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 by | Paul Roberts Jennifer Gibson Daniel Richler Guy Lawson H. S. Bhabra Marni Jackson Cynthia Macdonald Mary Hynes Tina Srebotnjak |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Production | |
| Production locations | Toronto, Ontario |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | TVOntario CBC Newsworld BookTelevision Knowledge |
| Release | 1989 – 2005 |
History
editThe 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
edit- ^ a b c "TVO: books and a new-look Elwy". Ottawa Citizen, September 7, 1989.
- ^ "Initial read on book program is disappointing". The Globe and Mail, November 23, 1989.
- ^ a b "Imprint's Roberts resigns". Toronto Star, March 18, 1990.
- ^ a b "Richler to host Imprint". The Globe and Mail, June 26, 1990.
- ^ a b "Richler makes his mark on Imprint". The Globe and Mail, November 17, 1990.
- ^ "Imprint III makes a mark". Toronto Star, October 3, 1990.
- ^ "Putting print over Imprint". The Globe and Mail, February 9, 1993.
- ^ "Guy Lawson: Making a new Imprint". The Globe and Mail, September 25, 1993.
- ^ "Rockburn right stuff for TVO job". Ottawa Citizen, March 9, 1993.
- ^ "Lawson departs". The Globe and Mail, March 30, 1995.
- ^ "Writer to co-host TVOntario's Imprint". Toronto Star, September 29, 1995.
- ^ "Imprint's new format uncertain". The Globe and Mail, June 12, 1996.
- ^ "Imprint turns new page: TVO's book show gets national slot". The Globe and Mail, August 23, 1996.
- ^ "Jackson leaves Imprint TVO book show undergoes shakeup". The Globe and Mail, June 10, 1997.
- ^ "Hynes to host Imprint: Former Studio 2 anchor will solo on books show". The Globe and Mail, July 31, 1997.
- ^ "TV type". The Globe and Mail, October 18, 1997.
- ^ "New job for Srebotnjak". The Globe and Mail, July 6, 2000.
- ^ "All Books, All the Time: Chum turns a new page with BookTV". Vancouver Sun, October 20, 2001.
- ^ "TVOntario cancels two shows, to cut staff". The Globe and Mail, March 11, 2005.
- ^ "Warts and all, Imprint interviews come across as a valuable document". Ottawa Citizen, September 25, 1994.