Tag Archives: Shelved

Shelved

Shelved, Season 1

From Noel Ransome of the Canadian Press:

Link: ‘Shelved’ is a sitcom that shows a deep love for public libraries
When Toronto’s Lyndie Greenwood received the script material for CTV’s library-based comedy “Shelved” more than a year ago, she was living in California and prepared to say goodbye to her acting career. Continue reading.

From Aisling Murphy of The Record:

Link: ‘This is the Toronto I want to be a part of’: How ‘The Office’ alum Anthony Q. Farrell made a TV show about a Parkdale library
“I’m interested in people who have differences of opinion, people who come from different sides of the tracks. I want to look at places where stories come and the library is one of those places for me. The people who walk through that door are always interesting.” Continue reading.

From Kevin Bourne of Shifter:

Link: Shelved is a comedic look at classism and diversity in Toronto
As the premiere begins, it immediately feels like more like an independent theatre production than a show on a major network. This creates a sense of community and intimacy; not only among the characters, but also with viewers. Continue reading.

From Michelle Dorey Forestell of The Kingstonist:

Link: Hometown ‘nerd’ Chris Sandiford stars in CTV’s ‘Shelved’
Chris Sandiford isn’t just a nerd. He plays one on television. And he learned all of his nerdiness right here in Kingston. Continue reading.

From Melody McCune of Geek Girl Authority:

Link: Taylor Love Talks Getting Her Funny On in SHELVED
“Sheila is very funny, but she’s far more grounded because she’s dealing with so much. She’s mature. She’s almost a straight woman without sounding too boring, [even though] she’s not boring at all. I think a lot of people will see themselves in her.” Continue reading.

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Featured, Podcast

TV, Eh? Podcast Episode 259: Sullivan’s Crossing set to debut on CTV, no more The Porter on CBC and CSAs, Part 1

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Welcome back to another bi-weekly chat about the latest news in Canadian TV! First, Greg and Amy go through debuts and returns on the Canadian TV calendar.

Then, we cover the latest Canadian TV news, which includes the cancellation of CBC’s The Porter, Sullivan’s Crossing to debut on CTV, more Skymed for CBC, a development deal for Priyanka, and Part 1 of our discussion about the Canadian Screen Awards, focusing on Best Drama and Best Comedy.

This podcast brought to you by Black Bottle Blended Scotch Whisky and Pelee Island Monarch Vidal.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Featured, Podcast

TV, Eh? Podcast Episode 258: Pretty Hard Cases cancelled, Shelved set to debut and more Pamela Anderson

Welcome back to another bi-weekly chat about the latest news in Canadian TV! First, Greg and Amy go through debuts and returns on the Canadian TV calendar.

Then, we cover the latest Canadian TV news, which includes the cancellation of CBC’s Pretty Hard Cases, Shelved to debut on CTV, Corus wants more Pamela Anderson, and another season of Shoresy on Crave.

This podcast brought to you by Tails Cocktails and McKeown Cider.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Shelved

Shhh Happens: New CTV original comedy Shelved premieres March 6 on CTV

From a media release:

Stacks of laughs are ahead as new CTV Original comedy SHELVED joins the network’s midseason schedule, airing Mondays at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app beginning March 6. Created and executive produced by Playback magazine’s 2021 Showrunner of the Year recipient Anthony Q. Farrell (THE OFFICE), SHELVED follows the eclectic staff and eccentric patrons in the underfunded Jameson branch of the Metropolitan Public Library. Filmed in Toronto, the first season of the single-camera comedy consists of eight half-hour episodes.

In SHELVED, Jameson Library has seen better days. While it’s often overlooked by head office, Wendy Yarmouth (Lyndie Greenwood, THE EXPANSE), the Branch Head, is constantly aiming to provide services for the community despite bureaucracy, underfunding, and a lack of resources. Alongside her unconventional staff, including Junior Librarian Jacqueline “Jaq” Bedard (Dakota Ray Hebert, Run Woman Run), Librarian Howard Tutt (Chris Sandiford, WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS), and Senior Librarian and Assistant Branch Head Bryce deLaurel (Paul Braunstein, BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW) – who all have differing opinions on how to run the library – Wendy finds a way to give back to her community and create a “found family.”

Joining the cast in supporting roles are Robin Duke (SCHITT’S CREEK) as Wendy “Unhoused Wendy” Brown, a regular library patron and self-described “wackadoo”; Taylor Love (MOST DANGEROUS GAME) as Sheila Boyd, a caring community leader and law student working part time at the Settlement Desk; and Varun Saranga (WYNNONA EARP) as Alvin Canada, an entrepreneur and freelance business consultant, who uses the library study room as his office, much to the irritation of the other patrons.

