Tag Archives: History

Deadman’s Curse star Adam Palmer talks Season 3 of History Channel series

For 12 seasons on The Curse of Oak Island, brothers Marty and Rick Lagina have been searching for treasure on Nova Scotia’s Oak Island. And while there have been some tantalizing finds discovered, the massive alleged treasure eludes them.

Let’s hope the stars of Deadman’s Curse aren’t still digging for gold over a decade from now. Airing Thursdays on The History Channel, Canada’s West Coast is the setting for this doozy of a docuseries. Mixing action and adventure with Indigenous storytelling, rumour and legend, Deadman’s Curse follows prospector Kru Williams, mountaineer Adam Palmer, Indigenous explorer Taylor Starr and her father, Don Froese, who have worked tirelessly to finally solve the mystery of Slumach’s lost gold mine.

In the first episode of Season 3, Williams and Palmer made a startling discovery, uncovering an old mine. And while what they unearthed wasn’t Slumach’s, it did get the quartet—and viewers—excited.

We spoke to mountaineer Adam Palmer about his ongoing quest.

Before we talk specifically about Season 3, I wanted to compliment the production company, Great Pacific Media. They have created a really compelling series full of action and adventure, along with history and Indigenous storytelling.
Adam Palmer: I’m glad you said that because it is truly, we’ve become a big family and working with perfectionists because that’s what they are. I have a scattered brain of all these maps and stories and leads and clues and evidence, and none of that would make sense if I didn’t have their help to format it in a way where people could understand it. I’m really noticing that when I get approached, it’s people that are watching the show are actually, I feel like they’re involved. And it’s because for that simple reason that it’s formatted in a way where we can bring history, we can bring legend, we can bring storytelling all together and in a way that people can follow it and understand it and learn from it. So that’s been a huge part, and that’s largely due to having a production company that stands behind you and presents your research or your passion in a format where everyone can feel involved and understand it.

You definitely have to put your phone down. There’s no scrolling through TikTok or Instagram or anything, although I did have to hit pause a couple of times just to do a little bit of my own kind of research, some quick Google searches.
AP: Yeah. You’re not the only one that happens to. It’s amazing. And my biggest thing was researching old newspaper articles to get pieces of the puzzle, because there’s not a lot of history that’s recorded back in those days of prospectors going, looking for this mine. And you have to consider everything. This legend takes you down a rabbit hole where you cannot turn a blind eye to anything, anyone, or any place, because it all plays an important piece of the puzzle.

In regard to the Slumach storyline, in particular with Taylor doing the research into the court case … those documents aren’t necessarily there, and even if they are there, they may be wrong when it comes to court documents versus witness statements. So it can be very convoluted and confusing.
AP: It is. There’s a lot of misinformation, and with any legend, you’re going to get people who embellish stories or put their own theories in there. I’ve taken an approach where there are kind of free piles, there’s evidence and facts, and you put that in a pile, and then there’s theories. You put that in a pile, and then there is the chaos pile, that’s all the craziness that you stumble upon. Is it related? Isn’t it related? Is a lost Spanish mine related to the lost gold mine at Pitt Lake? There’s always something in there that is a missing piece of the puzzle, and you slowly put it together. Three seasons of TV is literally like 20 years of research going into this, so it gets a little crazy.

Not only that we’re being shown more and more often that the Indigenous stories tend to be the truth.
AP: Oral history is so strong. I start with the oral history now because it’s a hundred percent proven every single time. I take that oral history, I listen to the elders, I listen to them speak. A hundred percent of the time I’ve found that oral history is proven correct, and I think it’s because it can’t be changed through written words. When someone tells a story and you’re listening, you’ll pick up clues in there that’ll change your life.

In the first episode of Season 3, you’ve got to shut everything down for the winter and come back in the spring. Was there a legitimate fear that people could have gone in that time that you were away and actually discovered the mine?
AP: No. No. You know what? I challenge anyone to try to find that. You think that there are a lot of people out there looking, but the only thing they’re looking at is Google Earth. I would love it if more people were actually out there helping; that would help me so much because they would get through a lot of the dirty work or checking off these areas that I want to check out.

I’m part of a climbing and mountaineering community, and everyone just wants to go to the top of the peak and then back home. No one wants to walk around in circles. No one wants to climb the mountain three or four times. Everyone wants to go up and go down. So it’s one of those things where, yeah, I mean, sure, I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it. But then again, I’m like, you know what? Out of the 20-some plus years that I’ve been searching, I haven’t seen any more incredible search team other than ourselves that is actually putting the time and effort into looking for this.

You need critical thinking skills for research. You kind of almost need to be a history buff, a mountain climber, and a prospector all in one to kind of really get started into this legend.

In the press release it mentions unconventional theories. How much are you allowed to tease what those unconventional theories are?
AP: It’s unconventional theories from unconventional people. People come out and they try to give you their theories and where they think the gold is. And a lot of times to get to the bottom of that, to really investigate that theory, you need tools, you need ways to get in there, you need ways to research it that are not necessarily the norm. This legend doesn’t present itself in a linear format.

Do you find the gold at the end of Season 3?
AP: I found something that’s going to take, if people are paying attention, they’re going to wonder why I was in Utah for these last two weeks. So there are things that are getting a little crazy, and there are things that we researched in Season 1 that we kind of come back to full circle in Season 3. And if the production company is going to film another season, it’s going to show people this. It’s going to change history.

Deadman’s Curse airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. Eastern on The History Channel.

Images courtesy of Corus Studios.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Corus Entertainment’s specialty networks welcome back 16 returning Canadian original series, plus 18 new titles for 2024/25

From a media release:

Today, Corus Entertainment announces its complete slate of Canadian original content to premiere across its specialty networks in 2024/25. The 34 new and returning titles include new seasons from HGTV Canada‘s most trusted home and design experts, new challenges from Food Network Canada‘s best competition series, new points of view from The HISTORY Channel®‘s thoughtful docu-series and documentaries, and a fresh take on romantic comedy made-for-TV movies on W Network, plus new and beloved animated characters from Nelvana on TreehouseYTV and Cartoon Network, appealing to families and kids of all ages. In total, Corus will deliver more than 295 episodes, movies, and specials, including 18 brand-new titles.

“Corus maintains its leadership position within the Canadian original lifestyle and factual space with our schedule of new and returning titles. With our proven formats, top-tier stars, and premium storytelling, we deliver what Canadian audiences want to see across our expansive specialty portfolio,” said Rachel Nelson, Vice President of Original Programming and Head of Corus Studios. “As our industry landscape evolves it’s more important than ever to share Canadian stories as told by Canadian voices, and we believe that this lineup delivers just that.”

Additional Corus content announcements were made this morning, including updates on new pickups for Corus’ specialty networks. For the latest updates, visit www.corusent.com.

HGTV CANADA

Canada’s #1 Lifestyle network*, HGTV Canada continues to be the home of real estate, renovation, and interior design. With four new Canadian Original series and eight returning, the network offers endless inspiration and education to audiences this upcoming broadcast year.

The Baeumlers are back as Bryan and Sarah start production on their new docu-follow series, Building Baeumler. In it, viewers will catch up with the couple as they navigate work and life following the successful launch of their Bahamas resort. Bryan and Sarah are determined to expand their evolving business and find their next big thing together. From surprising projects on the island to personal projects close to home – the Baeumlers offer an intimate look at their lives as they grow their individual and family ventures.

HGTV Canada introduces audiences to DIY designer, Kristen Coutts, in the new series Beer Budget Reno (working title). Filming this summer and casting now, Kristen delivers life-changing renos for people on a budget using money-saving hacks that transform outdated spaces into something fresh and functional. Also, in production for HGTV Canada, Rentovation helps long-term leasers upgrade and personalize their space. The new series shares innovative solutions and clever designs that provide forever-home vibes and stunning transformations. This fall, luxury designer Ali Budd delivers high-end reveals and big-budget renovations in House of Ali, Season 1.

