I was thinking maybe we could have a thread devoted to Canadian TV networks, a place where we could discuss any home-grown shows that we think are real gems, be they few and far between.And we won’t have to annoy the Americans with chatter about shows they don’t get anyway.
Also, some of the higher quality U.S. programs end up airing months later up here, and we could use this thread to alert each other to broadcast dates. For instance: season 3 of “Rescue Me” has started airing in the U.S. but I don’t know if or when Showcase will start airing it in Canada, so I’d be grateful if someone could post it in here if they know. I’d also be thrilled if CTV ever gets around to airing season 2 of “Veronica Mars”. Ditto with TNT’s “The Closer”. Global aired season 1, but I’ve heard nothing about a Canadian network picking up season 2.
The program that got me thinking about creating this thread is “Billable Hours” on Showcase. It’s a half hour sitcom about Toronto lawyers and it just cracks me up. There only seem to be 8 episodes and they’ve finished their first run and this week they’ve gone into reruns. It airs on Sunday nights at 9:30, and repeats twice more on Sunday (approximately 11:50 and 3:05) and again on Wednesday nights at 9:30. So if you have some free time in your summer TV schedule, you can still catch the first ep tonight.
Something else I’ve really enjoyed is “Mantracker” on OLN. (The Outdoor Life Network.) It’s been filming in various provinces. Two people who have never met before are given a map and they have to try to get to a specific destination (on foot) before Mantracker (dude on horseback) catches up to them. He knows where their starting point is, but not their destination, so his only hope of tracking them is to find signs: footprints, broken branches, etc. The “prey” get a couple kilometers head start and they usually have 36 hours to make about a 50 km trek. There’s no prize money or anything, just a sense of accomplishment if they outrun Mantracker, which few seem to be able to do. I can’t explain my fascination with this show, but I really look forward to it each week. It airs Wed. at 9 pm and repeats at midnight and 4 am, as well as Sat. at 5 pm and 10:30. Sometimes it’s a half hour, sometimes a full hour.
On Tuesday nights I’ve been watching “S.A.S. Survival Secrets” at 8 pm on the History Channel. (It repeats at midnight.) This is their description of the show: 'A team of hardened veterans reveal the survival techniques that helped keep them alive while serving in the Special Air Service. Presented by Eddie Stone.' It’s pretty interesting if you’re into military type things.
Nicholas Lea has a new series starting on CTV at 10 pm Sun. June 25. It’s called “Whistler” and is filmed in (where else?) B.C. It’s a one-hour mystery/drama series which is also going to air in the U.S. starting June 30 on something called “The N” which I’ve never heard of.
The Comedy Network has a new sitcom on Friday nights called “Alice, I Think”. 8 pm and 3:30 am. It’s not bad, kinda quirky. I get a kick out of Alice’s school guidance counselor.
The network formerly known as PRIME has changed its name to TVtropolis. They recently started showing VH1 programs like “Celebrity Fit Club”, “Hogan Knows Best”, “My Fair Brady” and “Breaking Bonaduce”. They air back-to-back on Sundays starting at 5 pm. As well as various other times.
Also, Showcase has been showing “Oz” reruns and I wish I knew when they started. (I’ve only ever seen seasons 1 & 2.) They seem to be up to the middle of season 4. It airs Saturday nights at midnight and 3:15 am.
That’s all the news I have at the moment. Hopefully some of my fellow Canucks will join in so I don’t end up in here talking to myself.![]()