Tag Archives: CBC

Front Page, Industry News

Trailer Park Boys to Host 2007 East Coast Music Awards on CBC Sun. Feb. 18

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Tune in for an evening of music, madness and mayhem at the Halifax Metro Centre, Sunday, Feb. 18, as The Trailer Park Boys return to host the 2007 EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS (ECMA) gala on CBC Television, live from Halifax at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) in the Maritimes, and at 8 p.m. across the rest of the country.

Actors John Paul Tremblay as “Julian”, Robb Wells as “Ricky” and Mike Smith as “Bubbles” return to host the show for the second year. The ECMA Gala features a stellar lineup of performers from across Atlantic Canada, and includes tributes to a Canadian rock and roll icon, an Atlantic Canadian blues legend, and a renowned Celtic music star. 

Joining Julian, Ricky and Bubbles on stage are some top East Coast performers, including Halifax hometown heroes Joel Plaskett Emergency, indie-rockers In-Flight Safety, singer-songwriter Jill Barber, JUNO and ECMA-nominated hip-hop artist Classified, Newfoundland & Labrador’s multi-ECMA winner Ron Hynes, New Brunswick Acadian-country singer George Belliveau, the country sound of The Divorcees and internationally acclaimed soprano Measha Brueggergosman, who hails from New Brunswick. Canadian Idol’s Rex Goudie, who has just released his second solo album, performs his new single.

Multi-ECMA and Juno winner and five-time nominee this year, George Canyon is joined on stage by friends Dave Gunning and Doris Mason to perform a very special tribute to rock and roll legend Denny Doherty. Doherty, who passed away recently, was the amazing tenor of the ’60s group The Mamas and the Papas, and later in life became the beloved Harbour Master for CBC Television’s Theodore Tugboat.

As well, there is a tribute to the late, great John Allan Cameron, featuring two-time Grammy nominee and multiple-ECMA winner Gordie Sampson, Fiona MacGillivary of the Cottars, JP Cormier, Ashley MacIsaac, The Bara MacNeils, Shaye (Kim Stockwood, Damhnait Doyle and Tara MacLean) and Cameron’s son Stuart paying homage to the “Godfather of Celtic Music.”

The much celebrated Dutch Mason, Nova Scotia’s best-known bluesman, and hailed as the “Prime Minister of The Blues,” is honoured in song by sensational blues guitarists JP LeBlanc and Charlie A’Court, accompanied by Angelo Spinazzola on blues harp.

Finally, banjo songster Old Man Luedecke performs alongside contemporary singer-songwriters Rose Cousins, David Myles and Catherine MacLellan.

The 2007 EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS is produced by Geoff D’Eon and Michael Lewis for CBC Television and Jac Gautreau for ECMA, in association with The East Coast Music Association.

Front Page, Industry News

Sundance Winner ‘Super Size Me’ Airs Mon. Jan, 1 at 8 p.m. On CBC

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Ever wondered why Americans’ waistlines seem to be growing at a startling rate? What would happen if you ate nothing but fast food for an entire month? Award-winning director Morgan Spurlock provides an insider’s look at the legal, financial and physical costs of America’s hunger for fast food. CBC NEWS: THE PASSIONATE EYE airs the two-hour documentary Super Size Me on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBC Newsworld. Super Size Me premieres on Monday, January 1 at 8 p.m. on CBC Television.

Spurlock embarks on a risky journey to prove the physical and mental effects of consuming fast food when he vows to live solely on McDonald’s, eating three meals a day for one month. He establishes three basic rules: to only eat and drink items available over the counter, to eat every item on the menu at least once, and to only super-size an order when offered. As the food bills add up, so do the doctor’s visits, as Spurlock puts his health on the line.

Travelling across America, Spurlock interviews a variety of health professionals and captures the opinions of the general public, while dining at McDonald’s and uncovering shocking information. Most alarming is a visit to a public school to examine the school lunch program, where it is discovered that kids eat nothing but french fries and soda for lunch. Super Size Me also explores the declining health and physical education classes, food addictions and extreme measures people take to lose weight. Spurlock’s gruelling journey is cleverly amusing and will make viewers think twice about picking up another burger and fries.

Super Size Me has received numerous awards, including Best Director at the Sundance Film Festival, the Documentary Screenplay Award at the Writer’s Guild of America and the Best Documentary by the International Press Academy at the Satellite Awards. It was also nominated for an Academy Award.

Front Page, Industry News

Gripping Two-Part Thriller Dragon Boys Jan 7 and 8 AT 8 P.M. On CBC-TV

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Featuring one of the most star-studded Asian-Canadian casts ever assembled, DRAGON BOYS is a high-octane thriller that centres on a Chinese Canadian RCMP detective and an immigrant family who confront a deadly threat from Asian organized crime. The compelling drama weaves together four stories that evoke a rich tapestry of contemporary West Coast life set in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. The two-part, four-hour miniseries will air on Sunday, January 7 and Monday, January 8 at 8 p.m. on CBC Television.

Eight-time Gemini Award-winning director Jerry Ciccoritti (Shania, Trudeau, The Many Trials of One Jane Doe) leads an all-star cast which includes Byron Mann (Red Corner, Catwoman), who portrays RCMP Detective Tommy Jiang who sees a chance to bring down senior gangsters (Eric Tsang, Lawrence Chou). Steph Song (Everything’s Gone Green), portrays Southern Cambodian factory worker Chavy Pahn, who is forced into prostitution after coming to Canada with hopes of being a model. Tzi Ma (24, The Quiet American) plays a hardworking Chinese restaurant owner and the father of a vulnerable son who is pulled into local gang activity. And Derek Tsang, the son of one of Asia’s most celebrated stars (Eric Tsang appeared in the Hong Kong box-office sensation Infernal Affair) traveled from Hong Kong to take on the role of Fox Boy.

“This is an exciting and unique Canadian television event with a cast full of international stars,” says Executive Producer Michael Chechik. “The production explores the immigrant experience, social dislocation, generational conflict within families and personal and cultural identity.”

Based on meticulous research, DRAGON BOYS opens a window onto the world of Asian organized crime on Canada’s West Coast. It also examines how the impact of organized crime ripples through the wider community, both in terms of the social and economic toll it takes and the stereotypes it propagates.

“This timely crime drama is a contemporary take on what people are reading in the headlines,” says CBC Executive Director of Network Programming Kirstine Layfield. “Dragon Boys is a prime example of CBC Television’s programming strategy, compelling well-produced drama that reflects the diversity of Canadian life and culture."

DRAGON BOYS is written by Ian Weir. Weir and Michael Chechik are executive producers; Howard Dancyger is producer. DRAGON BOYS is a production of Anchor Point Pictures Inc. in association with Omni Film Productions and CBC Television.

Headline, Industry News

Internet, mobile affect on broadcasters

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GATINEAU, Que. (CP) _ The impact on broadcasting by new technologies currently outside the regulatory realm has been marginal, says a report by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission _ but it warns that quick action is needed to hold them at bay.

The report predicts that Canadians’ rising use of unregulated electronic platforms, such as the Internet and mobile networks, will have an increasing effect on regulated broadcasting. It says these shifting patterns, while marginal so far, need to be addressed within three to seven years or it may be too late.

The report, The Future Environment Facing the Canadian Broadcasting System, urges the "detailed and ongoing monitoring of developments in the evolution, contribution and impact of audio-visual technologies," saying it is essential to the formation of informed public policy.

"The Canadian broadcasting system must remain relevant in a global digital environment and must meet the diverse needs of Canadians of all cultures," said CRTC chairman Charles Dalfen.

"This report is an important step in providing policy-makers with the information needed to make decisions that will ensure the ongoing health, contribution and relevance of the Canadian broadcasting system."

The report says Canadians still receive the vast majority of programming through regulated broadcasts.

But acting on order from Heritage Minister Bev Oda, the agency that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications has begun three years of regulatory framework review of radio, TV and broadcasting distribution, focusing on the role of technological change.

"The CRTC will continue to seek ways to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden to ensure that our measures are as effective and efficient as possible," it said in a statement Thursday.

Front Page, Industry News

Wendy Mesley and Mike Holmes put contractors to the test in Marketplace primiere

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CBC NEWS: MARKETPLACE moves to a new day and time for the launch of its 34th season of award-winning investigative consumer journalism, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 p.m. on CBC Television with Cat and House, a test of honesty for bidding home contractors.

In the season premiere, viewers are invited into a bait house wired with hidden cameras, where co-host Wendy Mesley joins forces with Canada’s colossal home contractor Mike Holmes to reveal the warning signs of unscrupulous contractors. In Cat and House, consumers can expect a wealth of knowledge to help ensure they don’t get stuck with a contractor nightmare.

As the only consistent and fearless advocate for the consumer on national television, MARKETPLACE hosts Wendy Mesley and Erica Johnson go beyond the smoke and mirrors of institutions and corporations to inform Canadians about the way they spend, and about their health and safety.

The rest of the 2007 season is packed with astounding revelations that will change the way you shop and live. Look out for startling hidden camera investigations: including a follow up episode to the highly-rated special Grand Theft Auto, where MARKETPLACE captures car thieves in the act; or a revealing examination around the shame and blame surrounding the growing explosion of bed bugs in unlikely places, and a shocking look at how medical staff may be putting your life at risk by not taking basic steps to control contagious germs.

Wendy Mesley and Erica Johnson continue to help viewers become smarter consumers with episodes testing the truth behind consumer products and services—like gift cards that are burning a hole in your pocket, or the latest juice that has people believing in big money and miracles.

MARKETPLACE is CBC’s award-winning consumer affairs program. For over 30 years, MARKETPLACE has been providing audiences with tough consumer reports, and has earned the trust of viewers across Canada. The senior producer of CBC NEWS: MARKETPLACE is Michael Gruzuk and executive producer is Tassie Notar.

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