‘Big Brother’ seeks to be more inclusive
“Big Brother Canada” is looking to be “inclusive” as it casts Season 9 of the reality show.
“We are ready to embark on another casting journey in search of Canadians who represent our country and its rich mosaic of cultures,” Erin Brock, showrunner of “Big Brother Canada” for Insight Productions, said in a news release. “We’re encouraging all qualified Canadians to take a shot at this once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Also, for the first time ever, all casting will be done virtually, since in-person auditions are a no-no during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’re interested, record a short video explaining why you have what it takes to be a “Big Brother Canada” house guest, visit bigbrothercanadacasting.ca and upload your video, a photo of yourself and some basic information. You have to been at least 19 years of age as of Feb. 1 and you have until Nov. 15 to apply. People can also nominate friends by tagging @bigbrotherca on social media and using the hashtag #FutureHOH.
Like its American counterpart, “Big Brother Canada” sequesters a group of strangers in a “house” under wall-to-wall surveillance where they compete for a cash price, voting each other out until only two remain.
The new season will debut on Global TV in 2021. Debra Yeo
‘Murdoch Mysteries’ resumes shooting
Another Canadian TV series is back in production amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Production company Shaftesbury announced Tuesday that shooting has begun in Toronto on Season 14 of “Murdoch Mysteries.”
The CBC drama, which also airs in the U.S., the U.K. and numerous other countries, stars Yannick Bisson as early-20th-century Toronto detective William Murdoch. Bisson will also direct the first two episodes of the new season. There was no word in the news release on what pandemic precautions are being taken on set, but photos that were provided showed Bisson, other crew members and background actors in masks.
Another Shaftesbury TV series, Citytv’s “Hudson and Rex,” recently shut down production for one day in St. John’s, N.L., after two people tested positive for COVID-19. One was a woman who had flown to Newfoundland from Toronto, the other a cast member who had contact with her. Debra Yeo
Sales of Collins’ 1981 hit skyrocket
Phil Collins’ 1981 anthem “In The Air Tonight” is a hit once again thanks to a reaction video starring a pair of brothers hearing the song, particularly its famous drum break, for the first time. As of Monday afternoon, “In the Air Tonight” was the fourth best-selling track of the week, up from 185th-best the week prior. While the song has not seen an increase in streaming in a technical sense, the YouTube video of twin brothers Tim and Fred Williams listening to the song has been viewed over three million times and clips of their reactions have been shared on social media countless other times. The twins’ reaction to the song comes after their reaction to Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” caught the attention of the singer herself. The “TwinsthenewTrend” YouTube channel now has more than 350,000 subscribers. New York Daily News
The Weeknd to perform at VMAs
Chart-topping Grammy winners The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are set to perform at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards this month. MTV announced Tuesday that Colombian singer Maluma and Latin boy band CNCO will also perform at the Aug. 30 event. The awards show will be held outdoors at various places in New York City in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Previously announced performers include BTS, Doja Cat and J Balvin, while Keke Palmer will host the awards show. This year’s VMAs introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times: best music video from home and best quarantine performance. The Associated Press
Actress Stone to write memoir
Sharon Stone has taken on a new, real-life role — memoir writer. “I have learned to forgive the unforgivable,” says Stone, whose ”The Beauty of Living Twice” comes out in March. “My hope is that as I share my journey, you too will learn to do the same.” Alfred A. Knopf announced Tuesday that the 62-year-old actor will reflect on everything from her painful childhood in Pennsylvania to such films as the starmaking erotic thriller “Basic Instinct” and Martin Scorsese’s mobster epic “Casino.” She’ll also write about her two marriages, her near-fatal stroke in 2001 and her humanitarian work on behalf of AIDS research. The Associated Press