The network’s most anticipated original series return this fall with back-to-back premieres. Fan-favourites, Sebastian Clovis and Randy Spracklin bring heart, community, and tough renovations in Season 2 of Gut Job and Season 3 of Rock Solid Builds. The ensemble cast of Hoarder House Flippers, Season 2, take on new challenges with Mactar, Issa, and Khadim Mbaye in Montreal, Heather and Nathan Porteous in Winnipeg, and a new set of flippers, Deidre Ritsche and Stephanie Bradt, from Windsor. Brother-sister duo, Billy Pearson and Carolyn Wilbrink, bring modern design to dated properties in Season 3 of Farmhouse Facelift, while the Scott Brothers return with new episodes of Don’t Hate Your House, Season 1. Canadian icon Pamela Anderson is back this winter and building on her terms in Season 2 of Pamela’s Garden of Eden. While this spring, Scott McGillivray and Debra Salmoni return for Season 6 of Scott’s Vacation House Rules, and Scott teams up with Bryan Baeumler again in Season 2 of the Top 20 specialty entertainment program, Renovation Resort.**

Launching today, HGTV Canada Hotline is here to help. The weekly digital series, available through HGTV Canada’s social media platforms and hgtv.ca, offers how-to advice from Canada’s home authority. The brand’s creators – experts in a diverse range of fields – answer viewer on topics big and small – from DIY projects, to organizational hacks, to financial real estate advice.

FOOD NETWORK CANADA

Canada’s #2 Lifestyle network*, Food Network Canada, features big stars, big eats, and big challenges in 2024/2025. The Top 10 specialty entertainment program***, Top Chef Canada returns for an epic Season 11 this fall with host Eden Grinshpan, judges Chef Mark McEwanMijune PakDavid Zilber, and Janet Zuccarini, and 10 all-new chef competitors from across Canada. Hollywood star, Pamela Anderson is joined in the kitchen by renowned chefs as she explores her passion for plant-based food and sets the table for intimate dinner parties with her friends and family in Pamela’s Cooking with Love, premiering next year. The Big Bake and Great Chocolate Showdown both return with new episodes this upcoming broadcast year, and Noah Cappe is back in Season 10 of Carnival Eats.

THE HISTORY CHANNEL

The HISTORY® Channel, a Top 10 specialty network* and destination for behind-the-scenes storytelling, premieres five new Canadian Original titles in 2024/2025. Brand-new series Yukon Rescue follows emergency response teams in Canada’s rugged north as they navigate extreme weather conditions, structure fires, avalanches, flash floods, spreading wildfires, and more to keep their communities safe.

The four-part documentary, Sounds Black, traces the origins and impact of Black Music in Canada. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Cazhhmere, with contributions from luminaries such as Kardinal OffishallJully BlackFefe DobsonMaestro Fresh WesDeborah CoxKeisha Chante and more, the series explores Black Canadian music from its tangled diasporic roots to its international dominance. Kru Williams and Adam Palmer‘s adrenaline-fueled hunt for gold and Taylor Starr and father Don Froese‘s search for truth continue in Season 2 of Deadman’s Curse premiering this fall. Then, MikeConnor, and Avery are back at the wheel in Season 5 of Rust Valley Restorers. The network delves into the paranormal with Season 1 of Repossessed, featuring a team dedicated to finding and authenticating haunted objects and intervening when the spirit won’t let go.

W NETWORK

Another Top 10 specialty network*, W Network is known for its popular offering of romantic made-for-TV movies, and starting to rollout early 2025 is the next chapter in The Love Club movie franchise, The Love Club Moms. The four-part original movie franchise, produced by Nikki Ray Media Agency, follows the romantic lives of four strong, successful women – Ashley Newbrough (Love in Glacier National: A National Park Romance), Rebecca Dalton (Nurses), Genelle Williams (Family Law), and Nazneen Contractor (Children Ruin Everything) – as they juggle motherhood with trying to find their happily ever after. The Love Club Moms also stars Ryan Bruce (Let Him Go), Corey Sevier (Take Me Back For Christmas), Mark Taylor (Beyond Black Beauty), and Joseph Cannata (A Perfect Match).

