CTV has announced it has scheduled three new Original Canadian series to debut next month, immediately following the conclusion of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Winter Games. The three series will benefit from weeks of promotion during what is to be one of the most-watched television events of the year.
 
First, CTV’s hit Monday night comedy block expands to two hours on March 1, the day following the close of Vancouver 2010. At 8 p.m. ET, Brent Butt is back in HICCUPS, starring "Corner Gas" co-star Nancy Robertson as children’s author Millie Upton. Then, at 8:30 p.m. ET, "Corner Gas" alumnus Fred Ewanuick stars as a hapless electoral candidate in "Dan for Mayor." Both comedies join Top 10, smash-hit, laugh-makers "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory," which follow at 9 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. ET, respectively.

Later that week it’s the much-anticipated premiere of CTV’s newest one-hour original drama series, "The Bridge." Starring "Battlestar Galactica's" Aaron Douglas, "The Bridge" is an authentic and unique twist on the police procedural told through the lens of a charismatic police union leader. The series debuts Friday, March 5 at 9 p.m. ET with a special two-hour series premiere before moving to its regular Fridays at 10 p.m. ET timeslot beginning March 12 on CTV (visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times).

Episodes of "Hiccups," "Dan for Mayor" and "The Bridge" will also be available on demand in HD on the CTV Video Player at CTV.ca following their television broadcast. "Hiccups" and "Dan for Mayor" also air Saturdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and 8:30 p.m. ET/PT beginning March 6 on The Comedy Network and will also be available for purchase from popular download sites.
 
About "Hiccups"

Set in Vancouver, the hilarious Nancy Robertson ("Corner Gas") stars as Millie Upton, a children’s author with anger management issues and other emotional “hiccups”, who seeks guidance from less-than-qualified life coach Stan Dirko. Playing Dirko is the mastermind behind CTV’s hit comedy "Corner Gas," Brent Butt, who also acts as creator, writer, executive producer and director. It’s a case of the lost leading the lost, with the best of intentions and very little chance of success. HICCUPS series regulars include Laura Soltis ("The Guard"), David Ingram ("Smallville"), Emily Perkins (Ginger Snaps) and Paula Rivera ("Flashpoint").

About "Dan for Mayor"

Dan’s ("Corner Gas" star Fred Ewanuick) life has been fairly uneventful until he is faced with the unexpected career change of running for mayor of his hometown. He lives and works in the fictional city of Wessex, Ontario, has the same friends since grade school, his most prized possession is a vintage Ms. Pac-Man game, and his last serious relationship was with a girl who is now engaged to someone else. DAN FOR MAYOR follows Dan’s journey of self-discovery as he, his ex-girlfriend, Claire (Mary Ashton, "Degrassi Goes Hollywood"), and best friend, Jeff (Paul Bates, Welcome to Mooseport), figure out Dan’s new-found political career, deal with the unexpected and prove that experience isn’t everything. DAN FOR MAYOR also stars Ben Ayres ("Vampire Diaries"); Suzanne Coy ("Heartland"); Agam Darshi ("Sanctuary"); Laurie Murdoch ("Flashpoint"); David Ferry ("This is Wonderland"); and Lara Jean Chorostecki ("Degrassi: The Next Generation").

About "The Bridge"

After the rank and file unanimously vote tough and dedicated street cop Frank Leo ("Battlestar Galactica's" Aaron Douglas) into office as the police union’s dynamic leader, he begins his quest to put street cops first and clean up the force from the ground up as he battles criminals on the street, police department brass and corruption in the ranks. But the old boys’ network running the police force and the city’s self-serving politicians are not about to sit idly by while a former street cop makes up his own rules. Frank walks the thin blue line as he battles criminals on the streets, corruption in the ranks and the politically motivated department brass, letting nothing stop him from fulfilling his unwavering vow that when cops are in trouble, he will be there to protect the protectors.

"The Bridge" also stars Paul Popowich ("Angela's Eyes"); Inga Cadranel ("Rent-a-Goalie"); Frank Cassini ("Vice"); Theresa Joy ("All the Good Ones Are Married"); Ona Grauer ("Stargate SG-1"), Michael Murphy ("Away from Her"); and Stuart Margolin ("The Rockford Files").