TV, eh? | What's up in Canadian television | Page 692
TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television

Links: Cardinal

From John Doyle of The Globe and Mail:

Link: John Doyle: New CTV series Cardinal is landmark Canadian TV
In part, it’s the use of the Canadian landscape that makes Cardinal landmark TV in this neck of the woods. It is steeped in the texture of “North,” it is character driven, but the characters are of this North, anchored in it, in every fibre of their being. Continue reading. 

From Bill Harris of Postmedia Network:

Blood seeps into the clear ice and white snow in new Canadian cop drama Cardinal
Nothing stands out like a cardinal in the cold Canadian winter.

If you’re lucky enough to see one at a bird feeder, or sitting in a snowy cedar, you know that they really are a marvel of nature. In the bleakness of January, how can something be that colourful?

Also attempting to stand out at this time of year is the new Canadian TV show Cardinal, which debuts Wednesday, Jan. 25 on CTV. Continue reading. 

From Brendan Kelly of the Montreal Gazette:

Karine Vanasse investigates new terrain in CTV’s Cardinal
“For the past few years, one of my goals was to do something in English Canada. It’s a difficult market, because they don’t do that many series. It’s great to do these shows in the States, but there was something about doing a show in English Canada that got me really excited.” Continue reading.

From Brad Wheeler of The Globe and Mail:

Actor Billy Campbell on Cardinal, the frozen wilds and the roles that matter most
“This is a specifically and definitively Canadian show. And I think it gives it a real heft. And it may sound trite to say this, but the environment is another character.

Maybe the main character in the whole story. It stands in nicely for the kind of frozen wilds of Cardinal’s heart.” Continue reading.

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Cardinal: Why Billy Campbell couldn’t pass on this role
“The script was so compelling that I really, really wanted to be a part of it. I have a tendency when I read something to imagine myself as a producer and I always read something with a question in the back of my mind of ‘would I cast myself in the part?’ I instantly saw myself in this part and saw the answer to that question being ‘yes.’” Continue reading.

From Tony Wong of the Toronto Star:

Cardinal could be The Killing for Canada
“We all felt we had this great chance to create that kind of incredible series, that we should really go for it. We all love those kinds of shows, and it takes time finding the right partnerships and the right property. I think CTV found something great to run with.” Continue reading.

 

 

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Dragons’ Den audition tour commences in preparation for new season

From a media release:

It’s time for all aspiring entrepreneurs to get their business pitches ready for a chance to be a part of DRAGONS’ DEN’s incredible 12th season on CBC. This February, producers will once again head coast to coast on a multi-city audition tour in search of the country’s best businesses in need of a Dragon investment.

As in previous years, auditions will be open to the public, kicking off in Toronto on Feb. 11 in the Barbara Frum Atrium at CBC’s Toronto headquarters (250 Front Street West). A full list of audition dates and cities are listed below, and venues can be found online via the DRAGONS’ DEN website (cbc.ca/dragonsden/auditions).

The audition tour welcomes participants of all ages, with businesses at any stage of development. Hopeful entrepreneurs should prepare to pitch their concept to the DRAGONS’ DEN producers in five minutes or less. If they show the producers they have what it takes to pitch in the Den, they could be invited to Toronto to face the Dragons. Prospective pitchers are encouraged to apply online and bring a completed application form to the audition.

Producers will be on the lookout for entrepreneurs in the following cities:

  • Feb. 11 – Toronto, ON
  • Feb. 15 – Fort McMurray, AB
  • Feb. 15 – Richmond, BC
  • Feb. 15 – North Bay, ON
  • Feb. 16 – Edmonton, AB
  • Feb. 17 – Nanaimo, BC
  • Feb. 17 – Windsor, ON
  • Feb. 18 – Calgary, AB
  • Feb.18 –  London, ON
  • Feb.18 –  Vancouver, BC
  • Feb. 22 – Collingwood, ON
  • Feb. 23 – Belleville, ON
  • Feb. 24 – Kingston, ON
  • Feb. 25 – Barrie, ON
  • Feb. 25 – Montreal, QC
  • Feb. 25 – Ottawa, ON
  • March 1 – Grand Prairie, AB
  • March 1 – Oshawa, ON
  • March 2 – Fredericton, NB
  • March 3 – Abbotsford, BC
  • March 3 – Charlottetown, PE
  • March 4 – Halifax, NS
  • March 4 – Hamilton, ON
  • March 4 – Vancouver, BC
  • March 9 – Waterloo, ON
  • March 9 –  Kelowna, BC
  • March 11 – Calgary, AB
  • March 11 – Victoria, BC
  • March 15 – Guelph, ON
  • March 17 – Quebec City, QC
  • March 18 – Montreal, QC
  • March 22 – Regina, SK
  • March 24 – Saskatoon, SK
  • March 25 – Niagara Falls, ON
  • March 25 – Winnipeg, MB
  • April 1 – Toronto, ON

 

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Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Marsha Greene

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Women Behind Canadian TV: Marsha Greene
“But I do see the importance of women having showrunner power. The female showrunners I’ve worked with are treated with a lot of respect in the room. They don’t have to demand to have their ideas heard or valued, because it comes with the job. Having said that, I imagine those are all things they dealt with en route to getting that job. So I think I’ve gotten to reap the benefits of their hard work, because my experiences have been working for women who are generous, encouraging and supportive of other female writers.” Continue reading.

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Link: Good News: Jennifer Gardy Is Back On Nature Of Things

From Jim Bawden:

Link: Good News: Jennifer Gardy Is Back On Nature Of Things
Big news of the TV week is the return of Jennifer Gardy to CBC-TV’s The Nature Of Things with the fifth of her popular Myth Or Science specials.”The first four were all big ratings hits,” reports Dr. Gardy “but I never guessed when we started we’d be doing a fifth installment.”

“The first four were all big ratings hits,” reports Dr. Gardy “but I never guessed when we started we’d be doing a fifth installment.”

Check it out on CBC-TV Thursday at 8. Got that? Continue reading. 

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Discovery’s Mighty Cruise Ships sets sail with a new season on February 12

From a media release:

Discovery’s original Canadian series MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS embarks on its second season voyage, Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT beginning Feb. 12 on Discovery and the Discovery GO app. Produced by Discovery’s in-house production unit, Exploration Production Inc. (EPI), the visually stunning, six-episode series features unprecedented access to billion-dollar, cutting-edge, opulent vessels that sail passengers away to high seas luxury.

From the newest and largest cruise ship in its fleet able to accommodate more than 4,600 guests, to a vessel that is referred to as “a boutique hotel at sea”, and a ship able to navigate down the tightest of passages to remarkable places, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS takes viewers to some of the world’s most extraordinary hotspots. The series also goes behind the scenes of these seafaring marvels to reveal the high-stakes, behind-the-scenes navigational and technological challenges aboard the floating state-of-the-art vessels.

A true Canadian success story, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS is distributed to 160 countries worldwide by EPI’s distribution arm, Exploration Distribution Inc. – the international distributor for all of EPI and Bell Media programs.

Sailing to the world’s most blissful nautical hotspots, MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS journeys to exotic ports in old world Mediterranean cities including Rome, Athens, Venice, and Barcelona; the challenging but breathtaking high Arctic; the rugged coastlines of Norway and Scotland; and for the first time, to the Caribbean.

Episode highlights from Season 2 of MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS:

“Carnival Vista”
Sunday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Carnival Vista is the new flagship for one of the world’s largest cruise lines. It can carry more than 4,600 passengers and boasts 10 restaurants, nearly 2,000 staterooms, and a crew of 1,400 ready to tend to their guests’ every need. The top deck features Carnival’s largest waterpark at sea with a 140 metre-long slide, and a first-ever suspended bike loop that allows guests to pedal 46 metres above the sea.

“Royal Clipper”
Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Royal Clipper is the largest sailing cruise ship in the world, with five masts that soar 58 metres high, supporting 42 sails carrying the ship to a speed of 17 knots. With a ratio of one crew member for every two guests, the Royal Clipper offers the epitome of pampered service. On this ship, adventure is written on the wind.

“Viking Sea”
Sunday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Viking Sea is the second ocean-going vessel launched by the owners of Viking River Cruises. Reviews for the first cruise ship were stellar, but each ship – and each voyage – is a new test. No casinos, bumper cars, or discos on this ship – just fine food, dramatic destinations, and sublime Scandinavian décor making Viking Sea one of the most beautiful cruise ships in the world.

“Europa 2”
Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Life aboard Europa 2 is all about luxury. That means having plenty of room to relax. The ship offers more space per passenger than any other. There is always a free chaise by the pool or a table available in the restaurant. And the crew caters to every request or whim. A special aerial tour in an exotic port? Done. A surprise beach barbeque to celebrate a family birthday? No problem. The credo on this vessel is simple: “Small ships make big things happen.”

“Ocean Endeavour”
Sunday, March 12 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

With an ice-strengthened hull and a fleet of zodiacs, Ocean Endeavour is the perfect vessel for adventure. A voyage on this ship is not just a cruise…it’s an expedition. In the hands of an experienced staff who are experts in arctic ice, wildlife, and natural history, each trip ashore promises a rugged but enriching experience.

“MSC Divina”
Sunday, March 19 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

MSC Divina is divine – all marble and mirrors, with dramatic lighting and Swarovski crystal staircases. Featuring the best of Mediterranean design and North American convenience, the ship cruises the Caribbean in a style more often associated with ships one-quarter its size. Carrying 4,200 passengers, a cruise on this ship offers the best of Europe on board, with stops at the top ports in the Caribbean.

MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS is produced by Exploration Production Inc. (EPI), a production house wholly owned by Discovery Canada. Karen McCairley is the Executive Producer. The Series Producer is Richard Martyn. Kelly McKeown is Director of Production.

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