Catwalk (Canadian TV series) explained

Genre:Musical drama
Creator:Alan Levy
Director:Jerry Ciccoritti
Steve DiMarco
Christian Duguay
Alan Erlich
Ken Girotti
Eleanor Lindo
Jorge Montesi
Bruce Pittman
Stacey Stewart Curtis
Starring:Lisa Butler
Neve Campbell
Christopher Lee Clements
Keram Malicki-Sanchez
Paul Popowich
Kelli Taylor
Composer:David Hoffert
Paul Hoffert
Country:Canada
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:49
Executive Producer:Frederick Rappaport
Producer:Tab Baird
Wendy Grean
Editor:Jaime Fowler
Lisa Grootenboer
Cinematography:John Holosko
Richard Wincenty
Runtime:50 minutes
Channel:YTV

Catwalk is a Canadian musical drama series that ran for 49 episodes on the YTV network from 1992 until 1994. The series' first season aired in syndication in the United States, while the second season aired on MTV.[1]

Synopsis

The series was based around six twenty-something adults who formed a band named Catwalk. The episodes centered on the band's personal relationships and struggles to land a record deal, while also featuring their musical performances in nightclubs. Their main gathering place was a downtown loft.

Singer/guitarist Johnnie Camden (Keram Malicki-Sanchez) was at the focus of the show; it was in his loft where the band gathered to rehearse. Relationships were also a major part of the show; there were two couples within the cast, as Daisy (Neve Campbell) dated the group's manager Billy K., and Mary (Kelli Taylor) dated the drummer Jesse (Paul Popowich). The relationship was tumultuous and the couple broke up before the end of the first season.

The show had a somewhat post-apocalyptic flavour, with Blade Runner-style burning oil barrels, dark and ambient lighting, and flashing white lights that pass through blinds, giving the show a futuristic look.

The second season featured a new character, Maggi (Nicole de Boer), who in the first season (in the episode "Toxic Love") became briefly involved with lead guitarist Johnnie Camden, causing tension within the band.

Cast and characters

Minor characters

Episodes

Season 2

Music

The first season music was done by Rupert Gayle and Orin Isaacs. The second season on MTV was done by Steve Tyrell (The Heights and California Dreams) and his late wife, Stephanie Tyrell (also The Heights). A soundtrack from the second season was released on Atlantic Records and also featured performances, in addition to "Catwalk" (series star Lisa Butler and singer Barry Coffing as the singing role of Frank Cafla), from former The Heights star Jamie Walters, Vonda Shepard, Buffalo Tom, The Lemonheads, and Intro.[2]

1994 Soundtrack

Catwalk: Music from the TV Series
Type:Soundtrack
Artist:Various
Released:1994
Genre:Rock, R&B
Language:English
Label:Atlantic Records
Producer:Steve Tyrell, except noted

Track Listing

  1. If You Want Me
  2. Life is Sweet
  3. I'm Allowed-Buffalo Tom (Produced by The Robb Brothers with Buffalo Tom) (from the album Big Red Letter Day)
  4. Drive Me-Jamie Walters (from the album Jamie Walters)
  5. Let Me Off Here
  6. Something to Cry About
  7. Ribbon in the Sky (single edit) (cover of the song by Stevie Wonder)-Intro (Produced by Nevelle Hodge) (from the album Intro)
  8. Reckless (this song was later sung by Jamie Walters and appeared on an episode of Beverly Hills 90210; the Walters' version would also turn up on his second album Ride)
  9. It's About Time-The Lemonheads (Produced by The Robb Brothers and Evan Dando) (from the album Come On Feel The Lemonheads)
  10. Love Is A Dream (featuring Vonda Shepard)
  11. You Hurt Me

Tracks 1–2, 5, 8, and 11 lead vocals by Barry Coffing
Track 6 lead vocals by Lisa Butler

Cancellation

The first season of Catwalk was rerun on YTV in Canada for four consecutive years. Season one comprised 24 episodes. The majority of the second season episodes were never aired due to a licensing conflict between MTV Networks and the original creator of the show, Adam Kidron, and remain unseen.

In popular culture

Award and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
1994Gemini AwardsBest Performance by an Actress in a Supporting RoleJackie Richardson
Best Direction in a Dramatic or Comedy SeriesJorge Montesi
Best Direction in a Dramatic or Comedy SeriesJerry Ciccoritti

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2015-10-08. 7 dramatic musical scenes from 'Catwalk'. 2021-05-27. A.Side. en-US.
  2. Web site: Various - Catwalk - Music From The TV Series. Discogs.
  3. News: A Struggling Band Whose Name Gained Fame Before Its Music . The New York Times . November 28, 1992 . 2017-07-04.