Tag Archives: Spun Out

Featured, Spun Out

Review: Russell Peters highlights Spun Out’s return

Better late than never. Five months after Spun Out was supposed to debut on CTV immediately following the Super Bowl, Dave Foley’s Canadian sitcom returned to the air. There’s been a lot written about the reason for the delay—co-star J.P. Manoux’s arrest—and the resulting burn-off of the sophomore sitcom over the summer months that was announced just two days ago.

Manoux grabbed a lot of headlines, but changes occurred on the show too. The first season was filmed in front of a live audience, but this second go-round jettisoned that. With a new way of filming and high-profile guest star Russell Peters dropping by, how did Episode 1 of Season 2 of Spun Out fare?

Written by Fraser Young and Nick Beaton and directed by Dave Foley, Peters brought great energy to “My Brother’s Speaker,” playing Ray, Nelson’s (Al Mukadam) DJ brother.

It didn’t take long to discern there was no love lost between Ray and Beckett (Paul Campbell) thanks to an arm bar and a chirp about living in your parents’ basement (“Remember your parents basement from this morning because you just left there because you still live there?”). But rather than fall back on an easy back-and-forth, episode long feud between Ray and Beckett, it was Nelson who ended up angry with Ray after he’d arranged for a DJ showcase and Ray didn’t bother to show up. The reason? Not because Ray was a jerk, but because he had a day job he was ashamed of.

Holly Deveaux—who I really enjoyed in Season 1—was given a lot more to do as Abby on Tuesday night, fully involved in a storyline where she and Stephanie (Rebecca Dalton) thought they were being hustled at poker by Bryce (Manoux) and Gordon (Darcy Michael). Stephanie was a portrayed as a vacuous blonde in Season 1 and it looks like the writers have backed off on that a bit, which is a welcome change. (Michael continues to be a bright spot too; his out-there comments as Gordon always make me laugh, though I wonder what skills he has to stay employed at DLPR.)

My biggest pet peeve about this new season of Spun Out is going to be the canned laugh track. Rather than just letting the jokes stand on their own merit, punchlines are juiced in post, something I hate because it assumes the audience doesn’t know when to laugh. Spun Out certainly isn’t the first show to do this, but I don’t think it’s needed.

What did you guys think? Comment below or via @tv_eh.

Spun Out airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV.

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Spun Out

Spun Out returns Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on CTV beginning July 14

From a media release:

– Comedian Russell Peters guest stars as Nelson’s DJ-ing brother in season premiere –

– Dave Foley back as boss to lead exceptional ensemble cast –

– SPUN OUT Season 1 received impressive four CSA nominations –

CTV’s original Canadian comedy series SPUN OUT returnsTuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and CTV GO, beginning tomorrow, July 14, with guest star Russell Peters, it was confirmed today. The gang from DLPR resume their adventures in public relations, setting the tone for a new season full of laughs. The series will encore Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CTV Two and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The Comedy Network and can be found on demand on CTV.ca and CTV GO. Additionally, Season 1 will begin streaming Wednesday, July 15 on CraveTV™, while subscribers can also watch Season 2 episodes one day ahead of their CTV premiere with CraveTV’s “first look” for Canadian series, beginning with Episode 2.

SPUN OUT centres on Dave Lyons (Dave Foley, KIDS IN THE HALL), the head of an established PR firm, staffed with people who can spin everyone’s problems but their own. New this season, Beckett (Paul Campbell, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) tries to execute the perfect casual relationship with a documentary filmmaker, Dave goes head to head with his ex-wife from a rival PR firm, and Stephanie (Rebecca Dalton, THE L.A. COMPLEX) must work with an old sorority sister whose oversized yoga line, “Blue Whale,” lands her in hot water.

In the Season 2 premiere of SPUN OUT, entitled “My Brother’s Speaker” (Tuesday, July 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), when Nelson’s (Al Mukadam) DJ-ing brother Ray (Red, White, and Brown) stops by, Nelson plans a big industry showcase for him. Ray shows up hours late, and Nelson learns his brother’s true passion may not be music at all. Beckett is over the moon when Dave wants to spend time with him outside of work, but there’s more to Dave’s motives than meets the eye. Stephanie and Abby (Holly Deveaux) plan a poker night with Gordon (Darcy Michael) and Bryce (J.P. Manoux), but when the guys end up winning, the girls think they’ve been hustled.

 

 

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Industry News

Project 10 lands comedic development deals with Bell Media

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From a media release:

– Cobie Smulders & Paul Campbell partner on Beyond Repair –

– Stand-up comedian Darcy Michael pens series based on his life in Darcy –

Project 10 has inked development deals for two comedies at Bell Media, Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek) announced today. Creators Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.; Results; The Avengers) and Paul Campbell (Spun Out; Battlestar Galactica) are developing Beyond Repair while stand-up comedian Darcy Michael (Spun Out) and Carl Johann are collaborating on the family sitcom Darcy. Project 10 is currently looking for U.S. and international partners for both series.

Beyond Repair, a single camera comedy, tells the heartwarming and hilarious story of Nick Barrett, a charming and handsome but out-of-work actor, and Kevin, the son Nick never knew he had. When Kevin shows up on Nick’s doorstep in need of a place to live, perpetual man-child Nick must accept a position as the superintendent of the apartment building his father owns to make ends meet. Faced with “parenting” his nerdy, virgin son, Nick finally starts to grow up. In addition to co-writing the series, Paul Campbell is attached to play the role of Nick.

