All posts by Greg David

Prior to becoming a television critic and owner of TV, Eh?, Greg David was a critic for TV Guide Canada, the country's most trusted source for TV news. He has interviewed television actors, actresses and behind-the-scenes folks from hundreds of television series from Canada, the U.S. and internationally. He is a podcaster, public speaker, weekly radio guest and educator, and past member of the Television Critics Association.

Link: Saying goodbye to Lost Girl

From Eleni Armenakis:

The stakes were certainly raised by Lost Girl‘s fourth season with the loss of two very important members of Bo’s family, including her best friend and “heart” Kenzi (Ksenia Solo is thankfully living on with Orphan Black), setting the series up for a stunning fifth and final season. The TV Junkieswas lucky enough to meet up with the cast as they were filming the expanded season this summer in Toronto, and got to check out a super-cool location while getting the low down on some of the big, massively huge answers coming for Bo before the end, which we’ll be sharing with you throughout the season. Continue reading:

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Food Network Canada’s Chef in Your Ear casting call

FoodNetwork_ca_NEW-300x291

From a media release:

Food Network Canada and HLP are pleased to announce that the exciting new series Chef In Your Ear has been given a green light. This innovative original format for Food Network Canada is a fresh take on adrenaline-pumping, culinary competition programming, with a twist. Production begins March 2015.

In Chef In Your Ear, some of Canada’s best chefs must create mouth-watering dishes that top their competitors. Standing between victory and defeat for these chefs are some of the country’s most clueless cooks – and they have to do all the cooking. Isolated away from the kitchen, the professional chefs guide their novice cooks through every step of a dish using only an earpiece and television monitor. With reputations on the line in this edge-of-your-seat culinary series, the winning chef decides the loser’s fate and the loser must oblige.

Casting is now open for brave souls who fear the kitchen. Individuals who want to laugh, learn and brush up on their cooking skills are invited to apply at thecastinggroup.com.

Chef In Your Ear is an original idea by Justin Scroggie, developed by Ricardo Larrivee, Justin Scroggie, Daniel Gelfant, Henry Less and Lee Herberman, produced by HLP for Food Network Canada. Series Producer is Daniel Gelfant. Co-Series Producer is LeAnne Armano. Supervising Producer is Angela Donald. International distribution is by The Format People.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Movie Network and Movie Central order Season 2 of Sensitive Skin

Sensitive_Skin_CONDO_keyart_final_sm (Small)

From a media release:

The Movie Network and Movie Central announced today that they have ordered a second season of the premium original series, SENSITIVE SKIN. The series is led by Golden Globe® Award winner and Emmy® Award nominee Kim Cattrall, returning as executive producer and star, joined by Genie and Tony Award® winner Don McKellar (The Grand Seduction), who resumes his role as director and executive producer, while multiple Gemini Award winner and Tony Award® winner Bob Martin (MICHAEL: TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS) returns as head writer and executive producer. The new season stars Cattrall, and goes into production in Toronto in the spring of 2015.

“SENSITIVE SKIN had the highest rated premiere of all time on HBO Canada for an original production, proving that well promoted, bold Canadian programming resonates with our Pay TV audience,” said Maria Hale, Vice President, Head of Content Distribution & Pay TV, Corus Entertainment. “With an impressive roster of homegrown and world renowned creative talent including Kim Cattrall, Don McKellar, Bob Martin and the team at Rhombus Media, we are delighted to begin production on Season 2.”

In a Canadian broadcast first, HBO Canada marathon-launched the series by making the entire six-episode first season available to subscribers online and on demand following its broadcast premiere.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

APTN announces adventurous winter programming lineup

From a media release:

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) announced today a winter lineup featuring its most compelling collection of programming to date. Its winter programming season kick-starts the New Year on January 5 and will expand its lineup to entice viewers well into 2015.

The network adds a new evening of programming featuring the best of Aboriginal humour with its Tuesday Night Comedy starting January 6. It introduces original series premieres focusing on facets of Aboriginal artistry and antes up the adventure in new seasons of returning fan favourites. Also the introduction of APTN Homegrown Cinema is slated for January 8, when APTN Movies broadens into new territories with Aboriginal and American Indian movies that cover an entire continent of themes.

With the new lineup, APTN will continue to stay on track with its popular original dramas and language programming to keep you warm as Old Man Winter blows his chill around.

NEW ORIGINAL SERIES THIS WINTER ON APTN:
THE GUILT FREE ZONE – SEASON 1 / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME MUSIC AND VARIETY Host Derek Miller masters the stage: enticing guests and viewers with his comedic antics and musical styling. He’ll shake off the Monday Blues with a marvelous medley of Aboriginal musicians, dancers and comedians from across Canada.

NAGAMOWIN – SEASON 1 / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY Aboriginal melody makers travel to communities and explore their musical worlds. From writing to the world premiere of their work in the form of a live concert, amazing artists – solo or groups – face their challenge head on to create their ultimate tribute song for their host community.

MOOSEMEAT & MARMALADE – SEASON 1 / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY Bush Cook Art Napoleon and Chef Dan Hayes are from opposite sides of the pond and spectrums of the culinary arts. Watch what boils down when they explore their contrasting worlds. It’s a highly entertaining exploration of culture, culinary traditions, worldview and lip-smacking fare.

NEW ORIGINAL FRENCH LANGUAGE SERIES THIS WINTER ON APTN:
LA ROUTE DES CHEFS (FRENCH) – SEASON 1 / WORLD PREMIERE / REALITY Three Winnipeg chefs exit the comforts of their realm and don’t look back. A home grown reality series featuring chefs Chad, Lyndon and Clayton, who let loose through the detours and back routes of Asia – all in the name of cuisine.

BRIGADE DES NATIONS (FRENCH) – SEASON 1 / WORLD PREMIERE / YOUTH Four teenagers from four different First Nations must unite forces to complete comical challenges set by their fellow community members. Every challenge completed lands them a donation of $1,000 toward the charity of their choice. How much coin their will and wits earn them?

PRIME TIME – NEW SERIES THIS WINTER ON APTN:
HARD ROCK MEDICAL – SEASON 3 / NETWORK PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DRAMA The unorthodox continues in season three of this series featuring an assorted group of medical students as they navigate through four years at the most unconventional school. Join their challenges set against a harsh landscape and climate populated with quirky, off-the-wall characters.

NEW SEASONS OF APTN FAN FAVORITES THIS WINTER ON APTN:
THE CANDY SHOW – SEASON 5 / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME MUSIC AND VARIETY The fifth season of The Candy Show will bring a new lineup of stars from across Canada – musicians, performers, poets, even circus performers – and it’s going to be a rip- roaring time. Get right cozy in your seat, for she’ll bring out the secrets from her guests when they join her from her pink palace and pink bed.

HIT THE ICE – SEASON 3 / WORLD PREMIERE / YOUTH DOCUMENTARY This reality series returns for a third season about a high-level hockey camp, but this time the stakes are higher. And a few cuts will determine the final roster for the showcase games. Players’ dreams are the ultimate goal to make it to the next round. Whose goal is beyond reach?

underEXPOSED – SEASON 2 / WORLD PREMIERE / YOUTH DOCUMENTARY Adrenaline abounds in the second season of this documentary series with rising Aboriginal adventure sports media personality, Mason Mashon and photographer, writer, and deluxe co-host Gracey Dove. Join them on their off the wall journeys throughout the eye-popping landscapes of North America.

CHAOS & COURAGE – SEASON 2 / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY Season two of this documentary series features Aboriginal women that go beyond the roles of first responders. This season focuses on the frontlines with youth workers, soldiers, midwives and more. Women in these critical roles are proven to benefit the advancement of all nations.

ADRÉNALINE – SEASON 2 (FRENCH) / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY Adrénaline follows a variety of extreme sports and adventure fanatics as they rise to the top and become the role models of their community. Get energized and pushed beyond unexplored limits with the best rush of all.

LES SIOUI-BACON – SEASON 3 (FRENCH) / WORLD PREMIERE / PRIME TIME DOCUMENTARY In the first two seasons, the Sioui-Bacon family faced a series of comical adventures and adapted to life under one roof… and in the big city! The third season will test this blended family’s strength once again as they deal with job loss and the rollercoaster ride of relationships.

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail

Comments and queries for the week of Dec. 5

This week our readers sound off on Duke and Mara on Haven, the latest instalment of Strange Empire and the roller coaster relationships on Saving Hope.

It sickens me that Duke and Mara did it. I am probably one of the biggest Duniffer lovers around, and he did betray their relationship. I don’t trust her, either. He is in for probably a sick and sad surprise. I love Gloria’s quote, “its like she was a real-life Mrs. Potato-Head.” She is usually pretty funny–love her!–Haven Momma

A very well-written and concise review [of Strange Empire], Diane. I appreciate that the show invites different takes from different angles and my own review of the latest episode focused specifically on the owner-work relations … if interested, here is the link.–Chad

This season [of Saving Hope] has been a roller coaster so far, but I’m enjoying it. I can’t make up my mind which couple I like best. It’s hard to re-watch the first season and a half, or the first two episodes of this season, and not root for Charlie and Alex. But as this season goes on I think I’m leaning more toward Charlie and Dawn. Shanks and Nolden have really good chemistry and I think the two characters really know and understand each other. Joel seems to really know the post-accident Alex as well; wish we had seen the aftermath of their hooking up from last episode. Enjoying the medical and ghost storylines too.–Hallie

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

 

Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail