Monthly Archives: June 2010

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The Next Star season 3 premieres July 19 on YTV

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From a media release:

Season 3 of YTV’s THE NEXT STAR Premieres July 19

After a cross-Canada search where over 4000 talented Canadian kids showed up to audition, Corus Entertainment’s YTV delivers its popular top-rated talent series The Next Star beginning on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m. In its third season, families at home can once again join in to witness the entertaining journey unfold from audition process through to the live finale, which has been known to host stars like heartthrob Justin Bieber.

Produced by leading Toronto distributor and producer Tricon Films and Television in association with YTV, the first three episodes take place during the nationwide audition period and feature hopefuls aged 15 and under as they try to make it to the next round. Sixteen aspiring singers continue to participate in episodes four and five with six finalists chosen to be mentored throughout the remaining seven episodes. All six are challenged in every aspect of the biz from vocal exercises to participating in media interviews to perfecting a signature look. The six finalists will also record an original song that will be released on a compilation album. Only one of the six will become The Next Star and receive the grand prize package at the series’ finale on Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m. live from Canada’s Wonderland.

Modelled after the previous two seasons, viewers will vote for their favourite performer via YTV.com and text message. The finalist with the most viewer votes will become The Next Star and take home the coveted prize package which includes: Kool-Aid Jammers Ultimate Jam Space featuring an Apple Macbook and Pro Tools recording software, a distribution deal with Universal Music Canada for the winner’s two songs, and a Songwriter Deluxe Acoustic Guitar courtesy of Gibson Guitar.

Beginning on Monday, July 19 through to Monday, August 9, YTV is giving fans another chance at stardom with The Virtual Next Star. Eligible participants can log onto YTV.com for a chance to be crowned The Virtual Next Star and win a trip to Toronto and two VIP tickets to the series’ live finale at Canada’s Wonderland on Sunday, September 26 at 7 p.m. ET. The prize includes: one round trip economy flight to Toronto for the winner and a parent or guardian, three nights standard accommodation and $500 CDN.

Once the series has launched on Monday, July 19 at 7 p.m., The Next Star website, found at YTV.com, will once again be centre stage for audience interaction, full length episodes and the voting process. Beginning on Tuesday, August 10 until Sunday, September 26, as viewers cast their votes, they can be included in a draw to win the Kool-Aid Jammers Ultimate Jam Space featuring an Apple Macbook and Pro Tools recording software – everything one would need to have their own recording session at home.

Viewers will also be able to find show info, surf finalist pages, download extra content and watch exclusive behind the scenes footage on YTV.com. They can also join the community of fans through The Next Star message boards and sign up to receive a The Next Star newsletter which will feature breaking news and show developments. YTV.com will also grant fans special VIP access to additional content online when they tune into the show and receive a special code. If fans think they’re the biggest Next Star fan, they can also login to participate in the Think You Know The Show Contest for a shot at a cash prize of $2,000 CDN.

About the mentors:

Award-winning singer, Suzie McNeil, performed her Olympic-inspired song “Believe” at the 2010 Olympics closing ceremonies. Hot on the heels of a Canadian tour with superstar, Colin James, she recently released her third album, Suzie McNeil – Live Acoustic. JUNO Award-winning composer and MuchMusic’s first VJ, Christopher Ward, has written a number of chart-topping singles including Black Velvet for Alannah Myles and most recently penned songs for Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel. It was Steve Cranwell’s 23 years of experience in music marketing that led to the newest chapter of his life, Executive Director of MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity.

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Til Debt Do Us Part casting notice

From a media release:

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! “TIL DEBT DO US PART” NOW CASTING FOR SPECIAL HOME & BABY EDITIONS

Eight seasons of “Til Debt Do Us Part” and 104 families later, viewers are still asking to see more of SliceTM’s money maven and fan-favourite host, Gail Vaz-Oxlade. Set to start shooting this summer in the Greater Toronto Area, Frantic Films is now casting for 14 special episodes of “Til Debt Do Us Part” with Gail focusing on the unique financial problems created by home ownership and new parenthood.

The Home Edition will focus on couples besieged by the challenges of home ownership and facing a conflict when it comes to managing their money. From bidding-war buyers to renovators gone way over budget to compulsive consolidators, Gail will help couples in over their heads from losing the roof over them.

The Baby Edition will focus on couples or single parents struggling financially with the recent or impending arrival of a new baby.

“We’re looking for couples in the Greater Toronto Area who have newborns up to one year old, or who are expecting before December 2010,” says Jennifer Horvath, Series Producer, “Til Debt Do Us Part”. “If their debt is due to anything baby-related, such as fertility treatments, multiples, an unexpected pregnancy, newly single moms going it alone or suddenly unemployed dads with babies in daycare, then we want to hear from them.”

“Viewers write me weekly asking for more shows and I’m delighted to be able to give them what they want,” says Gail Vaz-Oxlade, host of “Til Debt Do Us Part”. With the potential of a cash reward and loads of solid advice, Gail has a lot to offer participants. “If you want me to come to your house and help fix your financial mess, get me now!” she laughs.

For more details and how to apply visit Casting Calls at www.slice.ca or download an application at www.themoneytest.com and send to franticfilmscasting@gmail.com

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Ken Finkelman’s Good Dog in production

From a media release:

SHAFTESBURY STARTS PRODUCTION ON KEN FINKLEMAN’S HOTLY ANTICIPATED NEW SERIES, GOOD DOG

  • Lauren Lee Smith co-stars fresh off hit series CSI

Shaftesbury Films, Canada’s leading creator and producer of original content, today announced that the company has commenced production on Good Dog, a half-hour comedy created, written and directed by Ken Finkleman (The Newsroom). Starring Finkleman and Lauren Lee Smith (CSI, The L-Word), the 13-episode series will be shot on location in Toronto until August. Produced in association with Astral’s The Movie Network and Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central, Good Dog will premiere in 2011.

Good Dog centers on the life of George (Finkleman). He’s self-absorbed, neurotic and he lives with Claire, (Smith) a gorgeous ex-model, half his age. It’s a hot May-December relationship in which George discovers he must be a “Good Dog” if he wants it to work out. Did we mention Claire has two young children and a nanny, who over time come to live with them? George’s friend, Doug (Jason Weinberg), bears the brunt of most of George’s “bright ideas,” which generally end badly, but not without revealing a nugget of truth.

Finkleman is best known as the writer, creator and producer of the International Emmy award-winning series, The Newsroom for CBC TV and PBS. He also produced Married Life (Comedy Central) and Foolish Heart, Foreign Objects, More Tears and At the Hotel. Finkleman’s first novel, Noah’s Turn, will be published by HarperCollins in late August 2010.

After an extensive casting search, Vancouver native Lauren Lee Smith has been selected for the role of Georges ‘ much younger girlfriend, Claire. Smith returns to Canada after playing CSI agent Riley Adams in season nine of the international hit series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation alongside Laurence Fishburne. Smith is also known for her starring role in Clement Virgo’s award-winning film, Lie with Me, and the Showtime series The L-Word. Rounding out the cast is Jason Weinberg (Law & Order, Casino Jack) as George’s friend, Doug.

Good Dog is produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, Movie Central and The Movie Network. The series is executive produced by Shaftesbury’s Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie and by Ken Finkleman, and is produced by Peter Meyboom for Shaftesbury. Ken Finkleman writes, directs and stars in the 13-episode half-hour series. Shaftesbury Sales Company holds international sales and distribution rights.

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Review: Dan For Mayor ‘more than a clever premise’

From Myles McNutt of Cultural Learnings:

  • Season Finale: Dan for Mayor – “The Return of Wheel-o”
    “While it may not be the best comedy on television, I’d argue that Dan for Mayor makes a strong case for being one of the most confident. While some shows spend their first seasons in a state of becoming, the series seemed to spring fully formed from the minds of Mark Farrell, Paul Mather and Kevin White – the initial premise had potential which played out throughout the season, and from the beginning it was intertwined with the interpersonal relationships which make the series more than a clever premise.” Read more.
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Canadian Comedy Shorts premieres July 11 on The Comedy Network

From a media release:

Stop Short When CANADIAN COMEDY SHORTS returns to The Comedy Network, July 11

  • New season features Katie Crown, Pat Thornton and Nathan Fielder
  • Long sessions with the shorts available on thecomedynetwork.ca

Good things come in small packages and The Comedy Network’s original series CANADIAN COMEDY SHORTS is no exception. Providing a forum for comedic short films by Canada’s next comic stars, the six-part series premieres Sunday, July 11 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. It’s also available on-demand at thecomedynetwork.ca.

Long before YouTube was around, The Comedy Network showcased homegrown comedic shorts and underground cult hits with CANADIAN COMEDY SHORTS. Now in its 12th year, the series features a fresh batch of twisted minds including comics Katie Crown, Pat Thornton and Nathan Fielder. Mixing animation, stop-action, sketch and live-action shorts, the series continues to raise the bar and push boundaries.

This season, viewers are treated to “Holy War Dance Party”; “Birthdays and Other Traumas”; “The Woodsman: David Suzuki”; “Ron Sparks: Holiday Inn”; “The Racist Pink” and National Screen Institute award winners “My Name Is” and “Pickled Punk,” and many, many more!

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