Darcy is a multi-cam family sitcom that follows two working class dads as they struggle with marriage, children, and money problems. Based on the sidesplitting stand up comedy and real life of comedian Darcy Michael, the series centres on the Mason Family – husbands Darcy and Jeremy, their 15 year-old daughter Grace, six year-old son Bruno, and their extended (sometimes uninvited) family Jane and Carl. Michael is attached to play the lead.

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Featured, Saving Hope, Spun Out

CTV’s unwavering support for Saving Hope, Spun Out’s future still uncertain

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CTV is happy with Saving Hope. So much so when executives from Bell Media jetted to Los Angeles to purchase American acquisitions, the one untouchable timeslot was Thursdays at 9 p.m.

“We wanted to plant a flag that on the biggest night of the week in the home run timeslot of that night, Saving Hope is not only our choice but is going to compete for the No. 1 spot every week,” says Mike Cosentino, senior vice-president of programming for CTV Networks and CraveTV. “We think this is a great opportunity for Saving Hope.” The broadcast veteran notes there a big stories headed viewers’ way in Season 4, which began production on 18 episodes in and around Toronto.

Appearing in recurring roles are Kim Shaw (The Good Wife) as Dr. Cassie Williams, a book smart intern learning how to practice medicine, not just read about it; and Max Bennett (Anna Karenina) as Dr. Patrick Curtis, a surgical fellow who has been filling in during Alex’s mat leave. Travis Milne (Rookie Blue) appears in a four-episode arc. Repeats of Hope will air Saturdays at 10 p.m. on CTV.

CTV and CTV Two’s 2015-16 broadcast schedules were announced Thursday morning in Toronto, with the Erica Durance/Michael Shanks drama, newsmagazine W5, culinary competition MasterChef Canada and crime drama Motive all being part of the mix. Those last two join CTV’s midseason schedule.

Saturdays on CTV Two, meanwhile, boast old instalments of The Listener, Flashpoint and Motive, a move Cosentino says offers new viewers a chance to catch up on the crime trio.

One series absent from either schedule was the second season of Dave Foley’s sitcom, Spun Out. Plans to launch the laffer this past March after a high-profile return following the Super Bowl was scuttled when co-star J.P. Manoux was charged with voyeurism following an incident in the Toronto condo he rented during filming. The series remains in programming purgatory until the case is sorted out.

“We said it then and we’re still in the same place,” Cosentino says. “We’re holding off on our decision until we can get more information. As to whether it will make air or not is to be continued at the moment.”

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Spun Out

CTV’s Spun Out begins Season 2 production

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From a media release:

–Russell Peters to make guest appearance during Season 2–

CTV, in association with Project 10 Productions, announced today that production is now underway in Toronto on 13 new episodes of last season’s most-watched Canadian scripted comedy, SPUN OUT. A 2014 Directors Guild of Canada Award-nominee for Best Comedy TV Series, the hilarious comedy follows the ups and downs of a public relations agency staffed with people who can spin everyone’s problems but their own. Headlined by Dave Foley, the complete returning ensemble cast for Season 2 of SPUN OUT features Paul Campbell, Al Mukadam, Rebecca Dalton, J.P. Manoux , Darcy Michael, and Holly Deveaux. Shooting at Toronto’s Pinewood Studios through December, SPUN OUT will premiere in 2015 on CTV.

“With exceedingly talented cast, a fantastic writing room, and pedigreed producers, we look forward to seeing how SPUN OUT grows in its second season,” said Phil King, President – CTV, Sports, an‎d Entertainment Programming.

One of the biggest names in comedy, Gemini Award-winning comedian Russell Peters (RUSSELL PETERS: NOTORIOUS) is confirmed to make a stop by the DLPR office during Season 2. Also confirmed to date are up-and-coming actresses Ellen Wong (THE CARRIE DIARIES) and Ingrid Haas (CHELSEA LATELY).

With series stars Dave Foley set to direct two episodes and co-star J.P. Manoux also confirmed to direct an episode, Season 2 of SPUN OUT brings a whole new set of adventures for the DLPR gang. Beckett tries to execute the perfect “business bang” with a trusted journalist, Nelson questions his ability to keep up on trends, and Dave goes head to head with his ex-wife from a rival PR firm. Also in store this season, Gordon gets trapped in an elevator, Bryce develops an internet addiction, Stephanie realizes Abby is a conversation ninja and exploits it by making her a brand influencer, and after a night of debauchery, the team goes on the hunt for a missing Dave.

SPUN OUT is produced by Project 10 Productions in association with CTV. Gemini Award winners Jeff Biederman (LIFE WITH DEREK, OVERRULED!) and Brent Piaskoski (ACCORDING TO JIM, RADIO FREE ROSCOE) are co-creators, writers, and executive producers. Brian K. Roberts (EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, THE DREW CAREY SHOW) is co-creator, director, and executive producer. Andrew Barnsley (SPORTS ON FIRE) and Dave Foley are executive producers, and Colin Brunton (PUPPETS WHO KILL) is producer.

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