FALL TV: Canadian Edition

CBC:
H20: A genuine Canadian political thriller starring Paul Gross as the son of a possibly assassinated prime minister. He wins the party leadership but might have a secret agenda. Filmed in part in the Parliament Buildings, it airs as a two-part miniseries Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Features Leslie Hope, Gordon Pinsent, Martha Henry, Kenneth Walsh and Callum Keith Rennie.
Sex Traffic: Shot in Halifax, London and Romania, this no-holds-barred Canada-U.K. co-production stars Wendy Crewson in a two-part story of the global business of trafficking in enforced prostitution. Features John Simm, Chris Potter, Len Cariou and Maury Chaykin.
The Greatest Canadian: CBC’s spring campaign to get the public to nominate candidates comes to a head this fall with a five-week series that will select a winner. More than 100,000 nominations were sent in. A two-hour premiere Oct. 17.
Canadian Antiques Roadshow: Valerie Pringle hosts a domestic version of the Brit-originated concept that was such a hit on Newsworld. Pringle crosses the country in 13 episodes to air on both Newsworld and the main network.
Wayne & Shuster — The Legacy Collection: A showcase of the best of the legendary comedy duo. To air in three volumes.
Canada’s War in Colour: A three-part documentary from Yap Films that gathers rare Second World War colour film footage from both public and private archives.
Making the Cut: CBC gets into the reality TV game with possibly the best of two worlds: a reality competition and hockey. In the 13-week series, six Canadians will win a countrywide search for the best unsigned players who then get a crack at the NHL. A two-hour premiere airs Sept. 21.
Shania: The Movie: A two-hour movie-of-the-week, about to begin shooting in northern Ontario by director Jerry Ciccoritti, chronicling the rise to fame of singer Shania Twain. No airdate yet but possibly not until next March.
The Tommy Douglas Project: A four-hour miniseries directed by John N. Smith about the Canadian political legend, former Saskatchewan premier and federal NDP leader and considered the father of universal health care. Made with the approval of the Douglas family, there is no confirmation yet on earlier reports that Douglas’s grandson, Kiefer Sutherland, would play the title role.
Trudeau — the Prequel: Also announced last year but delayed. This followup to the earlier miniseries looks back on the former prime minister’s early life in Quebec and his coming of age during the Duplessis era. But Colm Feore, who made such a splash as Pierre Trudeau in the original, will not be back in the role. Instead, Quebec actor Stephane Demers stars.
Comedy Gold: A four-hour entertainment documentary celebrating the history of Canadian-born comedy from Mack Sennett to Mike Myers.
A Beachcombers Christmas: Dave Thomas, Graham Greene and Jackson Davies return in the second spinoff of the legendary West Coast series. This one is about Dave’s plans to hold an old-timers hockey game in Gibsons Landing.
Distant Drumming: A North of 60 Mystery: The TV movies that have followed the original series seem to have been more popular. RCMP officer Michelle Kenidi investigates the case of an elderly tourist found beaten to death in Lynx River in this fifth movie instalment.
Coronation Street: A hit during the CBC’s British Week last year, the 40-year-old British soap has been airing four nights a week in prime time beginning in June but, beginning Sept. 20, will cut back to Monday, Wednesday and Friday only, with Sunday morning repeats. The series runs about six months behind telecasts in the U.K.
Ciao Bella: Promised last season but delayed. All about the wacky life in Montreal’s Little Italy. Focuses on Elena who lives with her family but isn’t married yet. From the creators of the movie Mambo Italiano. Stars Claudia Ferri, Jessica Heafey, Louis Philippe Dandenault, Carl Alacchi, Ellen David and Tony Calabratta. Debuts Oct. 13.
Il Duce Canadese: Tony Nardi and Marina Orsini star in this four-hour miniseries about the internment of Italian-Canadians in Montreal during the Second World War.
Open Heart: Megan Follows stars. About the mysterious pattern of children’s deaths at a cash-strapped regional hospital. Filmed in Saint John, N.B.

CTV:
CSI: New York: Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump) and Melina Kanakaredes (Providence) star in this second spinoff of the Crime Scene Investigation franchise, from Jerry Bruckheimer and CBS Productions with support from Canada’s Alliance Atlantis. (Sept. 22)
Dr. Vegas: Rob Lowe’s departure from the hit West Wing led to last year’s legal drama flop The Lyon’s Den. Now he’s back as the in-house doc at a high-end Vegas casino. Co-stars Joe Pantoliano and Tom Sizemore. One of at least four Vegas-set series on the air this year. From CBS and Warners. (Sept. 24)
Desperate Housewives: Take Sex and the City, move the four gal friends to the ’burbs and marry them off. Teri Hatcher (Lois & Clark) stars in this take on modern marriage. Sheryl Lee was supposed to play the fifth friend who kills herself at the beginning and still narrates, but she’s already been replaced. Apparently her similar role as a dead character in Twin Peaks will have to suffice. (Oct. 3)
The Benefactor: Billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wants to give away $1 million to a complete stranger. But what does he want in return? That’s the question in this new ABC-TV reality-based show in which 16 contestants vie for the big bucks. (Sept. 13)
Wife Swap: The premise is already a hit in the U.K. Two families are given a chance to witness what it’s like to live someone else’s life as their matriarchs trade places for 10 days. For the first five, it’s the new household’s ground rules, for the second five they get to do it their way. From ABC. (Sept. 24)
Instant Star: From drama to reality and back to drama in what CTV is calling The O.C. meets Canadian Idol. Jude Harrison, 15, wins a national contest and guaranteed record contract. But can she cope in this new glam world when she’s not even old enough to drive? Although slated to debut in January, CTV plans a sneak peek of the first two episodes Sept. 15 following the real Idol.
Robson Arms: Already promised several times by CTV (it was originally entitled Keys Cut Here), this anthology series about the denizens of a Vancouver apartment building is finally in production and ready to go. Watch for celebrity casting Canuck-style, with appearances by Margot Kidder, Megan Follows, Mark McKinney and William B. Davis. (Mid-season)
Athens: From the makers of The O.C. comes this series exploration of the lives and loves of young adults in a fictional New England town. Filming hasn’t begun yet and Fox plans to launch it later in the season.
Commando Nanny: A comedy based on reality-show creator Mark Burnett’s real-life experiences, about a recently discharged British army commando who gets a job as a nanny in Beverly Hills. Features Gerald McRaney who gets all the good wisecrack lines. Original star and newcomer Philip Winchester broke his leg and has been replaced in re-shoots.
Law & Order: Trial by Jury: Yes, still another entry in producer Dick Wolf’s L&O crime drama franchise, this one focusing on the courtroom. Characters from the other shows may show up here, too. From NBC. (Mid-season)
Kevin Hill: Taye Diggs stars in this UPN family values drama about a 28-year-old self-made, hotshot bachelor entertainment lawyer in New York City who suddenly inherits his infant niece when his cousin dies. Naturally his swinging lifestyle grinds to a halt as he has to readjust his priorities. Suspiciously similar to another fall series, the WB’s Summerland, as well as the Kate Hudson movie from earlier this year, Raising Helen. Features Jon Seda and Michael Michelle. Diane Keaton did it way back in 1987 with Baby Boom. From Touchstone and Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions. CTV is leaving it on the shelf for now.
Medium: Allison (Patricia Arquette) sees dead people and hears them constantly, too. Working with the cops, she soon finds her “gift” can change destinies and provide justice for those who no longer have a voice. (Mid-season)
Related by Family: The series focuses on several teens who work at a fast-food outlet at the local mall food court. It’s another blended family sitcom with teen geeks and hotties but the acting in the pilot was pretty uggh! From Paramount and executive producer Victor Fresco. (Mid-season)
Veronica Mars: Set in a wealthy seaside California community populated by rich O.C.-style young snots and their snob parents, so it’s a community not without dirty little secrets. Veronica (Kristen Bell) is a smart 17-year-old apprentice in her dad’s private eye business, who’s out to solve the town’s toughest mysteries, including the one about her disappeared mom. Executive produced by Joel Silver (the Matrix movies). From the WB. (Mid-season)
Grey’s Anatomy: Medical drama featuring Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, with Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, T.R. Knight, Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey. (Mid-season)
Medical Investigation: A new NBC series. CTV plans to air the first three episodes before Dr. Vegas debuts Sept. 24. Then back on the shelf it goes until a cancellation opens up a new slot.
Lives of the Saints: The Canadian-Italian co-production starring Sophia Loren and filmed in the Toronto area last year has been delayed again, this time till January.

Global/CH:
American Dad: A Fox animated series from the creators of The Family Guy, about the family life of a lantern-jawed, paranoid CIA agent. Boasts a Sinatra theme.
Biggest Losers: Losers are winners in this reality show about contestants who must drop weight and improve their bodies.
The Billionaire: Branson’s Quest for the Best: If it’s good enough for Trump then it should work for Virgin president Sir Richard Branson. A reality show about testing would-be entrepreneurs. (Nov. 9)
Blind Justice: Steven Bochco’s latest crime drama about a detective (Ron Eldard) blinded in the line of duty who rehabilitates himself and returns to the force. From ABC.
Center of the Universe: A new Warners sitcom for CBS featuring John Goodman and Jean Smart as a couple still happily married after 20 years but who have to deal with his eccentric parents (Ed Asner and Olympia Dukakis). (Sept. 29)
The Contender: As the legal dust settles over a rival premise, Mark Burnett and Sylvester Stallone join forces for NBC’s reality series that follows a group of boxers from training camp to a live competition for a $1-million prize with Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard as mentors. (Nov. 9)
Father of the Pride: Already controversial since its unveiling to American media. A costly animated series from NBC based on the imagined lives of Siegfried and Roy’s big cats, made a lot less amusing since one of them tried to eat Roy’s head in real life. John Goodman contributes his voice. Already underway.
Boston Legal (Formerly The Practice: Fleet Street): This Practice spinoff from David E. Kelley features Alan Shore and Denny Crane leading a team of high-priced Boston lawyers. Stars James Spader and William Shatner. From ABC. (Oct. 3)
The Good Life: Paris Hilton’s mom Kathy co-produces and stars in this reality series in which she teaches 10 young women how to fit into high society while staying at the Waldorf, the flagship of the Hilton hotel chain.
Hawaii: Book ’em Magnum. At last another crime series set against the beautiful locale of the islands. Michael Biehn and Ivan Sergei star in stories about young cops who may be too hip for their own good. From NBC. (Already airing)
House: From the creator of Homicide: Life on the Street comes this Fox medical drama about the cantankerous and lame but brilliant Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) who does what it takes to solve his cases and save lives. He has no bedside manner to speak of but has assembled his own super team of promising medicos. Co-stars Omar Epps. (Nov. 16)
The Inside: Rachel Nichols stars in a drama about a young U.S. federal agent who goes undercover as a high school teenager.
Joey: The Friends spinoff — and it makes no bones about it — stars Matt LeBlanc as good old Joey Tribbiani who moves from New York to L.A. to pursue his acting career. Drea De Matteo, who was recently whacked on The Sopranos, co-stars as his high-strung sister/hairdresser, and the two boast an obvious onscreen chemistry. Also features Brampton, Ont., native Paulo Costanzo. Takes over the old Friends timeslot on NBC. (Sept. 9)
Jonny Zero: A new Fox drama from John Wells (ER, The West Wing) about an ex-con torn between redemption and the allure of the underworld, complicated by the fact the FBI now wants him to go undercover. Stars Franky G. The pilot was directed by Mimi Leder.
Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show: Based on a Brit premise, Grammer produces this Laugh-In-style sketch comedy program for Fox shot in both London and L.A.
LAX: Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood star in this NBC drama about the inner workings of Los Angeles International Airport and the travellers who pass through it. In the first episode alone they must deal with a bomb, drunken Serb pilots determined to take off, the governor’s plane approaching, a runway suicide and a runaway dog. Lloyd Bridges and NBC tried and failed with this series premise back in 1970 with San Francisco International Airport. (Sept. 13)
The Mountain: Shaun Cassidy produces this soap on the slopes, about a young slacker whose grandfather dies in an avalanche and inexplicably leaves him the family ski resort. This puts him into a direct rivalry with his brother who has been running the show for a while and was expected to take over. Features Oliver Hudson, Anson Mount, Barbara Hershey and Mitch Pileggi, and produced by McG. From the WB. Boasts a hip soundtrack.
The North Shore: Another series set in Hawaii, this time at a ritzy resort hotel on Oahu where viewers meet both the staff and guests who pass through. Fox, which launched the show in June, hopes the blend of sex and surfing will work ratings wonders. New episodes began Sept. 6.
Listen Up: Jason Alexander makes another stab at the post-Seinfeld curse with this laugh-tracked sitcom. This time he’s a TV sports show host who begins a syndicated newspaper column about his family life. He’s a lot like George Costanza except he’s pretty good at what he does. Co-starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner and based on the life of commentator/columnist Tony Kornheiser. From CBS and Fox. (Sept. 20)
The Next Great Champ: Boxing champ Oscar De La Hoya headlines this Fox reality series that seeks to discover new young boxing talent (see The Contender above). The prize is a possible shot at a titleholder. (Sept. 7)
Partner: A Fox reality series about a group of Ivy League grads who square off against a team of scrappy lawyers from less-esteemed schools. One will be victorious and get a job with a major law firm. (Nov. 7)
Revelations: It’s Millennium meets The Da Vinci Code in this NBC end-of-days thriller that has an encouraging pedigree. Bill Pullman and Natasha McElhone star as a Harvard professor and Oxford-educated nun who encounter signs the Apocalypse is approaching and join forces in an attempt to forestall it. (Mid-season)
Complete Savages: A Mel Gibson-produced canned-laughter sitcom about a fireman and (yet another) prime-time single dad who decides to teach his rowdy slob sons how to cook, clean house and do the laundry. Stars Keith Carradine and Victoria, B.C.’s Shaun Sipos. From ABC. (Sept. 24)
The Block: Based on an Aussie premise, a reality show about four couples who move into a rundown apartment building with limited time to renovate and sell. Global plans to air both the U.S. and its own Canadian version.
Last Chance for Romance: Global’s Cheryl Hickey hosts this docu-series about couples experiencing relationship troubles who try to work them out at a five-star Caribbean resort with Canadian therapist Joe Rich.
The Temps: Another reality show, about hired temps as they cope with absurd office antics but unlike the viewers aren’t in on the joke. From Popstars creators Lone Eagle Entertainment.
The Complex: Malibu: A condo gets a makeover and eight couples get a shot at cashing in on the results. From Fox. (Already airing)

CHUM/NewNet stations:
And Go: A 13-part guerrilla-style comedy series featuring Bruce Hunter who takes two other improv artists and nabs innocent bystanders on the street for spontaneous skits. (Sept. 18)
Battlestar Galactica: A series spinoff of the recent filmed-in-Vancouver miniseries that was itself a remake of the 1970s sci-fi series that starred Lorne Greene. Returning cast members include Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell and Alberta native Tricia Helfer.
Jack & Bobby: No, not exactly the Kennedys but close. A one-hour drama from the WB about the present teenage years of two very different Missouri brothers, one of whom is destined to become president of the United States later in the 21st century. Features Christine Lahti and Canadian Jessica Pare. (Sept.12)
Life As We Know It: From the creators of Freaks and Geeks and based on the Melvin Burgess novel, this series traces three teens trying desperately to grow up while dealing with raging hormones and difficult parents. Cast includes D.B. Sweeney and Kelly Osbourne. (Oct. 7)
Summerland: Lori Loughlin is a free-spirited California fashion designer suddenly saddled with three kids from her deceased cousin in Kansas. (See Kevin Hill.) At first, surfin’ and sun seem to help the middle-American orphaned kids cope with the wrenching change in their lives, but is it enough? Stars Lori Laughlin. From Aaron Spelling and the WB. (Sept. 12)
The Collector: Already debuted on Space: The Imagination Station. Chris Kramer stars as Morgan Pym, once a medieval monk and now a harvester of souls for Satan. Pym faces a career crisis: he wants to do good. Filmed in — and it actually takes place in — Vancouver.
———