CBC Unveils 09-10 TV Season

Upfront season got off to a start today with CBC's 2009/2010 season announcement. That’s what it’s called in Toronto. Here in Vancouver, it might be remembered as The Week the Women Went – For Good.
Bunch of new series ahead, but there will not be a third season of the successful reality series from Vancouver’s Paperny Films. “It was (originally) a successful one-off that we decided to bring back (for a second season),” says Jeff Keay, of CBC media relations in Toronto.
In fact, there’s no indication that any of the new programs announced will be filmed in, or made by Vancouver-based production companies. Awaiting confirmation on that from CBC, and will keep you posted....Stand by.
That said, some interesting programming choices were unveiled by Kirstine Layfield, CBC’s executive director of network programming.
Viewers can look forward this fall to a new comedy series from comedian Ron James (pictured)(remember him from his series Blackfly? A great stand-up comedian James is now touring the nation with a show called Mental As Anything.
As far as non-scripted series for fall go, CBC will offer an on-ice pairs figure skating elimination contest, dubbed Battle of the Blades, with competing teams comprising figure skaters and hockey stars. Without intending to, CBC may just be producing The Real Canadian Idol.
As well, there’ll be an on-air spelling bee hosted by Evan Solomon. Seriously.
Look for two new scripted series to hit the airwaves in 2010. A ‘highly anticipated comedy’ dubbed 18 to Life will track the knee-slapping story of two teenagers who marry. Wow. No idea if the characters are named Bristol and Levi...
And out of Newfoundland, will come The Republic of Doyle, about father-son private investigators. Imagine a gender-bending version of Veronica Mars mixed with Hatching, Matching and Dispatching...(Remember that series? Exactly).
Returning are: RICK MERCER REPORT, BEING ERICA, THE BORDER, LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE, THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, HEARTLAND, THE TUDORS, DRAGONS’ DEN and THE HOUR with George Stroumboulopoulos.
As there's no mention of CANADA'S NEXT GREAT PRIME MINISTER, it may be safe to assume that its future is as bright as Jack Layton's. Waiting for CBC to confirm that too, about the series (not Layton).
None of CBC's returning series is filmed in Vancouver. But congrats to Hegan et al over at the The Hour. Fingers crossed for more of the Hegan look-alike stunt dummy...
Still waiting for Dragon Boys 2.