TWICE IN A LIFETIME

PRESS RELEASE

JUNE 1, 2000

Hope, redemption and taking stock of how we live our lives are at the heart of the television series Twice in a Lifetime, being produced in Toronto by Pebblehut Productions, a Muse Entertainment company.

The series, in its second season, and to be broadcast this coming fall and winter on CTV in Canada and on Pax TV in the U.S., is perfect for families to enjoy together. Each of the episodes has a mix of humor and bittersweet drama, served up with twists and surprises.

In each week's episode an individual suddenly dies – but not irrevocably. Two heavenly figures, one a guide, the other a judge, offer the person a chance to return to earth and undo a destructive turning point in his or her life. He is given only three days to cajole and convince his younger self to do things differently. If he succeeds, he can alter the future and the lives of others affected by him.

“It’s an emotional show with a spiritual base. Our goal is not only to entertain audiences but also to inspire them, ” say executive producers Stephen J. Brackley and Pamela K. Long.

Last season’s episodes of Twice in a Lifetime found an audience of all ages because “the shows have no gratuitous violence and no one fails.” says Marilyn Stonehouse, producer of the series. And she adds: “Twice in a Lifetime tempts viewers to vicariously consider choices they have made or will make, and their long-term effects.”

The heavenly guide and star of the series is Ontario native Paul Popowich, who plays Mr. Smith. He is markedly different from Mr. Jones, the guide of last season. Smith plays an active role as emissary, and hopes that each success at altering the past will bring him closer to his getting his own second chance.

"I play a reluctant angel," says Popowich. " I am full of doubts, questions and flaws. That’s what makes Smith such an intriguing character.”

Toronto's Al Waxman plays Judge Othniel, a wise and jovial heavenly judge who rules on each week’s case. When he pounds his mighty gavel, characters are sent back in time. Judge Othniel and Mr. Smith invariably clash about the merits of each person that stands in front of them. But Othniel knows, that along with each soul, Smith has a valuable lesson to learn himself.

Some of the guest stars appearing in Twice in a Lifetime are Lesley Ann Warren, who plays a meddlesome divorcee who has lost faith in romance but gets sent back in time as a matchmaker to find a match for her lonely daughter; Ralph Macchio, who plays a corrupt police officer who gets sent back in time as an internal affairs official, investigating himself; and Markie Post, who plays a bitter and reclusive loner who returns as a worker in an orphanage where she meets up with herself as an orphan.

Calgary native, David Winning, who is directing several of the episodes, says that there are many directorial challenges in shooting Twice in a Lifetime. One of them is filming guest stars in scenes where they have to interact with a younger version of themselves. "The scenes need to be shot twice; once with the guest star playing the scene from the past and again as the visiting new character. We shoot against a Green screen and later combine the elements to create a unique sequence."

Toronto's Allan King, who also directs episodes, says that each guest actor faces a big challenge too. "He has to play himself in two or even three different ages. Sure we can change the hair and the makeup but the actor really has to rely on expressivity to reflect the drama. He has to exist in two different minds and bodies."

Twenty-two new episodes of Twice in a Lifetime are being shot in and around Toronto. Shooting began last month and will continue till December.

"Each week, Twice in a Lifetime sends viewers to a place where they can laugh and cry over the course of an hour," says Bill Mustos, CTV's Vice President, Dramatic Programming. "The series will continue to offer something for everyone -- with storylines and stars that appeal to the young and old alike."

"Our whole company is proud to be involved in this series because it asks the question that everyone asks themselves from time to time. ‘ What if I had only..?’ Answering that question is what is allowing Twice in a Lifetime to build on its audience base from week to week.” says Michael Prupas, president of Muse Entertainment.

Muse Entertainment, based in Montreal and established two years ago, has two production affiliates; Pebblehut in Toronto and Dogwood Pictures in Vancouver.

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For more information and media requests please contact:

Betty Palik

Director Communications

Muse Entertainment Enterprises

Tel: 514-866-6873

Fax: 514-876-3987

e-mail: bpalik@muse.ca

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