TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 757
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Daily Planet spreads sci-tech cheer for all to hear during “High-Tech Toys Week”, beginning December 5 on Discovery

From a media release:

It’s beginning to look a lot like…“High-Tech Toys Week”! Santa’s helpers, better known as the team behind Discovery’s daily sci-tech series DAILY PLANET, are hard at work preparing for every tech toy-lover’s favourite week of the year, “High-Tech Toys Week”. Airing exclusively on Discovery beginning Monday, Dec. 5 through Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, DAILY PLANET explores a week full of boundless innovation and imagination.

From a life-size Transformer car to vertical air hockey, viewers are invited to join co-hosts Ziya Tong and Dan Riskin as they fill Santa’s sleigh with the season’s most exciting, outlandish, and coveted high-tech toys from around the world.

“High-Tech Toys Week” was the second most-watched theme week on DAILY PLANET during the 2015/16 broadcast year, trailing only “Future-Tech Week”. DAILY PLANET, the world’s only nightly science broadcast reaches more than 1.3 million viewers each week and continues to win the 7 p.m. ET timeslot among Canadian entertainment specialty channels during the 2016/17 broadcast year among all key adult demographics.

Highlights from DAILY PLANET’s “High-Tech Toys Week” include:

“Transformer Car”
The BMW can now shapeshift from a car into huge robot, thanks to a prototype designed by Turkish company, Letrons. The Antiomon is a real-life, nearly five-metre tall Transformer with driving capabilities. A total of five working models were developed by a team of 12 engineers, with each featuring a 35,000 hydraulic cylinder system that allows for quick and effective transformations. DAILY PLANET meets with the development team to discuss the Antiomon’s price tag in advance of its consumer debut.

“Teal Highspeed Drone”
George Matus was 11 years old when he flew his first drone and was immediately blown away. By 16, Matus was competing as a professional drone racer and acting as a test pilot for new aircraft. Today, Matus is the CEO of his own drone and software company, Teal. After years of flying, crashing, rebuilding, and modifying dozens of versions of drones, Matus has completed his dream drone, the Teal. The highly impressive unmanned aircraft flies at more than 120 kilometres per hour, can operate in wind speeds of 64 kilometres per hour, and has a built-in camera, GPS, and autonomous capabilities. From gaming and augmented reality to security applications and agriculture, Matus wants to make this drone do anything the imagination can conjure. Testing diffferent flight propellers and evaluating for speed, noise, and handling, Matus and the Teal team join DAILY PLANET as they race to get to market “the world’s fastest production drone in its class.”

“Climball”
What is the result when pinball, air hockey, wall climbing, and a splash of augmented reality mix together? Climball – a high-tech, fast-paced game combining augmented reality technology with rock climbing. The physically engaging game tracks the players’ movements while they compete to volley a virtual ball. DAILY PLANET climbs on board to get a closer look at the tech behind the newest way to get into shape.

“The PancakeBot”
Marking the very first food printer of its kind, the $300 PancakeBot is the brainchild of Miguel Valenzuela, a civil engineer, inventor, and father living in Norway. A container of batter is attached to PancakeBot’s mechanical printing arm where underneath sits a flat, heated griddle that acts as its canvas. Users can turn almost anything into a yummy breakfast treat – a child’s drawing, a product image, a team’s logo, or even a favorite piece of artwork. DAILY PLANET meets with Valenzuela, who spills the batter on PancakeBot’s food printing technology.

“Amphibious Helicopter”
Novelty car builder Jeff Bloch, also known as SpeedyCop, is the master of developing crazy, homemade cars. He’s built a fighter jet car, an upside down Camaro, and even a car that stretches out like an accordion – all capable of racing at 24 Hours of LeMons, a series of endurance races held on paved courses across the U.S. This year, Bloch recycled a damaged helicopter from the Vietnam War and transformed it into a mighty machine that can race on land and in water, making the gadget an entirely amphibious helicopter. Although it can’t take flight just yet, it has some truly astounding capabilities! DAILY PLANET meets Bloch to discuss how he intends to take these off-the-wall vehicles from the junkyard to the racetrack.

“Carr-E”
Many city drivers have experienced the congestion of downtown roadways during rush hour – the impatience, the frustration, and the worry. Well, Ford Motor Company is hoping to prevent commuter frustration with the “Last Mile Mobility Challenge”. One of this year’s finalists is Kilian Vas, a Ford engineer who has designed and built the Carr-E. An easily transported, segway-like vehicle, the Carr-E can propel motorist through all types of traffic. Carr-E’s ultrasonic sensors and built-in GPS allow it to navigate through busy streets, avoiding any obstacle thrown in its path. DAILY PLANET meets with Vas to test out the four-wheel, electric pedestrian assistant that could potentially be the next big breakthrough in urban commuting.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Industry News

Nearly 400,000 tune in to debut of The Beaverton on The Comedy Network

From a media release:

This just in! Final Numeris data confirms that a combined audience of 379,000 viewers has tuned into the premiere episode of THE BEAVERTON since its November 9 debut on The Comedy Network. With an average audience of 189,000 viewers during its broadcast premiere timeslot, Comedy was the most-watched specialty channel in Canada for A25-54 (102,000 viewers), and the most-watched entertainment specialty channel for A18-49 (101,000 viewers). To date, the premiere episode has reached a total of 724,000 unique viewers across all airings.

During its Nov. 9 broadcast debut, #TheBeaverton was among the Top 10 trending topics on Twitter in Canada, alongside hashtags related to the American election. Worldwide #TheBeaverton has garnered an estimated 18.7 million impressions to date.

Across Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, the teaser clip for the debut episode “Obituary for America” has garnered nearly 900,000 views with nearly half a million views in just its first 12 hours of being published. To date, 19 various in-show and web exclusive clips of THE BEAVERTON have racked up more than 4 million views across Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Since its premiere, the Top 3 BEAVERTON clips on social media are:

3) Rachel Notley Caught in Yet Another Scandal with nearly 344,000 views
2) With 683,000 views, “The Donald Trump Apocalypse Begins” became the #11 trending video on YouTube, and also landed on the front pages of reddit.com and uproxx.com
1) The series’ most-watched clip to date, 5 War Atrocities Only 90s Kids Remember, has garnered nearly 708,000 views.

On tonight’s episode of THE BEAVERTON, (Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT), shocking new insights into the world of ISIS are revealed, Aisha Alfa looks at the Liberal sex-ed curriculum, and Canada ponders a new currency.

A so-called televised adaptation of the immensely popular online satirical site TheBeaverton.com, THE BEAVERTON files fake news stories of the utmost importance, informed by real events, the cultural zeitgeist, and national news media. With nearly 7.5 million views in 2016 and averaging more than half a million unique visitors a month, TheBeaverton.com has become a go-to source for Canadian satire. Viewers who need a daily-dose of biting Canadian satire can check in with TheBeaverton.com or follow @TheBeaverton for hourly updates.

THE BEAVERTON airs Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on The Comedy Network.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Featured, Mohawk Girls

Mohawk Girls decide–Hit it or Quit it.

This episode of Mohawk Girls dabbled with several stereotypes and prejudices. Sexism, racism, homophobia: they were all jammed in.

Caitlin (Heather White) faced down the community’s prejudices about black men. Anna (Maika Harper) comes to the defense  of Elijah (Gregory Odjig) when he faced hurtful homophobic jokes. Bailey (Jenny Pudavick) was uncomfortable with Watio’s (Jimmy Blais) demands that she not have any new “guy friends.” And Zoe (Brittany LeBorgne) was the victim of prejudices too, since her fair features make her look too white to be a representative for Mohawks. In some way all of our fab four mixed it up, faced down social oppression and began to recognize who they are and what they really stand for. Or, to make a long story short, we had lots of character growth happening in 22 minutes of Mohawk Girl fun!

We began with Zoe, who was scheduled to debate against town favourite Tommy “Shitzu” Horn (Jay Montour). After following Henry’s (Mark Trottier) suggestions regarding her couture, or rather her lack of unmentionables, she found that extra bit of confidence that her naughty little secret always gives her. She did well in the debate until Shitzu called her out for not looking Mohawk enough and her confidence shattered. To try and compensate, Zoe dyed her hair. Poor Zoe, she is still trying to satisfy everyone, and now it seems she is guilty of Caitlin’s sins simply by association. On the bright side, instead of turning to her sexual addictions, Zoe—at long long last—began to let Ohserase (Shawn Youngchief) in. Folks, we now have team Zoeserase!

Meanwhile, Bailey officially moved in with Watio. Personalities began to clash early, but Watio a.k.a. “Mr. Pretzel” once again deferred to Bailey and unpacking gave way to wedding preparations. Learning that Bailey and James (Jeffery Wetsch) have evolved from the teacher/student relationship into a “friends” relationship, it is really no surprise these two butt heads. Watio stood his ground. Bailey turned to Caitlin and Anna for advice and this time they were in agreement with Watio: “No new guy friends! It leads to emotional infidelity.” Bailey arranged to meet James to let him know they cannot continue to pursue this friendship. Their meeting did not turn out the way she anticipated, but did it turn out the way she secretly hopes?

Now that Kanawa:ke knows the truth about Caitlin’s new man, she steeled herself for the anticipated backlash from the community. Mean girl Vicky (Rachelle White Wind) and Iostha (Allison Pratt) have both decided Caitlin can no longer be their hairdresser since her hands have touched “black c–k.” Caitlin’s father (Lawrence Bayne) was furious with Caitlin for “polluting the bloodline” and declared their “people will die off and it will be all her fault” for dating a black man. Caitlin stood her ground and defended this healthy relationship to everyone. And on the balance of things, Team Cailon are definitely looking very comfortable in their togetherness—*cue the fart*. But I sense trouble on the horizon. Butterhead (Meegwun Fairbrother) came to Caitlin, announcing he would take her back.

That left us with Anna, who once again turned to her new confidant Butterhead for dating advice … but that advice proved less than stellar. And are we really surprised? This time, Anna has been compromising her own values just to fit in. Thinking that Midas (Tanner Novlan) will secure her a place in Kanawa:ke, Zoe and Bailey set her straight. Looks like Midas needs to look elsewhere to turn his blue coconuts back into gold.

