* CBC has tapped Michael Claydon as commissioning editor for all docs and doc series, moving the Life and Times veteran into the job recently vacated by Jerry McIntosh.

* Magnolia Pictures (Jesus Camp) has bought the U.S. rights to Weirdsville, closing the deal with Darius Films and sales agent Shoreline Entertainment shortly after the black comedy’s turn at Slamdance. The picture remains in limbo in Canada, having been dropped by ThinkFilm.

* Denny Alexander is the new media and communications manager at Teletoon, not Telefilm Canada as stated in the Feb. 5 issue.

Jeff Seymour is the first to admit that he has plenty in common with his obnoxious alter ego on Jeff Ltd., the comedy he co-created, executive produces, cowrites, stars in and now directs. But they are different in some ways — Seymour says he’s the kind of guy who likes to stay in on a Saturday night and watch the tube, for instance, something his alter ego most definitely wouldn’t do. The question is: do Canadian viewers feel the same way, and will they embrace homegrown sitcoms at that time?

The year-end box-office numbers are in from Telefilm Canada, which means that media pundits and touts from St John’s to Victoria will weigh in with theories and prognostication about the current and future state of moviegoing. But do they really know what they’re talking about?

Sharkwater, Toronto-based Rob Stewart’s debut feature doc about sharks, was a surprising but deserved addition to TIFF’s list of the Top 10 Canadian films of 2006, and should have significant play in limited theaters through positive word of mouth and mainstream press fascination. Strong drama and stunning HD underwater photography will also make it attractive to international buyers in multiple windows.

The now-notorious YouTube video Bride Has Massive Hair Wig Out may have been a fake, but the ultra-low-budget, Toronto-shot and -produced clip became an international sensation, reaching three million viewers in just two weeks. Canadian content-makers working on traditional platforms can only dream of getting an audience that big.

Vancouver – It’s been six years since Vancouver producer/director Brendan Keown was approached to shoot Hitler Meets Christ – the provocatively titled project, if there ever was one, written by and starring former Law & Order frontman Michael Moriarty.

Regina – A low-budget American indie starring Maria Bello (World Trade Centre) and Jason Patric (The Alamo) began shooting in Regina on Feb. 9.

Toronto – The Family Channel has signed on for The Latest Buzz, a new 13 x 22 sitcom from Decode Entertainment about a youth-oriented magazine that replaces its staff with teens. The tween-aimed comedy is currently shooting in Toronto under noted director Brian Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Drew Carey Show).

Montreal – Documentary filmmaker Tracey Deer is examining issues of native status in her new film Club Native. The documentary, a coproduction between the National Film Board and Montreal-based Rezolution Pictures, is slated for the festival circuit this summer.

Suddenly, a swarm of locusts darkening the skies over the Westin Ottawa seems entirely plausible.