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.
Nurses

Season 2 of Global’s hit medical drama Nurses begins production March 2

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From a media release:

Canada’s favourite rookie nurses are getting ready to scrub back in as Global announced today the start of production for Season 2 of breakout hit Nurses. From Canadian broadcaster and production partner Corus Entertainment, with eOne, and ICF Films, the coming of age medical drama begins filming 10 new episodes beginning March 2 in Toronto.

After receiving an early series renewal for a sophomore season – ahead of the show’s broadcast debut –the first season of Nurses has become an instant hit with Canadian audiences, joining Global’s robust roster of hit series. With the premiere garnering nearly 1.3 million viewers**, the series launch became the most-watched premiere episode of a scripted Canadian series in over two years for total viewers*, and was the #1 entertainment program of the night for A25-54 and W25-54**.

Picking up after their first four months as interns, Season 2 welcomes back Grace (Tiera Skovbye), Ashley (Natasha Calis), Keon (Jordan Johnson-Hinds), Naz (Sandy Sidhu), and Wolf (Donald MacLean Jr.), and the old adage holds true: a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing – especially when other people’s lives are in their hands. As the rookie nurses hurl headlong into a new challenges, there are some notable add-ons to the St. Mary’s staff including nurse Kate Faulkner (Rachael Ancheril, Mary Kills People), who turned in her RN for an MBA;  the handsome, lone wolf Matteo Rey (casting to be confirmed), who gets off on the wrong foot with more than one member of the team; and the eternally sunny Candy Kemper (Katie Uhlmann, My Roommate’s an Escort). With new high-stakes medical cases and romantic entanglements, this season the five newbies will heroically endeavor to help their patients, while still struggling as they learn how to help themselves.

While Season 2 is about to begin a new nursing shift, Season 1 continues Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global. On next week’s episode “Achilles Heel”, Ashley receives an ultra-religious patient who is willing to put himself at peril to appease God, forcing Ashley to reconsider her own religious past. Naz supports a pregnant patient through the hardest decision of her life, while Wolf plunges deeper into Red’s drug ring.

Nurses is produced by ICF Films and eOne in association with Corus Entertainment, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. eOne handles international distribution on the series. Executive Producers are Ilana Frank (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Linda Pope (Saving Hope, Rookie Blue), Jocelyn Hamilton (Mary Kills People, Ransom), Patrick Tarr (Saving Hope, Cardinal) and Tassie Cameron (Mary Kills People, Rookie Blue) with Julie Puckrin (Killjoys, X Company) as Co-executive Producer. Adam Pettle (Burden of Truth, Saving Hope) is the Series Creator and Executive Producer.

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Coroner

Link: Coroner: Noelle Carbone talks “Monster in the House”

From Bridget Liszewski of The TV Junkies:

Link: Coroner: Noelle Carbone talks “Monster in the House”
“Along with Morwyn [Brebner, showrunner], Adrienne is the big beating heart of the show. She’s never directed one of my episodes before so when I found out I would be writing the penultimate episode, and that Adrienne would be directing it, I was so excited!” Continue reading.

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Children's Programming

Spring into March with My Perfect Landing, from the creator of The Next Step

From a media release:

Friendship, laughter and some amazing gymnastics are coming to Family Channel this March in the new series My Perfect Landing, premiering as a one-hour television event on Sunday, March 1 at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT. From the creator of the award-winning series The Next Step, Frank van Keeken, the family friendly drama stars real-life competitive gymnast Morgan Wigle as Jenny Cortez, a talented young gymnast who moves to a new city when her family gets the opportunity to run their own gymnastics club. Fans who can’t wait to vault right in can check out the My Perfect Landing YouTube Channel as exclusive video content, including cast video diaries, gymnastics tips and more, will be released beginning Friday, February 21!

The My Perfect Landing premiere kicks off Family’s amazing Free Preview for the full month of March, which includes an incredible line-up of series premieres, like Boss Baby: Back in Business and Holly Hobbie season 2; fan-favourites, like American Ninja Warrior Jr. and Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese; and must-see movies, like The Peanuts Movie and The Fault in Our Stars – all of which and more are sure to make screen time, family time this March!

Filmed last summer in Toronto and Miami, My Perfect Landing centres around aspiring young gymnast, Jenny Cortez, and her family, as they move from Miami to Toronto to open their own gymnastics club. Despite the fresh start, Jenny’s mom won’t allow her to compete at a high-level out of fear she’ll injure herself. With a little encouragement from her new best friends, and some secret training with her Grandpa – a former competitive gymnast himself – Jenny decides to follow her dreams and live up to the legacy of her mother and grandfather.

In the series premiere, debuting on Family Sunday, March 1 at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT, Jenny’s mom loses her job and moves her two kids to Toronto to start a gymnastics club with her father. Jenny is happy to discover her new school has a gymnastics team. Jenny goes behind her mother’s back and tries out for the team, but the captain of the team feels threatened by Jenny’s talent and blackmails her into quitting. Following the one-hour premiere special, new episodes of My Perfect Landing will continue to air Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET/PT beginning March 15.

My Perfect Landing also stars Tom Hulshof as Jenny’s brother, Joon Cortez; Helena Marie as Jenny’s mother, Whitney Cortez; Shawn Alex Thompson as Jenny’s Grandfather, Gus McIlroy; Jordan Clark (The Next Step), Francesca van Keeken (The Next Step), and newcomers Ajanae Stephenson, Natasha Zaborski, Holly Belbeck, Abby Stretch, Keira Still, Luca Assad, Osias Reid, Leonidas Castrounis, Parker Lauzon and Hailey Vynychenko. My Perfect Landing is produced by Beachwood Canyon Productions in association with Family Channel and is executive produced by Frank van Keeken, Yolanda Yott and van Keeken’s Beachwood Canyon Production team. Andrew Barnsley (Schitt’s Creek, JANN) and Ben Murray (JANN, Working the Engels) also serve as executive producers. International distribution is handled by WildBrain Ltd.

In addition to My Perfect Landing, Family’s March schedule is jam-packed with can’t-miss programming for the entire family, including: the series premiere of Boss Baby: Back in Business on Monday, March 2 at 5 p.m. ET/PT; the return of reality competition series American Ninja Warrior Junior on Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. ET/PT; the season 2 premiere of the popular tween drama Holly Hobbie on Sunday, March 8 at 3:30 p.m. ET/PT; new episodes of Sadie Sparks weekdays at 4:15 p.m. ET/PT; episodes of Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese continuing weekdays at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT; and popular movie titles like The Peanuts Movie, Kung Fu Panda, Charlotte’s Web, Over the Hedge, Open Season, Despicable Me and Shrek.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

All-new season of Makeful TV’s Handmade Hotels debuts February 26

From a media release:

Step inside some of Canada’s most creative, inspiring and thoughtfully designed short-term rentals in the all-new season of Handmade Hotels (6×30’). Hosted by renovation specialist and design enthusiast, Katie Herbert, the Makeful original series follows ambitious homeowners who harness their creativity and DIY skills to revamp spaces for short term rentals. Handmade Hotels uncovers hidden gems, from a 1970s-themed chalet to a remote treehouse-inspired cottage and a former refrigerator factory turned high-tech loft, the spaces are as diverse as the holiday goers themselves. Season 2 of Handmade Hotels airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, starting Feb. 26 on Makeful, during the channel’s eight-week nationwide free preview event, running until April 5.

In every episode, Katie Herbert explores three short-term rentals, each have something different to offer visitors, such as creative ways to accommodate large groups and children, eco-friendly homes, high-tech renovations, resort-style glamping and restored historic homes. The series is packed with unexpected ideas and inventive flourishes.

The first two episodes include:

Episode 1 – Take a Chance
Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Katie discovers three short-term rentals that have made some big design decisions – with even bigger results. These extraordinary rentals include a bright cottage playhouse in the city filled with vibrant colours and textures, a hundred-year-old farmhouse transformed into a groovy 70’s-themed chalet and two deluxe glamping experiences on a rural farm.

Episode 2 – New Experiences
Wednesday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
Katie explores three vacation rentals that let visitors step out of their comfort zone.  First up is a secret communal space in the city where guests can join pop-up concerts and secret dinner parties with local artists. Then, Katie visits a rustic loft above an active barn, where guests can get to know the resident horses. Finally, Katie travels to two off-grid experiments in Tiny Living, including a Scandinavian-themed Tiny Home and a converted silver retro trailer.

Handmade Hotels is produced by Architect-Films, in association with Makeful and distributed globally by Blue Ant Media. Jo Virgo is the Series Producer with Tanya Linton and Mike Sheerin serving as Executive Producers. Brian Quigley is the Director and Ryan West is the Story Editor.

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Awards, Featured

Hits and Misses: The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards nominees

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First off, a hearty congratulations to everyone who has been nominated for a 2020 Canadian Screen Award. I’ve spoken to many of you over the years and enjoyed our chats, your kindness and awesome skills whether you work in front of or behind the camera.

