The Business

The Business

The Business is a Canadian television series, which airs on The Movie Network in Canada and IFC in the United States. The plot of the show centres on Vic Morgan, an adult film director of a low-budget softcore pornographic series similar to Girls Gone Wild. He attempts to become a legitimate film maker after having converted to Judaism to be successful in the entertainment industry. Season one depicts the production of his first independent film and the difficulties along the way with an undisciplined production staff, poorly skilled actors, and an eccentric Japanese investor. Season two follows the company following the success of its first film as they search for a follow-up project.

Comedy

Seasons

1. Pilot

Air Date: 2006-08-04

High off the success of the low budget film he picked up at MUFF, Vic attempts to produce an indie-thriller and shed his reputation as a soft-core smut peddler. Will converting to Judaism, adding a “-stein” to his last name and enlisting the help of an experienced producer be enough to gain Vic Morgenstein the respect he craves from his peers?

2. Vic's Flicks

Air Date: 2006-08-11

Losing your cool at the birthday party for your investor’s kid may be the easiest way to lose money on a film; just ask Vic. Desperate to raise a million dollars, Vic discovers his only option for a new investor may be a bottle of sake away.

3. Strings

Air Date: 2006-08-18

Things continue to spiral out of control at Vic’s Flicks as demands made by the new outlandish investor Kenji Nakamura (Nobuya Shimamoto) forces Vic, Julia and Rufus to make concessions including, upping the blood, guts, product placements and nudity; all the element of a Hollywood blockbuster.

4. A Star is Porn

Air Date: 2006-08-25

The crew is sure the movie is doomed when a famous porn star, Scarlet Saint-James (Karen Cliché), is cast as the lead actress of their legitimate indie-thriller. They soon learn all porn stars are not created equal.

5. Check Please

Air Date: 2006-09-01

When a check from Kenji comes unsigned and for less than the full amount, production comes to a halt and Vic goes on a wild quest to get his money. On the set, Rufus’ attraction to Scarlet has Lance (James A. Woods) feeling like he’s “B-list” for the first time.

6. T-Day

Air Date: 2006-09-08

They’ve all seen her act but will they see her topless? The clock is ticking and the cameras are in place to capture Scarlet, once porn star, now lead actress, in all her glory.

7. The Closer

Air Date: 2006-09-15

Now with Rufus gone and the lead actor in a mental institution, completing the film seems impossible. But will the hiring of a new and eccentric director turn the production around?

8. That's a Wrap

Air Date: 2006-09-22

The Closer (Clive Walton) has things under control until Scarlet refuses to do the love scene under the direction of anyone but Rufus.

1. Back in the Business

Air Date: 2007-08-05

Making the most of the box office success generated by their indie-thriller House of Fear, the team at Vic's Flicks moves up the ladder and into new offices. Interior design face-offs aside, Julia's main goal is to apply her carefully crafted 5-year business plan and find a follow up hit. But will the rest of them comply? One thing is for certain: the gang is back in The Business.

2. Vic's Bringing Sexy Back

Air Date: 2007-08-12

From the moment French director Kiki de Charentais (Simone-Elise Girard) makes her first appearance, she exudes a lingering sexual energy, powerful enough to corrupt the purest of souls. Indeed, something has come over the team at Vic's Flicks: buttons are undone, hair is flipped, body parts are exposed, soldiers are erect, fantasy flirts with reality and the magnetism in the air is practically palpable. Will the imprint left by Kiki's alluring presence be permanent?

3. Lance-A-Lot

Air Date: 2007-08-19

After a masterful story-telling Irishman makes his brilliant film pitch about an IRA bomber on a politically motivated hunger strike, the team at Vic's Flicks lets the weight of it all set the tone for the remainder of the day. Convinced that this script idea is Oscar-worthy, Julia, against her better judgment, calls Lance Rawley into the office to offer him the title role. But Lance rolls in having undergone sizeable changes, leaving the others flabbergasted and speechless. Video from this episode

4. Twofus

Air Date: 2007-08-26

The past seems to catch up with Vicki, Vic and Rufus as they are confronted with secrets of their lives.

5. Full Moon and Half Nuts

Air Date: 2007-09-02

Secrets from the past have Vic on edge.

6. Family Jules

Air Date: 2007-09-09

Julia is down on her luck as Nancy gets a big break.

7. Field Trip to Hollywood (Part 1)

Air Date: 2007-09-16

Vic and the gang head to the Independent Spirit Awards.

8. Field Trip to Hollywood (Part 2)

Air Date: 2007-09-23

The gang try to fit in at the Spirit Awards.

Select an episode to start watching

Rating

2.0/10

Release Date

2006-08-04

Episodes

16 (2 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast

Kathleen Robertson

Kathleen Robertson

Julia Sullivan

Rob deLeeuw

Rob deLeeuw

Nicolas Wright

Nicolas Wright

Trevor Hayes

Trevor Hayes

James A. Woods

James A. Woods

Karen Cliche

Karen Cliche

Arthur Holden

Arthur Holden

Kaela Bahrey

Kaela Bahrey

Alia Shawkat

Alia Shawkat

The Screenwriting Manicurist

Ellen David

Ellen David

Matt Silver

Matt Silver

Nobuya Shimamoto

Nobuya Shimamoto

Kenji Nakamura