The Industry

- Season 5

(2003)

When the new head of the Network removes high-ranking Brian Switzer, Alan, out of loyalty and fear, offers Brian a job at Pyramid. Richard, Veronica and Victor have no choice but to gang up on Brian because he is getting in the way of their projects and has no useful skills as a producer. However, Brian might turn out to be a little more resourceful than they all thought.

Alan wants to find out why Ann-Marie MacDonald, best-selling author, award-winning playwright and television personality, has turned down his overture to join the Pyramid family. Richard, Veronica and Victor take turns giving their version of why the deal went awry, but only Ann-Marie knows the real reason.

Alan believes that in the 500-channel universe, Pyramid has no choice, but to grow or die. To grow, Alan acquires another production company and along with it, a new money-losing specialty channel. Richard, Victor, Veronica and Wanda must figure out what to do with the cash-hemorrhaging Subtitled Movie Channel. However, Alan tries to show them the channel's real worth.

Linda Kash returns as tough-talking, empty-headed American film producer Deon Parkman. This time she works with Veronica and Richard on a Nova Scotia-based period co-production, "Up the Dark Passage." Meanwhile, in reaction to the "Canada Reads" campaign, Alan and Victor try to organize a week devoted to convincing ordinary people to watch TV.

Unknown to her colleagues, Veronica has been busy making a low-budget documentary about a woman's hockey team. Unfortunately for her, Alan finds out, and, jealous of the success of "Men with Brooms," takes a personal interest in Veronica's work. Richard and Victor are assigned the task of turning a feminist documentary into something that resembles "Porky's."

Richard oversees fixing Pyramid's new skateboarding show, so he hires Wanda's son, Billy, to make it more accessible to teens. However, Wanda wants her son to concentrate on school. Billy has gotten his first taste of being a television executive and he likes it. Plus, he now makes more money than Mom.

Jackie Burroughs debuts on "The Industry" as high-maintenance method actor Helga Lemper. While preparing for her role as the Christmas angel in the upcoming "Beaver Creek Christmas Special," the network demands a few changes. Suddenly, the production is a Valentine's Day special. Richard must figure out a way to meet the network's demands while convincing Helga to stay on the project.

The flu hits Pyramid's staff just as the deadline for the prestigious Rose d'Or awards approaches. Meanwhile, Richard's computer crashes and the technician who's hired to fix it turns out to be worse than any computer virus ever invented.

Victor wants Pyramid to buy a new studio that Richard and Veronica are convinced is a toxic dump. However, Richard has other things to worry about because Alan has hired interior designer Toddy to give the Pyramid offices a makeover. All Richard has to do is make sure Alan likes the result.

Victor has always wanted to produce a dating show, so Alan lets him oversee a new show Pyramid acquired, "First Date." The only problem is that "First Date" already has a showrunner - Connie Miles. Even if Victor can handle her, he still has to deal with Alan's notes and suggestions, one of which includes filming Richard and Veronica as a couple out on their very first date.

Victor has been picked to sit on the committee that awards Canadians the coveted Leaf of Flame, so Alan orders him to make sure someone from a Pyramid production receives one. Meanwhile, Richard is busy making sure Pyramid doesn't fall victim to a con artist claiming to be a Canadian member of the Kennedy family.

The critically acclaimed "Dock Cops," a gritty cop show, isn't selling well overseas, so Alan orders Richard to make some changes. Richard must overcome the objections of the show's lead, Terry, when he adds Sydney to the cast and tries to make it lighter. At the same time, Veronica worries that Alan's name will turn up on the client list of the most exclusive brothel in Toronto.

Wanda arranges the office for Alan's birthday party. Richard, Victor and Veronica are enlisted to help, but instead share their reminisces of what they think are the worst moments of Pyramid's family production, "Beaver Creek." This leads Richard, Veronica and Victor to wonder what some of the worst moments in their own lives were.

When Pyramid's new kids quiz show is in trouble, Richard and Victor must retool it and find another host. Over Richard's strenuous objections, the new host is none other than Richard's older brother Charles. Meanwhile, Veronica arranges for Alan to receive an honorary degree from a college and tries in vain to make sure Alan doesn't embarrass himself or his company at the commencement address.

When Brian, from the network, arrives at Pyramid, Alan is ready to negotiate for more seasons of "Beaver Creek." Instead, Brian informs Alan that the show is canceled. While an outraged Alan enlists Victor to galvanize the public to revive the show, Richard and Veronica work on spin offs for the cast members.

Alan is convinced that the show "Producer's Cut," which stars Jonathan Summers, makes fun of him. He recruits Wanda to work for him and spy on Jonathan's production company. Meanwhile, Veronica is busy working out new contracts for Richard and Victor, who become obsessed with which one of them is earning more money.

Gordon Pinsent guest stars as Myron Kingswell, a wheeler and dealer who is intent on building a media empire. Alan obliges by selling Pyramid to Kingswell. Alan assures Veronica, Victor, Wanda and Richard that there will be no changes. However, Richard knows better.