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

Hollywood Suite original A Year in Film salutes key years in cinema

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I was seven years old in 1978. The year before, Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind had rocked my world, leaving an indelible mark and cementing my love of movie theatres.

But back to 1978, when films like Days of Heaven, Dawn of the Dead, The Deer Hunter and Saturday Night Fever came out. I was too young to watch any of them then—but since have, many ironically on Hollywood Suite—but they left equally important marks on those who saw them in a darkened cinema. Now, thanks to Hollywood Suite—and its first-ever original series—the movies of that year are celebrated.

A Year in Film: 1978, debuting Friday at 9 p.m. ET on Hollywood Suite 70s—all of the Hollywood Suite channels are in a free preview this month—explores those movies while also giving background into what was happening in the world at that time. In 1978, there was a lot, including three popes, serial killer culture and the height of disco.

There to help explain society, and cinema in 1978, are Hollywood Suite film and content specialist Cameron Maitland, Drunken Cinema’s Serena Whitney, author and film critic Geoff Pevere, Brendan Ross and film curator and historian Alicia Fletcher. They break down why a movie like Grease existed in the first place, the height of John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever and Thank God It’s Friday. They also analyze how The Deer Hunter and Coming Home explored the impact of the Vietnam War, how groundbreaking Halloween and Girlfriends really were and how Canadian tax shelters led to The Silent Partner, starring Christopher Plummer, being made.

Each half-hour episode is informative and educational, and really helped me understand why these films were made in the first place, and how they influenced those to come.

Future instalments include A Year in Film: 1978 with Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone, The Big Chill, Videodrome and The Dead Zone; A Year in Film: 1992 with El Mariachi, Reservoir Dogs, Malcolm X and Wayne’s World; and A Year in Film: 2007 featuring There Will Be Blood, Zodiac, No Country For Old Men, Juno and Away From Her.

A Year in Film: 1978 airs Friday at 9 p.m. ET on Hollywood Suite 70s Movies. A Year in Film: 1983 debuts Friday, Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. ET on Hollywood Suite 80s Movies. A Year in Film: 1992 debuts Friday, Dec. 22 at 9 p.m. ET on Hollywood Suite 90s Movies. A Year in Film: 2007 debuts Friday, Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. ET on Hollywood Suite 00s Movies.

Image courtesy of Hollywood Suite.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

marblemedia announces launch of Restaurants on the Edge

From a media release:

Leading global entertainment producer marblemedia, in association with OutEast Entertainment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new premium unscripted series, Restaurants on the Edge, which will premiere on Blue Ant Media’s Cottage Life channel in Canada on January 2, 2020 with two back-to-back episodes at 8:00 pm ET/PT and 9:00 pm ET/PT.

Each hour-long episode invites viewers into a new restaurant located in a stunning location—on the edge of an ocean, a mountain, or desert. But despite their outstanding views, these eateries are struggling to create an experience that lives up to their incredible surroundings.

A team of experts lead the way in restaurant transformations that span 10 countries across the 13 episodes: chef Dennis Prescott, designer Karin Bohn and restaurateur Nick Liberato. By tapping into the soul of the restaurant’s surroundings and its community, and by incorporating local tastes, flavours and textures, each expert embarks on a journey to transform not just the restaurant, but the owners’ outlook as well.

Featuring breathtaking locations and diverse ways of life, Restaurants on the Edge focuses on creating outstanding restaurant experiences by making connections with local communities and cultures. Co-produced by marblemedia, with executive producers Matt Hornburg and Mark J.W. Bishop, and OutEast Entertainment, with executive producers Courtney Hazlett and Steven Marrs. Produced in association with Blue Ant Media, series producers and directors Rob Brunner and Justin Harding and supervising producer Donna Luke.

Image courtesy of marblemedia.

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Featured, Frankie Drake Mysteries

Preview: Frankie Drake Mysteries, “A Sunshine State of Mind”

And, just like that, Frankie Drake Mysteries‘ season finale is here. I’m so used to its Monday night partner, Murdoch Mysteries, being at least 18 instalments that I’m surprised when Episode 10 of Frankie shows up in my Inbox.

Yet here we are, and much has changed during this third season. With showrunner Peter Mitchell at the helm, I feel like the series has finally found its stride, from Lauren Lee Smith keeping her blonde locks to Rebecca Liddiard and Sharron Matthews really getting to expand the characters of Mary and Flo, respectively. Chantel Riley’s Trudy has evolved as well, making the show feel more confident and well-rounded. And, with storylines addressing sexual assault and racism, Frankie Drake Mysteries isn’t afraid to tackle tough subjects.

Here’s what the CBC has revealed about the season finale, “A Sunshine State of Mind,” written by Jennifer Kassabian and Keri Ferencz, and directed by Ruba Nadda:

After Nora and Mildred are swindled by a fake land-selling conman, Frankie and Trudy vow to get their money back.

And here is more information from me after watching a screener of the episode.

Things are getting hot
When we catch up with Frankie and the team, they’re sweltering under a heatwave in Toronto.

Recurring guests reunite
Wendy Crewson and Karen Robinson both appear in Monday’s season finale, which makes sense because Nora and Mildred, as noted above, get swindled.

Mary learns about her father
A quick task introduces Mary to Officer McKinlay (Andrew Gillies), who was her father Matthew’s former partner.

Joe Perry returns
Luke Humphrey reprises his role as Joe Perry. We last saw Joe in the episode called “Whisper Sisters.” This time, Frankie isn’t so happy to see him, as Joe’s visit involves a man named CC Glendale, played by Patrick McKenna.

Catch past seasons of Frankie Drake Mysteries on CBC Gem.

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Industry News

Link: APTN celebrates 20 years of representing Indigenous peoples

From Melissa Hank of Postmedia:

Link: APTN celebrates 20 years of representing Indigenous peoples
“We always knew that there needed to be a network that represented us, a network that was true to who we were and that allowed us to learn the technical skills to tell our stories. Now we could actually see ourselves and hear our stories.” Continue reading.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Food Network Canada announces Wall of Chefs

From a media release:

A wall of 12 world-class chefs, four home cooks, three culinary challenges and one grand prize at stake: Wall of Chefs (10×60) puts amateur cooks to the ultimate test. In each exhilarating stand-alone episode of Corus Studios’ Wall of Chefs, host and vibrant television personality Noah Cappe (Carnival Eats) guides four home cooks through intense rounds of culinary competition. Each challenge will test the skills and nerves of the cooks as they battle in a state-of-the-art kitchen under the towering shadow and watchful eye of “The Wall” – comprised of a revolving panel of Canada’s most notable chefs. The competitors battle it out until the final round where the wall of culinary icons ultimately declares the winner, awarding the $10,000 prize. The groundbreaking new Canadian original series makes its debut February 3 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada.

Wall of Chefs features an unmatched, star-studded slate of 33 Canadian culinary icons and trailblazers on rotation throughout the 10-episode run of the season. The chefs span from Vancouver, B.C. to St. John’s, N.L., representing diverse cultures and cuisines, while bringing different perspectives and opinions to the forum.

The Wall of Chefs cast of culinary icons include:

  • Hugh Acheson – Atlanta, Ga. (5&10, The National, Empire State South, Spiller Park Coffee)
  • Suzanne Barr – Toronto, Ont. (True True Diner)
  • Victor Barry – Toronto, Ont. (Piano Piano Restaurant, Café Cancan)
  • Christa Bruneau-Guenther – Winnipeg, Man. (Feast Café Bistro)
  • Massimo Capra – Toronto, Ont.  (Capra’s Kitchen, Massimo’s Italian, Boccone, Soprafino)
  • Shane Chartrand – Edmonton, Alta. (SC)
  • Alex Chen – Vancouver, B.C. (Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar)
  • Christine Cushing – Toronto, Ont.
  • Lynn Crawford – Toronto, Ont. (Ruby Watchco, The Hearth)
  • Meeru Dhalwala – Vancouver, B.C. (Vij’s)
  • Fisun Ercan – Montreal, Que. (Su)
  • Rob Feenie – Vancouver, B.C. (Cactus Club Cafe)
  • Michele Forgione – Montreal, Que. (Impasto, Pizzeria Gema, Chez Tousignant, Vesta)
  • Marysol Foucault – Gatineau, Que. (Edgar)
  • Rob Gentile – Toronto, Ont. (Bar Buca, Buca Osteria & Bar, Buca Osteria & Enoteca)
  • Mandel Hitzer – Winnipeg, Man. (deer + almond)
  • Nick Hodge – Montreal, Que. (Icehouse)
  • Renée Lavallée – Dartmouth, N.S. (The Canteen and Little C)
  • Jinhee Lee – Calgary, Alta. (Foreign Concept)
  • Susur Lee  – Toronto, Ont. (Lee, Kid Lee, Lee Kitchen, Tunglok Heen)
  • Nick Liu – Toronto, ON (Dailo, Little Dailo)
  • Dale Mackay – Saskatoon, Sask. (Ayden Kitchen & Bar, Sticks and Stones, Little Grouse, Avenue)
  • Darren MacLean – Calgary, Alta. (Shokunin)
  • Mark McEwan – Toronto, Ont. (Bymark, One, Fabbrica, Diwan)
  • Corinna Mozo – Toronto, Ont. (La Cubana)
  • Todd Perrin – St. John’s, N.L. (Mallard Cottage, Waterwest Kitchen and Meats)
  • Christie Peters – Saskatoon, Sask. (The Hollows, Primal)
  • Guy Rawlings – Toronto, Ont. (Montgomery’s)
  • Nuit Regular – Toronto, Ont. (PAI Northern Thai Kitchen, Sabai Sabai, Sukho Thai, Kiin)
  • Danny Smiles – Montreal, Que. – (Le Bremner)
  • Alida Solomon – Toronto, Ont. (Tutti Matti)
  • Jesse Vergen – Saint John, N.B. (Saint John Ale House, Toro Taco, Barred Rock, Smoking Pig, McGill’s)
  • Joël Watanabe – Vancouver, B.C. (Bao Bei, Kissa Tanto)

In every episode, four amateur cooks face off in culinary challenges judged by 12 of Canada’s most renowned chefs, known as “The Wall”. The first round is the “Crowd-Pleaser” where four home cooks are tasked with making their signature crowd-pleasing dish to impress the chef judges. One home cook is eliminated, and the three remaining home cooks move forward to compete in the “Chef’s Fridge” challenge where they must use staple ingredients of the selected chef’s fridge in their dish. In the third round, the final two home cooks face off in the “Restaurant-Worthy” challenge, where they are tasked to make a dish based on one of the chef judge’s most popular and well-known culinary creations. In the end, only one cook will be left standing, claiming $10,000 and the respect of the wall of chefs. The home cooks from across the country taking on the ultimate challenge in the Wall of Chefs kitchen will be announced at a later date.

Foodnetwork.ca offers exclusive Wall of Chefs content, including a closer look at the stellar cast of chef judges from across the country. Viewers can look forward to food trend videos, special interviews, a glimpse into the fridges of the expert celebrity chefs and much more. In addition, full episodes will be available online the day after broadcast.

Wall of Chefs is produced by Insight Productions in association with Corus Studios for Food Network Canada. Executive Producers are John Brunton, Mark Lysakowski and Eric Abboud and Series Producer is Erica Lenczner.

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