K coupla things;
Since my sister left with her Brazilian boyfriend things have gotten...um.. a little desperate. But staying true to the theme of this blog; some television notes:
Global TV has laid of about 200 people across the country including about 37 out of 41 Halifax employees. The local news for Halifax will now be produced and broadcast from Vancouver. I'm trying to wrap my head around this concept: on the positive side a virtual newsroom will be used (ed. yeh! cool! technology!) and the news between the Lotus land city and the city of needy should be similar because....we both have oceans? At least the graphics shouldn't have to change. (ed. 'cept our lobsters are better, 'cause we gots the ones with claws, eh. But they's can photoshop claws on them lame bastards, I 's'pose). On the negative side, how will we know who got mugged, stabbed, tortured, beaten over the head with a table leg, by our own poor disturbed "I only need attention" Young offenders.
The Nova Scotia NDP has stepped into the frey of the Electropolis debacle. as previous readers know, Nova Scotia Power who owes Electropolis, wants to increase rent to Halifax Film Company to what they could get if they rented the film studio out to other people. WTF? Do they know that the principle person using Electropolis has won an Academy Award (tm) ?! That's an Oscar (tm) to you!
Of course Halifax Film needs the gov't to step up to the plate and subsidize the lease. Finally the NDP are realizing that socialism and capitalism can exist side by side, or feed each other or at least share in the magical glow that is Hollywood North...easterly.
We think if this gov't can afford to give money makers like Olands Brewaries, (ed. owned by a Dutch company and enjoying its best year ever)a million or two to get bigger than the film industry in this province aka Michael Donovan, should also enjoy the same consideration. Did Mr. Oland win an Oscar (tm)? I think not.
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
More Halifax tv/film Stuff
Well, Stella and Carl are out of the house and I can finally sit around in my underwear blogging with Abba's greatest hits turned up to 5!
A few more tidbits I came across, my friend Maurice aka "ed" will be my editor for this evening.
Halifax Film Company(ed. not again with them!) has secured a $25,000,000 line of credit to help with production financing. That will help cash flow until the government welfare, er, incentives come rolling in.
I watched 22 Minutes Last night and I must say, they seem to have updated themselves nicely and the show was actually funny. Mark Critch seems to be coming into his own since the last time I saw him, a few years ago. He did a pretty decent Jerry Lewis and his Rex Murphy was spot on.
They let some guy (ed. he looked 12) interview a senator in the U.S. who's suing God. The kid was actually pretty good; his timing was impeccable. Hopefully Jon Stewart doesn't steal him away.
Gavin Crawford didn't get a lot to do but I always liked the mischevious look in his eye.
And Cathy Jones was there.
"That News Show" doesn't look like it's going for a second season. The show on TVTropolis (ed. sounds lik a disease) takes weird and wacky tv news stories from around the globe and sucks the entertainment value out of them. It was produced by a Halifax company called Acadia. They do a lot of looking at fish shows. (ed. snore) But that shows director Mark Mullane has moved to Toronto after seperating from his wife and former Street Cents co-worker Allison Dixon. She is just cute as a button. (ed. um, thi is starting to sound like some sort of gossip rag)
Corus has taken the knife out and cut, amongst other departments, development staff from YTV (Bonieta Siegal) and The Movie Network (Shelley Gillan). Should they be doing that, with another pay tv movie channel launching shortly?
And speaking of breaking up, Jeff Rosen who created Bo on the Go, Poko, Lunar Jim and a hundred other kids shows for Halifax Film Company is gettin a divorce. (ed. great! You got Halifax Film and a divorce scandal in the same item!) Let's hope she dosn't find out his base salary is $380,000 a year and that's without the writer's fees he farts out. Sounds like a lot but when you realize these shows are evergreen and are/will make Halifx Films millions, well, Jeff, mabe you should be making more.
A few more tidbits I came across, my friend Maurice aka "ed" will be my editor for this evening.
Halifax Film Company(ed. not again with them!) has secured a $25,000,000 line of credit to help with production financing. That will help cash flow until the government welfare, er, incentives come rolling in.
I watched 22 Minutes Last night and I must say, they seem to have updated themselves nicely and the show was actually funny. Mark Critch seems to be coming into his own since the last time I saw him, a few years ago. He did a pretty decent Jerry Lewis and his Rex Murphy was spot on.
They let some guy (ed. he looked 12) interview a senator in the U.S. who's suing God. The kid was actually pretty good; his timing was impeccable. Hopefully Jon Stewart doesn't steal him away.
Gavin Crawford didn't get a lot to do but I always liked the mischevious look in his eye.
And Cathy Jones was there.
"That News Show" doesn't look like it's going for a second season. The show on TVTropolis (ed. sounds lik a disease) takes weird and wacky tv news stories from around the globe and sucks the entertainment value out of them. It was produced by a Halifax company called Acadia. They do a lot of looking at fish shows. (ed. snore) But that shows director Mark Mullane has moved to Toronto after seperating from his wife and former Street Cents co-worker Allison Dixon. She is just cute as a button. (ed. um, thi is starting to sound like some sort of gossip rag)
Corus has taken the knife out and cut, amongst other departments, development staff from YTV (Bonieta Siegal) and The Movie Network (Shelley Gillan). Should they be doing that, with another pay tv movie channel launching shortly?
And speaking of breaking up, Jeff Rosen who created Bo on the Go, Poko, Lunar Jim and a hundred other kids shows for Halifax Film Company is gettin a divorce. (ed. great! You got Halifax Film and a divorce scandal in the same item!) Let's hope she dosn't find out his base salary is $380,000 a year and that's without the writer's fees he farts out. Sounds like a lot but when you realize these shows are evergreen and are/will make Halifx Films millions, well, Jeff, mabe you should be making more.
Halifax Film Company Made Me Rich!
Well, the financials for Halifax Film Company (aka DHX) are out and kapow! am I ever glad I didn't trade my shares with Maurice for his "slightly used" laptop. As regular readers are aware, my Father left me 1000 shares of DHX stock earlier this year when it was trading at $1.40. Now the shares are up to $1.93! This calls for Quarter Pounders with cheese tonight as a treat. Dammit, I'm getting fries too!
DHX's nine month ending March 31, 2007 results are likely what caused the increase and who would not be thrilled with those numbers. Though I don't understand a lot of the accountant's mumbo Jumbo, the report states that Revenues were up 216%! That is almost double!
The written part of the report (I had to skim most of it or fall asleep at my trusty keyboard) was joyously optomistic when it talked of the past 9 months and the future of the company. There's all kinds of new shows being produced like a show for YTV called "Clang!" Kids love that sound! It`s a Canada/Hong Kong/Singapore co-production. And I'm guessing the Hong Kongians and Singaporians are putting in the "sweat equity" and not for the money grubbing rates that animators in Canada and Korean demand! Hey, draw some food! ha! And really by hiring asian workers to create our Canadian content we are making their lives so much better. It's not like they would want a Starbucks coffee, even if they could afford it.
Anyway, in a previous blog it was noted that DHX may lose their production facilities "Electropolis" because the owner wants to charge them outrageous market rate rent instead of the below market rate Halifax Film needed these last ten years to scrabble togther a living. Luckily the company as able to make some money from third parties such as the Films Outlander and Slevin. They helped bring in $215,000. Rent was $50,000/month so thats,um, $215,000 - 50,000 X 9 = um, just a sec. MINUS $235,000! No wonder Michael Donovan is calling his landlord unfair. If on top of that he had to pay rent for the productions Bo on the Go, Lunar Jim, Mighty Jungle, Animal Mechanicals..well, you're taking the fries right out of my mouth, people.
Oh, and I finally saw Shake Hands With the Devil. My friend Maurice videotaped it at the theatre, but before you jump all over me, remember I'm unable to leave the aprtment so I probably would have had to wait a week before it finished its theatrical run in Canada and went to DVD.
I thought the film was very well made (although, Maurice, a little less camera shake next time. I can't believe you were looking for milk duds in your pocket all that time.) Horrifying story but well acted by Roy Dupreis (?) Other than him I didn't see a lot of Canadian content or Nova Scotia crew involved. oh well, those tax credits aren't so picky anymore.
I'll be back with more blogging later. My sister Stella and her Brazillian boyfriend are finally moving out, thank God! I'll have the place to myself without having worry about finding a puddle of their combined bodily fluids everywhere. Really, in the fridge? How? Why? Never mind.
I'm helping them pack to hurry them out the door. But still, I don't know how I'm going to pay the rent by myself. May have to leverage my stocks somehow.
DHX's nine month ending March 31, 2007 results are likely what caused the increase and who would not be thrilled with those numbers. Though I don't understand a lot of the accountant's mumbo Jumbo, the report states that Revenues were up 216%! That is almost double!
The written part of the report (I had to skim most of it or fall asleep at my trusty keyboard) was joyously optomistic when it talked of the past 9 months and the future of the company. There's all kinds of new shows being produced like a show for YTV called "Clang!" Kids love that sound! It`s a Canada/Hong Kong/Singapore co-production. And I'm guessing the Hong Kongians and Singaporians are putting in the "sweat equity" and not for the money grubbing rates that animators in Canada and Korean demand! Hey, draw some food! ha! And really by hiring asian workers to create our Canadian content we are making their lives so much better. It's not like they would want a Starbucks coffee, even if they could afford it.
Anyway, in a previous blog it was noted that DHX may lose their production facilities "Electropolis" because the owner wants to charge them outrageous market rate rent instead of the below market rate Halifax Film needed these last ten years to scrabble togther a living. Luckily the company as able to make some money from third parties such as the Films Outlander and Slevin. They helped bring in $215,000. Rent was $50,000/month so thats,um, $215,000 - 50,000 X 9 = um, just a sec. MINUS $235,000! No wonder Michael Donovan is calling his landlord unfair. If on top of that he had to pay rent for the productions Bo on the Go, Lunar Jim, Mighty Jungle, Animal Mechanicals..well, you're taking the fries right out of my mouth, people.
Oh, and I finally saw Shake Hands With the Devil. My friend Maurice videotaped it at the theatre, but before you jump all over me, remember I'm unable to leave the aprtment so I probably would have had to wait a week before it finished its theatrical run in Canada and went to DVD.
I thought the film was very well made (although, Maurice, a little less camera shake next time. I can't believe you were looking for milk duds in your pocket all that time.) Horrifying story but well acted by Roy Dupreis (?) Other than him I didn't see a lot of Canadian content or Nova Scotia crew involved. oh well, those tax credits aren't so picky anymore.
I'll be back with more blogging later. My sister Stella and her Brazillian boyfriend are finally moving out, thank God! I'll have the place to myself without having worry about finding a puddle of their combined bodily fluids everywhere. Really, in the fridge? How? Why? Never mind.
I'm helping them pack to hurry them out the door. But still, I don't know how I'm going to pay the rent by myself. May have to leverage my stocks somehow.
Monday, 24 September 2007
New TV Season!
Okay, the cable is finally back on and just in time for the new TV season. So I'm going to provide "Instant Reviews" of all the new shows:
The Big Bang Theory
Premise:
Hot dumb chick lives next door to two nerds. Hilarity ensues?
Characters:
We know they're nerds because they have a white board of algorithmic equations in their kitchen, they dress like what real nerds tend to avoid and cool guys wear to look hip, they say "coitus" and their showercurtain is the periodic table.
The female is a dumb blonde slut, but not the good type of slut who will sleep with a nerd. (Really if I were a woman, this would totally piss me off. The character is like a dumber Suzanne Summers)
Demographic:
Would be teenage boys if this were 1976 and/or internet porn wasn't invented.
Overall Opinion:
I came in here to blog until Two and a Half Men comes on. Sad on many levels.
The Big Bang Theory
Premise:
Hot dumb chick lives next door to two nerds. Hilarity ensues?
Characters:
We know they're nerds because they have a white board of algorithmic equations in their kitchen, they dress like what real nerds tend to avoid and cool guys wear to look hip, they say "coitus" and their showercurtain is the periodic table.
The female is a dumb blonde slut, but not the good type of slut who will sleep with a nerd. (Really if I were a woman, this would totally piss me off. The character is like a dumber Suzanne Summers)
Demographic:
Would be teenage boys if this were 1976 and/or internet porn wasn't invented.
Overall Opinion:
I came in here to blog until Two and a Half Men comes on. Sad on many levels.
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Halifax CBC Shakeup!
Last week my friend Maurice attended a CBC luncheon as part of the Atlantic Film Festival. As my readers know, I'm unable to leave the apartment so Maurice has become sort of my eyes and ears of the tangible tv film industry in Halifax. He also helps edit this blog and because he's a struggling scriptwriter (ed. is there any other kind in Canada) he wants to remain anonymous so we'll just refer to him as "ed".
To backtrack, several weeks ago we reported that Ron Crocker the Regional Head for the Maritimes "retired" and Andrew Cochrane took over. One of the first things Cochrane did was hire Peter Coade away from rival CTV to bring us the supper time weather. Previously the weather was read to us by anchor Norma Lee McLeod (ed. she was especially good at telling us when it was going to be icy.).
So at the CBC luncheon, it was announced that was only one of several changes that were going to happen over the next few weeks. Yesterday another change was announced, Norma Lee was being replaced at the desk by former anchor from years gone by Jum Nunn!
Now Jimbo left his anchor position years ago, went to Toronto to host Marketplace, left or was made to leave, and returned to Halifax. For the last few years he filled a seat as a"producer" waiting for his pension to kick in and bemoaning his fate.
Until this week. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when Norma Lee was told "we're thinking of some changes". Norma Lee had only taken over the desk from Linda Kelly after Nancy Waugh returned to head the newsroom. (ed. "Linda, we're thinking of making some changes." )
I'm sure there were public smiles all around but I bet it's a chilly ole newsroom.
To backtrack, several weeks ago we reported that Ron Crocker the Regional Head for the Maritimes "retired" and Andrew Cochrane took over. One of the first things Cochrane did was hire Peter Coade away from rival CTV to bring us the supper time weather. Previously the weather was read to us by anchor Norma Lee McLeod (ed. she was especially good at telling us when it was going to be icy.).
So at the CBC luncheon, it was announced that was only one of several changes that were going to happen over the next few weeks. Yesterday another change was announced, Norma Lee was being replaced at the desk by former anchor from years gone by Jum Nunn!
Now Jimbo left his anchor position years ago, went to Toronto to host Marketplace, left or was made to leave, and returned to Halifax. For the last few years he filled a seat as a"producer" waiting for his pension to kick in and bemoaning his fate.
Until this week. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when Norma Lee was told "we're thinking of some changes". Norma Lee had only taken over the desk from Linda Kelly after Nancy Waugh returned to head the newsroom. (ed. "Linda, we're thinking of making some changes." )
I'm sure there were public smiles all around but I bet it's a chilly ole newsroom.
Electropolis Vermin!
On top of Michael Donavan's company DHX aka Halifax Film Company being squeezed for more money to lease the Electropolis Soundstage, Frank Magazine is reporting the place is invested with Rats! Mind you, only the grunt workers toil away there, management firmly esconcened above a Starbooks on Spring Garden Road, so there's no worries, right?
Wrong! Apparently these particular rats are fond of stop motion animation puppets and have kidnapped them. The fact that these puppets cost thousands of dollars is one thing but the thought of Poko or Minus being dragged off frantically waving for help (ed. albeit frantic would be one movement a minute for the little guys) is sickening.
This of course is the government's fault and they should step in and subsidize the lease costs for the struggling international distributor.
Wrong! Apparently these particular rats are fond of stop motion animation puppets and have kidnapped them. The fact that these puppets cost thousands of dollars is one thing but the thought of Poko or Minus being dragged off frantically waving for help (ed. albeit frantic would be one movement a minute for the little guys) is sickening.
This of course is the government's fault and they should step in and subsidize the lease costs for the struggling international distributor.
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Electropolis in Ruins!
With the Atlantic Film Festival still in full swing and a new and improved tax credit announced, Halifax's production community has been dealt a debilitating blow. Nova Scotia Power, the province's electricity provider has singlehandedly killed the industry by bolting the doors and throwing out the tenants from the Electropolis sound stage in downtown Halifax. (ed. metephorically speaking that is).
In an announcement today Michael Donovan (ed. Mr. Oscar (tm), to you) has received news that he will have to vacate the building where shows like Bo on the Go, Lunar Jim etc, have and are being produced.
The Chronicle Herald quotes the Oscar (tm) winner ""They want us out," he said, adding that while NSPI can do what it wants with the property, he isn’t happy about the way negotiations took place. "We feel very badly treated.""
"Utility spokeswoman Margaret Murphy called the "unfortunate situation" an impasse between a landlord that wants to increase its lease price to better reflect current market conditions and a tenant that had enjoyed a favourable long-term lease."
Apparently Donovan's company DHX Media signed a lease ten years ago (ed. wouldn't that have been Salter Street Films?) agreeing to pay $50,000 a year lease. The contract also stated that after the ten years were up, the lease amount would rise to $500,000 which is about the actual operating cost of the building.
According to "a close friend", The gold statuette recipient is baffled at how the corporate monster NSPI would actually hold him to a signed legal contract thet bleeds his company of close to the market value of the property. After all, he did win an Oscar (tm). (ed. Enough)
Surely to God the government of Nova Scotia will step in and buy the property to avoid the sad sight of Poko and Minus packing up their meagre belongings and shuffling down the side of the road looking for a small corner to film his adventures in.
The government did come through last week after producers in town held a hunger strike (ed. actually they just cut out carbs for a few days). The tax credit on Nova Scotian labour has been increased to 50% + 5% for "frequent flyers" and another 10% for shooting in rural nova scota. (ed. really, isn't it all rural?) At a potential 65%, this tax credit is the highest in North America. And luckily for Halifax Film Nova Scotia Labour still counts people from Ontario who come to work here.
So, i urge everyone to call their MLA's and the premier's office to beg for their support to get Electropolis out of the hands of the spoiler of dreams NSPI and back into the hands of the free-"ish" marketplace.
Halifax Film should not have to did into their $25M IPO, their $1M provincial labour grant, or the money coming in from international sales of its evergreen children's programming. And I'm not saying this because I own 1000 shares of DHX (ed. presently at $1.70 where you acquired it)
In an announcement today Michael Donovan (ed. Mr. Oscar (tm), to you) has received news that he will have to vacate the building where shows like Bo on the Go, Lunar Jim etc, have and are being produced.
The Chronicle Herald quotes the Oscar (tm) winner ""They want us out," he said, adding that while NSPI can do what it wants with the property, he isn’t happy about the way negotiations took place. "We feel very badly treated.""
"Utility spokeswoman Margaret Murphy called the "unfortunate situation" an impasse between a landlord that wants to increase its lease price to better reflect current market conditions and a tenant that had enjoyed a favourable long-term lease."
Apparently Donovan's company DHX Media signed a lease ten years ago (ed. wouldn't that have been Salter Street Films?) agreeing to pay $50,000 a year lease. The contract also stated that after the ten years were up, the lease amount would rise to $500,000 which is about the actual operating cost of the building.
According to "a close friend", The gold statuette recipient is baffled at how the corporate monster NSPI would actually hold him to a signed legal contract thet bleeds his company of close to the market value of the property. After all, he did win an Oscar (tm). (ed. Enough)
Surely to God the government of Nova Scotia will step in and buy the property to avoid the sad sight of Poko and Minus packing up their meagre belongings and shuffling down the side of the road looking for a small corner to film his adventures in.
The government did come through last week after producers in town held a hunger strike (ed. actually they just cut out carbs for a few days). The tax credit on Nova Scotian labour has been increased to 50% + 5% for "frequent flyers" and another 10% for shooting in rural nova scota. (ed. really, isn't it all rural?) At a potential 65%, this tax credit is the highest in North America. And luckily for Halifax Film Nova Scotia Labour still counts people from Ontario who come to work here.
So, i urge everyone to call their MLA's and the premier's office to beg for their support to get Electropolis out of the hands of the spoiler of dreams NSPI and back into the hands of the free-"ish" marketplace.
Halifax Film should not have to did into their $25M IPO, their $1M provincial labour grant, or the money coming in from international sales of its evergreen children's programming. And I'm not saying this because I own 1000 shares of DHX (ed. presently at $1.70 where you acquired it)
Friday, 3 August 2007
Crocker Jumps From Dreadnought CBC to....? Theodore Tugboat Dad Takes Corner Office!
Ron Crocker, the El Capitan of CBC Halifax has retired and will be replaced by former independant producer, bearded man, Andrew Cochran.
Andrew, of course is the man behind the Theodore Tugboat TV show, life-size replica, (ed. Don't say there's a Theodore Tugboat panty liner; that would be so old and predictable.) and expensive toy line.
After Theodore struck the big metaphoric iceberg and declared bankruptcy, the affable boat was sold to a local businessman so he could take whiney tourists on a tour of halifax harbour, where their kids could watch human waste float to the surface becoming part of the wonderful cycle of life (ed. get on with it!), Andrew sort of disappeared off the production map.
But locals, although surprised by the turn of events, are overall happy that Andrew will be standing in the wheelhouse of the Halifax CBC, although it could be described as a sinking ship.
The once busy plant (Streetcents, Land and Sea, that Mary Walsh Book show, and numerous pilots produced for Michael Donovan whenever a fart of an idea wafted out of him), now only has This Hour for part of the year and the supper hour news (ed. that's dinner for people east of N.B. Thats New Brunswick, sorry.)
Ron Crocker, a former news guy, has been struggling to make the news work. First T.O. cut the one hour news in half and the budget with it, then they demanded the one hour production back but with no matching budget increase.
Most people know that Toronto wants the Halifax entity gone; they've been winnowing the employees down over the past ten years. If there's to be any production at all out of CBC Halifax five years from now, it will be done by independant producers and the space where the CBC Tv station has stood for fifty years will be a parking lot.
Welcome to The Twilight Zone, Andrew Cochran.
And although the official word is that Ron Crocker is "retiring", the word on the street is that he will be joing The Halifax Film Company, but in what capacity, no one knows. Perhaps he'll take over Michael's duties which include....?
Andrew, of course is the man behind the Theodore Tugboat TV show, life-size replica, (ed. Don't say there's a Theodore Tugboat panty liner; that would be so old and predictable.) and expensive toy line.
After Theodore struck the big metaphoric iceberg and declared bankruptcy, the affable boat was sold to a local businessman so he could take whiney tourists on a tour of halifax harbour, where their kids could watch human waste float to the surface becoming part of the wonderful cycle of life (ed. get on with it!), Andrew sort of disappeared off the production map.
But locals, although surprised by the turn of events, are overall happy that Andrew will be standing in the wheelhouse of the Halifax CBC, although it could be described as a sinking ship.
The once busy plant (Streetcents, Land and Sea, that Mary Walsh Book show, and numerous pilots produced for Michael Donovan whenever a fart of an idea wafted out of him), now only has This Hour for part of the year and the supper hour news (ed. that's dinner for people east of N.B. Thats New Brunswick, sorry.)
Ron Crocker, a former news guy, has been struggling to make the news work. First T.O. cut the one hour news in half and the budget with it, then they demanded the one hour production back but with no matching budget increase.
Most people know that Toronto wants the Halifax entity gone; they've been winnowing the employees down over the past ten years. If there's to be any production at all out of CBC Halifax five years from now, it will be done by independant producers and the space where the CBC Tv station has stood for fifty years will be a parking lot.
Welcome to The Twilight Zone, Andrew Cochran.
And although the official word is that Ron Crocker is "retiring", the word on the street is that he will be joing The Halifax Film Company, but in what capacity, no one knows. Perhaps he'll take over Michael's duties which include....?
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Summertime and the Blogging ain't Easy
Taking a break for a few weeks. Back when the new season starts.
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
CBC strikes Gold!
Well, it did years ago when there wasn't so much competition. I found this site that offers synopsis of old Canadian TV shows. These sound interesting:
CHRYSLER FESTIVAL
CBC / 6x60m-e / 1956-57
Executive Producer: Stuart W. Griffiths
Variety series broadcast from Loew's Uptown Theatre in Toronto. Hosted by Elaine Grand and Hume Cronyn. Some big names appeared including the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Earth Kitt, Shirley Jones, Peter Sellers, Jose Greco, Dorothy Dandridge, Kaye Ballard and the Oscar Peterson Trio.
CHARLIE HAD ONE BUT HE DIDN'T LIKE IT SO HE GAVE IT TO US
CBC / x30m-e / 1966 (20 July - 12 October / Wednesday 11.40pm)
Producer: Terry Kyne
Eccentric sketch series starring Paul Soles and Barrie Baldaro with a different guest star each week.
(ed. A late night sketch comedy show with a different host each week? Crazy. No wonder it didn't last.)
THE COLLABORATORS
CBC / x60m-e / 1973-74 (16 December 73 - 1 December 74 / Sunday 9.00pm)
Creator: Richard Gilbert
Crime drama series. Cases of a group of forensic scientists heavily involved in solving crimes for the police.
With:- MICHAEL KANE as Detective Sergeant Jim Brewer / PAUL HARDING as Dr Charles Erickson / TOBY TARNOW as Liz Roman / DONALD PILON as Detective Sergeant Richard Tremblay (season 2) / LAWRENCE BENEDICT as Detective Quinn / LESLIE CARLSON as Detective Kaminski
(ed. Forensic scientists solving crimes? Ludicrous.)
COMING UP ROSIE
CBC / x30m-e / 1975-78 (15 September 75 - 28 March 78)
Writers: Barbara Evans, David Mayerovitch, Stuart Northey / Executive Producer: Don Elder / Producer/Director: Trevor Evans (seasons 1-2), Hedley Read (season 3)
Teen sitcom. Misadventures of Rosie Tucker, a film school graduate, who is determined to make a name for herself as a documentary film maker.
With:- ROSEMARY RADCLIFFE as Rosie Tucker / BARRIE BALDARO as Dudley Nightshade / DAN HENNESSEY as Ralph Oberding / FIONA REID as Mona Swicker / CATHERINE O'HARA as Myrna Wallbacker / JOHN CANDY as Wally Wypyzychwk / DAN ACKROYD as Parks Bickle / JOHN STOCKER as Dwayne Kramer
(Ed. I loved this show!)
DR ZONK AND THE ZUNKINS
CBC / 30x30m-e / 1974-75 (23 September 74 - 14 April 75/ Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 4.30pm)
Producer: Don Elder / Director: Trevor Evans
Children's sketch series based around young Billy Meek and the contents of his imagination. Robin Eveson played Billy Meek and featured amongst the cast were a young John Candy, Gilda Radner, Bob McKenna, Rosemary Radcliffe, Fiona Reid and Dan Hennessey.
(ed. Never saw this but it sounds intriguing.)
QUENTIN DURGENS M.P.
CBC / x60m-e / 1966-71
Creator: George Robertson / Producer: David Gardner / Executive Producer: Ronald Weyman
Drama series. Rural MP Quentin Durgens juggles his constituency duties in the small town of Hampton County with his role as a back bencher in Ottawa. The show grew out of a six parter called Mr Member of Parliament that appeared as part of The Serial.
With:- GORDON PINSENT as Quentin Durgens / SUZANNE LEVESQUE as 'Toinette / OVILA LGAR as Letourneau
(ed.This was a good show.)
THE RAY STEVENS SHOW
CTV / 8x60m-e / 1970
Writers: Jack Hanrahan, Phil Hahn / Executive Producers: Allan Blye, Chris Beard, Murray Chercover
Sketch based comedy series starring American comedy singer (The Streak) as well as an up and coming Steve Martin, Mama Cass of Mama's and the Papa's, Lulu, Billy Van and Dick Curtis.
(ed. During the seventies alot of entertainers had a variety show on CBC, Noel Coward, Wolfman Jack, Ray Stevens, Rolf Harris. I think there were Canadian hosts too.)
WOJECK
CBC / 20x60m-e / 1967-68
Creator: Philip Hersch
Medical/crime drama series featuring the cases of crusading Toronto Chief Coroner Dr Steve Wojeck who tackled head on all manner of controversial subjects. Wojeck's wife was Marty, Arnold Bateman was the cop Wojeck often called upon. See also below for the TV Movie revival called Wojeck: Out of the Fire.
With:- JOHN VERNON as Dr Steve Wojack / PATRICK COLLINS as Marty Wojeck / TED FOLLOWS as Arnold Bateman / CARL BANAS as Sgt Byron James
(ed. Again with the crazy ideas, a coroner solving crime.
CHRYSLER FESTIVAL
CBC / 6x60m-e / 1956-57
Executive Producer: Stuart W. Griffiths
Variety series broadcast from Loew's Uptown Theatre in Toronto. Hosted by Elaine Grand and Hume Cronyn. Some big names appeared including the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Earth Kitt, Shirley Jones, Peter Sellers, Jose Greco, Dorothy Dandridge, Kaye Ballard and the Oscar Peterson Trio.
CHARLIE HAD ONE BUT HE DIDN'T LIKE IT SO HE GAVE IT TO US
CBC / x30m-e / 1966 (20 July - 12 October / Wednesday 11.40pm)
Producer: Terry Kyne
Eccentric sketch series starring Paul Soles and Barrie Baldaro with a different guest star each week.
(ed. A late night sketch comedy show with a different host each week? Crazy. No wonder it didn't last.)
THE COLLABORATORS
CBC / x60m-e / 1973-74 (16 December 73 - 1 December 74 / Sunday 9.00pm)
Creator: Richard Gilbert
Crime drama series. Cases of a group of forensic scientists heavily involved in solving crimes for the police.
With:- MICHAEL KANE as Detective Sergeant Jim Brewer / PAUL HARDING as Dr Charles Erickson / TOBY TARNOW as Liz Roman / DONALD PILON as Detective Sergeant Richard Tremblay (season 2) / LAWRENCE BENEDICT as Detective Quinn / LESLIE CARLSON as Detective Kaminski
(ed. Forensic scientists solving crimes? Ludicrous.)
COMING UP ROSIE
CBC / x30m-e / 1975-78 (15 September 75 - 28 March 78)
Writers: Barbara Evans, David Mayerovitch, Stuart Northey / Executive Producer: Don Elder / Producer/Director: Trevor Evans (seasons 1-2), Hedley Read (season 3)
Teen sitcom. Misadventures of Rosie Tucker, a film school graduate, who is determined to make a name for herself as a documentary film maker.
With:- ROSEMARY RADCLIFFE as Rosie Tucker / BARRIE BALDARO as Dudley Nightshade / DAN HENNESSEY as Ralph Oberding / FIONA REID as Mona Swicker / CATHERINE O'HARA as Myrna Wallbacker / JOHN CANDY as Wally Wypyzychwk / DAN ACKROYD as Parks Bickle / JOHN STOCKER as Dwayne Kramer
(Ed. I loved this show!)
DR ZONK AND THE ZUNKINS
CBC / 30x30m-e / 1974-75 (23 September 74 - 14 April 75/ Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays 4.30pm)
Producer: Don Elder / Director: Trevor Evans
Children's sketch series based around young Billy Meek and the contents of his imagination. Robin Eveson played Billy Meek and featured amongst the cast were a young John Candy, Gilda Radner, Bob McKenna, Rosemary Radcliffe, Fiona Reid and Dan Hennessey.
(ed. Never saw this but it sounds intriguing.)
QUENTIN DURGENS M.P.
CBC / x60m-e / 1966-71
Creator: George Robertson / Producer: David Gardner / Executive Producer: Ronald Weyman
Drama series. Rural MP Quentin Durgens juggles his constituency duties in the small town of Hampton County with his role as a back bencher in Ottawa. The show grew out of a six parter called Mr Member of Parliament that appeared as part of The Serial.
With:- GORDON PINSENT as Quentin Durgens / SUZANNE LEVESQUE as 'Toinette / OVILA LGAR as Letourneau
(ed.This was a good show.)
THE RAY STEVENS SHOW
CTV / 8x60m-e / 1970
Writers: Jack Hanrahan, Phil Hahn / Executive Producers: Allan Blye, Chris Beard, Murray Chercover
Sketch based comedy series starring American comedy singer (The Streak) as well as an up and coming Steve Martin, Mama Cass of Mama's and the Papa's, Lulu, Billy Van and Dick Curtis.
(ed. During the seventies alot of entertainers had a variety show on CBC, Noel Coward, Wolfman Jack, Ray Stevens, Rolf Harris. I think there were Canadian hosts too.)
WOJECK
CBC / 20x60m-e / 1967-68
Creator: Philip Hersch
Medical/crime drama series featuring the cases of crusading Toronto Chief Coroner Dr Steve Wojeck who tackled head on all manner of controversial subjects. Wojeck's wife was Marty, Arnold Bateman was the cop Wojeck often called upon. See also below for the TV Movie revival called Wojeck: Out of the Fire.
With:- JOHN VERNON as Dr Steve Wojack / PATRICK COLLINS as Marty Wojeck / TED FOLLOWS as Arnold Bateman / CARL BANAS as Sgt Byron James
(ed. Again with the crazy ideas, a coroner solving crime.
Sunday, 15 July 2007
"Billable Hours". Why it will fail!
Okay, I just finished watched an episode of Billable Hours on Showcase. It has broken the following cardinal rules:
(1) There are no totally good people and totally bad people.
As a rep from CTV/Comedy told me not too long ago, a script must have a good guy and a bad guy. Seems pretty simple, people. I mean in real life we walk down the street and see black hats and white hats. Thank god we don't have to take the time to get to know people and their motives. But I just hate those grey hatted people. Pick a side! As an example, Corner Gas, the most sucessful Canadian comedy ever has it's memorable good guys, most of the town, and the "bad guys" who would be....um, well, there was that gov't guy, but then he turned out alright, and then, oh, the dog that bit...someone....
(2) They curse.
CTV played the Sopranos uncut. There was cursing and killing and nudity and nobody (really CRTC did not register one complaint) cared. In the states Janice Jackson's nipple ended her career and started an no-win war in the mid-east. So Billable Hours will not translate into the U.S. on ABC Family. The characters curse like real people. It's like Temple Street Productions and Showcase televsion didn't care about an improbable international sale to the U.S.
(3) They make unnecessary references to Canada
They actually don't hide being Canadian. They even make fun of "Alberta" which is a state like Texas, only colder.
So, a Canadian show that talks like real people, has characters like real people and is blatently Canadian.
I'm stuck for words. I have to think.
So here's what I think. (ed. you know who you're cable/internet provider is?)
I just watched a smart, funny show on TV. The characters were well drawn, the comedy subtle yet accessible, (ed. and funny!) the production values were terrific. (ed. they were really, multiple sets, beautiful details (ed. small things on desks, though periperal, spoke to the character)truly)).
One scene had a "little person" for lack of a politically correct term, but he was not singuled out, he was not the butt of a joke; he was another character that happened to work in the office. Seinfeld did that and I loved it.
Billable Hours is a well-acted, well-written, well-executed TV show. (ed. the visuals were great, there was one scene where the main characters were arguing while walking through an office, it looked very real)
I wish everyone involved success in California.
(1) There are no totally good people and totally bad people.
As a rep from CTV/Comedy told me not too long ago, a script must have a good guy and a bad guy. Seems pretty simple, people. I mean in real life we walk down the street and see black hats and white hats. Thank god we don't have to take the time to get to know people and their motives. But I just hate those grey hatted people. Pick a side! As an example, Corner Gas, the most sucessful Canadian comedy ever has it's memorable good guys, most of the town, and the "bad guys" who would be....um, well, there was that gov't guy, but then he turned out alright, and then, oh, the dog that bit...someone....
(2) They curse.
CTV played the Sopranos uncut. There was cursing and killing and nudity and nobody (really CRTC did not register one complaint) cared. In the states Janice Jackson's nipple ended her career and started an no-win war in the mid-east. So Billable Hours will not translate into the U.S. on ABC Family. The characters curse like real people. It's like Temple Street Productions and Showcase televsion didn't care about an improbable international sale to the U.S.
(3) They make unnecessary references to Canada
They actually don't hide being Canadian. They even make fun of "Alberta" which is a state like Texas, only colder.
So, a Canadian show that talks like real people, has characters like real people and is blatently Canadian.
I'm stuck for words. I have to think.
So here's what I think. (ed. you know who you're cable/internet provider is?)
I just watched a smart, funny show on TV. The characters were well drawn, the comedy subtle yet accessible, (ed. and funny!) the production values were terrific. (ed. they were really, multiple sets, beautiful details (ed. small things on desks, though periperal, spoke to the character)truly)).
One scene had a "little person" for lack of a politically correct term, but he was not singuled out, he was not the butt of a joke; he was another character that happened to work in the office. Seinfeld did that and I loved it.
Billable Hours is a well-acted, well-written, well-executed TV show. (ed. the visuals were great, there was one scene where the main characters were arguing while walking through an office, it looked very real)
I wish everyone involved success in California.
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
X&Z on Definition? And They Say Canadian Game Shows Aren't Exciting!
If only the theme song was here:
And I remember this clip from The Frantics fondly:
The Simpsons in Canada:
Steve Martin in Toronto:
My DHX (Halifax Film Company) Stock is up to $1.54/share. My 1000 shares acquired at $1.40 is looking good.
And I remember this clip from The Frantics fondly:
The Simpsons in Canada:
Steve Martin in Toronto:
My DHX (Halifax Film Company) Stock is up to $1.54/share. My 1000 shares acquired at $1.40 is looking good.
Saturday, 7 July 2007
Just Tidying Up.
Few more things before I get into what's been happening here:
- My DHX Stock is at $1.45. Up $.05 from acquisition price. (ed. You know, it's odd that there's no "cents" sign on a computer keyboard, isn't it?) I only have 1000 shares but I'm in a quandry as to hold tight or sell. After all, two weeks ago Charles Bishop, one of the founders of DHX, sold 250,000 shares. Would he know something I don't? Naw, I'm sure it was just a cash flow thing. I think I'll hang on especially with the news that Halifax Film (DHX) is doing a show for the CBC about spelling bees. Sounds like "ca-ching, bling, bling" is headed my way.
- A local comedy troupe (ed. or troop?) is making waves locally. Picnisface has had some of it's videos featured on Will Farrell's website so naturally as a Canadian, I am proud to now feature them and claim them as a national treasure; (ed. we haven't seen the video ourselves, but if an American says its good...)
But first!
Youtube. Apparently Women Parking is bigger than porn in Germany, judging by the number of videos posted on the topic.
Now Picnicface:
Not really my cup of tea but whatever makes the world go round.
- My DHX Stock is at $1.45. Up $.05 from acquisition price. (ed. You know, it's odd that there's no "cents" sign on a computer keyboard, isn't it?) I only have 1000 shares but I'm in a quandry as to hold tight or sell. After all, two weeks ago Charles Bishop, one of the founders of DHX, sold 250,000 shares. Would he know something I don't? Naw, I'm sure it was just a cash flow thing. I think I'll hang on especially with the news that Halifax Film (DHX) is doing a show for the CBC about spelling bees. Sounds like "ca-ching, bling, bling" is headed my way.
- A local comedy troupe (ed. or troop?) is making waves locally. Picnisface has had some of it's videos featured on Will Farrell's website so naturally as a Canadian, I am proud to now feature them and claim them as a national treasure; (ed. we haven't seen the video ourselves, but if an American says its good...)
But first!
Youtube. Apparently Women Parking is bigger than porn in Germany, judging by the number of videos posted on the topic.
Now Picnicface:
Not really my cup of tea but whatever makes the world go round.
Everybody Wang Chung Tonight.
Eh, not really.
I don't have much time but here's a few tidbits:
- While surfing I found this description on Winkopedia about the CBC/Halifax Film Company show Poko. This is verbatim;
"In August 28, 2008, Season 3 of Poko will be added 3 characters will be added and Poko got a bigger house for 3 more.
Troy He lives with Poko. He is newborn. He sleeps during the outside scene.
Lip Lock Lip Lock lives with Bibi. Lip Lock kisses. She is a cat. On the outside episode, Lip Lock chased Minus.
Sharon Sharon was Poko's new friend she is 9 years old. When Sharon says 'TAKE A BOW!' Poko, Bibi, Lambert, Lip Lock, Minus and Troy bowed. Sharon was sometimes shorten to Share which Poko called out Sharon.
Quiz will be planned to be on Season three of Poko on September 3, 2008."
Does the above sound like some sort of Eastern European satire? It's either briliantly satirical or fucking stupid.
- www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/databases/easterneye/history.asp
This is the website for a history of film in Nova Scotia. An except follows;
"The second private motion picture company established in Nova Scotia was the less prolific but equally important Maritime Motion Picture Company (MMPC).
Canadian in its philosophy but less so in its practice. While most of the productions were filmed in Cape Breton and Atlantic Canada and told Canadian stories, the company imported most of its directors, casts, and crews from the United States. (WTF?) This practice was not uncommon across the country during these early years of film production when trained personnel were hard to come by.
A report to shareholders in 1922 stated,
It [the newly-released Sea Riders] has been well received wherever screened [and] the returns have been unexpectedly big ... outstanding evidence of the fact that the Canadian people will, if given the opportunity, support and give a preference to Made in Canada products.15"
So, we've been deceiving ourselves for a looongg time.
Anyway, Paris Hilton bumped Michael Moore from The Larry King Show. Ya know, if she hadn't invented a cure for cancer I would be a little miffed.
In local film news, there's a website that promises to entertain you with original content. Another website/blogger that promises to make television obsolite. If only. I've surfed it and found myself going, "yawn, okay, that's cute". I can't recommend it as a great way to spend an evening but it is local.
www.untv.ca
I don't have much time but here's a few tidbits:
- While surfing I found this description on Winkopedia about the CBC/Halifax Film Company show Poko. This is verbatim;
"In August 28, 2008, Season 3 of Poko will be added 3 characters will be added and Poko got a bigger house for 3 more.
Troy He lives with Poko. He is newborn. He sleeps during the outside scene.
Lip Lock Lip Lock lives with Bibi. Lip Lock kisses. She is a cat. On the outside episode, Lip Lock chased Minus.
Sharon Sharon was Poko's new friend she is 9 years old. When Sharon says 'TAKE A BOW!' Poko, Bibi, Lambert, Lip Lock, Minus and Troy bowed. Sharon was sometimes shorten to Share which Poko called out Sharon.
Quiz will be planned to be on Season three of Poko on September 3, 2008."
Does the above sound like some sort of Eastern European satire? It's either briliantly satirical or fucking stupid.
- www.gov.ns.ca/nsarm/databases/easterneye/history.asp
This is the website for a history of film in Nova Scotia. An except follows;
"The second private motion picture company established in Nova Scotia was the less prolific but equally important Maritime Motion Picture Company (MMPC).
Canadian in its philosophy but less so in its practice. While most of the productions were filmed in Cape Breton and Atlantic Canada and told Canadian stories, the company imported most of its directors, casts, and crews from the United States. (WTF?) This practice was not uncommon across the country during these early years of film production when trained personnel were hard to come by.
A report to shareholders in 1922 stated,
It [the newly-released Sea Riders] has been well received wherever screened [and] the returns have been unexpectedly big ... outstanding evidence of the fact that the Canadian people will, if given the opportunity, support and give a preference to Made in Canada products.15"
So, we've been deceiving ourselves for a looongg time.
Anyway, Paris Hilton bumped Michael Moore from The Larry King Show. Ya know, if she hadn't invented a cure for cancer I would be a little miffed.
In local film news, there's a website that promises to entertain you with original content. Another website/blogger that promises to make television obsolite. If only. I've surfed it and found myself going, "yawn, okay, that's cute". I can't recommend it as a great way to spend an evening but it is local.
www.untv.ca
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