KIDS

CARTOON NETWORK

Nelvana’s award-winning short film Jelly will be making its official primetime debut this September on Cartoon Network. An inspirational modern fairy tale, Jelly explores the delicate balance between pursuing one’s passion of expressive art versus treading the financially murky waters of a soul-sucking factory job.

TREEHOUSE

Treehouse, the #1 overall Kids Specialty network with K2-11 and K2-5****, this Fall welcomes the much talked about and eagerly-awaited new series, Barney’s World, co-produced by Mattel Television and Nelvana. The CG-animated series is set in the local playground, where Barney is joined by dinos Billy and Baby Bop and their three kid best friends. Throughout silly and imaginative adventures together, Barney helps kids explore big preschool emotions and shows them how to love themselves, others, and their community.

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go! continues to delight kids with Season 28 pulling into Treehouse this year, plus a brand new one-hour holiday special, Thomas & Friends: “The Christmas Letter Express” All Engines Go!, where Percy rushes to deliver a letter so the child’s Christmas Wish comes true.

Coming later this year to Treehouse is Millie Magnificent from Nelvana, inspired by the best-selling books by Ashley Spires and Nelvana’s award-winning short film The Most Magnificent ThingMillie Magnificent follows avid creator, problem-solver, and innovator Millie Sparks. With a load of determination and spark of imagination, Millie and her ‘creato-crew’ – best friends Ben and Maya and Millie’s adorable dog Wallace – strive to find the most magnificent solutions to their neighborhood’s challenges.

Also this fall, new episodes of Builder Brother’s Dream Factory GEAR UP and GET IT DONE on Treehouse. See more of twin brothers, Drew and Jonathan, a pair of regular kids who use their extraordinary imagination, creativity, grit and heart to help friends and solve problems by dreaming big – really big – sometimes too big! Vida The Vet™, produced by Spin Master Entertainment, also returns with new episodes, following ten-year-old Vida, an animal doctor who nurtures the charming and silly woodland creatures who live outside her home.

YTV

Zokie of Planet Ruby premieres this Fall on YTV, the #1 Commercial Kids Specialty network with K6-11.***** Ruby Studebaker and her alien BFF Zokie Sparkleby film their adventures around the town of Tres Leches. Along with their con-man friend Earl the squirrel, Ruby teaches Zokie about Earth, while Zokie tries to control his unpredictable alien powers.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Preview: History’s Our War combines genealogy with war veteran stories

I’m a huge fan of genealogy series. Whether it’s Who Do You Think You Are? or Finding Your Roots, I can’t get enough of the tales of family from peoples’ pasts. I was excited to learn more about Lark Productions’ latest, Our War, which follows the descendants of Canadian war veterans as they learn what their family members did during the First and Second World Wars. Many stories have been forgotten; even more, have never been told.

Debuting Friday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on History Channel, the four-part Our War is a real-life genealogical investigation that reveals the past through a younger generation.

In the first installment, we follow Stephanie Watts, who is on a mission to learn more about her great-great-grandfather Samuel. Other than some scant information about him serving as an Army band member in the First World War and some photos, his life, and his role in the war are a blank. The quest begins in Calgary, where Stephanie, who is Caucasian, reflects on learning, as a child, that Samuel was Black. Then it’s off to learn more about a missing Memorial Plaque, also known as a “Death Penny,” in his name and given to families of those killed in the First World War. With help from Militaria Auctioneer Linda Baggaley and War Memorabilia dealer Marvin Taylor, Stephanie learns the story of the Death Penny and how rare they are.

Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, Chris Black is looking for some answers of his own. His grandfather, Edward Walter Drost, was injured in Anzio while fighting in Italy during the Second World War. One of Chris’ last conversations with his grandfather has led Chris on a quest to learn more about a word Edward uttered: Camino.

Then it’s back to Stephanie, who learns Samuel’s birthplace, and the circumstances he grew up in before coming to Canada on the promise of land in the Prairies from history teacher Christian Mbanza (above right, with Stephanie). It’s fascinating to learn about Canada circa 1907, when Samuel arrived in small-town Alberta, determined to make a go of it and to see Stephanie’s reaction when she’s presented with documents she’s never seen.

In the second episode, airing Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT, a teenage descendant of legendary Onondaga runner Tom Longboat learns of his ancestor’s valiant, yet little-known, actions during the First World War.

Our War is an incredible, and exciting way, of telling the stories of these Canadian heroes. Fingers crossed there is another season of Our War to come next year.

Our War airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on History Channel.

Image courtesy of Lark Productions.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Preview: Big Timber lumbers into Season 3

Like watching truckers navigate icy road conditions on the West Coast of Canada and Southern Ontario, viewers love to watch people fell trees. From Mud Mountain Haulers to A Cut Above, the genre continues to be popular. Hence Season 3 of Big Timber.

Kicking off on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on History, Big Timber once again tags along behind logger Kevin Wenstob and his team of family and staff as they work deep in the heart of Vancouver Island. As in past seasons, rising costs and debt threaten to derail Kevin and his crew. And, like Season 2, cameras capture Kevin as he takes to the water to collect valuable timber for his mill.

The hook this time? Kevin reacting to the ever-evolving industry by spending $1 million to purchase a huge saw, expand his dock at Hook Bay and experiment with a new way of salvaging logs. And with the price of wood at an all-time high—cedar in particular—you’d think all would be gravy. Not so. Deadlines and weather have a way of ruining Kevin’s day, and there are many moments in Episode 1 where Kevin is unhappy.

As much as I love the time spent at the mill or on the water, my favourite part of Big Timber is up on the claim in the Vancouver Island range, where Coleman, Kevin, Tom (and, in Episode 1, veteran logger Luke) are in their element cutting, sorting and shipping lumber down the hillside. With logs past the point the grappler arm can reach, Coleman and Luke utilize a choker, a thick wire used to haul logs closer to the road. As usual, errant branches, a steep hillside and slippery conditions are a recipe for twisted ankles or broken limbs. It’s dangerous and fun to watch.

Big Timber airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on History.

Image courtesy of Corus.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Preview: History Channel goes hunting for gold in Deadman’s Curse

Growing up, I loved to read about treasure. It was in a copy of Children’s Digest that I first learned about Oak Island and the supposed treasure buried there. (They’re still looking for it on that other History Channel show.) I’m still fascinated by these tales of lost loot, and the people who search for them. And History Channel’s latest is a doozy.

Deadman’s Curse, debuting Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on History Channel, follows a quartet determined to find gold in Pitt Lake, B.C., despite the supposed curse associated with it. In the first of eight episodes, prospector Kru Williams, mountaineer Adam Palmer, Indigenous explorer Taylor Starr and her father, Don Froese, recall the legend of Slumach’s lost gold mine.

The story goes that Slumach, an elderly Katzie First Nations man, died on the gallows in New Westminster in January of 1891. Before he died, Slumach is alleged to have uttered the words, “Nika memloose, mine memloose,” or “When I die, the mine dies.” For over 100 years, many have tried to find the mine, to no avail. Well, that’s not quite true. According to Walter Jackson, he discovered the mine in 1901 and, weighed down with too much gold to carry, buried it. Jackson died after returning home, but not before writing a letter to a friend with clues to the spot he buried the gold. It’s gone undiscovered ever since.

My biggest beef with series like these is they’re packed with stories, conjecture and assumptions, and frustratingly light on actual discoveries. Deadman’s Curse begins with plenty of backstory and research done by Kru and Adam sufficient to pique my interest, especially when Adam seems to have a line on a copy of Jackson’s letter. Meanwhile, Taylor does research into Slumach, who he was, and why he was hung. These two storylines are compelling, and really add legitimacy to Deadman’s Curse and what the producers are trying to achieve.

And, by the time the first 44 minutes are complete, enough information has been unearthed for the group—and me, the viewer—to continue the quest.

Deadman’s Curse airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on History Channel.

Image courtesy of Corus.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail