BookTelevision ‘s fall edition is revised and expanded. A diverse collection of new programs join BookTelevision’s celebrated schedule, and flagship programs Richler, Ink. and The Word This Week continue to keep literate minds on the reading edge.
Offerings include BookTelevision’s own Written in Canada – a treat for the mind and the eye; Weaver – exposing the contentious craft of the biographer; and American Film Theatre Archive – featuring the biggest stars of stage and screen.
Great and struggling authors, Scrabble masters and Internet surfers, classic theatre and ribald comedy: it’s a new chapter for Book Television, offering something for every mind.
NEW PROGRAMS
2003 US National Scrabble Championships
Over 30 million North Americans dabble in Scrabble, but a select few have what it takes to be a champion. BookTelevision presents the 2003 US National Scrabble Championship s where over 700 of the best wordsmiths in the world compete for a $50,000 prize.
Wordslingers
Vegas: city of lights, showgirls, big-money gambling… and scrabble? Follow the exploits of the hottest scrabble players in the world as they compete at the 2001 World Scrabble Championship in Las Vegas. They’re obsessive, they’re brilliant, and… they’re Canadian.
The Criminal Mind
Hosted by real-crime novelist Kirstie McLellan, this investigative series delves into the most fascinating criminal cases of our time. Experts from the fields of forensics, psychology and criminal law discuss the nuances of noteworthy cases, their specific challenges, and future implications for other investigations – all with a uniquely Canadian view.
The Geek Show
The Internet – it’s touted as a vast repository of information and a great tool of commerce, but what most fail to recognise is its almost infinite potential as a source of free yuks. Cruise the information superhighway with hosts Neil Grahn and Wes Borg as they direct you to the funniest free content on the net. The Geek Show – the best of what’s funny on the internet.
Weaver
From in-depth autobiographies to scandalous tell-alls, the biography is the spice of the literary world. Featuring interviews, street segments and archival footage, Carolyn Weaver presents a dynamic new series profiling the works of today’s most prominent biographers, autobiographers, and ghost writers.
Guinness World Records
The biggest! The smallest! The fastest! The strangest! Since 1955, the Guinness Book of World Records has been the global authority on record-breaking achievements. Now, hosts Ian Wright and Kate Charman bring a weekly look at the most and least of everything to BookTelevision.
Horrible Histories
Based on the best-selling book series by Terry Deary, Horrible Histories follows the wacky adventures of Stitch and Mo, two everyday kids who, with the help of a portal through time, match wits with their nerdy nemesis, Darren Dongle. Along the way, they meet rotten Romans, terrible Tudors and vicious Vikings, all while discovering history in all its gross and gory detail!
Horrible Histories is history with the nasty bits left in!
RETURNING PROGRAMS
Authors at Harbourfront
BookTelevision brings a fresh look to the Authors at Harbourfront series, featuring the best literary talent from Canada and around the world.
Writers on the Road
Writers on the Road features one-on-one conversations between host Daniel Richler and a celebrated author on tour. Literary giants, philosophers, rock stars, cultural theorists and other notable figures talk with Daniel candidly and in-depth.
Fine Print
Host Carolyn Weaver chats with authors about the ideas that inspired them, and welcomes a weekly panel of readers from a variety of professions to discuss fiction and non-fiction books.
American Film Theatre Archive
Turn to BookTelevision for groundbreaking modern plays on film starring some of the biggest stars of stage and screen, including Katherine Hepburn, Alan Bates, Jessica Tandy and Sir Lawrence Olivier. Stay tuned after each program for rare behind-the-scenes footage and interviews!
Telescope
Peer back into the headlines of the ’60s and ’70s with Telescope , featuring profiles of compelling writers and famous literary institutions. New episodes include: Gloria Steinem, Mel Hurtig, and Steven Leacock.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents …
Each weeknight at midnight BookTelevision is scared to present the dean of the diabolical himself, the timeless Alfred Hitchcock. Watch as classic short stories are masterfully adapted for the screen in episodes as powerful today as when they premiered.
The Newsroom
Writer Ken Finkleman’s critically acclaimed comedic series documents the hectic lives and devious office politics in a Toronto news station. A witty and satirical take on the business of making the news.
British Men Behaving Badly
Catch this raw and unapologetically rude hit UK comedy as it makes its way across the pond to Canada! Ill-mannered flatmates Gary and Tony spend their lives in slovenly bachelor bliss, forever in pursuit of lager and ladies. They get plenty of the former, but their boorish behaviour usually repels the latter.
BOOKTELEVISION ORIGINALS
Richler, Ink.
Packed with both big- and no-name authors, heartless critics, incendiary roundtables, literary videos and news headlines, Richler, Ink. leaves no literary stone unturned. The program takes an argumentative approach to the week’s most controversial literary issues: behemoth book chain bullies, religious censors, plagiarists, illiterate politicians, pornographic rappers and just plain bad writers – none escape the jaundiced eye of Daniel Richler and his guests.
The Word This Week
Stay current with Canada’s only literary news program. Host Rachel Giese takes a fresh look at the world of words with news on books, magazines, graphic novels, comix and beyond, plus author interviews, rants and raves and more.
Written in Canada
New this fall
A treat for the mind and the eye.
One great Canadian book, the author, students and teachers who’ve studied it: Written in Canada is a multi-faceted critical exploration and a visual spectacle that engages your mind and inspires your creativity. Featured scribes include poet Karen Solie, author Gloria Sawai, and novelists Eden Robinson and Yann Martel.
The Word News
Hosted by Rachel Giese, The Word News is your eye on the world of words. Providing briefs on publications and performances, the gossip and the scandal, the politics and the business, The Word News brings the worldwide literary buzz right to you.
Agenda
An interstitial segment presenting bestseller lists, event announcements and recommended reading from around the world.
The Electric Archive
BookTelevision’s reservoir of short-form interviews, readings and author profiles.
Food For Thought
Rants, raves and uncensored comments from writers and readers alike.
BOOKS ON FILM
BookTelevision brings to the small screen some of literature’s greatest triumphs with a new lineup of titles for this fall, including:
– Barton Fink
– Legends of the Fall
– Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
– Looking for Richard
– The Commitments
– Mrs. Doubtfire
– The Crucible
– Last of the Mohicans
– Frankenstein
– Romeo & Juliet
– Jane Eyre
– The Van