Tag Archives: Ennis Esmer

Featured, Plan B

Production now underway on the third season of CBC anthology series Plan B

From a media release:

CBC and KOTV today announced that production is now underway in Montreal on a third season of the time-bending anthology drama series PLAN B (6×60). An adaptation of the popular French-language drama series of the same name (now in its fourth season for Radio-Canada), the new season will focus on a new story, starring Carolina Bartczak (Painkiller, X-Men: Apocalypse), Arnold Pinnock (The Porter, Combat Hospital) and Ennis Esmer (Children Ruin Everything, Blindspot). Additional casting includes Arianna Shannon making her screen debut, as well as Jaeden Noel (Orphan Black: Echoes, Invasion), Carolyn Taylor (Baroness von Sketch Show, I Have Nothing) and Grace Lynn Kung (Sort Of, Fallout).

In Season 3 of PLAN B, Abigail Walker (Bartczak), the host of Canada’s top morning TV show, grapples with the devastating loss of her teenage daughter, Lucy (Shannon), to suicide. Tormented by grief and regret, Abigail uses the Plan B Agency to embark on a series of time-traveling journeys, desperate to alter the past and prevent Lucy’s tragic fate. As she attempts to protect Lucy from the toxic relationships that contributed to her downward spiral, Abigail’s actions create ripples that affect not only Lucy’s life but also the lives of those around her. Abigail’s pursuit of a better outcome for Lucy leads her to confront painful truths about her own past, her relationships, and the choices she’s made both for her daughter and for herself. She must navigate the complexities of time travel, grappling with the ethical implications of altering the lives of others. But as Abigail travels deeper into the past, she discovers that the true meaning of love and sacrifice may lie in accepting the unchangeable.

Season 1 of PLAN B, starring Patrick J. Adams and Karine Vanasse, and Season 2, starring Vinessa Antoine, offer gripping, reality-altering drama with unique storylines, showcasing characters navigating life’s what-ifs and second chances. Audiences can watch both seasons on the free CBC Gem streaming service.

A CBC original series, PLAN B is produced by Quebec-based production company KOTV. Jean-François Asselin, who co-created the original French-language series, co-directs with Marianne Farley, and also co-writes with Celeste Parr, for this English adaptation. Asselin & Parr also serve as Showrunners and Executive Producers, alongside Louis Morissette. For KOTV, Louis-Philippe Drolet, Mélanie Viau and Jacques Drolet are Executive Producers and Marie-Claude Beaulieu is Producer.

For CBC, Sally Catto is General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports; Trish Williams is Executive Director, Scripted Content; Sarah Adams is Director of Current Production, Drama; and Nicola Makoway is Executive in Charge of Production.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

CTV Comedy Channel cranks up the heat this summer with Season 3 of Roast Battle Canada, beginning July 10

From a media release:

More epic battles of burns are coming to CTV Comedy Channel, as original series ROAST BATTLE CANADA returns for an eight-episode third season Mondays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 10 on CTV Comedy, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. Each half-hour episode sees two pairs of Canadian comics face-off, as they hurl heated and ruthless jabs at each other in hopes of being crowned the superior roaster.

Season 3 of ROAST BATTLE CANADA sees the return of the distinguished panel of judges – Russell Peters, Sabrina Jalees, and K. Trevor Wilson – while actor and comedian Ennis Esmer returns to preside over the roastings as host.

Canadian comedians facing off in the ROAST BATTLE CANADA Season 3 matchups are:

Episode 1 – Monday, July 10 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Allie Pearse vs. Brendan d’Souza
Battle 2 – Tyler Morrison vs. Crystal Ferrier

Episode 2 – Monday, July 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Rachel Schaefer vs. Sophie Buddle
Battle 2 – Alan Shane Lewis vs. Todd Graham

Episode 3 – Monday, July 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Olivia Stadler vs. Kyle Brownrigg
Battle 2 – Garrett Jamieson vs. Keith Pedro

Episode 4 – Monday, July 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Tom Henry vs. Todd Graham
Battle 2 – Crystal Ferrier vs. Cassie Cao

Episode 5 – Monday, August 7 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Dakota Ray Hebert vs. Paul Rabliauskas
Battle 2 – Sophie Buddle vs. Jordan Wellwood

