Pretty Dangerous, a stylish and irreverent new series documents the harrowing, true stories of “bad girls” and the seemingly endless parade of male fools they have scammed, bilked, and sometimes murdered for money. The first of eight half-hour episodes kicks off on Wednesday, February 7 – 10:30pm ET/PT on Global Television with the remarkable tale of Toronto con artist Tracy Sargent, who used her sexuality to defraud a variety of besotted men out of more than a million dollars over 20 years.

In the series’ premiere episode, Sargent, the former call girl is interviewed for the first time ever about her infamous career as a Toronto con artist, devastating the lives of dozens of high-profile men throughout the city, including CEOs, crown attorneys, priests, governors, and royalty. Her latest victim, ‘Jack’ divulges how he was victimized by Sargent, although, and unbelievably, he continues to pay Tracy’s rent even after he put her in prison for five months.

Mixing quirky black & white film-noir footage with highly stylized narration, Pretty Dangerous exposes not only the femme fatales, but also their foolish, unsuspecting victims. The series is a groundbreaking crime documentation which takes a mischievous look at the extremes both gold-diggers and fools will go to in their thirst for money and love.

Continue reading Upcoming series: Pretty Dangerous, Global, Wednesdays →

From Global:

This Week On ‘Global Currents’… “Rich Nation”
Saturday, December 16th at 7 p.m. ET/PT (60 mins.)

Rich Nation follows a new generation of aboriginal leaders who are turning adversities into triumphs, making a difference in their lives and their communities by defying the odds and running successful and profitable businesses. Many of these leaders grew up in difficult and challenging environments void of any love and support, often facing emotional, physical and sexual abuse. For years, the old residential school of St. Eugene Mission near Cranbrook was a place of horrors for many aboriginals. Today, the school still stands but is now a five-star resort, owned and operated by the same children it once housed, generating jobs, profit and new hope for the community. Produced by award-winning director Mark Miller with contributions from Gemini winner and anchor Kevin Newman, the documentary shows how First Nations across Canada are turning from a painful past of government dependence to a self-sufficient and self-reliant future, making them the fastest growing business sector today.

About ‘GLOBAL CURRENTS’: Global National’s Kevin Newman hosts this critically acclaimed documentary series committed to revealing extraordinary perspectives and issues affecting all Canadians. Each one-hour, independently-produced documentary represents the talents of Canada’s best socio-political, environmental, humanist and scientific documentary filmmakers.

A new season of Global Currents begins in March 2007. Encore presentations of this season’s documentaries will begin January 2007.

From Global:

“Damage Done: The Drug War Odyssey”
Saturday, December 9th at 7 p.m. ET/PT (60 mins.)

Damage Done: The Drug War Odyssey chronicles the efforts of several crusaders battling to clean up major cities where drugs and illegal narcotics are running rampant. Billions of dollars have been spent worldwide on the war on drugs with no end in sight. Directed by Connie Littlefield and produced by Ann Bernier, the film follows these current and former law enforcement officers, who have all spent their entire lives enforcing laws they feel do not work. The documentary examines our existing regulations against drug use and narcotics, whether the current system is making a difference in a world where cities are seeing nothing but ever-increasing problems with the prevalence of drugs. Their answer – to legalize, regulate and tax drugs – bringing narcotics under the control of the government and ending prohibition.

About ‘GLOBAL CURRENTS’: Global National’s Kevin Newman hosts this critically acclaimed documentary series committed to revealing extraordinary perspectives and issues affecting all Canadians. Each one-hour, independently-produced documentary represents the talents of Canada’s best socio-political, environmental, humanist and scientific documentary filmmakers.

Other documentaries in the series include:

• Rich Nation – December 16

Broadcast schedules are subject to change.

Everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate, Christmas, high heels, hairstyles, and diets … Pop culture docs delve into our everyday obsessions in the Confidential series on CBC Television – beginning Dec. 14

Ever wondered how many shoes the average North American woman owns? Did you know that if your Christmas turkey isn’t turning out, you can call the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line in Chicago for tips? Is it true that blondes have more fun? CBC Television’s CONFIDENTIAL series introduces viewers to quirky, fascinating and little known facts about obsessions with everything from the joys and stress of the Christmas season to the decadent world of chocolate, the big business behind fad diets to the hottest haircuts and stilettos from the world of fashion. A type of urban anthropology, the CONFIDENTIAL series has proved to have worldwide appeal, selling internationally in over 20 countries.

CHRISTMAS CONFIDENTIAL – Thursday, Dec. 14 at 9 p.m. (Where Available)

The CONFIDENTIAL series opens with an exploration of a holiday that fascinates people all over the world. According to CHRISTMAS CONFIDENTIAL, no event in history has ever marshalled so many people and so much effort to celebrate just one day. Viewers will meet unabashed Christmas enthusiasts-a Brooklyn judge with a house so decorated that it’s a tourist attraction, Santa hopefuls competing in the Father Christmas games in Sweden, and pet photographers who can Christmas-ize almost any animal. Chef and author Nigella Lawson weighs in with ‘Confessions of a Culinary Queen’, offering Christmas recipe secrets and tips to survive the holidays.

In CHRISTMAS CONFIDENTIAL, meet those who take Christmas to the extreme, thousands in the annual running of the Santas in Liverpool, the opera-loving creator of animated holiday windows, and the French filmmaker fixated on how Christmas stopped a war. Eavesdrop on backroom deals of the Christmas industry insiders, and meet the turkey therapists who talk anxious cooks through the big day. From the great Christmas tree showdown, to obsessive ornament collectors, CHRISTMAS CONFIDENTIAL has something for everyone.

Continue reading Upcoming series: Confidential, CBC →

“100 Days of Freedom”
Saturday, November 25th at 7 p.m. ET/PT (60 mins.)

100 Days of Freedom follows the trials and tribulations of three criminal offenders attempting to make positive changes in their lives after being released from prison. We meet David, a former cocaine addict who fuelled his addiction with a string of robberies; Gloria, a former prostitute and drug addict convicted of a violent gang-on-gang home invasion; and Wayne, also convicted of a violent home invasion who has only seen three years of freedom in the last 30 years. Directed by Antonio Hrynchuk and produced by Lori Kuffner, the film gives viewers a taste of what life is like in a medium-security prison and the struggles these former inmates face as they try to reintegrate into society with limited job skills and little or no family support.

About ‘GLOBAL CURRENTS’: Global National’s Kevin Newman hosts this critically acclaimed documentary series committed to revealing extraordinary perspectives and issues affecting all Canadians. Each one-hour, independently-produced documentary represents the talents of Canada’s best socio-political, environmental, humanist and scientific documentary filmmakers.

Other documentaries in the series include:

• Damage Done: The Drug War Odyssey – December 9
• Rich Nation – December 16