From Victoria Ahearn of The Canadian Press:
Link: ‘Kim’s Convenience’ actor Andrew Phung on crafting his own series, ‘Run the Burbs’
“Kim’s Convenience†has just ended but cast member Andrew Phung is already “knee-deep in ideas and stories†for his next project, “Run the Burbs.†Continue reading.
From a media release:
Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company, announced today its collaboration with UK-based StoryFirst on its first scripted drama, Ghost Walk (8×60’). Created by Brendan Foley (Cold Courage), who also serves as showrunner on the project, the one-hour series will follow a vivacious, aspiring Canadian actress and prickly British scientist who together become the unlikely ‘Mulder and Scully’ of the world of ghosts. The series kicks off Saloon Media’s exciting new scripted slate and is the first of many Canadian/UK partnerships that the production company will reveal in the coming months. Ghost Walk was developed with the support of Canadian specialty TV channel T+E and will be produced in Ontario, Canada and York, UK.
Ghost Walk will introduce audiences to Melissa Roth, an aspiring Canadian actress who takes a temporary position as a ghost walk tour guide in York, UK. After a fall down a flight of stairs, Melissa begins to see spirits. She soon teams up with a cynical, charismatic British scientist, Charles Conroy, in hopes that he will cure her in exchange for the fame and fortune he would earn proving whether or not ghosts exist. The duo develops a bond; partners investigating hauntings from historic York to rural Canada, while tumbling through the minefield of friendship and – just maybe – something more.
Saloon Media’s Melissa Williamson (top left) and Michael Kot serve as Executive Producers on Ghost Walk. Dominic Barlow (top right) will Executive Produce on behalf of StoryFirst. Sam Linton, Head of Original Content (Canada), Blue Ant Media is Executive Producer on behalf of T+E.
Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company, is a creative hub for compelling new television and digital productions. The founding partners have a wealth of experience in broadcasting and factual and scripted production, and a track record for delivering successful and award-winning programs to international clients. Saloon’s productions have broadcast on History, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Investigation Discovery, CMT, SBS, ZDF, Yesterday, Four, More4, and Netflix. Saloon is a specialist in international co-production, working with like-minded production partners around the world to produce top quality returning series and high-impact specials. Saloon Media is based in Toronto. Saloonmedia.com
StoryFirst’s focus is on the development, production, and financing of high-quality television series for the global marketplace. Alongside developing ambitious drama with new and established writing talent, StoryFirst is a co-producing partner for producers of drama projects around the world.
From Victoria Ahearn of The Canadian Press:
Link: ‘Kim’s Convenience’ stars Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Andrew Phung on its premature end
“He wouldn’t return my calls or my texts, and finally he responded via email saying he wasn’t comfortable talking about it. And that was it.†Continue reading.
From a media release:
Amazon Prime Video announces Jay Baruchel as host of the Canadian edition of the global Amazon original Lol: Last One Laughing Canada
Prime Video today announced that Canadian actor and director Jay Baruchel (Goon, This Is the End, How To Train Your Dragon) has signed on to host the new Canadian Amazon Original series, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada. The series is the third Canadian Amazon Original announced following Kids In The Hall and All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs. The comedy-variety series, produced by Insight Productions, will be shot in Toronto and feature a diverse cast of popular Canadian comedic actors and stand-ups competing to make each other laugh first. The final comedian left standing will win the grand prize for the charity of their choice.
The six-part Amazon Original series will use dozens of cameras to catch all of the hilarious action during the unpredictable six hour competition, and follow the select group of established comedy stars and up-and-coming talent, who bring various styles to the table, including stand-up, character, improvisational and physical comedy, among others.
LOL: Last One Laughing Canada follows the format of the successful Amazon Original series from Japan, HITOSHI MATSUMOTO Presents Documental, produced by and starring comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto who leads ten comedians betting their own money in an anything goes “battle of laughter behind closed doors”. The fan favourite format includes multiple seasons in Japan and Mexico; recent seasons in Australia, Germany and Italy; and upcoming editions in France and Spain. Local celebrity hosts include Eugenio Derbez, Fedez, Michael Bully Herbig and Rebel Wilson.
LOL: Last One Laughing Canada comes from Amazon Studios, produced in association with Insight Productions. Executive Producers are John Brunton, Erin Brock, and Shannon Farr. As part of Prime Video’s continued investment in Canada, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada is the third announced Canadian Amazon Original series following The Kids in the Hall and All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs. Since 2015, Amazon Studios has filmed 22 Amazon Original series and films in Canada, including The Man in the High Castle and Upload in Vancouver, The Boys and The Expanse in Toronto, Tales from the Loop in Winnipeg, as well as parts of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Voyeurs in Montreal.
LOL: Last One Laughing Canada will join the thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and worldwide in the Prime Video catalog including award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals like Coming 2 America, Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, The Boys, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Emmy and Golden Globe award winners Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
About Insight Production Company, Ltd.
Insight Productions, celebrated for its award-winning ratings juggernauts, is Canada’s most established content producer. Headed by John Brunton, Insight is an industry leader in the development and production of hit content, and renowned for its comedy programming and live events. Insight’s showrunners include Erin Brock, Lindsay Cox, Mark Lysakowski, and Eric Abboud. Brock serves as the showrunner on Big Brother Canada, the highest rated Canadian series of 2020. Insight also produces The Amazing Race Canada, the most watched Canadian show on record, and The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration, a live concert special watched by one in three Canadians. Memorable comedy shows include The Jon Dore Television Show; A Russell Peters Christmas; and But I’m Chris Jericho. Insight Productions was founded in 1979 and has since created thousands of hours of groundbreaking content.
From a media release:
CTV Comedy Channel and Just For Laughs are stepping into the ring together to bring Canadians the all-new original series, ROAST BATTLE CANADA. Based on the format from ViacomCBS International Studios Distribution, the eight, half-hour episode series builds on the success of Bell Media’s French-language version, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL, which is consistently a top-ranking series for Z. The English-language adaption, ROAST BATTLE CANADA, is produced in partnership with Just For Laughs and Counterfeit Pictures and will film later this year.
ROAST BATTLE CANADA sees two pairs of Canadian comics faceoff in each episode, hurling ruthless jokes at each other in hopes of coming out unscathed and crowned the victor by a distinguished panel of judges. Presiding over each episode are megastar comedian Russell Peters; writer, producer, actor, and all-around funny person, Sabrina Jalees (CAROL’S SECOND ACT); and Season 1 ROAST BATTLE semi-finalist, LETTERKENNY’s own K. Trevor Wilson. Actor and comedian Ennis Esmer, slated to appear in the upcoming CTV original series, CHILDREN RUIN EVERYTHING, serves as host.
Based on ROAST BATTLE, the U.S. television series created by comedians Jeff Ross and Brian Moses, the original format has also been adapted in Germany, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, and the UK. Each original airing of Bell Media’s successful French-language adaptation, ROAST BATTLE: LE GRAND DUEL has been the most-watched series of the broadcast season for Z.
ROAST BATTLE CANADA is produced by CTV Comedy, in association with Just For Laughs Television and Counterfeit Pictures. Bruce Hills is Executive Producer and also President, Just For Laughs. Anton Leo serves as Executive Producer, along with Dan Bennett and Shane Corkery of Counterfeit Pictures. Comedian Russell Peters also executive produces. The series was directed by Shelagh O’Brien.
