CanWest’s Global and CTVglobemedia’s A-Channel announced summer sked details yesterday, including several new shows each and a list of returning performers. Here’s the rundown on what each of them is planning for the hot months…
GLOBAL:
Last Comic Standing, the international search for the funniest undiscovered comedian, will premiere Thursday, May 22 in the 9:30 pm time slot.
Burn Up, a two-part four-hour miniseries starring Neve Campbell, will premiere Tuesday, June 10 at 9 pm, with the second installment to air Wednesday, June 11 at 9 pm. The conspiracy thriller is a Canadian original about the battle between environmental activists and oil company executives faced with economic success and ecological responsibility.
In Plain Sight, a crime drama starring Mary McCormack (1408, The West Wing), will premiere Tuesday, June 17 at 10 pm. The show is about a US marshal attached to the highly secretive Federal Witness Protection Program (WITSEC).
The net’s Big Brother will launch with a new season starting Sunday, July 13 in the 8 pm time slot.
Swingtown, the ’70s-era look at open marriages starring Molly Parker (Six Feet Under, Deadwood), premieres Thursday, June 5 at 10 pm.
Durham County, the Canadian original drama starring Hugh Dillon (Trailer Park Boys: The Movie), will debut Monday, May 19 at 10 pm. The show revolves around Detective Mike Sweeney and his family as he hunts a serial killer he’s certain is the guy across the street.
A-CHANNEL:
America’s Got Talent is back for a third season starting June 17 in the Tuesday 9 pm time slot. Last season, AGT was Canada’s second-most-watched summer series, after Canadian Idol, with an average audience of 1.4 million viewers when it aired on CTV.
Dance Machine will air Fridays at 8 pm, starting on June 27. Each ep features six real people competing in one-on-one dance-offs to the most popular songs of all time. The show is hosted by E! News correspondent Jason Kennedy.
Celebrity Family Feud, the star-studded version of the old game show, starts July 1 in the Tuesday 8 pm time slot. The show is hosted by Al Roker (Today Show).
Wanna Bet?, a one-hour weekly show that gives four celebrity contestants the chance to earn big money for charity by betting on stunts and mental challenges, starts July 21 in the Monday 9 pm time slot. The show is hosted by British comedy sensations Ant and Dec (Britain’s Got Talent, Pop Idol).
Other shows returning to A-Channel include America’s Funniest Home Videos, Sundays at 7 pm beginning May 25; The Big Bang Theory, Mondays at 8 pm beginning May 26; Two and a Half Men, Mondays at 9 pm beginning May 26; Without a Trace, Tuesdays at 10 pm beginning May 27; Law & Order, Wednesdays at 10 pm beginning May 28; Grey’s Anatomy, Thursdays at 9 pm beginning May 29; and Desperate Housewives, Sundays at 10 pm beginning June 1.
