PRAIRIE BERRY PIE PREMIERES ON SATURDAY MORNING LINE UP

Released: November 27, 1999

(SASKATOON) Prairie Berry Pie with Brenda Baker, the entertaining new series for kids aged two to six, began airing Saturday, November 20 at 9:00 am on Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN). The series was announced at a media conference November 16 at Saskatoon's Victoria School in front of an enthusiastic audience of Kindergarten to grade 2 students.

The launch marks the first season of the series which features 13 half-hours of fun, friendship and wonder with distinctive prairie flavour. Prairie Berry Pie is a production of Regina's Minds Eye Entertainment and Moose Jaw Light and Power Productions of Saskatoon.

Prairie Berry Pie stars award-winning musician, entertainer, and recording artist BRENDA BAKER (Adrienne Clarkson's Summer Festival). Through rhyme, rhythm, song and story, Brenda and her guests help kids learn pre-school social skills like sharing, honesty and trust while they explore the fascinating world of the western plains.

Brenda is friend and mentor to two puppets, a prickly porcupine named Clementine, and Sasha, a cute, cuddly skunk. Renowned puppeteers TRISH LEEPER (Sesame Street, The Jim Henson Hour) and JANI LAUZON (Little Star, Mr. Dress-Up) breathe life into and animate Clementine and Sasha.

From a prairie penthouse high atop a converted grain elevator, Brenda and her puppet friends welcome special guests each week. Always loads of laughs are two wacky and wonderful brothers, Franklin, played by KENT ALLEN (Incredible Story Studio, Painted Angels) and Gridley, played by TOM ROONEY (On My Mind, Twin Stars). You never know how these two will tickle the funny bone with their larger-than-life, slap stick comedy. The two comic characters take on a diversity of roles, dropping in as pizza makers and plumbers, doctors and dancers, cowboys, mountain climbers, farmers... and sasquatches!

KENNETCH CHARLETTE (Dear America, Big Bear), plays David, a first nations story teller who visits with drum, song and story. Mackenzie, played by ALISON MADDIGAN (Incredible Story Studio, Family and Friends), is a young girl with answers to everything, who also stops by to visit and provide a different way of looking at the ideas explored and lessons learned.

Says the series star, BRENDA BAKER, "I was born and raised in Saskatchewan and I've always been proud of that. It's wonderful to be able to share this prairie experience with so many children in such a unique and meaningful way."

Music is a key component in Prairie Berry Pie. Brenda Baker's melodic voice, teamed with her guitar and special guests will captivate audiences and inspire youngsters to sing along. The series features a soundtrack of much-loved traditional children's songs as well as original songs penned by renowned songwriters Connie Kaldor, Al Simmons and Rob Bryanton.

Executive Producer Kevin DeWalt of Minds Eye Entertainment says "Prairie Berry Pie is a rich, creative experience for its young audience. It's a series of the highest quality, made right here in Saskatchewan, for kids across the nation and around the world."

Producer and co-creator Geoffrey Ursell agrees: "It's a tremendous thrill to see our idea grow into vibrant, joyful life with the help of so many wonderfully talented and creative people. Prairie Berry Pie shows the unique life and beauty of the prairies to the whole world."

Ten episodes were directed by acclaimed variety and children's show director and creative producer MICHAEL MCNAMARA (Polka Dot Shorts, Sharon Lois and Bram's Elephant Show). STEPHEN HALL (Harold and Katja), BRETT BELL (Strike Me Silly), and CHRIS BAILEY (Incredible Story Studio) each directed one episode.

Prairie Berry Pie is a co-production between Regina based Minds Eye Entertainment and Saskatoon's Moose Jaw Light and Power Productions. KEVIN DEWALT is Executive Producer. GEOFFREY URSELL and KEVIN DEWALT are producers. BARBARA SAPERGIA and GEOFFREY URSELL are creators.

Prairie Berry Pie is produced with the participation of Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN), Global Television Network, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canadian Television Fund, Telefilm Canada: Equity Investment Program, CTF: License Fee Program, The Shaw Cable Children's Programming Initiative, Government of Canada-Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program, the Saskatchewan Film Employment Tax Credit and Minds Eye International.

SCN is Saskatchewan's educational broadcaster, and plays a key role in the development of many local television productions. SCN reaches approximately 710,000 people in more than 250 communities across the province.

Global Television will begin airing the series in the fall of 2000. Prairie Berry Pie is distributed by Minds Eye International.