Imprint (TV series)

Imprint was a Canadian television series that aired on TVOntario, CBC Newsworld, BookTelevision and Knowledge.[1] Inspired by Bernard Pivot's French literary programme Apostrophes,[1] the series featured interviews with prize-winning authors and journalists, and examined the latest trends in books and contemporary issues in literature.

Imprint
Presented byPaul Roberts
Jennifer Gibson
Daniel Richler
Guy Lawson
H. S. Bhabra
Marni Jackson
Cynthia Macdonald
Mary Hynes
Tina Srebotnjak
Country of originCanada
Production
Production locationsToronto, Ontario
Running time60 minutes
Release
Original networkTVOntario
CBC Newsworld
BookTelevision
Knowledge
Original release1989 (1989) –
2005 (2005)

History

The series premiered in September 1989, hosted by Paul Roberts and Jennifer Gibson in its first season.[1] The show was so poorly received at first that the network placed the show on temporary hiatus after only a few episodes, revamping its production team before relaunching it in November.[2] The change did not improve the program's critical reviews, however, with Roberts in particular being singled out for shying away from potentially controversial discussions.[3]

Both hosts left the series in 1990,[3] and Daniel Richler took over as host in the second season.[4] Under Richler, the show expanded its format to include a rotating stable of contributing interviewers, including journalist Ann Medina, critic and writer Gary Michael Dault, novelists M. T. Kelly and Barbara Gowdy, poet Clifton Joseph and biographer Michael Coren,[4] as well as regular round table discussions on literary topics.[5] The new format significantly improved the program's critical reception.[5][6]

Richler left the series in 1993,[7] and was succeeded by Guy Lawson.[8] Ken Rockburn, fresh off the cancellation of his syndicated radio series Medium Rare, was also a finalist for the job.[9]

Lawson left the show in 1995 to return to writing full-time,[10] and was succeeded that fall by H. S. Bhabra and Marni Jackson.[11]

In 1996, due to budget cuts at TVOntario the show was slated to have its staff and format cut back,[12] although at this time CBC Newsworld stepped in as a coproducer.[13] A third cohost, Cynthia Macdonald, was added in the 1996 season.

Jackson and Bhabra left the show in 1997,[14] and were succeeded by Mary Hynes as sole host.[15] CBC Newsworld did not continue to air the show in the 1997-98 season, instead introducing its own show on books and literature, Hot Type.[16] Hynes hosted until 2000, when she returned to CBC Radio, and was succeeded by Tina Srebotnjak.[17] When BookTelevision launched in 2001, Imprint was added to its schedule.[18]

TVOntario, the program's producer, cancelled the series in early 2005.[19]

One on One: The Imprint Interviews, a compilation book of author interviews from the series, was published in 1994.[20]

References
  1. "TVO: books and a new-look Elwy". Ottawa Citizen, September 7, 1989.
  2. "Initial read on book program is disappointing". The Globe and Mail, November 23, 1989.
  3. "Imprint's Roberts resigns". Toronto Star, March 18, 1990.
  4. "Richler to host Imprint". The Globe and Mail, June 26, 1990.
  5. "Richler makes his mark on Imprint". The Globe and Mail, November 17, 1990.
  6. "Imprint III makes a mark". Toronto Star, October 3, 1990.
  7. "Putting print over Imprint". The Globe and Mail, February 9, 1993.
  8. "Guy Lawson: Making a new Imprint". The Globe and Mail, September 25, 1993.
  9. "Rockburn right stuff for TVO job". Ottawa Citizen, March 9, 1993.
  10. "Lawson departs". The Globe and Mail, March 30, 1995.
  11. "Writer to co-host TVOntario's Imprint". Toronto Star, September 29, 1995.
  12. "Imprint's new format uncertain". The Globe and Mail, June 12, 1996.
  13. "Imprint turns new page: TVO's book show gets national slot". The Globe and Mail, August 23, 1996.
  14. "Jackson leaves Imprint TVO book show undergoes shakeup". The Globe and Mail, June 10, 1997.
  15. "Hynes to host Imprint: Former Studio 2 anchor will solo on books show". The Globe and Mail, July 31, 1997.
  16. "TV type". The Globe and Mail, October 18, 1997.
  17. "New job for Srebotnjak". The Globe and Mail, July 6, 2000.
  18. "All Books, All the Time: Chum turns a new page with BookTV". Vancouver Sun, October 20, 2001.
  19. "TVOntario cancels two shows, to cut staff". The Globe and Mail, March 11, 2005.
  20. "Warts and all, Imprint interviews come across as a valuable document". Ottawa Citizen, September 25, 1994.
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