The Canadian Screen Awards are, I believe, as important and justified in their existence as the Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmys and BAFTA Awards; and with that comes the scrutiny that befalls the Academy and the nominations it puts forth every year. What does that mean? I poke, prod and peruse the television categories and scrutinize every decision the Academy has made with regard to the 2020 television nominations.

Here are my thoughts on several of the key categories. Let me know your own thoughts in the comments section below!

Best Drama Series

  • Anne with an E
  • Cardinal
  • Coroner
  • Mary Kills People
  • Vikings

I’m thrilled to see such a diverse group of shows listed in this category. What Moira Walley-Beckett achieved with her adaptation of Anne of Green Gables was inspired, Cardinal put Canada on the map with regard to dark, brooding murder series, Coroner was the CBC’s biggest new hit in years, and Mary Kills People proved a controversial topic can air in primetime. As for Vikings? Well, I admire what creator Michael Hirst has done creating a wonderful world first inhabited by Ragnar Lothbrok and passed on to his sons, but I feel other shows were more deserving. Where is Killjoys, which has been so damn good during its entire run? Or how about Pure, which closed out a wonderful (perhaps) final season over on Super Channel? And, finally, Burden of Truth‘s second season was simply stellar, combining legal and life drama in tight storylines.

Best Comedy Series

  • Jann
  • Kim’s Convenience
  • Letterkenny
  • Schitt’s Creek
  • Workin’ Moms

I have no issues with any of the shows in this category. Jann blew everyone out of the water, establishing Jann Arden as a comic force on television and Letterkenny continues to come up with WTF moments. Schitt’s Creek showed yet another side to its sweet story of acceptance and Kim’s Convenience never fails to make me laugh and touch my heart. And though I’m happy Workin’ Moms is here, I don’t feel like Season 3 was its strongest. There were certainly moments where I nodded in understanding and laughed at its outrageous scenes, but I was a little befuddled/nonplussed by the Forrest/Kate storyline.

Best Reality/Competition Program or Series

  • The Amazing Race Canada
  • Big Brother Canada
  • Blown Away
  • The Great Canadian Baking Show
  • Top Chef Canada

Amid all of the Canadian spinoffs is Blown Away, a newcomer that, pun intended, blew me away. If you had told me putting a bunch of characters in a Hamilton factory and challenging them to make blown glass art for the chance to win money would be compelling TV, I would have laughed at you. But that’s exactly what Blown Away did. It deserves the trophy.

Best Sketch Comedy Show & Ensemble Performance

  • Baroness Von Sketch Show
  • The Beaverton
  • Tallboyz
  • This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Is there any other sketch show out there that hasn’t been included? Email me if the Academy missed one.

Best Lead Actor, Drama

  • Peter Mooney, Burden of Truth
  • Billy Campbell, Cardinal
  • Jerry O’Connell, Carter
  • Roger Cross, Coroner
  • Shawn Doyle, Unspeakable

This is a fantastic list of actors, but I am a little confused by what the Academy defines as a drama. Jerry O’Connell is great on Carter, but his performance could easily fit in the comedy category. I know it’s up to the production companies to submit, so I’ll give the Academy a bit of a break. Also, Unspeakable was more of a limited series than a series. Perhaps the Academy should bring back that category so shows like Unspeakable and Cardinal can duke it out there. And, to be honest, where is Yannick Bisson in all this? His Detective William Murdoch showed incredible range last season, from deep drama to gut-busting comedy. When is he going to get his due?

Best Lead Actress, Drama

  • Amybeth McNulty, Anne with an E
  • Karine Vanasse, Cardinal
  • Serinda Swan, Coroner
  • Lauren Lee Smith, Frankie Drake Mysteries
  • Caroline Dhavernas, Mary Kills People

Where is Hannah John-Kamen from Killjoys, Melanie Scrofano from Wynonna Earp or Hélène Joy from Murdoch Mysteries?

Best Lead Actor, Comedy

  • Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Kim’s Convenience
  • Jared Keeso, Letterkenny
  • Jason Priestley, Private Eyes
  • Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

A very strong bunch of fellows are in this category and all are equally deserving. It’s great to see Mr. Priestley in this category; his comic chops make Private Eyes howl-worthy.

Best Lead Actress, Comedy Series

  • Jann Arden, Jann
  • Jean Yoon, Kim’s Convenience
  • Michelle Mylett, Letterkenny
  • Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Another wonderful list of nominees. I only wish there was room for Andrea Bang from Kim’s Convenience, Dani Kind from Workin’ Moms or Cindy Sampson from Private Eyes.

The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards will be broadcast live Sunday, March 29 at 8 p.m. ET  on CBC.

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