On the series premiere of SHELVED, titled “Jane Eyre FICTION BRO” (Monday, March 6 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app), replacement computers arrive for the Jameson Library, but Branch Head Wendy Yarmouth (Lyndie Greenwood) is upset that they got old hand-me-downs. She launches a plan to get her library the computers it deserves. Meanwhile, Howard Tutt (Chris Sandiford) arrives at Jameson and is shaken to find it falls far below his expectations – including the staff, consisting of Assistant Branch Head Bryce (Paul Braunstein) and Junior Librarian Jaq (Dakota Ray Hebert). When Howard gives Wendy an important piece of information, he inadvertently seals his fate at Jameson.

Exclusive videos are available throughout the season on @CTV’s social channels and on CTV.ca and the CTV app, providing viewers with an extension of the series with bonus digital content.

Alongside Anthony Q. Farrell, SHELVED is executive produced by Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery, and Anton Leo of Counterfeit Pictures. Jay Vaidya serves as co-executive producer, Sadiya Durrani as co-producer, and Colin Brunton produces. Aleysa Young (THE KIDS IN THE HALL, RUN THE BURBS) serves as executive producer and pilot director. Additional directors for SHELVED’s first season include Cory Bowles, Joyce Wong, Cazhhmere Downey, and Samantha MacAdam.

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Industry News

Comedy veteran Zoe Rabnett joins Counterfeit Pictures as Director of Talent and Comedy Development

From a media release:

Counterfeit Pictures is thrilled to announce today that the Toronto-based production company specializing in scripted and non-scripted television comedy projects has hired Zoe Rabnett as Director of Talent and Comedy Development, effective immediately. Rabnett, a mainstay of Canada’s comedy scene, recently wrapped up her long-held position with Montreal’s Just For Laughs as Director of Canadian and International Programming. She previously held positions at Diamondfield Entertainment, where she produced and booked the Rivoli’s famed ALTdot COMedy Lounge for 10 years.

While at Just For Laughs, Rabnett was responsible for finding and booking comedy talent from Canada and around the world for the prestigious festival, as well as for the organization’s tours and TV specials. It was in this capacity that she first collaborated with the Counterfeit Pictures team, acting as a producer on Counterfeit/Just For Laughs co-productions of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy), Comedy Night With Rick Mercer (CBC), The Stand Up Show (CTV Comedy), and a variety of stand up specials for Crave.

Counterfeit Pictures was established in 2013 by partners Anton Leo, Shane Corkery, and Dan Bennett, who rallied together around the goal of amplifying and creating platforms for Canadian comic talent. The company’s past projects include the award-winning Sunnyside (CityTV/FX Canada), Dark Cargo (YouTube Premium) and the mockumentary Decoys (CBC Gem). Counterfeit is also currently in post- production on the new scripted half-hour comedy SHELVED for CTV, created by award-winning showrunner Anthony Q. Farrell (Overlord and the Underwoods, The Office) and slated to premiere in 2023.

About Zoe Rabnett
Zoe knows and loves Canadian comedy. As a junior agent right out of university at Diamondfield Entertainment, she learned about representing comedians for commercial, television and film work. At the same time, she began producing live shows, booking, and running the weekly ALTdot COMedy Lounge at The Rivoli in Toronto for 10 years. Prior to Counterfeit, in her position as Director of Canadian & International Programming at Just For Laughs, Zoe was responsible for finding and booking the best comedy talents from across Canada and from around the world. Scouting talent year-round, Zoe programmed countless festivals, tours, and TV productions. The scope of her scouting was enormous, and included cross-Canada showcases yearly as well as internationally, at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In the past two years, she assembled and worked with hundreds of comedians to create more than 25 audio albums under the Just For Laughs Originals label. She has been a producer on the Counterfeit / Just For Laughs co-productions of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy), Comedy Night with Rick Mercer (CBC), The Stand Up Show (CTV Comedy) and a variety of stand-up specials for Crave. Zoe’s passion and enthusiasm for Canadian comedy is her focus as she seeks out unique and funny voices to collaborate with.

About Counterfeit Pictures
Counterfeit Pictures was established by Anton Leo, Shane Corkery and Dan Bennett. Their credits include the award-winning Sunnyside (CityTV/FX Canada), Dark Cargo (YouTube Premium) and the mockumentary Decoys (CBC Gem). They have also produced, in association with Just For Laughs, six stand-up comedy specials, including Mark Forward Wins All the Awards and Debra Digiovanni: Here’s the Thing (Crave). Most recently, they co-produced a new season of The Stand-up Show with Jon Dore (CTV Comedy), three seasons of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy) and Comedy Night with Rick Mercer (CBC). They are currently in post-production on Shelved from creator Anthony Q Farrell (CTV).

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