GREGINHOLLYWOOD - 19/Jan/2013

[Source]

Happy Birthday to Luke Macfarlane!

By Greg Hernandez on Jan 19, 2013 1:33 pm

This most handsome, most talented actor turns 33 today.

While we miss seeing Luke Macfarlane each week as Scotty on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters, he’s not the type of actor who has to wait for the next TV series to come along. He has kept busy on stage including playing F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Jazz Age. Most recently, he appeared in The Normal Heart and Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir.

Luke, who studied drama at Julliard, was previously best-known for his role as Pvt. Frank “Dim” Dumphy in the series Over There. The Canadian actor had never given any interviews about his personal life until discussing his sexuality for the first time in an interview with the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail in 2008.

I spoke with him a few weeks after that at an event and he said: “I decided to do that interview, I decided to answer those questions in an effort to make my life simpler and that’s going to contunue to be my motto. So, I’ll have to say, it hasn’t been that hot a light on me at all.”

Happy birthday to Luke!

Channel CANADA - 11/Jan/2013

[Source]

CTV Orders New Half-Hour Original Comedy SATISFACTION

Posted January 11, 2013

Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports, announced today from the Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena, CA that CTV has ordered to series the new half-hour Canadian scripted comedy series SATISFACTION, starring Luke MacFarlane (BROTHERS AND SISTERS), Stephanie Lemelin (BONES), Ryan Belleville (THE L.A. COMPLEX), Vik Sahay (CHUCK), and Leah Renee (THE PLAYBOY CLUB). From Halifax’s DHX Media, the ensemble comedy series is written by Tim McAuliffe (UP ALL NIGHT, THE OFFICE) and produced by Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine, THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES). CTV has ordered 12 half-hour episodes in addition to the pilot shot last fall in Toronto. The series is set to begin production in late spring. The pick-up announcement for SATISFACTION comes as CTV also orders today the ensemble undercover detective drama PLAYED (working title). The two programs join CTV’s burgeoning lineup of original scripted series including MOTIVE, SAVING HOPE, and THE LISTENER.

SATISFACTION takes a humorous look at a group of friends who are completely uninhibited as they share their relationship woes and romantic wins, life crises, and personal ambitions. Dedicated single man Mark (Belleville) hustles the dating scene while his best friends and long-term couple Jason (MacFarlane) and Maggie (Lemelin) work at keeping the sparks flying as they face the day-to-day challenges of being in a committed relationship. Neighbours Nancy (Renee) and Dan (Sahay) have a marriage that proves that, while opposites can definitely attract, it can also deliver some seriously epic volatility.

“From the wild singles scene, to the rewards and worries of a monogamous commitment, SATISFACTION offers a candid and hilarious take on modern romantic relationships from a ‘bromance’ perspective,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “SATISFACTION complements our lineup of Canada’s most-watched comedies. We look forward to working with the talented actors and creative team behind this hilarious new series.”

SATISFACTION is produced by DHX Media is association with CTV.

The loop ca - 10/Jan/2013

[Source]

TCA: CTV greenlights ‘Satisfaction,’ ‘Played’

Luke MacFarlane, Ryan Belleville and Stephanie Lemelin in CTV’s new series 'Satisfaction'.

Amber Dowling, January 10, 2013 9:55:35 AM

CTV announced two new Canadian series during the 2013 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour on Thursday morning, adding drama Played and comedy Satisfaction to its lineup of original productions.

Played (working title), revolves around a group of undercover detectives from the Covert Investigations Unit (CIU), who balance their personal lives with high-stakes, professional ones. Thirteen hour-long episodes will be produced by Muse Entertainment Enterprises and Back Alley Film Productions.

Casting has not been announced, but the project is executive-produced by Adrienne Mitchell and Janis Lundman (Bomb Girls, Durham County), Michael Prupas (The Kennedys, Being Human). Creator Greg Nelson (Saving Hope), serves as the co-showrunner alongside Mitchell.
Production on the series begins in Toronto this spring; an air date has not been confirmed.

Satisfaction also begins production this spring on 12 half-hour episodes, in addition to the Toronto-shot pilot from last fall. The comedy revolves around a group of five friends working through the married and single lives, and stars Luke MacFarlane (Brothers and Sisters), Stephanie Lemelin (Bones), Ryan Belleville (The L.A. Complex), Vik Sahay (Chuck) and Leah Renee (The Playboy Club).

The laffer is produced by DHX Media’s Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine) and is written by Tim McAuliffe (Up All Night, The Office).

The shows join a CTV original production lineup that includes The Listener and Saving Hope, as well as new Vancouver-shot drama Motive and multi-cam comedy Spun Out.

According to CTV president of programming and sports, Phil King, these pickups are part of an overall strategy of bringing more Canadian series into the heavily U.S. reliant CTV and CTV Two schedules.

“The main thing that we’re trying hard to do, and it’s a major goal, is to add more Canadian content,” King tells TV Guide Canada. “You can either do the bare minimum, what the CRTC tells you, or you can do more. I look at it as an opportunity, because there’s an opportunity here. The way networks are evolving, the more content you can own a piece of, I think you’re better off in the future.”

Follow Amber on Twitter as she covers the 2013 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena.

Have a TV question? Email your Ask Amber questions at amber@tvguide.ca.

BellMedia - 10/Jan/2013

[Source]

January 10, 2013
Bell Media’s CTV Orders New Half-Hour Original Comedy SATISFACTION
– Ensemble comedy stars Luke MacFarlane, Stephanie Lemelin, Ryan Belleville, Vik Sahay, and Leah Renee –
– Tim McAuliffe and Michael Donovan partner on new relationship comedy –

(L-R) Luke MacFarlane, Ryan Belleville and Stephanie
Lemelin in CTV’s SATISFACTION

PASEDENA, CA (January 10, 2013) – Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports, announced today from the Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena, CA that CTV has ordered to series the new half-hour Canadian scripted comedy series SATISFACTION, starring Luke MacFarlane (BROTHERS AND SISTERS), Stephanie Lemelin (BONES), Ryan Belleville (THE L.A. COMPLEX), Vik Sahay (CHUCK), and Leah Renee (THE PLAYBOY CLUB). From Halifax’s DHX Media, the ensemble comedy series is written by Tim McAuliffe (UP ALL NIGHT, THE OFFICE) and produced by Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine, THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES). CTV has ordered 12 half-hour episodes in addition to the pilot shot last fall in Toronto. The series is set to begin production in late spring.

The pick-up announcement for SATISFACTION comes as CTV also orders today the ensemble undercover detective drama PLAYED (working title). The two programs join CTV’s burgeoning lineup of original scripted series including MOTIVE, SAVING HOPE, and THE LISTENER.

**Media Note** Download artwork for SATISFACTION at BellMediaPR.ca.

SATISFACTION takes a humorous look at a group of friends who are completely uninhibited as they share their relationship woes and romantic wins, life crises, and personal ambitions. Dedicated single man Mark (Belleville) hustles the dating scene while his best friends and long-term couple Jason (MacFarlane) and Maggie (Lemelin) work at keeping the sparks flying as they face the day-to-day challenges of being in a committed relationship. Neighbours Nancy (Renee) and Dan (Sahay) have a marriage that proves that, while opposites can definitely attract, it can also deliver some seriously epic volatility.

“From the wild singles scene, to the rewards and worries of a monogamous commitment, SATISFACTION offers a candid and hilarious take on modern romantic relationships from a ‘bromance’ perspective,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “SATISFACTION complements our lineup of Canada’s most-watched comedies. We look forward to working with the talented actors and creative team behind this hilarious new series.”

SATISFACTION is produced by DHX Media is association with CTV. Executive producer is Michael Donovan and Tim McAuliffe is executive producer/writer. Keith Samples (EVERWOOD, ONE TREE HILL) is director. Sarah Fowlie is Director, Independent Production, Comedy, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned and co-produced some of Canada’s most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, while working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE and THE LISTENER, and the recently concluded game changer FLASHPOINT. New for 2013 on CTV are the drama series MOTIVE and PLAYED (working title), relationship comedy SATISFACTION, THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, a Canadian-produced, complementary version of the hit international series, and a pilot for the half-hour comedy SPUN OUT. Scripted series on Bell Media specialty channels include two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, mythological/action series PRIMEVAL: NEW WORLD, and the upcoming dramas ORPHAN BLACK and BITTEN. In total, Bell Media ordered 26 new original Canadian series in 2012, and put 35 scripted projects into development.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter:
@CTV_PR
@CTV_Television
@satisfactionTV
@lukemaconline – Luke MacFarlane
@StephyLems – Stephanie Lemelin
@RyanBelleville – Ryan Belleville
@Leah_Renee – Leah Renee
@TimMcAuliffeIII – Tim McAuliffe

Facebook:
facebook.com/ctv

About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 10 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at ctv.ca.

- CTV -

For more information, please contact:
Matthew Almeida, CTV, CTV Two, 416.384.2629 or matthew.almeida@bellmedia.ca
Jim Quan, CTV, CTV Two, 416.384.5311 or jim.quan@bellmedia.ca

thestar.com - 10/Jan/2013

[Source]

TCA 2013: CTV announces two new shows
Network in search for its next “Flashpoint.” Greenlights Played and Satisfaction.

ERIC MCCANDLESS / ABC

Luke MacFarlane of Brothers and Sisters will star in a new comedy for CTV.

By Tony Wong Staff Reporter, Published on Thursday January 10, 2013

PASADENA, CALIF.—Phil King gets one question more often than he’d like, now that the hit television series Flashpoint has wrapped for good.

“Where’s the next Flashpoint?”

The quest for the next big cop drama is always at the back of the mind of CTV’s president of programming and sports.

“I wish I had five Flashpoints,” says King in an interview with the Star at the Television Critics Association conference in California.

CTV announced Thursday that it is developing two new series, one of which may well become the Flashpoint.

Played is an ensemble police drama that follows the activities of the Toronto-based Covert Investigations Unit (CIU), not to mixed up with Flashpoint’s Strategic Response Unit (SRU), of course. (Unless you happen to miss Flashpoint and would conveniently like to see another cop buddy show that has a neat acronym.)

Played is being developed by the same people who gave you Bomb Girls and Saving Hope and is set to begin production in Toronto in the spring. CTV has ordered 13 one-hour episodes.

“I think the premise is really interesting. There are undercover police operations that go in for a day or a week and each week it’s different and this plays on that,” says King. “I think it has a great ensemble cast. It’s a little bit different and something that I don’t think has necessarily been seen before.”

King also announced a new half-hour scripted comedy series Satisfaction starring Luke MacFarlane (Brothers and Sisters) and Stephanie Lemelin (Bones).

CTV has ordered 12 half-hour episodes in addition to the pilot shot last fall in Toronto. Production is expected to start this spring.

“It’s about a bunch of friends who think the grass is greener on the other side, and there is even some ‘bromance’ going on,” says King.

The new series won’t be cheap. Flashpoint pushed the bar for production budgets at $2.5 million per show and Played will likely cost $2 million per episode. Satisfaction will hit close to $1 million per episode, says King.

“You have to be able to compete with American television. But by bringing out these shows I just want to be able to tell producers that we are interested in great Canadian TV,” he said.

The Hollywood Reporter - 10/Jan/2013

[Source]

CTV Gives Full-Season Orders to 'Played' Cop Drama, 'Satisfaction' Comedy Pilot

7:00 AM PST 1/10/2013 by Etan Vlessing

The latest commissions come as the Canadian broadcaster continues to bet on homegrown series like just-wrapped "Flashpoint" to complement popular U.S. shows.

TORONTO – CTV has given a full-season order to the homegrown undercover cop drama Played, from indie producers Muse Entertainment and Back Alley Film Productions.

And the Canadian broadcaster gave a green light to the single-camera comedy Satisfaction from Los Angeles-based Canadian TV scribe Tim McAuliffe (Up All Night, The Office), ordering 12 more half-hour episodes after an earlier pilot.

CTV ordered 13 one-hours of Played, an ensemble police procedural that follows the Covert Investigations Unit (CIU), a Toronto-based police unit that goes undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations.

Greg Nelson (Saving Hope) created the cop drama and will show-run the series with Adrienne Mitchell of Back Alley Film Productions.

Played, which CTV is betting will replace the just-wrapped Flashpoint drama in local popularity, in each episode sees the ensemble cast infiltrate criminal worlds, collect evidence and make arrests. The twist is undercover CIU detectives don’t take months or years to build relationships with the bad guys, as in traditional undercover work. Instead, they coax confessions and conduct covert sting operations or uncover high-finance scams in a matter of days, to reflect a changing and more fast-paced age.

No word on casting, ahead of production set to start on Played in Toronto this spring.

CTV also Thursday gave a full-season order to Satisfaction, a comedy from indie producer DHX Media. The sitcom stars Vic Sahay, Luke Macfarlane (Brothers and Sisters), Stephanie Lemelin, Ryan Belleville and Leah Renee. Satisfaction is about a twenty-something couple who rent a room out to a newly single young man who hopes to learn from his friends the secrets to a great relationship.

CTV - 10/Jan/2013

[Source]

An ensemble police drama and new comedy series coming to CTV

(L-R) Luke MacFarlane, Ryan Belleville and Stephanie Lemelin in a scene from 'Satisfaction'

by: CTV
Date: 1/10/2013 1:40:00 PM

An ensemble police procedural and a new comedy series about friends and relationships are coming to CTV.

“Played,” a dramatic series that follows the activities of the CIU (Covert Investigations Unit), a Toronto-based police unit that goes undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations, has been given a 13-episode order, the network announced Thursday.

In each episode, the detectives perform a high-wire, nerve-wracking act that requires a serious confidence game as they go undercover and convince the bad guys that, they too, are criminals - all the while trying to prevent their jobs from corroding their own lives.

“’Played’ is a suspenseful, adrenaline-filled ride,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports, in a prepared release. “This ensemble series will show viewers a gritty and modern take on the gruelling life of undercover cops.”

“Played,” which is produced by Muse Entertainment Enterprises and Back Alley Film Productions in association with Bell Media, is set to begin production in Toronto this spring.

The announcement follows CTV’s pick-up of the new Canadian comedy series “Satisfaction.” The two programs join CTV’s burgeoning lineup of original scripted series including “Motive,” “Saving Hope,” and “The Listener.”

“Satisfaction” takes a humorous look at a group of friends who are completely uninhibited as they share their relationship woes and romantic wins, life crises, and personal ambitions. Dedicated single man Mark (Ryan Belleville) hustles the dating scene while his best friends and long-term couple Jason (Luke MacFarlane) and Maggie (Stephanie Lemelin) work at keeping the sparks flying as they face the day-to-day challenges of being in a committed relationship. Neighbours Nancy (Leah Renee) and Dan (Vik Sahay) have a marriage that proves that, while opposites can definitely attract, it can also deliver some seriously epic volatility.

“From the wild singles scene, to the rewards and worries of a monogamous commitment, ‘Satisfaction’ offers a candid and hilarious take on modern romantic relationships from a ‘bromance’ perspective,” said King.

Production on “Satisfaction,” which is produced by DHX Media is association with CTV, is set to begin in late spring. Twelve half-hour episodes, in addition to the pilot shot last fall in Toronto, have been ordered.