Devon Soltendieck and Emma Hunter named Host and Judge as Production Begins on E!’s New Original Game Show

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TORONTO (July 24, 2013)– E! announced today, production has begun on POP QUIZ, the 60-episode, 30-minute, Canadian pop culture-testing series, set to premiere on E! this fall. POP QUIZ is based on LE CERCLE, the successful Québec game show. Toronto’s Devon Soltendieck (MuchMusic, CP24) brings his wealth of hosting experience and pop culture charm to the series, alongside up-and-coming Canadian comedian Emma Hunter (MATCH GAME), who serves as judge and confirms the contestants’ answers. Co-produced by Pixcom Production and Incendo, in association with E! and Bell Media, the rapid-fire seriesbegins shooting today at Showline Studios in Toronto. Viewers looking to be part of the studio audience can emailpopquizaudience@pixcom.comto attend live tapings of the show now through mid-August.

 **Media Note** Photography for E! is available online at BellMediaPR.ca/E!

“We’re thrilled to have found such an engaging host and judge duo in Devon and Emma and to be working alongside this outstanding production team,” said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. “Devon and Emma’s quick wit, charm, and extensive pop culture knowledge will surely resonate with E! viewers across the country.”

“Devon and Emma make the perfect POP QUIZ pairing – they’re fresh and funny, with the savvy of seasoned pros,” said Pixcom Producer, Nicola Merola. “In today’s fast-flying entertainment arena, game shows have to grab your attention and POP QUIZ does just that,”adds Jean Bureau, President of Incendo.

POP QUIZ is the fast-paced game show that pits contestants against one another to test their pop culture knowledge. In each episode, 10 contestants positioned in a circle answer random, pop culture questions where each wrong answer leads to elimination. As the questions become increasingly difficult, the fun escalates until the final contestant vies for a cash prize.

POP QUIZ is co-produced by Pixcom Production and Incendo, in association with E! and Bell Media. Producers are Nicola Merola, Melanie Riendeau, and Cara Volchoff. Executive Producers are Jacquelin Bouchard, Sylvie Desrochers, Carole Dufour, Jean Bureau, and Ian Whitehead. Kara Haflidson is Production Executive for Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Justin Stockman is Executive Director, Music & Entertainment, Bell Media. Catherine MacLeod is Senior Vice-President, Specialty Channels, Bell Media. Rick Brace is President, Specialty Channels and Bell Media Production. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports. 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

@EOnlineCanada

@DSoltendieck

@Emmahuntress

About Pixcom Production and Incendo

Pixcom is one of Canada’s leading independent television producers, creating over 20 series per year including quiz, fiction, documentary, lifestyle, and kids programming.

Incendo is a Canadian leader in distribution of high quality programming as well as a renowned producer for the worldwide marketplace.

About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned and co-produced some of Canada’s most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, while working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, and MOTIVE, the #1 new Canadian series of the 2012/13 season. Airing this summer are relationship comedy SATISFACTION and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, the record-breaking Canadian-produced, complementary version of the hit international series. To premiere later in the 2013/14 season are the drama series PLAYED, multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT, and hit international format MASTERCHEF CANADA. Among the scripted series on Bell Media specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the recently renewed ORPHAN BLACK, and upcoming dramas BITTEN and 19-2. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to reality series PANIC BUTTON and BRAVE NEW GIRL, game shows MATCH GAME and POP QUIZ, and factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, and LAST CAR STANDING, among others. In total, Bell Media ordered 27 new original Canadian series in 2012, and put 35 scripted projects into development.

About E!

E! is television’s top global destination for all things pop culture. The network is currently available to 6.5 million cable and satellite subscribers across Canada. E! content is available anytime and anywhere, including eonline.ca, @EOnlineCanada, Facebook and other emerging platforms. The pulse of pop culture, E! features a variety of programming including hit reality series, fascinating profiles of the world’s biggest stars, up-to-the-minute entertainment news, witty talk series, and the best live red carpet coverage from Canada and around the world. E! is a division of Bell Media, which is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company.

–E! –

For more information, please contact:

Laura Catania, E!, 416.384.3173 or laura.catania@bellmedia.ca

Eleni Tenuta, E!, 416.384.5325 or eleni.tenuta@bellmedia.ca