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    Chris Jancelewicz

    Chris Jancelewicz

    Lead Entertainment Editor, Huffington Post Canada

  • 'Beauty and the Beast': Jay Ryan On Playing The Beast

    If you're hoping the latest version of "Beauty and the Beast" is going to be a tale as old as time, think again. The CW's version is dark and serious with a modern, military-experiment twist. HuffPost TV spoke with Ryan over the phone (it isn't normal for me to pass up the opportunity to chat face-to-face with a handsome, talented actor, but not even the New Zealand-born actor could get me into my car for a two-hour -- one way! -- bumper-to-bumper drive into the city), and not only did we agree on where we want the series to go, but Ryan also revealed what it's like filming in Toronto (disguised as New York, of course) and how he's really pushing for more romance on the action-drama. Obviously we color and paste the city to make it look like New York.

  • Phil Hartman Remembered on Canada's Walk of Fame

    Judging from the steady flow of acceptance speech tears, receiving a star on Canada's Walk of Fame is an emotional day for many Canadians. It was especially hard for Paul Hartmann, brother of the late Canadian actor-comedian Phil Hartman. On Saturday afternoon, Paul was accepting the national honour on behalf of Phil (who dropped the extra "n" for his stage name).

  • 'Flashpoint' Season 5: Enrico Colantoni Talks Show's Ending And The 'Veronica Mars' Movie

    HuffPost TV spoke with Colantoni, and he was candid about his love for co-star Hugh Dillon, what it's like to feel closure on a series (for the first time!), and what he'll miss most about "Flashpoint." (Oh, and he also let me blather on about my love for "Galaxy Quest," and of course we talked about "Veronica Mars" and the possibility of a movie. It depends where I am. If I'm in Toronto, it's "Flashpoint." If I'm in the Toronto airport, it's "Person of Interest." I don't know why. "Person of Interest." If I walk by some teenagers, it's "Veronica Mars," for sure.

  • Ralph Macchio Brings 'American Gypsies' To Life

    Ralph Macchio may be better known for delivering crane kicks than reality TV, but the former Karate Kid has learned a few new moves in recent years (and not just thanks to his stint on "Dancing with the Stars"). Premiering on Sept. 3rd, the new docu-series follows the Johns, a Romani family (more familiarly, and derogatorily, known as "gypsies") living in New York City. The prominent and outspoken family let Macchio and his crew in to film them as they struggle to keep their traditions alive, pulling back the curtain on a subculture that prides itself on staying pure from outside influence, all in the hopes of dispelling negative stereotypes about gypsy culture.

  • 'Restaurant Takeover': Everything You Need To Know

    "Restaurant Takeover" has a familiar ring to it, and for good reason. Following in the footsteps of the cancelled "Restaurant Makeover", "Takeover" similarly pairs a high-profile chef with a top-notch designer to rescue and revitalize a struggling eatery. On a warm Sunday afternoon, one of the participating chefs, Massimo Capra, sat down with us at Cirillo's Culinary Academy to discuss the current episode in production and of course, food.

  • Fan Expo 2012 Day 4: John Barrowman Doesn't Give A S--t And Billy West's Nerd Inspirations

    Fan Expo Canada is over for another year, so if you were planning on donning that Captain America costume and sauntering over to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, you're too late. John Barrowman Doesn't Give A S--t The noon panel kicked off with Britain's favourite time-traveling renegade -- no, not Dr. Who, but the leader of "Torchwood" and the first openly gay character in "Dr. Who" history -- Captain Jack Harkness. Being an openly gay actor hasn't been easy, but Barrowman has no fear.

  • Fan Expo 2012 Day 3: Lafayette, 'Buffy' Love And 'Walking Dead' Season 3

    Saturday is traditionally the busiest day of Fan Expo at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, as the fire marshal often caps attendance to prevent capacity issues and fire code violations. Life And Language Of Lafayette First up was Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds on "True Blood") and he had big news. "All supernatural creatures are welcome on 'True Blood' and zombies may be on there at some point.

  • 'Copper': Everything You Need To Know About The Period Drama

    Created by Tom Fontana ("Oz," "Homicide: Life on the Street") and Will Rokos ("Southland") "Copper" follows Detective Kevin Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones), an Irish-immigrant cop doing his best to keep the peace in the rough Five Points neighborhood while seeking answers to a case that's hit too close to home. The day we're on set, Corcoran and his former war buddy Robert Morehouse (Kyle Schmid), are out in the coach house with a few other men for an intense demonstration. The conversation is plot-sensitive, but the scene ends with an impressive fire special effect and a burning carriage.

  • Kathleen Rose Perkins On 'Episodes' And The Struggles Of Poor Carol

    The much-anticipated return of "Episodes" is finally upon us, and it's been interesting to theorize what has happened to our beloved characters since we last saw them. Were Beverly and Sean able to get past that Matt LeBlanc-shaped stumbling block, or is their marriage doomed? HuffPost TV spoke with Kathleen Rose Perkins over the phone and got some answers.

  • CTV Fall TV Schedule 2012-13: Major Changes, Major Stars

    While Rogers and Shaw Media also have to juggle their schedules to accommodate what they'll be simulcasting from U.S. networks, Bell Media/CTV might have it just a little worse, thanks to three reality shows that take up some heavy real estate. "Dancing With the Stars" and "The X Factor" aren't new to CTV, but "The Voice"'s first foray into fall means some major rejigging for the network. This fall marks the return of Charlie Sheen in his comedy, "Anger Management." Co-starring Selma Blair, it follows an unconventional therapist specializing in ... well ... something Sheen knows first-hand (ask his ex-wives).

  • Shaw Media Fall TV Schedule 2012-13: Big Names, Big Shows

    Shaw Media is trying to get back in the game after its so-so year, and with several new buzzworthy dramas debuting on Global TV this fall, the network has announced loudly that it is ready to play. Global is hoping "Last Resort," the latest offering from executive producer Shawn Ryan ("The Shield"), will perform better than "The Chicago Code" did -- and hopefully Canadian Scott Speedman ("Felicity") will help. Speaking of awesome and "The Shield," Michael Chiklis, along with Dennis Quaid, headline "Vegas," which takes place in the 1960s.

  • Can Your Co-Workers Sing? TV Show Finds Out

    Okay, perhaps reciting the lyrics to the theme song of The Teenage Mutant Teenage Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze isn’t exactly the best way to make a first impression, especially when karaokers would probably boo the horrible rendition, but it seemed somewhat appropriate in the presence of Rob Van Winkle. Better known to the masses as Vanilla Ice, the rapper exploded on to the music scene thanks to his infectious No. 1 single, Ice Ice Baby, and later made a cameo in 1991’s Ninja Turtles sequel. Sitting in Van Winkle’s dressing room for the reality show Canada Sings, the topic of director Michael Bay rebooting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has immediately come front and centre, and so has Van Winkle’s catchy Ninja song.

  • Jeff Probst, Ricki Lake Lighting Up Daytime On Global TV

    As soap operas become a dying breed (though the renewals of "General Hospital" and "Days of our Lives" provide some solace, along with existing shows "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and the Beautiful"), it's evident that networks need to revamp their daytime lineups and bring in the big guns to compete with the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper, and Katie Couric. Enter Jeff Probst and Ricki Lake, both veterans in the TV hosting game. Global is hoping Probst and Lake will be a big part of their daytime image overhaul.

  • Shenae Grimes, '90210' Star, Prays You Still Like Her (And Annie)

    Well, not only have they both been the center of television reboots, but Shenae Grimes has walked the halls of both schools. Grimes's character on the "90210" reboot, Annie Wilson, transfered from Kansas wide-eyed and eager, but little did Grimes know that the writers of "90210" were going to put her character to the test.

  • 'The L.A. Complex' Adds 13 More Episodes To First Season

    Fans of "The L.A. Complex" have reason to celebrate. The MuchMusic (and now The CW) show has been ordered to shoot 13 more episodes, expanding its first season from six episodes to an impressive 19. The series, which follows a group of aspiring Hollywood hopefuls all crammed in an L.A. apartment, is produced by Degrassi's Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn, who know a thing or two about turning a groundbreaking series into a phenomenon.

  • 'Canada's Smartest Person': Who Will It Be?

    Most people assume the only way to measure intelligence is with a good old-fashioned I.Q. test. Well, think again, because "Canada's Smartest Person" is about to redefine that notion. Airing this Sunday, March 18, the two-hour television special will put contestants through a series of brain-teasers, with each competition designed to assess a specific mental aptitude.

  • 'Top Chef Canada' Season Two: More Drama, Better Chefs

    "Top Chef Canada" returns tonight for more cooking mayhem as 16 talented new chefs compete in various quick-fire challenges and elimination rounds. As usual, for this second season, at stake is $100,000, a Monogram kitchen and the title of Top Chef. Judge and esteemed chef Mark McEwan spoke exclusively to The Huffington Post TV Canada about food, egos and the recipe for success ... and disaster.

  • 'Canada's Got Talent': 5 Things You Need To Know

    If the name of our country's latest reality franchise is any indication, "Canada's Got Talent" ("CGT") has a lot to prove. Premiering tonight on Citytv, "CGT" will showcase the talent Canadians have to offer. Recently, during a "Canada's Got Talent" press conference and screening, the producers showered the series with praise and adoration: "Everything about this show is world-class," promises Scott Moore, the head of Rogers Broadcasting.

  • 'Canada's Got Talent' Auditions: Expect The Unexpected

    This is "Canada's Got Talent," a new reality series premiering on March 4, 2012. Based on "America's Got Talent" (of course), people from all over Canada showcase their unique abilities in front of a live studio audience and either move on to the next round, or get buzzed and booted, until a winner is crowned. "There is absolutely no criteria in terms of age or what you can do, providing it fits into what I would call family fare," reports executive producer John Brunton.

  • 'King' Season 2: Pregnancy, Gambling And New Blood

    As Showcase's "King" kicks off its second season, lead character Jessica King (Amy Price-Francis) sure has her hands full. After numerous attempts, King is finally pregnant, but it's quite possibly her co-worker Detective Derek Spears' (Alan Van Sprang) baby. On set, things are much more relaxed, as executive producer Greg Spottiswood, Price-Francis and Van Sprang sat down to discuss the engaging cop drama with The Huffington Post TV Canada, and how much the show has changed since season 1.