From Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter:
Leading up to the Writers Guild of Canada awards on April 23, TV, eh? is posting a series of interviews with some of nominees. Ken Cuperus earned one of three nominations for My Babysitter’s a Vampire in the Children and Youth category, for the “Blood Drive†episode.
Can you describe the episode, and how it fit into the My Babysitter’s a Vampire season?
“Blood Drive” takes place early in the season as Sarah struggles to keep herself from drinking blood, which would turn her from a fledgling into a full vampire. But temptation comes knocking in the form of a school blood drive, and Erica is piling on the peer pressure to get Sarah to drink. Everything gets more complicated when it is revealed that the two nurses who are running the blood drive are, in fact, vampires themselves… and the blood drive is a long-running scam to stock up on fresh blood. Rory and Erica try to steal the blood from the blood truck, but get captured by the vamp nurses — and Ethan, Benny and Sarah are forced to give chase, to rescue their pals. That’s where the title comes from. It’s a blood drive … but also they are driving in a blood truck. Forget the script, the title alone is award worthy, right? (crickets)
What about this episode are you particularly proud of?
Did I mention how clever the title is? I mean, it’s a blood drive, right? But also … there’s the driving of a truck that contains actual blood. Rarely is an episode as aptly titled as this one. Also, I managed to cram in a “Sarlacc Pit” reference, which will be mildly interesting to Star Wars fans and nobody else.
What does this recognition mean to you?
It’s really great to have my work recognized, and I love that I am up against some of my favourite people in the industry. I’ve been working alongside both Ben and Alice since my earliest days as a preschool writer, and I would be thrilled to see either one of them take home the award. I don’t know Evan, but I have no doubt he is equally deserving, and I’m rooting for him as well. Of course, if I do win, I will rub it in all of their faces mercilessly.
And finally (imagine my best Joan Rivers impression): what will you be wearing to the ceremony?
Probably the same outfit I wear to every single event ever. I mean, I own maybe three pairs of pants. And my “good” shirt has holes in the sleeves. I’m not what you’d call a sharp dresser. If it wasn’t for my wife, I’d probably just show up in my pajamas. I have serious issues.
From a media release:
Keshia Chanté, Tara Oram and Mark Spicoluk join Season 5 of YTV’S Hit Talent Series The Next Star
Rev up your vocals, kids! Corus Entertainment’s YTV is pleased to announce that Season 5 of the network’s top-rated series The Next Star will once again embark on a nationwide, six-city search for Canada’s next young singing sensation. Auditions begin Saturday, April 28 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and continue throughout the month of May. Gemini-nominated host Adamo Ruggiero returns and welcomes JUNO Award-winning R&B/pop sensation Keshia Chanté, country sweetheart and TV personality Tara Oram, and A&R extraordinaire and label exec Mark Spicoluk as this year’s judges and mentors.
With alumni like JUNO Award nominee Alyssa Reid and Platinum-selling artist Victoria Duffield heating up the charts, The Next Star is anticipating another huge year of talent discovery! Auditions are open to kids aged 15 and under and will focus on finding Canada’s next singing sensation. The series will premiere this summer on YTV and follow the finalists as they master their sound, style and stage presence, culminating in a live finale in September to crown the finalist with the most viewer votes as The Next Star.
Below is a complete list of cities and locations:
Saturday, April 28
World Trade and Convention Centre, 1800 Argyle Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Tuesday, May 1
Plaza Volare at Crowne Plaza Montreal Airport, 6600 Cote-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent, Quebec.
Saturday, May 5
Winnipeg Convention Centre (York Ave. Entrance), 375 York Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Tuesday, May 8
Ramada Conference Centre, 11834 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.
Saturday, May 12
Vancouver Convention Centre (East building), 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St W (North Building), Toronto, Ontario.
For more information about the audition process, rules and procedures, please visit the official website at YTV.com
My Babysitter’s A Vampire, Teletoon – Season finale
The “Fly Off to the Moon†dance is approaching and Ethan and Benny want to go in style. But the return of an old enemy puts a wrinkle in their plans and forces Sarah to make the one choice she’s been dreading all year.
Instant Cash, TVTropolis – Season 3 premiere
The third season of Instant Cash premieres Thursday April 5 with back-to-back episodes at 7pm and 7:30pm. There’s only one ATM in the world like this. INSTANT CASH delivers plenty of surprises, huge prizes and even bigger laughs. Hidden cameras capture every unscripted moment as unsuspecting contestants are put to the test with trivia questions, cheeky challenges and mischievous set-ups. With $10,000 at stake, they’re willing to do just about anything to win the ultimate payout.
From Bill Harris of QMI Agency:
