces Season 2 greenlight of Nippon TV’s Old Enough! with TVO

October 21, 2024 Greg David Leave a comment

From a media release:

Old Enough!, the hit series, based on the wildly popular Japanese format from Nippon TV, is back for another season with six brand new 30-minute episodes. Co-produced by TVO and Blue Ant Studios, the new installment will premiere on TVO across Canada in 2025. The news was jointly announced at MIPCOM today by Matthew Hornburg, Co-President of Blue Ant Studios, Natasha Negrea, Head of Programming at TVO and Akane Alex Inoue, Global Format Licensing, Nippon TV.

Building on the success of its first season, Old Enough! returns with a fresh cast of children aged 3-5. This time you can expect more precocious kids getting their first taste of independence while embarking on even more impressive errands than before.

Matthew Hornburg, Mark J.W. Bishop and Donna Luke from Blue Ant Studios are Executive Producers for the series. Stefanie Haist is the Supervising Producer. Mitch Burman (Undercover High, Extreme Babysitting) serves as Series Producer and Showrunner. For TVO, Natasha Negrea is the Head of Programming, Kirsten Hurd is the Commissioning Editor, TVOkids and Alexandra Roberts is the Commissioning Editor, TVO Docs. For Nippon TV, Naoko Yano and Akane Alex Inoue are Executive Producers. Kiyotaka Tokunaga (Masquerade) is the Chief Director and Ayaka Isshiki is the Producer for the original Japanese series. Tom Miyauchi (Sokkuri Sweets/Eye Candy, Mute it!) is the Format Producer and Yuko Nakano is the Flying Producer. Blue Ant Studios oversees the international tape distribution of the Canadian version. Old Enough! was produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund.