Monthly Archives: March 2012

Dramas and Comedies

Good God premieres April 9 on Movie Central/The Movie Network

From a media release:

Ken Finkleman Takes a Sharply Satirical Look at Right-Wing News in the Movie Central and The Movie Network Original Series, Good God

  • Ken Finkleman returns as news producer George Findlay
  • Ensemble cast includes The Daily Show’s Samantha Bee and Lolita Davidovich
  • Premieres Monday, April 9 at 8:30 p.m. PT/ 9:30 p.m. ET on Movie Central and The Movie Network

Corus Entertainment’s Movie Central (Western Canada) and Astral ‘s The Movie Network (Eastern Canada) present Good God, a timely new 10-part, half-hour comedy series from Emmy®-winning writer and producer Ken Finkleman (The Newsroom; Good Dog). In Good God, boorish TV producer George Findlay finds himself at the helm of a newsroom once again, only this time at a right-wing news network. George must navigate a minefield of lawsuits, political kowtowing and all-round ass-kissing in an attempt to make the fundamentalist-leaning TV station fundamental to viewers when Good God premieres Monday, April 9 at 8:30 p.m. PT/9:30 ET on Movie Central and The Movie Network.

“The struggle for truth through the celebration of ignorance continues,” said Finkleman of the new series.

Good God finds narcissistic and thin-skinned George Findlay once again at a cross roads in his life after he reconnects with old fling Virginia Hailwood (Lolita Davidovich), the socialite daughter of a very wealthy – and very conservative media baron. When presented with a challenging new opportunity from Virginia’s father, George agrees to head up Right News, the soon-to-launch Canadian arm of an American right-wing TV news network. Fixated on the perks, including a personal executive bathroom, George must deal with a dysfunctional newsroom team including Shandy Sommers (Samantha Bee), a devoutly Christian morning show host. Good God also stars Jason Weinberg, John Ralston, Jud Tylor and Doug Murray.

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Dramas and Comedies, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, This Hour Has 22 Minutes

New tonight: 22 Minutes, Rick Mercer Report, Just For Laughs, Saw Dogs

Mark Critch as Ron Maclean

22 Minutes, CBC
A beloved Canadian TV star (of the 4-legged variety) comes out of retirement for a new hospital drama, plus a preview of the latest CBC movie spinoff to come out of a short commentary segment during Hockey Night in Canada. We take a look at the terrifying consequences of the robocalls scandal, and question whether Air Canada workers have the right to strike.

Rick Mercer Report, CBC
In tonight’s all-new show Rick is in Victoria training with Canada’s Olympic swimming team as they prepare for the London Summer Olympics and medalist Ryan Cochrane gives him some special tips. He also turns up at the Purina National Dog Show in Mississauga, ON and vies for ‘Best in Show’ with a giant English mastiff.

Just For Laughs, CBC – “The Decline of the American Empire”
What is the American Empire and is it falling? Why watch boring men in suits debate this on CNN? It’s time to dive head first into The Decline of the American Empire, hosted by the one and only John Oliver. The British comic you love from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart hosts a smart, opinionated and equally funny political special featuring wildly popular comedians Colin Quinn, WTF podcast host Marc Maron, and Greg Proops (Whose Line Is It Anyway?).

Saw Dogs, OLN – “Action Hero”
A top movie stuntwoman asks the carvers to create a sculpture commemorating her mentor, a celebrated stuntman who was famous for his work in westerns. Guest carver Jeff Samudosky takes the reins on the project, which features a western scene in three-dimensional relief on a massive redwood slab.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Buy.o.logic premieres April 3 on OWN Canada

From a media release:

Anna & Kristina Bring New Original Series, Buy.o.logic to OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada)

  • Premiering Tuesday, April 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT
  • Acclaimed investigative reporter Isla Traquair hosts

This April, Corus Entertainment’s OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada) presents the premiere of the new original series, Buy.o.logic. No medical ailment is off limits, no healthcare product is safe from scrutiny and no test is too outrageous to tackle. Produced by Worldwide Bag Media Inc. in association with OWN (Canada), Buy.o.logic premieres Tuesday, April 3 at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT and will do whatever it takes to help viewers make smart buys for their bodies.

Continue reading Buy.o.logic premieres April 3 on OWN Canada →

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Mr. D

Mr. D draws from life

From Scott Stinson of the National Post:

  • Class reminisced in Mr. D
    Then Gerry Dee, comedian, co-creator and star of Mr. D, and a former student and teacher at De La Salle, took to the lectern. His show, he said, is based on his time at the school. “But it’s also fiction,” he added, quickly. “Those things you see me doing as Mr. D, that’s not what I did here.” There is some tittering in the audience. “OK, some of it I did. Not gonna lie.” Read more.
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Featured, The Listener

The Listener’s Ennis Esmer: “Busy is victory”

Ennis Esmer is perhaps best known as Oz on The Listener, which recently finished shooting a third season for CTV, but he also popped up on MuchMusic’s The LA Complex (premiering April 24 on The CW), co-hosted Wipeout Canada, has a recurring role on Covert Affairs, and is part of the Sex After Kids ensemble, a film in development aiming to raise funding via Indigogo. In his spare time he volunteers for charities and gives funny answers to email interviews.

I have this perception of you being everywhere, juggling multiple projects seemingly at the same time – The Listener, The LA Complex, Wipeout Canada, Covert Affairs. How insanely busy are you? Is there a common thread in your career choices?

I’m not THAT busy. I’m an absolutely manageably amount of busy. All these things are (for the most part) a blast to work on, and I try to never lose sight of the fact that busy is the thing I want to be more than anything. Busy is victory. I try to look at busy as a challenge and never as a struggle, because there’s nothing else I’d rather be busy doing.

As for a common thread, I usually like to go into a situation where I’ve auditioned for a given part, the people in charge have watched said audition, and based on that, have decided to offer me the part, and I’ve said yes. I find that works best. Working for people who want to hire me to work for them. That’s the common thread.

Continue reading The Listener’s Ennis Esmer: “Busy is victory” →

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