'Wolf Canyon' Starring Kevin Sorbo Premieres December 24

Really Real Films, an entertainment company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, presents the latest in television shows within shows similar to 30 Rock and Entourage with their half-hour comedy entitled, Wolf Canyon. The program, which stars Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Andromeda), premieres Thursday, December 24, on Canada’s APTN, and continues through the 26th.

The story, written by Tim Stubinski and Michael Markus, follows a dysfunctional cast and crew of television misfits united by a third-rate syndicated action series that they are forced to shoot on an isolated Western Canadian reserve belonging to the First Nation (Cree) community of Horse Head Lake. The eponymous show pits urban showbiz folk accustomed to all the comforts of home against the wilderness backdrop of their makeshift trailer town and the harmonious ease their First Nation neighbors experience in the same environment.

Director Allan Harmon, Sorbo, Stubinski, and Markus discussed the hilarious project that they hope to market in Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

“I came across the Wolf Canyon script two years ago,” explained Harmon. “Loved it! Took it to some networks and the reactions were no, no, no and no. They liked it, but thought the show would be an inside joke. We were told that audiences don’t want to see shows about shows being made. The network that said maybe was the APTN Network in Canada, who then approved financing for development of the series back in 2008, (and) in May, 2009 green lit the project as a pilot first then (possibly) a pick-up of six more episodes.”

Following APTN’s green light, Harmon and his wife Cynde, the show’s producer, began the exhaustive work of licensing, casting, and location scouting. Allan, who directed Sorbo for four years on the space adventure Andromeda, immediately thought of his friend for the main character, Rick Denham.

“When it began to look as if Wolf Canyon would be green lit for the pilot episode, I called (Sorbo) and said, ‘There’s this show I think you’d like,” Harmon stated, “but… and this is a BIG BUT, your character is a has-been drunk, T.V. star.’ Pause… ‘Send it to me,’ he said. I sent it. Three days later (he sent) a text, Wolf Canyon is funny, let’s do it.’ So we did!”

Denham, a washed-up actor whose glory days are well behind him, is stuck in dinner theater playing for less-than-enthusiastic crowds. He still believes that he is God’s gift to women, despite much rejection. He then receives an offer to play the new lead in an ill-fated action series entitled, Wolf Canyon, directed by his estranged son, Quincy (Matty Finochio), which he accepts, and their reunion makes for an uncomfortable alliance.

“Al Harmon is a great friend and one smart guy,” said Sorbo. “He approached me with the script and offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. I loved the story and loved the character of Rick, so I jumped at the chance.

“Rick just came to life for me off the pages. The writers did a fab job with all the characters. I have that leery side to me due to the fact I am a horrible flirt. Rick just gave me a chance to make him not only the flirt that I am, but a disgusting one at the same time. I have been around people like him before, so I borrowed some of those personalities, but also tried to make him likable.”

With Sorbo on board the Harmons, who established Really Real Films in 1998, signed additional cast members Lorne Cardinal, Nikki Payne, Barbara Tyson, Jessica Harmon, Ali Liebert, Finochio, Evan Adams, Casey Manderson, Jesse Wheeler, Brendan Beiser, Richard Harmon, and Allan Harmon. The result is an amazingly funny production. Check out this clip (go to television then view): http://www.reallyrealfilms.com/

“Wolf Canyon actually spawned from a spec script we wrote several years ago,” Stubinski maintained. “A friend of mine who works for a production company and I were chatting about the script, but it was set in the mid-60s. It was her idea to modernize it. Taking inspiration from shows like Walker, Texas Ranger and other ‘fun’ T.V. action series, especially made here in Canada, Wolf Canyon took shape. The premise of plopping actors and crew in the middle of nowhere making this goofy action series just seemed too funny. The original concept we pitched the Harmons pretty much has stayed intact.”

Stubinski and Markus formed their partnership in 2001, but have known each other for over two decades since high school in Ottawa Valley. At first they wrote together line-by-line, but their creative differences and desire to remain friends meant working on their own, then combining their ideas to form solid scripts.

“Although we seldom are in the same room to write together, as to avoid knife fights,” stated Markus, “it still is intensely collaborative with modern technology, the ability to get instant feedback through email and so on, being a huge boon. Also, after all this time working together I will hear Tim’s voice in my head when I write something and I will edit it right there because I know what he would say.”

Both agreed that Sorbo nailed their idea of Rick Denham. They envisioned the character to be “needy and self-centered with the sex drive of a first day of spring Jack Rabbit," Markus noted,"(who) could come across as a sort of creepy guy, but instead, in Kevin’s hands there is an endearing boyish quality. Rick is just this big kid who still wants his cookies and ice cream before supper.”

What’s Sorbo’s take?

“People who know me and know my work know I love a good laugh,” the actor explained. “I’ve always been a fan of the comedy show, and this script just made me laugh out loud… not an easy thing to do, us jaded actors, you know. We had a blast filming, and, hopefully, it will be a hit and some network will pick it up.”

Catch Wolf Canyon on APTN December 24-26. See the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WolfCanyon for air times, photos, and more information.