Harry Connick Jr. Joins the Celebration with Surprise Guest Appearance

TORONTO (November 11, 2015) – In a star-studded television event packed with surprises and touching moments, Canada’s #1 lifestyle series THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW celebrates its landmark 1,000^th episode on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca, and CTV GO (check local listings). One of Marilyn’s all-time favourite musicians and guests, Grammy^® and Emmy Award^®-winning singer, actor, and AMERICAN IDOL judge Harry Connick Jr, drops by the studio to help mark the occasion in just one of the many surprises planned for Canada’s undisputed queen of daytime. In the milestone 1,000^th episode, Marilyn also reflects on her most memorable moments from the past five-and-a-half seasons. THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW has been the most-watched Canadian lifestyle series since its debut in 2011. Now in its sixth season, more than 3.2 million Canadians watch the show each week on CTV and CTV Two. “I am so grateful to be part of one of the best and hardest-working teams in daytime television,” said Marilyn Denis, Host of THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW. “I consider everyone involved in the show’s production to be part of my family, including the audience members and the viewers across the country that tune in daily. With their never-ending enthusiasm and dedication, this 1,000^th episode feels as fun and fresh as the very first one.” “I’ve been in the entertainment business for a long time and you [Marilyn] are an absolute master at what you do,” said Harry Connick Jr. during his surprise sit-down with Marilyn. The 1,000^th episode features several surprise tributes, including taped messages from daytime hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, Dr. Oz, and Sharon Osbourne; singer-songwriters Michael Bublé and Jann Arden; interior designer Nate Berkus; celebrity contractor and TV personality Mike Holmes; actors Victor Garber and Sean Hayes; comedians Martin Short and Andrea Martin; Marilyn’s 104.5 CHUM FM morning show co-host Roger Ashby; Pittsburgh Steelers placekicker Shaun Suisham, and more. Viewers at home can also offer their congratulations to Marilyn (@MarilynDenisCTV) and THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW (@TheMarilynShow) on social media using the hashtag #Marilyn1000. “Congratulations on the feat of 1,000 episodes, Marilyn. You’re a really special person and I love you with all my heart,” said Michael Bublé in his congratulatory taped message to Marilyn. “This couldn’t happen to a nicer person. Congrats.” During the special broadcast, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW catches up with some of the most unforgettable guests and viewers over the past 999 episodes whose lives have been changed by the daytime program. Marilyn is also joined in-studio by some of the show’s most well-known experts who share their unforgettable MARILYN moments: celebrity chef Lynn Crawford; famed interior decorator and TV personality Debbie Travis; design expert Tommy Smythe; resident butler Charles MacPherson (a.k.a Charles the Butler); fashion stylists Alexis Honce and Peter Papapetrou; home and design expert Ramsin Khachi, and more. Additional surprise guests include “the voice” of THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW and Vancouver radio host Ray Grover (103.5 QMFM), and Marilyn’s beloved “Uncle Al” from Midland, Alta. (now living in Calgary), who visits the studio for the first time. To cap off the celebration in true MARILYN style, in-studio audience members will each walk away with $1,000 worth of prizing and giveaways, including Harry Connick Jr.’s latest album, That Would Be Me. Since its debut, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW continues to prove itself a leader in the Canadian daytime lifestyle genre. Marilyn’s blend of genuine warmth and humour, along with the show’s network of lifestyle experts and distinctive guests, has resonated with viewers from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Before MARILYN commemorates its 1,000^th milestone episode (Nov. 17), below is a list of fun facts to help viewers reflect on the past 999 episodes: Jan. 10, 2011 – THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW debuts on CTV $3.2 Million – Total amount (and counting) THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW has given away during the program’s annual “10 Days of Giveaways” so far 112, 471 – Total number of page views for most popular segment searched online at Marilyn.ca (Julie Daniluk’s Holiday Detox Plan segment, which originally aired Jan. 1, 2014) 86,256 – Total number of members who have joined MARILYN’s BFF Network 999 – Total number of episodes 312 – Total number of fashion makeovers conducted on THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW 205 – Total number of one-on-one celebrity interviews Marilyn has conducted in-studio 179 – Total number of online contests offered on Marilyn.ca 74 – Total number of home renovation makeovers completed since series launch 64 – Total number of THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW experts featured on the daytime series 38 – Total number of live musical in-studio performances 12 – Total amount of makeovers completed in one episode 6 – Current season THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW’s season-to-date average on CTV is 241,000 viewers, and recently delivered a season-high audience of 324,000 viewers on Oct. 30, 2015 for its annual Halloween special. The celebration continues as THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW gets set to kick off the programs annual “10 Days of Giveaways” this December. THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW airs live weekdays at 10 a.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca, and CTV GO; then again at 11 a.m. ET on CTV Two, and on demand at Marilyn.ca. (Visit CTV.ca to check local listings). To be a part of THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW live studio audience, get the latest additions to the guest lineup, and to join Marilyn’s BFF Network to win exclusive prizes, fans can head to Marilyn.ca.