Global! Your Proud CANADIAN Brodcaster!

In local production news, a documentary produced by Arcadia Productions of Halifax found the golden horseshoe. They were in the carribean shooting a documentary called "Going Down" (which in an earlier blog I mistakenly identified as an "L Word" type of show), they had finished filming an ordinary scene where divers prepared to dive and went overboard. As the hauled the anchor up, it was snagged on a treasure chest full of, well treasure. Good for them, hurrah.)

Anyway, Last week Global television announced it's fall schedule. I know I'm a bit late but it wasn't in the papers or on tv (but then they probably didn't advertise it during the 15 hour Simpson's marathon)

But I'll let them speak for themselves (with a few comments from me and excuse me if the cosmopolitans are kicking in)

"CanWest MediaWorks Announces Original Production Slate for 2007-2008

Global Television and E! (This was originally CH from Hamilton who I remember as the small station that tried. And they did. They did local programming for the country, "Tiny Talent Time" and I believe "House of Frightenstein". Anyway now it will be a 24 hour station dedicated to Canadians in the entertainment industry. That means if a Tom Cruise movie shoots in Montreal we'll be treated to a sassy portrait of Tom, probably wearing those RayBans from 40 years ago)

With 20 Original Series Premieres...Over 100 Hours of Scripted Content...Over 80 Hours of Premiere Documentaries, and Nearly 200 Hours of Entertainment News... (My God! Original...scripted content...Premiere Documentaries...Canadian TV has finally come into its own! Except for the 200 hours of TomCat, Maghaughey, etc)

Broadcaster Continues To Grow Critically-Acclaimed Development & Production Commitments (Continues? Did I miss something last year?)

(TORONTO) CanWest MediaWorks today announced details of its Original Production slate at their annual Upfront Presentation to advertisers and industry in Toronto.

Across primetime on Global Television and the all-new E! network, CanWest has positioned over 100 debut hours of scripted content, (okay, got it. Details, please)

over 80 hours of showcased documentaries and nearly 200 hours of entertainment news.

Building on what industry and press have tagged as a ‘turnaround’ year (who said that? It's in quotes so I'm sure someone did) for CanWest's Original Productions, the focus remains on expanding the commitment to developing and producing the best of Canadian drama, comedy, documentary and more (yes, yes, God, yes!) – and integrating these into the nation's most critically acclaimed primetime schedules. (um, okay, I'll play along caught up in the enthusiasm as I am)

"We're incredibly proud of our team, and the wide range of work that is being commissioned," said Barbara Williams, CanWest MediaWorks Senior Vice President of Programming and Production. (Wow, fit that on a nameplate. Barbara used to be an Alliance Atlantis Senior ...something) "Our promise to build on quality, diversity and the country's leading edge creative alliances remains strong, and is at the core of all of our 2007-2008 original product. (Heehee, okay, sorry. I know she has to say this but who is she talking too? Sorry, I'm just reacting based on past history. Apparently they have changed.) We're looking forward to a fantastic new season." (Us too. Sounds like a lot of work for Canadian creatives. And crew, of course. If you're not busy on The Hulk II)

As the CanWest commitment to original programming grows, (snicker, sorry, but it can't do anything but grow, can it?) the broadcaster's creative partnerships with a myriad of producing partners - from across Canada and around the world - have formed a strong foundation for an exciting roster of new content, set to debut this season and in the months to come. Premiere strategic partners include Movie Central, The Movie Network, The NFB, APTN, The BBC, Lifetime, USA Sci-Fi Network, and ABC Family. (uh oh, they don't sound Canadian Contenish at all)

New titles debuting on Global Television for the 2007-2008 season include: West coast action-drama, SEARCH AND RESCUE: From Halifax Film Company and Brightlight Pictures with Exec Producers Ray Storey, Michael Donovan, Charles Bishop (Bowling for Columbine)(that was their brackets not mine. They just want to point out that the guy who signed some cheques on Michael Moore's documentary will have his name in the credits of whatever this is)...Neighbourhood comedy 'DA KINK IN MY HAIR: From Barna Alper Productions, Exec Producer Laszlo Barna, Damian Nurse, Ngozi Paul and trey anthony - based on anthony's multi-award winning play of the same name (ethnic, okay that's good.) ...Coming-of-age college comedy, ABOUT A GIRL: From Brightlight Pictures and Exec Producer Steve Hegyes, starring Chiara Zanni, Jesse Hutch (hmm, sounds ABC Family'ish. But then they wouldn't traipse into Falcon Beach Territory again, would they? No, that would be just....)

Oil industry thriller, BURN UP: From Producers Tom Cox and Jordy Randall - a BBC co-production from Kudos Film and TV (UK) and Seven 24 Films Inc., (Hmm, BBC/Alberta co-pro. Why do I get the feeling the Alberta producers were tour guides? Don't know for sure but I never heard of them)

Psychological thriller, DURHAM COUNTY: From Exec Producers Janis Lundman, Adrienne Mitchell, Michael Prupas. Co-Developed and Commissioned by CanWest, DURHAM COUNTY is now set for its conventional network premiere. (check the word "conventional", it's been on TMN for a month, now)

In addition, all-new original documentaries arrive on the Global Television slate for 2007-2008, as GLOBAL CURRENTS with Host Kevin Newman marks its third season. (snore) A weekly, original strand that explores social issues and perspectives relevant to Canadians, GLOBAL CURRENTS is a showcase for independent producers from every corner of the country.

(i.e. Dearest CRTC, we are committed to telling Canadian stories to Canadians and have spent thousands of dollars on director/writers grateful for the opportunity. These documentaries will show in the prime viewing slot of Saturdays after golf and before a Simpsons rerun. Hey, if it doesn't get ratings, maybe we should just give up on this whole idea of Canadian content. Canadians are too smart for what we can deliver so we should give them the programming we deserve such as House, and Entertainment...whatever. After all if we want to profile Canadian talent, we should really look to the U.S. who hire a lot of our writers, House..etc)

Continuing the CanWest commitment to documentaries - now in true E! style - the network is proud to announce an all-new showcase, "ON E!", featuring a variety of entertainment-focused documentary series including: Musical-moms-on-a-mission, (oh, my God! WTF is this?)

SHAYE: From Breakthrough Film & TV and Exec Producer Ira Levy, featuring Kim Stockwood, Damhnait Doyle and Tara MacLean (eastern talent as only a Toronto broadcaster can show) ...On set in Hollywood North with adrenaline junkies, (um, yeah)

STUNT STARS: From Montreal's CMJ Productions and Exec Producer John Kuyk...Never call them "cover bands", TRIBUTE - THE NEXT BEST THING: From Fall From Grace Prod's and Exec Producers Michelle Metivier and Allison Grace...And the dangerous world of celebrity diets, break-ups and breakdowns, INSIDE HOLLYWOOD: From Producer Larry Day at Pyramid Productions. (sigh)

Also this Fall, E! network original debuts include...A look at homegrown legends on E! TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY: CANADIAN EDITION... An unconventional, in-depth take on celebrity news, trends and lifestyles, E! LIVE...And over 20 homegrown MOWs, E! MOVIES WE LOVE: From CanWest, with Lifetime Network and a wide range of Canadian Producing Partners including Shaftesbury Films, ThunderBird Films, Insight Film Studios and Muse Entertainment. (Christ!)




SEARCH AND RESCUE
(13 x 1 hour; drama)
This exciting drama follows the lives of four Canadian Coast Guards, trained to expect the unexpected in their work, but never ready for it in their personal lives. Viewers can follow the adventures of these offbeat heroes whose greatest search will be for meaning in their own lives. A co-production from Halifax Film Company (Michael Donavan and Charles Bishop) and Brightlight Pictures (Steve Hegyes); created by Michael Donavan and Ray Storey. (God, help me!)

‘DA KINK IN MY HAIR
Sundays – 7:30pm
(13 x 30 min; comedy)
The highly anticipated comedy based on trey anthony's multi award-winning play of the same name. Letty's, a bustling hair salon in Toronto's Caribbean community, serves as a platform for a group of women to share their trials, tribulations and deep dark secrets. Viewers can watch as these strong, black women let their hair down – in more ways than one. Series created by trey anthony and Ngozi Paul; Executive Produced by Damion Nurse, Laszlo Barna, trey anthony, Ngozi Paul and Shelly Scarrow.

CAST: Ordena Stephens-Thompson, Ngozi Paul, trey anthony, Conroy Stewart, Richard Fagon (Yeah, okay, this might actually be interesting)

ABOUT A GIRL
(13 x 30 min; comedy)
College student Amy Ryan never thought she would find herself living in an off-campus house along with four male roommates. She's now got a direct line to the male species and what makes them tick – and the guys now have a chick to take out the garbage. What they will learn from each other is more than any classroom could ever teach. From Producer Steve Hegyes (White Noise). (Canadian?)
CAST: Chiara Zanni, Jesse Hutch (Smallville) (Canadian?)

BURN UP
(2 x 2 hour; mini-drama)
This two-part, high-stakes conspiracy thriller is set against the backdrop of the world's corrupt and violent oil industry. This drama focuses on the desperate attempts of those trying to save the planet from global warming while uncovering the truth of oil reserves in Alberta, the southern United States and the Middle East. A co-production of Seven 24 Films Inc. ( Alberta) and Kudos Film and TV (UK). (snore. I wonder what side of global warming they come out on)

KILLER WAVE
(2 x 2 hour; drama)
An action-disaster mini-series about a conspiracy theory come true. A large corporation conspires to devastate North American cities on the east coast with tidal waves so that it can win a multi-billion dollar contract from the government to build a seawall along the eastern seaboard. Directed by Bruce McDonald; from Muse Entertainment, Montreal. (A multi-billion dollar contract from the Canadian government? We're not talking advertising, people. Oh, NORTH America. International sales, anybody)
CAST: Angus MacFadyen, Karine Vanasse, Stephen McHattie

DURHAM COUNTY
(6 x 1 hour; drama)
An emotionally powerful series revolving around Detective Mike Sweeney, his family and a potential serial killer who lives across the street. As Sweeny hunts down his murderous neighbour, the differences between the cop and the killer become blurry. With a shared history that goes all the way back to high school, Sweeney learns you can’t always leave your past behind. Produced by Muse Entertainment in Montreal.

CAST: Helene Joy, Sonya Salomaa, Laurence Leboeuf, Greyston Holt, Hugh Dillon, Justin Louis (Okay, this might actually be good from what I hear, but it's not a Global original)

That's all I'm going to blog tonight.