Link: Wynonna Earp a “real woman” fighting demons in new Calgary-shot series

From Eric Volmers of the Calgary Herald:

Wynonna Earp a “real woman” fighting demons in new Calgary-shot series
“We are still keeping the sexiness, Melanie is a very beautiful woman,” says Andras. “She is surrounded by very beautiful people. This is definitely a cast of gorgeousity. But we are really going for a real look. This is a real woman. She is a three-dimensional woman with flaws and feelings and she wears pants. But boy she looks great in them.” Continue reading.

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Link: CBC President Acknowledges that Public Broadcaster’s Very Existence is at Risk

From Broadcaster Magazine:

CBC President Acknowledges that Public Broadcaster’s Very Existence is at Risk
In a prepared speech, Lacroix admitted that public broadcasters “are at fault for not speaking loudly enough about the threats we face,” and “like the proverbial frog put in cold water that is slowly heated, we’ve resisted telling people that we risk being boiled to death.” Continue reading.

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Comments and queries for the week of September 18

TV, Eh? competes on Canada’s Smartest Person

Wow, just watched the video of Canada’s Smartest Person: Journalist Edition. It was hilarious! Good for you, Greg. You did really well…did you drink champagne from the winner’s cup? —Joyce


Production begins on CBC’s Human Town

Sounds like Sunnyside, which is hilarious. I shall be taking a look. —Iris


Continuum‘s Rachel Nichols says goodbye to Kiera

I tried to watch this show but found myself weeping with boredom after a few episodes. This is what is sad and pathetic about Canadian TV – a show that no one outside the industry has ever heard of can last for years before being cancelled. —Snicker Doodle

A show that airs in Canada, the U.S., France, UK and Australia is definitely not “a show no one outside of the industry has ever heard of.” As for “weeping with boredom,” I appreciate and respect your opinion. I don’t agree with it, but I respect it.

 

Got a comment or question about Canadian TV? greg@tv-eh.com or @tv_eh!

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Review: Amazing Race Canada reveals its finalists

After a week away from The Amazing Race Canada—I was off on my own adventures in Parry Sound and Sudbury, Ont.—I checked back in just in time as the final three teams were set up for next week’s season finale. (As an aside, I was disappointed Dujean and Leilani became bitter with each other last week and were eliminated while airing their dirty laundry.)

So, after a gruelling Leg in Edmonton jam-packed with drama and stolen cabs, Brent and Sean, Matt and Nick and Gino and Jesse will battle it out for the trucks, money and title in next Wednesday’s last episode. Eliminated on the mat at the Muttart Conservatory were Simi and Ope, who never gave up hope despite the fact they suffered from having two cabs stolen from under them.

I get that it’s a race, but I wasn’t impressed that Gino and Jesse stole that first cab from Nick and Matt at the Edmonton Waste Management Centre. That move forced the wrestlers to play dirty pool and grabbed Simi and Ope’s ride, something they clearly didn’t feel good about doing. Gino and Jesse made it a twofer when they then absconded with Simi and Ope’s cab after the curling Face Off. Again, I understand The Amazing Race Canada is a competition and calls for desperate times, but I was disappointed. I guess I’m just a sucker for fair play and the world just isn’t a fair place sometimes.

Still, kudos to the father-daughter team for ending the Race with their heads up and thanks to Ope for the inspirational words about this country.

“It’s amazin’!” he said tearfully in front of Jon Montgomery.

Speaking of amazin’, how about Brent and Sean? The brothers have emerged as perhaps the most unlikely of frontrunners after beating out their more physical competitors to land in first place for the week. They conquered garbage, curling, shopping for snacks and acting to emerge as bona fide contenders for the title. They also showed sportsmanship; after taking someone’s cab at Fort Edmonton Park they ordered a replacement.

Here’s how the teams finished this Leg:

  1. Brent and Sean
  2. Nick and Matt
  3. Gino and Jesse
  4. Simi and Ope (eliminated)

Notes and quotes

  • That newlywed couple were in on the joke, right? They knew their big day would be interrupted by finalists, I’m sure.
  • “Shopping. I mean, this is our task.” — Sean
  • Nick and Matt may be tough guys, but jumper cables are NOT a snack.

The Amazing Race Canada season finale airs next Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV followed by After the Race.

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Strong Winds and Icy Conditions Hit CMT This Fall

From a media release:

Corus Entertainment’s CMT (Canada) delivers two thrilling original reality series this October. Viewers will get a first-hand look at the eye of North America’s fiercest storms as chasers Greg Johnson, Chris Chittick and Ricky Forbes battle high winds and big stakes on the series premiere of Tornado Hunters debuting Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (repeat at 9:30 p.m. PT). The action continues with Ice Racer Showdown starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (repeat at 10:30 p.m. PT). Host Clayton Bellamy of Canadian country group, The Road Hammers, tests everyday drivers as they brave brutal arctic conditions through a variety of icy road obstacle courses in order to claim the title of Ice Racer Champion.

Tornado Hunters (10 x 30 minutes) picks up from last fall’s pilot broadcast premiere with epic footage from the twin tornados in Pilger, Nebraska. Greg Johnson, Chris Chittick and Ricky Forbes are looking to make 2015 a banner year for their storm-chasing team, loading their storm truck, Flash, with new camera gear to help capture more extreme weather imagery than ever before. This season features the Tornado Hunters tackling the most powerful and jaw-dropping tornados in North America, from massive rain-wrapped tornados to multiple twisters and the storm of the summer in Manitoba. Viewers can catch up on the two-part pilot episode Thursday, October 8 starting at 11 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. PT in advance of the Season 1 premiere on Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (repeat at 9:30 p.m. PT). Tornado Hunters is produced by Saloon Media in association with CMT and with the participation of the Bell Fund.

On Ice Racer Showdown (12 x 60 minutes), five drivers brave the frigid temperatures taking on two fun-filled elimination challenges, each jam-packed with icy obstacles and angry snowball throwing yetis. The three that survive the grueling tasks will go head-to-head in a thrilling ice race to claim the ultimate title. Hosted by The Road Hammers’ Clayton Bellamy, each hilarious adrenaline-fueled one hour episode has happy hockey moms and pizza delivery guys taking on tough talkin’ truckers and cab drivers to prove who’s the coolest driver on the ice. Guest judges include award-winning actor and comedian Donovan Workun, two-time Olympian skeleton racer Michelle Kelly and technical judge and rally racing champion, Jorge Dascollas. Ice Racer Showdown is produced by Corkscrew Media in association with CMT.

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