Who let the dog out? Citytv broke the news this morning that Hudson & Rex would return in the fall with John Reardon out of the kennel and back as Det. Charlie Hudson. If telling him to sit for a year was part of some crazy strategy to re-ignite heat on this series, it seems to be working.
The Rogers-owned private broadcaster had plenty of other news in what passes for Upfront Week in Canada. Citytv and Citytv+ have welcomed back 21 returning series, as well as two new scripted shows snapped up from the slim pickings among US broadcasters and studios. Among the headlines:
In imports, City continues to learn heavily into the law enforcement procedural bag that makes the western craze of the 1950s seem like a passing fad. Line of Fire is a new show about a family of law enforcement agents working for the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Secret Service, and Department of Justice. Why Fox or somebody doesn’t just come up with a title like Ice on Fire about a family of Ice agents pulling moms and random civilians off the streets… I guess we’re not quite there yet. This show yanks Peter Krause (9-1-1) back into the fray, along with Hope Davis, Kat Cunning, Tommy O’Brien, Taylor Bloom, and Charlie Barnett.
Set for 2027 is a reboot of The Rockford Files, another pickup from NBC. Probably only David Boreanaz, a contemporary star who doesn’t get enough credit for headlining four hit TV shows (Buffy, Angel, Bones and SEAL Team) could follow in the footsteps of TV legend James Garner. Rockford is the kind of private eye both the cops and criminals hate because he keeps getting his man. Hope Boreanaz also gets to drive a cool car and occasionally slide across the hood to that damn snappy theme song.
As far as returning import hours, Citytv will welcome back Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Law & Order, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Freeze! Drop it! Yes, the converter!
Season Four of Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent will see Luke Kirby join the cast. He’s playing a new detective paired with Frankie Bateman (Kathleen Munroe) in Homicide. Fortunately, the actor he is replacing was not working opposite a German Shepherd, or there would be hell to pay from fans!
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And yes, all those competition reality hits are back including The Bachelor, Bachelor in Paradise, and Dancing with the Stars. Hey, if one of these shows gets yanked off the schedule for questionable casting, another is just a rose petal away.
Citytv will continue with a new season of The Price Is Right Tonight. So glad Howie Mandel has something to do between all those slip-on sneaker ads. Season 2 will include special episodes featuring some of the NHL’s biggest stars. Look for the Toronto Maple Leafs to ace the, “guess the price of golf balls” game.
The network also remains the home of animated comedies The Simpsons, Animal Control, Universal Basic Guys, and Grimsburg.
In specials, City will show Bryan Adams & Friends: A Great Big Holiday Jam Volume 2. That will fit right in with live events Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve, The 84th Annual Golden Globes, The American Music Awards and the 2027 Grammy Awards.
And in mornings, Breakfast Television remains No. 11 in Ontario with hosts Dina Pugliese, Tim Bolen, Rick Campanelli, Tammie Sutherland, Stella Acquisto, and Caryn Ceolin.
New this summer on City: America’s Got Talent begins next week, with returning game shows Celebrity Family Feud and Press Your Luck coming mid-July.
Watch all of the above on Citytv with everything also available to stream on Citytv+.
