Mazel Tov to the Cast and Crew of Being Erica!

CBC just announced their 2011-2012 line-up today and Being Erica made the cut. Mazel Tov to the show’s creator and executive producer, Jana Sinyor, as well as the rest of the cast and crew. Thanks to Jana, millions of Canadian fans have been introduced to Erica Stange, a (fictional) hardworking Jewish woman from Toronto who has as many embarrassing moments growing up as the rest of us. The show’s success can also be measured by the fact that an American adaptation of the show for ABC is in the works.

Here’s the list of other returning shows to look forward to next year:

22 Minutes
Battle of the Blades
Being Erica
Best Recipes Ever
Doc Zone
Dragons’ Den
the fifth estate
George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight
Heartland
InSecurity
Little Mosque on the Prairie
Marketplace
The Nature of Things
Republic of Doyle
The Rick Mercer Report 
The Ron James Show
Steven & Chris

According to Maclean’s, new programming pickups for the 2011-12 season include Mr. D, starring Gerry D and produced by Topsail Entertainment; Michael Tuesdays and Thursdays,  featuring the writing and acting talents of Bob Martin and produced by Rhombus Media; the co-production Camelot, from Take 5 Productions; Kevin O’Leary in Dealer to Leader, developed by Wide-Eyed Entertainment in conjunction with CBC; and Cover Me Canada, produced  by 11 Entertainment.

MTV Drops Lauren Conrad’s Reality Show

The fact that MTV has decided not to pick up Lauren Conrad’s documentary reality show about working in the fashion industry because it is supposedly too “high brow” for MTV viewers says a great deal about the network.

After discovering Lauren and her friends during their high school years in Laguna Beach, MTV transformed a blonde girl from California into a Hollywood starlet. Lauren was for The Hills what Carrie Bradshaw was for Sex and the City – the girl that every girl either wants to be or wants as their best friend.

Since her television debut, Lauren has become a role model for millions of youth and inspired fans to pursue their dreams. The Hills co-star Stephanie Pratt shares this sentiment and acknowledged the potential of Lauren’s now cancelled show, adding that she “was really shocked [after hearing the news] and thought it would have been great for kids to watch.”

Without Lauren returning to reality TV as planned, who does MTV want their viewers to emulate instead – Ke$ha? Lindsay Lohan?

In her statement to the press, Lauren reiterates that it’s a shame that MTV doesn’t think their viewers are “savvy enough to appreciate” her show. I suppose that means MTV viewers can expect to see renewals of current MTV reality shows such as Teen Mom and I Used To Be Fat instead, as they don’t require much critical thinking. After all, how savvy must one be to sit on a couch and watch as a fashion designer selects fabrics, makes sketches, or sells dresses?

RT @muchmusic has a new #trending TV show.

MuchMusic is continually increasing their social media presence, such as by making their New Music Live (NML) show a trending topic in itself this past week. With their latest show, #trending, now on the air, Shit My Dad Says is less distinguishable as a Twitter-inspired TV show.

The pink graphics on the show’s webpage explicate that it’s a show geared primarily towards female fashionistas who admire MIT grad Liz Trinnear’s style. During her first “shopping haul” segment, Liz shares some great fashion finds with viewers, such as tie-dye tights and jewellery.

Their new show also has an interactive component, wherein they invite viewers to submit their own 5 minute-long videos about what’s trending in fashion and beauty.

#trending reminds me of other local shows that tell viewers about new places to find the coolest knick-knack or accessory, so I’m curious to see how MuchMusic maintains interest on a national scale.

Retro is Always in Style

Pepsi

Get ready for a blast from the past, Canadians. Pepsi Throwback is heading north, so you may want to cut back a bit on your sugar intake in preparation.

Forget corn syrup, or ingredients you can’t pronounce; this drink is made with real sugar and it has the same packaging your parents and grandparents enjoyed in the 70’s. Vintage is in, folks. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that high waisted wide leg jeans are coming back in style too.

“Our brand is all about bringing joy and enjoyment to our consumers, and we know this was an era of a lot of fun,” says Pepsi marketing manager Neetu Godara.

So have a drink. Have a Pepsi.

(Just keep in mind that it’s going to be available for a limited time only.)

You’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not it’s cooler than drinking Coke from a glass bottle.

Come Laugh, It’s For Charity!

Several Western students and their families from Toronto bundled up for a great night of comedy on Sunday to support hungry, underprivileged children. Thanks to the UWO chapter of Canadian Feed the Children, comics Arthur Simeon, Marty Adams, Jeff Leeson, Lars Classington, and host Al Val offered patrons plenty of reasons to laugh and forget about the shivering temperature outside, until Arthur joked about Canadian winters, that is.

Opening acts Jeff Leeson and Lars Classington, from late night comedy talk show London Tonight with Jeff Leeson, both enjoyed poking fun at the elderly. Jeff shared an amusing anecdote about a man who mistook a portable phone for a cell phone and brought it on a road trip, then acted out an old woman counting her change at a grocery store checkout. Lars entertained the crowd by sharing his “million dollar idea” for a new poutine diet, whereby cheese and gravy shall be added to every meal. The Poutine Zero diet is his solution to making weight loss a new year’s resolution.

Second City alum Marty Adams offered the most interactive performance, by asking audience members to write down pet peeves and things that annoy them. Chewing loudly is clearly something that gets on everyone’s nerves, but almost nothing compares to the frustration of watching someone text while you’re in the middle of a conversation. I’ve read books and heard songs about nut allergies, but I have never heard someone put such a hysterical twist on them before Marty. One can only imagine what Letterman would say in a top ten list about people like the girl in the front row who are allergic to fruit.

While Lars concluded his time on stage by conducting a symphony of sex noises, thus distinguishing who was shy in the audience, Arthur sure knew how to end the show. With his candid discussion about racist stereotypes, including a funny story about a late night on the TTC, among other tales about dating, living in Africa, and celebrating Christmas, Arthur ensured that it was a memorable evening for everyone at London Music Hall.