From Hilton Dresden of Out:
Link: Daniel Levy’s queer comedy asks what would happen if the Kardashians went penniless
“It was only when we started pulling back the layers on this family that we realized there’s a really tender through line of these strangers coming together and realizing love does not require any financial compensation. And once we struck that chord I think it really sent us on a nice, clear trajectory. In terms of season after season.” Continue reading.
From a media release:
Several generations grew up watching the popular series North of 60, before it left the TV screen a little over a decade ago. Today, fans are still enthralled with the drama.
“APTN regularly receives phone calls, letters and social media posts from fans asking us to bring back North of 60,†said Jean La Rose, APTN CEO. “When the show originally aired in 1992 it became the most popular series in Canadian history, drawing almost a million viewers per week. It’s apparent that fans miss the show and would love to see it back on the air. APTN has been listening and is thrilled to bring the show back to Canadian television!â€
The entire series—six seasons, all 90 episodes—will air in consecutive order starting Monday, February 19. Daily episodes Monday through Friday, airing on APTN e and APTN hd at 5:00 p.m. ET, and on APTN w at 5:00 p.m. MT and APTN n at 1:00 p.m. CT. Fans who prefer a weekly rendezvous can also tune-in on Sundays, starting February 25, on APTN e and APTN hd at 7:00 p.m. ET, APTN w at 7:00 p.m. MT and APTN n at 7:00 p.m. CT.
North of 60 was one of the first shows that represented Indigenous Peoples in a real way. Day-to-day life was highlighted along with issues that mattered most including cultural preservation. It was the first time an Indigenous person was cast as the lead in a Canadian television drama, and the show launched many careers.
The super fans of North of the 60 do not falter, even after all these years. An online petition garnered more than 1,500 signatures and a Facebook page with 4,000 subscribers, including actors from the show, to bring the show back to the screen.
North of 60 was created and produced by Barbara Samuels and Wayne Grigsby, starring Tina Keeper, Tom Jackson, Tracey Cook, Gordon Tootoosis and Gerry Bean (John Oliver).
From Kelly Townsend of The TV Junkies:
Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Christina Jennings
“It’s important to do and it’s important as a company, actually, to stay in touch with the young people coming up behind us. If you’re there at the CFC, at Sheridan or Humber, and you’ve given some time, you’ve done a course, you had them in to intern here at the company, and they have a project, they may just come to you first. It’s always about looking for the next generation of people behind you. And we think the way to do that is to give back.” Continue reading.
From Nahnda Garlow of Two Row Times:
Link: ‘North of 60’ actress Tina Louise Bomberry has died
Tina Louise Bomberry, Mohawk Bear Clan of Six Nations, passed this weekend. No details are currently available on the circumstances surrounding her death.
Bomberry played the beloved character Rosie Deela in the series for it’s entire six season run and in it’s three made for TV movies. North of 60 aired on CBC from 1992-1997. Continue reading.
From Simon Applebaum of Media Village:
Link: How WGN America used new technologies to launch “Bellevueâ€
Before the debut of Bellevue, Dollenmayer and his team created a custom 60-second trailer of Bellevue for USeek, inviting users to hunt for clues and earn points for prizes, such as $250 Visa gift cards, which were awarded to users who correctly solved the mystery.  More than 33 percent of people watching the trailer stayed with it to the end; the level of repeat viewers, estimated by Dollenmayer at three times each, was also very strong. Continue reading.Â
