Catwalk (TV series)

Catwalk
Genre	Musical drama
Created by	Alan Levy
Written by	Alison Lea Bingeman Alan Borden Alan Marc Levy Frederick Rappaport Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens William A. Schwartz Jeff Vlaming
Directed by	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(s)	David Hoffert Paul Hoffert
Country of origin	Canada
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	49
Production
Executive producer(s)	Frederick Rappaport
Producer(s)	Tab Baird Wendy Grean
Editor(s)	Jaime Fowler Lisa Grootenboer
Cinematography	John Holosko Richard Wincenty
Running time	50 minutes
Production company(s)	Catrun Productions Franklin/Waterman Productions
Distributor	Claster Television (1992-1993) MTV (1994)
Release
Original network	YTV (Canada) Syndicated (United States) MTV (United States)
Original release	October 1, 1992 (1992-10-01) – January 1, 1994 (1994-01-01)

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.

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 Johnny (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). Their relationship was somewhat groundbreaking, as Mary was biracial and Jesse was white. 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, 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 Johnny Camden causing tension within the band.

Cast and characters

• Lisa Butler as Sierra Williams, the strong-willed lead singer; she would take over keyboards in addition to singing after Daisy left during the second season
• Neve Campbell as Daisy McKenzie, the naive keyboard player (first season only)
• Christopher Lee Clements as Addie "Atlas" Robinson, the tough-guy rapper (first season only)
• Paul Popowich as Jesse Carlson, the band's drummer who has rebelled against his wealthy family
• Keram Malicki-Sanchez as Johnny Camden, the fiercely driven leader and guitarist (first season only)
• Kelli Taylor as Mary Owens, the sensitive but tough bassist and background singer; in the second season she, along with Jesse, would take control of the band after Johnny left
• J. H. Wyman as Billy K, the band's manager, a nightclub owner with shady dealings
• David Lee Russek as Frank Cafla, an alcoholic singer with a great voice (second season only)
• Nicole de Boer as Maggie Holden, a later girlfriend for Billy-K after Daisy left (second season only, however she did appear in a first season episode titled "Toxic Love")
• Rob Stefaniuk as Benny Doulon, a guitarist who took Johnny's place in the band (second season only)

Music

The first season music was done by Rupert Gayle and Orrin 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.^[1]

1994 Soundtrack

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

• In 1992, a Connecticut-based band also named Catwalk sued over the right to use the name.^[2]

Award and nominations

See also

• The Heights

References

External links

• The Great Canadian Guide to the Movies & TV
• Catwalk at the Internet Movie Database
• Catwalk at TV.com