A Jann Arden Christmas at The Social and First-Ever Saving Hope Holiday Episode Headline CTV’s 2015 Holiday Programming
Photo by Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo.
May your days be merry and your screens be bright! Today, CTV gifts viewers with a 2015 holiday programming lineup that includes a shiny new standalone holiday-themed episode of SAVING HOPE (Dec. 10), as well as the holiday primetime special A JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS AT THE SOCIAL (Dec. 13), featuring performances by acclaimed singer-songwriter Jann Arden. The month of December also has viewers getting in touch with their inner elf with the CTV premiere of the Will Ferrell-starring holiday comedy ELF (Dec. 16), while they can also enjoy blockbuster films, timeless classics, fan favourites, original specials, and a quartet of new Hallmark holiday movies. CTV’s festive programming will be available on demand throughout the holiday season at Holidays on CTV.ca and on the CTV GO app.
In a first-ever special holiday-themed episode of SAVING HOPE, titled “Shine A Light” (Dec. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and the CTV GO app), an ice storm on Christmas Eve brings a good Samaritan to Hope Zion Hospital following a car crash, and Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance) must use all her skills to attempt the Christmas miracle so desperately needed – even if it means calling in Chief Dr. Dawn Bell (Michelle Nolden).
CTV’s original daily talk series THE SOCIAL also gets into the holiday spirit as co-hosts Melissa Grelo, Cynthia Loyst, Lainey Lui, and Traci Melchor celebrate the festive season with A JANN ARDEN CHRISTMAS AT THE SOCIAL (Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV GO app). The one-hour, original, primetime special features the first-ever musical performances on THE SOCIAL, as JUNO Award-winning artist and favourite guest co-host Jann Arden performs two Christmas classics from her first holiday album, A Jann Arden Christmas. The fun continues as THE SOCIAL delivers its third annual year-end review, THE SOCIAL: YEAR IN GOSSIP (Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV).
One of the most-anticipated Canadian television events of the holiday season returns! Back bigger and better than ever, CTV’s THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW kicks off its fifth annual “10 Days of Giveaways” this December on CTV. Randomly over three weeks in December, Host Marilyn Denis and MARILYN’s team of lifestyle experts present a variety of gift-inspired ideas for the holidays, while randomly surprising its audience members with giveaways all month long. In total, more than 100 different gifts will be showcased throughout the 10 days, with the overall value of items given away totalling more than $1,000,000. The spirit of receiving continues online at Marilyn.ca, as Marilyn offers viewers at home a chance to win each of the daily prizes being awarded throughout the 10 days; visit Marilyn.ca for contest details. THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW airs live Weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV GO app.
Canada’s #1 entertainment show ETALK returns with new original specials over the holidays for showbiz enthusiasts and pop culture junkies, including the team’s annual year-end specials: ETALK’s HOLIDAY MOVIE GUIDE (Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV) and ETALK’s STARS AND SCANDALS 2015 (Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV). From Caitlyn Jenner’s inspirational transgender journey, to Donald Trump’s presidential dreams, Justin Bieber’s year of apologies, and Charlie Sheen’s shocking HIV confession, no star is off limits in ETALK’s year-end look of 2015’s biggest celebrity stories and scandals. The hookups, the breakups, and everything in between — ETALK hosts including Ben Mulroney, Danielle Graham, Lainey Lui, Traci Melchor, Devon Soltendieck, Liz Trinnear, and Jessi Cruickshank sound off on the year’s biggest newsmakers. The one-hour primetime special also features interviews with Tom Cruise, Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner, and Shawn Mendes. ETALK’s lineup of specials also includes a look forward with ETALK: FAST FORWARD 2016 (Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV).
This December on CTV also unwraps blockbuster films including HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 1 (Dec. 26 and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), while holiday favourites and timeless classics come to CTV and CTV Two, including ELF (Dec. 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV); IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Dec. 5 and Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV); THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (Dec. 17 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on CTV); THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV and the sing-along version airing Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV Two); A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV Two); THE SANTA CLAUS trilogy (Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET on CTV Two); and more.
With heartwarming made-for-TV movies, viewers can curl up on the couch and enjoy four new Hallmark films: THE CHRISTMAS SHEPHERD (Saturday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), starring Teri Polo (THE FOSTERS) and Martin Cummins (UNREAL); NORTH POLE (Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. ET on CTV Two), starring Tiffani Thiessen (WHITE COLLAR, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210); THE TREE THAT SAVED CHRISTMAS (Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), starring Lacey Chabert (MEAN GIRLS, PARTY OF FIVE), Josh Hopkins (QUANTICO), Jill St. John (Diamonds are Forever), and Robert Wagner (HART TO HART); and A CHRISTMAS DETOUR (Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV), starring Candace Cameron Bure (THE VIEW, FULL HOUSE) and Paul Greene (BITTEN).
As previously announced, CTV empowers youth with the special premiere of WE DAY 2015 on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. ET. The one-hour special captures the most inspiring moments from the live WE Day event in Toronto this past October, which brought together 20,000 students from across Ontario to celebrate their commitment to make a difference in their local and international communities. Hosted by Demi Lovato, the high-energy special features performances by Nick Jonas, Shawn Mendes, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hedley, Hozier, and Kiesza. Additionally, actress Nina Dobrev and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson deliver inspirational messages.
CTV, alongside producers Sienna Films and Entertainment One (eOne), announced today that Golden Globe® nominee Billy Campbell and the multiple Genie Award-winning actress Karine Vanasse have been cast as series leads in CARDINAL (working title), the network’s recently announced serialized, six-part, one-hour drama. The cinematic murder mystery series stars Campbell (THE KILLING) as the intelligent, reflective, and dogged detective named John Cardinal, from the northern city of Algonquin Bay, who is burdened by a wrong he committed years ago. Quebec native Vanasse (REVENGE) is confirmed to play Cardinal’s partner Lise Delorme, a shrewd, tough, imaginative, and gifted investigator from the town’s French Canadian community. CARDINAL is a gripping, character driven drama set to premiere as part of CTV’s 2016/17 schedule, with production set to begin in February 2016.
Most recently,well-known actor Billy Campbell starred in AMC’s hit series THE KILLING as Seattle City Councilman, and eventually mayor, Darren Richmond. Campbell is also known for his role as Rick Sammler on the beloved ABC drama ONCE AND AGAIN, which he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series and won a People’s Choice Award for Favourite Male Performer in a New Television Series for his performance. He is also known for his roles in THE 4400, and National Geographic Channel’s docudrama KILLING LINCOLN. Campbell’s most notable films include: the cult classic The Rocketeer, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Enough.
Karine Vanasse is an award-winning Canadian actress. Her recent television credits include ABC’s PAN AM and REVENGE, and the upcoming French series BLUE MOON. Over the course of her career she has had lead roles in over a dozen films, including the 2009 Canadian film Polytechnique, for which she earned a Genie Award for Best Female Performance. Vanasse also served as co-producer on the film and was the driving force behind the film, which was awarded eight other Genie Awards in 2010, including Best Picture. Vanasse was also nominated for an ACTRA Award for Outstanding Female Performance in 2006 for the mini-series October 1970 and in 2010 for her performance in Polytechnique.
CARDINAL is adapted from the award-winning novel Forty Words for Sorrow, the first of the John Cardinal Mysteries series, a series of six bestselling crime novels written by Ontario native and award-winning author Giles Blunt. The series begins with the discovery of Katie Pine, a missing 13-year-old whose body is discovered in the shaft-head of an abandoned mine. CARDINAL follows detective John Cardinal (Campbell) as he attempts to uncover the mystery of what happened to the young girl. At the same time, unbeknownst to Cardinal, he comes under investigation by his new partner, Lise Delorme (Vanasse), a tough investigator in her own right.
One of the big surprises in Season 1 of Schitt’s Creek were the relationships. Far from being a formulaic comedy series hitting viewers with a rat-a-tat-tat of jokes, Dan Levy’s co-creation showed real heart among its characters … when they weren’t caught in cringe-inducing situations.
By the end of the rookie go-round, David Rose (Dan Levy) was speeding out of town in a stolen truck after breaking up with Stevie Budd (Emily Hampshire) and Alexis Rose (Annie Murphy) was trying to decide which man she wanted to be with: stoic, stable Ted (Dustin Milligan) or rough and tumble Mutt (Tim Rozon). Johnny Rose (Eugene Levy) and Moira (Catherine O’Hara), meanwhile, were plotting to get the family out of Schitt’s Creek. When Season 2 returns to CBC in January with two back-to-back episodes, three days have elapsed since David disappeared and Alexis decides to cut Ted loose.
“Ted returns a changed man after going on a honeymoon by himself,” Dan says with a smile while O’Hara cackles with glee. “Ted goes away to a sunny resort and learns a lot about himself.” The same is true of the other major characters; Johnny is plans to sell Schitt’s Creek but opens up an office in the meantime, Moira attempts to inject the town with some sophistication and David goes looking for a job. Now that the writers’ room members know more about the characters, they can interplay and explore other parts of the town.
“We definitely went into this season saying, ‘OK, let’s go with some different pairings,'” Dan says. “We see a really lovely episode between Moira and Alexis halfway through the season.”
“They wrote a great story,” O’Hara says. “Alexis gets sick and Moira doesn’t know how to mother her. There was always someone there to take care of Alexis when she was growing up. These are new experiences for Moira.” O’Hara is quick to point out Moira is forced into these mothering situations; there is no forethought or plan to make her a better mom. Or cook, as illustrated in Episode 2 of Season 2, when Moira’s attempt to re-create a Mexican dish from her own mom’s recipe turns into a fiasco in Jocelyn’s (Jennifer Robertson) kitchen.
David, meanwhile, goes on a job hunt, which leads to the introduction of a new character played by former Saturday Night Live and SCTV actress Robin Duke.
“David gets a job at a clothing store and she plays Wendy, the manager of the store,” he teases. “The store is struggling, so she is balancing the reality of an unstable business with having hired David, who wants to redo the whole store. His ideas are not coming from a business mind.” Also on tap? More Twyla (Sarah Levy), thanks to a group activity that starts happening in the town.
“Again, this was a way of showing our characters in different lights and providing a different through-line that was outside of the areas we’ve associated them with.”
Schitt’s Creek returns Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 9 p.m. on CBC.
Introducing our Women Behind Canadian TV series
It’s been almost a year since Writers Guild of Canada President Jill Golick called for gender equality in television writing rooms, and while it would seem like awareness and talk of equality has gone up, the reality of the lack of women actually holding notable positions continues. While it’s been reported that over the last year women were responsible for only 34 per cent of the writing credits on Canadian television series, if we take a closer look there’s definitely some rays of hope for the future. Continue reading.
