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TV,eh? What's up in Canadian television
Featured, Podcast, Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, X Company

TV Eh B Cs podcast 38 – Erica Durance & Adam Pettle: The Ghosts of Christmas Hope

Erica_Durance

A workday conversation with Saving Hope lead Erica Durance and showrunner Adam Pettle. Saving Hope is CTV’s enduring supernatural medical drama that centres around the lives of the doctors and nurses of Hope Zion Hospital.

Erica has spent the last decade and a half in film and television, before Saving Hope probably most noted for her work as Lois Lane on the popular CW series Smallville. In addition to being the lead on Saving Hope, she’s also a producer and, as we learn in our discussion, a new director as well.

Adam is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s playwriting program, whose most popular play Zadie’s Shoes has been produced across Canada as well as in the U.S. and the UK. He’s worked on several Canadian and American television series, including Combat Hospital, King, Rookie Blue, X Company, and Saving Hope where he became showrunner this season.

We talk about the upcoming holiday episode, transition through Erica’s getting called back to the set, and learn a whole bunch about the show that fans can’t seem to get enough of.

Listen or download below, or subscribe via iTunes or any other podcast catcher with the TV, eh? podcast feed.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Blackstone, Featured

Blackstone prepares for the end

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With just one more episode left—the series finale is set for Dec. 22—Blackstone is hurtling along. The show is dense, with lots of moving parts and some storylines that have been around for several seasons. That’s a lot to try and wrap up with just two hours left, and I’m pretty sure not everything will be nicely wrapped by then either; this is Blackstone after all and nothing seems to conclude happily.

“Retribution” does advance several storylines, however, as a number of characters see light at the end of the tunnel or prepare for the worst. Last week’s instalment, “The River’s Edge,” was a horrifying and realistic peek into sexual assault as Trisha was attacked by a trio of thugs. The tale took an equally awful turn when it was revealed Jack’s nephew was the ringleader, leaving Daryl caught in the middle between family and his business partnership. Daryl decides what side he wants to come down on and the repercussions of his actions will resonate in the finale.

Andy, always quick to make things happen (especially when it’s in his favour) is positively sprinting around Edmonton, threatening Jack and Travis and begging for money to get Blackstone’s girls off the streets and given some support. It’s almost as if he’s trying to get as much done before something bad happens. Andy’s cough is getting worse, and with nothing else to lose, I can’t help but wonder how far he’s willing to go to help Daryl get out of his jam.

Gail continues on her artistic path, growing in confidence so much—was it really just a couple of weeks ago she was hiding her work?—that she’s painting in the middle of the band office. The fact she’s continued to paint is inspiring in itself, but what happens between she and Trisha put a lump in my throat. Gail has grown so much during the past two seasons, it’s inspiring to not only see her take control of her life, but inspire others to do the same.

But with just one week left after tonight, there are still questions that need to be answered.

  • Will the remaining kids stay with Smokey?
  • What’s causing Andy to cough up blood? Will he survive the series finale?
  • Will Daryl lose the club?
  • Will Wilma pass away?

The series finale of Blackstone airs Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 10 p.m. ET on APTN.

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Industry News, Killjoys

Link: Toronto film studio cuts fees in half for women

From Bruce DeMara of the Toronto Star:

Toronto film studio cuts fees in half for women
“The initiative came from years of working with actors and writers and producers, where everyone is sort of trying to get their next shot. We found that the guys were getting ahead of the game so far quicker than the ladies were,” Apostolopoulos said in an interview.

To level the playing field, Apostolopoulos announced in June that any production with a female director or showrunner would get a 50 per cent discount on studio fees at the 70,000-square-foot facility in East York. Continue reading.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Timber Kings return for Season 3

From a media release:

Canada’s favourite log home builders return this winter in a new high-stakes, high-reward season of Timber Kings premiering January 3rd at 10pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada. The awe-inspiring builds and hilarious hijinks continue online with full episodes and bonus scenes appearing on HGTV.ca the day after broadcast. Fans can also get a closer look at their favourite cast members on-air in the six-part special series Timber Kings: Under the Hard Hat premiering March 13th at 10pm ET/PT.

Season three of Timber Kings kicks off with Joel and Bryan Sr. putting the final touches on an enormous 82,000-square foot home in Russia that includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Meanwhile, Beat takes on the most perilous build of his career: a luxury vacation home on the edge of a 100-foot cliff. When they’re not building the world’s most spectacular log homes, the crew tackles plenty of impressive side projects. It’s sink or swim for Peter as he undertakes an adventurous experiment to build a wooden raft that can handle white water rapids. André focuses his attention on a sentimental kids’ play-palace at the local hospital, while Bryan Jr. whips up an outdoor kitchen before hitting the beach in search of the ultimate driftwood bar.

After every episode, fans can catch exclusive bonus scenes on HGTV.ca that dive deeper into the storylines from that week. Whether it’s taking a tour of the Russian mansion, getting an even closer look at the challenges of log home building, or getting an all-access pass to Joel’s Tough Mudder race, these bonus scenes offer an extended look at life as a Timber King.

Beginning March 13th, Timber Kings: Under the Hard Hat takes over the 10pm Sunday spot with back-to-back episodes. Each half-hour installment provides an in-depth look at one of the cast members, revisits their best builds, biggest challenges, and priceless pranks. There’s no holding back as the entire Timber Kings cast serves up a healthy dose of fresh colour commentary on their fellow builders.

Fans can watch past episodes on HGTV.ca or catch-up with an all-day marathon on January 3rd starting at 9am and leading up to the season premiere at 10pm ET/PT.

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Children's Programming, Industry News

Lost & Found Music Studios debuts Jan. 8 on Family

This winter, Family Channel raises its voice with the premiere of Lost & Found Music Studios, an all-new original series from Temple Street Productions and creator Frank van Keeken, the forces behind The Next Step. Debuting Friday, January 8 at 6 p.m. ET/PT, the pitch perfect drama follows a group of aspiring musicians who are part of a unique music program, run by a musician-turned-producer. From pop to rock and hip-hop to R&B, the series showcases some of the best young voices Canada has to offer with original songs and stellar performances featured in each episode. For music aficionados who want to get in the studio earlier, Family’s got a special presentation of the series this Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, immediately following the epic season three finale of The Next Step beginning at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

A live music venue, recording studio and jam space, Lost & Found is an amazing place where young musicians go to become great. Members immerse themselves in music, write songs record tracks and form bands in hopes of turning their passion into a profession. But, if making it in the music industry wasn’t hard enough, these aspiring artists also have to deal with the many issues teens face including first crushes, peer pressure, difficult home lives and trying to fit in. Following the series premiere, new episodes of Lost & Found Music Studios will air regularly Fridays at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes will also be offered on Family OnDemand as they become available weekly beginning January 9.

On Friday, December 11, Family gets into the holiday spirit, gifting viewers with a special presentation of Lost & Found Music Studios at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT. In the series preview, titled “Lost and Found,” the musicians prepare a goodbye party for graduates of the studio. Audiences are introduced to overachiever Leia, who hopes to write and perform a song with her crush, Luke; band member John, who’s having a hard time expressing his feelings for dancer, Michelle; and talented but shy singer-songwriter Eva, who is eager to break out of her shell. The exciting episode is ushered in by the season three finale of The Next Step at 7 p.m. ET/PT which sees the A-Troupe dancers lay it all on the line as they compete for the title of “International Champions.”

Lost & Found Music Studios stars include Shane Harte as Luke; Keara Graves as Leia; Alex Zaichkowski as John; Sarah Carmosino as Rachel; Deshaun Clarke as Jude; Ella Jonas Farlinger as Eva; Levi Randall as Theo; Maranda Thomas as Mary; Alyssa Baker as Maggie; Rakim Kelly as Isaac; Olivia Solo as Annabelle; Jeni Ross as Clara; Katrina Hachey as Hannah; and Matthew Bacik as Nate. Michael Torontow and Ali Milner play Mr. T and Parker who oversee the music program. A companion to The Next Step, the series also features familiar faces from the popular dance drama including Trevor Tordjman as James; Victoria Baldesarra as Michelle; Jordan Clark as Giselle; and Brittany Raymond as Riley. Fans of both series can see select cast members perform live in venues across the country this winter, as they embark on the international The Next Step Wild Rhythm Tour. Tickets are currently available at Family.ca.

Lost & Found Music Studios is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with Family Channel and is executive produced by creator Frank van Keeken (The Next Step, Wingin’ It), Ivan Schneeberg and David Fortier (The Next Step, Orphan Black) and Laura Harbin (The Next Step, Wingin’ It). Temple Street controls the distribution rights internationally, and has secured deals with CBBC and Netflix. Lost & Found Music Studios is also produced with the financial assistance from The Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canada Media Fund.

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