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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Super Channel Original feature documentary, Ice Guardians, makes world broadcast premiere on Saturday, October 8 at 9 p.m. ET

From a media release:

Super Channel is pleased to announce the world broadcast premiere of the Super Channel Original feature documentary, Ice Guardians, an in depth look at the misunderstood role of the NHL hockey enforcer, on Saturday, October 8 at 9 p.m. ET (SC3). It will also be available to subscribers on Super Channel On Demand the following day.

Exploring one of the most controversial and provocative positions in the history of sport, Ice Guardians journeys into the lives of those who perform what is undoubtedly the toughest job within the National Hockey League today, the enforcer. Very few understand this position and even fewer appreciate what is involved in becoming one. It’s a punishing profession unlike any other, holding little mercy for its candidates on or off the ice. Born out of self-policing a game where 200-pound men fly towards each other on metal blades with sticks, the role now finds itself facing the scrutiny of national newspapers, on-line blogs and TV newscasts. Due to its violent nature, it has drawn opinions from both fans and critics alike. But what do we really know? What led to its spectacular rise? What purpose does it serve in the eyes of its beholders and what drives them forward in the face of adversity? Ice Guardians steps beyond the hype and heads directly to the source of the debate… the players themselves. Through their eyes, tough exteriors are shed to reveal the humanity behind a role that struggles to maintain its existence.

Written and directed by Brett Harvey (The Culture High), Ice Guardians features interviews with NHL enforcers Dave Semenko, Clark Gillies, Eric Godard, Nick Fotiu, Dave Brown, Gino Odjick, Zenon Konopka, Kelly Chase, Scott Parker, Todd Fedoruk, Riley Cote, Derek Boogaard, Mitch Fritz, Sasha Lakovic, Wendel Clark, Brian McGrattan, Kevin Westgarth, Luke Gazdic and many more.  Producers are Adam Scorgie, David Singer, Kelly Chase, Chris Tavlarides, Jimmy Lynn and Rocky Mudaliar.

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Industry News

Bell Media’s food and lifestyle channel Gusto to begin production on 10 new original Canadian productions

From a media release:

Shortly after Bell Media began operations of its first food and lifestyle channel Gusto, the network announced today that nine deliciously entertaining new original Canadian series and specials from Gusto Worldwide Media – and one exciting design competition series from Bell Media In-House Production – are confirmed to join Gusto’s slate of homegrown programming in 2016/2017.

The menu of new food-centric series commissioned from Gusto Worldwide Media include series THE URBAN VEGETARIAN and THE LATIN KITCHEN, as well as specials SPENCER AND ROBERT’S GAME DAY BUFFET, ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS, ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPES, and WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCER’S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPES. The nine productions, all to be shot in stunning 4K, are set to shoot in Ottawa this year. In addition, Gusto confirmed second seasons of marquee original Canadian series A IS FOR APPLE, FISH THE DISH, and ONE WORLD KITCHEN from Gusto Worldwide Media. Premiere dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Gusto also announced today that it has begun production on THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER, from Bell Media In-House Production in collaboration with Swedish home furnishing retailer, IKEA. The six-episode, 30-minute series, currently in production in Toronto, is hosted by THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW’s design expert Tommy Smythe.

Further details about Gusto’s new original programming is outlined below:

Series

THE URBAN VEGETARIAN (15, 30-minute episodes, 2017)
This 15-episode, 30-minute series gives Gusto viewers a chance to eat away some of that post-holiday indulgence guilt by providing yummy meal options that won’t expand the waistline. Guilt free and delicious.

THE LATIN KITCHEN (15, 30-minute episodes, 2017)
This 15-episode, 30-minute series explores Latin cuisine, including Mexican, Venezuelan, and Spanish! Viewers celebrate the great Latin cuisines of the world with engaging hosts and mouthwatering recipes.

THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER (Six, 30-minute episodes, 2016)
From Bell Media In-House Production, this design challenge series sees six, up-and-coming interior designers compete for a coveted design contract with IKEA Canada. Hosted by THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW’s design expert Tommy Smythe, the series follows the designers as they face weekly challenges and eliminations.

Specials:

SPENCER AND ROBERT’S GAME DAY BUFFET (One-hour special, 2016)
Spencer Watts (FISH THE DISH) and Robert Jewell (A IS FOR APPLE) invite the lads over to watch the big game, and take on easy-to-make eats, including chicken wings, pulled pork, and a few surprises. Warning: there might even be a vegetable or two!

ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS (One-hour special, 2016)
This one-hour special brings a global twist to sweet holiday baking with sumptuous, easy-to-make recipes from Italy, Argentina, Japan, and Thailand. This baking is sure to become part of every family’s holiday traditions.

ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPES (One-hour special, 2016)
This one-hour special see series hosts Hana (Japan), Vanessa (Italy), Natalia (Argentina), and Pailin (Thailand) get together to share their favourite traditional holiday dishes from back home

WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCER’S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPES (One-hour special, 2016)
In this one-hour special, series host Spencer Watts serves up his take on traditional holiday fare and more than a little ham bone along the way.

THE URBAN VEGETARIAN, THE LATIN KITCHEN, SPENCER AND ROBERT’S GAME DAY BUFFET, ONE WORLD KITCHEN BAKES THE HOLIDAYS, ONE WORLD KITCHEN: OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPES, and  WATTS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SPENCER’S ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS RECIPES are created by Chris Knight. Production Executive is Robin Johnston. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, CTV and Specialty. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media.

THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER is executive produced by Michelle Crespi. John Simpson is co-executive producer. Nanci MacLean is Vice-President, Bell Media Production. Randy Lennox is President, Broadcasting and Content, Bell Media.

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Industry News

The Marilyn Denis Show and The Little Potato Company team up for The Little Chef casting call

From a media release:

It’s a culinary contest like no other! Launching today, little chefs across Canada have the opportunity to showcase their talent and put their cooking skills to the test on CTV’s THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW. For the second year in a row, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW and MASTERCHEF CANADA’s Michael Bonacini have partnered with The Little Potato Company to create The Little Chef Casting Call. The contest gives young Canadian chefs the chance to appear on CTV as well as win the culinary trip of a lifetime for their family to Rome, Italy.

To enter the casting call, families must visit Marilyn.ca and submit a video of their little chef cooking an original recipe that includes small potatoes. The contest is open to all Canadian children aged 8-13. Videos will be accepted for five weeks beginning today, Monday, Sept. 12.

The casting call will culminate with two finalists going head-to-head on THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW to compete for the grand prize of a family adventure for four people in Rome, courtesy of The Little Potato Company. The prize includes airfare, seven nights’ accommodation, and an incredible culinary experience for the travellers.

After the initial call for entries, 10 finalists will be selected by a judging panel and Canadians will be able to vote for their favourite Little Chef at Marilyn.ca. Each semi-finalist wins a culinary prize pack valued at $225. Following the voting period, the judging panel will select the two finalists who will travel to Toronto with their families to appear in an episode of THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW to compete in a cook-off for a chance to win the grand prize trip. More details about Top 10 and voting will be provided in the coming weeks. Viewers can visit Marilyn.ca for full rules and regulations.

The contest will be promoted and featured at major retailers across Canada and supported at store level with “Little Chef Program” support material and promotional programs.

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X Company

Link: X Company creators on bringing their series to “a natural, full-circle conclusion”

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: X Company creators on bringing their series to “a natural, full-circle conclusion”
“Our hope mainly was to inspire Canadians with a little curiosity about the secrets their country has kept, and with a little pride that we were an important part of the bigger picture. And to wonder what they would have done, if they had been that agent, or that German officer, or that team leader, or that wife…” Continue reading. 

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