Score: Cailon👍    Zoserase👍    Watio a weak👍   and Anna👌

What do you think is next for our ladies? Is Butterhead going to continue pursuing Caitlin? Has Zoe finally gotten over her addictions? What is next for Bailey and James or Watio? And REALLY Anna? Stop hanging out with Butterhead already. He just spells trouble! Let me know in the comments below!

Mohawk Girls airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on APTN.

Save

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Dark Matter

Space and Syfy’s Dark Matter begins production on Season 3

From a media release:

Prodigy Pictures is pleased to announce principal photography has begun on the third season of the sci-fi series Dark Matter. Based on the graphic novel Dark Matter, created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, of the Stargate franchise, the 13 one-hour episodes are slated to premiere in 2017 on Syfy in the U.S. and Space in Canada.

Following the season 2 finale that saw the crew of The Raza scattered and presumed dead, Dark Matter’s third season opens a compelling new chapter of the spellbinding series. Joining the cast this season are Ayisha Issa (12 Monkeys) as Solara Shockley, Mishka Thébaud (Bitten) as Adrian and Andrew Moodie (Trust No One) as Teku.

Dark Matter stars Melissa O’Neil, Anthony Lemke, Alex Mallari Jr. and Jodelle Ferland with Roger Cross and Zoie Palmer. Produced by Prodigy Pictures and executive produced by Jay Firestone (Lost Girl, XIII), Joseph Mallozzi (Stargate) and Paul Mullie (Stargate), the series is distributed internationally by Endemol Worldwide Distribution.

Prodigy Pictures founded in 2006 by Jay Firestone, leads the way in the production of quality film, television and cross-platform media.  Prodigy is currently in production on the third season of its latest series, Dark Matter, which airs on Syfy in the US, and is also responsible for the critically-acclaimed television series Lost Girl, which electrified viewers around the world for five seasons and has achieved a cult-like following. Prodigy previously produced the original television mini-series XIII and followed that up with two seasons of XIII:  The Series, produced in partnership with Europa. Prodigy recently produced the horror movie Dark Stranger, and executive produced a small slate of independent films, including The Other Half, a romantic drama starring Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany; Room For Rent, featuring Suits’ Patrick J. Adams; and Never Saw It Coming.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail
Amazing Race Canada, Featured

Steph and Kristen’s tips to ace your Amazing Race Canada audition

Just because Steph LeClair and Kristen McKenzie waited until the last minute to audition for The Amazing Race Canada doesn’t mean you should. With the deadline for submissions happening on Thursday, Dec. 1, the pair dispensed valuable hints to improve your odds of being selected for Season 5.

It’s been two months since Canada watched the couple best Jillian and Emmett and Joel and Ashley during the final leg in Montreal and a lot has changed. They quit their jobs, have hiked part of the Appalachian Trail, were grand marshals at the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day parade (where they met Prime Minister Trudeau) and are embarking on a two-week trip to Costa Rica. Upcoming jaunts include New York City in December followed by Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Thailand early in 2017. (The Big Apple and the Down Under are both trips the pair captured by winning Legs.)

But where the girls have their next year or so plotted, they were anything but coordinated when it came to auditioning for Season 4.

“We hemmed and hawed and waited until the last minute,” Kristen admits. “We thought, ‘What’s the point? We’re never going to get picked.'” With just one night available to film their audition, the couple—after returning home from dinner out and imbibing in some wine—plopped down on their apartment floor and talked to the camera.

“It literally took us just a couple of hours,” Steph says. “The clip is only three minutes, so leave some bloopers in and show your personality. It doesn’t have to be perfect or include graphics or anything. Don’t overthink it.” That latter note, overthinking it, plagued the duo at first. A list of recorded bullet point items came off as too scripted and robotic, so they had a conversation, chirping good-naturedly.

“Once we said, ‘To hell with it,’ we had fun and were ourselves,” Kristen says. That included disclosing they were in a relationship, a unique angle producers look for in casting.

If you are lucky enough to be chosen, the real work begins. But even then, it’s almost impossible to know exactly what to prepare for when challenges and countries visited is such a wild card. Still, there are some general things to work on before the five-week adventure begins. Steph and Kristen worked out, ran up and down their condo building’s stairs wearing weighted knapsacks, boosting the stamina needed not only to outlast other teams physically but strengthen their mental game too.

“People ask why we didn’t learn specific things, but things happen so quickly once you’re selected for the Race,” Kristen says. “You have five weeks to prepare while juggling work and life and everything gets crammed in.”

“I suck at maps and I knew I was going to be the navigator, so I was asking my sister at the last minute how to read a road map,” Steph says with a laugh. “And despite being able to do it and winning The Amazing Race Canada I still get us lost.”

The deadline for submission is Thursday, Dec. 1, at 11:59 PM ET. For all casting details and updates, including instructions on how to submit an audition video, fans can visit CTV.ca/TheAmazingRaceCanada, the CTV Facebook page, and follow @AmazingRaceCDA.

Image courtesy of Bell Media.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail