From Matt Webb Mitovich of TV Line:
Link: Jennifer Finnigan Raises a Glass to ‘Quirky, Weird’ Moonshine and the Schitt’s Creek-Like Dramedy’s CW Debut
The CW this Friday night at 9/8c invites you to get a taste of Moonshine, an acquired Canadian dramedy set against the backdrop of financial hardship, small-town intrigue and a long-buried secret that threatens to annihilate a quirky clan once and for all. Continue reading.
From Debra Yeo of the Toronto Star:
Link: Coming-of-age comedy ‘Son of a Critch’ is a sweet, but not saccharine, portrait of the enduring bonds of families and friends
You don’t have to have grown up in the 1980s — or in Newfoundland — to appreciate the gentle humour of CBC’s “Son of a Critch.” If you went to school, had friends, crushes, enemies and a family, you’ll find points of commonality with 12-year-old Mark Critch (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth), the hero of this series based on the memoir of Canadian comedian Mark Critch. Continue reading.
From a media release:
Crave and APTN, in association with Pier 21 Films, Frantic Films Manitoba, and Sekowan Media, announced today that production is underway in Winnipeg on the all-new dramatic comedy series, DON’T EVEN. Created by Amber-Sekowan Daniels, directed by Zoe Hopkins, and starring Leenah Robinson (1923), Victoria Turko (Burden of Truth), Joel Oulette (Trickster), Gail Maurice, and Jennifer Podemski, the six-part series is an urban Indigenous, coming-of-age story.
DON’T EVEN follows two best friends in late ‘90s Winnipeg as they grapple with their uncertain futures, in the summer after their final high school year. After humiliation at her high school grad, Violet (Leenah Robinson) wants to make the most of the last summer before moving away for university, as Harley (Victoria Turko) distracts herself from a big dilemma, of what’s next. As the lifelong BFFs bask in newfound freedom, and face adult life choices, cracks begin to form in their once impenetrable bond. It’s awkward. It’s dramatic. It’s friggin’ Winnipeg.
“The show is a love letter to your childhood best friend, and your hometown. It’s about growing up and growing apart, while trying to find your place in the world,” said Amber-Sekowan Daniels, Creator and Showrunner. “We don’t often get to see Indigenous women as funny, weird, and distinct, so I hope this series shows that complexity.”
“Making DON’T EVEN has me in stitches, and I’ve cried in rehearsals,” added Director Zoe Hopkins.” I’m so stoked to be back in Winnipeg telling this nostalgic story, where laughter is medicine.”
“Amber has created a series with unpredictable comedy, and a huge surplus of heart. It will resonate with audiences because it gives all the feels,” said Nicole Butler, Executive Producer, Pier 21 Films. “We’re fortunate to have both Crave and APTN as partners sharing a vision in striving to make an incredibly original, and iconic new show.”
“We are thrilled to be co-producing this series with Pier 21 and Sekowan Media,” said Frantic CEO & Executive Producer Jamie Brown. “As a Winnipeg based company, Amber’s stories have a special resonance, and we love her voice and the authenticity of her storytelling.”
DON’T EVEN is co-produced by Pier 21 Films, Frantic Films Manitoba, and Sekowan Media, in association with Bell Media’s Crave and APTN, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund, Manitoba Film & Music, and tax credit assistance from the Government of Manitoba, the Government of Ontario, and The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. Amber-Sekowan Daniels is Executive Producer, Creator, and Showrunner. Zoe Hopkins is Executive Producer and Director for the series. Laszlo Barna, Nicole Butler, Karen Tsang, and Vanessa Steinmetz serve as Executive Producers for Pier 21 Films. For Frantic Films Manitoba, Jamie Brown and Stephanie Fast are Executive Producers. Lori Lozinski is Series Producer. Karen Hill is Co-Executive Producer and Meg MacKay is Co-Producer.
From a media release:
Vancouver BC’s Slap Happy Cartoons Inc. has inked a deal with industry veterans Blair Peters and Nick Orchard to develop, finance and produce an animated series reimagining the iconic Canadian series, The Beachcombers.
In announcing the agreement for The Beachcombers Animated, Slap Happy Cartoons partner Greg Sullivan said, “We’re thrilled to combine our animation expertise with Blair and Nick’s passion for storytelling to bring the timeless charm, comedy, and adventure of The Beachcombers to a new generation of fans. We look forward to updating the classic series in a way that doesn’t shy away from the real issues we face today, but with humour and heart. The timing is right for another Canadian hit series in the vein of Schitt’s Creek and Corner Gas.”
Peters and Orchard announced last fall that they had acquired the rights at an event in Gibsons, B.C. at Molly’s Reach, the café featured in the original series. The event coincided with the 50th anniversary of The Beachcombers, one of the most successful Canadian television series of all time. The half-hour family comedy/adventure series ran on CBC television for 387 episodes over 18 seasons from 1972 to 1990. Ahead of its time, the series featured Indigenous characters and storylines, and often dealt with subject matter involving preservation of the land.
The original Beachcombers was licensed to over 35 countries worldwide, was a hit in the UK, Australia and Germany, and was versioned into numerous languages.
Said Blair Peters: “After Nick and I acquired the rights, the next step was to find an animation studio that could help us develop the series. Slap Happy was really a no-brainer, as I had previously worked for many years with the principals Kathy Antonsen, Greg Sullivan and Josh Mepham at Studio B Productions on Canadian classics such as Yvon of the Yukon and Being Ian, both of which went on to sell well internationally and garner awards. With the help of some talented folks at Yeti Farm Creative in Kelowna B.C. we came up with a killer pitch deck, and we’re excited about Slap Happy pitching it soon.”
“I’ve been part of The Beachcombers for over 40 years,” said Nick Orchard, “and Blair and I look forward to working with the talented folks over at Slap Happy to give this classic series a fresh new look for a whole new audience.”
SLAP HAPPY CARTOONS was founded in 2012 by top animation professionals KATHY ANTONSEN, GREG SULLIVAN, JOSH MEPHAM and VITO VISCOMI to realize their passion for creating original, funny and sometimes twisted cartoons for both kids and adults. Since then, the Vancouver studio has produced award-winning original series that have aired around the world – Nerds and Monsters for YTV and The Hollow for Netflix. Slap Happy has also contributed creative production services for local and international clients including Nickelodeon, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, Knowledge Kids, and the Vancouver Canucks.
BLAIR PETERS has worked in the animation industry for over thirty years, from layout artist to executive producer. As co-founder of Studio B Productions, he went on to develop and produce over 1000 half hours that sold in over 100 countries on networks such as Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Teletoon, YTV and the BBC. Blair was named a Top 40 Under 40 Entrepreneur of the Year, Lion’s Gate Producer of the Year and was awarded the DHX Media Award for Excellence in Animation. He now lives on BC’s Sunshine Coast where he continues to consult on and develop animated projects.
NICK ORCHARD has been in the film and television business for over half a century, beginning as a child actor on stage, radio and TV, and later producing hits like The Beachcombers (CBC), Eastenders (BBC) and Brookside (Channel 4). For the past 30 plus years, as head of Soapbox Productions Inc., Nick has produced network series such as the popular teen drama Northwood and produced and directed award-winning documentaries and comedy series such as the iconic Double Exposure for CTV and the Comedy Network.
From a media release:
More epic battles of burns are coming to CTV Comedy Channel, as original series ROAST BATTLE CANADA returns for an eight-episode third season Mondays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning July 10 on CTV Comedy, CTV.ca, and the CTV app. Each half-hour episode sees two pairs of Canadian comics face-off, as they hurl heated and ruthless jabs at each other in hopes of being crowned the superior roaster.
Season 3 of ROAST BATTLE CANADA sees the return of the distinguished panel of judges – Russell Peters, Sabrina Jalees, and K. Trevor Wilson – while actor and comedian Ennis Esmer returns to preside over the roastings as host.
Canadian comedians facing off in the ROAST BATTLE CANADA Season 3 matchups are:
Episode 1 – Monday, July 10 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Allie Pearse vs. Brendan d’Souza
Battle 2 – Tyler Morrison vs. Crystal Ferrier
Episode 2 – Monday, July 17 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Rachel Schaefer vs. Sophie Buddle
Battle 2 – Alan Shane Lewis vs. Todd Graham
Episode 3 – Monday, July 24 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Olivia Stadler vs. Kyle Brownrigg
Battle 2 – Garrett Jamieson vs. Keith Pedro
Episode 4 – Monday, July 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Tom Henry vs. Todd Graham
Battle 2 – Crystal Ferrier vs. Cassie Cao
Episode 5 – Monday, August 7 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Dakota Ray Hebert vs. Paul Rabliauskas
Battle 2 – Sophie Buddle vs. Jordan Wellwood
Episode 6 – Monday, Aug. 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Keith Pedro vs. Allie Pearse
Battle 2 – Danish Anwar vs. Olivia Stadler
Episode 7 – Monday, Aug. 21 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Jordan Wellwood vs. Tyler Morrison
Battle 2 – Dakota Ray Hebert vs. Alan Shane Lewis
Episode 8 – Monday, Aug. 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET
Battle 1 – Rachel Schaefer vs. Brendan d’Souza
Battle 2 – Cassie Cao vs. Daniel Woodrow
Ahead of the Season 3 premiere on July 10, it was recently announced that a fourth season of ROAST BATTLE CANADA has been ordered. Viewers can also catch up on the first two seasons, which are currently available for streaming with with no subscription or sign-in required on CTV.ca and the CTV app, and are also available on Crave.
ROAST BATTLE CANADA is produced by CTV Comedy Channel, in association with Just For Laughs Television and Counterfeit Pictures. Bruce Hills is Executive Producer and also President, Just For Laughs. Executive Producers are Dan Bennett, Shane Corkery, and Anton Leo of Counterfeit Pictures, along with George Reinblatt. Comedian Russell Peters also executive produces. The series was directed by Shelagh O’Brien.
