From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:
Link: Jason Priestley on his Canada’s Walk of Fame induction
“The 48 episodes we made of Call Me Fitz are the 48 episodes of television that I am most proud of in my entire career. I think that was pretty close to perfection. I’m incredibly proud of that show and what we accomplished on it.” Continue reading.Â
From a media release:
Following a blockbuster first season that averaged over 1 million viewers (Ind. 2+) per episode, Global’s breakout hit and #1 new series of the summer, Private Eyes is renewed for a second season. The series, from leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), has received an impressive 18 episode order, with production set to begin in Toronto this fall.
The Canadian original detective drama follows the P.I. powerhouse duo, Matt Shade (Jason Priestley) and Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson) as they lead Everett Investigations together and test each other both professionally and personally. At the end of Season 1, Angie offers Shade a full and equal partnership in the agency. However, with Shade intent on putting his stamp on Everett Investigations, will Angie live to regret this new arrangement? And will they be able to navigate their complicated – but undeniable – romantic attraction? Only time will tell.
Viewers who missed Season 1, can catch up on Private Eyes on GlobalTV.com and Global Go.
Private Eyes season two is executive produced by John Morayniss and Tecca Crosby for eOne, Shawn Piller and Lloyd Segan for Piller Segan and Jason Priestley.
Private Eyes is produced by eOne in association with Corus Entertainment, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit and the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit.
eOne controls international rights for the series.
From Melissa Hank of O.Canada.com:
Link: Jason Priestley has daddy issues on Raising Expectations
The young actors on Jason Priestley’s new TV show Raising Expectations have no idea who he is.
Well, sure, they know him in the way you’d know your dentist — he’s a guy who gets the job done yet probably hasn’t seen Kylie Jenner’s latest Instagram post that, OMG you guys, is like totes adorbs.
But if you mention the fact that the 46-year-old actor was once Teen Beat cover bait for his role on Beverly Hills, 90210? Someone emulated in hair, clothing and eyebrow lift? Crickets. Continue reading.Â
Republic of Doyle fans rejoice! You’re got a new wise-cracking, sports car driving primetime private investigator to cheer for with Private Eyes, debuting Thursday on Global. Loosely based on the book The Code by Gare Joyce, Jason Priestley is Matt Shade, an ex-professional hockey player who swaps the rink for investigating high-stakes crimes when he teams with P.I. Angie Everett (Cindy Sampson).
“We’ve only sent one person to the hospital during filming,” Sampson says with a laugh during a break in filming. She is, of course referring to Priestley’s tumble off a horse that briefly shut down production last November. The fact he can laugh about the incident shows how comfortable he is with his co-star, something that comes across in the first episode. Private Eyes‘ theme sets the tone for the series; Vancouver’s Dear Rouge have updated the classic Hall & Oates tune for the opening credits, providing a funky, fun feel.
Tuesday’s debut episode of 10 introduces viewers to the main players, when Matt is stunned the minor hockey player he’s been scouting collapses on the ice. Suspicious a fellow player may have had a hand in the incident, Matt joins Angie and they delve into a handful of suspects. Both are headstrong and used to getting their own way, which results in a lot of sniping back and forth. There are, of course, the first hints at some sexual chemistry between the pair, adding another layer to their relationship. Rounding out the cast—and sanding Matt’s rough edges—are Matt’s legally blind daughter, Jules (Jordyn Negri) and father Don (Barry Flatman). Clé Bennett and Ennis Esmer play Det. Derek Nolan and Det. Kurtis Mazhari, who both have dim views of Matt.
“Matt’s plate is pretty full,” Priestley says. “He’s taken over primary custody of Jules, so he’s a guy who is struggling to figure out how his new situation is going to work out in his life. But he’s also trying to figure out this new situation in his life. He’s a guy who’s stuck between these two strong women and trying to figure out a balance.”
Will  there be romance between Angie and Shade? That’s not in the cards … yet.
“We’re not exploring that option at this point,” Sampson says. “There are so many other women and so many other men and the cases to be solved too.”
Private Eyes airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Global.
I’ve seen Jason Priestley guest-star on Spun Out, so I knew he could do comedy. But would he be able to headline a comic project on Family Channel? Indeed he can. As a matter of fact, he’s one of many reasons to tune in to Raising Expectations.
Debuting Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Family Channel, Priestley’s Wayne Wayney plays a somewhat out-of-touch dad alongside wife Paige (Molly Ringwald) and their four “multi-exceptional” children. The fifth kid? Well, not so much. Emmett (Simon Cadel) lacks the academic and physical prowess of his siblings, but has the street smarts to keep everyone grounded. And though the emphasis in the press releases surrounding Raising Expectations plays up Emmett a lot, he doesn’t really come off that much different from his brothers and sister. What does, however, is Priestley’s Wayne. After seeing him play a teen for so long on Beverly Hills 90210, it’s definitely a shock to see him playing a father. Thanks to the writing, he’s a blast.
Created by the same folks behind Todd and the Book of Pure Evil—Episode 2 features Emmett wearing a Crowley High t-shirt—Raising Expectations is a showcase for Priestley’s comic chops (he’s directing some episodes too). Whether he’s wallowing on a couch, feeling badly for lying to his family and drowning his guilt in bags of chips and tubs of ice cream, mistaking Internet trolls for gnomes or doing battle with a sap-filled tree, Wayne is the focus. Taking nothing away from Ringwald or the young cast—who are great too—but the series would be hard to watch with anyone else acting opposite them.
Another mark in Raising Expectations‘ favour? No laugh track. There’s simply no reason to have it when the writing is sharp and the performances are well done.
Raising Expectations airs Sundays at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Family Channel.
