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.
Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Preview: Samantha Pynn joins Sebastian Clovis on Save My Reno

I first spoke to Sebastian Clovis back in 2014. Then, the former CFLer was promoting his first-ever home makeover program, Tackle My Reno. Sure, the title was cutesy and a nod to his days as a defensive back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Grey Cup-winning B.C. Lions. Since then, Clovis has become a bonafide member of HGTV Canada’s stable of talent, joining Scott McGillivray, Bryan Baeumler and the Scott Brothers as go-to dudes to swing hammers and do great work. Heck, they’ve all worked together on a couple of seasons of Home to Win.

Now Clovis is back with a new season of Save My Reno … and a new co-star. Samantha Pynn, who has starred in her own series Pure Design and Summer Home, as well as Home to Win, joins Clovis when Save My Reno returns on Tuesday with back-to-back episodes at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET on HGTV Canada.

Simply put, the pairing works. Clovis and Pynn know their stuff when it comes to renovating and decorating, and their ease helping homeowners get over the stress of figuring out both is palpable. Watching them turn the first episode’s cramped quarters into a stunning space is entertaining, fun and a teaching moment. You don’t have to break the bank to freshen up a space, and this pair shows you how.

And, just as important at the pair are skilled, they get along like gangbusters. The result is a season of Save My Reno that is a good time … and a good lesson in renovations on a budget.

Save My Reno airs Tuesdays at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV Canada.

Image courtesy of Corus Entertainment.

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Family Feud Canada, Featured

Comments and queries for the week of February 14

3 Comments

Many viewers are turned off by some of the fools that have been chosen as Family Feud Canada contestants. Who wants to see members act like jerks? Are they encouraged to act up and be obnoxious? Just tonight (Feb. 10 episode), the Brown family male members were totally obnoxious and behaved like arrogant fools. Who wants to watch a-holes like those brothers and not get to slap them on the back of their heads!

Some are the families are very normal and do not try to over-act like others. We assume producers are encouraging contestants to be exuberant and perform but some contestants are making Canadians look stupid. The Browns had a hint of karma when they never got to claim the $10,000 when Jerk No. 1 had such a high score that should have easily become a score of 200, but Jerk No. 2, being arrogant and cocky, struck out! Hopefully it knocked them down a few pegs and will act more normal, but the arrogant personalities of the males will probably win out and be jerks again.

Sorry to say that it will lose viewers with such arrogant contestants. Quit encouraging the over-acting! —Ken

Got a question or comment about Canadian TV? Email greg.david@tv-eh.com or via Twitter @tv_eh.

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Featured, Murdoch Mysteries

Preview: Murdoch Mysteries, “In the Company of Women”

11 Comments

Girls rule! Boys drool! That was the first thing that popped into my head when I spotted images for Monday’s new episode of Murdoch Mysteries. As you can see above, that’s Effie Newsome, Louise Cherry and Dr. Julia Ogden looking very much like Charlie’s Angels as they strut Toronto’s cobbled streets.

Here’s what the CBC has released regarding “In the Company of Women,” written by Lori Singer and directed by Gary Harvey:

Ogden and Effie try to untangle the death of a hair salon owner that occurred outside Murdoch’s jurisdiction.

And here, as always, are more observations from me.

Lots of ladies …
In addition to Clare McConnell and Bea Santos, look for Carlyn Burchell (who previously appeared as Monique/Victoria in “Monsieur Murdoch”). It’s quickly established that Effie and Louise are at odds when it comes to a certain Constable George Crabtree. Could he have two women battling for his affections? Also, Hélène Joy shows her comedic side, which is always welcome.

… and a couple of gentlemen
Jesse LeVercombe returns as butcher Jack Walker, alongside one heck of a large pig named Atley. Jack Clarke appears as Detective Graham Irwin. Det. Irwin is in charge of the investigation because it falls outside, as mentioned above, of William’s purview.

Where’s William?
While his wife works on solving a crime, Detective Murdoch is busy at the station house, discussing exotic meals and assigning Watts a missing porker.

Julia vs. Violet
This is all I will say on the subject.

Murdoch Mysteries airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBC.

Images courtesy of CBC.

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Schitt's Creek

Link: Interview: Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire

From Charles Trapunski of Brief Take:

Link: Interview: Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire
“What I love so much about her is that when I signed on the show, I really thought that I was going to be the girl behind the desk who gives David and the family their towels, because we didn’t read a script, I didn’t know that Stevie was going to be as amazing as she turned out to be.” Continue reading.

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