CHANNEL CANADA :: Fall 2004 Highlights: Showcase

Fall 2004 Highlights: Showcase
Posted on Monday, August 09, 2004 - 03:51 PM
Programming highlights for 2004-2005. NEW SERIES MDA (Canadian Premiere) Weeknights at 5pm ET beginning Sept. 6 Take a peek into the world of medical litigation. MDA is a dramatic series about doctors accused of wrongdoing and the medical defense team that protects them, despite the best efforts of rival lawyers and their angry clients. This hit Australian show was nominated for Best Drama at the 2003 International Emmy® Awards. Sin Cities (Canadian Premiere) Sept. 10 at 10:30pm ET/PT Hosted by British journalist Grub Smith, Sin Cities takes viewers on a sexfocused journey around the world. Travelling to Europe, the Far East and the United States, the program shines the spotlight on a variety of funny and attention -grabbing sexual practices occurring in various countries. Focusing on local specialties and obsessions, weird clubs, resident celebrities and naughty nightlife, destinations include Moscow, Berlin, Miami, Jakarta, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Los Angeles. Family Business (Canadian Premiere) Jan. 2005 Think your family’s crazy? Showtime’s Family Business documents the life of Adam Glasser, better known as porn star Seymore Butts, and his close-knit family, who run a successful adult film business. The series follows the family on their hilarious highs and heartbreaking lows. Playmakers (Canadian Premiere) Jan. 2005 Playmakers, ESPN’s first-ever dramatic series, goes behind the scenes of professional football to focus on the trials and tribulations of a fictional team. The controversial program, which fe atures storylines about homophobia, drug use and marital infidelity, drew criticism from the NFL and its players when it launched in the U.S. Slings & Arrows (Broadcast Premiere) Jan. 2005 Slings & Arrows is a behind-the-scenes look at the world of theatre, where commerce and art are often at odds. Love triangles, jealousy and inflated egos take centre stage as a local theatre company tries desperately to mount a production of Hamlet. Paul Gross stars as a legendary actor and madman alongside some of Canada’s theatrical heavyweights including Martha Burns, Don McKellar and Mark McKinney (who co-writes with Susan Coyne and Bob Martin). Rachel McAdams also co-stars. The Bill (Canadian Premiere) Jan. 2005 This critically acclaimed British series, which follows police officers and detectives as they enforce the law on a day-to-day basis, makes its Canadian debut on Showcase. From petty thieves to violent drug dealers, life is never easy for the members of the Metropolitan Police Force. The L Word (Network Premiere) Feb. 2005 Showcase presents the critically acclaimed debut season of The L Word, a series which examines the romantic, professional and social exploits of a group of women – some straight, some gay – living in Los Angeles. The series begins when Jenny Schecter, a talented writer, moves to L.A. to be with her boyfriend. When she meets her neighbour’s beautiful friend Marina, however, Jenny starts to question her own sexuality. The L Word boasts a strong ensemble cast including Pam Grier, Jennifer Beals and Eric Mabius. RETURNING SERIES Six Feet Under Season 2 Fall 2004 HBO’s Six Feet Under focuses on the Fishers, a family who owns and operates a funeral home in Los Angeles. In season two, Nate (Peter Krause) discovers that he has Arterio-Venous Malformation (AVM), a condition that could be fatal, and his old friend Lisa (Lili Taylor) re-enters his life; David (Michael C. Hall) tries to mend his relationship with Keith (Mathew St. Patrick); Ruth (Frances Conroy) enrols in “The Plan,” a self-actualization course; and Claire (Lauren Ambrose) grapples with her future beyond high school. Six Feet Under also stars Golden Globe®-winner Rachel Griffiths and was created by Oscar®-winning writer Alan Ball (American Beauty). Paradise Falls Season 2 Sept. 18 at 9pm and 9:30pm ET/PT This 26-part Showcase Original series chronicles an ever-twisting tale of murder, mystery and steamy love affairs in a seemingly quaint Northern Ontario town. In season two, when a new B&B opens in Paradise Falls to serve a gay clientele, Mayor Pete Braga (Art Hindle) doesn’t like it one bit. Meanwhile, Bea Sutton (Dixie Seatle, who won a Gemini award for her role in the series) learns to love again and Pamela (Cherilee Garofano) has visions that threaten her relationship with Samuel (Josh Peace). New cast members this season include Kate Trotter, David Ferry, Salvatore Migliore, Mike Realba and Raven Dauda. Trailer Park Boys Season 5 Winter 2005 Following its highest-rated season yet, Trailer Park Boys returns for 10 new episodes chronicling the antics of Julian (John Paul Tremblay), Ricky (Robb Wells) and Bubbles (Mike Smith) – three guys whose view of the world has been shaped by their experiences growing up in Sunnyvale Trailer Park. Show Me Yours Season 2 Winter 2005 A Toronto-based female psychologist and a male biologist attempt to co-write a book about sexual behaviour, but are sidetracked by their intense mutual attraction. Rachael Crawford and Adam Harrington co-star in this Showcase Original series. Naked Josh Season 2 Spring 2005 In the second season of the Showcase Original series Naked Josh, a professor of sexual anthropology (David Julian Hirsh, Leap Years) teaches sexual behaviour theory to his students. Unfortunately, his extensive education and over-qualification on the subject fail to inform his own sex life. KINK Season 4 Spring 2005 The fourth season of KINK travels to the Canadian prairies to lift the veil on the region’s exotic fetish community. The subjects of KINK embark on a journey of sexual adventure and discovery in 13 all-new episodes. Queer as Folk Season 5 Spring 2005 Queer as Folk, the critically acclaimed Showcase Original series about a group of gay friends, is back for a fifth season. Moccasin Flats Season 2 Spring 2005 Catch new episodes of Moccasin Flats , a Showcase Original series exploring the harsh realities of life in Regina’s North Central neighbourhood by providing a gritty look at Native youth at risk. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Mon. to Thurs. at 11pm ET/PT Set in Las Vegas, CSI chronicles the fast-paced lives of a passionate team of forensic investigators who use cutting-edge technology and old fashioned police work to solve crimes. William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger star in this Emmy®-winning series. MINISERIES Final Demand (Canadian Premiere) Fall 2004 Some people will stop at nothing to make a buck. Final Demand is the story of a downtrodden woman named Natalie who devises a scheme that involves stealing company cheques. The only catch is that she will need to marry a man with a last name starting with the letter “T.” Meeting Colin Taylor takes care of that, but Natalie’s world comes undone when an unexpected tragedy strikes. Wire In The Blood 2 (Canadian Premiere) Oct. 2004 This four -part series follows forensics expert Dr. Tony Hill and his team as they investigate suspicious and often ghastly murders. From twisted child-killers to deadly witch hunt-like burnings, Hill and his team are constantly finding their scientific expertise – and emotional endurance – put to the test. SHOWCASE REVUE Apocalypse Now Redux (Network Premiere) Sept. 4 at 10pm ET/PT Apocalypse Now Redux is an expanded and re-edited version of the 1979 classic, Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. A U.S. Army intelligence officer is sent to Cambodia on a hazardous mission to terminate an American renegade colonel. But, as his journey progresses, he becomes more and more like the man he was sent to kill. Stars Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper and Harrison Ford. Pleasantville (Network Premiere) Sept. 11 at 10pm ET/PT Their television malfunctions and somehow David (Tobey Maguire) and his sister Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) find themselves in Pleasantville, trapped in a black-and-white 1950s sitcom. Completely assimilated and dressed in “pleasant outfits,” the two want nothing more than to escape. But as events unfold, rules are broken and life gets more colourful in Pleasantville. L.I.E. (Broadcast Premiere) Sept. 20 at 11pm ET/PT Ever since his mother died, 15-year-old Howie (Paul Dano) has been shrouded in sadness. His father (Bruce Altman) has adopted an attitude of general apathy and become preoccupied with a casual sex-seeking lifestyle. Desperate for affection, Howie befriends a group of delinquent homeless teens and meets a pedophile named Big John who supports the boy in exchange for sex. Donnie Darko (Broadcast Premiere) Sept. 25 and 26 at 10pm ET/PT In this dark, quirky film, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Donnie, a misfit teenager who is visited, on occasion, by an imaginary six-foot demonic bunny who encourages him to perform dangerous pranks. The rabbit’s prophecies that the world will soon end create havoc for Donnie and his family. Co-stars include Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle and Patrick Swayze. Bully (Network Premiere) Sept. 28 at 10pm ET/PT A psychotic bully named Bobby thrives on forcing his friends to perform humiliating acts of sex and violence until they gang up on him and turn the tables. Stars Brad Renfro, Rachel Miner, Bijou Phillips and Michael Pitt. Rounders (Network Premiere) Oct. 2 at 10pm ET/PT High roller Mike McDermott (Matt Damon) knows that poker is ruining his life, but he can’t seem to kick the habit. After all, he still owes money to Russian club owner Teddy KGB (John Malkovich), and his once-incarcerated best friend Worm (Ed Norton) just needs a few more dollars to be debt-free. When Mike hits rock bottom, can he bounce back? Y Tu Mamá También (Broadcast Premiere) Oct. 16 at 10pm ET/PT Set in Mexico, this critically acclaimed box office hit follows two young men named Tenoch and Julio whose girlfriends are vacationing in Europe. When a bored housewife joins the two on a beachfront getaway, sparks fly, love burns, and the two begin vying for her attention. Sling Blade (Network Premiere) Oct. 23 at 10pm ET/PT In his directorial debut, Billy Bob Thornton stars as Karl, a man with a mental disability who spent most of his life in an institution. When Karl was 12 years old, he discovered his mother making love to a man he'd never seen before – and out of rage, killed them both. Released from the institution early due to budget cuts, Karl meets Doyle (Dwight Yoakam), a cruel, narrow-minded drunk who abuses his girlfriend. History repeats itself as Karl again takes matters into his own hands. Copycat (Network Premiere) Oct. 27 at 12am ET/PT Criminal psychologist Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) is an expert on serial killers. She’s gotten so close to unlocking the psyches of her previous subjects that one – an incurable psychopath (Harry Connick Jr.) – almost murdered her. Now she’s an agoraphobe, living a terrified existence defined by the walls of her apartment, with her computer modem and her loyal assistant, Andy (John Rothman), as her only links to the outside world. She waits in terror for the day she’ll hear the voice of her stalker again. The Apostle (Network Premiere) Fall 2004 Robert Duvall stars as Sonny Dewey, a preacher who lives in Texas with his family. When Dewey discovers that his wife Jessie (Farrah Fawcett) is cheating on him with a younger preacher, he beats the man into a coma. He subsequently escapes to Louisiana and re-baptizes himself as The Apostle. Citizen Ruth (Network Premiere) Fall 2004 Ruth Stoops is a low-class, unfit mother of four who discovers, while in jail, that she's pregnant again. Ruth becomes caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between the fervent pro-life and pro-choice movements, both of which want to use Ruth to get their messages across. Laura Dern stars in this irreverent comedy about one woman caught in the ultimate tug-of-war – a battle of interests that rapidly deteriorates into a media circus. Dirty Pictures (Broadcast Premiere) Fall 2004 Photographer Robert Mapplethorpe was the subject of great controversy in 1990 when he showed his dark photographs at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center. It was museum director Dennis Barrie (played by James Woods), however, who was chastised for his decision to exhibit the photos. Dirty Pictures tells his story, following him throughout his trial and during his vehement crusade against censorship. The story is intercut with real interviews with such personalities as Susan Sarandon, Fran Lebowitz and Salman Rushdie. The Golden Bowl (Broadcast Premiere) Fall 2004 In 1904, an American art collector (Nick Nolte) and his daughter (Kate Beckinsale) travel throughout Europe where they are befriended by a socialite (Anjelica Huston) who enjoys playing matchmaker. She finds a mate for both the father and daughter, and the two couples wed. But the relationships unravel when the mates begin an affair with each other. Kissed (Network Premiere) Fall 2004 Sandra Larson (Molly Parker) has been captivated by death since childhood, growing more and more obsessed as she gets older. Her necrophilia, however, owes more to spirituality than it does to carnal pleasure. When a romance begins between Sandra and a med school student named Matt, he tries to eliminate her fascination with the deceased and free her from her crippling desire to make out with dead people. Othello (Network Premiere) Fall 2004 This reworked – and rescripted – version of Shakespeare’s Othello takes place in a futuristic London, where crime is rampant and racism has destroyed society. When black police officer John Othello (Eamonn Walker) takes on the role of Commissioner, his friend Ben Jago (Christopher Eccleston) becomes extremely jealous and tries to destroy his reputation – not to mention his interracial marriage. Jago plays Othello’s peers against him in order to execute a smear campaign. Piñero (Broadcast Premiere) Fall 2004 This film is based on the true story of Miguel Piñero, a man whose bohemian poetry would eventually become recognized as a forerunner to rap music. Abused as a child, Piñero (Benjamin Bratt) winds up on the streets, where he learns to deal drugs and becomes a thief. His misdeeds land him in prison, but he puts his jail time to good use, writing a play called Short Eyes which would go on to win seven Tony Awards in 1974. Unfortunately, Piñero is uncomfortable with his new-found fame and becomes more and more reliant on drugs. Yossi & Jagger (Broadcast Premiere) Fall 2004 Based on a true story, Yossi & Jagger follows the love affair of two Israeli officers in a remote army base on the Israeli-Lebanese border as they try to find a place of their own within an oppressive and rigid system. The film presents an ensemble of young Israeli men and women who, due to the mandatory army service, must devote years of their lives to their country as soldiers. Note: Click here to view Showcase's fall schedule!
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