Episode 6 – Monday, Aug. 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Keith Pedro vs. Allie Pearse
Battle 2 – Danish Anwar vs. Olivia Stadler

Episode 7 – Monday, Aug. 21 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Jordan Wellwood vs. Tyler Morrison
Battle 2 – Dakota Ray Hebert vs. Alan Shane Lewis

Episode 8 – Monday, Aug. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Rachel Schaefer vs. Brendan d’Souza
Battle 2 – Cassie Cao vs. Daniel Woodrow

Ahead of the Season 3 premiere on July 10, it was recently announced that a fourth season of ROAST BATTLE CANADA has been ordered. Viewers can also catch up on the first two seasons, which are currently available for streaming with with no subscription or sign-in required on CTV.ca and the CTV app, and are also available on Crave.

ROAST BATTLE CANADA is produced by CTV Comedy Channel, in association with Just For Laughs Television and Counterfeit Pictures. Bruce Hills is Executive Producer and also President, Just For Laughs. Executive Producers are Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery, and Anton Leo of Counterfeit Pictures, along with George Reinblatt. Comedian Russell Peters also executive produces. The series was directed by Shelagh O’Brien.

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Uncategorized

CTV Comedy Channel, Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures partner for all-new original series, Roast Battle Canada

From a media release:

CTV Comedy Channel and Just For Laughs are stepping into the ring together to bring Canadians the all-new original series, ROAST BATTLE CANADA. Based on the format from ViacomCBS International Studios Distribution, the eight, half-hour episode series builds on the success of Bell Media’s French-language version, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL, which is consistently a top-ranking series for Z. The English-language adaption, ROAST BATTLE CANADA, is produced in partnership with Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures and will film later this year.

ROAST BATTLE CANADA sees two pairs of Canadian comics faceoff in each episode, hurling ruthless jokes at each other in hopes of coming out unscathed and crowned the victor by a distinguished panel of judges. Presiding over each episode are megastar comedian Russell Peters; writer, producer, actor, and all-around funny person, Sabrina Jalees (CAROL’S SECOND ACT); and Season 1 ROAST BATTLE semi-finalist, LETTERKENNY’s own K. Trevor Wilson. Actor and comedian Ennis Esmer, slated to appear in the upcoming CTV original series, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, serves as host.

Based on ROAST BATTLE, the U.S. television series created by comedians Jeff Ross and Brian Moses, the original format has also been adapted in Germany, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, and the UK. Each original airing of Bell Media’s successful French-language adaptation, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL has been the most-watched series of the broadcast season for Z.

ROAST BATTLE CANADA is produced by CTV Comedy, in association with Just For Laughs Television and Counterfeit Pictures. Bruce Hills is Executive Producer and also President, Just For Laughs. Anton Leo serves as Executive Producer, along with Dan Bennett and Shane Corkery of Counterfeit Pictures. Comedian Russell Peters also executive produces. The series was directed by Shelagh O’Brien.

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Children Ruin Everything

Aaron Abrams joins CTV original comedy Children Ruin Everything in lead role, with Ennis Esmer and Nazneen Contractor joining cast

From a media release:

CTV, Canada’s most-watched network, together with award-winning independent production company New Metric Media, announced today that Aaron Abrams (BLINDSPOT, HANNIBAL) has been tapped for one of the leading roles in the new half-hour CTV Original comedy CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, joining previously announced lead Meaghan Rath (BEING HUMAN, HAWAII 5-0). In addition, Ennis Esmer (BLINDSPOT, SCHITT’S CREEK) and Nazneen Contractor (RANSOM, HEROES REBORN) have also signed on to join the cast.

Abrams stars as “James”, a supportive and loving husband to Astrid (Rath) and father of two. Positive but anxious, James loves parenting with Astrid but misses the freedom of his pre-kid life. Esmer joins the cast as “Ennis”, James’s co-worker and best friend who wants as few responsibilities as possible, and Contractor plays “Dawn”, Astrid’s successful, blunt, and mildly pretentious sister.

Created by Golden Globe® and Emmy® Award-winner Kurt Smeaton (SCHITT’S CREEK, KIM’S CONVENIENCE), CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING is about living with the worst roommates of all: young children. Astrid (Rath) and James struggle to find a balance between being ‘Mom and Dad’ to two kids, and being who they were before offspring. CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING explores the hilarious and varied ways kids can tear down your life and, if you’re lucky, replace it with something you have to admit is pretty okay, too.

Aaron Abrams has appeared in several regular and reoccurring roles for television including MASTERS OF SEX, THE L.A. COMPLEX, LONGMIRE, THE OATH, ROOKIE BLUE, SLINGS & ARROWS, BLINDSPOT, and HANNIBAL. Winner of a FilmOut award for Best Supporting Actor in the critically acclaimed film Closet Monster, Abrams has also starred in the hit sci-fi film Code 8 and in his award-winning drama Nose To Tail. He has written and produced several films, including The Lovebirds, starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae. Abrams is repped by Buchwald, Luber Roklin Entertainment, and The Characters Talent Agency.

An ACTRA Award and Canadian Comedy Award nominee, Ennis Esmer’s television credits include SCHITT’S CREEK, YOU ME HER, RED OAKS, THE LISTENER, PRIVATE EYES, DARK MATTER, MAN SEEKING WOMAN, LOST GIRL, and most recently he portrayed the billionaire criminal mastermind turned FBI consultant “Rich Dotcom” on the hit series BLINDSPOT. On the silver screen, Esmer can be seen in the indie Clara, which screened at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. Other independent film credits include How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town, Big News From Grand Rock, Dirty Singles, Sex After Kids, and the breakout hit Young People Fucking. Esmer is repped by The Characters Talent Agency and Berwick & Kovacik.

Nazneen Contractor has appeared in many popular television series such as THE BORDER, 24, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, COVERT AFFAIRS, HEROES REBORN, CHICAGO JUSTICE, and the Frank Spotnitz drama RANSOM, as well as voicing the character “Synara San” in STAR WARS RESISTANCE. Nominated for a Golden Nymph Award at the Monte Carlo Television Festival, Contractor also starred as Rima Harewood in the record-breaking Paramount feature film Star Trek Into The Darkness as well as the upcoming film Spiral. Contractor is repped by The Characters Talent Agency, Gersh, and BMK-ENT.

Meaghan Rath is repped by Hess Entertainment, The Kohner Agency, and attorney Jerry Longarzo.

Alongside Smeaton, one of television’s premier comedy writers, Chuck Tatham (MODERN FAMILY, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) joins multiple Canadian Screen Award-winner Mark Montefiore (LETTERKENNY, WHAT WOULD SAL DO?) and Rath as executive producers, with Beth Iley (KILLJOYS) serving as producer.

Bell Media Distribution is the international rights holder for CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, and New Metric Media is the series’ exclusive Sales Agent. The series is produced by New Metric Media in association with CTV, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund.

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Featured

Comments and Queries for the week ending Sept. 25

Hey, I was wanting to know if I can get onto Wipeout Canada? I’m crazy and I am pretty sure I can win the $50,000.–Charles

I hate to be the bearer of bad news Charles, but Wipeout Canada wasn’t renewed by Shaw Media. The hosting crew has moved on to other projects: Ennis Esmer is currently filming a movie How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town, Jessica Phillips was most recently in Swearnet: The Movie and Jonathan Torrens is in the new season of Mr. D.

As someone who may be biased because I’m on team Charlie, I loved the fight on Saving Hope. No, Joel didn’t deserve to be body slammed and pummeled, but Charlie had a ton of emotion built up and I think he just snapped when Reycraft mentioned Joel’s patient was the attacker. I think Joel got a few punches in as well!

I think Charlie just meant he’s happy that he is able to see Alex, not that she’s in a coma. He did save her life (again) because of that ability. I think this season is going to be full of emotions and relationship roller coasters. Just getting started!–Hallie

I personally enjoy watching and learning from Love It Or List It Vancouver. This program has the witty Todd and kind Jillian, who both appear to be knowledgable in their professions. It gives me hope and fulfills in my mind what I would like to happen one day with my older home which I have dreamed of renovating for over 20 years! It is wonderful to see there are reliable contractors and related staff who perform and create beautiful work. The contractors are also funny and proficient which adds to enjoyment of watching and relief of no stress as to how the renovations will inevitably come out. Thank you for those who brought this program to Vancouver.–BonnieFacebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail