Riverdale (Canadian TV series)

Last updated
Riverdale
Created by Yan Moore
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes94
Production
Producers Stephen Stohn, Linda Schuyler
Running time30 minutes
Production company Epitome Pictures
Original release
Network CBC Television
Release1997 (1997) –
2000 (2000)

Riverdale is a Canadian prime time television soap opera, which ran for three seasons from 1997 to 2000. [1] The series was set in the Toronto community of Riverdale, focusing on a variety of characters and their interactions in everyday life. [2]

Contents

Riverdale was produced by Epitome Pictures in association with CBC Television. [3] Originally inspired by the socially realistic style of British soaps such as Coronation Street , [4] due to low early ratings it began introducing some more American-style soap opera elements, [5] most notably in the expansion of Melissa DiMarco's character, Irene Stavros, into an American-style soap vixen who dressed in tight clothing to accentuate her sex appeal. [6]

Cast member Marion Gilsenan was battling cancer for much of her stint on the series. [7] She won a Gemini Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Program or Series at the 14th Gemini Awards in 1999, several months after her death. [8]

The series typically attracted low ratings in its initial prime-time airing, but performed more strongly on Sundays after a daytime repeat was added following Coronation Street. [9] 94 half-hour episodes were produced. [10]

Cast

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References

  1. ↑ "Riverdale's death a bit suspicious". Toronto Star , February 3, 2000.
  2. ↑ Henry Mietkiewicz, "Riverdale takes time soaping up". Toronto Star , September 22, 1997.
  3. ↑ Sid Adilman, "Soap City Riverdale's 4 1/2-acre `neighborhood' is just a front for soap opera on grand scale". Toronto Star , May 25, 1997.
  4. ↑ Ted Shaw, "Riverdale producers tap into British soaps". St. Catharines Standard , September 27, 1997.
  5. ↑ John Allemang, "Riverdale flooded by torrents of soap suds". The Globe and Mail , October 7, 1999.
  6. ↑ Jim Bawden, "This blonde bombshell is no bimbo; Tight tops and leather pants all part of the act for Melissa DiMarco"]. Toronto Star , February 27, 2001.
  7. ↑ Jim Bawden, "Soap star acted through illness; Riverdale's Marion Gilsenan dies from cancer". Toronto Star , January 13, 1999.
  8. ↑ Antonia Zerbisias, "CBC cops 41 Geminis; Public network dominates news and information awards; CTV dramas win big". Toronto Star , November 8, 1999.
  9. ↑ "Riverdale renewed, but future in doubt". Ottawa Citizen , January 23, 1999.
  10. ↑ Kari Shannon, "Producer of Riverdale 'blindsided' as CBC puts kibosh on soap opera". National Post , February 1, 2000.
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