From Karen Kicak, special to the Toronto Star:
Link: I was a writer on ‘Workin’ Moms’ — and wrestling with whether I wanted to become one
In the fall of 2015, a friend working at CBC emailed me an eight-minute sizzle video for a show that had just been greenlit called “Workin’ Moms” with the subject line: “You NEED To Get on This!!!!” Continue reading.
From Melissa Hank of Postmedia:
Link: Workin’ Moms set to say goodbye in Season 7
Catherine Reitman hit the motherlode with her CBC series Workin’ Moms. The show debuted in 2017 and struck a chord with viewers worldwide for its portrayal of parenthood — each raw, honest and funny part of it. Continue reading.
From Johanna Schneller of The Globe and Mail:
Link: ‘TMI was our goal’: The stars of Workin’ Moms reflect on the show’s seven-season run
“It’s not a story about a drug dealer who finally gets busted, or a detective who finds the bad guy. Working mothers just keep getting up and going to work.” Continue reading.
From Debra Yeo of the Toronto Star:
Link: Mothers and breasts and bears: the cast reflects on seven seasons of ‘Workin’ Moms’
“I think what people connected with (in ‘Workin’ Moms’) was what they needed that year … It happens to be that I hired really talented writers and really talented actors to play these compelling stories convincingly, and people connected with that. So I think how it continued to hit was we evolved as the times changed.” Continue reading.
From Isobel Grieve of Toronto Guardian:
Link: Workin’ Moms Sarah McVie Says A Heartfelt Goodbye
With Workin’ Moms about to air its seventh and final season on January 3, I sat down with Sarah McVie, who plays Val, to talk about her journey on the show and what it’s like to say goodbye to such a beloved character. Continue reading.
From Eric Volmers of the Belleville Intelligencer:
Link: Calgary expats reflect on seven seasons of CBC’s Workin’ Moms
It is nearing the end of an interview with Jessalyn Wanlim and Ryan Belleville when they suddenly decide they need to talk about a harrowing experience they shared in 2019. Continue reading.
From Sarah Laing of The Kit:
Link: Workin’ Moms Star Enuka Okuma Bids the Show Farewell
“It became so much more of a gift than I could ever have imagined. There really is a camaraderie there between these women and these characters.” Continue reading.
From Amber Dowling of Variety:
Link: How ‘Workin’ Moms’ Retired After Seven Seasons
Catherine Reitman wanted to share stories of women trying — and often failing — to have it all. Fast forward seven seasons, 83 episodes and dozens of awards nominations (including two International Emmy nods), and she’s ready to put that baby to bed. Continue reading.
From Indiescreen:
Link: Workin’ Moms retire
It’s the last week of shooting for the cast and crew of Workin’ Moms when Indiescreen reached them in mid-September. The CBC series is sunsetting after its upcoming seventh and final season, set to hit the network in early 2023. Continue reading.
From Etan Vlessing of The Hollywood Reporter:
Link: Catherine Reitman reflects on creating ‘Workin’ Moms’ and reaching seventh, final season: “I’m Still in Disbelief”
“In America, the edgiest storyline is the abortion storyline. In Canada, it’s no big deal. In Canada, it’s these women are so flawed, that they do things that are occasionally unlikable. That’s the biggest bump here.” Continue reading.
This week, Greg and Amy go through debuts and returns on the Canadian TV calendar.
Then, we cover the latest Canadian TV news, including The Canadian Academy expanding its successful Women in Post Program, Blue Ant Media unveils new greenlights for its Canadian TV platforms and Workin’ Moms beginning production on its final season.
We close out the podcast by looking at CBC’s upfront announcement, which includes several new comedies and dramas.
This episode is brought to you by a Hot Toddy and Coke.
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From a media release:
Wolf + Rabbit Entertainment announced today that principal photography has begun on the seventh season of the original hit comedy series WORKIN’ MOMS (13×30). Creator and Executive Producer Catherine Reitman(Black-ish, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), who also stars in the lead role of Kate Foster, also announced this season will be the final season of the series. WORKIN’ MOMS offers an unflinching look at the absurd realities of life as a mom, partner, and friend. The new season, currently shooting in various locations in and around Toronto, will premiere on CBC and CBC Gem in Winter 2023 followed by a global release – everywhere outside Canada – on Netflix.
“To our incredible fans, making this show has been the ride of my life. Philip and I hit the ground, day one of season one, with a three-month old and a two-year-old, watching as we pressed forward on one mission: to tell the stories of four flawed mothers, who dared to be something beyond their nurseries. Going to work every day, whether in the room with our brilliant writers, on set with our extraordinary cast or in post with the best producing team in the business, has cemented in me the importance of telling stories that have meaning, surrounded by artisans who get it,” says Reitman. “But like any story, there must be an ending. And so, it is with love and gratitude that I’m announcing season seven as our final season. The biggest thank you to our partners, CBC and Netflix, for getting behind a show that points a flashlight into the darkest corners of motherhood. To those of you who’ve stopped me on the street, to share your love of the show – I see you. I hear you. And I thank you. Go get ’em mamas…”
Picking up where season six left off, WORKIN’ MOMS season seven will see the women confront demons from their past in order to move forward into their future. Motherhood, relationships, and career choices will all be put to the test, as they come to terms with who they once were and where they’re each headed. As we bid farewell to Kate, Anne, Sloane, Jenny, and Val, it’s up to each of them to decide the impact they’ll leave with their work, the traits they’ll pass on to their children, and ultimately, how much more sh*t they’re willing to take as workin’ moms.
Reprising their roles are Dani Kind as Anne; Jessalyn Wanlim as Jenny; Philip Sternberg as Nathan; Ryan Belleville as Lionel; Sarah McVie as Val; Sadie Munroe as Alice; Peter Keleghan as Richard; Nikki Duval as Rosie; and Enuka Okuma as Sloane Mitchell, among other fan favourites.
Catherine Reitman has been recognized by the Alliance for Women in Media with multiple Gracie Awards for WORKIN’ MOMS— in 2021 for Showrunner Fiction, Comedy and in 2020 for Best Lead Actress, Comedy and for Best Direction, Comedy. The Gracies® are named after media pioneer Gracie Allen, who embodied the character of the awards, and recognize exemplary programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, and interactive media.
WORKIN’ MOMS is executive produced by Catherine Reitman (Black-ish, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Philip Sternberg (Workin’ Moms, Six Little McGhees), Jonathan A. Walker (Between, Trailer Park Boys), Tina Horwitz (Workin’ Moms) and Joe Sorge (Wild Yellowstone). This season Jessie Gabe (Mr. D, Being Erica) and Karen Kicak (Mary Kills People, Detention Adventure) are Showrunners and also serve as Executive Producers. Lisa Benedetto (Workin’ Moms) is Co-Executive Producer and Daniel Gold (Workin’ Moms) is supervising producer.
