ION To Add Two Canadian Dramas; The CW Picks Up 6 Returning Series for 2009-2010 Season

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

ION To Add Two Canadian Dramas; The CW Picks Up 6 Returning Series for 2009-2010 Season

ION Television announced the acquisition of two new one-hour original dramatic series, The Border and The Guard, each making their U.S. debuts on ION later this year.
ION Television has signed a deal with Fireworks International, the television and digital programming distribution arm of ContentFilm, to secure the exclusive U.S. original broadcast rights for The Border, the award-winning procedural crime drama series. The Border follows members of the elite Canadian Immigration and Customs Security Unit working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to secure the border on both sides of the line.
ION Television, in a separate deal with Lionsgate, also secured the exclusive U.S. original broadcast rights for The Guard, an original action-drama series focusing on the members of a Coastguard Search and Rescue team. ION also has all U.S. television, digital media rights, Internet streaming and video-on-demand rights for both shows.
The Border, which garnered two prestigious Gemini Awards with ten nominations, including Best Dramatic Series, is a hard-driving crime drama featuring strong, topical stories from terrorist threats and drug smuggling, to trafficking in illegal organs and underage brides, to corporate and international espionage -- and brings a cool lens to the grit of urban life. Stars include James McGowan, Sofia Milos, Grace Park, Graham Abbey, Mark Wilson, Jim Codrington, Jonas Chernick, Nazneen Contractor and Catherine Disher.
The Guard, produced by Halifax Film and Brightlight Pictures Inc., is shot in the scenic wilderness of Squamish, British Columbia. A character-driven ensemble series, it focuses on the lives of four imperfect, offbeat and sometimes difficult, but heroic Canadian Coast Guard Rescue specialists who face danger daily out on the Pacific Ocean, saving lives as they search for meaning in their own. This gripping, high-action drama series stars Steve Bacic as Duty Captain Miro Da Silva, Jeremy Guilbaut as Rescue Specialist Andrew Vanderlee and Sonya Salomaa as First Mate Laura Nelson. David James Elliot (JAG, Closer to Home) also guest stars in the recurring role of David Nelson.
ION Television also as previously announced will have the original series Durham County coming later this year. Not to mention reruns of the popular crime series Criminal Minds coming in the fall. Is ION going after the CBS audience with three original series and many off-network crime dramas?

The CW announced early pickups of six series, including five of the network's signature dramas and the reality hit America's Next Top Model, which will all return in Fall 2009. The series receiving early pickups for next season are The CW's Monday tandem of sophomore sensation Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill, which combined to lift The CW to become the fall's #1 network on Monday with women 18-34. Both Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill have scored double-digit gains compared to their previous seasons. Freshman hit 90210 has improved the network's Tuesday night by double-digit increases in key demos. Wednesday anchor America's Next Top Model, which consistently wins its time period with young women, will also be back with superstar Tyra Banks and new groups of aspiring models for cycles 13 and 14.
Also renewed were the network's established Thursday team of Smallville, which will be going into its ninth season, and Supernatural, which after posting ratings growth this season, will enter its fifth season next year.
The jury is still out on series such as Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, Privileged, and Reaper. More pickups won't be announced most likely until the May upfront.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, December 1

The Goldbergs - "Tennis People" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After weeks of waiting, Adam finally receives news that he has been accepted into NYU. His excitement is soon diminished when he learns Brea has been accepted into her dream school, Brown University. Fearing the distance will affect their relationship, Adam attempts to find ways to keep his girlfriend close. Meanwhile, with Virginia’s help, Beverly begins looking for venues to hold Erica’s wedding shower. She discovers her nemesis’ tennis club and is determined to become a member even if it means embarrassing herself.

The Wonder Years - "Home for Christmas" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean can’t wait to spend Christmas with his older brother, Bruce, when he returns home from Vietnam. But adjusting to life back in Montgomery comes with unexpected challenges for Bruce, and the rest of the Williams family rely on their favorite holiday traditions to bring cheer.

The Conners - "Yard Sale, Phone Fail, and a College Betrayal" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
As Louise starts to move into the Conner’s home, Dan decides to sell the furniture set he bought for Roseanne when they were first married. However, he soon finds parting with the furniture – and old memories – harder than he thought it would be.

Home Economics - "Secret Santa Gift, $25 Limit" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
As Christmas approaches, Tom finally receives his first advance check from the Sofia Salazar book, leaving him and Marina to decide what to do with the money. Meanwhile, Sarah receives an extravagant gift from the parents at her new school and has a hard time parting with it.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "2020: A Year in Review" (FXX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The Gang looks back on 2020 to justify their numerous PPE loans as they contributed to the chaos of the past political year way more than anyone could have imagined.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 7" (FXX, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Upon discovering that their self-made Lethal Weapon sequels have been pulled from the local library, the Gang decides to address their political incorrectness by making another film: Lethal Weapon 7.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 29)

Wednesday, December 1

Ken Jeong (Dr. Ken/Community) - Watch Ken on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Maya Erskine (PEN15/Casual/Betas) and Anna Konkle (PEN15) - Maya and Anna are guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Seth Rogen (Undeclared) - Seth appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Aisling Bea (Living with Yourself) - Aisling is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood/New Girl/Modern Men) - Max will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Heather Dubrow (Stark Raving Mad/Jenny/Life with Roger) - Heather appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 3am on Bravo.
Annaleigh Ashford (B Positive) - Annaleigh is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 3am on Bravo.
Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time/Happily Divorced/9 to 5) - Rita talks about West Side Story on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan (check your local listings) and chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Happyish/Trophy Wife) - Bradley will be on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Nicholas Braun (10 Things I Hate About You) - Nicholas dishes on the new season of Succession on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest co-hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Kristin Chenoweth (Schmigadoon!/Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings. She talks about National Champions on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Sutton Foster (Younger) - Sutton chats about her new memoir Hooked on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Vanessa Lachey (Truth Be Told/Dads) - Vanessa shares her favorite peanut butter blossoms cookie recipe on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Mykal-Michelle Harris (mixed-ish/Raven's Home) - Mykal-Michelle talks about NBC's The Kids Tonight Show on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
David Moscow (Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane/Living Dolls) - David talks about Tubi's From Scratch on Access Daily, so check your local listings.