Tag Archives: W Network

Former Major League Baseball player Chris Leroux stars on The Bachelor Canada

From a media release:

Get ready to fall in love, Canada! Our country’s bachelor is looking for someone to steal his bases – and his heart. A recently retired Major League Baseball player from Mississauga, ON, Chris Leroux searches for true love when 20 beautiful bachelorettes vie for his heart on W Network’s The Bachelor Canada debuting this fall. Canadian Screen Award nominated television personality and actor Noah Cappe (Carnival Eats, Good Witch) returns as trusted confidant and host of the series. Following each episode, The Bachelor Canada After Show will dish out all the details with returning host and Q107 personality Jennifer Valentyne.

Thirty-three-year-old Leroux grew up with strong family values and an ingrained passion for sports. Introduced to baseball at a young age, Leroux’s hard work and perseverance paid off when he fulfilled his dream of playing Major League Baseball. Throughout his career he has played for the New York Yankees, Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. Leroux’s success is matched by his kindness, loyalty and sense of humour, and now he’s looking for someone to share his laidback lifestyle and adventurous spirit with as he enters the next chapter of his life.

In the Canadian version of this smash-hit, romance reality series, Canada’s most eligible bachelor is in search of the woman of his dreams – and hopefully his bride-to-be. The Canadian bachelor will search for love as 20 women do whatever it takes to win his heart. The women compete for the bachelor’s affection via individual and group dates involving romantic encounters and exciting adventures. As the bachelor narrows the field and the number of women dwindles, romance and tensions will rise. Ultimately, he will choose the one woman with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life.

The Bachelor Canada is produced by Good Human Productions Inc.

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W Network lifts the veil on Jillian Harris’ life in Canadian original Jillian & Justin

From a media release:

For years, fans have followed notable interior designer and host of Love It Or List It Vancouver Jillian Harris’ personal and professional journey on television and social media. W Network now brings audiences a raw, insider’s look into her and partner Justin Pasutto’s biggest life challenges with the four-part docu-series Jillian & Justin, premiering June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The Canadian original program follows the couple as they tackle the challenges of first-time parenthood and building their forever home, while meeting the demands of their careers and relationship.

Jillian & Justin provides an authentic and revealing look at the couple and their dramatic new life in Kelowna, B.C. As Jillian juggles her jam-packed schedule and Justin tries to launch a new career to support their growing family, they’re also in the midst of a major home renovation and adjusting to life with a newborn. The special docu-series also unveils many firsts for Jillian, including the birth of her first child, buying and rebuilding a teardown home, and starting new business ventures on top of her already-busy television career.

In the series premiere, the couple prepare themselves for the arrival of their first child together and their new roles as parents. Between doctor’s appointments, an over-the-top surprise baby shower, preparing their house for a newborn, and continuing to work right up until her due date, Jillian attempts to do it all. Meanwhile, Justin ends up in a frightening accident and then receives some shocking news as he prepares their new home for a massive renovation, throwing their lives into complete chaos.

Jillian & Justin is created and produced by Big Coat Media in association with HGTV Canada.

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W Network’s Hockey Wives expands in dramatic third season

I’m constantly fascinated by Hockey Wives. The unscripted series, returning for a third season on W Network on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT, follows the wives and girlfriends of professional hockey players. With that description alone, you’d think the ongoing series wouldn’t be worth your time. But I can’t stay away.

Unlike other series on W Network with a similar setup, these ladies are real housewives. And mothers. And entrepreneurs. They keep down roots in a city, often with children, while their partner plays hockey in North America or around the world. Hockey Wives is a peek at the emotional toll that takes on them. Often with time zones apart and FaceTime as the only way to connect, these women often lead a singular existence while their loved one is surrounded by a team. There are times of emotional distress, doubt and tears.

We get all three in Tuesday’s return, which begins with Maripier Morin, who is finding success as a talk show host in Quebec while fiancé Brandon Prust found himself unsigned. Her career is on a high in Montreal, so why would she leave that? It would seem, at first anyway, like Brandon isn’t as supportive of Maripier’s goals while she continues to stick with him. (Prust has, since the time of production, signed with the Nuremberg Ice Tigers in Germany.)

“Why do you always have to ruin everything?” she asks him early on in the episode. It’s a good question, but will we get an answer?

Meanwhile, Season 3 addition Catherine LaFlamme is still riding the high of hubby Kris Letang’s Stanley Cup win with the Pittsburgh Penguins. And, after worrying about the stroke he suffered two years and ago and focusing solely on raising their son, Catherine is ready for some “me” time by designing a children’s clothing line. Fellow newbie Martine Auclair Vlasic isn’t ready to say goodbye to Marc-Edouard as he reports to the San Jose Sharks, and he doesn’t want that either; the pair is deeply involved in his career because Martine loves the sport as much as he does. Cameras also follow Emilie Blum, Erica Lundmark and Vanessa Vandal in Season 3.

And while I enjoy Hockey Wives for what it portrays, an even better idea was put forth by Anthony Marco during our most recent TV, Eh? podcast. He thinks a reality series following the Canadian women’s hockey team players would be interesting. Spotlighting those athletes as they juggle playing for the national team and working jobs to make ends meet would be fascinating and informative. I agree, especially with the Winter Olympics happening next year. Make it happen, W Network and Bristow Global Media!

Hockey Wives airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on W Network.

Image courtesy of Corus.

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Hockey Wives returns April 19 on W Network

From a media release:

W Network heads into the third period with a brand-new season of fan-favourite Canadian docu-series Hockey Wives, premiering Wednesday, April 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The nine-episode season offers off-the-ice access to the busy lives of six ambitious women and their pro-hockey husbands. Facing the everyday struggles of balancing families, careers, and personal aspirations, the women must also live with being married to the game. The third season introduces four new faces, plus a look at hockey life in Europe with the show travelling to Austria, Germany, and Russia.

Returning to the Hockey Wives team for her third season, Montreal’s Maripier Morin and her fiancé Brandon Prust face a dramatic year. After getting engaged last season, Brandon was traded to the Vancouver Canucks and later became a free agent this past summer. Now he might have the chance to play abroad, but that means the pair must endure the stress of a long-distance relationship. Returning from season one is Emilie Blum, who, newly pregnant, must prepare for the possibility of living a solo parent life as Jonathon’s career takes him abroad to the KHL in Russia.

Viewers get behind-the-scenes access to some of the most high-profile players in professional hockey through new cast members Catherine LaFlamme – married to Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kris Letang – and Martine Auclair Vlasic – married to San Jose Sharks’ Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The season sees Catherine launch her new children’s clothing line and support Kris as his team pursues winning consecutive Stanley Cup trophies. Meanwhile, Martine helps Marc-Edouard navigate his booming career, including celebrating his World Cup of Hockey victory together.

New to Hockey Wives but familiar with long-distance relationships, Erica Lundmark manages to keep her career and three children together while her husband Jamie Lundmark plays for the KAC in Austria. Also new to the series is Vanessa Vandal, who returns to St. Louis after her boyfriend David Perron is traded back to the St. Louis Blues. She will face even more change after deciding to go back to school and finding out she’s pregnant again.

Hockey Wives is produced by Bristow Global Media Inc. in association with W Network. Executive Producers are Julie Bristow President & CEO Bristow Global Media, Megan Sanchez-Warner, and Christie Callan Jones.

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W Network greenlights The Bachelor Canada

From a media release:

Following the hugely successful inaugural season of The Bachelorette Canada, W Network is bringing The Bachelor Canada to fans of the franchise.

Casting for the fan-favourite series opens Thursday, December 1 with details available at wnetwork.com. The Bachelor Canada is looking for Canadian bachelors and bachelorettes interested in putting it all on the line for love. Additional casting calls across Canada will be announced at a later date.

In the Canadian version of this smash-hit reality series, Canada’s most eligible bachelor is in search of the woman of his dreams – and hopefully his bride-to-be. The Canadian Bachelor will search for love as 20 women do whatever it takes to win his heart. The women compete for the Bachelor’s affection via individual and group dates involving local and far-flung romantic encounters and adventures. As the Bachelor narrows the field and the number of women dwindles, romance and tensions will rise. Ultimately, he will choose the one woman with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life.

Production on The Bachelor Canada will begin in Spring 2017, with the series currently set to air in Fall 2017.

The Bachelor Canada is produced by Good Human Productions Inc. The series is based on the U.S. format created by Mike Fleiss and produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Sales of the format are handled by Warner Bros. International Television Production.

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