(andPOP) - Kicked off by a Canadian roast care of The Daily Show's Jon Stewart, the 2007 CTV Upfront Presentation gave advertisers a sneak peak at CTV’s new fall lineup on Monday in Toronto.
CTV will air seven new shows this fall that the network hopes will capture and tantalize Canadian audiences:
- Private Practice, the highly anticipated Grey's Anatomy spin-off from Golden Globe winner Shonda Rhimes, starring Kate Walsh
- Dirty Sexy Money, television's hottest new prime-time soap starring Donald Sutherland, Peter Krause, William Baldwin and Jill Clayburgh
- Big Shots, starring Dylan McDermott, Christopher Titus, Joshua Malina and Michael Vartan as four businessmen on the make
- Pushing Daisies, described by The New York Times as "the most talked-about new series of the fall for its striking look and unusual plotline"
- Moonlight, a high-concept drama about a vampire turned detective in modern society
- Gossip Girl, a sexy new drama from acclaimed O.C. creator Josh Schwartz and billed as the most anticipated new series from the CW
- The Big Bang Theory, a new comedy about brainy best friends and their hottie neighbour (Kaley Cuoco from Eight Simple Rules).
Some of the new shows look like sure-fire hits – Big Shots and the Big Bang Theory are destined to join my PVR. However, there was some question as to how Pushing Daises and Moonlight will fare in today’s television world, which has a history of sci-fi flops.
The party didn’t attract as many big name celebs as last year’s festivities, but there were enough to keep things crowded.
Shemar Moore, on hand to promote Criminal Minds and just three days after his DUI arrest, was like Elvis – women flocked, surrounded, and pounced. When asked what was better looking, CTV’s fall line-up or Shemar himself, Moore replied, “I can’t compete.” He then promptly lifted his shirt, exposing his abs for the wistful ladies. I almost bought that modest act for a minute…
Other celebrities in attendance included Private Practice's Walsh, some of the dancers from So You Think You Can Dance and the cast of Degrassi.
CTV also announced they have acquired Canadian broadcasting rights for Live Earth, while securing a partnership with the NFL.
Much like 2005’s Live 8 benefit shows, Live Earth will host nine concerts around the world in an effort to fight global warming. The concerts, which will air on July 7, will reach an estimated two billion viewers on NBC, CTV and MSN (among others).
For the first time, the Super Bowl is joining the Academy Awards on one network. CTV is calling it "Super February." NFL fans will get a chance to catch regular season early Sunday games, a robust NFL playoff slate and, of course, the Super Bowl.
Global will unveil its fall schedule on Wednesday.
