''Catwalk'' is a Canadian musical

drama series In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-gen ...

that ran for 49 episodes on the YTV network from 1992 until 1994. The series' first season aired in

syndication Syndication may refer to: * Broadcast syndication, where individual stations buy programs outside the network system * Print syndication, where individual newspapers or magazines license news articles, columns, or comic strips * Web syndication, ...

in the

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, while the second season aired on

MTV MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...

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/guitarist Johnnie Camden (

Keram Malicki-Sanchez Keram may refer to: Papua New Guinea *Keram Rural LLG, East Sepik Province *Keram languages *Keram River People with the name *Keramuddin Keram (born 1956), Afghan politician *Keram Malicki-Sánchez Keram Malicki-Sánchez is an actor, musician ...

) 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 Neve Adrianne Campbell (born October 3, 1973; ) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her work in the drama and horror genres. She has appeared on ''People'' magazine's list of "50 Most Beautiful People" twice. Following a series of minor ...

) dated the group's manager Billy K., and Mary (Kelli Taylor) dated the drummer Jesse (

Paul Popowich Paul Popowich is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Smith, an angel who helps people change their pasts, in season two of '' Twice in a Lifetime''. Popovich has performed in many television series, including ''Beverly H ...

). The relationship was tumultuous and the couple broke up before the end of the first season. The show had a somewhat

post-apocalyptic Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction is a subgenre of speculative fiction in which the Earth's (or another planet's) civilization is collapsing or has collapsed. The apocalypse event may be climatic, such as runaway climate change; astro ...

flavour, with ''

Blade Runner ''Blade Runner'' is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott, and written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos, it is an adaptation of Philip K. Dick' ...

''-style burning oil barrels, dark and ambient lighting, and flashing white lights that pass through blinds, giving the show a futuristic look. The second season featured a new character, Maggi (

Nicole de Boer Nicole de Boer is a Canadian actress. She is best known for starring in the cult film '' Cube'' as Joan Leaven, playing Ezri Dax on the final season of '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (1998–1999), and as Sarah Bannerman on the series '' T ...

), who in the first season (in the episode "Toxic Love") became briefly involved with lead guitarist Johnnie Camden, causing tension within the band.

Cast and characters

* Lisa Butler as Sierra Williams, the strong-willed lead singer. After watching Johnnie and Mary's performance, she leaves a "clue" in their audition tapes, hoping they find her. Sierra works for Master Sound Records and used to date a guy named Tyrone who's actually a separatist for black people; she would take over keyboards in addition to singing after Daisy left during the second season *

as Daisy McKenzie, the naïve keyboard player who used to date Johnnie and later ends up with Billy K. She almost married to a man named Eric, as she feels she has no one without her parents alive. (first season only) * Christopher Lee Clements as Addie "Atlas" Robinson, the tough-guy rapper and dancer who used to work for Billy K to look after his aunt Ellen. He had a troubled past involving his father dying in a crossfire, with a difficulty in letting go. (first season only) *

as Johnnie Camden, the fiercely driven leader and guitarist. He names his guitar "Watson". Johnnie moves out from his father, living in a loft with Jesse as his roommate. His mother Rita left him and his dad years ago. (first season only) *

as Jesse Carlson, the band's drummer who has rebelled against his wealthy family to live on his own terms. He moves into the loft as Johnnie’s roommate He also plays guitar & piano/keyboards. * Kelli Taylor as Mary Owens, the sensitive but tough bassist and background singer. She is a childhood friend of Johnnie’s and Daisy's. In the second season she, along with Jesse, would take control of the band after Johnnie. *

J. H. Wyman Joel Howard "J. H." Wyman (born January 5, 1967) is a film and TV producer, screenwriter, director and musician. He is best known for his work on the Fox science fiction shows ''Fringe'' and '' Almost Human'', and wrote and produced the films ...

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) *

as Maggie Holden, an ex-girlfriend of Johnnie's and later girlfriend for Billy-K after Daisy left (second season; however she did appear in a first season episode titled "Toxic Love") *

Rob Stefaniuk Robert Stefaniuk is a Canadian comedian, actor and writer who has worked in numerous television shows and films as both guest actor and series regular. His feature-film acting credits include the ''Saturday Night Live''-inspired ''Superstar'' (19 ...

as Benny Doulon, a guitarist who took Johnnie's place in the band (second season only)

Minor characters

* Victor Ertmanis as Eddie Camden: Johnnie's father who works on his boat and doesn't approve of his son in music due to carrying the hurt of his wife leaving him and Johnnie. And yet despite that, tries to support his son in what he loves and with the band. * Johnie Chase and

Brenda Bazinet Brenda Bazinet (born July 18, 1956) is a Canadian actress. She is a recipient of the Gemini Award and has been nominated four times for the Dora Mavor Moore Award. Bazinet was born in 1956 in Saskatchewan and grew up there. She attended high schoo ...

as Joe and Julia Owens: Mary's father and mother who shared their love of music to her as a child and support her in the band. *

Jackie Richardson Jackie Richardson (born January 4, 1947) is a Canadian singer and actress. Richardson is known for her screen roles in '' Turning to Stone'', ''The Gospel According to the Blues'', ''The Doodlebops'', and '' Sins of the Father''. She is also kno ...

as Aunt Ellen Robinson: Atlas' aunt who runs a shop, who looked after him after his father died. *

Linda Griffiths Linda Pauline Griffiths (7 October 1953 – 21 September 2014) was a Canadian actress and playwright best known for writing and starring in the one woman play ''Maggie and Pierre'', in which she portrayed both Pierre Trudeau and his then-estran ...

as Rita: Johnnie’s mother who left him and her ex-husband when Johnnie was young. She revisits to see Johnnie and explain why she left. *

Yannick Bisson Yannick Denis Bisson (born May 16, 1969) is a Canadian film and television actor and director best known to international audiences for playing Detective William Murdoch on the series ''Murdoch Mysteries''. Early life Bisson was born in Montrea ...

as Nick: One of Mary's friends and Daisy's ex-boyfriends, who contracted

HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of ''Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune ...

. *

Christina Cox Christina Cox (born July 31, 1971) is a Canadian film and television actress and stuntwoman. Early life Christina Cox was born in a town on the outskirts of Toronto, the youngest of three daughters. She is Canadian of Caribbean (Jamaican) descen ...

as Suzie: One of Atlas' ex-girlfriends who got pregnant at a senior year. Due to

child neglect A form of child abuse, child neglect is an act of caregivers (e.g., parents) that results in depriving a child of their basic needs, such as the failure to provide adequate supervision, health care, clothing, or housing, as well as other physica ...

, she was forced to give her up and be sent to foster care. *

Réal Andrews Réal Andrews (born Réal Johnson; January 31, 1963) is a Canadian actor. He is known for playing Chance Walker in the first season of the syndicated action drama series ''Soldier of Fortune, Inc.'', and for playing Marcus Taggert on the ABC day ...

as Tyrone: A sound engineer who Sierra used to date. She thought he was a nice man, but is racial between blacks and whites; including towards Atlas who's a "sellout". Sierra ends up breaking up with Tyrone, when she brings Catwalk for the benefit.

Episodes

Season 1 (1992–93)

Season 2

Music

The first season music was done by

Rupert Gayle Rupert Gayle is a Canadian songwriter. He has written for Warner/Chappel and BMG Music Publishing, and is signed to ole. Written and/or produced work *Maxi Priest *Mindless Behavior * Shiloh *Shawn Desman *Keshia Chanté *In-Dex *Lenou *Ja ...

and

Orin Isaacs Orin Isaacs is a television and film music composer/producer, best known as the musical director, bandleader and bassist on Mike Bullard's late-night talk shows ''Open Mike with Mike Bullard'' and ''The Mike Bullard Show''. Orin is also known as ...

. The second season on MTV was done by

Steve Tyrell ''yes'Steve is a masculine given name, usually a short form (hypocorism) of Steven or Stephen Notable people with the name include: steve jops * Steve Abbott (disambiguation), several people * Steve Adams (disambiguation), several people * Steve ...

('' The Heights'' and ''

California Dreams ''California Dreams'' is an American teen sitcom that aired on NBC. It was part of the network's Saturday morning block, TNBC, premiering on September 12, 1992. Created by writers Brett Dewey and Ronald B. Solomon, and executive produced by Pet ...

'') and his late wife,

Stephanie Tyrell Stephanie Georgia Manteris Tyrell (March 20, 1949 – October 27, 2003) was an American record producer, Composer, television composer, songwriter, and the wife of jazz composer, Steve Tyrell. She produced the soundtrack albums for ''The Brady Bu ...

(also ''The Heights''). A soundtrack from the second season was released on

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...

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 James Leland Walters Jr. (born June 13, 1969) is an American actor and singer, best known for his roles on ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' and '' The Heights'' and singing lead vocal on " How Do You Talk to an Angel". Career Walters was born in Boston ...

Vonda Shepard Vonda Shepard (born July 7, 1963) is an American singer, songwriter, music director and actress. She appeared as a regular in the television show '' Ally McBeal'', as a resident performer in the bar where the show's characters drank, danced and c ...

Buffalo Tom Buffalo Tom is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1986. Its principal members are guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist Chris Colbourn, and drummer Tom Maginnis. The band's name is derived from the band Buffalo Spr ...

The Lemonheads The Lemonheads are an American alternative rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1986 by Evan Dando, Ben Deily, and Jesse Peretz. Dando has remained the band's only constant member. After their initial punk-influenced releases and tour ...

, and

Intro Introduction, The Introduction, Intro, or The Intro may refer to: General use * Introduction (music), an opening section of a piece of music * Introduction (writing), a beginning section to a book, article or essay which states its purpose and ...

1994 Soundtrack

Track Listing # If You Want Me # Life is Sweet # I'm Allowed-Buffalo Tom (Produced by The Robb Brothers with Buffalo Tom) (from the album ''

Big Red Letter Day ''Big Red Letter Day'' is the fourth album by American alternative rock band Buffalo Tom, released in 1993. The leadoff track, "Sodajerk," was featured on the soundtrack for the short-lived television series ''My So-Called Life'' and in commercia ...

'') # Drive Me-Jamie Walters (from the album ''

) # Let Me Off Here # Something to Cry About #

Ribbon in the Sky "Ribbon in the Sky" is a song by American singer Stevie Wonder. The ballad was first featured on the 1982 greatest hits album, '' Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I'', and charted at No. 54 pop, No. 21 Adult Contemporary, and No. 10 R&B in th ...

(single edit) (cover of the song by

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris ( Judkins; May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, who is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of genres that include rhythm and blues, Pop musi ...

)-Intro (Produced by Nevelle Hodge) (from the album ''Intro'') # Reckless (this song was later sung by Jamie Walters and appeared on an episode of ''

Beverly Hills 90210 ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (often referred to by its short title, ''90210'') is an American teen drama television series created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling under his production company Spelling Television. The series ran fo ...

''; the Walters' version would also turn up on his second album ''

Ride Ride may refer to: People * MC Ride, a member of Death Grips * Sally Ride (1951–2012), American astronaut * William Ride (19262011), Australian zoologist Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Ride'' (1998 film), a 1998 comedy by Millicen ...

'') # It's About Time-The Lemonheads (Produced by The Robb Brothers and Evan Dando) (from the album '' Come On Feel The Lemonheads'') # Love Is A Dream (featuring Vonda Shepard) # 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 Adam Kidron is a British-born ex-music producer, serial entrepreneur, and the ex-Chief Executive Officer of Urban Box Office (UBO), a reggaeton and urban Latino record label, and Yonder Music. Record producer Adam Kidron began his career in the ...

, and remain unseen.

In popular culture

* In 1992, a Connecticut-based band also named Catwalk sued over the right to use the name.

Award and nominations

References

External links

The Great Canadian Guide to the Movies & TV
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Catwalk (Tv Series) 1990s Canadian drama television series 1990s Canadian music television series 1992 Canadian television series debuts 1994 Canadian television series endings English-language television shows First-run syndicated television programs in the United States Television series by Claster Television Television shows filmed in Toronto YTV (Canadian TV channel) original programming