From Lee-Anne Goodman of the Canadian Press, includes The Jane Show and The Smart Woman Survival Guide:
This week’s TV highlights
Canada’s Next Top Model judges announced
From Citytv:
- Canada’s Next Top Model With Host Jay Manuel Announces the Expert Panel of Judges for Cycle 2
- “FT-FashionTelevision’s†Jeanne Beker, Supermodel Yasmin Warsame and Celebrity Photographer Paul Alexander Lead Judging Panel
- Nole Marin, formerly of “America’s Next Top Model†signs on as Creative Director
- Stacey McKenzie returns as Model Coach
- Details? www.citytv.com
“Canada’s Next Top Model†Cycle 2, the Canadian reality series based on the successful “America’s Next Top Model†franchise, has announced the expert panel of judges for Cycle 2.
Led by Host Jay Manuel, the Expert Panel of Judges in the weekly evaluation of top model participants will be “FT-FashionTelevision’s†Jeanne Beker, Supermodel Yasmin Warsame and Celebrity Photographer Paul Alexander.
“It was essential for us to build a diverse panel of respected experts that could mentor the girls based on their own personal experience in the fashion world,†said Jay Manuel, Host/Executive Producer. “Jeanne is one of the most acclaimed fashion journalists in the business. Her knowledge of the industry is second to none; and as a Canadian, she represents what amazing talent this country has to offer. Yasmin is an international supermodel, still at the top of her game. She is everything the girls should aspire to be and brings a current, working knowledge of the fashion industry. A photographer’s opinion is always needed on the panel. Paul Alexander brings wit, charm and an understanding of what a working model needs to possess when she steps in front of the camera.â€
In addition, Nole Marin joins the show as Creative Director.
“Casting the role of creative director was tough, as I was essentially casting the role of myself on ANTM. We turned to uber-talented, TV savvy and quick-witted Nole Marin,†said Jay Manuel. “Viewers will remember him from ANTM but his work speaks for itself. It’s an important narrative to the show and putting Nole in charge of photo shoot creative will bring a freshness that will endear him with the audience.â€
Stacey McKenzie returns and takes on a new role as Model Coach. In addition to the regular panel, each episode of “Canada’s Next Top Model†will feature a special “guest judgeâ€, an expert from the fashion industry, who will critique within their particular area of expertise. These “fashion industry insiders†will provide the frank and expert feedback that will send one model hopeful packing each week.
The winner of “Canada’s Next Top Model†receives a modelling contract with top agency Sutherland Models and will be featured in an editorial spread in Fashion Magazine. Canada’s Next Top Model also walks away with a $100,000 beauty contract from Procter & Gamble.
Albertan Grandma named Bravo’s Bathroom Diva
From Bravo:
Calgary’s Elaine Jean Brown triumphs in the opera-singing competition
Bathroom Divas: So You Want To Be An Opera Star?
After a cross-country search for the next opera star, soprano Elaine Jean Brown was revealed as the winner in the season finale of Bathroom Divas: So You Want To Be An Opera Star?, which aired on Bravo! Saturday, March 17. Elaine was one of three remaining finalists that included Paul Abelha, a construction worker from Hamilton, Ontario, and Phillip Holmes, a student from Norway Bay, Qu̩bec. Elaine, the oldest finalist, was awarded the ultimate prize Рa debut performance at the Orpheum Theatre with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Bramwell Tovey in front of an audience of thousands.
“We saw in Elaine someone who had put her own desires and needs on hold for her family,” says soprano professor/comedienne Mary Lou Fallis, who served as judge, coach and producer of the series. “Always casting herself in the ‘mother’ role, even during boot camp, Elaine finally broke through her barriers and, in performance, fully exposed herself emotionally, surprising the judges and even herself. By the end of the competition, she proved to us that she had the ‘chops’ musically and had it in her to be a ‘Diva.'”
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland and now residing in Calgary, Alberta, the youthful 59-year-old grandmother – who is the mother of fellow Bathroom Divas finalist, Robyn (Hefferton) Hauck – proved that it is never too late. Like many women, Elaine put her own career on hold to raise a family, and didn’t pursue her dream until a later age. She began her vocal training in 1997 and went on to win several singing competitions, perform with choirs and choruses, and release a solo CD in 2004.
Bathroom Divas, the critically acclaimed six-part, one-hour documentary series produced by Kaleidoscope Entertainment for Bravo!, began with auditions in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, where six finalists were hand-picked to participate in an extensive opera boot camp in Toronto. During the exhaustive three-week crash course, Elaine and her fellow competitors received intensive voice training, acting technique, stage fighting and more than 12-hours-a-week of one-on-one coaching with opera’s finest: Mary Lou Fallis, Tom Diamond (opera director/drama coach), Daniel Lichti (bass-baritone/ professor) and Liz Upchurch (pianist/vocal coach). For an aspiring opera singer, this exposure and experience is priceless.
For more info, please visit www.bathroomdivas.com and www.elainejeanbrown.com.
In the news: Little Mosque and This Hour at Rose d’Or
From Variety:
- Rose d’Or blooms in Lucerne: Historic TV fest finds new home
“North America is represented by Canada’s “This Hour Has 22 Minutes,†from Halifax Film, and “Little Mosque on the Prairie.—
Robson Arms update
Every Saturday night, settle in and watch a whole hour of Robson Arms!
Tune in to The Comedy Network at 8:30pm ET/PT then switch to CTV at 9pm and watch the latest episode of Robson Arms back to back.
This week…
Episode 7 “Misery, Inc.” airs Saturday, March 17th at 9pm ET/PT (check local listings).
With no job prospects and Yuri pressuring her for the rent money, Sault takes a temporary position at Strategic Consolidated to make ends meet. The greige wasteland is brightened when Sault meets her match, the verbally venomous Perry Sound. But is this a match made in heaven or hell ?
Episode 5 “Mr. Lonely” airs Satruday, March 17th on The Comedy Network at 8:30pm ET/PT (check local listings).
ONLINE TREATS this week!
Check out all the new Goodies on the ROBSON ARMS WEBSITE at http://www.robsonarms.ctv.ca/.
Bloopers from Episode 205 are new this week…click here to watch. Also new are deleted scenes from episode 205…take a look.
A new Troubadours song is online now – “Pavlovian Response” is a musical sneek peek at Episode 7… watch here.
Two Audio-bytes have been released this week. Executive Producer Gary Harvey interviews the director of episode 207 “Misery, Inc.” Matt Sinclair-Foreman and writer Deagan Fryklind about the development of the episode and challenges of taking on a musical number – AND- Executive Producer Brian Hamilton on set to interview James Dunnison – Director of episode 208 “Daughter of Frankenstein” – and writer David Moses… click here to listen.
Hey Neighbour! This week’s web-only episode features advice from Geoff McAlister on making friends in the building… click here to check it out!
ROBSON ARMS EPISODES NOW ON THE CTV BROADBAND NETWORK
You can catch up on any and all of the season 2 episodes you have missed. They are available now on The CTV Broadband Network at CTV.ca and on the thecomedynetwork.ca.
Watch all of ROBSON ARMS SEASON 1 available now on demand on The CTV Broadband Network at CTV.ca.