(August 2, 2000)…Mentors is falling in love with Tony Rosato (Saturday Night Live, SCTV) who is set to star as legendary Italian lover Casanova in next week’s episode directed by Nicholas Kendall (Caitlin’s Way, Cadillac Girls). Produced by Minds Eye Entertainment and Anaïd Productions, Mentors is currently filming 13 episodes in and around Edmonton for its third season.
Mentors follows the adventures of young computer genius Oliver and his friend Dee as they zap historical figures into their 21st century lives via an ingenious computer program. Each mentor is called upon to help the kids solve a particular challenge they’ve encountered. Along the way, the mentors reveal surprising, little-known facts about themselves, adding new hues to their already colourful lives.
In this episode, entitled “The Book of Love”, Oliver (Chad Krowchuk) feels left in the lurch after it appears that Dee (Sarah Lind) has set her sights on the handsome head of the debate team. In a bid to win her back, Oliver summons Casanova (Tony Rosato) hoping to gain a few pointers on the art of wooing women. After following Casanova’s ill-conceived advice, Oliver comes to realize that trust is the foundation of any relationship and he sends Casanova packing back to 1755.
“This episode is quite a departure for us,” says Producer Josh Miller, “as in this story our characters summon a mentor who-- while charming and confident-- actually sets a bad example. Before Oliver realizes that Casanova is giving him lousy advice on his love life, there are some rather hilarious moments, but it all gets sorted out in the end.”
Adds Producer Margaret Mardirossian, “Tony’s Italian charm combined with his comedic flair makes this episode a rollicking farce.”
Mentors was created by Josh Miller of Minds Eye Entertainment who is producing the series with Margaret Mardirossian of Anaïd Productions with Kevin DeWalt of Minds Eye Entertainment as Executive Producer. The series features Chad Krowchuk (Jake and the Kid) as Oliver, Belinda Metz (So Weird) as his mother Anne, Shaun Johnston (Traders) as his father Roy, and Sarah Lind (Incredible Story Studio) as his best friend, Dee.
Historic mentors from previous episodes include Albert Einstein (Elliott Gould), Alexander Graham Bell (Len Cariou), Joan of Arc (Lisa Jakub), Lewis Carroll (Thomas Cavanagh), Napoleon Bonaparte (Saul Rubinek), Oscar Wilde (Simon MacCorkindale), St. Nicholas (Brian George), Harriet Tubman (Sandra Caldwell), Cleopatra (Ellie Harvie), Ludwig van Beethoven (Henry Czerny), Daniel Boone (Roddy Piper), Frederick Banting (Matt Frewer), Edgar Allen Poe (Michael Sarrazin), Nostradamus (Kim Coates), Dr. James Naismith (Joe Flaherty), Anne Frank (Jessica Goldapple), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Willam B. Davis) and Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Kidder).
Anaïd Productions Inc. is an award-winning film and television production company focused on family programming, arts documentaries, drama, comedy and variety series. Recipient of the CCA Rogers Communications award for the arts documentary Ronnie Burkett: A Line of Balance and an Alberta Film and Television Award for the comedy travel series, The Tourist. Into its third season, The Tourist airs on Life Network in Canada, Travel Channel (US) and Travel Channel (UK). The Tourist holds the distinction of being the most-watched travel show in all of the United States of America.
Established in 1986, Minds Eye Entertainment is a fully integrated production, post-production and distribution entity with offices throughout Western Canada and the US. Its award-winning feature films, television series, shorts and documentaries have been translated into a dozen languages and sold in more than 100 countries. Internationally recognized for its commitment to distinctive motion picture product, Minds Eye’s selected list of credits includes the features Sins of the Father, Something More, Viva Las Nowhere, Without Malice, Murder Seen and Held Up. On the small screen Minds Eye is best known for the 52 episode hit series for kids Incredible Story Studio, the top rated mini-series The Lost Daughter, Stranger in Town and Eli’s Lesson.
Mentors is produced with the participation of Family Channel Inc., Shaw Children's Programming Initiative via the Dr. Geoffrey R. Conway Fund and the Shaw Television Broadcast Fund, CFCN Production Fund, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Canada Television Fund - License Fee Program, Telefilm Canada - Equity Investment Program, the Government of Canada Film Tax Credit Program and Minds Eye International.
International distribution of Mentors is provided by Minds Eye International.
Watch Mentors on Sunday nights at 5:30 PM Central and 6:30 PM Pacific/Eastern on Family Channel (check local listings for times and days).
For more information/interview, please contact:
Reel Girls Media Inc.,
Unit Publicity
Ava Karvonen or Larissa Banting,
(780) 488-0440