Jean Philippe Angers, The Canadian Press

MONTREAL — Here is The Canadian Press TV column for the week of March 18-24, 2023:

The major construction site of the Metropolitan Express Network (REM), whose “light metro” type circular route has 26 stations and has to cross the Greater Montreal area over 67 km, fascinates and triggers many discussions.

While a first phase is due to be operational in spring, the “Découverte” program offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the REM, with exclusive images and the fruits of privileged access for more than two years by journalist Tobie Lebel and director Éric Lemyre.

Host Charles Tisseyre presents two accounts to learn how REM staff have been innovative and adapted to keep the project on track.

In the tunnel under Mount Royal, the workers discover steel constructions eaten away by rust and the remains of dynamite in the rock faces.

In addition to the renovation of a 100-year-old tunnel, the teams have to adapt the light rail technology to extreme weather conditions, train operations and track and electrical construction.

“Discovery” takes you behind the scenes of the mega project in a two-part dossier.

ICI Télé – Sundays March 19 and 26 at 6:30 p.m

—

The Great Comedy Festival

Quebec’s great celebration of humor takes place on Sunday, with Katherine Levac as the master of ceremonies and a dozen awards presented during the evening’s main gala.

The 24th Les Olivier Gala will be streamed live from Montreal’s Salle Pierre-Mercure and will include shows from the finalists who have started in 2019 and 2020 as tours have been canceled in recent years due to health restrictions.

With his solo show adorned with a tongue-twisting title that made some presenters stumble, “Jokes Chapeau Maman Magic Piano”, Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais leads the nominations, he who won three statuettes last year. Mariana Mazza was named comedian of the year.

This year, alongside Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais, Mathieu Dufour, Sam Breton, Christine Morency and Arnaud Soly can all hope for Olivier of the Year.

Jokes Chapeau Maman Magic Piano is in the running for comedy show of the year, alongside Au pic pis à shovel, Sam Breton, Une belle soiree, Simon Gouache, Cathy Gauthier’s Classique and Detour. by Guillaume Pineault.

ICI Télé – Sunday March 19 at 8:00 p.m

—

Immersion at the Abitibi Emerging Music Festival

The Emerging Music Festival (FME) in Abitibi-Témiscamingue celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. For those looking to evoke memories, or for those who have never set foot there and want to immerse themselves in the event, FME – The Experience offers unprecedented access to the heart of the festival.

The use of various locations and bars in Rouyn-Noranda for a large folk festival shaped the identity of the event from the start.

In “FME – The Experience” Antoine Bertrand, Koriass, Les Hay Babies, Hubert Lenoir, Fred Fortin, Olivier Langevin, Medicine Singers, Lisa LeBlanc, Lydia Képinski and Les Louanges take over the four corners of the city.

Télé-Québec – Saturday, March 18 at 9:00 p.m